likerdup1

Read through the thread, one other expat (Des1) ran into exactly the same issue with the same Immigration Officer at the same desk. Desk L1 35 at CW This maybe a trend at this desk as I think it's THE desk that handles retirement extensions there. I seem to remember seeing a sign nearby marking that particular desk and the two I/O's that are there as the retirement Non-O visa extension officers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks to be the case. I would advise anybody who does extensions themselves to be fore warned and have the housing documentation. In order. What is out of the ordinary is this desk is asking for the Tabien Baan as well as the lease contract. Perhaps more. I will report when I return to "try again" Phew....

Good for you. did an actual Imm Officer offer you the "package" . Who offered it to you? Curious.

Yea, I am pretty sure that is a text book example of corruption.

Well after this and the ever increasing number of hoops and mazes to navigate I'm certainly getting feeling I'm being really taken advantage of and looked at as possible cash cow from unscrupulous people. Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, Buenos Aires, Columbia are looking a bit more attractive as time goes on as Thailand continues to change treatment of long stay expats. This recent business with the tax code has been one big cluster ferk. Just check out the long threads about it here. total confusion. Who want to live with this constant uncertainly of what things will be like next year let along next month. You know I actually serve the poor and help orphans here in Thailand. Of course Immigration doesn't know that but I am actually here to try to help the country and enjoy the climate, cheaper standard of living etc. I show up to Immigration and dress appropriately to show respect. I bring all my forms computer typed. Not just scribbled by hand. I provide everything that I have been advised to provide and get refused this week. the is the first time I was every refused an extension. The extension desk at Jomtien has been historically quite reasonable. But this IO at L1 35 desk Chang Wattana was "sticky" as the Immigration customer service agent described him on the phone. Anyway.. those who laugh at me trying to side step me participating in corruption don't understand that I try to live an honest life. The best way I can. This is for personal reasons that I try to be as moral as I can. So the idea of using an agent, side stepping requirements and such goes against my personal spiritual beliefs. I am also not a big participant in the pay for play business that so many who come to Thailand actively pursue. I am not saint, I've done it before but lately it's not something that is satisfying anymore, again because it's kind of like corruption. It's not love, it's just mastrubation with a paid participant.. anyway. I think you get the picture. I'm not interested in participating in corruption for personal reasons.

Let's not talk about this any longer. I think most of us on this forum prefer to not use agents and prefer to not participate in graft if it is at all avoidable. In short I will not go back to CW with the same paper work and offer a bribe to the officer. I have not used and agent for 10 years of business with Immigration. I will not start now and will not participate in corruption unless absolutely necessary and it being some kind of desperate last resort.

Are you sure you needed both the Tambien Baan and Land Title Deed copies. Crap, my apartment manager is giving me push back now about getting the Land Title Deed copy.. I was shown that placard by the IO but thought it was just one or the other. Yea L1 35.. same desk I visited. Same IO's Yep the senior male IO reviewed my paper work and refused my extension. "where's your contract" and showed me that placard with the Tambien Baan and House Book explained.. man this never used to be so hard.

Was the officer a male officer? What desk did you visit? What number L desk was it?

Ok, crap so I also need the land title deed on top of the Tambien Baan? I thought it was one of the other. What a pain in the butt. So you had to return and bring copies of the Tambien Baan AND Land Title Deed? did the officer also want a signed copy of the owners ID? The officer didn't ask me for that but I'm getting it anyway in case he surprises me with more requirements.. get's more and more difficult every year.

I DIY all my immigration business and have never got any indication from any Immigration official at CW or Jomtien that some "tip" or payment would "expedite the process". What I have seen is that agents have relationships with IO's and even saw about 3 or 4 agents bring gift baskets into good old Desk Number 7 (commonly reffered to as the dragon lady) at one of my visits to Jomtien. How often does one visit the Immigration office? As little as possible but that day I waited for 2 hours and during that time I saw several agents visit desk 7 carrying large gift baskets of "goodies".

