Ozfatboy

Personally I don't think it's got anything to do with the use of an agent. I experienced the same thing about five years ago when I moved from Khon Kean to Pathumthani. At the time I was on an extension of stay based on retirement and my renewal was coming up and wanted to change to marriage.

The IO said they would not accept a change of reason for my extension. They told me if I really wanted to change I should exit and get a new Non Immigrant O Visa based on having a Thai spouse at one of the surrounding consulates.

Their reasoning at the time was that this was the correct Visa and the consulate has already performed various checks relating to issuing this visa. This would then make the process simpler when changing to an extension in the future. Needless to say I never bothered and have since had 4 extensions based off retirement from the office without any problems and extremely fast and efficient.

To my knowledge, Pathumthani are not generally known for taking bribes relating to visas/extensions etc but that's not to say it does not happen. I do know, like most offices they often have a different set of rules or requests for extra documents when doing extensions from year to year but I have come to accept it.

Whilst we all know this is not correct and they should accept the applications at the end of the day we just have to live with their decisions because there is nothing we can really do that will change their minds once its set. It always falls back to the "Discretion of the Immigration Officer"

I know its a headache and perhaps added expenses but what I have learnt after ten years is you just need to play the game and do the dance if you want to be in Thailand. Smile and enjoy a holiday to one of the surrounding Countries.

40 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

The Embassy is closed tomorrow and Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup horse race

Hahahaha...I did think that at the time but I checked their holiday schedule and its business as usual according to the website.

Just logged onto the Australian Embassy website to make an appointment for tomorrow or Tuesday to get a certified copy of my passport and there are no appointments available until 11.45am on 12th November.

Never experienced that before, I am assuming everyone is rushing to get their statutory declarations ASAP.

Obviously no one at the Embassy thought there would be snowball effect from their statement and what this may cause in the short term.

I would have though perhaps they could have allocated separate times for people who need things like certified copies.

I feel sorry for anyone that was planning on getting their affirmation of freedom to marry signed. Certainly may cause some headaches and change of holiday and wedding plans.

Someone from DFAT needs to step in a fix this situation.

The Australian Embassy went down this track about a year ago then reversed its decision but I don't think that will happen this time. It is disappointing that the Australian Embassy has made this decision and I question their right to actually take this action.

The Attorney Generals Department Of Australia authorise Consulate staff to witness the signing of a Commonwealth Statutory Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act. Their duty is not to verify the content of the declaration but to follow the procedures required as a witness to the signature.

As they are duly appointed by the Attorney Generals Office, I personally don't believe they have the right to refuse witnessing the document once the identity of the person has been confirmed. To the best of my knowledge (coming from a legal family) I don't know any duly authorised witness who has refused to sign. 

Whilst I understand that some people may provide false or misleading information it is not the job of the Embassy to be prosecutor, judge and jury. This decision effects everyone that uses this method. In addition, no thought has been given to Australian citizens who get these declarations for other purposes such as income and life insurance companies that request this information as mine does.

I personally believe the Australian Embassy should re-instate the issuing of these declaration and Thai Immigration should request further supporting documentation (if required) as sometimes happens at several Immigration offices.

Perhaps a second option for Thai Immigration would be to let a Notary Public witness these Statutory Declarations and supporting documents as they are empowered to do so by the Attorney Generals Office.

Either way, I think its time the Australian Embassy support Australian Citizens and our the expat community that is here in Thailand. They obviously do not understand the consequences of what their actions could cause in the future.

With all the talk about Phuket Immigration office and the TM 30 I was just wondering if anyone had any experience at Pathumthani.

I am going to a wedding in Sukhumvit on Thursday and plan on staying in a hotel for the night and returning home late Friday evening. I was wondering if I am going to need to go on submit a TM30 or not. I have tried to ring them today without success, first time no answer and the second time told to call back saying her English not good! I also tried emailing but nothing yet. Really trying to avoid a trip down there.

Has anyone in the Pathumthani district has had any experience on this would be appreciated!

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Your 90 day report will be due 90 days from the date you enter the country including that day in the count.

You can do the report up to 15 days before that date or 7 days after including that day in the count.

Thanks Ubonjoe

Hi All,

I have just returned from overseas and understand that my 90 day report day re-starts from my return date. What I am not sure about is; Can I report 14 days before or 7 days after my return day, same as I would normally be able to do/

Thanks for the advice

Big thanks for Pauln about the office moving. I was there a couple of weeks before his post doing an extension and they did not say anything about moving and I would have gone all the way to the old office.

