New Visa Agency at Promenada Mall

[NancyL]

Been meaning to get out to Imm. Prom. to get a re-entry permit and spend a relaxing day having breakfast at Rim Ping, seeing what's up at G4T, going to the bank, taking in a movie, lunch at Ragu, more then shopping for produce at Rim Ping before heading home.  But, been busy with one thing or another and didn't get around to doing this "outing" until today.

 

But, I guess it was good timing because I found a new visa agent has occupied the offices of G4T.  They call themselves Tian Visa agency and seemed to be doing good business with older white guys when I looked in around 10 am.  I guess you just can't keep a "good thing" down, right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[narkeddiver]

The only thing that surprises me is that they are not called T4G 

[Sparkles]

See the other thread running for new charges .Inflation has arrived in the lucrative role of being an "Agent" 

[NancyL]

Where?  I don't see a thread about the fees this new  Tian Visa agent is charging. 

 

I talked with them about the fee they'd charge to obtain a medical extension for one of my Lanna Care Net clients and they seemed very confused about what was even needed to obtain a medical extension.  I didn't recognize any of their staff as being  "holdovers" but I didn't know all of the G4T people by sight.  The Tian people seemed to want to help, but were overwhelmed with their "first day" business level. 

 

They made a phone call and someone from Imm. came up with a list of documents needed for a medical extension and also told them, in Thai of course, to tell their boss that I was K. Nancy from the Expats Club.  That didn't seem to register as being anything out of the ordinary to the nice staff lady assisting me, but it may with her boss.  In any event, no one has given me a call about what their charge is to process a medical extension.

[Sparkles]

New fees.... poster PFV listed on G4T  Promenade Chiang Mai thread.

[sqwakvfr]

"Tian".  Is this a Chinese run agency and/or geared toward Chinese clients?

[Thailand]

"They made a phone call and someone from Imm. came up"

 

That alone tells a tale perhaps?  

 

Tian (天)   Heaven. High aspirations!

[NancyL]

Hah, they need more Chinese signs in front of the place if the goal is to get the Chinese punters out of the queues and upstairs paying someone to fills out the forms for them.  Instead, all I saw were old white men who didn't want to wait in queues and wanted young Thai women to fuss over them, i.e. the usual G4T customers.

[jonesthepost]

35 minutes ago, NancyL said:

Hah, they need more Chinese signs in front of the place if the goal is to get the Chinese punters out of the queues and upstairs paying someone to fills out the forms for them.  Instead, all I saw were old white men who didn't want to wait in queues and wanted young Thai women to fuss over them, i.e. the usual G4T customers.

Hardly a political correct statement  are you saying  that G4T customers are all tared with the same brush

 

[steve187]

1 hour ago, jonesthepost said:

Hardly a political correct statement  are you saying  that G4T customers are all tared with the same brush

 

Don't have to be political correct in Thailand.....................................

 

......Yet

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, NancyL said:

2 hours ago, NancyL said:

Instead, all I saw were old white men who didn't want to wait in queues and wanted young Thai women to fuss over them, i.e. the usual G4T customers

 

Totally unwarranted ageist and sexist statements used to attack agent users!

We are not all in our dotage or looking for sex outside our very stable relationships thank you.

 

[Dante99]

23 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Totally unwarranted ageist and sexist statements used to attack agent users!

 

 

And the agents.  What a bitch.

[Thailand]

Anyone noticed any action opposite or near the old/new airport imm offices. There must be a place close by that would be good for an agency, maybe space booked already? 

 

In the petrol station area perhaps, that would be perfect, parking included.  

[Genericnic]

Just a quick report on the new agency that replaced G4T. 

 

Was time for me to do my retirement extension and multi-entry permit. Stopped by today to check their prices. All their listed prices are inclusive of the immigration office fees. 

 

The retirement extension was 6,900 baht which was a 2,000 baht increase over what G4T charged if I remember correctly. The fee also includes 4 90-day reports as well. Useless for me since I am in and out of the country often but might be useful for others. I asked about the increase and the staff person said that the new owner had raised the fee. The fee for the multi-entry permit was 4,300 baht which, from what I remember from last year, was the same. I decided to do the multi-entry permit on my own.

 

The retirement extension went smoothly. I arrived about 2:30 p.m. I had filled in and printed out the TM 7 that I had used last year. In their review, they noticed that it was the prior version of the form and filled out the current version for me. The took my passport, all the documents, and money and went around the corner on the second floor to where you file  your TM 30 forms. I waited about 20 minutes and then they came and asked me to follow them. Went around the corner. They took my picture and handed me my passport with the extension. All told, in and out in less than an hour. Was it worth the fee? For me it was. I would have been happier with last years fee but the convenience of not having to come back, not having to queue up to get a number, and not having to wait in line it was worth it. 

 

So, I took the new extension, went down stairs and got copies to add to the TM 8, had a brief wait, and was out with the multi-entry permit in about 10 minutes. 

 

Overall, it was less than 2 hours for my once a year visit to immigration. 

 

Miss the lower fees from G4T but hard to beat the service.

