Integrity Legal

Thailand visa issues seem to be one of the most popular topics discussed on this blog. This may be due to the fact that many people who travel to the Kingdom of Thailand find that they would prefer to remain for a long period of time. Unfortunately, obtaining a Thai long term visa seems to be getting more and more difficult as visa regulations become increasingly complex and cumbersome. That being said, there is one rule that can have a major impact upon one’s chances of obtaining a Thai visa. This rule deals with foreign passport validity.

In many cases, Thai Consular Officers working at Consulates and Embassies overseas are hesitant to provide long term visas to Thailand if the applicant’s underlying passport is not valid for the entire duration of the visa. This being said, there is a bright line rule at most Consulates: the applicant must have at least 6 months of validity left on their passport in order for any visa to be issued. However, as a practical matter Consular Officers have a great deal of discretion regarding visa issuance and short term passport validity is frowned upon. This negative attitude could translate into a Thai visa application’s denial if the officer is uncomfortable issuing a visa to the applicant based upon the totality of the circumstances.

For those interested in obtaining a Thailand visa it is wise to have a passport that is valid for at least one year. Further, some posts prefer machine readable passports as they provide an extra level of security and act as a means of preventing visa fraud because it is more difficult to forge a machine readable travel document.

As with US Consulates and Embassies, each Thai Consulate or Thai Embassy has a slightly unique procedure for processing visa applications and as a result the above information should be checked against the post policies and guidelines at the time of application. As a general rule, a Thai visa applicant would be wise to present a well-founded application along with a machine readable passport valid for more than six months, but preferably more than one year.

For Americans seeking a new passport in Thailand please contact the American Citizen Services Section of the US Embassy Bangkok as this office is primarily responsible for passport issuance to those resident in Thailand. For those living in Northern Thailand the US Consulate Chiang Mai can also assist with passport procurement for American Citizens.

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Posted in Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Thailand Embassy, Thailand Embassy Myanmar, Thailand Embassy Singapore, Thailand Visa, US Consulate Chiang Mai, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Thailand | 2 Comments »

This author has had the good fortune to witness the many different ways in which Thailand visa applications are adjudicated. Generally, the adjudication of Thai visa applications depends upon the post at which the applicant is applying.

At many of the Thai Consulates and Embassies in Southeast Asia a long term Thai visa can be difficult to obtain (long term meaning those visas issued with a validity of more than 90 days). This is likely due to the fact that many of the posts in Southeastern Asia have become used to so-called “visa runners” who use nearby Thai Consulates to obtain visas to remain in the country long term. At one time, the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang was popular among visa runners. This author recently had the opportunity to visit the Thai Consulate in Burma and was surprised to find an extremely efficient and well run post, but one that does not routinely issue visas with more validity than 90 days.

Unlike the United States, Thailand issues very few, if any, immigrant visas at Consulates and Embassies abroad. Part of this is likely due to the fact that these two Immigration systems are very different. However, another explanation could be the fact that Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad may not have the capacity to handle the adjudication of Immigrant visas like a US Embassy or US Consulate. Also, Royal Thai Immigration is exclusively responsible for the adjudication of Immigrant visas (also known as Thai Permanent Residence) and such visa applications must be approved in Thailand.

Since Thai Embassies and Consulates generally only issue non-immigrant visas the next question that most people ask is: “how long are such visas valid.” This depends upon the category of the Thai visa, but Royal Thai Embassies generally have the discretion to issue visas with as much as 3 years validity. As a practical matter, the Consulate or Embassy will only issue a visa with a maximum validity of 1 year.

Some Consulates require the applicant to physically present themselves, while other allow for visas to be applied for by post. However, one should not assume that simply because the application is sent in by mail that the officer does not scrutinize the application. On the contrary, there are some who would argue that such applications are more heavily scrutinized compared to “walk in” applications.

Generally, Royal Thai Consulates post the general application requirements and it is incumbent upon the applicant to demonstrate that they meet the requirements and should therefore be granted the Thai visa. Thai tourist visas generally require the least expediture of resources on the part of the applicant. However, Thai Business visas, Thai Retirement visas, and Thai O visas can require a great deal of work in order for the applicant to obtain approval.