If this were common practice at Chang Wattana I would think we'd read much more about this kind of thing in this forum. I read quite a bit here and yours is the first instance stating it's common place. That "many people I know have done it". If that's the case why isn't it talked about more here? If bribing was something commonly done by Farangs at immigration and without any possible ramifications I think we'd see almost every other post say something like "Be sure and bring a few thousand extra in case there is a problem". Be sure and be prepared if there is a problem and then ask them "is there anything I can do to move this along" whilst opening your wallet. etc etc. Your experience maybe truly yours, but I'm not one to risk being punished by an I/O who is by the book and decides to accuse me of bribery etc. I can almost predict the response to this post. Oh yea, I've done it! Every other time! I'm and expert at bribing Immigration Officials. I got my Non-O without even filling out any forms.. Just showed the I/O 10,000 THB and it was done and dusted!!! ... ah no!!

Have you tried this yourself? Or just offering an "idea". Exactly what would you say to a mainly Thai speaking immigration officer in English in order to subtly offer him a bribe?

Sorry, have you tried this yourself?

Please read my reply. No, second I/O denied the extension sighting "where is your contract"

At those L desks they first have you sit down with an officer who reviews the paper work, then sends you to an officer who again reviews the paper work and if all is well stamps the extension into the passport. The 2nd IO who does the stamping refused the application. Saying I needed a lease and showing me the Tabien Baan card that I took a picture of.

Thank you kindly for your attention and help Dr. Jack. Frustrating day today

I might call around I spoke to one briefly today. He said wait till after Christmas so they "forget about you" and then he'd use one of his addresses and paper work. He didn't mention how much he'd charge though. I hope not alot since i have every pieces except the lease that this rogue IO wanted. The agent that I spoke to did not tell me that I should have gotten the extension with only the TM30.. but I think this agent might not be that great.. anyway. I'll be calling around tomorrow to see what "magic" these guys have to offer. I need one that has an existing relationship with one or more I/O's at the extension desks and can "do the magic". This guy I spoke to sounded like he didn't have a "relationship" with any of the I/O's there and was going to pull some address trickery.

Are you sure about that? The Immigration Officer pulled out a laminated sheet that I attached above saying I need to bring a copy of that too from the owner. Also in the past when I've had to jump through hoops they might pull out the "we need the signed ID of the apartment owner" bit too. This happened in Chonburi Jomtien Soi 5. Man I really ran into a bit of bad luck and I don't know why. I dressed well, all my paper work was there.. all friggin 30 pages of it.. Question: Does anybody know exactly which L desks do the Non-O retirement extensions? I was at desk L35 today. It might have been the only desk that deals with retirement extensions. Or, do ALL of the L desks do 1 year extensions? Or do most just do the 30 day extensions? Baffled about this entire business today. Really miffs me.

Since it's the first 1 year extension no need to do a TM47 yet. the Non-O is dated from Oct 16 to Jan 15 so I"ve not stayed in country on this visa for more than 90 days yet. What about the TM30? I supplied an updated proof of notification that coincided with my rental invoice. What exactly do you think the agent would do to smooth the lease issue? Especially if I got the 1 year throw away ??

Respectfully, I am not sure this is the case. This is Division 1 Chang Wattana Bangkok. Please read my post. Proof of funds is necessary to get any 1 year extension of permission to stay on a Non-O retirement visa. Generally some form of residency proof is required also. Just in my case I am staying in a month to month apartment and showing the invoice and receipt of payment wasn't enough for this Immigration Officer at the L counters.

I can get a lease with my landlord. Perhaps non-binding. This I/O also brought out the Tambien Baan laminated sheet and basically told me I have to bring one of those also. I have in the past been asked to bring a copy of the owners ID signed . (This was at Jomtien Chonburi office but from what I remember this was for the Non-O visa with the known rogue Non-O visa officer there at desk 7) So are you suggesting that I was unlucky and got a rogue Imm Officer looking over my paper work? With that being the case what should I do? Should I try again in a week ( walk in) and then try my luck with the next IO there? This really sucks, I do not plan on living in this apartment long term. I don't really want to leave the country and do a visa run and then get yet another Non-O retirement visa and restart the process... this is exhausting. 6 hours of my day wasted, sorting paper work, paying the bank for paper work that will be useless after a week (IO officer said bank papers are no good after a week??) that sounds wrong too.