 

David

 

p.s. I have attached a PDF file of the new TM 7.

 

 

form_tm7_2017.pdf

[evenstevens]

  ^^^^^Business  as  usual 

[bkk6060]

According to the know it all's on TV, there is no such thing as a retirement visa.

So, with false advertising how good can this agency truly be??

[NancyL]

Looks like it's G4T reincarnated, but with fees in line with the full-service visa agents in-town.  You know, the ones who have websites, answer their phone, take your photos, make an appointment for you on the U.S. Consulate website if you're computer-challenged, drive you out to Prom, send you emails reminding you when it's time to do your 90-day reports and annual extension, put a sticky note on your passport that shows when your next 90 day report and annual extension are due, come to your hospital room to take care of immigration related matters, sponsors ThaiVisa.com , etc, etc.  

 

Nope, didn't think so.

 

This outfit can't even be bothered to call me with what they charge to handle a medical extension.  When I asked if they'd go to the hospital to get the necessary documents from the hospital and doctors, there was a real look of panic in their eyes.  Yet I've known "full service" visa agents who have done this for their repeat customers.

[Genericnic]

6 minutes ago, NancyL said:

Looks like it's G4T reincarnated, but with fees in line with the full-service visa agents in-town.  You know, the ones who have websites, answer their phone, take your photos, make an appointment for you on the U.S. Consulate website if you're computer-challenged, drive you out to Prom, send you emails reminding you when it's time to do your 90-day reports and annual extension, put a sticky note on your passport that shows when your next 90 day report and annual extension are due, come to your hospital room to take care of immigration related matters, sponsors ThaiVisa.com , etc, etc.  

 

Nope, didn't think so.

 

This outfit can't even be bothered to call me with what they charge to handle a medical extension.  When I asked if they'd go to the hospital to get the necessary documents from the hospital and doctors, there was a real look of panic in their eyes.  Yet I've known "full service" visa agents who have done this for their repeat customers.

And can those full-service agents have me walk in cold and walk out in under an hour with a retirement extension? i won't hold my breath. All those other services you mention may be nice for folks that want/need them but when I want to buy a Toyota, I don't go to the Mercedes shop. 

 

As for calling you back, in all honesty, I am surprised they would talk to you at all. Looking back at your - shall we say, less than kind - comments about its predecessor, G4T, maybe they expect the same from you. 

 

Just my $0.02 on it.

 

David

 

[evenstevens]

perhaps    they do not    want  your  business    during their short break  they directly contacted  me  .  and said they will be opening shortly  which  has happened     and i posted such    on the other thread  a day or two back   and also gave me a contact cell phone number  to reach   if i needed them  before re opening

now that is very nice service is ,nt it  ??? now another crusade has been started by you   slating their services (above post)  thats  fine     thats your perogative  but  I.M.O . you should  show some dignity and compassion   and allow  the members of this forum to choose which route  they wish to take  this is your second swipe today relating to this visa agency  and T.B.H . it is not warranted at all , have a nice evenning

[NancyL]

12 minutes ago, Genericnic said:

And can those full-service agents have me walk in cold and walk out in under an hour with a retirement extension? i won't hold my breath. All those other services you mention may be nice for folks that want/need them but when I want to buy a Toyota, I don't go to the Mercedes shop. 

 

As for calling you back, in all honesty, I am surprised they would talk to you at all. Looking back at your - shall we say, less than kind - comments about its predecessor, G4T, maybe they expect the same from you. 

 

Just my $0.02 on it.

 

David

 

Of course the "full service" visa agents can't "walk you in cold" and get you out within an hour because they don't have the "connections" that the agent in that magic location has.  They have to call and make an appointment for their customers, perhaps for the next day.  But I've seen them perform real services for people who are newly arrived, confused, ill, frail or suffering from dementia.  The visa agency at Prom is just skimming off the "cream of the crop" so to speak, for people who already have their act pretty much together and just can't be bothered to wait an hour or two.  People who are feeding the corruption machine and continuing to create every incentive for Imm. to have the long morning queues and restrictions on numbers served each day.  No where else in Thailand, but in Chiang Mai, does this situation exist, where able-bodied people feel the need to use visa agents.

[bkk6060]

11 minutes ago, NancyL said:

Of course the "full service" visa agents can't "walk you in cold" and get you out within an hour because they don't have the "connections" that the agent in that magic location has.  They have to call and make an appointment for their customers, perhaps for the next day.  But I've seen them perform real services for people who are newly arrived, confused, ill, frail or suffering from dementia.  The visa agency at Prom is just skimming off the "cream of the crop" so to speak, for people who already have their act pretty much together and just can't be bothered to wait an hour or two.  People who are feeding the corruption machine and continuing to create every incentive for Imm. to have the long morning queues and restrictions on numbers served each day.  No where else in Thailand, but in Chiang Mai, does this situation exist, where able-bodied people feel the need to use visa agents.

Thousands use them in Bangkok.  Go to Soi 13 Sukhumvit any day and see all the Falang.

Pattaya the same.

