Chiang Mai Immigration Mess

[jesimps]

16 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

"miserable woman"   "this bitch"  "I hope they all rot in hell"

With that attitude, I wouldn't mind if they arrested you for overstay and blacklisted you.

Sounds like you're citizen of N Korea.

[jesimps]

15 hours ago, Kelsall said:

Exactly what I do and the amount I pay, 3000 baht.   Went smooth as glass for me a few weeks ago.  The agent told me that unlike last year, I needed the 12 month statement.  It took about a week to get from Bangkok Bank.  A hundred bucks a year is money well spent to avoid going through the hell the OP went through.  My appointment was at a convenient 2 PM or 14:00 if you prefer. ????

Seems to me that the object of the exercise is to get everyone going through an agent so the backhanders increase. I can't think of one possible reason other than that to ask for a 12 month statement for a 800,000 in the bank retirement visa. Two months maybe, to prove the seasoning period.

[BritManToo]

12 minutes ago, jesimps said:

Even if Chiang Mai didn't have all its other faults like choking smog, rubbish bars, heavy vehicle traffic, lack of entertainment, being out on a limb, the grim and inefficient local immigration officers would definitely put me off living there. Fancy getting up in the middle of the night, driving a long way, queuing for hours while being berated, only to find that you'd committed a slight infringement in one or two of your documents and having to repeat the same the following day. No thanks, there are plenty of nice places to live in this country with half decent immig offices.

It does have an airport with direct flights to Vietnam, which is where I get my VISA now.

[Kelsall]

8 minutes ago, jesimps said:

Seems to me that the object of the exercise is to get everyone going through an agent so the backhanders increase. I can't think of one possible reason other than that to ask for a 12 month statement for a 800,000 in the bank retirement visa. Two months maybe, to prove the seasoning period.

My understanding is that they now want the 12 month statement when using the 800k method to verify that you met the 800k/400k minimums from the previous extension.  I agree with you that it seems they want us to use agents.

[saengd]

2 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

My understanding is that they now want the 12 month statement when using the 800k method to verify that you met the 800k/400k minimums from the previous extension.  I agree with you that it seems they want us to use agents.

I don't know about anyone else I leave my 400k in an account year round and forget about it, it solves a lot of problems when it comes to extension time because the passbook tells the entire 12 month story.

[Kelsall]

4 minutes ago, saengd said:

I don't know about anyone else I leave my 400k in an account year round and forget about it, it solves a lot of problems when it comes to extension time because the passbook tells the entire 12 month story.

I do the same with the 800k.  Still, Imm. wanted a statement even though the fixed account passbook does tell the entire story on its own.

 

[madmen]

16 hours ago, Sujo said:

Why, the lady had a worse attitude and they werent even inside the office.

 

his attitude was prob fine until he met her.

We are all the same until a problem arises 

 

"rot in hell" really? Over some paperwork? 

 

 

It's how we act from that point that has a big effect on the outcome. Judging on his use of language here the OP probably lost it 

Edited February 15, 2020 by madmen

[mcl2504]

I'd be happy to recommend an attorney in Chiang Mai who will get you in and out without any problems or waiting. The last time I was there, she badgered them on the phone until they escorted me to the back room where they had all the passports waiting and fished mine out for me to process away from everyone else. This because my attorney was annoyed they kept me waiting longer than 30 minutes past when they told her I was supposed to arrive. In my experience, when Thais deal with Thais, things go very smoothly.

[mcl2504]

1 hour ago, Kelsall said:

My understanding is that they now want the 12 month statement when using the 800k method to verify that you met the 800k/400k minimums from the previous extension.  I agree with you that it seems they want us to use agents.

In my experience, they don't want a "statement" in the US meaning of the word. They want a very specific letter prepared by the bank about the account. It's a very specific form. Bangkok Bank charges me 100B to prepare it, and that's what verifies the 800,000B I have in a fixed deposit. Immigration has never asked for anything else other than that specific letter (which I'm guessing they called a statement?).

[Kelsall]

7 minutes ago, mcl2504 said:

In my experience, they don't want a "statement" in the US meaning of the word. They want a very specific letter prepared by the bank about the account. It's a very specific form. Bangkok Bank charges me 100B to prepare it, and that's what verifies the 800,000B I have in a fixed deposit. Immigration has never asked for anything else other than that specific letter (which I'm guessing they called a statement?).

*Now* they ask for that letter and a 12 month statement, the latter being a record of the last 12 months of deposits, withdrawals, and balances.  It cost me 200 THB at Bangkok Bank.  The letter was 100 thb and available immediately.  The statement took one week to get from Bangkok.  I believe the requirement for the statement started Jan 2020.

Edited February 15, 2020 by Kelsall

[KeeTua]

2 hours ago, saengd said:

I don't know about anyone else I leave my 400k in an account year round and forget about it, it solves a lot of problems when it comes to extension time because the passbook tells the entire 12 month story.

If your bank is Bangkok Bank you need to be sure to update your passbook monthly are you may end up with your transactions consolidated. Used to be every 3 months was good enough to update but not now.

 

And why Bangkok Bank can't provide a statement online, via app or in your local branch going back, at the least, 12 months boggles the mind.

 

My last extension the IO recommended getting a statement every 6 months. Probably best to do at the local branch where you can get it signed and stamped too.

[Happy Grumpy]

Do what they want.

 

Go to an agent so they can make their backhanders.

[saengd]

2 hours ago, Kelsall said:

I do the same with the 800k.  Still, Imm. wanted a statement even though the fixed account passbook does tell the entire story on its own.

 

Where was this, which Immi. office pleae?