Tags: Thai Business Visa, Thai permanent residence, Thai Visa, Thailand Business Visa, Thailand Consulate, Thailand Embassy, Thailand Permanent Residence, Thailand Permanent Resident, Thailand Visa, US Consulate, US Embassy
Posted in Thailand Embassy, Thailand Embassy Myanmar, Thailand Visa, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Thailand | No Comments »

Many people in Thailand, both foreign and Thai, choose to incorporate Thai businesses. Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s major trading locales and as a result many individuals and business concerns need a corporate presence in the Kingdom of Thailand. In many cases, companies are incorporated with substantially similar articles of incorporation. That being said, some companies opt to incorporate with unique provisions regarding different types of shareholder rights in the corporate charter. These different types of rights can have a major impact upon the running of the business because these rights can have a collateral impact upon employee compensation, shareholder vote tabulation, and banking issues. Therefore, an understanding of share classification can be helpful to those who are thinking of incorporating a Thai company.

In the articles of association (also known as articles of incorporation) of a Thai limited company, one could denote the rights associated with different share classifications. Therefore, some shares could simply hold an equity interest in the company while not having any voting rights at shareholder meetings. Other types of shares could hold little or no equity in the company, but maintain voting rights regarding the Directors of the company. If a company owns Thai property, there could be specific shares that have certain rights in relation to the Thai property concerned. For example, a Thai company that owns Thai real estate could place special rights in the hands of certain shareholders with regard to said real estate. If a Thai company owns a Thai Condo, then share classification could be used to delineate the rights of individuals with regard to the Condo premises.

For those who are interested in Thai limited companies certified under the US-Thai Amity Treaty, these same principals could apply to an Amity Company. One shareholder could retain a sizable equity holding while another holds certain voting rights. The same could be said about a Thai limited company that has obtained a Foreign Business License. A company such as this could incorporate special shareholder rights in the provisions of the articles of association or incorporation.

These issues bleed into the realm of Thai Immigration because the shareholder in a Thai company could apply for a Thai business visa. The basis for such an application could be an impending shareholder’s meeting that the foreign national must attend. The approval of such an application would depend upon the Thai Embassy or Consulate concerned. If present in the Kingdom on another type of visa, an O visa, for example, it may be possible for the shareholder to attend a meeting in order to vote his or her shares.

Tags: Amity Treaty, Amity Treaty Company, Corporate Law, Limited Company Thailand, Shareholder Classification, Thai Company, Thai Limited Company, Thailand company, Thailand limited company, Treaty of Amity Company, US-Thai Amity Treaty, Voting Rights
Posted in Amity Treaty, Thailand Business, Thailand company, Thailand Condo, Thailand Embassy, Thailand Property, Thailand Real Estate, Thailand Visa | 22 Comments »

Work Permits can be a major issue for those engaging in non-recreational activity in Thailand. Thaivisa. com is reporting that some of those involved with the King’s Cup Regatta were worried that the Ministry of Labour and the Royal Thai Immigration Police may crackdown on foreigners participating in the Regatta. The reason for the possible crackdown was supposedly to be due to unsanctioned employment-like activity. Fortunately, as Thaivisa.com is reporting, rumors of a crackdown are unfounded as authorities have stated that no sailors will be detained for work permit violations connected with the event.

Quoting Thaivisa.com:

Rumors of an imminent crackdown on foreign sailors taking part in the King’s Cup Regatta over work permit violations are untrue, the head of Phuket Immigration has confirmed. A thread on the popular Thai Visa web forum yesterday started with the post:  ’Latest from Phuket Town… raiding King’s Cup regatta tomorrow for professional sailors without work permits….’ As Immigration Police would have to play a role in any such crackdown, the Gazette contacted Phuket Immigration Police Superintendent Col Chanatpol Yongbunjerd to see if the rumor was true; it wasn’t, and isn’t. ‘I guarantee that such arrests won’t happen,’ he said.”

Although it may seem trivial, some officials take work permit violations very seriously. As a result, some activities which foreigners consider to be “non-employment,” are used as a basis for fining or detaining individuals in the Kingdom for violations of Thai Labor law.

