Siam Legal’s Podcast

Bangkok has hundreds of thousands of resale condos sitting on the market, with the average unit taking over two years to sell. This episode unpacks what that actually means for expat buyers, including why a long listing time doesn't automatically signal a bargain, why online prices often don't reflect what properties are actually selling for, and the legal checks that matter before signing anythin...

A tuk tuk fare dispute that turned physical ended with an assault charge and an immediate visa revocation. This episode breaks down why that outcome is more common than tourists expect, how Thai immigration authorities can cancel your right to stay independently of any criminal case, and why incidents caught on camera tend to accelerate the entire process. The bigger takeaway is that no disagreeme...

Fifteen foreign workers found during routine checks at two Bangkok pubs. Some were in jobs reserved for Thai nationals, others were working outside their permit scope. This episode uses that case as a starting point to explain what actually counts as illegal work in Thailand, why a valid visa is not the same as permission to work, and why even informal roles like promoting events or helping at a v...

A million subscribers isn't just a number. It's a million people who needed answers to real questions about building a life in Thailand and trusted us to help them find it. We don't take that lightly, and we never will. Thank you for being part of this. 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐲𝐞𝐫 - 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 🔗 https://www.siam-legal.com/services/thailand-legal-services.php 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 🔗 https://www.siam-legal...

Most people assume transiting through Thailand is straightforward. The part that catches travelers off guard is the domestic connection. Pear from Siam Legal explains the difference between airside transit and what happens when your itinerary includes a Bangkok to Phuket leg, why that single domestic flight means clearing immigration, and what entry requirements you need to meet before your airlin...

Getting sick while your Thai visa is running out is stressful enough without having to figure out immigration on top of it. This episode covers exactly what to do: how medical visa extensions work under Thai law, what the hospital certificate needs to say to actually get approved, and the option most people don't know about where a family member or hospital staff can handle the process if you're t...

Retiring in Thailand at 50 looks very different from retiring at 70, and the budget math most people use doesn't account for that. Pear from Siam Legal works through what a genuinely comfortable early retirement in Thailand actually costs across four cities, Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, and Phuket, and why where you choose to live is as much a financial decision as a lifestyle one. She also covers t...

If you've got a Thailand Privilege membership but you're not using the app, you're leaving perks on the table. This episode is a walkthrough of the Thailand Privilege App from start to finish: setting up your account, navigating the homepage and booking tabs, and the exact steps to redeem a perk using the in-app QR code and OTP system. There's also a look at the lesser-known features, like Privile...

Canadian immigration officers ask one question before approving any Thai visitor visa application: will this person actually go home? This episode breaks down the Temporary Resident Visa process for Thai citizens, including the documents that prove genuine ties to Thailand, the ETA exception that some applicants overlook, and why Canada's processing time runs longer than other countries. It also c...

If you're helping a Thai partner, friend, or family member apply for an Australian visa, this episode covers what actually trips people up. Pear walks through the Visitor Visa Subclass 600, the documents Australian immigration expects to see, and the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement that decides most outcomes. The episode also breaks down the application timeline and fees, and the most common...

Thailand is fast-tracking a bill that would more than triple its leasehold cap, from 30 years to 99. Ice from Siam Legal lays out what's actually in the proposal, including which property types qualify and what happens to ownership once the term ends, and why the government sees this as a way to attract serious foreign investment while cutting out illegal nominee structures. The episode also break...

Think your visa covers your 90-day report? It doesn't. They're two separate obligations, and missing that distinction is where most expats run into trouble. This episode walks through exactly how to count your 90 days, the filing window that gives you breathing room before the deadline, and the two everyday actions, leaving the country and renewing your visa, that quietly reset your clock without...

Planning a trip to Europe? In this episode, Augustin from Siam Legal breaks down everything Thai citizens need to know about applying for a Schengen Visa in 2025, including the 90-day-in-180 rule, which 29 countries it covers, and the documents you'll need such as proof of funds, travel insurance, and accommodation bookings. Augustin also covers current visa fees, the extra costs charged by privat...

