Popular Post orchidfan Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 For those interested I just submitted the 2 cm pile of papers for my 5th annual extension of stay based on marriage at the above office. I thought ( after all this time and noting advice on recent threads here) that I had all the necessary documents, photos etc and, after doing the bank book update on the way to IO, presented them all neatly clipped together to the "reception girl", who just threw them on top other desk with a pile of other applications. NEW: We are then told to go to room A, (normally used to submitting 90 day and TM30 reports) BUT, inside, we are told "new procedure"...now I must fill out and submit a TM28 (change of address/staying over 24hrs in Thailand)......even though there is no change of address and I had recently submitted a TM30 online. "Doesn't matter, still must do TM28 now" So 20 - 30 minutes wasted hand writing this TM28 and submitting it! As it was now approaching lunchtime, we were told to comeback to 1pm - so over an hour wait sitting around doing nothing. Back at 1pm sharp. "where are my papers" I asked (politely)...."mai lui", don't know!!! She couldn't care less. So I rummaged around the top of her desk and found them under a large pile. She tells my wife I'have filled out the TM7 application form incorrectly and she will have to do it again, herself, by hand. (had I known how long it would take for her to finally get around to doing this I would have gladly done it myself) So, what had I done "wrong" on this form?? Answer: I had downloaded a "fillable" PDF form and filled it in on the computer, signed it and attached photo. Oh , No NO NO! You must fill in the form by hand in blue pen ONLY! (where does it state this??) (Funny ! All online forms - TM30, 90 day report are typed on your computer or app ???) (note - needed new photo for the form she had "hand written" - luckily I had brought extras) Now the passport - I had included photocopies of what I thought were the relevant and important pages. Oh no no no, need copies of EVERY page with ANY stamp or visa ( even from China or VN etc). So daughter is off the photocopy shop outside and returns with a thick pile of copies. I then have to sign ( in blue pen) every single photo copy page that she had just made! After a 3hr wait, we finally get called over. She asks me " where is the Bank Letter"?....."In the original pile of papers I submitted this morning" I reply........."can't find it". Luckily I had made a perfect colour copy and handed it to her. "This the original??" she says. "Of course", I say. Accepted grumpily, but doubting my word. Then she wants to see "original" Bank Book ( I have 2, as one was full and a new one recently issued). BOTH show in excess of the required B400,000, AND I had included photo copies of all pages from both books. LUCKY that I had brought the old book or it would have been a 20 minute ( both ways) trip home to get it. Finally, after checking and double checking all these many papers, she tells us to go and wait. House Map : I submitted one Google maps printout and one hand drawn map. Google map thrown in the bin and hand drawn map only retained) It's now near 4pm before we go to the payment counter, take another photo on their computer, go and photocopy the receipt (even though it's written in a duplicate receipt pad), return same and then get my passport back. Home Visit : We asked for it in the next 2 days as wife was off overseas - can do, but B2000 fee!! Three IO's arrive in a brand new BMW 2 days later. We needed (again, 5th time) 2 neighbours ( same 2, how easy is it to get working neigbours to come around during the day and during the week? Not!!) to vouch for us. On the way out, one of the guys picks up my smokes off the table outside and had a good strong whiff of the opened pack. Over and above the call of duty having just drunk our coffee and eaten our cakes. I asked him if he'd like one ( a smoke) he smilingly declined. So, Now TM28 first, then copy every stamped page of your passport, ONLY write the TM7 application by hand in blue pen, take extra passport photos, take ALL recent bank books, with photocopies of the relevant pages, DON'T give your documents to "reception" unless you don't have to leave the room again and not just before lunch. Things seems to get "lost". From this office, expect home visit every year. TM30 not mentioned, but I had done one recently online, so maybe that's why. This was a long and boring day, made about as difficult as it could be by the lazy, mobile phone watching, disinterested in-efficient staff. 7 6 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SteveK Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) Sounds very similar to my experience at a different office. Mine took about 7 hours, was asked for things she didn't think I would have, like old passport as mine is fairly new, looked very grumpy when I produced it. I can only think that maybe they are busy and are trying to reduce their workload for the day by making spurious requests in an effort to make you come back another day. Also, I couldn't believe this but one of my A4 photocopies of my marriage certificate was refused because it had been carefully folded in half (I had it in an A6 envelope). Won't make that mistake again. But also, I had to photocopy every single page of my passport, including the front and back which I found to be ridiculous. Their country, their rules I suppose. The thing I found annoying was they wouldn't look at me or talk to me - everything done through the wife. I found that to be incredibly rude. Edited January 26, 2020 by SteveK 6 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post edwinchester Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 At my local Immigration Office there are some Officers who are extremely polite and helpful....there are also a couple I've encountered who seem to hate foreigners and their own work with a passion. 2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Monomial Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 Got 13 consecutive marriage extensions from this office. Sounds like a completely normal encounter. Impossible to get out of there in the morning no matter how well prepared you are. It always takes a full day, and it is always different. Every single year it is different. Frustrating barely begins to describe it. Congratulations on successfully running the gauntlet one more time. Interesting to hear they have now upped the fee to 2000 baht. It is supposed to be free, of course. It was only 1000 baht when I did it in November. Thanks for the report. 5 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 4 minutes ago, Monomial said: Interesting to hear they have now upped the fee to 2000 baht. It is supposed to be free, of course. It was only 1000 baht when I did it in November. I hope you didn't hand over 1000 baht for the home visit. