New Immigration Rules

Pattaya now has a new Superintendent of Pattaya Immigration, Police Colonel Anonnat Kamolrat. The likeable and articulate commander is also part of the new generation of Thai leaders now in powerful positions affecting both foreigners and Thais. At age 43 his birthday just three days after the new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. He said, “Will shake up the Pattaya Immigration office located off Jomtien Beach Road on Soi 5 and make sure foreigners are not committing crimes. He also wants to make it easier for foreigners who want to live a good life in Pattaya, to stay here.”

In an exclusive interview with Pattaya Times the new commander said new visa laws have been amended, which now allow for the issuance of an investor’s visa with three million baht invested provided the applicant has a non-immigrant visa now, entered the Kingdom prior to
October 1, 2006, has proof of inter-national transfer inbound to his Thai bank, bought property, Thai government issued bonds or has money in a fixed time account in a Thai bank. Also, he said the visa qualification for those married to a Thai by having 400,000 baht in the bank, is in effect again. However, the provision of qualification can also still be met if the husband has evidence of income of 40,000 baht per month. (Combined income or income of the wife is no longer considered).

For a retirement visa the applicant must be at least 50 years old and have 800,000 baht or more in a Thai bank for 60 days, for the first one year visa. He must have the money in the bank for at least three months for renewal of the non immigrant O-A one-year visa. Visa qualification for the retirement visa can also be obtained with proof of in come of at least 65,000 baht monthly in lieu of the large bank deposit.

The new border run rules for those foreigners who do not qualify for non-immigrant visas to stay in Thailand has been changed.  Now only 15-day entry visas are allowed when traveling by road. However, 30-day entry visas are allowed at airports.

The 90 days in Thailand and 90 days out of Thailand rule has been abolished.  Travelers can obtain all the 15-day and 30-day visas they want in any period of time.

The new Superintendent of Immigration has clearly identified his objectives to improve Pattaya and protect Thailand from the few criminal foreigners who arrive.

First on his list is to check the background all of the Foreign Police Volunteers, including the foreign volunteer leader.

According to Pattaya Immigration Superintendent Kamolrat, “There have been allegations of corruption where it is alleged that a few Foreign Police Volunteers, [not to be confused with Tourist Police Assistants], went to at least one bar on Walking Street to try to extort money from a foreign bar owner. If true, this will stop and we will find out who is behind this,” he said.

Over the years many reports of extortion and blackmail have been made of foreign people in Pattaya going to bars with video cameras and taping foreigners who own bars with their Thai girlfriends.  Once caught on tape behind the bar popping open a cold beer or pouring a drink the criminals proceed to extort money from the unaware foreigner, who is threatened with deportation and jail by the foreigner who made the video; (The internet is filled with such reports.)

According to a Foreign Police Volunteer who asked not to be identified, an email was sent to all of the volunteers asking for criminal background checks by the FPV leader and the FPV members were asked for disclosure of any arrests the volunteers have had, if any.

On June 14, 2008, the FPV Project Leader wrote, “Dear All FPV Officers, It has been decided by the Group Leader Committee to request every FPV Officer now and in the future to provide a Crime Certificate from their home country. I therefore kindly ask you all to request such a Crime Certificate for most nationalities through your embassy. Six months will be given to everyone to provide this document.” 

Since many of the volunteers are retired police officers and other upstanding, professional men they were a bit insulted and a few responded to the email by saying they would be happy to provide their criminal background files from their home country, if the sender who is also a foreigner, will show his Crime Certificate. Six months passed without further action.

However, now the official police want to know the background in the home countries of all the volunteers, who are helping assist foreigners in police matters, to make sure no one with a criminal conviction is on the volunteer force. In any capacity.

The second item of concern that will be addressed through the Immigration Police, is the problem of sex with underage children as young as 12-years-old. Police Colonel Kamolrat is committed to working closely with the Child and Women Protection Center, Region 2, (stationed at Banglamung Police Station) to deal directly with child sexual abuse. Foreigners engaged in pornography or sex with children will be discovered, prosecuted, jailed and then deported never to return to Thailand, whenever possible.  Active investigations are underway with cooperation from Pattaya Immigration, to find any pedophiles and pornographers in the Kingdom. 

Superintendent Police Colonel Kamolrat is also investigating numerous complaints by foreign customers who purchased condominiums from developer’s plans months and years ago and still have not been given title to the units or a refund. Some condos are still not completed and can not be occupied within the time set forth in the contract. 

“We will do everything to protect investors and home buyers from unscrupulous business dealings,” he said.