Samut Prakan, it used to work fine, but they appear to have lapsed.

@Robert ******

No, it was an article in the Phuket gazette that quoted an immigration official, although as you say I am sure it was not during the first couple of days

@Robert ******

Read the Phuket gazette, the remarks were published there and were a direct quote from the head of immigration.

Would you pay his fine if he got caught after taking your advice ???

@Paul ********

Didn't you hear about the stink when rescue volunteers during the Asian Tsunami of 2004 were told they needed a work permit !!

The letter above is just listing requirements and giving some information.

@Trevor *****

That chart is reliable and is also posted at all immigration offices.

Thanks Robert.

@Christopher ***********

Particularly if violence was involved.

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.