Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing prior criminal record in the context of Thai Retirement Visa processing. For those who are unaware, especially those who are seeking O-A Retirement Visas from Embassies and Consulates of Thailand abroad, criminal record can be a major issue associated with getting into lawful Immigration status here in Thailand. In fact, there is a section under the Act, the Immigration Act of 1979, that specifically stipulates anybody that essentially could be a threat to the health and safety of Thailand, and I have seen cases where Immigration Officers have determined that somebody with a prior criminal record does pose such a threat or threat to “National Security”, that they can just be denied outright for a Visa or be removed from Thailand; they can be deported.

So a prior criminal record can be an issue in a Thai Retirement Visa context. Those who are processing an O-A Thai Retirement Visa from the US, generally speaking you're going to need to go ahead and provide a copy of a police clearance in order to get the visa ultimately issued, so if you have got a prior record it can pose a problem. Now that being said, what constitutes something that rises to the level of a problem? It is going to be fact dependent. I have seen cases where really minor stuff from the past hasn't been a problem but then I have seen folks, not really anything we have worked in the beginning, but sort of come at it after they have had a problem, something that I thought was relatively innocuous, there was an issue with respect to processing the visa on that issue. 

So something to keep in mind. If you have any questions about this, if you are really worried about it, it may not be a terrible idea to contact a legal professional, gain some insight and guidance into how best to proceed.