Immediately following the relatively recent Tsunami in Southern Thailand, many volunteers arrived to assist in relief efforts. Some of these volunteers were disturbed to be informed by Thai authorities that they were in violation of Thai labor regulations. To quote Thailandqa.com:

“‘More than 1,000 foreign volunteers from about 25 countries helping tsunami survivors rebuild shattered lives were outraged yesterday to hear they face legal action by the Labour Ministry unless they have a work permit. Sombat Boonngam-anong, director of the Chiang Rai-based Krajok Ngao Foundation, said confusion and anger reigned among the foreign volunteers at Khao Lak in Phangnga’s Takua Pa district when a Labour Ministry official told a local English-language newspaper that they were required to register with the ministry for a work permit otherwise legal action would be taken against them starting March 1.’ — Bangkok Post, 2nd March 2005, PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN”

Normally, in order for a foreign national to obtain a Thai work permit the applicant must also present a validly issued Thai visa. Many Thailand visa categories enable the bearer to apply for a work permit. However, the most optimal visa category to support a work permit is the business visa. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to obtain a Thai business visa from a Thailand Embassy or Consulate abroad and therefore many opt to stay in Thailand on tourist visas or exemption stamps. Neither of these documents, on their own, can be used as a basis for submitting a Thai work permit application. Therefore, those wishing to work in the Kingdom should seriously consider applying for a proper visa prior to arrival.

Tags: Ministry of Labor Thailand, Ministry of Labour Thailand, Thai Immigration, Thai Ministry of Labor, Thai Ministry of Labour, Thai Visa, Thai Visas, Thai Work Permit, Thailand Ministry of Labor, Thailand Ministry of Labour, Thailand Visa, Thailand Visas, Thailand Work Permit, Visa Thai, Visa Thailand, work permit Thailand
Posted in General Legal Information, Thailand Business, Thailand Embassy, Thailand Visa, Weird Law | No Comments »

In recent months, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, has been in the news as he evades requests for extradition from the Kingdom of Thailand. The website Thaivisa.com is reporting the following:

“Thaksin’s name in passports issued by Nicaragua, Uganda and Montenegro has been changed to “Takki Shinegra,” he said. The Thai government has revoked Thaksin’s diplomatic passport issued during his premiership. He was believed to have an ordinary Thai passport. Some African countries have issued him a special passport to facilitate his travels and his visit to the countries. [Vice Foreign Minister] Panich said Thaksin’s new name may cause problem for Thailand’s attempt to bring him back to face two-year jail term on charge of corruption.” [sic]

The change of Mr. Thaksin’s name is a major obstacle for those who wish to make him return to Thailand. Thaivisa.com further quotes Mr. Panich:

“Problems can happen when we ask foreign countries to extradite him. We name him in our request as Thaksin Shinawatra but when those countries check his presence, they would not find him because he used different name.” [sic]

The issue of dual nationality and different names is not exclusively the problem of Thai authorities. Many people around the world have dual nationality and in many cases, they have different names depending upon their country of Citizenship. This can create a great deal of consternation for Immigration officials.

Dual nationality is not, in and of itself, a problem for those wishing to obtain US or Thai Immigration benefits. However, it can raise many issues with regard to the identity of the individual seeking the immigration benefit. For example, if an individual is born in Hong Kong under one name, but later takes Australian nationality under another name, then that individual’s birth certificate will not likely match his or her Australian passport. This can lead to problems with Immigration authorities as two names can cause confusion and lead to increased scrutiny.

When petitioning for Immigration benefits in any country, it is often required that the applicant divulge any aliases that they may have. For those applying for a Thailand visa or an American visa this is often required and failure to note an alias could result in relatively serious sanctions.

Many countries allow their citizens to have aliases noted in their passport. For United States Citizens, this is definitely a possibility, but requires approval of  an application to have a different name noted in a US passport. For those resident in Thailand, it is possible to have an alias noted in a US passport, but one must submit an application to the Consular Officer at the American Citizen Services section of the US Embassy in Bangkok or the US Consulate in Chiang Mai. US Embassies and Consulates elsewhere can perform this service as well. Thai Consulates and Embassies could also note aliases in one’s Thai passport, but one must check with the Consulate beforehand as not all posts are able to complete this task.

