By Barry Kenyon

[Gaybutton]

I think part of the problem is the lack of uniformity in the immigration offices in that they seem to get away with making up their own rules, sometimes rules that actually contradict the law. Example - For a while Pattaya immigration was issuing retirement visas only to those who had at least 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account despite the fact that the law also allowed those who could prove at least 65,000 baht monthly income were also eligible.

It is understandable that individual immigration offices have to deal with local problems that occasionally occur, but it is difficult when people go to immigration without any assurance of what to expect.

Part of my own coping mechanism for a great many things that happen is a quote from, of all people Mr. Carney, my driver education instructor when I was in high school - "Always expect the unexpected".
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Contradictory immigration rules handicap common visa hopes

By Barry Kenyon

January 30, 2025

Thailand’s unilateral policy to reform entry requirements makes a Schengen-style “six countries one destination” ever more distant. Thailand is the only south east Asian country to allow most tourists a no-charge 60 days visa exempt, whilst plans to introduce a digital landing card – which specifically isn’t a visa application – for all foreign entrants from May 2025 is another unique feature.

ASEAN has been struggling since the turn of the century to find common visa ground. The idea was a favorite of the previous Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin in 2023, but he envisaged that international tourists would need to enter Thailand first to qualify for seamless onward entry without any cost. This elitist proposal was quietly opposed by neighbors as it seemed unduly to benefit Thailand and would potentially deprive them of revenue.

There is no coordination of immigration technologies across the region. Whilst most visitors to Thailand are free and visa-exempt, Cambodia and Laos require virtually all international tourists to pay for an e-visa online or risk long delays at airports. Vietnam has a complex visa system which appears to change details on a regular basis. Myanmar is in a class of its own as it has no international tourism because of the civil war.

Given that Thai authorities already have significant problems coordinating their own border control protocols and security data bases, the chances of uniformity throughout the region any time soon are indeed negligible. Although the Malaysian government has envisaged a common visa future, she and Thailand have the lion’s share of international tourism in ASEAN and are competitors as much as they are collaborators.

A further issue is whether ASEAN nationals would be able to work across the region (as in the Schengen arrangements) rather than require a work permit in each country. Given the current panic, particularly in Thailand, about illegal workers and border scams, progress towards such labour flexibillity looks out of the question. ASEAN was set up as an economic free-trade zone and has a long history of avoiding cross-border political agreements. The dream of a common visa remains something to sleep on.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... pes-488906

[Dodger]

Contradictory immigration rules handicap common visa hopes

Aren't you glad we don't have to mess with this crap...

[Gaybutton]

Personally I find the form essentially useless in the first place. Let me add to the confusion. My form has been in my passport since the last time I was out of Thailand. That was in 2013. Will I be able to fill out the online form and then discard the one, now visibly quite worn, in my passport?
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The Thai Digital Arrival Card from May 1 causes confusion

By Barry Kenyon

February 5, 2025

The announcement that all foreign arrivals will soon need to fill in a no-cost online TDAC prior to travelling still awaits the detail. It will replace the old manual TM6 arrival card which had fallen into disuse largely because weary travellers scribbled unreadably on a form too small for purpose. Not to mention the struggle to find a pen that worked after a long journey.

We already know from May 1 that anyone travelling to Thailand – unless they hold a Thai passport – will need to submit the online form in advance of travel to include the usual biographical points as well as travel and accommodation details. The new rule will apply to all non-Thai passport holders whether arriving by air, land or sea. But we don’t yet know the online portal which will receive this information.

Presumably, the traveller will receive from the official platform a QR code confirmation which can be presented along with the passport to the immigration officer or, if allowed, to the electronic immigration gates already installed at some airports. Presumably, the TDAC will also double as a customs declaration form although that has to be confirmed. Some reports say that the TDAC will also involve a leaving procedure on exiting the country, but no announcement so far.

Confusion has arisen between the TDAC and a visa application. They are quite separate bureaucracies. Tourists from 93 countries, including all those sending large numbers, are now visa exempt for 60 days with the option of extending a further month at local immigration. They will from May have to complete the TDAC bureaucracy. But so will all visa holders as the new rule applies to all foreign arrivals irrespective of their permission or permit status.

A number of other matters await clarification. Will defaulters be denied boarding by airlines fearful of being fined? Or will there be the facility to fill in the form on arrival in the airport or border terminal? Will the TDAC be required for every visit? What about visitors who change their address after submitting the form? With less than three months before implementation, lots more information needs to reach the travelling public soon. Or the government’s aim to create a seamless travel experience for all will rapidly disintegrate.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ion-489448

[Jun]

A number of other matters await clarification. Will defaulters be denied boarding by airlines fearful of being fined?

