What are your experiences with immigration for O visa: HuaHin, Chumpon, Surat Thani, Ranong, PhangNha, Phuket, Krabi

[Number 6]

We're looking to exit Bangkok in the next few years. I've read some horror stories about certain immigration offices, I'd like your first hand experiences.

 

I'd most likely be on an O Retired but possibly still on O Married. I've got the 800k in the bank, but the option to teach to stay busy has been nice. In all likelihood I'll be on a retirement extension.

 

I've especially heard and would expect Krabi and Phuket to be hellish, Hua Hin to be similar. The more parochial offices (Chumpon, Ranong) just not consistent and fully competent. Surat Thani might be similar to Phuket in attitude due to spillover from Samui. Not really good at bowing and scraping.

 

 

 

 

Phuket, Hua Hin more for ability to purchase a condo. Somewhere out of town, nice beach.

 

Was thinking of having a look at the beaches around Khanom.

 

If you live near the water in Chumphon, Prachuap, Ranong, PhangNha or Krabi I'd love to get a pm from you on your quality of life.

 

 

 

Thanks

 

 

[poppysdad]

Hi, I’ve lived in Hua Hin for 12 years now, I’m not going to tell on my lifestyle as we’re all different but as for Hua Hins immigration it’s general reputation is one of they’re much better than many others and the fact we have 2 offices makes it even easier and even quite pleasant especially if you use the Bluport shopping Mall one albeit for limited purposes.

I always go fully organised, lay out my paperwork neatly on the desk, copies in one pile and originals in another and anything else they might possibly need ready to hand and comply with any request they make. I’m sensibly dressed ( and not with a dog in tow as one guy tried last time I was there) and exchange a few pleasantries in my limited Thai and I’ve never had the slightest problem ever. Last time was in and out in around 35 minutes and the previous year much the same. And yes I fully expect someone else to fully contradict all the above but that is how it is with me and my wife. I too read the horror stories about some other offices and do feel greatfull that I deal with Hua Hin.

[krabi local]

Krabi are excellent, never any problems as long as you have all the paperwork ready.

[tompelli]

Another up vote for Hua Hin immigration. Time my visits for mid-week, either mid-morning or an hour after lunch. Last visit did 90 day report, transfer visa to new passport & yearly extension renewal. In & out in roughly half an hour with most of that due to waiting for them to register whatever they do with the information provided & get my receipt (& change). Would still like to see the new huge office open, so I don't even have to go into town.

[ICECOOL]

22 hours ago, poppysdad said:

Hi, I’ve lived in Hua Hin for 12 years now, I’m not going to tell on my lifestyle as we’re all different but as for Hua Hins immigration it’s general reputation is one of they’re much better than many others and the fact we have 2 offices makes it even easier and even quite pleasant especially if you use the Bluport shopping Mall one albeit for limited purposes.

I always go fully organised, lay out my paperwork neatly on the desk, copies in one pile and originals in another and anything else they might possibly need ready to hand and comply with any request they make. I’m sensibly dressed ( and not with a dog in tow as one guy tried last time I was there) and exchange a few pleasantries in my limited Thai and I’ve never had the slightest problem ever. Last time was in and out in around 35 minutes and the previous year much the same. And yes I fully expect someone else to fully contradict all the above but that is how it is with me and my wife. I too read the horror stories about some other offices and do feel greatfull that I deal with Hua Hin.

Same experience in HH

[AhFarangJa]

Another plus vote for Hua Hin.

Never had any problems, they are always courteous and helpful. 90 day report two weeks ago Monday morning, in at 08.32 out again at 08.45.

I have not tried Blueport but many friends say it is clean, and efficient.

[CelticTam]

Although I have never applied for Non O visa or extension, my  experience of Thai immigration in Hua  Hin over almost 15 years has been excellent. I am married to a Thai which I think helps smooth issues.  As others advise come prepared, be prepared, and civility goes a long way. best of luck.

[PJPom]

I have made a few comments about Krabi, all positive!!

The staff are good and some are very pleasant, asking for a resident certificate has never resulted in a charge contrary to reading other posters experiences at other offices. 

To sum up, if you have all your necessary documentation you will have no problems.

[poohy]

Hua hin immigration no problems i live near Dansingkorn (Prachuap) immigration also a helpful pleasant but small office

 

live 1km from the beach in Wakor 13km south of PKK quiet rural i love it PM if you need more info

[worrab]

4 hours ago, tompelli said:

Another up vote for Hua Hin immigration. Time my visits for mid-week, either mid-morning or an hour after lunch. Last visit did 90 day report, transfer visa to new passport & yearly extension renewal. In & out in roughly half an hour with most of that due to waiting for them to register whatever they do with the information provided & get my receipt (& change). Would still like to see the new huge office open, so I don't even have to go into town.

Back you up on this. I have found them to be very good and polite. As I have a 2+ hour drive, I reckon to be there first thing in the morning and that is in and out with everything done for a retirement extension within 30 mins. 

One thing though tompelli, the new office is going to be at the end of Soi 80. Had a chat with the IO in Blueport back in March and to their disgust it looks like the new office will not be open until next year. Problems with the contract, I believe 

[khunPer]

Samui, i.e. Surat Thani Immigration, is known for being little strict, but if you have prepared your documents the required way, everything is very smooth for retirement visa – my 10+ year experience – and the staff is polite and helpful.

 

There's an ongoing pinned thread in the local Samui Forum about Immigration and actual demands of paperwork and documentation, mainly for retirement extensions, but extension based on marriage is also mentioned; I link you to the last page with most recent updates.

?

[AhFarangJa]

1 hour ago, worrab said:

Back you up on this. I have found them to be very good and polite. As I have a 2+ hour drive, I reckon to be there first thing in the morning and that is in and out with everything done for a retirement extension within 30 mins. 

One thing though tompelli, the new office is going to be at the end of Soi 80. Had a chat with the IO in Blueport back in March and to their disgust it looks like the new office will not be open until next year. Problems with the contract, I believe 

I live less than 5 minutes from the new office at the top of 88. It has been a ghost site for the best part of 9 months now !!!! Original opening date was May 2017......

[worrab]

3 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

I live less than 5 minutes from the new office at the top of 88. It has been a ghost site for the best part of 9 months now !!!! Original opening date was May 2017......

Beg your pardon as I had the wrong Soi. You are right about it being Soi 88 and as you said you should know. I have a renewal to do at the end of this Nov and she contradicted was was said at the normal Office last Nov.  They had reckoned I would be going to Soi 88 but this is now a no no. Blueport mentioned the fact that there were contractual issues and nobody had a clue when it would open, if ever. We await with baited breath!!

[AhFarangJa]

12 hours ago, worrab said:

Beg your pardon as I had the wrong Soi. You are right about it being Soi 88 and as you said you should know. I have a renewal to do at the end of this Nov and she contradicted was was said at the normal Office last Nov.  They had reckoned I would be going to Soi 88 but this is now a no no. Blueport mentioned the fact that there were contractual issues and nobody had a clue when it would open, if ever. We await with baited breath!!

Worrab, I never noticed you mentioned soi 80 not 88 .....Do you think we could put our names down for the opening party.......

[worrab]

6 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

Worrab, I never noticed you mentioned soi 80 not 88 .....Do you think we could put our names down for the opening party.......

I am up for it if you are................555.