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Monomial Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 5 minutes ago, SteveK said: I hope you didn't hand over 1000 baht for the home visit. Sadly I did. It's not worth the fight. I know...I'm a collaborator. Just not worth the frustration to fight it. 2 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 4 minutes ago, Monomial said: Sadly I did. It's not worth the fight. I know...I'm a collaborator. Just not worth the frustration to fight it. Well as long as you got your extension, I see where you're coming from. 2000 though is crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchidfan Posted January 26, 2020 Author Share Posted January 26, 2020 3 minutes ago, Monomial said: Sadly I did. It's not worth the fight. I know...I'm a collaborator. Just not worth the frustration to fight it. I guess if we'd been willing to wait for the "within 2 weeks" for the home visit, then no baht. But we had to push them for an expedited visit....hence B2k. I didn't play this, wifey did.???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgeezer Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 A video of what you went through would be interesting. These days it isn’t difficult to do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SteveK Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 3 minutes ago, tgeezer said: A video of what you went through would be interesting. These days it isn’t difficult to do. Somehow I don't think it would go down very well at immigration if they found out you were filming. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post tgeezer Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 19 minutes ago, SteveK said: Somehow I don't think it would go down very well at immigration if they found out you were filming. Only if they were doing something that they wouldn’t want revealed. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchidfan Posted January 26, 2020 Author Share Posted January 26, 2020 1 minute ago, tgeezer said: Only if they were doing something that they wouldn’t want revealed. The list would be too long! Playing on mobile phones would be number two to "tips". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveK Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 1 minute ago, orchidfan said: The list would be too long! Playing on mobile phones would be number two to "tips". Or asking for things they shouldn't be asking for to annoy people, being incredibly slow and anal about certain tiny things. Sounds like it might make a good Panorama episode. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4MyEgo Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 1 hour ago, orchidfan said: Home Visit : We asked for it in the next 2 days as wife was off overseas - can do, but B2000 fee!! Three IO's arrive in a brand new BMW 2 days later. I recently went through a stressful time doing my 4th marriage extension, but not to your level, Kor Ror 2 needed to be renewed and all bank statements copied, IO did that for us, when I asked him if this was a new thing, he said, no, he did it every year for me (grateful), and some other copies of some stuff while we rushed off to the local Amphur on a Friday afternoon at 4.00pm to get an updated Kor Ror 2 (never asked before), otherwise it would have been an hour 20 drive back to ours, then back on Monday, another hour 20 drive and then back home, again an hour and 20 drive. We have only ever had them visit once, i.e. the very first marriage extension 4 years ago, cost 1,500 baht for petrol...lol, is this supposed to be an annual occurrence ? The above said, these IO's have always been good, busy, but smile and persevere, they don't like their jobs, who would with the amount of <deleted> they have to put up with, you would think the top brass would make things easier, but nope, even with technology at their fingertips. When I go back to get my passport stamped in the first week of February, some freshly made lamington's for the boys, and a small tip, only because they don't ask, i.e. unless I have stuffed up and the only way of me not having to drive back is by scanning something to them, or them visiting us, as I said was once. If they were rude and obnoxious, well, no lamingtons for you ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assurancetourix Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 I don't live in the same Thailand as you .. I already knew it since my province is in Isaan - Sakon Nakhon When I arrive alone for my 90 days, it is rare that I spend more than 5 minutes in the immigration office unless one of the officers with whom I ride a mountain bike asks me where I have been riding since the last time that we were together; all this in Thai, of course. For the renewal of my visa "thai wife '; it is of course with madam and a relatively thick file; yes, 2 cm it is about ca .. and it generally lasts 60 to 90 minutes; in any case the "thai wife 'files are all sent to Khorat who processes them. The renewal officially costs 1900 baht but they never have change on two 1,000 baht notes; 100 baht tip is really not much! I will never be so reckless as to bring them the right sum! We once had the visit of an immigration officer, a long time ago and since nothing ... and he never asked us to reimburse his GO! I think that rubbing shoulders with certain officers outside of their work and also speaking a little Thai should help. I am very far from speaking this language fluently; I can read it, I don't write it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puchooay Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 5 minutes ago, Assurancetourix said: in any case the "thai wife 'files are all sent to Khorat who processes them. Khon Kaen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assurancetourix Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 "they" always told me Khorat; but if it's Khon Kaen, then it will be Khon Kaen .. In any case, I thank them for giving me a one-year extension for nearly 15 years when it is very rare that there are more than 20 to 30,000 baht on my Thai bank account and my monthly retirement which is transferred to my bank account by the French Embassy in Bangkok is currently below the 40,000 baht minimum requirement; and it already was in July of this year when I did my n-th extension; which was accepted without any problem. As I often say and I also write here, each Immigration office makes its own personal salad which often has nothing to do with official texts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Puchaiyank Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 Thank you for this posting of your unfortunate experience at immigration. A dose of reality is needed to balance the " I had all my papers in order and it only took 15 mins" crowd...