exppenang

On 7/23/2019 at 3:38 PM, Surasak said:

All true Garybaldy. The thing is, many have strong roots here now and would find it very difficult to up sticks and go elsewhere.

This is why I tried to avoid putting down said roots. When I moved here 7 years ago, I knew things could change over time. And they certainly have.

I'm going to call viajero on his BS. Not on the "common worker" vs. manager or director, because the tide is turning in that direction.

I call BS on the existence of a re-entry permit. PLENTY of HIGH LEVEL Non-B holders with work permit have a re-entry permit. Think of someone who works as an officer for an MNC - they can and do need to travel out and back in frequently. A simple extension with no re-entry just wouldn't work for them.

Believe what you want, but I believe Elviajero is half full of crap.

2 hours ago, exppenang said:

The form says this in the top right corner
...แบบ สตม.2

 

I am told this translates to "form STM 2".

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

No problem those are not actually required.

You probably have a stamp in your passport that has info about your visa entry and the lost passport that is equal to the original visa.

You also only need the copies of the extensions that are in your new passport.

Immigration has not seen my old passport or copies of it since they transferred the stamps from my old one to my new one.

In my experience the transfer stamp negates the need to provide copies of prior extensions. I still keep my old passport and bring it with me when doing extensions, just in case.

The form says this in the top right corner
...แบบ สตม.2

Thailiban,

Im going on six years renting the same house here in LOS. Last year's Visa renewal I showed up at Immigration with the usual documents, after 3 hours found out that indeed needed the following additional documentation to establish residence:

1) Copy of house book of my rental house signed in original ink by the person named as owner.

2) Copy of owners ID Card signed in original ink.

I had a utility bill and bank statement with the residence address on it, this was basically ignored by the officer who said I needed the above two documents or no Visa. This mistake wound up taking two extra days/trips to immigration to get things done.

If your Visa status and therefore your ability to stay in Thailand require a certificate of residence, your Landlord's refusal to provide this could be a problem for you (depending on which imm office you use) as it was for me until I obtained the additional documents.

Renting in Thailand means you are renting TWO things: 1) The actual property. 2) The service of the landlord or their agent.

Perhaps you have located an ideal rental property in a great location, at a fantastic price. (Some of these do exist). The week after you move in, the main water supply breaks or another major problem occurs that needs to be fixed right away. If you have a lousy or dishonest Landlord, it won't matter much if your place looks great or is in a great location but you have no water, or poop all over the floor.

My point here is that a renter here needs a responsive, responsible landlord, just as much as a decent property and location.

I have been very lucky and my Landlords (husband and wife) are very cooperative and responsible. There have been a couple breakdowns (water, sewer) that needed fixing right away, and they were here in minutes, and the problem sorted in the same day. I find it suspicious that your Landlords refuse to provide you with the documents you asked for.

If it were me, I would also be considering a move - the sooner the better.

Asking for recent reports on Retirement Extension of stay at Phuket Immigration (Main Office).

Last year had to start downstairs (long queue in hot sun) for a certificate of residency to get the process started. Items needed for this:

STEP 1

1) Copy of current rental contract (Some claim this is not needed)

2) Latest rent receipt (Some claim this is not needed)

3) Copy of passport cover page
4) Copy of departure card (TM6)

5) Copy of house book where you reside. Copy must be signed by person named on house book.

6) Copy of ID Card of person whose name is on the house book. Copy must be signed.

7) Application form for residence certificate.

With the above I proceeded through downstairs queue and eventually received a 1/3 page slip titled 'RECEIPT OF NOTIFICATION' stapled in passport.

Do I need to complete the same STEP 1 same process downstairs every year, before I go upstairs to apply for the extension itself?

STEP 2

The following copies (along with the residence cert from STEP 1 stapled in my passport) were then taken upstairs to apply for the retirement extension:

1) Copy of passport cover page

2) Copy of original visa on which the extension is based (example: Non-Immigrant O)

3) Copy of current retirement visa or extension

4) Copy of Departure Card (TM 6)

5) Copy of passport page showing latest entry stamp

6) Proof of income/savings

7) Application for extension of stay

Looking for anyone who did their extension recently at Phuket to confirm or comment.

