What are the implications of the recent ownership change in the DIY Thailand visas group?

March 17, 2022
3 years ago
I'm sure many have noticed that there has been a change in ownership of this group.

FEW THINGS TO NOTE

โ€ข Please rest assured that nothing changes regarding this groups rules, and focus even-though we are a visa agency which also runs the AQ hotel booking platform.

โ€ข Also please refrain from posting any visa-agent related posts in the group, as this group is entirely focused on DIY Thailand visas. If you really must use an agent, you can always message us directly.

โ€ข If you have any Thailand Pass, or insurance related questions you can ask them in our group which is focused on those topics: Thailand Pass (Test and Go, Sandbox, Tourism)

We hope to lead new travelers to this group which would like to stay in Thailand longer, and will depend on the community to support these new travelers/tourists.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The group focused on DIY Thailand visas has undergone an ownership change to Thai Visa Centre, which will promote its visa agency services while maintaining the group's original focus on providing DIY visa advice. Members have expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest, and the moderators assure that the existing rules will remain in place, allowing for continued impartial advice. Members are invited to ask questions regarding Thailand Pass and insurance, while being discouraged from posting about other visa agents.
Tod *********
And I think on that note this thread has served it's purpose

As you can see (or should have seen if you'd been paying attention) we are still cranking out the most accurate visa/extension advice available anywhere on the inter-web ๐Ÿ™‚

So the catch phrase going forward is;

๐—จ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜ - ๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฒ ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐—ฎ๐—ฑ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐—ฎ๐˜€ ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ
Francis ********
I hope the admins and moderates make a new group
James ********
Francis Wilson Pardon me ... not no. HELL NO ! And if you are unhappy...feel free to pass us bye. Thai Visa Advice lives on right here.
Francis ********
Right now they will tell you what you can do but in the future money talks
Francis ********
You can do your visa for free
James ********
Francis Wilson and Thai Visa Advice continues to provide FREE advice to the Do It Yourself expat. Nothing has changed...other than your misconception.
Federica ***********
Lots of overreaction ๐Ÿง
Dave ********
So I have a question, Iโ€™m in Australia and wish to come to Phuket for 3 weeks in April what do I need to do to facilitate this?
WEE****
@Dave *******
As an Australian passport holder you would be able to enter on 30 day visa-exempt entry.

In terms of other entry requirements you can ask this question on the following group:

Thailand Pass (Test and Go, Sandbox, Tourism)
Kristopher *****************
WEE****
Chris **********
Is really confusing now. Are you Thai Visa Centre or A.Q in th ?
WEE****
@Chris *********
We are both :), so it could be seen as a joint acquisition.

AQ is a sister company of TVC
Chris **********
@AQ.i****
you do not seem to have any web prescence.
WEE****
@Chris *********
For AQ our actual company is AGENTS CO., LTD ( not visa related ).

I would like to think we have a lot of web presence, our facebook, and google (
*************************************
).

And of course our booking platform:
****************
Adam **********
@Chris *********
they're both.
Chris **********
@Adam *********
there is a large Thai manufacturing company called AQ Thailand or ASQ Thailand who seemed to be also AQ Thailand.
WEE****
Please remember that we are not only a visa agency, we are actually a technology company.

We have zero intention on pushing any visa services to this group, and this will not change.

I'm sure enough people in this group have used our booking platform in some form.

We have many exciting things coming this year which will make finding, and paying for accommodation easier, and more secure.
Wannikea *********
@AQ.i****
I'm sure this will be quite welcome as I see many posts of credit card holders (even in America) unable to pay through a hotels credit card payment portal.
Stuart **********
This is a monumental disaster for impartial and hugely valuable visa advice in Thailand RIP Thai Visa Advice you did a wonderful job
James ********
@Stuart *********
you are entitled to your opinion. But I believe its a misjudgement of yours.
Stuart **********
@James *******
if so great, we live and learn most from misjudgements ๐Ÿ‘
James ********
@Stuart *********
Good Day Sir.
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart *********
Very little has actually changed, and this will become obvious as time passes.
Max ********
@Thai *****************************
What actually is the reason for you guys taking over the group, and will you guys be giving visa advice or will it remain the same people?
Amornrat **********
Chris **********
@Max *******
they have been on ASEAN now which used to be Thai Visa forum for a while but guess they thought is better to have their own prescence. I guess it is just branding- you see the name you may use the familiar. I actually appreciated their advice there because at least you knew they were hands on dealing with it every day.
Stuart **********
@Chris *********
it is absolutely nothing to do with branding, but let's give everyone every chance
Chris **********
@Stuart *********
maybe not for you but I approached them after seeing them on Thai Visa. I must just be susceptible to brands.
Stuart **********
Your points contradict each other, you say that you are an agent but please don't post about agents. This was the go to place in Thailand for impartial visa advice, hopefully that will continue?
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart *********
For multiple reasons we have no intention to change any of the existing rules. It will remain to be strict against discussing using agents, as the focus is on how to resolve your visa situation on your own.

