Transcript of the above video: 

The topic of Visas specifically for people who simply own a condo here in Thailand is kind of one of these topics that goes into the sort of nebulous ether of the internet. You'll get into forums where you'll go back years, even decades now with some of the forums talking about a lot of Thai Immigration stuff and you'll see back when they will be talking about "oh I had a condo in Thailand and it allowed me to maintain an O Visa just based on the ownership of a condo." We talked about at the time when that was effectively phased out, that was some years ago. 

That said, I thought of making this specific video after reading a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Several neighbouring countries compete with Thailand for foreign retirees. The thrust of that article goes in a different direction. I urge those watching this video, go check out that article if you want some further insight into the topic at hand. That said this small excerpt is what we are going to discuss in this video. Quoting directly: "Purchase of condominiums is allowed but does not generally result in visa concessions." Now notice the word "generally" in there, the kind of modifier. Yes there was a time when it was possible to effectively maintain O Visa status strictly by dint of the fact that one had been here just simply as a Thai condo owner. As a practical matter now, as far as new visas go, it is not prudent to presume that that is going to be an option moving forward. There may be folks who kind of came in under the old system that maybe still sort of renewing their visas as a result of having a condo although I kind of doubt that's going on based on our discussions with Immigration in the past. But that said, I could see a scenario where that might be the case.

That said, effectively moving forward though, it is not again not prudent to presume that just because someone buys a condo means they're going to get some sort of ongoing lawful status in terms of Immigration status, i.e. a Visa, here in the Kingdom of Thailand.

I'm going to do a quick bumper for a lot of these Immigration videos that we are going to be doing moving forward because there are a number of options that have come up here recently and unfortunately there has just been a lot of nonsensical talk throughout the ether of the internet as well as in even like the mainstream press; the print press has been talking a lot about Immigration and quite honestly, not all of the conclusions that they are drawing are correct. So the point of this bumper if you will, is for me to just kind of remind people, it is not a terrible idea to contact a legal professional who deals with Immigration on a regular basis because there are a number of options now available for foreigners looking to be in Thailand long- term. Some of them are going to be more optimal than others depending on your own circumstances.