Integrity Legal

During the early morning hours on Monday January 13th in Bangkok protestors calling for the resignation of the current Thai government commenced their “Operation: Bangkok Shutdown”. It appears from initial reports that 7 key intersections in Bangkok have been blocked including areas near government facilities. Protest leaders have noted their intention to continue the shutdown until the end of January. Should their demands be met, the shutdown may end sooner. The administration of this blog will not comment upon the politics behind these recent developments (leaving that task to news sites and political commentators). However, it is important to note that this situation will likely cause delays in government services, especially those sought in the Bangkok Metropolitan area.

The Thai government has taken measures to deal with the inconvenience this situation may cause. Most notable to foreign nationals in Bangkok was the recent announcement that provisional immigration offices have been established to deal with visa matters for foreign nationals unable to travel to the usual immigration offices located in facilities which are likely to be blocked by the protestors. The Office of the Royal Thai Immigration Police made the following announcement:

ADDITIONAL OFFICES DURING THE DEMONSTRATION SITUATION

Due to the demonstration, please be known that Immigration Services for all foreigners are also provided at ::

1. Immigration Service Center for 3 national Legalized Labors, Major Hollywood Suksawat, 1st Floor,
Suksawat Road, Ratburana, Bangkok.
2. Immigration Service Center for 3 national Legalized Labors, Imperial World Ladprao, 5th Floor,
Ladprao Road, Wang Tong Lang, Bangkok.

This temporary service will be started from January 13rd, 2014 until the better situation. We apologize for inconvenience.

Many foreign nationals remain in the Kingdom of Thailand on long term visas such as business visas, retirement visas, and marriage visas. Those present in the country for periods longer than 90 days are required to check in with immigration officials. Therefore, the current situation could adversely impact those wishing to travel to immigration offices for their quarterly “90 day check-in”. Furthermore, foreign business owners in Bangkok are likely to have issues not only in procuring government services, but also with logistics as a result of the demonstrations.

Hopefully, the situation in Bangkok will be resolved quickly and peacefully. In the meantime, it may be necessary to schedule extra time when traveling throughout the city and foreign nationals are encouraged to stay away from protest areas. The administration of this blog will continue to post updates regarding this situation as developments evolve.

Tags: Bangkok protest, Bangkok protests, Bangkok Shutdown, Government Shutdown Bangkok, Government Shutdown Thailand, Thai Immigration, Thai Visa, Thailand Immigration, Thailand Protests, Thailand Visa
Posted in News, Thailand Business, Thailand Legal News, Thailand Visa | No Comments »

It recently came to this blogger’s attention that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the regional bloc which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, celebrated it’s 46th birthday. To quote directly from the website thepeninsulaqatar.com:

DOHA: Ambassadors of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Qatar were in accord, saying Asean will meet its target to integrate the 10 nations’ economies by end of 2015, as they celebrated the 46th Asean Day yesterday at the Vietnam Embassy…Singapore Ambassador Wong Kwok Pun cited some areas that Asean has made progress on the implementation of the Asean Charter. In particular, he pointed out Asean has made headway on disputes settlement mechanism, has been working towards the implementation of the roadmap for the Asean community, and taken big steps toward an integrated and sustained economic development…

The implementation of policies which would create an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has been an oft-discussed topic among business and legal professionals throughout Southeast Asia. This issue is such a significant topic because by creating a unified Southeast Asian marketplace the countries which comprise ASEAN would become one of the largest markets in the world virtually overnight. That stated, there is a great deal of debate as to whether or not the transition into a unified market will occur smoothly. Some argue that the disparate laws, regulations, and policies throughout the ASEAN member states will not easily coalesce into a workable framework for businesses to operate in the region until governments in ASEAN can implement local policies to bring their regulations in line with the other ASEAN nations. On the  other hand, some argue that because ASEAN leaders have adopted a slow approach to integrating the ASEAN economies the nations which comprise this trading bloc will be able to integrate within the larger body relatively quickly.