Tags: American Embassy Bangkok, American Embassy Thailand, American Passport, Thailand Visa, US Consulate Chiang Mai, us embassy bangkok, us embassy thailand, us passport, US Visa
Posted in General Legal Information, Legal Opinion, Miscellaneous, Thailand Embassy, Thailand Visa, US Consulate Chiang Mai, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Thailand, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | No Comments »

Although not a major topic on this blog, the visa run is an issue for many expatriates, or expats, in Thailand. There was a time when remaining in Thailand for a virtually indefinite period of time simply required a “visa run” or “border run,” once every thirty days. However, Thai Immigration regulations have been in a state of flux for approximately 5-10 years and one of the biggest changes was the end of the infinite 3o day visa exemption. Today, a foreigner will usually only receive a 15 day visa exemption at a land border in Thailand. This is unhelpful for those wishing to remain in Thailand for a long period of time as Thai Immigration officials require at least 21 days of lawful status to convert a Thai visa or extend a Thai visa.

The border run or “visa run” is still important for many as it is still required of one in the Kingdom on a long term multiple entry Thai visa.  A one year multiple entry visa for Thailand provides the bearer with 90 days of lawful status per entry. In the case of the Thai business visa, business travelers often leave Thailand before their duration of stay has ended. However, in cases where the traveler must remain past 90 days he or she will need to leave the country and be stamped back in at a port of entry.

A common method of fulfilling this Thai Immigration requirement is through use of a land border. A very popular “border run” or “visa run” destination for those residing in Bangkok is Cambodia. Although currently their are some tensions with Cambodia that threaten to close the Cambodia border. At present, it would appear that the border will remain open. That being said, another issue arises. Namely, does one need a visa to enter Cambodia on their “visa run?” For most passport holders the answer to this question is: Yes. With the exception of ASEAN nations, most foreign passport holders need a visa to enter Cambodia. Currently the price of a Cambodian visa is $20 although this price could change.

Some border runners and visa runners opt to travel to other countries near Thailand as a method of fulfilling Thai Immigration requirements. Popular destinations are Burma (Myanmar), Laos, and Malaysia. Currently, Malaysia has a visa waiver program for most passport holders while Burma (Myanmar) requires a visa for those from nearly every nation. A Burmese visa can be obtained at the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok. As to Laos, a visa exemption or visa on arrival is granted to most entrants when they are admitted to Laos at a port of entry.

Some opt to do their “visa run” using an airport. In this situation the visa runner needs to leave Thailand by plane and be stamped back into the Kingdom upon return. Malaysia has become a popular destination as the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is popular for short term Thai visa applications.

Thailand visa rules can act as an inconvenience to many foreigners in Thailand, but through research on the current Immigration laws one can make the process as hassle-free as possible.

Tags: border run, Cambodia Visa, Cambodian Visa, Malaysian Visa, Myanmar Embassy Bangkok, Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Thai Visa, Thai visa requirements, Thai visa rules, Thai visa run, Thailand Visa, Thailand visa requirements, Thailand visa rules, Thailand visa run, Visa Run
Posted in General Legal Information, Miscellaneous, Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Thailand Business, Thailand Embassy, Thailand Visa | No Comments »

As more and more Thais marry foreign nationals the Thai diaspora grows. Many Thai-American couples immigrate to the United States of America using either a fiance visa such as a K1 visa or a marriage visa like a K3 visa or CR1 visa. When these couples have children a few questions arise. First, what is the child’s nationality? Second, is the child entitled to dual nationality. Third, if entitled to a Thai passport how do we go about obtaining one? This is where the Thai Consular Report of Birth Abroad comes into play.

It should be noted that a child born to a Thai mother overseas is born with Thai nationality. A child born to a Thai father abroad is probably Thai although there are some restrictions in the Thai Nationality act. For our purposes we will assume the child is born with Thai nationality.

In order for a Thai national who was born abroad to obtain a Thai passport a Consular Report of Birth Abroad must be obtained by the foreign born Thai. This report of birth abroad is similar to the US Consular Report of Birth Abroad in that it provides proof that the child was born to a Citizen of the Kingdom of Thailand. Pursuant to relevant sections of Thai nationality law, the child of a Thai Citizen is Thai. Therefore, once a report of birth abroad is issued a Thai passport can be acquired.

