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What are the visa extension rules in Thailand for those involved in litigation or court proceedings?

Thailand visa extensionlitigationcourt proceedingsimmigration rulesvisa typesNON-O visaexpat help
Nov 2, 2021
3 years ago
Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I noticed that one of the reasons for visa extension in Thailand is "in the case of litigation or court proceedings." I'm just curious to know if anyone has any experience with this and if so, how long of an extension is immigration willing to grant?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
In Thailand, individuals involved in litigation or court proceedings can apply for a visa extension that typically lasts until the case is resolved. Extensions can be granted for up to 90 days at a time, with subsequent extensions related to the same case being free after the first one, which incurs a fee. Documentation such as a letter from court highlighting the pending litigation is necessary. Even individuals who are witnesses in a case can be eligible for this type of extension. However, it’s important to check with local immigration and legal authorities to understand specific requirements based on individual circumstances.
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Benjamin ******
I think this has gone far enough. If you are involved in a pending court case, ask your lawyer to acquire an extension of stay based on litigation or court proceedings. The lawyer can advise further on the length of the extension. Thank you.
3 years ago
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Richard **************
I had a court case pending in which I was the plaintiff but was told by my attorney that this extension only applies to those who are defendants.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard *************
 I checked with my lawyers and they said they have done it before. Doesn’t matter if plaintiff or defendant. All that is needed are some certified copies of docs from court.
3 years ago
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Lloyd ********
@Jeremy ****************
 So why ask here ?
3 years ago
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Richard **************
@Jeremy ****************
 good to know. My case has been going on for about four years now with no end in sight. I guess I can get an indefinite extension on that basis.
3 years ago
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Richard **************
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Robert *******
I guess you can not hold a work permit as a director/share holder and actually working if you change your stay to the Extension of Stay based in the case of litigation or court proceedings.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 Not currently on a work permit.
3 years ago
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Lloyd ********
@Jeremy ****************
 let's be honest, the reason you are asking is because you did not have the 400k ready in time, and you are now scrambling to find a way to stay.
3 years ago
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Robert *******
@Jeremy ****************
 If you do not work for the company, why you want to apply for an extension based on company actions.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
 I am a director and shareholder, but not an employee. However, I am involved in the court case. So mostly I asked this question out of curiosity to see if anyone has ever pursued a similar extension and how the documentation compares with other types of extensions. According to the immigration website, it seems that all I need is maybe a letter from the police stating that I am involved in the case as plaintiff/witness.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
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Tod *********
well spotted
@Robert ******
, unless I am mistaken you are correct and a person has to cancel their work permit at the MOL when they go on litigation extensions.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
Extensions for litigating a court case can be issued even if you're just a witness in a case. They can be issued for up to 90 days at a time, and after the first extension where you pay 1900baht all the rest of the extensions for the same case are free. They are somewhat document heavy initially but after the first one it's not bad to get the subsequent ones. You have to make sure that paperwork you take to show you're still litigating a case says it will not be resolved in 90 days otherwise they only give you 60 or 30 at their discretion.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 In your experience, what kind of documentation do they want?
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Jeremy ****************
 You need to talk to who ever is handling your case (especially as you're the plaintiff)
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Jeremy ****************
 the cases I dealt with were people as the defendants in criminal cases and the police station was holding their passports, So I had to go get the passports and a letter from the investigating officer stating the case was still pending and then meet the people who were out on bail at the immigration office
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Ellie *******
If you really would have the case, the best is to talk to the court and the local immigration office along with your lawyer.

I think
@T**
 would know the general procedure from precedents.
3 years ago
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Igor ********
Some cases take 10 years to reslove.... 🤣
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Igor *******
 Indeed, I am actually involved in 2 different criminal cases as a plaintiff and am seeing this first-hand.^^
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
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Lloyd ********
The extension would be until the court case is resolved.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Manfred *********
 That’s what I’m hoping!😂🤣😂🤣
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I would imagine so, but in practice do they just keep giving you fixed amounts of time? Just as a background, my company (of which I am a director and shareholder) is involved in a criminal lawsuit as a plaintiff. There is a preliminary hearing scheduled in February.
3 years ago
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Mark ************
@Jeremy ****************
Thai legal system is painfully slow.

My experience was 2 years of headache over the BS case against me based on a lie that was retracted at the start of court.

If it’s a fraud case or a case where money trail needs to found it could be 2-3 years before court.

My PP was held at the court and I’d have to go and get it, run to immigration for 90 stamp and give it back to the boy who accompanied me.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ***********
 You were a defendant, right? In my case, I am the plaintiff.
3 years ago
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Mark ************
@Jeremy ****************
Yes and lawyer should advise you but with virus I’m sure it’s slower now.

Not sure why as a plaintiff you would have visa restrictions though.

It seems designed for defendants not to skip boarder for serious crimes only.
3 years ago
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Mark ************
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Lloyd ********
@Jeremy ****************
 I can only find references to the defendant being granted extensions, not the plaintiff.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
 This is what I found on the immigration website.
3 years ago
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Lloyd ********
@Jeremy ****************
 I am guessing your company is the plaintiff, not you as an individual, so maybe won't apply.
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
 Possible, though I am a shareholder and MD. The text on immigration’s website seems to indicate that even witnesses can get extensions. Incidentally, I am involved in another case as plaintiff. My ex-wife sold a joint property and didn’t give me my share. She’s been indicted by the public prosecutor but no court date has been set yet…
3 years ago
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Jeremy *****************
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