If you wish to use an agent, a group is not required.

I know it sounds weird, but for us this does actually make sense.
Stuart **********
@Thai *****************************
it doesn't sound weird, it makes sence as you say. The group remains the place for people to get advice to help themselves however when their situation falls outside of what they can accomplish alone you are there to help out. Makes good business sence!
James ********
@Stuart *********
yep ๐Ÿ˜‡
Stuart **********
Max ********
Personally I don't think agents are bad like other people do, so maybe it would be fair to allow us to now talk about agents too (Thai visa center and others), it may help point out which agents are reputable and which ones are not, agents are a fact of life here whether you like them or not, just a bit ridiculous now we cannot discuss them yet this group is owned by one now which is promoting itself, if this is the way we are going to go at least allow agent talk from now on, it would be helpful to members and possibly even prevent some people being scammed by some agents who are shady
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max *******
For multiple reasons we have no intention to change any of the existing rules. It will remain to be strict against discussing using agents, as the focus is on how to resolve your visa situation on your own.

If you wish to use an agent, a group is not required.

I know it sounds weird, but for us this does actually make sense.
Stuart **********
@Max *******
agents are a fact of life and some are very good. The issue is that is you have an agent do something that you can't do by walking into an immigration office on yourself then you may be binding yourself to that agent and his or her contacts. The agents situation could change with staffing changes at immigration leaving you high and dry. It is always better in the long run to get good advice and then do your visa yourself ๐Ÿ‘
Max ********
@Stuart *********
exactly this is the kind of thing which needs to be discussed in the group, otherwise people will go to the agents and get themselves in certain situations which could have been avoided if we talked about them in this group but we don't, if someone brings up an agent in this group's this gives the group a chance to scrutinize them, rather than just deleting any mention of them, which in the end makes people less informed and more likely to fall into bad situations
Stuart **********
@Max *******
the old guys were perfectly impartial which is what made the group special and most helpful. Time to start a new group then?
James ********
Stuart **********
@James *******
I don't know enough yet ๐Ÿ˜ญ
James ********
@Stuart *********
keep tuned in...you are a welcomed member here...
Max ********
@Stuart *********
maybe but I think this group would impartial if they just stop deleting comments all the time, if people have a problem with something being said or think it is bad advice they can just point out why it is bad advice, deleting stuff makes it impartial
Stuart **********
@Max *******
yeah true but they know their stuff. If they know they have given the correct answer then why leave it open for others to confuse the situation. As a person looking to sort your visa you really need straight accurate advice without having to wade through lots of conflicting answers. They were excellent at this
Max ********
So are we allowed to talk about agents now??? Or only if it is Thai visa center ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚
James ********
@Max *******
nope...
David ************
If our comments are welcomed and will not get deleted, what happened to this one.
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ***********
There are many that had issues with those visas due to changes.

We helped as many as we could, and we also contacted all of our clients to message us if leaving so that we could ensure hassle free entry if possible.

This specific situation was related to a 1 week event, which was 100% out of our control.
Adam **********
@Thai *****************************
so people who acquired a Volounteer visa of you do not have any problems when leaving the country/re-entering the country now ? because I always read mixed stories about this ?
Martin ********
@Adam *********
The Thais changes to the visa requirements and regulations. People having problems with these visa was because of this, not because of any visa service. In otherwords, these changes affected ALL volunteer visas no matter how they were obtained or from whom.
Adam **********
@Martin *******
yes I understand but I am interested to know if people who let the volounteer visa expire and left the country and them try to return on a visa exempt still face issues entering Thailand or not ?
David ************
James ********
@David ***********
pardon me ...but you must relish in the misfortunes of others...you have no clue of the significant changes which occurred quietly overnight late last year with change in Thai Immigration policies re the volunteer visa.