[Kelsall]

7 minutes ago, saengd said:

Where was this, which Immi. office pleae?

Chiang Mai

[Vacuum]

6 minutes ago, saengd said:

Where was this, which Immi. office pleae?

CM Immi want it.

[malibukid]

get a agent, too old for this and "yaba yaba doo" said Fred Flintstone

Edited February 15, 2020 by malibukid

[malibukid]

20 hours ago, poohy said:

let me guess you are both Dutch and not customer service orientated 

You must be wonderful at parties guess you dont go to many

i hate parties

[frodo77]

If anyone knows an agent in Chiang Rai, not Mai, please pm me. Thanks.

 

[saengd]

36 minutes ago, Kelsall said:

Chiang Mai

Interesting. I've extended my O-A visa in Chiang Mai every year since 2004, always using fixed deposits and they've never once asked me for statements, the passbook has always been sufficient. Two months ago I switched over from retirement to marriage and they were still happy with only the passbook.

[nickmondo]

ha ha.

I find it all hilarious.

Hua Hin is a piece of p@ss.!

None of any of the bull sh@t mentioned above.  In and out in about 30 minutes, and I dont bother going until after lunch.

If I was the OP, I would tell them to shove their visa etc where the sun dont shine and move somewhere else.

CM is rubbish anyway.

[peterpop]

23 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

"Her job is to help people who have problems." No it isn't

That you don't bring the right paper work is your own fault.

The capacity problem is a fault of immigration which they need to sort out.

You appear to be ignorant of the situation in Chiang Mai and your opinions are not welcome.  I too tried to renew my Family extension and was refused.  Yet I went to the Immigration Office and asked for details of the correct papers the day before.  In fact the Banks cannot and do not want to comply with the edicts of the Immigration police.  We are caught in the middle.  This is a brand new Chief Immigration Officer and I do not think she will last long.  Rumour has it that she is offering an Express Service for 10,000 bht.

 

[Fore Man]

17 hours ago, the guest said:

There are many other tropical countries you can live, with the fraction of the hassle.

 

Exactly...not to mention other modern, sane and far less bureaucratic places to move to. If you don’t like living in Thailand and can’t accept its considerable foibles, red tape, racial and ethnic discrimination, dangerous driving habits and a laundry list of other warts...then vote with your feet. You only have one life to live so why continue to be miserable?

[peterpop]

22 minutes ago, saengd said:

Interesting. I've extended my O-A visa in Chiang Mai every year since 2004, always using fixed deposits and they've never once asked me for statements, the passbook has always been sufficient. Two months ago I switched over from retirement to marriage and they were still happy with only the passbook.

Without doubt the most trouble free way is to deposit money in the Bank 2 months before.  Bit late for that now!

[NoshowJones]

20 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

"miserable woman"   "this bitch"  "I hope they all rot in hell"

With that attitude, I wouldn't mind if they arrested you for overstay and blacklisted you.

Some people have good reason for that attitude, and this post is a perfect example.

[Titan1962]

21 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Sounds a bit odd,

For retirement you only need 800k in the bank a few months.

No requirement for a years bank statements (that would be the 65k/month income method)

They've never wanted all the pages in my passport either, just the data page and last VISA & stamp entry page.

 

Sounds like you weren't dressed correctly and didn't show proper respect!

I go to HCMC for my VISA's at the moment, I'd top myself if I had to endure CM Immigration.

Maybe they are asking for more information regarding the 800,000 baht in the bank. As I am sure if the money is yours!,,,,,,,, you would have been doing some withdrawals from that account. A bank account with 800,000 baht in it does not really mean it’s your money. I think you understand what I am getting at,just another way of tightening the rope around the neck.

 

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, Titan1962 said:

As I am sure if the money is yours!,,,,,,,, you would have been doing some withdrawals from that account. A bank account with 800,000 baht in it does not really mean it’s your money.

Quite a lot of people say they never touch the 800/400k in the bank.

I didn't either when I was getting extensions (as I always used 1 year fixed interest accounts).

 

Different account and money for living.

[saengd]

25 minutes ago, peterpop said:

Without doubt the most trouble free way is to deposit money in the Bank 2 months before.  Bit late for that now!

Not really. Without any doubt whatsoever the most trouble free way is to do what I did and deposit money in the bank fifteen years ago and leave it there year round, forever.

[holy cow cm]

42 minutes ago, peterpop said:

You appear to be ignorant of the situation in Chiang Mai and your opinions are not welcome.  I too tried to renew my Family extension and was refused.  Yet I went to the Immigration Office and asked for details of the correct papers the day before.  In fact the Banks cannot and do not want to comply with the edicts of the Immigration police.  We are caught in the middle.  This is a brand new Chief Immigration Officer and I do not think she will last long.  Rumour has it that she is offering an Express Service for 10,000 bht.

 

Is this only recently? I had no problem with my last family extension last September. Well except for the damn map and her needing one extra paper after she called me on the phone to bring. But it was essentially easy to do. 

[Kurtf]

On 2/14/2020 at 5:33 PM, FritsSikkink said:

"Her job is to help people who have problems." No it isn't

That you don't bring the right paper work is your own fault.

The capacity problem is a fault of immigration which they need to sort out.

Well what you say might be correct if and only if for one thing. There is no publication or website published that itemizes the requirements. Also no mention anytime before that there is an old form and a new form recently adopted. The information is exactly the same but in a slightly different format. Of course before you find out the old form will not be accepted you have to wait in line for several hours. Then you can leave and return some other day with the new form hoping some other regulation hasn't changed in the meantime.

[rwill]

If the pollution in Chiang Mai isn't enough reason to leave you would think dealing with immigration there would do it.