Of further concern to both foreign nationals as well as nationals from ASEAN member nations is the promulgation of a single ASEAN visa scheme. Presently, there is not a single visa which one can obtain which would allow the bearer to travel unfettered throughout the the whole of ASEAN. However, leaders in some of the ASEAN countries are looking to remedy this. To quote from the website aseanvisa.com:

Ministers and tourism authorities of the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Indonesia have expressed their intention to collaborate with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to facilitate travel in the region by developing a common smart visa system…According to www.smartvisa.travel, a smart visa is a digital paperless substitute for a traditional visa that can be obtained by a traveler from a travel agent or participating airline…

Clearly, steps are being taken to create some sort of travel document which would provide immigration benefits in multiple ASEAN nations simultaneously. The impetus behind the push for a single ASEAN visa seems to stem from two sources. First, many of the ASEAN nations would appear to view an ASEAN visa as a means of increasing tourism throughout ASEAN. This would appear to especially be a concern to officials in those Southeast Asian nations which do not benefit from high tourism as compared to their other ASEAN counterparts. By creating a visa which allows for access to more than one ASEAN jurisdiction tourist travel to some countries might increase as travelers are no longer deterred in making “side trips” to less popular destinations due to a desire to avoid the need to obtain another visa. Another consideration would appear to be business travel, as ASEAN economic integration continues to gather steam it stands to reason that more foreign nationals will need to visit multiple ASEAN jurisdictions in order to conduct business in the region. By implementing policies to provide for a single ASEAN visa, business travel may increase throughout the region.

The aforementioned article also mentions the recent decision by Thai and Cambodian Immigration authorities to provide a unified visa scheme for travelers wishing to visit those two countries. To quote further from the aseanvisa.com article:

It [the single ASEAN visa scheme] also builds on the single visa scheme for tourism travel between Cambodia and Thailand, which was implemented on January 1, 2013. Progressive relaxation and an Asean common visa would also benefit non-Asean nationals who intend to visit the Asean countries…

One can speculate whether or not the Thai-Cambodian visa scheme mentioned above will one day be consolidated into a pan-ASEAN visa scheme. There are certainly arguments as to the benefits of such an integration, most notably the probable increase in tourism to all of the ASEAN nations. However, one thing remains clear: it appears that virtually all leaders of the ASEAN nations are assiduously studying the ramifications of a single ASEAN visa scheme and should their findings prove that such a scheme would be a benefit to all of ASEAN; then it is likely that such a scheme will eventually come into existence.

For related information please see: Thailand visa.

Tags: AEC, ASEAN, Asean Charter, Asean common visa, ASEAN community, ASEAN Day, ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Visa, ASsociation of Southeast ASian Nations, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Cambodia Visa, Cambodian Immigration, Cambodian Visa, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, pan-ASEAN visa, Philippines, Singapore, Singapore Ambassador Wong Kwok Pun, single ASEAN visa, Single ASEAN visa scheme, smart visa, smart visa system, Southeast Asia, Thai Immigration, Thai Visa, Thai-Cambodian visa, Thailand, Thailand Visa, travel agent, Vietnam, Vietnam Embassy
Posted in ASEAN Visa | No Comments »

There have been some recent developments with respect to Thai visas. The following information is for general use only and should not be construed to apply to every unique situation as there are often numerous Thai visa options for those wishing to travel and remain in the Kingdom of Thailand for a prolonged period of time.

