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CALSinCM
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Posts posted by CALSinCM
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I'm afraid I gave up believing anything that comes from an Immigration spokesperson a long time ago.
Immigration offices are a gold mine for any ruling Government.CM is no exception.
It takes, on average, an officer 10-15 minutes to process a retirement extension.The online system had 10 slots for a whole day.
CM is Thailands second biggest city with a ratio of expats to Thais that would far exceed Bangkok.Go figure.
CM is Thailand's fourth largest city, behind Bangkok, Udon Thank, and Nonthaburi; or it's seventh largest city, by some whacky calculation I couldn't fathom.
Definitely not second, though...
Saying Nonthaburi isn't part of the greater Bangkok area is like saying Anaheim or Hollywood isn't part of the greater Los Angles area.
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You're right, Masuk. This from the NY Times, in an editorial last week: "The Thai state spent more than 72 percent of public funds in greater Bangkok, where only 17 percent of Thais lived, according to 2012 figures from the World Bank, the most recent data available."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/11/opinion/how-to-save-the-thai-economy.html?_r=0
Of course they need more billion baht bike paths for the elites paid for out of the public coffers.
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"About the on-line queue: Col. Rutjapong said it was discontinued because it can't accommodate two locations and generated many complaints."
If complaining is a reason to discontinue a service then a whole lot of people should shut up before more complaining shuts down more services. HELLO!
So we should be good, quiet, compliant, non-questioning sheep, correct? Try going forward and read my last posts http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/855742-interview-about-new-chiangmai-immigration-office/?p=9870480.
At some point in the future: near, intermediate, or on a longer timeline, Thailand is going to have to face the facts of existing in a global community. Look at the mass migration happening in the EU, UK, and US. We're just 'guests' of our 'host country'. I think that particular paradigm is going to have a relatively short shelf life and will soon start to break down under the influence of the large, global players. It will start with the implementation of ASEAN when suddenly there is going to be significant global pressure applied to Thailand to conform to immigration policies that, from their highly nationalistic perspective, they are not going to like - at least if they plan to continue to export to the EU, UK, and the US or other nations that can actually buoy their GDP. Once there is enough international pressure applied by entities such as the IMF and various international (Western) NGOs, this closed border policy is eventually going to succumb to the realities of global economics and politics. It will start locally (actually it has already started) with an outcry of indignation over the treatment of workers who legally enter Thailand under immigration policy governing those nations who signed on to ASEAN, including the working conditions they are subject to, and will eventually expand to expats, like ourselves, whose home countries implement immigration policies that are light-years ahead of Thailand. Eventually there will be a call for quid pro quo. or equal application of immigration policy, international law, and human rights. What Thai National who accompanies a spouse or family member to the EU, UK, or US is subjected to the type of demeaning treatment that is the norm for treating foreigners here in Thailand? Even the Buddha said, "Everything changes." Thai immigration policy will eventually be forced to change. Even if they cut ties with the West and attempt to support their country by aligning with China and the BRICs, Thai immigration policy will eventually still be forced to change, most likely by China.
Do I feel like a 'guest' in my 'host country'. No. I make more money than a average middle class family with all members working and earning. I contribute more to the financial benefit of Thailand than the majority of Thais. I pay taxes. In many coherent, sane counties, I'd have a clear path toward Permanent Residency, and if I wanted, possibly Citizenship. If you buy into that 'guest' malarkey, then you accept being a 'classless entity' who simply is a conduit to funnel money into Thailand in return for nothing. Not even a modicum of respect.
But change will happen! Will this happen in my life-time? Maybe. Maybe not. But it will change. For better or for worse? The future is uncertain. Only time will tell.
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the do so called gooders,got on there band wagon,and started to make waves,thinking there way was more important than there hosts,thai culture do not like interference or be dictated to by a outsider,or questioned for that matter
It now seems rse off situation.How does complaining about having to line up at 4am to maybe get a number to be served that day lead to "an even worse off situation"?
Are you inferring that immigration heard our complaints and are purposefully making things even more difficult? If you are right, it speaks volumes about the integrity of immigration....
Hey, all we are asking here is that this office run itself professionally and give some respect to those who are trying to do the right thing regarding immigration requirements.