Also Big thanks to Crossy for the video, made the place so easy to find which could have been difficult based off their map.  Not to mention the tip to turn left and not right when leaving. I bet there has been a few accidents there!

And finally thank you Pathumthani Immigration moving into a more central area (I live in Thanayaburi) plus I can now put away my gumboots and roll down my pants when I do my 90 day reports.

Took my elderly mother to do her fifth extension of stay based on retirement today.

We handed over one copy of all the standard documents which included her income declaration for the Australian Embassy (No MFA certification required) We then went into room four to confirm our residency address where we supplied a copy of the owners ID card and Blue Book and they attached an updated slip into her passport.

Back to the main room, passport stamped, paid the fee, picture taken and out the door in 25 minutes.

Once again the staff at Pathumthani Immigration provided a fantastic, friendly and professional service.

That's good news, need to take my Mother in next month, so I will just bring her bank statement. It seems like they are using a common sense approach to reviewing documents. With all the different forms of income used by expats to support these applications like pensions, superannuation, trust funds and salaries it could have become difficult to try and explain it and for them to understand.

Out of interest, did they certify your statement that was attached as well?  I would have thought that if they didn't, it would be become an uncertified document if you were submitting (if needed) it to Immigration.

Did my extension of stay based Retirement today at the Pathum Thani. With all the bad reports we often here about various offices just wanted to give them a big thumbs up. I was in and out in 30 minutes. With polite and professional service, this office really runs smoothly.

Previously had picked up all the required paperwork from this office when I did my 90 day report so was well prepared. First stop is room one where they review you paperwork then off to room two to lodge a TM 30 which is required for each renewal, very quick with a new receipt into the passport. Back to room one, given a number and waited about five minutes to be called.

Submitted just one set of all the usual documents. They also required a copy of the House Masters ID card and blue book to go with the application. I had printed extra copies prior to submitting the TM 30 just in case. Quick stamp in the passport over to the next counter for payment, picture taken and passport returned. Arrived 9.05am left at 9.35am DONE!

As a footnote, it seems they no longer require your income declaration to be legalised by MFA anymore.

I totally agree with you, have done three extensions at Pathum Thani and had the same experience as you everytime. As long as your documents are complete, in and out in an hour with a smile!

When I did my extension of Stay (Retirement) last month at the Pathumthani Office, they also required my income letter from the Embassy to translated and legalised form MFA. I was advised this was a new requirement and will also be required next year.

As Ubonjoe mentioned, I believe it is to verify the Consular Officer.

No big deal really, just another document to add to the list when applying for my yearly Extension of Stay.

I do quite a lot of importing to Thailand and use EMS where possible.

I am of the understanding the general rule is goods with a declared value of under $100USD will not be charged Duty or VAT and will be delivered directly to the address. Goods where duty and VAT is payable need to be collected from the post office. But with many things Thai it often changes.

In relation to FedEx they complete the import clearance documents on behalf on the Receiver. The invoice is simply the charges due and payable on your behalf. They do not add extra charges for themselves. FedEx will not make a delivery or clear goods without your consent if the value is over 20,000thb anything under that they will and is outlined in their terms on condition.

Many people think the surcharge is an extra kickback for them when in fact it is a pre determine charge outlined on their website that varies from Country to Country and generally does not apply in Thailand. When FedEx make the Duty and VAT calculations it is work off the CIF (Cost of Goods, Insurance, Freight) but they use the full standard freight rate for the calculation and not the discount rate that companies often get and pass on to their customers. In many cases this can be 20% higher.

In relation to refusing to sign, I am sure FedEx will flag your name if you use them again and your supplier may be required to pay the return freight depending on their relationship with FedEx. I have often seen a supplier have a note in their term and conditions of sale that goods not accepted will have their credit card debited for the return freight but this may not apply in your case.

Just my thoughts!

My income letter was in English (Australian Embassy) they said it was a new requirement to be translated that started this week.

All my documents were ok but they could not process the extension until they had the translation.

Hi All,

It's my first post and need some advice.

I went to do my renewal of extension of stay based on retirement at my local Immigration office (Pathumthani) All the usual documents were required plus a Tm30 but there was one added twist, effective this week, my Embassy Income letter needs to be translated into Thai and legalised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Whilst this has never been a requirement before (4 previous extensions) I know to expect the unexpected when it comes to rules changes from province to province.

So my question is, I heard there is a translation service in the MFA building is this correct?

Any advice would be appreciated.