Is a state or federal criminal record check preferable for a Thailand long stay visa application?

The discussion revolves around the necessity of a criminal record check for U.S. applicants seeking a long stay visa in Thailand, questioning whether a state or federal check is preferable. Contributors clarify that a comprehensive understanding of what appears on these records, including both felony and misdemeanor convictions, is crucial, although the embassy does not provide explicit criteria beyond the stipulation of "no criminal convictions." Additionally, an alternative approach for obtaining a visa without a criminal background check is mentioned.