Thank you.

Yes Old Croc agreed. Any way you slice it these 'agents' are cutting queue - whether by pushing/shoving or being let in the back door with stacks of passports. I don't buy 2fishin2 story that the agents are somehow helping the rest of us.

Not to mention that some of these transactions may require the applicant to appear in person.

If one wants to use a 'legitimate' agent (if legitimate agents actually exist), then let them wait in queue like the rest of us. ONE agent ONE passport. Any other scheme is clearly unfair and discriminatory to those who do it themselves.

Dear Mr. 2fishin2,

Haha love the chowderhead remark! Fits your moniker perfectly <2fishin2>.

Yes you are right - if 'agents' could not bring stacks of passports in (one person/one passport) there would be even more people at Phuket Immigration.

Real problem is that these agents cut the queue. Ask 100 legitimate people on this forum if these queue jumpers are a problem and see what they have to say.

Perhaps you are really a fixer who is 'trolling' here? blahahahaha

Sorry but can someone explain exactly what a 'no-status' retirement visa is? From what I read it is someone over 50 who doesn't have or can't prove income or 800k in the bank, or maybe even now could be someone who can't provide residence docs.

I have a similar story. Friend who works in oil/gas spends one month overseas alternating with one month here. He used to enter every time on visa exempt. Under 'new regulations', he was informed this was his last entry on visa exempt. Next time he would be denied entry unless he had a visa. A lawyer in BKK took his 50k, and all docs (including financials) were either faked or visa was issued anyway without docs. I assume this is a 'no-status' visa.

The major drawback of paper-based system they use is that going back to check for fraud, after the fact, becomes almost impossible. I'm sure those who profit from these fake visas know and understand this.

Next time you visit Phuket Immigration, watch closely the flow of passports. Many people carrying stacks of passports (agents/fixers?) do cut queue through the front door. If you watch it is easy to see. Also, stacks of passports arrive from the side/back doors too, delivered by people in plain clothes. I'm not saying all of these instances are untoward activity.

I believe that a strict ONE PERSON/ONE PASSPORT rule is necessary.

Dont know why people complain? Got there about 0830 in morning, submitted my paperwork with zero problems, came back at 1430 after lunch and was out the door by 1500. Was easier and cheaper than paying an agency 30000 baht to do same thing. The only problem people experience at immigration are ones they cause themselves. Be prepared things go fine, unprepared and things wont. It aint rocket science.

Not sure what 'complaining people' you are referring to. I do my best to 'be prepared', indeed I had every bit of documentation that I needed last time (and more just in case). However, there is no definitive source of information on exactly what is needed from day to day and office to office. If there were, many of these posts here would be unnecessary.

In my case it took 3 hours on day one to find out what 'new documentation' was needed. I dont live close to the office, so day one was shot.

If there actually was a definitive, current list of what is needed, I think more people would 'be prepared' the first time.

Also, in Phuket there are all types of queue jumpers and @$$#0!#s pushing and shoving, facilities are way too small leaving retirees aged 60 and 70+ forced to queue in the hot sun for hours. Sure they want our money - they just don't want to be accountable for doing their job properly. Being rude, inefficient, and overall doing a poor job of being a public servant is the norm here.

Let's face it - Immigration in Thailand is decades behind the rest of the world, with few exceptions.

First wasnt making my post directly towards you. I was making it towards people not prepared. My first retirement visa I had an agency do for me as it was my first one. I paid for it and dont regret what I did. This time I did it for myself. The requirements have been posted countless times here on TV. Using that info, I went to Phuket Immigration with the paperwork requirements and got my extension to stay with no issues.

I agree the bottom floor is a madhouse, its just too small. But after you get your number its just another wait. As far as cueing outside in hot sun for hours thats a stretch. Of course when there is a line you have to wait a little to get your number but hours nah.

You werent prepared, and thats your fault and no one else's....

On the day I was there, those far behind me (some elderly), did indeed wait over an hour in the hot sun to get inside for the first time. After I finished, I saw some of them re-queued in the same place at 10:30 AM, with quite a few in front of them. These are my observations - I am not saying every day is like this (hopefully not).