Thailand Business Visas

It has recently come to this blogger’s attention that 12 month multiple entry Thai business visas are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain from Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates abroad. For example, the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur recently announced that it will no longer issue 12 month multiple entry business visas to applicants as applicants are now only able to obtain a 90 day Thai Business Visa (officially referred to as the Non-Immigrant “B” Visa) at that post. Applicants are encouraged to first obtain a 90 day Thai business visa and subsequently apply for a Thai work permit and visa extension in the Kingdom of Thailand. However, it would appear that the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang may issue 12 month multiple entry business visas under limited circumstances. It seems that those who have previously obtained a multiple entry Thai business visa and Thai work permit may be eligible to obtain another one year Thai business visa from the Thai Consulate in Penang. Meanwhile it would seem that the other Thai Embassies and Thai Consulates around the world are becoming increasingly hesitant to issue one year multiple entry Thai business visas and in those situations where such visas are issued they are only granted after significant scrutiny by the Consular officers issuing such travel documents.

Thailand Retirement Visas

In some cases, a foreign national may be eligible to obtain a Thai retirement visa. However, Thai Immigration officials are carefully reviewing applications for Thai retirement visas. In fact, this blogger has  learned that issues surrounding the finances of the applicant for a Thai retirement visa are of increasing concern for Thai Immigration officers. In fact, Thai Immigration officers seem to be seeking larger amounts of evidence concerning a retiree’s financial situation compared to past applications.

Thailand O Visas

The O visa in Thailand is technically classified as a miscellaneous visa category. Generally, this visa category is used by foreign nationals with family in Thailand (this is why this category is sometimes referred to as a Thai marriage visa notwithstanding the fact that  it could be used by any family member of a Thai national). As is the case with the Thai retirement visa, the finances of the foreign national seeking an O visa is of central concern to the Thai Immigration authorities especially when the foreign national is seeking a Thai O visa based upon marriage to a Thai. Therefore, those seeking Thai O visas should be prepared to show substantial evidence of ability to financially support oneself, and one’s spouse, while in Thailand.

Thailand Education Visas

The Thai Education visa (categorized by Thai Immigration as the “ED” visa) is more widely used by foreign nationals in Thailand compared to times past. That stated, Immigration officials examine such applications with a great deal of thoroughness. It should be noted that those staying in the Kingdom on an ED visa based upon attendance at a Thai language school may be tested on their Thai language ability by Immigration officers. Therefore, if one has been present in Thailand on an ED visa for a significant period of time, but cannot show a basic understanding of Thai the ED visa could be revoked.

For related information please see: Thailand work permit. 

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Posted in Thailand Visa | No Comments »

It has come to this blogger’s attention that Thai authorities may one day require that tourists traveling to the Kingdom of Thailand purchase health insurance prior to being granted entry, to quote directly from the website UPI.com:

Lawmakers in Thailand say they want all foreign tourists to be required to purchase travel and health insurance before arriving in their country. Thailand’s Public Health Ministry Wednesday proposed the measure…The health ministry has suggested the cost of health insurance coverage might be included in visa fees, Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong said at the meeting. Those visiting Thailand without visas would be required to buy insurance at immigration checkpoints or the fees could be added to the cost of airline tickets.

Although this policy is still in the discussion stage, if Immigration officials in Thailand eventually do decide to require foreign tourists to obtain health insurance then surely this would increase the costs associated with being granted entry to the Kingdom. Currently, those wishing to enter the Kingdom of Thailand for tourism purposes are required to obtain a Thai tourist visa. A single entry Thai tourist visa grants the bearer lawful presence in Thailand for 60 days, with an optional 30 day extension. It should be noted that foreign nationals from many countries can currently enter Thailand on a Thai visa exemption which is granted at an immigration checkpoint at the foreign national’s port of entry. In most cases a Thai visa exemption stamp in a foreign national’s passport will grant the bearer 30 days of lawful prensence in the Kingdom of Thailand.