And may I add if you are an unhappy camper...you are free to leave the chapel.

Let's all try to work forward to continue to assist expats with their Thai Visa Advice needs.
James ********
Me too...I understand fully...and am Cool with your stance...
David ************
@James *******
James, you have the power to just delete me or the decision to just scroll past me. Our opinions were welcomed by the new admins of this group, and we as accepted group members expressed our opinions. If you donโ€™t agree maybe take it up with them. As you know, I follow these groups and moderate one along with you, so I know whatโ€™s going on here.
James ********
@David ***********
and I too...but I find it difficult to understand your negative posture. I prefer to look forward to positive vibes
Martin ********
@James *******
****************************
David ************
@James *******
I do appreciate that. But Iโ€™m just a realist. I pray for the best but prepare for the worst. I always error on the side of caution. I may sound cynical but itโ€™s worked me through life and into prosperity. Iโ€™ve accomplished so many things with this attitude. I apologize if it come over bad on Facebook but Iโ€™m just not a guy passing potentially jaded hope. People need the truth. Anyway, Iโ€™m cool if you are.
Andrew *********
Good luck , on a new adventure
Stephen ***********
BUMMER...
Joy ********
Sad
David ************
Thai Visa Centre - visa agent Will the group still adhere to the same highest of standards Tod, Lloyd, James and others enforced ? Particularly correcting wrong answers, closing comments when the correct answer is posted and firm anti-hate and trolling control? What bothers me is this group was already perfect. No group I ever saw ran by such high standards. It now seems like a hostile takeover of sorts. But I will give it a chance as it appears we have no choice in the matter.
Stuart **********
@David ***********
there's a choice, start a new impartial advice group again ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ‘
James ********
@David ***********
not anything remote as hostile...a wise business decision by all parties involved. With commitment to continue as yesterday in the days and months ahead.
James ********
@David ***********
if he continues as before by providing good and correct Thai Visa Advice to the forum...why should a title matter?
@Tod ********
... is and always will be The LEGEND of Thai Visa Advice. I am thankful he and fellow team members remain to help.
David ************
@James *******
So, so true.
Suman **********
In how much baht you sold us ?
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Suman *********
Enough to ensure that the community continues to thrive.
Joshua *****
As long as everything stays the same Iโ€™m happy about this. Iโ€™ve also used Thai Visa Centre a couple of times in the past six months and the service has been perfect.
George *******
I donโ€™t see anything wrong with this. Still offering free advice and helping people. I wish your business much success. Free enterprise is a wonderful thing
Kay ***********
Will *********
How much you pay for the group?
Graeme ***********
Sounds like poacher turned gamekeeper.
Dustin *******
@Graeme **********
active gang member doing youth outreach to โ€œkeep kids off the streetsโ€ ๐Ÿ˜‰
Kay ***********
@Thai *****************************
TVC still the best agent if you need. Of course , do by yourself is better.

And any questions you asked in the group , will still have visa expert to answer.

So nothing gonna change.
Graeme ***********
@Kay **********
maybe, but not to me. I realize that conflict of interest is not a big thing in Thailand but the idea of a paid visa agent giving free visa advice thus enabling the poster to bypass the "payment" to the visa agent, is nothing short of ludicrous. I haven't worked out exactly what your game yet but I ain't playing.
James ********
@Kay **********
thank you...we all look forward to continuing to provide correct and helpful Thai Visa Advice
Graeme ***********
@Kay **********
except the trust.
Dustin *******
@Kay **********
@Benjamin *****
should have already written a warning about this comment and reminded us this can get you banned from the group.
James ********
Dustin Smith but that didn't happen.
Dustin *******
@Kay **********
advocating for a visa agent and not having your comment removed is a change.
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dustin ******
The removal policy is still in effect outside of this announcement.

