Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, it appears that we are seeing heightened scrutiny at Immigration Checkpoints here in Thailand. Let me go ahead and jump into this. I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: Visa-free period halved, many countries dropped. Yes, as discussed in a prior video, they have wildly changed or radically altered the Visa-exempt program, for like the last two years, effectively since the last Government we saw visa-free go from 30 to 60 days, now it's being knocked back to 30 days and the number of countries that can avail themselves of Visa-free entry has almost knocked back in half; it's like 59 countries versus 93. So at least a third of the countries have been knocked off the list for Visa-free entry. Again, I get into that in other videos. 

Very quickly before we get into this, folks have asked me, is there any way to support us, other than the fact that yes of course there is a promotional element of this channel for our Law Firm that people say, "I don't need to avail myself of a lawyer. I know your channel isn't monetized, is there any way we can support you?" As discussed in other videos, my better half and I set up a restaurant here in downtown Bangkok. The name is Pancake Palace, as the name implies, it is breakfast anytime and American Diner style food; they also have an English breakfast on the menu by the way. But again, American Diner style food. We've got hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chilli bowls, chicken wings, buffalo wings. We’ve also got hot dogs, chilli dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches; we've got Coke in glass bottles. For folks who are interested, please feel free to check out the links in the description below. You can come on down and we would love to see you. 

Now that said, let's jump back in here, again Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com. "Ms. Ploytalay added that security agencies would strengthen the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system to improve background screening and monitor foreign arrivals more effectively through greater data sharing among Government Agencies." So clearly, we are going to see heightened scrutiny in my opinion at immigration checkpoints. 

Now the average person may not even feel this heightened scrutiny because this will all probably be happening digitally sort of in the system as one is passing through the Checkpoint. This, coupled with the recent news regarding promulgation of specific regulations pertaining to deportation from Thailand, and also coupled with the fact that we have now seen the Visa-free system radically altered and truncated if you will, again everything is sort of pointing to in my opinion, a much more heightened level of scrutiny at Thai Immigration going into upcoming high season. Those who are looking to come to Thailand to live here, these changes could be substantial, because in the past, it might have been possible to more easily gain access to Thailand or gain access for long enough to convert status or find some sort of visa status to allow for a quick Border Run and then to come back in and maintain long term status thereafter. With all of these changes coming together, and all of this heightened scrutiny at the border, I think it probably is a pretty good idea for those who are looking to come live here, who have never lived here before, it is probably a very good idea for folks like that to contact a legal professional, gain some insight and guidance into how best to proceed.