Thailand just launched a new digital platform that could change how every foreigner enters and stays in the country. In this episode, Pear from Siam Legal breaks down THIM, the Thailand Immigration Management System, and what it actually does: storing your traveler profile, building the Digital Arrival Card directly into the app, and cutting repeat trips down to a quick flight and date update. Pea...

Why do tourists pay more than locals at Thai national parks, temples, and museums? In this episode, Pear from Siam Legal explains how dual pricing actually works in Thailand, why it's legal at most official attractions, and how it differs from informal tourist overcharging at places like tuk-tuks and beach rentals. Pear also covers what foreign residents can do if they're paying tourist prices des...

Thailand is cracking down on visa abuse, and nearly 10,000 student visa holders have already had their permits revoked. In this episode, Pear from Siam Legal breaks down the crackdown on fake schools and education visa fraud, the corruption investigation involving over 100 immigration officers, and the new monthly reporting system schools must now follow to keep their visa sponsorship. If you're i...

Most people don't relocate alone. In this final episode of the LTR Visa series, Pear from Siam Legal breaks down the dependent pathway: who qualifies, what each family member needs to prepare, and the key benefits they receive including a 10-year renewable visa and the right to work in Thailand. He also covers the 2025 expansion that could open the program to parents and extended family, and the m...

If you're an expat living in Thailand, the tax rules just got a lot more complicated — and most people don't know it yet. In this episode, Chiara from Siam Legal breaks down everything you need to know: why foreign income you bring into Thailand is now taxable, how the 180-day rule determines your tax residency regardless of your visa, and what the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa can (and can't) pro...

In this episode, Chiara from Siam Legal presents a practical analysis of cross-border financial planning under the Revenue Department’s strict tax regulations on foreign-sourced income. The discussion examines a real-world case study involving an expat resident in Phuket who faced substantial tax exposure after remitting overseas savings for a local property transaction. It details how the firm's...

In this episode, Pear from Siam Legal provides a factual clarification on the comprehensive immigration adjustments approved by the Thai Cabinet on May 19, 2026. The discussion addresses the structural modifications to the Kingdom’s entry frameworks, including the planned revocation of the 60-day visa exemption scheme and a restructuring of short-term entry allowances, while emphasizing that curre...

In this episode, Pear from Siam Legal delivers a rigorous legal analysis of the statutory frameworks governing foreign real estate investments under the Thailand Condominium Act. The discussion explores the mandatory 49% foreign freehold space quota limitations across domestic developments and evaluates the structural legal risks associated with alternative long-term leasehold structures. Addition...

In this episode, Holly from Siam Legal provides an authoritative, step-by-step analysis of the K-1 fiancé(e) visa process for U.S. citizens sponsoring a Thai partner. The discussion details the multi-tiered regulatory framework spanning U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the National Visa Center (NVC), and the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. Key focus areas include strict adherence to fed...

In this episode, Lenny from Siam Legal highlights the elite opportunities available to senior experts through the "Highly-Skilled Professionals" category under the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa framework. This episode explores how this premium 10-year residency program serves as a stable, long-term base for global talent operating within Thailand's targeted strategic sectors, including digital tec...

In this episode, Pear from Siam Legal outlines the elite opportunities available to corporate remote workers through the "Work-from-Thailand Professional" category under the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa framework. This episode highlights how this premium 10-year residency program serves as a stable, long-term base for high-earning professionals employed by major global enterprises. It provides a...

In this episode, Pear from Siam Legal highlights a major financial opportunity for families moving to Thailand under the limited-time Thailand Privilege Next Member Promotion. The discussion reviews the flat-rate 750,000 THB fee structure available until August 14, 2026, which allows primary Platinum, Diamond, and Reserve members to add dependents to their corresponding residency tiers at a saving...