Some are under the mistaken impression that Thais and Americans cannot have dual nationality. This is not true. There is no provision under Thai law prohibiting dual nationality. Further, United States nationality law does not prohibit dual nationality. The major issue for dual nationals concerns their two home countries. A Thai-American with dual nationality is considered exclusively an American citizen when in the United States of America (or one of its protectorates, possessions, or territories) and exclusively a Thai citizen when in the Kingdom of Thailand.

There can be a great many problems that can arise if one fails to obtain a Thai Consular Report of Birth Abroad on behalf of one’s child. This is particularly true if the child later wishes to reside in Thailand with the same benefits as other Thai citizens. Proving Thai citizenship from birth can be difficult if there has been a long period of time between the child’s birth and subsequent application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. There can be particularly daunting problems if the Thai national is a boy because there are military draft requirements for male Thais. If one does not fulfill their draft obligations and subsequently wishes to obtain a Thai passport the bureaucratic difficulties could be legion. Therefore, it may be wise to retain the advice of a Thai attorney or law firm if a man wishes to sort out his Thai nationality after missing his draft year.

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad can be issued at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in the country where the Thai was born. The Thai posts have a section similar to the  American Citizen Services section at a US Embassy which handles Reports of Birth Abroad.

Tags: consular report of birth abroad, CR1 Visa Thailand, Fiance Visa Thailand, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa Thailand, Thai Consulate, Thai Embassy, Thai Passport, Thailand Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Thailand Consulate, Thailand Embassy, US Visa Thailand
Posted in CR1 Visa, Fiance Visa Thailand, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, Miscellaneous, Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Thai Family Law, Thailand Embassy, Thailand Embassy Myanmar, Thailand Embassy Singapore, Thailand Visa, US Visa Thailand | No Comments »

There is something of an “alphabet soup,” when it comes to discussing United States Immigration. There are many agencies under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the most important from an Immigration standpoint are: the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. Meanwhile, the United States Department of State (DOS) has jurisdiction over the National Visa Center (NVC) as well as United States Embassies and Consulates outside of the USA. This mix of acronyms alone can cause a sane man to go crazy, add on top of this the fact that sometimes different phases of the Immigration process have the SAME acronym and one is left very befuddled.

For example, the process of converting a K1 visa to permanent residence (Green Card) is called Adjustment of Status. when a Thai fiancee travels to the United States on a K1 visa she has 90 days to execute a legal marriage and submit an application to regularize her status. As stated previously, this is commonly referred to as adjustment of status.  It is possible to adjust other non-immigrant visas, such as J1 visas, F1 visas, or B2 visas, but it can be more difficult and one should not travel to the US using one of these visas with the intent to adjust as these categories do not allow for dual intent. One should not confuse the adjustment of status process with the change of status process, which is the process of converting a visa from one non-immigrant visa category to another.

Another “AOS” commonly used in United States Immigration vernacular is the Affidavit of Support. The affidavit of support is the document showing that a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident can financially maintain a foreign fiancee or spouse in the United States. The worry of government officials is that the foreign loved one may become a “public charge,” the affidvait of support is used to illustrate that this will not be an issue. An affidavit of support is signed by a K1 visa petitioner and submitted at the visa interview at the United States Embassy. At the time of the adjustment of status a different affidavit of support is submitted. K1 visa applications also utilize a different affidavit of support compared to visa petitions for a foreign spouse (K3 visa, Cr1 visa, Ir1 visa).

Tags: Adjustment of Status, Affidavit of Support, American Visa Thailand, AOS, CR1 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa Thailand, US Visa, US Visa Thailand, USA Visa
Posted in Adjustment of Status, Fiance Visa Thailand, General Legal Information, K-3 Visa Thailand, K1 Visa, K1 Visa Thailand, K3 Visa, Thailand Embassy, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Burma, US Embassy Thailand, US Visa and Immigration, US Visa Thailand | No Comments »

There are many Thai Embassies and Consulates throughout Southeast Asia. One of the major posts in the region is definitely the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand and Malaysia share a border and are two of the larger members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This likely explains why both nations maintain relatively large diplomatic and consular posts in each of  these countries. Kuala Lumpur is also a major destination for those wishing to acquire a Thai visa at a Consular post abroad.