Those wishing to travel to Thailand for the purpose of conducting business are required to obtain a Thai business visa which is categorized as a non-immigrant “B” visa by immigration authorities in Thailand. Once present in Thailand if the foreign national holding a business visa wishes to work then a Thai work permit must be first obtained before undertaking any type of labor in Thailand. Those traveling to Thailand to reunite with family may obtain a Thai “O” visa. This type of visa may allow the bearer to apply for a work permit depending upon the bearer’s circumstances. Foreign nationals wishing to retire in Thailand may obtain a Thai retirement visa which will permit the retiree to remain in the Kingdom for one-year intervals. However, those holding a retirement visa cannot apply for a work permit. Also, retirement visa seekers must be over the age of 50 and meet certain financial requirements. Some foreign nationals opt to travel to Thailand in order to receive schooling, in such cases it may be possible to obtain a Thai education visa (officially classified as an “ED” visa). It should be noted that in virtually all cases an ED visa holder cannot obtain a work permit.

For related information please see: Thailand Visa.

Tags: ED Visa, Ed Visa Thailand, health insurance, immigration checkpoint, O visa, O Visa Thailand, Public Health Minister Pradit Sinthawanarong, Thai Business Visa, Thai ED Visa, Thai Immigration, Thai O Visa, Thai Public Health Ministry, Thai Retirement Visa, Thai Tourist Visa, Thai Visa, Thailand Business Visa, Thailand o visa, Thailand Public Health Ministry, Thailand Retirement Visa, Thailand Tourist Visa, Thailand Visa, travel insurance
Posted in Thailand Visa | No Comments »

This blog routinely posts about issues related to Thailand visas and Thai Permanent Residence in an effort to provide some information on these issues to the general public. It would appear that there is some consternation among foreign nationals in Thailand who are awaiting the adjudication of Thai permanent residence applications at the Ministry of Interior.  To quote directly from a recent opinion piece on the website PhuketGazette.net:

PHUKET: It’s time for the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to set up a special task force to begin fast-tracking the processing of the huge backlog of permanent residency (PR) applications it is now sitting on in silence.

Such a move would have multiple benefits for all parties involved, including, especially, foreign investors (potential and extant) and Thailand’s all-important tourism industry.

For reasons that have apprently never been divulged by the MoI, the stacks of stale PR applications, submitted in good faith and at great expense by law-abiding, long resident “visitors” to Thailand, continue to gather dust at the ministry.[sic]

Those reading this blog are highly encouraged to click upon the hyperlinks above to learn more about this issue.

Clearly, this is a significant issue for foreign nationals in Thailand, especially those who have been in Thailand for a long enough duration so as to be eligible to apply for Thailand Permanent Resident status. Those holding permanent resident status in Thailand are permitted to be placed upon a Tabien Baan (also referred to as a house registration booklet). This should not be confused with a Yellow Tabien Baan or Foreign Tabien Baan which allows foreign nationals, without Permanent Residence status, to obtain a house booklet under certain circumstances.

Unlike the United States Permanent Resident process, the Thai PR process can be quite long and cumbersome. Many have noted that there currently exists a substantial backlog of Thailand Permanent Resident status applications as there have yet to be any new Permanent Residence booklets issued for many years.

Those wishing to obtain Thailand Permanent Residence should note that this status is highly coveted amongst foreign nationals while simultaneously being difficult to obtain. Those seeking permanent residence in Thailand are only eligible after remaining in Thailand on Thai visa extensions for a period not less than 3 years. Also, most permanent residence applicants must also have maintained a Thai work permit for a significant period of time at a salary level which comports with relevant Thai Ministry regulations.

There is a common misconception about Thailand regarding the country’s immigration procedures. Many from so-called “Western” countries do not understand that Thais take immigration issues quite seriously and make rules and regulations which could be described as stringent. This is especially true in matters pertaining to Thai permanent residence as Thai PR applications are capped by a nationality quota and subjected to intense scrutiny by the Royal Thai Immigration Police and the Thai Ministry of Interior. Therefore, those thinking of applying for Thai permanent residence are well advised to conduct research into the issue and, in some cases, retain qualified counsel to assist in such an undertaking.

For related information please see: Thai Visa.