I don't know what countries you people are from, but would this sort of behavior be tolerated there? Of course not.
Anyway, please explain what do-gooders are in relation to this situation, and how the immigration situation has worsened because of complaints and the questioning of their "efficiency."
My comment was referring to the fact that the explanation for the cancellation of the online queue for extensions was complaints.
I also thought the move to Promenada was to address the questioning of the old office's efficiency and from the many posts I've read this does not seem to be the case.
Speaking for myself living in another province (Lampang) certainly the cancellation of the online queue for extensions has definitely made things worse!
Fortunately twice a month a couple of Chiangmai immigration officers drive up to Lampang City to process 90 day reports for those of us in the vicinity.
CM Immigration stated the reason they cancelled the "online queue" was because expats complained about it but that isn't the reason it was cancelled. The current sad state of affairs with CM immigration is no way the fault of expat complaints or immigration officials in Bangkok. All fingers point in one direction. Please read some of the earlier posts.
Let me use this analogy for the sake of comparative analysis:
If CM Immigration stated the reason they cancelled the "online queue" was because expats complained about it, then isn't it logical to assume that CM immigration would cancel the current 'stand-in-line' queue system based on the number of complaints about it?
Using the same logic, should they not abandon the 'stand-in-line' queue system and implement a new, revised queue system where they announce over the loud-speaker that an appointment is available, and the individual who is the strongest and most aggressive, and who can push though the doorway first, gets that appointment. Or - you hire an agent.
I mean, they say they cancelled the 'on-line system' based on complaints from expats, and I basically hear nothing but complaints about having to stand in line for one of the 20 retirement extension queue numbers, so the one viable conclusion I can come up with is to scrap the 'stand-in-line' queue system just as they did the 'on-line' queue system and go with the choice between an anarchical free-for-all for each appointment slot, or conversely, the option to hire an agency.
From a rhetorical standpoint, these are the same problems, and hence the same solution should be applied to these two similar problems.
Hegelian Dialectics 101:
If you don't understand, don't worry too much, you're in the majority, your not suppose to understand.
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the do so called gooders,got on there band wagon,and started to make waves,thinking there way was more important than there hosts,thai culture do not like interference or be dictated to by a outsider,or questioned for that matter
What is a "do so called gooders"?
It now seems complaints to the immigration department and the questioning of their efficiency have led us to an even worse off situation.How does complaining about having to line up at 4am to maybe get a number to be served that day lead to "an even worse off situation"?
Are you inferring that immigration heard our complaints and are purposefully making things even more difficult? If you are right, it speaks volumes about the integrity of immigration....
Hey, all we are asking here is that this office run itself professionally and give some respect to those who are trying to do the right thing regarding immigration requirements.
I don't know what countries you people are from, but would this sort of behavior be tolerated there? Of course not.
Anyway, please explain what do-gooders are in relation to this situation, and how the immigration situation has worsened because of complaints and the questioning of their "efficiency."
My comment was referring to the fact that the explanation for the cancellation of the online queue for extensions was complaints.
I also thought the move to Promenada was to address the questioning of the old office's efficiency and from the many posts I've read this does not seem to be the case.
Speaking for myself living in another province (Lampang) certainly the cancellation of the online queue for extensions has definitely made things worse!
Fortunately twice a month a couple of Chiangmai immigration officers drive up to Lampang City to process 90 day reports for those of us in the vicinity.
Habfan, So that still is happening. What days of the month and could you explain the process? Appointment needed, etc.
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Well I went in today at 1:30 talked to the girls out side. Was informed they only give out 20 numbers a day. I asked what if it is 3:00 and they had seen all 20 she informed me that they only give out 20 a day. Was like talking to an empty chair. I asked her what number they were on now and she said 11. I thanked her went next door to the outfit that does it for 3,000 baht asked them if they could handle it for me they said yes. I would have to wait a little bit to get my picture taken. Sat there for a bit they called me took me next door took my picture and I was out of there at 2:15. Paid her the 4,900 baht for the registration fee and her services had a bite to eat saw a movie picked up my passport and I am set for another year.
