Answers Jeannette Verkerk (embassy) to outstanding visa questions
Answers from Jeannette Verkerk (Dutch embassy) to outstanding visa questions from readers of Thailandblog.
The story about the state of affairs at the consular department of the Dutch embassy in Bangkok has attracted many readers. However, not all questions have been answered. Jeannette Verkerk, consular affairs attaché, once again explains how a visa application is processed. Verkerk: “We don't hold separate interviews like the British do. One trip to the embassy is enough. I have only conducted a separate interview once in the last three years that I have been working in Bangkok…
Only 2 percent applied for tourist visas in Bangkok refused (2)
The consular post in Bangkok handled no less than 2010 visa applications in 7997. 7011 Schengen visas were issued, of which 2134 for business purposes and 6055 for family/tourism visits. In 956 cases it concerned an MVV, an Authorization for Provisional Residence, of which 42 percent submitted the application for residence with a partner and 6 percent for a study in the Netherlands. In 14 percent of the cases, invited refugees (including Burmese), often the 'hopeless ...
News: embassy handles income statement (again) by post (1)
First of all, the good news, after a visit to the consular section of the embassy in Bangkok: Dutch citizens can now obtain the statement of income required to apply for a retirement visa at the Thai immigration service by post. That saves a drink on a drink if applicants do not have to travel in person to Bangkok or the consulates in Phuket and Chiang Mai. The recently appointed ambassador Joan Boer has faced the problems after his arrival …
Ambassador Joan Boer warns of a decline in Phuket tourism
Phuket must tackle abuses that negatively affect tourism. Otherwise, the flow of foreign guests can quickly dry up. This warning was issued by the new Dutch ambassador to Thailand, Joan Boer, yesterday during his first official visit to Phuket. The diplomat asked Governor Tri Augkaradacha what he intends to do about the problems. Boer particularly mentioned the abuses in the rental of jet skis and the unscrupulous tuktuk drivers. Aiming at a possible…
Dutch embassy: applying for a retirement visa now easier
Because the changed procedure for obtaining a 'declaration of income' has raised quite a few questions for us (and many readers), we asked the consular department for clarification. According to Jitze Bosma, head of operations and consular affairs, the new approach makes it easier for the Dutch to apply for a retirement visa. Many Dutch people have the impression that the embassy is in direct contact with Dutch government agencies. That is not the case. The embassy checks the…
What about extending a 'retirement visa'?
Now that the Thai Immigration is going to check more closely whether retired foreigners have sufficient means of support, the confusion is increasing.
Holland House Information Center in Ayutthaya
The Netherlands and Thailand have maintained friendly relations for more than 400 years. This historical bond originated in the time of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). Joseph Jongen recently wrote an interesting article about this. What many may not know is that during her state visit to Thailand in 2004, our Queen donated money for the construction of an information center about the activities of the VOC in Siam. The information center annex museum will be…
To the Netherlands – the 'party' can begin (1)…
In 2005 you did not have to take an exam in the country of origin and you could simply start an MVV procedure. You could then, and you can still do so, start up the MVV free of charge in the Netherlands or in the country of origin (however, the latter immediately costs a lot of money). So I started the MVV procedure in the Netherlands. You will only be presented with the bill, which was 830 euros at the time, after approval. All …
Answers to pressing questions about a retirement visa
The report on this blog that Immigration in Thailand can request an actual transfer of funds to a Thai bank account has generated quite a few questions and comments. Provided that each Immigration explains/can lay down the rules in its own way. Our loyal reader Martin Brands from Pattaya has once again clearly listed everything when it comes to applying for an annual visa. Soon he will explain the sense and nonsense ...
Bangkok is a busy consular post
In addition to political and economic tasks, the Bangkok Embassy derives its right to exist to a large extent from its consular function. This conclusion can easily be drawn on the basis of the large number of Dutch tourists who visit Thailand every year − a number that, barring unforeseen circumstances, will rise to a quarter of a million within a few years. While the number was still below 2001 in 150.000, in 2009 it exceeded 200.000 for the first time. Remarkably, the…
New ambassador in Thailand: drs. Joan Boer
In a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs we can read who will soon be representing the Netherlands in Thailand. At the proposal of Minister Rosenthal of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Ministers has agreed to nominate Mr. Joan Boer (9 January 1950) for appointment as ambassador. He succeeds Mr. Tjaco T. van den Hout who has occupied this post in Bangkok since September 6, 2008. Mr Van Den Hout had already …
Thai terror ghosts are chasing the Dutch travel industry
The travel industry in the Netherlands is angry. In this case, the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok must pay the price. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can also benefit from the travel sellers. They are even so indignant that De Telegraaf's friendly Reiskrant has been put in position. It's a great shame! Yes, but what then Khun Peter? Well, the travel advice for Thailand. That's a great shame! Despite the lifting of the state of emergency in…
Michel Maas: Telegraaf and whistleblower not credible
Michel Maas, correspondent for Volkskrant and NOS, prefers not to respond via blogs. However, the remarks made by whistleblower Dirk-Jan van Beek on this blog about the abuses he has observed at the Dutch embassy in Bangkok, go down the wrong way with Maas. Maas says he bases his reporting on the letter from the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Maas: “In other words, on facts, and not on gossip and suspicions. Van Beek should not say …
Whistleblower embassy speaks on Thailandblog.nl
The whistleblower who brought the affair to the Dutch embassy in Bangkok, Dirk-Jan van Beek, is extremely angry about the Zwarte Piet that he has been assigned in various media. In particular, the disparaging reaction of NOS correspondent Michel Maas has gone down the wrong way. In a letter to NOS radio, Van Beek writes that Maas deliberately misrepresents the facts without having given him the chance to reply. Van Beek: …
It was quite the week. 'Never a dull moment' on the blog. De Telegraaf and the ambassador in Bangkok, Mr. Tjaco van den Hout, were figuratively at each other's throats. The battle is not over yet, because Telegraaf journalist Johan van den Dongen has decided to go all out again today on the Telegraaf website: 'Tjaco van den Hout blunders'. This in response to an earlier response by Van den …
Tjaco van den Hout: Telegraaf tries to save face
The reports in the Telegraaf about the (alleged) abuses at the Dutch embassy in Bangkok, followed by the usual silence at the Foreign Affairs offices, have put many on the wrong track. Now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in itself is not known for its openness, but in the case of the investigation into the trade and conduct of Tjaco van den Hout, some militancy would have been appropriate. Even if it's just to…