Foreign Journalists working in Thailand

Being a journalist is not just covering news, but also delivering stories of truth to other parts of the world.

It is important to note that journalists are not only reporters that you see in front of the television in news. Journalists include the cameramen, photographers, writers, and others that cannot be seen on the television screens because they work behind the camera.

In the year 2014, foreign media visa applications of foreign journalists are being scrutinized more closely by Thai ministry personnel. Which requires foreign journalists residing in Thailand to renew their visas, work permits, and press cards on a yearly basis, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ discretion.

In other words, rules for foreign journalists of foreign media have been tightened since Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha seized power in a May 2014 coup.

Whether you are a new applicant looking for a guide or just an applicant for renewal of a media visa to work as a journalist in Thailand, what lies here is information that you might need and want to know.

Members of the Media Eligible to Apply for Media Visa

In order for you to work as a journalist in Thailand from a foreign media entity, there are criteria that will be checked on you before you are considered fit or eligible to work as a foreign journalist in Thailand.

The following are the requirements for members of the media that wish to apply for media visa:

Must be a part of or employed by a credible and trustworthy media outlet or entity. At the time of submission of the visa application, the specified media entity must have been duly registered with the appropriate government in Thailand or overseas for a minimum of 6 months.
During your whole stay in Thailand, you have worked entirely as a media professional and did not engage in any other occupation;
Perform media obligations in the Kingdom of Thailand for at least 90 days and generate at least 10 stories each year about Thailand or the region;
Must not have previously created any coverage or acted in a way that would pose harm to society, public order, or public safety, nor been a sought person on a foreign government’s arrest warrant; and
Must not have ever given false information on a visa application before.

Guidance for Application of Media Visa

To those media foreign reporters or journalists who are on set for their application for the media visa, here are the things that you should take note of:

A member of the media who wishes to work in Thailand as a correspondent in foreign news or feature stories and also wishes to live in Thailand for up to 1 year or more without having to extend his or her visa every 3 months, can submit a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through MFA Media Online Service (MMOS) website.
Along with the submitting of request is to also submit the following needed paperwork or documents:
A letter of introduction or assignment addressed to the “Director-General of the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs” from the applicant’s agency’s headquarters confirming the applicant’s appointment and job title.

The original letter must also be sent to the Ministry as well.

Detailed information on the agency, including its history or origins or background, the scope of work, distribution, list of owners and editors, and names of related publications (if available).
A recent photo of the applicant (not older than 6 months).
A photocopy of the applicant’s passport (valid for a minimum of 6 months).
At least 3 pieces of work by the applicant from the last 1 year, with credit on their name supplied, are required. If the samples aren’t in Thai or English, they’ll need to be translated.

The following supplementary documents are required for members of the media who desire to bring members of their immediate family into Thailand as dependents:

The names of dependents and details of their relationship to the applicant must also be mentioned in the letter of introduction or assignment.
Dependents’ photos (not older than six 6 months old).
A copy of each dependent’s passport (valid for a minimum of 6 months).
Copy of dependents’ documentation proving their relationship to the applicant, such as marriage or birth certificates.

Note: Each of the abovementioned documents’ file sizes should not exceed 2 MB, and the file formats required are PDF, JPG, video, or audio.

Approval of the Application for Media Visa

Getting the approval after the interview, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will authorize the issuance of a media visa or the Non-Immigrant Visa M to the accredited applicant, as well as letters of acknowledgment to the relevant governmental agencies

It will also allow the applicant to obtain the necessary documents, like Thai work permit, press card, and other documents, to work in Thailand as an accredited member of the media.

To get the documents, the applicant must contact the appropriate agencies to obtain a visa extension, work permit, and press card, namely:

Thai Foreign Office	Thai Government Press Division
Public Relations Department	Department of Information
7th floor	Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9, Phaholyothin Road Soi 7 (Soi Aree Samphan)	Si Ayutthaya Road
Phyathai, Bangkok 10400	Phyathai, Bangkok 10400

Tel: 02-6182323 ext. 1713, 1715	Tel: 02-2035000 ext. 22005, 22008
Fax: 02-6183637	Fax: 02-6435106-7
(BTS: Aree Station)

One-Stop Service Center for Work Permit	The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand
Jamjuree Square Tower, 18th floor	Penthouse, Maneeya Center Building
319, Phayathai Road	518/5, Ploenchit Road
Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330	Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330

Tel.: 02-2091100	Tel: 02-6520580-1
	Fax: 02-6520582

(MRT: Sam Yan Station)	(BTS: Chitlom Station)

Do’s and Don’ts in Applying for Media Visa

To help you with speeding the process for applying for a media visa, the following are some suggestions to assist speed up the accreditation process:

Do’s

Both new and renewing applicants should apply at least one month ahead of time. Each application may take a different amount of time to process.
Include as much information as possible to aid in the verification of the applicant’s status as a journalist.
Before traveling to Thailand, make sure you apply ahead of time. Before entering Thailand, it is always a good idea for all new applicants to have their accreditation process authorized.

Once the accreditation has been approved, this will save the applicant time and money while going in and out of Thailand to obtain a media visa or Non-Immigrant Visa M

Don’ts

Other visas should not be used. Other types of visas, excluding visa category M to work in Thailand as a member of the media, will not be accepted if you apply for a Non-Immigrant visa B for business or O for others.