Many people qualify easily but do not want to hassle with it.  They have $600 in their pocket to get things done quickly.

Why judge these people?

So, Disneyland in the USA.  If you pay more you do not have to wait in line...

I guess to some that is corrupt?

It is not always "corruption" but people who want things done quickly without hassle.

They pay for a better service.

[amexpat]

NancyL, you summed it up very well.  

 

I don't care what commercial enterprises like Disneyland do.  No one is required to go there.  

Skimming money for something the government requires us to do is corrupt. 

[Dante99]

24 minutes ago, amexpat said:

 

 

 

Skimming money for something the government requires us to do is corrupt. 

You are not required to be here just as you are not required to go to Disney Land.  

 

Why all this concern about corruption, it was clearly on the menu  available for all to read before entering?

[canthai55]

43 minutes ago, amexpat said:

Skimming money for something the government requires us to do is corrupt. 

No one is holding a gun to your head to avail yourself of these services.

Do it yourself.

[Here It Is]

I'm always of the opinion that if you don't like the service then vote with your feet, NancyL.  And all this from a POTY survivor.

 

Maybe you're having a bad day and will straighten up tomorrow? 

[NancyL]

18 minutes ago, Here It Is said:

I'm always of the opinion that if you don't like the service then vote with your feet, NancyL.  And all this from a POTY survivor.

 

Maybe you're having a bad day and will straighten up tomorrow? 

Yup, we came pretty darn close to "voting with our feet" over this issue.  Found the immigration people in Malaysia to be very welcoming.  Decided to wait once we learned about some U.S. income tax advantages that may be available here in Thailand that aren't in Malaysia.  This was discussed in another thread.  We'll know for sure in a month or so.  

 

Meanwhile, I'm no longer president of CEC, so I'm not called upon by foreign consuls and Thai gov't officials to "represent" expats about this and other issues.  Frankly, I don't think the current president does much of this, either he doesn't have the time or more likely the inclination once he saw the "good" that it did me.

 

So, I'm back to just doing Lanna Care Net and one of the "rules" of LCN is that we don't undertake tasks that Thai people can be paid to do, like cleaning client's apartments, driving clients around, etc.  Helping someone deal with Imm. to get a medical extension would fall in the same category, I would think, so my inquiry at this new visa agency is legitimate.

[Here It Is]

Thanks for your reply, NancyL.  I can see you're not haughty in the slightest.

[Bri19000]

On 14/11/2017 at 6:54 PM, NancyL said:

They made a phone call and someone from Imm. came up with a list of documents needed for a medical extension and also told them, in Thai of course, to tell their boss that I was K. Nancy from the Expats Club. 

 

That didn't seem to register as being anything out of the ordinary to the nice staff lady assisting me, but it may with her boss.  In any event, no one has given me a call about what their charge is to process a medical extension.

 

Think a lot of yourself, don't you? K. Nancy!

[cyberfarang]

8 hours ago, Genericnic said:

Just a quick report on the new agency that replaced G4T. 

 

Was time for me to do my retirement extension and multi-entry permit. Stopped by today to check their prices. All their listed prices are inclusive of the immigration office fees. 

 

The retirement extension was 6,900 baht which was a 2,000 baht increase over what G4T charged if I remember correctly. The fee also includes 4 90-day reports as well. Useless for me since I am in and out of the country often but might be useful for others. I asked about the increase and the staff person said that the new owner had raised the fee. The fee for the multi-entry permit was 4,300 baht which, from what I remember from last year, was the same. I decided to do the multi-entry permit on my own.

 

The retirement extension went smoothly. I arrived about 2:30 p.m. I had filled in and printed out the TM 7 that I had used last year. In their review, they noticed that it was the prior version of the form and filled out the current version for me. The took my passport, all the documents, and money and went around the corner on the second floor to where you file  your TM 30 forms. I waited about 20 minutes and then they came and asked me to follow them. Went around the corner. They took my picture and handed me my passport with the extension. All told, in and out in less than an hour. Was it worth the fee? For me it was. I would have been happier with last years fee but the convenience of not having to come back, not having to queue up to get a number, and not having to wait in line it was worth it. 

 

So, I took the new extension, went down stairs and got copies to add to the TM 8, had a brief wait, and was out with the multi-entry permit in about 10 minutes. 

 

Overall, it was less than 2 hours for my once a year visit to immigration. 

 

Miss the lower fees from G4T but hard to beat the service.

 

David

 

p.s. I have attached a PDF file of the new TM 7.

 

 

form_tm7_2017.pdf

Can`t thank you enough for your report. Very helpful indeed.

 

The retirement extension is 6,900 baht, which is a 2,000 baht increase over what G4T charged. The fee also includes 4 90-day reports as well.

 

If the 6900 baht fee also includes 4, 90 day reports, then overall that`s only an 800 baht annual increase from the precious G4T agency fees. Suits me, it won`t break the bank and I can handle that.

 

 

[NancyL]

4 hours ago, Bri19000 said:

 

Think a lot of yourself, don't you? K. Nancy!

Well, quite often in social situations, Hubby introduces himself as K. Nancy's husband.