Tags: Blue Tabien Baan, Foreign Tabien Baan, Permanent Residence in Thailand, Permanent Resident in Thailand, Royal Thai Immigration Police, Tabien Baan, Tambien Baan, Thai Immigration, Thai Ministry of Interior, Thai permanent residence, Thai Permanent Resident, Thai PR, Thai Visa, Thailand Immigration, Thailand Ministry of Interior, Thailand Permanent Residence, Thailand Permanent Resident, Thailand PR, Thailand Visa, Yellow Tabien Baan
Posted in Thailand Visa | No Comments »

ผู้ที่ติดตามอ่านบล็อกนี้อาจจะสังเกตว่าประเด็นเรื่องการเข้าเมืองของประเทศไทยเป็นเรื่องที่มีการถกเถียงกันอยู่บ่อยครั้ง เมื่อเร็วๆนี้ ผู้เขียนเห็นว่า มีเรื่องที่น่าสนใจคือการอนุญาตให้กลับเข้าไปใหม่ในไทยที่สนามบินสุรรณภูมิในกรุงเทพ อ้างจากเว็บไซต์ทางการของสนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ

ขั้นตอนการกลับเข้ามาอีกครั้งและหลักเกณฑ์ของสนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ

1.      คนต่างด้าวต้องยื่นแบบฟอร์มด้วยตัวเอง

2.      วันที่ยื่นแบบฟอร์มต้องเป็นวันที่เดินทางออก

3.      เตรียมเอกสารที่ต้องใช้ ดังนี้

-          พาสปอร์ต หรือเอกสารการเดินทาง (ต้นฉบับและสำเนา 1 ฉบับ)

-          รูปถ่ายปัจจุบัน (ขนาด4X6 เซนติเมตร )

-          ค่าธรรมเนียม แบบครั้งเดียว 1,000 บาท

-          แบบหลายครั้ง 3,800 บาท

4.      ยื่นแบบฟอร์มและเอกสารดังกล่าวที่ส่วนงานคนเข้าเมืองขาออก(ฝั่งตะวันออก) ที่สนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ

5.      เปิดให้บริการทุกวัน

บทความก่อนหน้านี้ที่อยู่ในบล็อก ผู้เขียนได้กล่าวถึงมุมมองของการกลับเข้าเมืองอีกครั้งหนึ่งและอย่างไรก็ตามอาจจะขอได้อีกครั้งที่สนามบินสุวรรณภูมิเนื่องจากถูกคัดค้านที่สำนักงานการตรวจคนเข้าเมืองแจ้งวัฒนะ ปรากฏอย่างชัดแจ้งว่า จากมุมมองดังกล่าว การอนุญาตให้กลับมาอีกครั้งหนึ่งนั้นชาวต่างชาติผู้ที่กำลังจะเดินทางออกไปสามารถดำเนินการได้มที่สนามบิน

