circusman

I almost got tiger spit on me but I didn't make the news.

Looks like there is a big new food market opening behind the whole complex (Close to Mcd'S) in the not too distant future.

Construction on that shed starts and stops. Ugliest thing I've seen yet in LOS.

A bystander asked this Thai why he robbed banks? The Thai robber responded, "that's where the money is."

that saying is from another bank robber in the usa. . Nothing to do with Thais.

I did my retirement visa last Wed.

The official wanted copies of the front page, the initial retirement visa stamp, the last visa extension stamp,the last entry to Thailand stamp, and arrival /departure card for that entry.

Thats 5 copies from your passport.

The girl out front told me to copy my bank book but the officer did not want it, because I used the income method to show I have enough dough. Just saying, the girls are guessing.

Would you please clarify what you mean by "income method?" Do you mean an affidavit from a consular official, or do you mean acceptable deposits in a Thai bank account?

Two options, of course, apply.

With the affidavit, you still might be asked --- but this is probably very, very rare --- to back up the affidavit with proof. I have seen second or third-hand reports that this having occurred in other immigration offices, but only once, as I can recall, in Chiang Mai some years ago. I also recall that the guy who posted the information first-hand on CM Thai Visa really came across as some kind of nut, who, if not already cracked, deserved to be. Of course, this method is open to rampant abuse by some foreigners, certainly a substantial number of some nationalities in Chiang Mai. Whatever! If legitimate, it is easy to prove acceptable "pension income." Certainly all pensions send recipients a "benefits letter," some annually. Otherwise, you would certainly have regular personal bank postings to match. Otherwise, affidavits are only valid for a limited time, so you should line one up within some reasonable period of time before you visit Immigration. Some consulates, I gather, are quite efficient at warning people about this.

WIth acceptable deposits in Thai bank accounts, no need to repeat the nitty gritty details here except to say that you are indeed asked for copies of the appropriate pages of the passbook(s). If I am not mistaken, a Thai bank letter should still be dated within seven days of your visit to Immigration with a same-day confirmation in the bank book(s). This system is also open to abuse. One is rotating deposits within a group with propitious annual Immigration appointments. Immigration generally ignores this travesty. Another is taking out pricey short-term loans from sharks to keep an account balance sufficient for the required period of time.

In ANY case, an Immigration Officer needs to be satisfied as to the legitimacy of your request just as the immigration officer you meet when you enter another country. The visa only gets you there. You must satisfy that officer as to your legitimacy in order to enter regardless of visa. One interesting report of that is in America where some Chinese women in very advanced stages of pregnancy are purposely traveling there to have babies who then, because of US law, are automatically US citizens!

I bet you didn't hold your breath while you typed all that.

First the ivory smashed and now apes going home. Good news.

Wine mixed with fruit juice. Becoming more popular in SE Asia as the locals like the sweet flavour that is not common with normal wine.

Normal wine you say ? There is no normal wine. Comes in all flavors, sweet, not sweet etc etc.

47 years old For the life of me I cannot understand guys like him. He goes to a foreign country with what would appear to be his total networth spends it all in less than 30 days and doesnot go home because he is broke. How can a man be 47 with nothing I just cannot comprehend it.

what kind of person travels when they are broke? Boggles my mind.

Your taking his word for it. Did you ever consider he is lying and does have money?

Thanks for the advice. I did it this afternoon and they did not ask for any previous copies of visas. I had an online appointment for 2:30 and they did not call my name. I inquired and was told they had no master list of appts made online. I got called at 3 pm and got my passport back at 5:00.

Stellar service. Not really. It was better at the airport area office. Phewy.

Good to know. I have a 2.00 p.m. appointment coming up. I think one should register at the front desk with their appointment slip PRINTED out. From what I understand you were lucky to get your passport back the same day some people have to return the next day(a real pain in the posterior) as they send them to the airport office in batches to be signed some days. I am taking everything but the kitchen sink along in case they ask for something unusual.

Yes, I suggest you speak with the two girls outside at the counter first thing. If your not called around your time, talk with them again. They went inside the inner-sanctum and came out to tell me the retirement officer had no list. But I was called eventually.

The two girls are supposed to check your papers to see if you have it correct. The one who supposedly checked mine did a half hearted job that did not give me any confidence. In the end it all came out alright.

At last. Real news.

Consider the heat in all of Thailand. It is a big factor. Hot and humid.

Thanks for the advice. I did it this afternoon and they did not ask for any previous copies of visas. I had an online appointment for 2:30 and they did not call my name. I inquired and was told they had no master list of appts made online. I got called at 3 pm and got my passport back at 5:00.

Stellar service. Not really. It was better at the airport area office. Phewy.

