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Can anyone recommend a legal firm or agent for complex immigration questions in Thailand or Los Angeles?
immigrationvisa advicelegal firmsKrabiBangkokLos AngelesThai visa rulesSiam Legalretirement visaexpat issues
Jan 26, 2025
a year ago
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTERCan anyone recommend a legal firm or agent that can answer some immigration questions that are a bit convoluted ? I need answers that are facts and not opinion. Prefer Krabi, Bangkok or Los Angeles. Thanks much. "Siam Legal" emailed me the "very helpful" "Contact a Thai Immigration office".
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post seeks recommendations for reliable legal firms or agents experienced in immigration questions, specifically in Krabi, Bangkok, or Los Angeles. The user expresses dissatisfaction with responses previously received, particularly from Siam Legal, and emphasizes the need for factual information rather than opinions. Comments highlight the importance of consulting local immigration offices, with some sharing personal anecdotes related to visas, retirement, and travel between the US and Thailand.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Henrik *****
Never trust Siam legal, they are scammers, that try to give you the impression, that they a Embassy.
How can anybody trust that kind of people.
How can anybody trust that kind of people.
Galen *******
When we are confused and looking for answers, we try to read the coffee grounds or ask ghosts.
Randy ******
I am retiring in Denmark… as it will become the 51th state.. No more confusing Thai immigration policies for my simple mind!
Matthew *********
@Randy *****
love the humorRandy ******
@Matthew ********
where is the humor??? see how colombia caved in two hoursReply to
Randy ******
Reply
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you very much to Brandon Thurkettle, Bobby Jones and Greg Alexander. Look me up in Ao Nang Krabi and the drinks (or dinner) are on me !
Greg ***********
@Richard *******
You worry too much. Once your wife has a new Thai passport obtained from her embassy in Washington, DC, she can use both her US passport and her Thai passport.***book the flight and check-in to the flight to Thailand on her Thai passport
***exit USA on her US passport
*** enter Thailand on her Thai passport
*** book and check-in to a flight from Thailand to the USA on her US passport
*** exit Thailand on her Thai passport
*** enter USA on her US passport
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThe wife emigrated from Thailand to the USA approx 30 years ago. She got her US citizenship about 20 ago and has a valid US passport. We are retiring to Krabi in about 6 months. We've been told that she can get her expired Thai passport renewed as well as her Thai ID card. Will she need a retirement visa if she wishes to keep and do further travel on her US passport or just enter and depart Thailand on her Thai passport ? What about entry and exit stamps ? Anyone in a similar situation ? And please guys, no guesses, please only respond if you know. Thanks. My retirement VISA should be pretty cut and dry.
Bobby *******
@Richard *******
there is another group called ‘Thai Citizenship group’ they can answer all your questions. It’s not an uncommon situation at all. She needs to get her Thai ID card and passport as the first step. This group can explain everythingRichard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby ******
Thank you. I'll check them out. We did learn that the ID card and passport are the first step, but none the less, we appreciate your input.Kool *******
@Richard *******
contact the Thai consulate in LA. They deal with this enough to know what she needs to do. Does she still have her expired Thai ID, and passport?Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
Yes on the passport no on the ID card. Of course, we’ll take it with us.Kool *******
@Richard *******
when you get to Thailand if she can produce a copy of the house book she was listed in that will be a big help. At the extreme she might need a DNA test, and be able to compare that test with a Thai relative's DNA test to prove birthright. It helps if she knows which province she was born in, and can get a copy of her birth certificate. Even though her Thai passport is expired, she will still be let in as a Thai, and go through the process of getting her new Thai ID card. It could be simple, based on her expired passport, or involve DNA tests as the extreme requirement. Direct Thai relative's can help greatly.Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
Thank you sir. She was born in Kalasin and still has a lot of family there, including both parents still alive. Lucky, she has a really sharp younger sister and a brother who works for the government (prison guard). We were told by the consulate here that she can get her Thai ID card here in L.A.Kool *******
@Richard *******
yes, she should be able to.Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
Bobby *******
Do you really think someone in Los Angeles can help you? What’s the question?
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby ******
Los Angeles has the largest Thai population outside of Thailand and the Thai embassy in L.A. is the busiest in the world. So, if anyone outside Thailand can... OK, I'll post our issue here in the hopes that someone else has faced the issue.Bobby *******
@Richard *******
sorry Thai people don’t know about Thai immigration. Just like most Americans don’t know anything about US visas etc.
Also there isn’t a Thai embassy in LA. It’s a consulate. Embassies are only in DC
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI may be ignorant of the processes, but I'm nobody's "boy".
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby ******
Oh I know that Thai's love to give advice whether they know about an issue or not. I'm not looking for lay opinions, in my original post I asked for agents or law firms. Consulate/embassy... splitting hairs.Bobby *******
@Richard *******
learn the lingo first boy. This is basic stuff. What are you expecting from a law firm? She needs to get her Thai passport which she will use to enter and exit Thailand. US passport to exit and enter the US. You don’t need a lawyer for such things especially one in the US. They will just fleece you and not do anything
Reply to
Bobby *******
Reply
Brandon ************
The answer to a lot of immigration questions is, in fact, to consult with your immigration office. A lot of rules and policies vary depending on which immigration office you are using.
Matthew *********
@Brandon ***********
wouldn't the concept of a national policy on immigration be great. Instead of let people make up the rules for each office. Just an idea for 2025Nongnuch ********
@Matthew ********
that's not how government institutions and Thai Immigration works. There are processes which just follow different interpretations of different rules. Called sometimes "Thai Logic"Matthew *********
@Nongnuch *******
yep I hear you. It's funny how Thailand wants to be this new developing country over all it's neighbors but still have what you call "Thai logic". That's what makes Japan and Korea superior as a nation. They have a national standard and pride. Lived in Japan for a few years. Absolutely loved it but it's expensive unlike Thailand. Great point on Thai logic . Prostitution is illegal but they promote Nana plaza as the sex capital of the world. Perfect "Thai logic".Reply to
Matthew *********
Reply
Richard ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Thanks. I'll be in Krabi next month and will stop in. I was just hoping to get ahead of it via email.Brandon ************
@Richard *******
You can try to find contact information for the Krabi office. But most of the time that is hit or miss on if they reply.Reply to
Brandon ************
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