@Kimberly *********

a screenshot of an Admin post in another group four days ago

@Kimberly *********

I can't answer your question about the $1500 Visa, other than to guess that it might be the purchase cost of the LTR (Long Term Resident) Visa, or the one that used to be known as the Elite Visa, now called Privelege Card or something similar.

As for the other thing, what you were thinking of, is aimed at people who are entering as part of cybercrime activities or those abusing the system to live in Thailand instead of buying a long term visa, such as a Non-O. The new ruling, or policy is that Extensions on Visa Exempt entries are limited to two per calendar year. The first 60 day entry can be extended for 30 days. The second 60 day Visa Exempt entry will only be extended for 7 days. That means that the maximum time in Thailand of 60+3+60+7 days Visa Exempt in a calendar year. Thailand doesn't want to discourage genuine tourists and the senior Immigration Officer that made the announcement said that genuine tourists, especially coming directly from their 'home' country wouldn't be affected. Whether a general two Visa Exempt entries per calendar year will apply to anyone, I'm not sure. I thought I read something in the past couple of weeks, separately from the extensions announcement, but I can't remember what it was now. Beyond the announcement of clamping down on abuse of the Visa Exempt entries, individual Immigration Officers have a fair bit of leeway to decide who they allow in our refuse entry. I've read a lot of comments by individuals who visit Thailand a few times each year many not applying for extensions and often only visiting for 1-3 weeks in between periods of work. 'Popular opinion' is that as long as they're genuine tourists, they won't be affected.

Edit: below is a copy of a post four days ago, from Admin of the Facebook group "Thai Visa Advice: Q & A"

@everyone

𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗔 𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

Based on recent reports from our clients at various immigration offices, visa exempt entries are now being limited to two across all borders, both land and air. Extensions are no longer guaranteed, and some offices are refusing to assist with transitioning to a new visa if your previous stay was based on an extension.

We're receiving a lot of inquiries about this. If you need help with in-country extensions, long term visa transitioning from exempt entry, or our prescreening and fast track services on exempt entry, please reach out as early as possible.

The best way to contact us is through our official Line account:

@Gary *******

I'm guessing that Siam Legal also offered to help you get a Tourist Visa? I wouldn't trust them, having found incorrect information on their website in the past year or two.

If though, you've got a history of repeated Visa Exempt entries within calendar years, you're probably better to get a Tourist Visa before arriving in Thailand. They can still refuse entry on a TV, but it's less likely unless you have a 'history'.

@Kimberly *********

"60+30+7"...what's that supposed to mean? I think I know, but if I'm correct, you've put it the wrong way!

As for your statement "Not anymore you won't", that's not strictly true. The new policy/instructions to all Thailand Immigration Offices, are meant to 1) clamp down on cybercriminals/scammers (in tandem with clamping down on mule accounts) using repeated Visa Exempt entries and 2) people who are using Visa Exempt entries/Border runs to live long term in the country. While they have said there's now a limit of two Visa Exempt entries at any Border point, which includes land, air or sea, there's still some leniency, for example, entering direct from one's own country will most likely not be a problem. Interpretation or Opinion at least, is that those who regularly enter Thailand for short holidays on a regular basis for a total of up to six months while staying only 1-3 weeks in a calendar year will be fine. There's apparently still some allowance for individual Immigration Officers to make an on the spot decision based on information they have on individuals in front of them.

@Sophie ************

the mention of flying in from the "home country" is due to the Thailand 'crackdown' on cybercrime affecting Thailand as a country and foreigners who are either participants or victims of the associated human trafficking. The recent announcement from Thai Immigration, mentioned that if foreigners enter direct from their 'home' country, they're a lot less likely to come under scrutiny. It's not necessary to enter from one's own country, but if entering from another country, there will likely be more questioning about their reasons for travel and entering Thailand.

@Ned ******

spot on about this recent update being about "extensions", though Visa Exempt entries are being clamped down on, mostly, apparently as part of the government trying to interrupt the activities of the scammer issues. Foreigners who can show they have genuine reasons and can show it, for multiple Visa Exempt (Visa Waiver is something different) entries will probably be fine. Part of this new announcement, I believe, mentioned foreigners entering from their home country will be fine.

@Sean ****

if it is a Building Society, it operates in the same way banks do, so there wouldn't be any problem sending money to an overseas bank account (Thailand in this case). While Wise might be good for money transfers to overseas accounts, it isn't a bank, Building Society or Credit Union that operates like a traditional bank, so that's why a Thai Embassy or Consulate won't accept funds with them as proof for Visa purposes. What

@Dorothy *****

would need to do if she doesn't have sufficient funds in a traditional financial institution like the three I mentioned, is to transfer her funds back to her original account where the money came from, then provide the proof of funds from that account.

@Greg ****

I would have to say that I'm not sure about leaving Australia, while awaiting approval, as I have yet to go through a Visa application. Whether it's at the lodging of the application, or upon approval, I think that you would have to send your passport in to have the Visa stamped in - or, you get an email with the approved Visa, which you can print out and present to Thai Immigration along with your passport when you arrive in Thailand. As for Visa processing times, I can't tell you how long, but if all documents are provided, I would think no longer than three weeks depending on how bust they are, but I'm not certain. I would look to get clarification of that from someone like Tod Daniels, Stuart Cumming or Brandon Thurkettle who could provide you with accurate information.

Are you a member of the "Australians in Thailand" Facebook group? If not, maybe search for it and join, then ask about these things there, where members are Australians and would be able to answer from an Australian perspective, rather than worldwide. If you're not already in that group, just a word of warning, there can often be some that seem to have nothing better to do than be 'Keyboard Warriors' who seem to enjoy being idiots, being rude, or 🤡🤡

@Pam ********

no, it's "not all dribble" on YT, but some of the type of stuff we're talking about here, is based purely on rumours and YouTubers grabs for views and likes. Some of them are no better than regular Media outlets that often sensationalise things to get viewers or readers.

As I am looking to live in Thailand, hopefully in the near future, I am following and taking in information on requirements. I'm very wary about taking information on YouTube as fact in these matters, because they're often basing what they say on 'rumours', some of which may come from Thai Government officials, but as many would know, those things either never happen, or take sometimes years before it goes through the proper Government processes and get approved.

Then there's Expats that have had bad experiences and 'make a bit of' noise' because they're not happy, but often fail to tell the whole story, because they don't want to embarrass themselves, but would rather blame others.

You're obviously, based on what you've said, with respect, not in a position to consider retiring in Thailand, so I'm assuming that you've not been looking into the requirements in detail and finding out the facts. I'm in two or three Facebook groups related to Thai Visas, and I would much rather get my information from Moderators and group members that have a proven record of providing accurate information, rather than YT or other Media outlets.

I would be interested to hear from you what those laws are that you refer to, that are changing 🤔 please enlighten me

Have you checked the Thai Embassy in Canberra, or Consulate in Sydney website to see what they require in the way of documentation and proofs are? I haven't actually done an application myself, but I'm sure from reading a lot of posts and comments, you would need to provide Bank documents that prove that you have the funds, whether it be Thai Baht in a Thai bank, or the equivalent in an account in another country. While you may be able to lodge an application online, if you don't provide all the documentation required, you'll be sent a request for what's missing. At that point, your application will at least be on hold until you provide it.

A quick online search posing a question about the requirement confirms it. I would say that there's no point in lodging an application until you have the funds available to you