'But hours nah'. Do you have anything more definitive than this? Are you saying it didn't happen on the day I was there?

As for your constructive comment about whose 'fault' it is, all I can say is that is why I take the time to post accurate information to the best of my ability according to my observation(s), so that my experience hopefully will help others avoid making the same mistake.

To me, this sharing of info is the REAL benefit of this forum, not bashing others.

Dont know why people complain? Got there about 0830 in morning, submitted my paperwork with zero problems, came back at 1430 after lunch and was out the door by 1500. Was easier and cheaper than paying an agency 30000 baht to do same thing. The only problem people experience at immigration are ones they cause themselves. Be prepared things go fine, unprepared and things wont. It aint rocket science.

Not sure what 'complaining people' you are referring to. I do my best to 'be prepared', indeed I had every bit of documentation that I needed last time (and more just in case). However, there is no definitive source of information on exactly what is needed from day to day and office to office. If there were, many of these posts here would be unnecessary.

In my case it took 3 hours on day one to find out what 'new documentation' was needed. I dont live close to the office, so day one was shot.

If there actually was a definitive, current list of what is needed, I think more people would 'be prepared' the first time.

Also, in Phuket there are all types of queue jumpers and @$$#0!#s pushing and shoving, facilities are way too small leaving retirees aged 60 and 70+ forced to queue in the hot sun for hours. Sure they want our money - they just don't want to be accountable for doing their job properly. Being rude, inefficient, and overall doing a poor job of being a public servant is the norm here.

Let's face it - Immigration in Thailand is decades behind the rest of the world, with few exceptions.

You could always send a email the immigration volunteers (in the pinned topics) for the latest requirements before you make a new extension.

Lot of people are doing that and makes their live much easier.

Wow, I didn't know the volunteers had an email address that you could ask this type of question.

In my above rant, I should have also added that I have real RESPECT for the volunteers. They do a VERY DIFFICULT job day after day, and without them, the Phuket office couldn't function at all. They have my appreciation.

Do you have the email address for them - an email of thanks is in order from me.

Dont know why people complain? Got there about 0830 in morning, submitted my paperwork with zero problems, came back at 1430 after lunch and was out the door by 1500. Was easier and cheaper than paying an agency 30000 baht to do same thing. The only problem people experience at immigration are ones they cause themselves. Be prepared things go fine, unprepared and things wont. It aint rocket science.

Not sure what 'complaining people' you are referring to. I do my best to 'be prepared', indeed I had every bit of documentation that I needed last time (and more just in case). However, there is no definitive source of information on exactly what is needed from day to day and office to office. If there were, many of these posts here would be unnecessary.

In my case it took 3 hours on day one to find out what 'new documentation' was needed. I dont live close to the office, so day one was shot.

If there actually was a definitive, current list of what is needed, I think more people would 'be prepared' the first time.

Also, in Phuket there are all types of queue jumpers and @$$#0!#s pushing and shoving, facilities are way too small leaving retirees aged 60 and 70+ forced to queue in the hot sun for hours. Sure they want our money - they just don't want to be accountable for doing their job properly. Being rude, inefficient, and overall doing a poor job of being a public servant is the norm here.

Let's face it - Immigration in Thailand is decades behind the rest of the world, with few exceptions.

Spent last two days at Phuket Immigration - both days arrived 7:30 AM - first person there.

Both days there were 'pro' queue jumpers, both times they were Xxxxxxx (country of origin will remain nameless - hint: they are from the same country as most of the ATM skimmers caught here in Phuket). Here is how they operate.

The jumpers are led by a 'travel agent/fixer' who have a group of tourists with them. Around 8:15 AM (15 mins before doors open), after the early birds are already queued up, ONE of them will slip in near the front of the queue, maybe about ten or fifteen people back from the front. Two of the others will queue in the copy shop line. When the doors open, they will take turns occupying both queues, passing docs back and forth. When they all have their docs, they jam in front of the one holding their 'spot' in the immigration queue (in my case it was 6 persons).