สำหรับผู้ที่ไม่คุ้นเคยกับนโยบายและกฎที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการเข้าเมืองของไทย บางคนที่อยู่ในประเทศไทยและถือวีซ่าไทยต้องได้รับการอนุญาตที่จะกลลับเข้ามาอีกครั้งหหนึ่งก่อนที่เขาจะเดินทางออกนอกประเทศไทย สำหรับผู้ที่ไม่ได้รับการอนุญาตให้กลับเข้ามาอีกครั้งหนึ่งก่อนที่จะเดินทางออกไปนั้นอาจจะสูญเสียวีซ่าไทยในช่วงที่เดินทางออกไปได้ ด้วยเหตุผลนี้ ผู้ที่ยังคงถือวีซ่าไทยและประสงค์ที่จะกลับเข้ามายังประเทศไทยควรจะได้รับการอนุญาตกลับเข้ามาอีกครั้งหนึ่ง คำถามที่มักพบบ่อยคือ ถ้ายังอยู่ในประเทศไทยฐานะที่ได้รับการยกเว้นวีซ่าแล้วต้องขออนุญาตกลับเข้ามาใหม่หรือไม่ คำตอบสั้นๆคือ ไม่ ผู้ที่เข้าประเทศไทยโดยการได้รับการยกเว้นวีซ่าไทยไม่สามารถที่จะได้รับการอนุญาตกลับเข้ามาอีกเนื่องจากว่าในทางเทคนิคเขาไม่ได้ครอบครองวีซ่าไทยที่สมบูรณ์ ผู้ที่อยู่ในประเทศไทยระหว่างการขยายระยะเวลาวีซ่าต้องได้รับการอนุญาตให้กลับเข้ามาก่อนที่จะเดินทางออกเนื่องจากเกรงว่า ชาวต่างชาติจะไม่อยู่ในสถานะเดิมหากเดินทางออก  เป็นเช่นเดียวกับผู้ที่อยู่ในประเทศไทยอย่างถูกต้องตามกฎหมายฐานะเป็นผู้มีถิ่นฐานถาวร ผู้มีถิ่นฐานถาวรในประเทศไทยต้องได้รับการอนุญาตที่จะเดินทางออกนอกประเทศในขณะเดียวกันยังคงมีสถานะทางกฎหมายในราชอาณาจักรหรือมิฉะนั้นอาจจะพบกับการเสียสถานะในขณะที่เดินทางออกไป

ผู้ที่อยู่ในประเทศไทยด้วยวีซ่าไทยหนึ่งปีแบบที่สามารถเดินทางเข้าออกประเทศไทยได้หลายครั้งไม่ควรจะได้รับการอนุญาตกลับเข้ามาอีกเมื่อเดินทางออกนอกประเทศไทยแล้ว แต่ผู้ที่ถือวีซ่าแบบที่สามารถเดินทางเข้าออกประเทศไทยได้หลายครั้งโดยทั่วไปแล้วต้องเดินทางออกนอกอาณาจักรอย่างน้อยทุกๆ 90 วันเพื่อที่จะรักษาสถานะทางกฎหมาย

To view this posting in English please see: Thailand visa

Tags: Thai Immigration, Thai Reentry Permit, Thai Visa, Thailand Immigration, Thailand Visa, การกลับเข้ามาในเมืองไทย, การเข้าเมืองของประเทศไทย, การเข้าเมืองไทย, คนเข้าเมืองในประเทศไทย, วีซ่าไทย, สนามบินสุวรรณภูมิิ
Posted in วีซ่าไทย | No Comments »

Those who read this blog may likely have noticed that the issue of Thai immigration is a frequent topic of discussion. Recently, this author came upon an interesting announcement regarding the issuance of Thai reentry permits at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. The following is quoted directly from the official website of Suvarnabhumi International Airport:

In a previous posting on this blog, the administration pondered the prospect of Thai reentry permits and whether they would ever again be available at the airport as opposed to the Royal Thai Immigration Headquarters at Chaeng Wattana. It would appear that from this point onwards, Thai reentry permits will be available to departing foreign nationals at the airport.

For those who are unfamiliar with the protocols and rules associated with Thai immigration, anyone present in the Kingdom of Thailand on a Thai visa must obtain a reentry permit prior to leaving the Kingdom of Thailand. Those who fail to obtain a Thai reentry permit prior to departing Thailand may lose their Thai visa status upon departure. For this reason, reentry permits should be obtained by anyone in Thai visa status who wishes to return to Thailand. A frequently asked question in this vein is: do I need a reentry permit if I am present in the Kingdom on a visa exemption? The short answer: no. Those who enter the country on a Thailand visa exemption cannot obtain a reentry permit as they are not technically in possession of a valid Thai visa. Those present in the Kingdom of Thailand on a Thai visa extension are required to obtain a Thai reentry permit prior to departure lest the foreign national fall out of status entirely upon departing Thailand. The same can be said for those who are present in Thailand with lawful permanent residence. A Permanent Resident in Thailand must receive authorization to leave the country whilst simultaneously maintaining lawful status in the Kingdom or else face the prospect of falling entirely out of status upon departure.

