BANGKOK: Serious fire power was used in a sudden and deadly gang fight outside a snooker parlor in Bangkok where several tourists were wounded. Forensic cops examining the area found casings used from AK-47’s among other automatic weapons. As usual the investigation’s main concerns are about how this event can affect tourism as opposed to the more serious aspects of limiting gang activity. AND know that immigration issues seem far more a political tool than an actual military-weapon gun fight resulting in homicide.  As yet no suspects have been rounded up which is also in itself, highly suspect. But no less than the deputy prime minister are involved in following this up, so more news soon. Story here at The Thaiger

BANGKOK: Police boss Big Joke ordered that the police RETURN to the condominium where yesterday several foreigners were arrested, one on a major charge of fraud involving his home country of South Korea.  All of this stemming from an initial complaint by a foreign resident that the temple lower the volume of it’s ritual bell tolling. Now it can be said the complainant and everyone in the building and even throughout Thailand here on a legal or illegal status has had their bell rung, including notice yesterday from the British Embassy that they would no longer provide income letters. Police on the premises of the condo inspected all outbound vehicles and levied several fines against Lessors who had been renting to foreigners but had not reported them living there as required by law. More here on Bangkok Post.

BANGKOK:  The British Embassy in Bangkok gave a shock to their constituents living here by summarily issuing a warning that they will no longer issue Income Letters to the expats living here as they are unable to verify they are actually making said income. This comes as a great shock on the heels of very visible and political efforts within Bangkok’s police and immigration police to root out corruption, and stem the tide of immigration-related violations like overstays and romance scams.  More here on Bangkok Post.

NOTICE FROM BRITISH EMBASSY

From January 1,2019, the British Embassy Bangkok will no longer be providing British Nationals with letters confirming their income. This letter has previously served as a supporting document for obtaining a Thai retirement or marriage visa. The British Embassy Bangkok is stopping the certification of income letters because it is unable to fulfil the Thai authorities’ requirements to verify the income of British Nationals.

British Nationals should now demonstrate that they have an amount of at least 800,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the visa application, or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand for a retirement visa. For a marriage visa, the amounts are 400,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the visa application, or a monthly income of at least 40,000 THB transferred into an account in Thailand. A bank statement should be used as the supporting document for obtaining a Thai retirement or marriage visa.

All British Nationals concerned should note that the last date for income letter applications is 12 December 2018.

1. A) Requirements for a retirement visa:

• Must be at least 50 years old;
• Must have an amount of at least 800,000 THB in an account in Thailand for no less than three months prior to the application for a visa, or a monthly income of at least 65,000 THB;
• Further information: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_22

1. B) Requirements for a marriage visa:

• Must be legally married to a Thai national;
• Must have an amount of no less than 400,000 THB in an account in Thailand for two months prior to the visa application, or an average annual income of no less than 40,000 THB per month;
• Further information: https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_18

 

SONGKHLA: A suspected member of the militant insurgency plaguing the South has been shot and killed with two others arrested following a firefight with police officers in Thepha District.  The skirmish took place at1am Monday when officers of the 43rd Ranger Task Force investigated information that a suspected militant was in hiding in tambon Sakom. What could have been the ring leader was found dead after the shootout. The militants were said to be robbing locals of trucks and hostages to further their abilities to conduct operations.  –more info here on Bangkok Post

MUANG THONG THANI: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai retained his WBC Super-Flyweight Title against Iran Diaz in front of a home crowd at Muang Thong Thani’s Impact Arena. Srisaket at (47-4-1, 47 KO) took control early in the match, moving forward and putting Diaz (14-3-3) on defense for most of the bout.  More here on Bangkok Post.

BURIRAM:MotoGP points leader Marc Marquez extended an advantage by earning pole position in yesterday’s qualifying at Buriram’s PTT Thailand Moto GP 2018, edging out Valentino Rossi by just 0.001 seconds. The race, occurring in hot weather, is set for today and will be viewed by over 1 million Thai moto GP fans. More here on Bangkok Post.