To top it all off, none of them had their forms filled in when they reached the Volunteers, and they expected to have their forms filled up by the volunteers while everyone else (about 40 people by now) waited for them. The Volunteer who was also Xxxxxxx was happy to help them.

However, when I made one mistake on my forms (1 minute fix), was sent out of the queue and not given a number.

After they got their queue numbers, they stood right at the tape line in front of the counters. Result was those that were being called had to shove and push their way through them again and again. Room was jammed full of people, had to sit on the floor jammed against the wall (photos).

For those that always arrive early like me - keep your eye out for these a$$#0!#s. They are very clever at sneaking into the queue.

Hello Everyone,

Just back from Phuket Immigration. Maybe it was just a slow day, or too early in the morning, but the number of people seemed much less than my previous 4 or 5 visits. Only 1 volunteer manning the info desk/queue number generator, but by 0845, the queue for forms and queue numbers was gone. No wait at that time.

I came to get another 'certificate of residence', this time needed for drivers license renewal. I get a new copy of my lease every year from the landlord, it looks like a standard form that I have seen from some of my friends rental documents. It has Thai and (extremely poor) English translations, my landlords write everything down in what looks like a minor mess. It's the best they can do, and up until this time a copy of the lease (2 pages) has always been fine to get a cert. of residence.

This time the officer seemed to scrutinize all the documents much more thoroughly than before. On the first pass, everything looked to be in order, but somehow the lady seemed determined to find something wrong. All the dates, address, rental period, etc., were correct. According to the officer, the landlord wrote something in the wrong place on the lease form, it looked like they wrote above the line instead of below it on one entry. The officer pointed out the error, and then looked at me as if I needed to do something more. I offered a copy of last years lease, in obviously the same terrible penmanship, same standard form, same address, etc., along with the original receipt of rent paid on the current lease. It sort of hung in the air for a moment as a stand-off, but I kept quiet and she eventually accepted the documents.

My advice based on this experience is for anyone who intends to apply for certificate of residence (which in the past was quick and no hassle), be sure all your documents match and all entries are made correctly. The problem is, unless one is fluent in Thai, how would you know such a minor error has been made on such a lease form? Maybe I should ask for an English version of the lease - at least that way the info can be checked. I wonder if they would reject a lease in English at Immigration and ask for an official translated copy.

I hope this helps someone avoid having their lease copy rejected.

Oh dear I am in the same situation as OP. I too failed to update my passbook on bumping up the balance to satisfy the 800k/3mth rule and my renewal is due in a fortnight.

I logged into Kbank internet banking was able to get the Dec2013 statement showing the date my account has fulfilled the 800k rule. I got a printout of this statement and if I get my local Kbank manager to sign it would Immigration accept that?

Anyway thanks to Exppenang for the heads up, I think I'd better request BKK branch to give me some hardcopies.

Jack,

If it was as easy as printing out my online computer statements that would be great.

My understanding, however, is that it must be a hard copy printed on bank letterhead paper, and then each page chopped (stamped) at the branch where you pick it up. It is so easy these days to alter an online statement and print right at home. On that same visit, also ask for the letter from the branch confirming your particulars and balance on that day. If you are using a copy of your passbook instead of the official bank statements, there must be an entry three months or longer showing the money in the account. Be sure and bring along the actual passbook, and not just the copies.

With KBank it is very easy to suffer the 'aggregate summing' update, which omits individual transactions and dates on your passbook. You will only know if you have been 'aggregate summed' after you have updated your passbook, and checked the entries. Once the lines are printed, the 'damage' is done, and cannot be undone. If this happens, and the deposits/dates needed do not show, you will need the official statement hard copies, where Immigration can see every transaction and the entries marked 'No Book'. This is the way you can prove the statements are correct, and the passbook has missing records, where entries are clearly marked 'No Book'.

At KBank, they quoted 10 Business Days turnaround time, so plan accordingly. Some have stated they come in 3 or 4 days, but if they tell you 10 business days, very difficult to hold them to anything earlier than that.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!

I'll go request the statements tomorrow and hope they arrive in less than 10 business days. As for the bank letter, shouldn't that be issued not more than a day prior to doing the extension?