The girl who took me to the immigration office was tired she said she had to get up every day at 4:00 in the morning. As said elsewhere not professionals but then again the final result was just as good as a professional with a masters degree. The best part of it was I didn't have to chase all over town. One stop and I was done. I am not sure how they do it but I think they get tickets for the afternoon regardless if any one is scheduled or not. I was out of there in 45 minutes after I showed up and I noticed the queue tickets on his desk said 15. I doubt he had done 4 in half an hour when she told me 11. Also it was nice to see they had a loudspeaker. Only a few hanging around out side when I got there so I went inside and there was 33 sitting in there waiting. Left after the show a meal and some shopping and noticed their was still about 7 or 8 staff working.
So, my question, which I'm sure others are wondering too, How is it that all the 20 queue numbers for retirement visas have been handed out by the Promenade Immigration opening, but, low and behold, the agency can get right in and get you processed, but the average John or Nancy farang, had to have shown up at Zero-Dark-Thirty and have gotten one of the 20 queue number in order to be seen by an Immigration Officer on that day?
Another thing to consider, don't you need a passport in hand showing you're within the time period to apply for an extension and that you're in valid need of a queue number for a retirement extension. If an agency is given a block of queue numbers, but are not representing an actual client who at that moment is in current need of an extension, how can they get queue number or an 'appointment' slot (if this is actually happening)? If they can get queue numbers for 'potential' clients as opposed to actual clients, and those queue numbers are not used, then the fact is that less then 20 clients are being seen while the agency(ies) are sitting on unused queue numbers. If 20 queue numbers are being handed out, are 20 clients in need of retirement visas being processed each day? And if the agency is not actually obtaining queue numbers like the rest of us, how are they getting appointments?
So tell me, how does that work?
And note - I want to stress this: I am not accusing Immigration or any agency of impropriety. I'm just asking a very simple, valid question. There should be a very simple and valid answer to the question.
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Indeed it was a justified reason to shut it down. They couldn't improve on it so it was unfair to the majority of the expats so they shut it down to give all the same chance. Perhaps in the future they will be able to make the proper adjustments to the system. In the mean time we will have to except the fact that we are not living back home where they could solve any problem.I know there's a popular conspiracy theory as to why the on-line queue was discontinued, but the official story is that it was discontinued because there were so many (justified) complaints about how there were only 10 appointment slots on the queue and those would fill up within second of opening, how the queue was always full, how they needed to have more appointment times on the on-line queue, and how some people (maybe some conspiracy theorists?) thought that visa agents booked all the on-line queue appointments. Oh, and some people became angry when Immigration officers assisted people with queue appointments ahead of those who had gotten up early.
Obviously additional programming work is needed. But Bangkok has already let it be known how much they're supporting the Chiang Mai office.
Please read my interview with Prom. and Imm. again. I think we customers of Imm. have a good friend in the management of Prom. mall. Something we didn't have at the old location. I think we need to be supportive of Promenada and show them that it's worth spending money to help improve conditions for the customers at Imm. -- that might just include helping with this on-line queue issue.
As for how much Bangkok is supporting the Chiang Mai office it is not clear. We know there will be no new building but what about additional staff? Also will they be able to rent another room there?
As I said in my earlier post I went in today at 1:30 talked to the girls at the table out side and proceeded to the agent a few doors down. They said no problem. Some thing about an appointment they had that they could put off until Monday. I think what the agents do is book appointments for the afternoon even if they don't have a client. I recall last week when I first talked to them they said that if I had my passport there by 11:00 in the morning they could have an appointment in the afternoon.
As for the Promenada helping. That is just plain common sense for them. There was still not a lot of people in the mall but defiantly more than before immigration moved in.
Bottom line is they still have a lot of room for improvement and as was mentioned earlier they were starting this is not the end.
So, my question, which I'm sure others are wondering too, is can the agency book appointments, and the average Joe or Nancy farang can't. How is it that all the numbers have been handed out, but, low and behold, the agency can get right in and get you processed? How's that work?