I read that C.M. immigration wants copies from your passport of all previous extensions. Is this correct at the moment? Thanks

This afternoon, I returned at 1:00pm and they started calling the numbers from 11 up. I had my interview (not really an interview - just paperwork checked and stamped) at 1:15 and it was efficient and over in about 10 minutes.. I must say that being in a quiet, decently air conditioned office is a welcome improvement over the facility out at the airport. I was asked to come back at 4:00 to collect my passport. When I returned just before 4:00 I found that actually the passports had been available since about 3:20 but no-one outside the office knew. In any event it was well in time for my purpose, so a good result.

My overall conclusion:

Other than the ridiculously early start required to get a queue number it was pretty efficient and more pleasant than the airport office in almost every way. The coffee stall serves good coffee, there are a lot of places to sit once you've got your number and parking is plentiful and easy although those without transport are clearly at a disadvantage. I was expecting it to be truly a grim ordeal and it wasn't.

That said, there are some obvious improvements, some very simple, that would make life easier all round:

• They really need some queue number boards as often the PA is not easily heard. Being able to see which number is being processed reduces the anxiety level of those waiting much in the same way that the traffic signal countdowns allow you to know just how long it will be before the guy in front of you jumps the lights.
• The staff at the information desk should be aware when the signed Retirement Extension passports are ready for collection. I wasted some time standing around before venturing inside (against the rules, I know) to find mine had been sitting there for over half an hour. If they want to keep the office free of people standing around to ask questions they should use the desk staff outside better.
• The crux of the matter is that there are too few staff to handle the workload of Retirement Extensions (at least).
• The online appointment and 90 day report systems need to be fixed so they are reliable and consistently available.
• Signs explaining the 90 Day Report by mail system should be introduced and the Information Desk could have a checklist with instructions so people can take a copy and remember the details when its time for their next report.
• A box for dropping 90 Day reports as an alternative to mailing them should also be made available.

Agents... If nothing changes there will shortly come a time when you'll have to use an agent or literally camp out at Promenada all night. The people providing this service have discovered a cash cow and one can hardly blame them for milking it for all it's worth, but if it comes to the point where customers have little or no choice other than to hire one then it seems likely to me that we will regret it. 13 out of the first 19 numbers in this morning's Retirement Visa line were taken mostly by young people (the first of which arrived just after 4:00 AM) who looked like students and simply sat there until shortly before the numbers were called at 8:30 and the Agents with the paperwork arrived. I was told (by an agent) that the rule is one number per person queuing, but since I was eleventh in line and received number 12, I suspect that "regulars" (and that's not us) can push the envelope a little. If the Immigration Office staffing level remains the same then it could be just a few weeks before going to get your own won't be feasible unless you're prepared to sleep there.

You also have to wonder what kind of relationship the G4T Agency next to the photocopy shop has managed to set up. How can they offer a walk in late, same day service without it being at the expense of regular extension applicants, or other agents, for that matter? The temptation to pay a couple of kids a few hundred baht to sit around and play with their phones for three or four hours to get a number on spec for a walk in customer who will give you a couple of grand, must be hard to resist. Doesn't that come pretty close to scalping?

You may choose to use an Agent now but how will you feel if you have no option and the price is double in a couple of years? If the processing rate beyond the booked appointments remains unable to meet demand I'm sure there are going to be some problems to face before very long. Perhaps one way forward would be for the agents to fund the salary of an additional Immigration Officer to deal with their clients applications - that would enable them to offer an added value service without making it harder for others to apply themselves. Just a thought....

Your six points are for a perfect world. As you look around you shall see we ain't in no perfect world sir.

Been 500 baht per service for at least 6 years.

FWIW Greenside I would simply hand the issue to Assist Thai Visa and let them take care of it, my last retirement visa extension through them was the quickest smoothest ever. And yes, you do have to attend the Immigration office in person but only for five or ten minutes, far better than spending the whole day at Promenada waiting.

Assist is not the only agent option.

elektrified, did you read the statistics posted by another poster ? Your rubbish comment is rubbish.

USA Post is terrible. Correos Espana is hit and miss as is Deutsche Post. Czech Post and Slovenska Posta are both terrible. I've done high volume with them all.

None of them offer the service on a level that Thai Post does. Rong Tabien is particularly good. If something goes missing, the manager of the branch seems to take it personally and will go out of their way to find that package. They will track down that package, call you, see when you will be home and send a messenger specially to deliver the one package. We've had it happen several times. The driver even calls to check if your home.

I once sent an envelope to Germany containing about 300 Euros cash. I sent it rong tabien from Mae Ping branch. It went all the way to Germany and back to Bangkok, then disappeared from the tracking. My contact in Germany said he never got a notice from Deutsche Post and the envelope had been returned to Thailand. I contacted the manager at Mae Ping. He asked what the contents were and I told him. He shook his head and snapped at me that people aren't supposed to send cash. He had me sign a claim form but pointed out the maximum insurance was only 1500 Baht - a far cry from 300 Euros but I would have to lie and claim "collectible money" as cash is not covered. He stuck the form in his desk and said to "give him some time. He will find it." If not, then he had the form. He asked for my number and my wife's number. About 2 months passed and one day the wife got a call. He had the envelope. Come by and pick it up. Amazing service for about 80 Baht.

