Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing possible tighter background checks associated with Thai Retirement Visas. As we have noted in a number of videos that we have made here recently in the past week, 10 days, Retirement Visas have been a major topic of concern in the Expat Community, most notably the older Expat Community or the retiree Community here in Thailand because there were recent comments made by the former Head of Thai Immigration, now Deputy National Police Chief Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn, it was noted in the Bangkok Post, where he was discussing major changes, or his suggestion or his thoughts, that there should be major changes to the Retirement Visa process, most notably things associated with financial requirements, the rules associated with extension of status, all of this was discussed and we discussed that at length in a prior video.

That said, again this has been the talk of the town the past week or so. I recently came across an article in Stickman Bangkok, that is stickmanbangkok.com. For those who are unaware especially the younger expats, although I don't know why you are watching the Retirement Visa video, but maybe even retirees who haven't been out here very long or who never were aware of it, Stickman Bangkok has been out a long time. That website goes back a long ways. It definitely very much was a touchstone especially for information for new expats back in the day and it has continued to be sort of an archive if you will for expats even now, so I urge those who are watching this video, it might not be a bad idea to go check out stickmanbangkok.com. Quoting directly from a recent article on stickmanbangkok.com, the article is titled: Retirement Visa Rules to Change. Quoting directly: "If the Thai Government really wants to stop foreign gangsters operating in Thailand, there is a much easier way. The longstanding law which states those with criminal convictions cannot enter Thailand should be strictly enforced. The law states that any jail term except for a petty offense, negligence or something excepted by Ministerial Regulations disqualifies a Foreigner from entering Thailand. Enforce that law and the quality of foreigners in Thailand would increase markedly."

Yeah now just to provide some context. The original article in which Big Joke Hakparn, Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn, I should say specifically Police General Surachate "Big Joke" Hakparn was talking about Retirement Visas was it seemed to be sort of juxtaposed if you will with the story of law enforcement activities associated with certain gang activity here in Thailand, so that's kind of the context. Now what Stickman, or what is being talked about on Stickman's website, on the Stickman website, is okay what about enforcement of the laws we already have on the books. I mean why do we need to change around if you will the Thai Retirement Visa scheme, merely because we have issues associated with law enforcement in Thailand? It is a fair point. 

For those who are unaware, yes there are background checks associated with certain visas issued abroad most notably for example the O-A Retirement Visa which as we have discussed in other videos is very different from the O Retirement Visa. Yes the O-A Retirement Visa when you seek one abroad, when an applicant seeks an O-A Retirement Visa abroad there is a police clearance associated with that but here in Thailand, there is not a background check function. It does kind of beg the question, I think Stickman brings up a good point, which is why don't we look to if you will enforcing the law that is currently on the books with regard to this. If the whole issue comes down to Law Enforcement, well you have a law on the books to deal with it; perhaps do background checks in Thailand associated with extension of status in retiree status, that seems to be the question posed. Now again, whether or not this will happen remains to be seen. I have made a video contemporaneously with this one where I discuss this at length, my opinions on it, in greater detail but long story short at least as of the time of this video, no, there is not a background check associated with an O Retirement Visa here in Thailand. Now that said, there are a lot of complications that can arise in matters pertaining to folks that have a criminal record and their visa status here in Thailand. It is something that you are going to have to deal with on a case by case basis and bear in mind that there may be a possibility down the road where you could see deportation or being unable to renew a Visa down the road. So again, for those that have these issues, it is probably a good idea rather than just running around the internet looking for bits and pieces of information, it is probably a good idea to contact a legal professional, gain some insight and guidance into how best to proceed.