The reason for the attraction is likely based largely upon the fact that there are frequent flights from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur and these flights are relatively cheap compared to airfares for other destinations in the region. Recently, the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, Malaysia began restricting the issuance of Thai tourist visas to those who have been remaining in Thailand for long periods of time. As a result, many so called “visa runners” have been searching for more flexible consulates in the region. There seems to be no doubt that the Royal Thai Embassy in KL is maintaining a visa issuance policy similar to Penang. However, many visa runners opt to use different posts in an effort to obtain a new visa.

For those thinking of traveling long term in Southeast Asia, it may be wise to develop a strategy regarding one’s visa needs before leaving one’s home country. For example, obtaining a 1 year multiple entry visa before traveling to Thailand would create a great deal of flexibility for the traveler even if he or she does not stay in Thailand for a year and opts to travel throughout the region. This would be a benefit because a long term Thai visa such as this allows for 90 days upon each entry and permits infinite entries for as long as the visa is valid. Therefore, if one is backpacking throughout the region and Thailand is the main country to be toured, a long term visa would be a great deal more beneficial than simply using visa exemption stamps or single entry tourist visas because one cannot cross land borders and be admitted multiple times using either of these methods. Currently, one will only be granted 15 days of lawful presence at any land border port of entry to Thailand.

For the most part, Consulates and Embassies in Southeast Asia will only issue non-immigrant visas such as the Thai Business visa and the Thai O visa for a duration of 90 days.  Therefore, if one obtains a non-immigrant visa at one of these posts, then it may be necessary to acquire a visa extension through the Royal Thai Immigration Police Department in Thailand.

For more information please see: thailand visa

Tags: Thai Embassy KL, Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Thai Embassy Malaysia, Thai Visa, Thai Visa Kuala Lumpur, Thailand Embassy KL, Thailand Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Thailand Embassy Malaysia, Thailand Visa, Thailand Visa Malaysia, Thailand visa run, Thailand Visas
Posted in General Legal Information, Miscellaneous, Thai Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Thailand Embassy, Thailand Visa | No Comments »

While traveling  recently to Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma) the author had the opportunity to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in that country. The first impression of the Embassy compound was not positive as the building itself is in somewhat dilapidated condition. However, the first impression is misleading as the inside of the Consular Services section is quite nice as well as being very clean and cool. The Consular staff at the Thai Embassy in Yangon (Rangoon) were very friendly, efficient, and helpful. That being said, foreknowledge of the Consulate’s protocol is always helpful in making certain that one’s experience with the post is pleasant.

The first thing to note about the Thai Embassy in Yangon (Rangoon) is the fact that there is a security guard at the front who acts as a sort of gatekeeper for the facility. Access is obtained after obtaining a number and turning over a piece of identification. This rule seems loosely enforced with regard to farangs, but as I was accompanying a Burmese national, I did not need to present ID as my associate produced her Myanmar ID Card. There are a great many “backpackers,” and tourists using this post as it is one of the closest to the Kingdom of Thailand, and therefore an easy destination for a visa run. That being said, it is not nearly as popular as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Vientiane, if for no other reason than the fact that Myanmar requires a visa for nearly all tourists and greatly restricts the issuance of visas on arrival. Therefore, acquiring a Thai visa from Myanmar (Burma) may necessitate the obtainment of a Myanmar (Burmese) visa in order to travel to the country and visit the Thai Embassy.

Generally, visa applications are dropped off in the morning and picked up the next day. Depending upon the situation, the applicant’s passport and visa may be retrieved in the same afternoon. The address of the Royal Thai Embassy in Myanmar (Burma) is:

No.94, Pyay Road,
Dagon Township Yangon
Union of Myanmar

The office hours for visa application submissions are 9:00 am until 11:30 am. One may retrieve their passport in the afternoon from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm. One should be aware that the Union of Myanmar (Burma) is in a different time zone. There is a half hour difference between the time in Myanmar and the time in Thailand. This can be the cause of a great deal of consternation as it is very difficult to keep track of the local time if one has become accustomed to the Thailand time zone.

For more information please see the Royal Thai Embassy website: here.

Tags: Royal Thai Embassy, Thai Embassy, Thai Embassy Burma, Thai Embassy Myanmar, Thai Embassy Rangoon, Thai Embassy Yangon, Thai Visa Burma, Thai Visa Myanmar, Thai Visa Yangon, Thailand Embassy
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