I went to Chang Wattana Divsion 1 today and was refused my first 1 year extension of stay on my current Non-O retirement visa (expires Jan 15 24). I was told because I need a 1 year lease. I currently live in a month to month apartment building. The male Immigration Officer asked me "where's your contract"? I politely told him that I pay month to month at the apartment where I stay in Bangkok. I supplied a TM30, invoice and receipt for my rent. He told me no. You need a contact and then also showed me a laminated page describing the Tambien baan and other house registration. I'll attach it. He told me to bring a contact and I asked "how long"? and he said 1 year. He said make an appointment and come back. Your Visa expires Jan 15. Come back etc. He said "money OK" everything OK but where is the contact? My Non-O expires on Jan 15 24' I am really discouraged. I've not had big problems getting extensions before. I've done all mine at Chonburi. I used only a contract there. Never had to supply a Tambian Baan OR condo owner ID. What gives? I really do not want to get a 1 year contact here at my apartment building. I'm not sure I want to live here much longer and will be actively looking for a condo. I've already paid till Jan 15 here. What a headache!! I think I can get a one year lease here at the apartment building but I'll have to make a deposit. I really do not wish to make a "contract" to stay here as I'm currently looking for another place to live and will obviously lose the deposit if I leave. Is this common practice for an extension at CW? Supplying a lease contract and Tambian Baabn ( I suspect if I don't' supply a signed copy of the owners ID I will be refused AGAIN!) Anyone have any solutions? HELP! If I do get a contact here at my apartment - what EXACTLY should I bring besides the contact? Is it really a requirement now to bring the Tambian Baan? And possibly also copy of the owners ID? what a pain! Did I run into a rogue I/O at the L counters?

I went to Chang Wattana today and was refused my first 1 year extension of stay on my current Non-O retirement visa. I was told because I need a 1 year lease. I currently live in a month to month apartment building. The male Immigration Officer asked me "where's your contract"? I politely told him that I pay month to month at the apartment where I stay in Bangkok. I supplied a TM30, invoice and receipt for my rent. He told me no. You need a contact and then also showed me a laminated page describing the Tambien baan and other house registration. I'll attach it. He told me to bring a contact and I asked "how long"? and he said 1 year. He said make an appointment and come back. Your Visa expires Jan 15. Come back etc. My Non-O expires on Jan 15. Thankfully I went early because I am going to need to do I do not want to make a contact where I am staying because if I decide to leave and go elsewhere. I am really discouraged. I've not had big problems getting extensions before. I've done all mine at Chonburi. I used only a contract there. Never had to supply a Tambian Baan OR condo owner ID. What gives? What have others experienced? i saw one person post that he didn't even turn in any residency proof etc.

Yet you love to lurk about and make critical comments on a Thai forum! Yea buddy that a way to show the integrity!

Good on you. Let the rest of the lemmings get treated as they should. Yea if you dress like a numbskull, don't prepare, don't play by the rules then one is going to have problems. It's not rocket science. I don't get it. This whole forum is about helping folks navigate Thai immigration.. well at least it started out that way. Take advantage of the help here! I've gotten very good advice and successfully obtained 4 Non-O Retirement visas and many years of extensions all without and agent. Both at Chang Wattana Division 1 and Jomtien. Just a bit of time at the computer. copyshop and Immigration office. Just read the freakin instructions!

I've never used and agent and have been living in LOS on and off for more than 10 years now. I've successfully obtained 4 Non-O retirement visas and subsequent extensions DIY myself. I've been through all the changes from using an embassy affidavit 3 times to now this time around showing money in the bank. Get it together, if one is fooling around with immigration and basically dodging the requirements using and agent who participates in graft to get it done one is leaving themselves open to problems. I'm glad there is more tightening of enforcement of the rules. Let the dodgy expats get banned or thrown out. If one is screwing around using an agent, especially an agent that obtains a long term visa in a location that is not where you reside you deserve whatever you get for being careless with such an important matter. It boggles the mind how careless some are with such and important thing but hey, Darwins theory is hard at work in any matters of living and running ones life.