Those who are present in the Kingdom of Thailand on a multiple entry one year Thai visa should not need to obtain a Thai reentry permit when departing the Kingdom, but those with a multiple entry visa are generally required to depart the Kingdom at least every 90 days in order to maintain lawful status.

Fore related information please see: Thailand business visa or Thai Work Permit.

Tags: Multiple Entry Thai Visa, Multiple Entry Thailand Visa, One Year Thai Visa, One Year Thailand Visa, Reentry Permit, Suvarnabhumi, Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thai B Visa, Thai Business Visa, Thai Immigration, Thai O Visa, Thai permanent residence, Thai Reentry Permit, Thai Retirement Visa, Thai Visa, Thai Visa Extension, Thai Visas, Thai Work Permit, Thailand B Visa, Thailand Business Visa, Thailand ED Visa, Thailand Education Visa, Thailand Immigration, Thailand o visa, Thailand Permanent Residence, Thailand Reentry Permit, Thailand Retirement Visa, Thailand Visa, Thailand visa extension, Thailand Visas
Posted in News, Thailand Business, Thailand Visa, Thailand Work Permit | No Comments »

The following was posted on the official website of the US Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand:

At the time of this writing, the US Embassy in Bangkok is closed to those seeking routine services due to the unrest in the areas near the Embassy compound. In Bangkok, the situation seems to have stabilized. However, the city remains tense as most Bangkok residents seem to be hoping for an end to the unpleasantness and a return to relative normality.

On a related note, the Thai Tourism Industry is preparing for a major downturn moving forward. To quote the website ThaiVisa.com:

Thailand’s violent political turmoil has had a “disastrous” effect on the vital tourism sector, the country’s finance minister said Friday, stressing that the overall economy remained sound. “Tourism in value terms accounts for six percent of our GDP,” Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij told a Tokyo conference, adding that the sector also accounts for “as much as 15 to 20 percent of the total employment.” “And clearly, with the events that took place over the past several weeks, and the pictures of these events flashing across TV screens across the world, it is going to have a very disastrous impact on tourism.” Thai security forces on Wednesday crushed a six-week protest by anti-government protesters in street battles that left 15 people dead and saw arsonists torch some 36 key buildings across the capital Bangkok. The stock exchange and the nation’s biggest shopping mall were among locations torched in the chaotic aftermath of the campaign to end the “Red Shirt” protesters’ occupation of Bangkok’s top retail district. Korn said that “we anticipate that the impact on the GDP of the protest so far is probably between 0.3 and 0.5 percent of GDP.” However, he stressed that the wider economic picture was sound in the kingdom, telling the conference that “we expect the formal Q1 (first quarter) figure to be in two digits” this year.

As we have previously discussed on this blog, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has waived fees for Thai Tourist Visas. However, the fees associated with applications for the Thai business visa and the Thai O visa remain the same.

For further information about attorney assistance with Consular Processing of US visa applications please see: US Embassy. For further information about closure of the US Embassy in Thailand please see: US Embassy Bangkok. Finally, to learn more about Thai Immigration please see: Thai Visa.

Tags: Bangkok Riots, O visa, Thai Business Visa, Thai Immigration, Thai Tourist Visa, Thai Visa, Thailand Business Visa, Thailand o visa, Thailand Riots, Thailand Tourism, us embassy bangkok, US Embassy Bangkok closed, us embassy thailand, US Embassy Thailand Closed
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Newspaper personnel for both the Bangkok Post and The Nation have been instructed to evacuate. It has been recently announced on both the website for the Bangkok Post as well as the website for the Nation Newspaper that their staffs have been instructed to evacuate and go home. The following is a direct quotation from the Nation’s website:

Nation Multimedia Group told its staff to leave the office at 3:15 pm following reports that angry protesters were heading to attack the office.

