How does a past felony conviction affect Thai visa applications for expats?

Tod Daniels I am happy you said "most likely", so I will copy you on that. In the case of Thai Elite, RTP is most likely limited to checking one's criminal record locally in Thailand and at best the Interpol database for any arrest warrants outstanding. I do not see how they would identify criminal records of people in some 180 countries.

Okay, no matter what people say there are two visas you're most likely unable to get and that would be the year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A visa from a thai consulate in your country before you come here OR the thai elite visa.

With that being said, you will have no issues getting into thailand on a 30 day visa exempt entry, buying a single or multiple entry tourist visa OR buying a 90 day Non-O visa and then getting a year extension of stay on it (once you turn 50). NONE of the previous choices I mentioned require a police report or background check.

You can get a tourist visa no issues.

Good luck....out of interest, how did they catch you 😬

HAHAHA -- I know the answers.. PM me if you want more information from person experience.

But... you can go to any local courthouse and get a 'all-clear' letter, that will serve as a police background check. The 'all-clear' just says no active cases, usually locally.

Your 10 year old felony not a problem. Make sure the local office is not in the same same state as the felony..

It would depend on how long a conviction stays on your record. Some countries give you a clean certificate if the offense is a certain number of years old. My understanding is that the only way to get rid of a felony conviction in the US is to have your record expunged. But this can only be done in certain circumstances. So if you apply fro a police clearance in the US right now, your conviction would be on that certificate. So any form of visa that requires a police background check from the US is ruled out.

As a convicted felon, you would not qualify for the Thailand Elite visa.

I don’t think it will affect visa application originating inside Thailand.

Good luck bro