Will the website work?
Will authorisation be instant, or will there be inexplicable delays that can be resolved by paying an agency ?
That's exactly what one board member found with the "Thai Pass".

[gerefan]

“ the governments aim to create a seamless travel experience for all….”

QUITE THE REVERSE

Anyone who has applied for a 60 or 90 day visa in the past will know what a pain it is. The form is horrendous and requires all sorts of documentation, photos, bank statements, travel tickets, accommodation confirmation etc etc.

No doubt this will be similar but will be required for everyone regardless of whether they need a visa or not. And what happens if you do want a 90 visa, do you have to duplicate it all for the extra days?

It may save minutes at immigration but will take hours/days for completion and confirmation.

First time visitors will be shocked and not return again, thus reducing tourist numbers.

A complete pain in the arse.

[Gaybutton]

First time visitors will be shocked and not return again, thus reducing tourist numbers.

A complete pain in the arse.

Again, I don't understand what purpose this form serves in the first place. Why not do something sensible for a change and rather than coming up with a confusing online system, how about just scrapping the whole thing and be done with it?

Does anyone think without this form Thailand will become less secure?

[Jun]

Does anyone think without this form Thailand will become less secure?

No. Especially when the most prolific criminals in Thailand wear uniforms.

[Gaybutton]

Especially when the most prolific criminals in Thailand wear uniforms.

Good point . . .

[Gaybutton]

Regarding the Andrew Hopkins case, which has been in the news for the better part of a week, I totally believe the police on this one.
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British antics in Pattaya are always irresistible news headlines

By Barry Kenyon

February 6, 2025

It’s impossible not to feel sympathy for Andrew Hopkins who found himself temporarily in Pattaya police cells for damaging an electronic vehicle barrier. Of course, it’s a disputed saga. He accuses the local police of extortion and brutality amid the far-from-luxurious police cells. But city police chief colonel Nawin Theerawit has his videos to show officers actually arrested Andrew twice in separate incidents, both times prompted by drunken behaviour.

The British foreign office has apparently made an official complaint on behalf of Andrew, whilst the Pattaya police colonel has asked the British embassy for help in confirming that the guy was treated in accordance with lawful practice. Diplomats are notoriously reluctant to get involved in cases where the accused is actually back in his or her home country. Moreover, it is far from clear that Andrew was treated any worse than a Thai in a similar situation. That’s the crucial point.

The key is probably the 15,000 baht (about 370 UK pounds) which Andrew claimed was bribe money to get him out of jail without a court case. Police deny that happened. Even if the cash was paid, it could be argued that it was to repair the damage to the vehicle barrier. Calling out the firm in the middle of the night to repair the machine would cost about that. A security man on duty at the site apparently told the local press that he was greatly infuriated because he would be liable to pay for the damage out of his meagre wages.

During the past 30 years, Pattaya in its role as Sin City Extraordinaire has provided many examples for British newspaper headlines and, later on, internet click bait. There was the guy who was arrested for painting his neighbor’s front door (contrary to the alien labour act then in force), the Brit who walked round Pattaya with a talking parrot (which unfortunately asked passers-by for donations) and the lady from Coventry who stole the wallets of people who came to her rescue when she collapsed (which she did once too often).

Thailand and Pattaya are no longer as carefree and anarchic as they once were. There are nationally around 230,000 policemen who comprise almost 20 percent of all local government personnel. The cops come in many guises: City, Immigration, Tourist, Anti-Trafficking, Narcotics Control, Economic Crime etc etc. There is close collaboration between Thai police and foreign crime agencies including Interpol. Public order is seen by Thai officials as the priority and alcohol abuse is taken seriously. Prostitution is tolerated rather than legalized. Conservatism is always lurking just under the surface here. Twelve military coups since 1932 prove that.

A review of internet news channels suggests that about 70 Brits have been arrested in Pattaya over recent months. They have included murderers, child abusers and drugs traffickers as well as immigration defaulters, thieves and drunks. Their eventual fate is often unreported as media representatives are almost always banned from Thai courts. Bizarre cases, such as the Brit accused of destroying government documents after he swallowed a traffic ticket in a foolish moment, are likely to be highlighted in both the UK press and Pattaya social media. It’s stuff Brits apparently love to read. Of course, the overwhelming majority of Brits in Pattaya never hear handcuffs click or see the inside of a lockup. But perhaps Pattaya was once the Wild West. It isn’t now.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... nes-489640

[Jun]

He accuses the local police of extortion and brutality amid the far-from-luxurious police cells.

In the UK, we treat yobs and criminals far too well. Which has negative consequences for law and order.
I expect this guy got what he deserved here, although I wouldn't be surprised if the extortion allegation is true.