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I expect to die in Thailand, It may also happen quicker than I wish , and if you had my prognosis you should be on your way home
I have given all this much thought, in Thailand I have no insurance, I could go to the Uk and get free medical, and free hospice but have no family left there
In this world we have many choices and if you are amongst those who do not wish to die here maybe (very understandable) you should return home sooner rather than later, maybe you want to have your cake and eat it, unrealistic, YOU HAVE CHOICES
I have been out of the Uk for over 20 yrs and the love and care in the hospitals here is very difficult to find elsewhere, my understanding however is pain medication maybe in short supply, so might need plan to to close things on ones own choice, with asking the wife to shoot me like the lame horse
I also have a plan to maybe even die at home, I know the love I get here both from my wife and the nursing community is second to none
There is no shortage of pain medication. But there is reluctance to provide large amounts of narcotic for outpatient use, even in terminal cases, and such meds as are prescribed will only be oral which is a problem for people near death as often unable to swallow. Home hospice care such as in the west, complete with iv morphine at home etc, is not available here.
As a result one has to choose between dying at home (indeed an option provided family members and treating physician are on board and advance directive made out) or dying pain free but in a hospital.
Just curious, but in your advanced directive, can you state that you wish to be placed in a medical induced coma if the pain become too much to bear?
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I fully share your concerns re palliative care here and hope it improves before it comes my time as I would much prefer to die in my home here. There is movement in that direction but pace is slow.
I would not however attribute the problems to a lack of compassion on the part of doctors. Rather it is the medico-legal environment combined with ignorance. The situation here is identical to what it was in the US prior to the 1970's.
Both links given were for medical evacuation only policies, though the second one does have to be applied for before taking up foreign residence. The Cigna one does not AFAIK. I did not price it, but suggest you do as a point of comparison with global rescue.
Also still recommend the use of an insurance broker. There may be more options than google search readily discloses, and a broker can also give some feedback on performance.
Given that your concern is the quality of palliative care it will be essential that any policy you get allows evacuation on demand by the patient and not subject to the insurer or treating doctors assessment of need. Otherwise when the time comes there is every risk that the insurer will decide that treatment of what you have can be done in Thailand (and likely it can, just not the way you want it to be).
Given that your concern is the quality of palliative care it will be essential that any policy you get allows evacuation on demand by the patient and not subject to the insurer or treating doctors assessment of need. Otherwise when the time comes there is every risk that the insurer will decide that treatment of what you have can be done in Thailand (and likely it can, just not the way you want it to be).
Good point and one that I had not thought of. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
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I was shopping at Promenada this afternoon, & decided to see if I could get my 90 day report done. 15 minute wait. Can't complain about that & quicker than my usual trip to post office
Office was pretty quiet. Maybe a dozen people sitting inside.
About what time did you get your queue number. Obviously they are not running out of 90 Day queue numbers in the morning, although getting one in the afternoon might be 'hit or miss'. So, just curious about the time. By the way - good show! That might actually show some promise.
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Does anyone know a local teacher in CM who is a good Bass Guitarist and can teach an old retiree who has a lot of time on his hands to practice and eventually produce song quality music, or at least good enough to jam?
Names and contact info would be good. -
I keep meeting people who tell me they watch US and International TV on the Internet using their computer.
I must be as dense as a brick. I can't figure out how to do it. In fact, it seems like places like HBO don't even want an expat with a VPN to subscribe.
Hell, all I want to do is legally watch TV, even if I pay for it. What are options others use? -
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Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha called the bombing "the worst incident" to ever hit the country, saying, "this time they aimed for innocent lives. They want to destroy our economy, our tourism."
You already did that your self with your greed and non safety .... You made the bed, now lie in it ...
Grossly unfair post.
Personally, I think Jimlove is right on target with no punches pulled.
If you think it's a "Grossly unfair post", try using more than three words to explain why - if you have the ability to actually write a comment in excess of 50 to 100 words.
Here: I'll give you a start. Thailand has the second most dangerous roads in the entire world. That's just one example: I can suggest plenty more if you can't come up with any ideas.
"Grossly unfair post" What a pathetic whimper.
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Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha called the bombing "the worst incident" to ever hit the country, saying, "this time they aimed for innocent lives. They want to destroy our economy, our tourism."
You already did that your self with your greed and non safety .... You made the bed, now lie in it ...
