Barry Kenyon updates us on
recent changes at Chonburi Immigration, which is located on Soi 5, Jomtien
Beach.
The Chonburi (Pattaya) Immigration Office is becoming
even more friendly and efficient in their operations. This was the message
from Barry Kenyon who regularly assists foreigners at Thai Immigration.
Barry was introduced by Master of Ceremonies Drew Noyes at the Pattaya City
Expats Club’s Sunday, June 26, meeting in the Amari’s Tavern by the Sea
Restaurant. Drew noted that Barry until recently was the Honorary British
Consul in Pattaya.
Barry began by noting that Police Colonel Chusak
Panasamporn, the Chief of the Chonburi Immigration Office, oversees three
locations, Pattaya, Sriracha, and Koh Si Chang. Further, one of Colonel
Chusak’s primary goals is making these Immigration Offices more friendly and
efficient for foreigners. He has instituted some changes in the operations
including reduced paperwork for retirees applying for or to renew their
extension of stay (often referred to as a retirement visa) and a mobile
service to go to locations where there is a need; such as international
schools with a large number of foreigners on staff or hospitals making it
more convenient for foreign patients handle their Immigration matters.
Barry then mentioned several things that are of
importance to many expats. One is that those that remain in Thailand using
back to back Tourist Visas are finding it more difficult to obtain the visas
in neighboring countries because Thailand is cracking down as they want long
stay residents to obtain the appropriate Non-Immigrant Visa; but Thai
embassies and consulates are also giving applications for Non-Immigrant
visas more scrutiny to ensure they are being obtained for the purposes
intended.
Well known Pattaya identity
Peter Smith, of AA insurance, outlines new health insurance available to
PCEC members.
However, if you meet the requirements for the
“retirement” visa, it is easier to obtain and can also be obtained from Thai
Immigration in Thailand; even if you arrived with no visa or on a Tourist
Visa (most western countries are visa exempt and their citizens can get a 30
day permission to stay upon arrival at an airport or 15 days if at a land
border).
However, Barry did point out that in the case of a
married couple, only one is required to meet the financial requirements for
the retirement visa. Although the one that meets the financial requirements
can enter without a Non Immigrant visa and obtain it in Thailand, their
spouse cannot. The spouse must either have entered with a Non-Immigrant visa
or qualify in their own right by showing they also meet the financial
requirements for a retirement visa.
One of the changes that Col. Chusak has put into effect
is that the Chonburi Immigration Offices no longer require applicants using
their country’s embassy letter on income to provide a letter from their Thai
bank and copies of their passbook (those using the 800,000 baht or portion
thereof in a Thai bank account to qualify must still provide the bank letter
and passbook copies).
And this week’s winner is:
Albert of Chachoengsao, winning a two for one gift certificate for one of
Pattaya’s less expensive but quality restaurants, via Hawaii Bob’s ‘Frugal
Freddy’ special interest group. ‘Frugal Freddy’ meets every Monday night.
Barry said he was aware of some recent Internet postings
claiming Immigration will now want to see back up documentation for citizens
of certain countries using the embassy letter regarding income. Barry said
that is not the case, at least not at Chonburi Immigration. He also said
Col. Chusak and the two officers that regularly process “retirement”
extensions at the Pattaya Office state that only the embassy letter on
income is required.
Barry also advised that many people are confused about
the 90 day reporting requirement. It is required only if you have been in
Thailand for 90 consecutive days. If you leave, and then return to Thailand,
you do not have to report your address until you have been back in Thailand
for 90 consecutive days. He also said that you can report your address up to
2 weeks before the due date and 1 week after.
Another thing he wanted to point out was that Immigration
does not have anything to do with the issuance of work permits; those are
issued by the Department of Labor. But, Immigration Police will arrest
anyone they find that is working without a work permit. Barry concluded his
talk and opened it up for questions from the audience.
Master of Ceremonies Drew Noyes then called on Peter
Smith with AA Brokers to talk about the club’s group health policy and other
insurance matters of interest to expats. Peter briefly mentioned the group
policy and reminded those that have it that renewals were now due.
Peter then commented on a new full coverage health policy
that is available for expats up to the age of 65 (those that have it can
continue coverage beyond age 65). The plan is underwritten by Allianz and
available for coverage of US$500,000 or US$1,000,000. The policy premiums
must be paid in US dollars. Unlike many policies, there are no maximums by
category - it pays for all hospital services up to the maximum limit. Also,
no physical examination is required to obtain the policy; but Peter did
point out that you do need to disclose any pre-existing conditions. He said
that if anyone is interested in more information about the Club’s Group
policy or the Allianz policy, they can contact him by telephoning
038-415-795/6 or sending an email to [email protected], or make contact
through their website http://www. aainsure.net/pattaya.html.
Master of Ceremonies Drew Noyes then updated everyone on
upcoming events and called on David Meador to conduct the ever informative
and sometimes humorous Open Forum, where questions are asked and answered,
movies and restaurants are recommended and sometime a joke or two are told.