Answering a DIY visa related question by telling someone to use a visa agent is not an actual answer.

Strict rules will still be adhered to by posters, and the existing mods will continue to enforce them.

If you need an agent use google there are many in Thailand.
WEE****
@Dustin ******
This one annoucement is the exception.
Dustin *******
@AQ.i****
my point was about his comment not this announcement.
WEE****
@Dustin ******
I am not allowing mods to regulate this annoucement, as it is a place to express everyone's feelings during this change.

Even if they wish to speak bad about us it is allowed.

We are listening, and do not intend for anything to actually change in terms of advice as this is a DIY focused visa group. To answer someone's question by telling them to use an agent is not an actual answer.
Dustin *******
@AQ.i****
telling someone to use an agent is a no here. Will that be deleted? Or are you changing the rules?
Frank ********
wow I am shocked. I previously got excellent advice from Todd, but how can a not for profit group be purchased or transferred to a for profit group ? Are the FB sites for sale ? I have a business FB site for my resort, no one offered yet to buy it LOL.
Martin ********
@Frank *******
Todd assures that he and other knowledgeable people will not suddenly disappear from the group.
David *******
Frank Harvey

Yes they are saleable items. Attract paid advertising too.
Chris **********
I have only commented twice and each time the moderators removed my comment so am not complaining about new ownership.
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *********
We may have bad news for you then.

The same mods are in control, and they are enforcing the same rules ๐Ÿคญ
Chris **********
@Thai *****************************
Do not really care. If I needed advice I would send UbonJoe. It is interesting that you are now on this page as you had a presence on ASEAN Now for a while. Have you left there? I was not breaking any rules. They just seem quite heavy handed with their moderation. In the last case what could be construed as misinformation was given by a poster and I queried it. I think the post was maybe too shorthand but they just removed it with no comment or question.When I reposted longhand they closed the post for comments.
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *********
That is a place where we can talk about non DIY solutions (sometimes ๐Ÿ˜…).

We are also active there when needed.
Chris **********
@Thai *****************************
Yes it is a lot less moderated
Chris **********
I don't think it was you who removed them Todd.
James ********
@Chris *********
I KNOW NOTHING ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚
Don *****
So the question is how much did visa agent pay to get this group? 100k? 500k? Bhat
WEE****
@Don ****
An agreement was made to allow us to continue to grow this group under new ownership.
Stuart *********
@AQ.i****
hope so, ๐Ÿคž
Stuart *********
@AQ.i****
you were not needed. Such a shame. You could send your customers here without taking control. Hopefully people here are wise enough to see whatโ€™s happened.
WEE****
@Stuart ********
Possibly, if you think we cross the line from now on please let us know.

The intention is not to change any of the existing mods / rules.

Our business is in the technology sector, and we will continue to develop platforms to help expats in one way or another.
Wannikea *********
Taken over, is that a buzzword for cash settlement?
WEE****
@Wannikea ********
An agreement was made to allow us to continue to grow this group under new ownership.
Wannikea *********
@AQ.i****
strictly to manage/create growth and not group operations?
WEE****
@Wannikea ********
The rules remain the same.

We may jump in from time to time to make announcements of new visa changes if we are aware of them ahead of everyone else, as well as post supporting information.
Brad *********
So a public group is now been taken over by a agency to basically make more money
Lloyd ********
@Brad ********
not more money, everyone here gave their time for free
Graeme ***********
Lloyd ********
But the team advice is still the same
Brad *********
@Lloyd *******
nah i meant it like its been given to a agency so they get more customers which in turn makes them more money
WEE****
@Brad ********
We are sending our hotel customers here for help.

We do run one of the most popular platforms for booking entry accommodation.

Many travelers need visa help.
Brad *********
@AQ.i****
oww I understand now... Mayne give more clarification in your main original post.. state you are not here to gain customers but you send you customers to this group for advice etc... I think alot of us thought you take over group to extort many farang
WEE****
@Brad ********
Yes we see this, hopefully it will become clear as time passes that nothing really changed.
WEE****
@Brad ********
We will be sending travelers to this group from AQ.in.th for Thai visa advice.

Because of this we needed to either create a group, or obtain the best existing group.