And to the PM: You can continue to destroy your financial base of Expats in the Northern Thailand by continuing to implement some of the most humanly degrading Immigration policies and procedures that, personally, are very seriously making myself and others consider leaving the Chiang Mai region, if not the country. Do you realize how much money we pump into the local economy and community though our immediate and extended families ? Yet we are treated lower than Buffalo when it comes to The Thailand Immigration services in Chiang Mai? Or are you so disconnected from reality, sir, that you either can no longer see, or do you simply not care? Best of luck if this type of situation ever happens in Chiang Mai. During major festivals, I stay away from large groups of people.
I don't recommend Thailand as a tourist location to my friends. Three years ago a asked my friends to come; today, I recommend they do not come. Why should I. It they come to Chiang Mai, they're treated like Kee Kwai by your government agencies, especially Immigration. And how long is it going to be before some terrorist decides that Chiang Mai is a good target?
Your country is out of control, and your hubris toward tourists and Expats is inexcusable. Then there is the inability to control the internal national affairs of your country without someone needing to be 'compensated' for their services, i.e., corruption. Amazing Thailand? Amazing, but not in a good way.
Try treating farang and foreigners and Expat with just a little respect.
Best of luck with your tourist industry, and when the thousands of farangs married to you Thai native women start to leave, even better luck. No loss. We're just Bullalo droppings, well that might be true is you can get ฿20000 for a shovel full of Bullalo droppings. I'm personally tired of your xenophobic country, and I'm trying to understand why I should stay - right now, it is ONLY for my Thai family's sake. Otherwise, I'd already be gone.
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Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha called the bombing "the worst incident" to ever hit the country, saying, "this time they aimed for innocent lives. They want to destroy our economy, our tourism."
You already did that your self with your greed and non safety .... You made the bed, now lie in it ...
And to the PM: You can continue to destroy your financial base of Expats in the Northern Thailand by continuing to implement some of the most humanly degrading Immigration policies and procedures that, personally, are very seriously making myself and others consider leaving the Chiang Mai region, if not the country. Do you realize how much money we pump into the local economy and community though our immediate and extended families ? Yet we are treated lower than Buffalo when it comes to The Thailand Immigration services in Chiang Mai? Or are you so disconnected from reality, sir, that you either can no longer see, or do you simply not care? Best of luck if this type of situation ever happens in Chiang Mai. During major festivals, I stay away from large groups of people.
I don't recommend Thailand as a tourist location to my friends. Three years ago a asked my friends to come; today, I recommend they do not come. Why should I. It they come to Chiang Mai, they're treated like Kee Kwai by your government agencies, especially Immigration. And how long is it going to be before some terrorist decides that Chiang Mai is a good target?
Your country is out of control, and your hubris toward tourists and Expats is inexcusable. Then there is the inability to control the internal national affairs of your country without someone needing to be 'compensated' for their services, i.e., corruption. Amazing Thailand? Amazing, but not in a good way.
Try treating farang and foreigners and Expat with just a little respect.
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There is no such thing as an "air ambulance" policy. But there are medical evacuation policies which will pay to bring you back to your country of residence or nationality by whatever means is needed under the circumstances. Some examples:
1. http://www.cignaglobal.com/health-insurance-plans/international-emergency-evacuation-insurance
2. https://medjetassist.com/personal-air-medical-transport/rules-regulations (This may be the one you were thinking of, but not that they while they can arrange specially equipped aircraft they will usually make use of commercial aircraft as is usually possibly with escort and appropriate equipment etc. Note also that this plan has to be enrolled in before you leave your country of residence.
There are others as well - suggest you contact an insurance broker.
Another option would be to drop your Thai insurance in favor of an internationally issued plan that includes medical evacuation to your home country. This will cover you both for care in Thailand (i.e. could then drop your Thai policy) and once back home. Need to be sure it is worldwide inc. US.
If sick enough to require medical evacuation you are likely to run up some significant costs first in Thailand. Many Thai based policies have very low caps on coverage so double check yours if you opt to keep it and just add on a medical evacuation policy.
At my age I've done a lot of thinking about this. Not that I'm unhealthy, but I'm getting older and things happen.
After reading the information regarding the woman who died in Chiang Mai of cancer, which does nothing but reinforce my premise that Thailand is a barbaric, dreadful place to die of such a dreaded disease simply due to the fact that they will never give you palliative care that is adequate, well, unless you're rich and connected of which I'm neither.
