This mainly concerns the folks who use Pattaya Immigration. But thought I'd posted as a heads up. Who knows maybe other immigration offices will incorporate this into their SOP.

Is this another turn of the screw? IMO, I believe Pattaya Imm is creating effective policies to ensure that those individuals who desire to be here short or long term provide proof of income or other proper documentation.

Pattaya Immigration bureau has introduced the following rules regarding one year Visa’s and extensions of Visa’s On Arrival, and 60 day Tourist Visa's.

Applicants for one year retirement visas must now show and make copies of the back and front of any currently valid ATM or credit card issued in their name. The copies must be signed by the applicant. It does not matter whether the card was issued in Thailand or overseas.

This is intended as a further check on an applicant's financial health.

1. Applicants for extensions on short visas, for example a request for the maximum allowed 7 days on a “Visa on Arrival” or for the maximum 30 days on a “60 day Tourist Visa” issued abroad, must now show proof their onward travel plans after the extension has expired, by having in their possession an air or electronic airline ticket, or a bus ticket with clear dates printed on it. This requirement is to assure Immigration that the visa holder does indeed plan to leave Thailand at the expiration of his extension.


http://www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com/mo ... e&sid=1039

As far as the retirement extension bit, I would not take too much notice of this until it has been validated (or invalidated, as may be the case).

There is some discussion on Thai Visa, and no-one is yet sure about the status of the information.

Until then, it is in the realms of rumour and/or speculation.

A rather dangerous practice to give out copies of credit cards especially the ones that have a check or verification number on the back. Four of my cards have this check number.

John

Mine too...

Pattaya Immigration asked for a copy of my ATM card one time about 4 or 5 years ago when I was renewing my retirement visa even though I showed money coming in through a Thai bank. I just made a copy of my card, used a felt tip marker to blot out the number and then made a copy of that so there was no way anyone could get the number. They accepted that without a problem.

I wonder if I don't violate the rules of my bank if I give away a copy of the both sides of my card together with my signature.
Seems very dangerous to me.
I agree with an oder post: simply wait and see because I can not imagine that this is 100% legal.

In the past, I have faxed copies of one of my credit cards for hotel payment. I don't think this is a problem, but I think Fremmel's precaution of inking out the verification number on the back of the card is a very good idea.

Papaguido, what is your source of information?

I don't see this as the tightening of screws. They only asked for more information.

rickfarang wrote:In the past, I have faxed copies of one of my credit cards for hotel payment. I don't think this is a problem, but I think Fremmel's precaution of inking out the verification number on the back of the card is a very good idea.

Papaguido, what is your source of information?

I don't see this as the tightening of screws. They only asked for more information.

I'm the source, it was just a crack at those who go around crying the "sky is falling" whenever a new rule or change of policy is announced.

When you have a theft occur on your card and try to complain to your card issuer that money has gone missing - can you imagine their response when (if) they found out you had made a copy of your card, back and front (with or without signature blocked out) and given it to someone you don't really know (because he asked for it).
I cannot see why the bank book is proof enough, to show that ATM transactions have taken place throughout the previous year.
After all if you have made an ATM withdrawal, you must have had a card to do so.

TIT

Quite right,the bank book is more than enough with proof of transactions taken place.
Just imagine if money goes missing out of your Nationwide or Nat West accounts and you tell them you gave photocopies of your card with the verification number to someone in Immigration in Thailand.
You will be able to here the raucous laughter in the UK even back here in Udon !!!

Zidane

Credit/Debit card companies will usually cover any fraudulent use of your card PROVIDING it can be shown that you have not been negligent.

I suspect making copies of your card and giving them to "the man in immigration because he asked for it' - could constitute negligence !

Owning a card does not in any way show that you have funds, of any amount, it just proves you have a method of withdrawing funds (or in the case of credit cards, borrowing money- in fact a credit card doesn't prove that you have money but rather proves that you don't (in most cases))

Is it my imagiantion or do a lot of suspected changes come out of Pattaya immigration that seem to fall by the way side later on?

ray23 wrote:Is it my imagiantion or do a lot of suspected changes come out of Pattaya immigration that seem to fall by the way side later on?

I don't think so,I think your living in reality!

I just received email from a friend who lives near Pattay. He checked with immigration in Pattaya and is outraged that they want copies of the front and back of all of his ATM and credit cards. So, I guess this wasn't an isolated incident.

Has anybody heard of this happening anywhere but in Pattaya?

There is no requirement that those on visas have any ATM or credit cards at all, so I wonder if there would be any unpleasant consequences for an applicant who said that he has neither an ATM nor a credit card. Or just one ATM card.

No problem I will give a copy of my Bangkok Bank ATM card with the 100 baht in it.

I'm really curiuos if anyone has been asked for this at Nong Khai?