☺ 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivor bigun Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) Being one of the "i had all my papers in order crowd" actually still had to do a few more etc ,but no really big deal ,at Jomtien they could not have been nicer ,same as those 3 guys who came to our house ,mind you it helps to have a very articulate wife and the fact that there were pictures of us all around me with her family and her with my family in the UK, and also with some of her family in the UK when they visited us ,it was obvious we had been married for years ,that and i smiled a lot???? ps thanks to Ubanjoes list . Edited January 26, 2020 by ivor bigun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanLaew Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 1 hour ago, Puchaiyank said: Thank you for this posting of your unfortunate experience at immigration. A dose of reality is needed to balance the " I had all my papers in order and it only took 15 mins" crowd...☺ Pretty hard for just another, one-off bad experience at a well-known 'bad' immigration office to counterbalance the overwhelmingly large amount of fair-to-good immigration experiences at the 'good' immigration offices, most of which we never, ever hear about. I appreciate that there's no excuse for this shocking lack or consistency in a government department at the same time as I appreciate that some members do need to vent after their bad experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, 4MyEgo said: The above said, these IO's have always been good, busy, but smile and persevere, they don't like their jobs, who would with the amount of <deleted> they have to put up with, you would think the top brass would make things easier, but nope, even with technology at their fingertips Nobody forced them to work in immigration, and almost all the poop they have to endure is entirely brought on by themselves (usually in an attempt to force you into hiring an agent). Zero sympathy. PS, any expenses they ask for is actually a bribe they pocket. Edited January 26, 2020 by BritManToo 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4MyEgo Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 23 minutes ago, BritManToo said: Nobody forced them to work in immigration, and almost all the poop they have to endure is entirely brought on by themselves (usually in an attempt to force you into hiring an agent). Zero sympathy. PS, any expenses they ask for is actually a bribe they pocket. Can't argue with that statement, make your bed, lay in it as they say. PS: Part of the culture ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SteveK Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 29 minutes ago, BritManToo said: PS, any expenses they ask for is actually a bribe they pocket. Who woulda thunk it? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Golden Triangle Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) I agree with BritManToo, in a previous life I've had to work with people who hated the job they were doing, I used to tell them that there are plenty of other jobs available go and get one, ???? The temptation to tell some of these jerk offs to take a running jump is sometimes very strong, I feel your pain guys, been there and got that T shirt trying to do a retirement extension, fortunately I am able to use an agent so no stress or aggro, and before I get shot down in flames by the "No problem for me brigade" I spent 20 + years with MoD who are very particular about their paperwork, and everything I had was correct and in order, so the IO's got their wish and I started to use an agent. So glad I have to spend so little time there to be honest. Edited January 26, 2020 by Golden Triangle 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post EricTh Posted January 26, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted January 26, 2020 (edited) Welcome to the 'land of ever increasing document requirements'..... Every year they think of more and more paperwork and requirements for foreigners to hop over. Now we have to keep 800k in our bank accounts for 5 months instead of 3 months.... Edited January 26, 2020 by EricTh 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChouDoufu Posted January 26, 2020 Share Posted January 26, 2020 brand new beemer? one of them smart cars, eh? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottiejohn Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 17 hours ago, tgeezer said: A video of what you went through would be interesting. These days it isn’t difficult to do. An absolute NO NO at CM Immigration. Posters everywhere saying "No Photography". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlQaholic Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 It seems all Immigration offices has had a shake. Our office was always very smooth and friendly, with the 90 day taking a few minutes with no paper work involved at all, just a clerk doing it on-line, printing out a confirmation slip and putting that in the passport. Now this past week I went back to do another 90 day and all the staff has been changed, completely new staff at all levels, not one single person remained from last year. Now I had to fill in the form, I noticed a girl with like 50 passports that was sitting and filling in the form for each single passport. Luckily they didn't ask for any additional papers such as copies of passport, pictures, proof of residence etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianthainess Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 In Trat I O the lady's are fine, the guys that do the home visit are not so fine, when they told me they paid for the ferry (as if they only came to me that day), i politely told them that it was they that wanted to come, i didn't invite you. NO tips only when i go to collect my PP do we give the girls in the office some fresh veggies much to their delight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobnuts Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 @ Orchidfan, I feel your pain! I also have to 'deal' with Pathum Thani immigration office and a I dread the days I have to go there. The 'reception girl', if the one I am thinking of is the prime cause of my frustration and the best advert I have ever met for not wanting anything to do with Thailand, ever. She is clearly a complete disaster and utterly atrocious in her attitude. You have to think that rule number one for anyone working in immigration should be a positive a friendly attitude with the necessary communication skills for dealing with foreigners. By contrast I have found all the other people working at that office most helpful and friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now