So if I develop a disease that becomes terminal, I want to go back to Washinton State where I'll access to four things: Medical Majauana, opiates in sufficient quantify to keep me out of pain near terminal death, and should my funds run out - I have the option of legally requesting an 'end of life' prescription so that I can die in dignity and on my own terms, and I have a close extended family and friends. Here in Thailand, I have none of that.
Regarding insurance policies that include the US: They are so far out of my price range as to be literally ridiculous.
At a reasonable cost I can obtain a $500K medical policy that will cover me anywhere - except the US. Health Care in the US is totally messed up beyond repair, and lets say I sign up for ACA, what good does it do me here in Thailand? Just about a good as my Thai policy does me in the US. Or for that matter, considering my age, what will Medicare do for me here in Thailand once I turn 65. Again. Nothing. The one outfit that I did find for "medical evacuation policies" was https://globalrescue.com/signup/signup.xhtml Global+Rescue. I'm looking for options like that, and considering I live here in Thialand, I have no plans to make a trip back to the US just to sign up a medical evacuation policy. (That's one I don't undertand).
Bottom line. I don't want to die of some wasting, painful disease in Thailand where doctors have less compassion than The Marquis de Sade. I want to find an option to JUST get myself home and I'm willing to pay for insurance to get me there. But I don't want to be forced to buy a multi-level health insurance package that has 'medical evacuation' as a rider to a policy that I simply cannot afford because the US is the most expensive place in the world for insurance. Most of these types of policies would financially break me even here in Thailand. I can't afford a policy for $600 to $1000 / month. I wouldn't have enough money to live on. It might be a moot point. At 65 I might just move back to the US. The longer I stay here, the less I like it.
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There are other options than a dedicated air ambulance; cost for this to the US will be extremely high.
Depending on the medical condition at the time, transfer on a commercial airliner by stretcher and medical escorts may be possible.
Try searching the International SOS website for more info; they have an office here in BKK.
I'll take a look. Thanks. It's a bit difficult to understand the services they are offering and to whom.
So, I'm still looking for Air Ambulance insurance though. I found a company last year, but for some reason I can longer find the link. The price was about 350/year US for insurance.
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I currently live in Thailand and have Thai Health insurance. If I should ever develop a terminal disease, I'd want to repatriate to my own State within the US.
I know that most Air Carriers will not let you fly if they think you are sick.So next option:
Does anyone know of companies that offer Global Air Ambulance insurance so that you at least can get back home if your sick or injured. I have no desire to die in Thailand where palliative care and hospice facilities are none existent.
So under no circumstances do I want to remain in Thailand if severely sick or injured, at least to the point where a commercial air carrier will refuse to take me home.
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NancyL is correct. Social media, letters to your embassy or conciliate, political pressure. Demonstrations are illegal under the current government and I can only imagine how this might apply to foreigners. Very dangerous ground.For those that have existing queue appointments prior to the on-line queue shutdown, I will contact an officer at immigration to confirm the status of those that have existing queue appointments and post.
Here's an idea. You're right, demonstrations or anything resembling them would be - well, not a good idea.
But that doesn't mean that a group of concerned Expat customers of CM Immigration Services couldn't come together to discuss the issue and come up some ideas. We had balford [http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/848600-chiang-mai-immigration-on-line-queue-survey/?p=9740241] make a suggestion to have your significant other or a fluent speaking Thai friend call the government complaint number. But now, to say what??? 15 people calling with different stories and complaints is - disjointed and I doubt will get much attention. 100 people calling with a narrative and theme that is similar is hard to dismiss. The same applies to Social media, letters to your embassy, your consulate, or even letters to you representatives. Heck, how many guys take Thai wifes and families back to your home country: how are they treated there?
Let me make a mad, crazy suggestion (Hell I'm Yank, and use to do some project management, humor me.)