This group is by far the best source of visa advise, and we wish to keep that going.

We are actually more of a technology, and service company.

This will become more clear later this year as the country fully re-opens, and we launch our new platforms.
Chris *********
Why the change of ownership? The impartial advice on here was paramount to so many people having a great experience in Thailand ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
Pierre ***********
@Chris ********
Someone wants a slice of a tasty pie
Lloyd ********
@Chris ********
still impartial advice
WEE****
@Chris ********
Mods remain the same, and advice remains the same.

The main change is that we will be funneling our travelers into this group when they need visa advice / support.
Christopher **********
Hang on. Let me see if I understand. You are a visa agent but you are telling people NOT to post anything here about visa agents, but if they REALLY need a visa agent they should contact your visa agency directly??? Is this some kind of a joke?
Ivo ***********
Thai visa center - visa agent ...if you made so much bookings (and money) then you could offer the moderators of this forum an official job with work permit.
WEE****
@Ivo **********
Our booking platform actually started free.

It was only recently after 5,000+ hours of engineering, and negotiations that we are getting to a point where we can actually operate as an OTA.

If we continue to grow this is 100% on the table, but a lot needs to happen to make things work in a post-covid situation.
Tod *********
@Christopher *********
and
@Dustin ******
the group is now OWNED by Thai Visa Centre,

The group is still run by the mods and at least for now it's gonna be run the same way.

We are here to help people push their own paper, get their own visas/extensions, answer questions, like we have been doing all along.

All I can say is let's see what the future brings. ๐Ÿ™‚
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Christopher *********
We need a place to send all of tourists which use our booking platform, and decide to stay in Thailand longer.

In the past 12 months we processed over 240,000 booking requests, and you can only imagine how many questions we received.

It only made sense to either create a community to help tourists, or acquire one.
Brandon ************
@Thai *****************************
it makes sense, but hope you consult with the mod team before making any changes.
WEE****
@Brandon ***********
This was all signed off, and one of the things we required was that the same rules were enforced, and the mod team did not change.
Pierre ***********
@Thai *****************************
It's called piggyback riding...
Dustin *******
@Christopher *********
how it will slowly morph to a visa agent only recommendation group
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dustin ******
It will not.
Stuart *********
@Thai *****************************
No as it will only be one visa agent ๐Ÿ˜‚
Dustin *******
@Stuart ********
good point
Pierre ***********
Always someone who wants to fix something that's not broke...
Mario *******
Goodbye time to leave
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Mario Boehm This is expected to some extent, and I'm sorry you feel this way, and are unwilling to give us a chance.

We have been one of the main sources of information regarding a few visa related topics in the past, and will continue to keep this group well informed of any changes.
Eze ********
Could you please tell us who was the owner of the group before and why the ownership changed?

I had thought that Tod was the owner of the group prior to this change but perhaps I was mistaken.
Tod *********
@Eze *******
nope believe me it wasn't my group ๐Ÿ˜• ,

I posted here, I drove the content and directed the group as best I could, but Lloyd Turner was the owner of the group not me
Eze ********
@Tod ********
with the excellent advice you give and the work you have done directly with immigration to get answers and to understand procedures, it certainly felt like it was your group.

Let me just say, "Thank You", to you and the other moderators for all the work you have put into this group.

I hope that things can continue in the same way, with the same high quality advice.

We shall see what the future holds.
Martin ********
@Tod ********
Hi Tod pretty shocked really. Are you still involved in the group (Moderator) or is that it for you? Iโ€™ll be sad if youโ€™re going .
Tod *********
@Martin *******
I'm still here, hopefully still giving solid visa advice to people (y)
Dustin *******
@Tod ********
is this a good change, bad change, or yet to be determined?
THAI ******************************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dustin ******
Yet to be determined, but we hope you will not notice any changes at all.

Except for a steady stream of travelers which may need the communities assistance.
Dustin *******
@Thai *****************************
not really looking for an answer from the new owner here since that is who most are skeptical of. I would rather here from the people who have lead this place and their thoughts.
Lloyd ********
@Dustin ******
Then take it from the old owner and concept manager, I think this a move in the right direction. Same advice, same page, with possibly some more helpful options.
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