What does this 'bank letter' actually say. I've never found out since everything went smoothly twice before.

Jack,

My advice is to get the letter from the bank on the same day you pick up the statements from the branch. The letter (in Thai) states your name, bank account number, and balance on the day it was printed. Also, it might be helpful to update your passbook on that same day. If you make a small cash deposit on that day, you can then update your passbook and the date of the last update and balance in your passbook will match the letter.

Oh dear I am in the same situation as OP. I too failed to update my passbook on bumping up the balance to satisfy the 800k/3mth rule and my renewal is due in a fortnight.

I logged into Kbank internet banking was able to get the Dec2013 statement showing the date my account has fulfilled the 800k rule. I got a printout of this statement and if I get my local Kbank manager to sign it would Immigration accept that?

Anyway thanks to Exppenang for the heads up, I think I'd better request BKK branch to give me some hardcopies.

Jack,

If it was as easy as printing out my online computer statements that would be great.

My understanding, however, is that it must be a hard copy printed on bank letterhead paper, and then each page chopped (stamped) at the branch where you pick it up. It is so easy these days to alter an online statement and print right at home. On that same visit, also ask for the letter from the branch confirming your particulars and balance on that day. If you are using a copy of your passbook instead of the official bank statements, there must be an entry three months or longer showing the money in the account. Be sure and bring along the actual passbook, and not just the copies.

With KBank it is very easy to suffer the 'aggregate summing' update, which omits individual transactions and dates on your passbook. You will only know if you have been 'aggregate summed' after you have updated your passbook, and checked the entries. Once the lines are printed, the 'damage' is done, and cannot be undone. If this happens, and the deposits/dates needed do not show, you will need the official statement hard copies, where Immigration can see every transaction and the entries marked 'No Book'. This is the way you can prove the statements are correct, and the passbook has missing records, where entries are clearly marked 'No Book'.

At KBank, they quoted 10 Business Days turnaround time, so plan accordingly. Some have stated they come in 3 or 4 days, but if they tell you 10 business days, very difficult to hold them to anything earlier than that.

Hope this helps.

Whilst it is annoying when transactions are lumped together when updating books, I think you actually need a real statement anyway as the bank book on its own is not sufficient.

As I understand it, how the Kasikorn system works is that the year is split into two six month sections running 1st Jan to 30th June and 1st July to 31s December. Branches have access to transactions from whatever day you go into the bank, back to either 1st January or 1st July but not before so if you go in on say 30th December you might get almost 6 months transactions but if you go in on 10th January, most you will see is 10 day's transactions although they can order you a hard copy statement for whatever period you want and it will arrive in about 3 or 4 days normally. You can also order this through the call centre, you just have to tell them which branch you want to pick it up from.

When you update the bank book inside the bank rather than through the machine outside, you will get itemized transactions back to either of those 1st Jan or 1st July dates and aggregated before.... even if you ask for fully itemized. They just can't do it.

I believe that the external machines will give you the most recent 20 or so transactions itemized and then aggregate the rest.

Paul,

Thanks for the info about ordering up the statements from the call center! Appreciate that ... this is a good way to skip the 30 minute long process at the bank of trying to explain what I want to the non-english speaker. The call center normally has English speakers available - easy to call and have them send to the branch.

That you have to show your bankbook at immigration is new for me, i thought a bankletter would be enough ... something learned.

The immigration folk can do whatever they want depending upon their mood and if they take a disliking to you.

I had a bank letter and copies from my bank book going back 4 months, and the a....hole at immigration wanted copies going back ONE YEAR.

When I queried this he waved me away and said GO.

So I had to go back to my home in Patong to get this, and then he made me jump through hoops in getting multiple copies of my passport pages etc.............took me four hours in all.

All this because I refused to pay him 500 baht for having two passports (expired and new one). He tried to con me and it didn't work, so he made a simple process a nightmare for me.

He is still there and I will not use him, instead waiting for another place to become available.

Maybe I got the same guy! Can you give a description of him? Next time I will not use him either, and wait for the next one.