Two months you say. And you call that good service. Rubbish.

elektrified, did you read the statistics posted by another poster ? Your rubbish comment is rubbish.

Why would you think "immigration needed a warning of the influx of people doing the 90 day in person." This is what these people do for a living. Immigration officers are well aware of how many expats are residing in Chiang Mai. Immigration requires foreigners to show up at their office every 90 days, and once a year for the yearly visa, and they aren't prepared???

Immigration does not require foreigners to show up at their office every 90 days. Who told you that? Only once a year for annual extension of visa. I have only showed up once a year for perhaps 5 years now. 90 day done by post.

I have always visited the immigration office for the nonsensical 90 day required reporting because I never fully trusted the Thai mail. It seems being able to do the 90 day via computer would be more efficient for immigration, and would certainly be more efficient for retirees living here.

I think its time for CM Immigration to shape up and professionalise their services. There is no reason for the negative environment immigration has created for foreigners because of their unwillingness or inability to efficiently process their requirements for foreigners who visit or have retired to Thailand.

Thai Post is extremely reliable ; particularly the "rong tabien" service they offer. We have a very high volume of post that we put through the system and seldom ever have a problem. Even then, it is rectified immediately. Can't say the same for the post in several European countries (even Deutsche Post), as well as the American Post.

To be worried about sending a 90-day in the post is ridiculous.

To fault the United States Post Office means you know nothing about it. Probably the best in the World sir.

"Speaking at the Expat's Club?"

Be sure to give them some good, positive spin about Immig.

Right, will do. I will really get some fine 'face' today.

Personally, I applaud CM Expat Club for inviting CM Immigration to speak in front of their members. Nancy, the expat club leader has done an incredible job running this organization. Nancy should receive more recognition for this and all of her volunteer work in the Chiang Mai community.

This was a great opportunity for CM Immigration to address a large segment of the expat community in CM, explaining their future goals. I thought their presentation was both interesting and informative. However, something went terribly wrong by the time their presentation ended, and the grand opening of their new office at Promenada.

Maybe CM Immigration should consider immediately getting their online queue for yearly appointments functional again, and make serious improvements to stream line their services. Another area of concern, is their apparent lack of compassion for elderly expats that have to spend the day sitting outside the immigration air-conditioned office while waiting to have their papers processed. OMG, what are these people thinking.

This thread shows some concern for the elderly. Not to be harsh but if they can't comply with whats needed to stay in Thailand there is an option to return to home country.

Unless one has foolishly burned all bridges back.

I'm one customer they've lost. Chang Export & Draught top beers in Thailand. Chang Classic - NO THANKS

C. Export is my favorite beer. So sad it is going.

Why the hell do they have to offer him money to come forward.

Just tell him if he doesnt he will be arrested on suspicion of conspiracy.

Relax. It is not your money. Perhaps they don't know what driver it is. Ever think of that?

Do those with online appointments get their stamped passports back the same day ? I think I read that the final signature person is not at Promenda.

Amazing how many bitter people have already posted not on the actual topic but instead choose some snide remark against a young innocent man....

What bitter, twisted and jealous characters Thai Visa sometimes attracts....

Lighten up mate he's an Aussie it's part of our heritage to rip on each other. He's a big boy I'm sure he'll be sweet. Water off a duck's back an all that. I doubt young Sunny gives a tinkers about the opinions of anyone posting on Thai Visa somehow. Good on you for going into bat for the young bloke however...I'm sure he'll be grateful for your support

Tinkers ? You assume non australians know all your myriad of expressions. I for one could not possibly remember them. A myriad I say.

Seems like a peculiar way of asking for (demanding) help....critical of people before you even get your first reply.

I thought the same thing. I wouldn't help him if I had the answer.

I went today to c.m. immigration to see if my made online appointment would be honored on the 27th of this month. The officer doing the extensions looked at my printout and then checked a list he had in his desk top drawer. Yes.

As far as long lines and standing in the sun I saw NONE of that. Everyone was sitting under a deck waiting. More than enough places to sit. Just as calm a place as you would want it. Opposite of what I have been reading here on T.Visa.

What time were you there? The lines are in the morning. The queue cards are all distributed by 9 am and then everyone sits down. Outdoors. In the heat. Sure, it's under a deck, but still outdoors. Were you there with the rain lashing down?

11 a.m. Not that hot. I mean, folks weren't doing manual labor - just sitting and reading or filing nails. If rain (it wasn't) no one would get wet. I was shocked how much unused room was indoors. Plenty of room for more desks.