Pull together a group of individuals who can sort thought all the Thai Visa information and any others willing to come to a meeting to help (a Thai Visa mod might help too). Sort out, categorize, and rank the main complaints. Then create a 'Template" written in Thai and English that can be used when phoning in to the complaint line. The other issue would be to put together groups who can work together (online or otherwise) to act a non-Thai government collection points for complaints and issues. This group could simply collect and attempt to corroborate information that they are told. And then if Thai Visa isn't dissuaded by their legal team, maybe that "Template" could be published online here?
Easy enough to make a meeting: Meetup.com. It might be nice to have an attorney who is willing to do some pro-bono advisement prior to the meeting so this doesn't run afoul of any current laws of the current 'temporary' government.
Just tossing out an idea - maybe it floats; maybe it sinks.
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Sounds good TW, yell if you need a hand.
I'm with kaptainrob. If you need help or assistance TW, let me know, I'll drive up to Chiang Mai to help.
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Thanks for taking the lead on this. It's pretty obvious how important this service was to most of us with yearly extensions, especially folks who live outside of Chiang Mai Province, and yet have to drive to Chiang Mai to do their extensions. That last thing I want to do is drive 140 km just to find out that all the available queues are already taken.
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I have lived in Chiang Mai for 13 years now and have never regarded the 90 day renewal as little more than a minor irritation until now. Yesterday, (11th. Aug.) I did my first visit to the new office at Promenada, I arrived about 11.30 and the place was very quiet, which I, naively, thought was a good sign. My wife and I approached the door and found a formidable looking lady assistant barring the way, after explaining the reason for my visit I was informed that I was too late and that all queue times had already been taken, she added that I should try again on Thursday but I should be in the queue for a ticket before 8am. This was totally unprecedented, in my experience, for a 90 day renewal and I did express my dissatisfaction to which she advised that I should go to the visa agency next door for assistance. Out of curiosity I did just that. I asked the smiling lady at the agency office if she could get my 90 day renewal today and how much would it cost, she advised me that it was no problem, she could do it there and then for 500 Baht, I declined the offer and left the office. Is this some kind of a scam? how could she arrange the renewal when it was not possible to fit me in? there was no one else waiting at that time and no indications that the Immigration officers were rushed off their feet. My wife approached one Immigration officer to ask if she could do the renewal but received the same advice about using the agency, it would be interesting to know how many people are prepared to pay 500 Baht for this proceedure because, to me, it sounds like extortion. Prior to this experience, I had thought that moving to Promenada was a move to streamline the procedure but now, since reading Thaivisa, I believe no one at Promenada has the authority to sign any papers and they still have to be sent to the old office, surely it would be much easier to have someone there who can sign.
It makes me wonder, here in the Land of Honesty and Non-corruption, that the real agenda here is to push as many foreigners as possible to the Visa Agencies. I'll leave it to the critical thinking capabilities of the reader to come up with a reason as to why there might actually be a grain of truth in that 'wondering' and the 'who benefits' conclusion that might be reached by inquisitive minds.
It will also be interesting to see how new visa agencies open up in the Prom in the near future.
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No. Why?
It is neither spelled that way in Thai (P-O-R-N is a transliteration, not the actual Thai word), and it is not pronounced the way that English speakers pronounce the word P-O-R-N. (I'd write the Thai, but it's against forum rules). The word can mean a number of things including the word "Blessing". And it could also be transliterated to P-O-N.
So, out of cultural ignorance you equate "blessing" with "pornography", and you don't have a clue about the proper pronunciation of the word nor it's etymology?Take your cultural biases back home where they belong, or at least learn the language if you plan to stay. What an immensely ignorant post.
Interview about new Chiangmai Immigration office
in Chiang Mai
Posted
There are lies, damn lies, and statistics.
-attributed to Mark Twain
Muang Chiang Mai 200,952 not counting the other 1,500,000 folks immediately surrounding the downtown area.
I'm sure that applies to Pamut Prakan, Udon Thani, and Korat, and like I said before, I consider Nonthaburi to simply be the suburbs of Bangkok just like Laksi and Rangsit. I've also lived in Korat. Muang Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) 208,781 plus that other 1,800,000 surrounding the downtown area. Lies, damn lies, and...
...Statistics!!! That puts the argument about who deserves the lion's portion of the national budget in perspective. Eh? Everyone else are the proverbial Red-headed step-children (as opposed to the Yellow-haired darling child of the BKK elite).