As has been previously noted on this website, the US Embassy Bangkok recently announced that their non-essential personnel have been evacuated and that their facilities will be closed for non-emergency matters until at least May 21, 2010.

Thai government offices in Bangkok are currently on holiday. However, this author has heard unconfirmed reports that Thai Immigration offices are still operating. That being said, this is mere anecdotal speculation as there is a great deal of confusion in the city at the time of this writing.

Tags: Bangkok Post, Bangkok Post Closed, Thai Immigration, The Nation, The Nation Closed, us embassy bangkok
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In a recent posting on the popular website Thaivisa.com it was noted that the United States of America has honored an extradition request from Thai authorities that a suspect in a “drug gang” be extradited to the Kingdom of Thailand. The following is quoted from ThaiVisa.com:

BANGKOK: — Suwit “Cheng” Prasoprat, a member of the China-based “14K” drug gang, was handed over to Thai authorities on Sunday, nine years after a request for his extradition was filed, deputy attorney-general Thavorn Panichpan said yesterday.

Thavorn said members of the drug gang fled overseas after police investigators filed a case in February 2001 against Thaveewit Krairattanareuk, 46, plus Suwit and four others for having 3.6 tonnes of heroin destined for the US, and the attorney-general agreed to prosecute the gang.

Once it was discovered that Suwit was lying low in the US, Thai authorities filed an extradition request in March 2001, which was approved by an American court. However, Suwit appealed against the extradition in 2002, and though the Appeal Court upheld the lower court ruling, he appealed again to the Supreme Court. On April 19 this year, the US authorities notified Thailand that the extradition request had finally been approved and Suwit arrived in Bangkok on Sunday.

Lawyer Rewat Chanprasert said they previously extradited Boonsong Mekpongsathorn, 60, another suspect in the same case who also fled to the US.

Boonsong had been given the death sentence by the Thon Buri Criminal Court in January 2005, and the case was now with the Appeal Court. Thaveewit and another suspect, Komsak Kornjamrassakul, 50, were given life sentences in June 2001 and are now appealing their jail terms.

Narcotics Suppression Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Adithep Panjamanont said court permission would be sought to detain Suwit for a week pending further investigation, before the case was handed to prosecutors. He said the case stemmed from an arrest in 1998 over the possession of 126 kg of heroin on its way to the United States.

Police inquiries showed that Suwit, a Thai man with two nationalities and an address in the US, plus accomplices in China and Hong Kong known as the 14K gang, had carried out criminal activities in Thailand including arms deals, human trafficking and drug dealing.

Thai and US authorities worked together on the case until they had enough evidence for arrest warrants for Suwit and Boonsong in 2001, he said.

Adithep added that the police would extend the investigation to cover money-laundering and other criminal charges on Thai soil against Suwit, his accomplices and the 14K gang.

It was also reported that there are two other suspects in the same case – Suchat Rakraeng, who remains at large, and Kriengkrai Diewtrakul, who is in a Chiang Rai prison for another crime.

In an increasingly “globalized” world, cross-jurisdictional cooperation is becoming evermore commonplace. In the scenario described above, it is interesting to note that the subject is being extradited back to Thailand. There are some who speculate that as Thai authorities connect their computer systems to international warrant databases an increased number of foreign nationals residing in Thailand will be extradited to foreign jurisdictions as a result of increasing requests for extradition. Whether or not this will actually occur remains to be seen, but it is interesting to note the increasing trend of intergovernmental cooperation on an international level.

It should be noted that Royal Thai Immigration Police have begun integrating their system with warrant and criminal databases around the world. Therefore, there is reason to believe that this inter-connectivity could have a dramatic impact of Thai visa issuance and Immigration procedures in the future.

Tags: Extradition, Royal Thai Immigration Police, Thai Criminal Warrant, Thai Immigration, Thai Warrant USA, Thailand Criminal Warrant, Thailand Extradition, US Criminal Warrant, US Extradition, US warrant, US Warrant Thailand, warrant
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