Worse Time at Bangkok Immigration

[kjun12]

Yesterday I had the non pleasure of visiting the Bangkok immigration office for a visa extension.  It was my worse time there in 14 years I have had to go there and I was there from 9 AM until 4 PM.  At one time there were only only two agents working desks and at least 500 people waiting to get visa extensions.  Not until after the lunch break were all desks maned and working.  The new head of Immigration is supposed to be getting things working better but he has certainly done nothing to speed things up.  Also, I had to sign three new papers and I have no idea what they said because they were all in Thai with no English Translation.  In addition I had to draw a map to my residence.  The agent spoke no English so she could not tell me anything about why I needed the new documents or map.

[anchadian]

You should never sign a document in another language unless it is accompanied by a translated copy in your own language, regardless......

Edited October 17, 2018 by anchadian

[Swiss1960]

You should never sign a document in another language unless it is accompanied by a translated copy in your own language, regardless......

Obviously you don't live in Thailand and had never to deal with any government offices, banks or insurances... Otherwise you would know better than utter such nonsense.

You want a visa / extension / bank account etc? You WILL sign any form they give to you or otherwise say goodbye to Thailand. Simple as that.

Sent from my CPH1821 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[asiaexpat]

First day after a 4 day holiday, always a problem at Immigration.

[1337markus]

Aha Chiang Mai Immigration has competition, lol Bangkok.

[blackhorse]

You should never sign a document in another language unless it is accompanied by a translated copy in your own language, regardless......

Who is going to get in a standoff with immigration? So don't sign it and go home after a 7 hour que sit with nothing lol

[observer90210]

Disgraceful way to behave towards expats who bring in good money in this country.....time to consider relocation to friendlier VietNam, Philippines, Malaysia etc (or any other neighbouring country) for those who can manage it.

[Halfaboy]

8 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

Disgraceful way to behave towards expats who bring in good money in this country.....time to consider relocation to friendlier VietNam, Philippines, Malaysia etc (or any other neighbouring country) for those who can manage it.

Or to Pattaya. Jomtien immigration does an excellent job.

[TSF]

5 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

Disgraceful way to behave towards expats who bring in good money in this country.....time to consider relocation to friendlier VietNam, Philippines, Malaysia etc (or any other neighbouring country) for those who can manage it.

Dunno about Vietnam, got a friend living there, married to Viet gal, they have 2 children together, last year he told me imm refused to give him a further ext and told him to depart the country, get a new visa then return, which is what he did. At least in Thailand if you're married to a Thai and have the 400,000Bt they'll keep giving you annual exts. But, yes, I do agree, Thailand has been making life difficult for many expats in recent times. 

[Kopitiam]

17 minutes ago, observer90210 said:

Disgraceful way to behave towards expats who bring in good money in this country.....time to consider relocation to friendlier VietNam, Philippines, Malaysia etc (or any other neighbouring country) for those who can manage it.

What would you suggest to those who can't manage it?

[observer90210]

6 minutes ago, Kopitiam said:

What would you suggest to those who can't manage it?

Their choices, their considerations of the acceptable and unacceptable, their decisions to make..... who am I to say my dear fellow.

[R123]

 

The OP waited 7 hours and more and I am wondering if there is some ways to ease the boredom of such a wait.

Now seems to be the case he must appear in person to get his ticket to be seen but after that there is no obligation for him to remain until his turn is called, right?

And if for example he is number 472 and they are only on number 72 then its likely the wait will be around 4 hours+ or so...correct?

is there somewhere he can go nearby which is more comfortable that inside the concrete jungle? if so where?

Could an arrangement be made for someone to let him know when its near his turn, so he can go to relax somewhere nearby until his number called..?

Does anyone know if there is some fast track procedure?

What are the best days and times to go which might avoid waiting around all day?

Any other suggestions..?

 

 

 

 

[ThailandLOS]

"The agent spoke no English so she could not tell me anything about why I needed the new documents or map"

 

And you spoke/read no Thai after 14 years in Thailand and couldn't ask why you needed the new documents or map. Works both ways buddy ????

[blackhorse]

 
The OP waited 7 hours and more and I am wondering if there is some ways to ease the boredom of such a wait.
Now seems to be the case he must appear in person to get his ticket to be seen but after that there is no obligation for him to remain until his turn is called, right?
And if for example he is number 472 and they are only on number 72 then its likely the wait will be around 4 hours+ or so...correct?
is there somewhere he can go nearby which is more comfortable that inside the concrete jungle? if so where?
Could an arrangement be made for someone to let him know when its near his turn, so he can go to relax somewhere nearby until his number called..?
Does anyone know if there is some fast track procedure?
What are the best days and times to go which might avoid waiting around all day?
Any other suggestions..?
 
 
 
 

There is no where interesting to go. It's in an industrial estate so may as well sit there

[Rhys]

6 minutes ago, ThailandLOS said:

"The agent spoke no English so she could not tell me anything about why I needed the new documents or map"

 

And you spoke/read no Thai after 14 years in Thailand and couldn't ask why you needed the new documents or map. Works both ways buddy ????

 

 

Both ways for sure...Thai have studied English how long?  Expats have studied Thai how long?  However, the process that is the Immigration paper shuffle, continues to move the piles of baht... 

 

Work permits have the same processes and characters as well.

[ChesneyHawkes]

5 hours ago, asiaexpat said:

First day after a 4 day holiday, always a problem at Immigration.

I thought it was a 3 day long weekend. King's birthday was on Saturday so Monday was the substituted day. Was Friday also a public holiday? I generally avoid Mondays, Fridays and any other day that falls right before/after a public holiday. Next up is Chulalongkorn Day on Tuesday 23rd. If you're due in that week, Thursday is your friend.

[Andyfez]

Yes, I was there Tuesday also .

But I arrived 07.30 knowing it was a day after a holiday.

Quite a typical day.

Renewing retirement visa two new things I noticed:

1. I had to draw a basic map also. Buddha knows why as Google maps would bring it up much more accurately if you type in my address.

2. As I'm British I asked about the money in the bank next year, not having the option any more of the embassy income letter. The woman said I would not be able to show monthly income of 65,000 pm in a Thai bank book. 'Only 800,000 baht'.

[jesimps]

39 minutes ago, ThailandLOS said:

"The agent spoke no English so she could not tell me anything about why I needed the new documents or map"

 

And you spoke/read no Thai after 14 years in Thailand and couldn't ask why you needed the new documents or map. Works both ways buddy ????

There's always one.

Edited October 17, 2018 by jesimps

[HHTel]

The map has been a requirement for some time now.  I always print off the map from Google.

[cmrichsw]

They want you to pay a vista assist service don't you get it. That is the way Chiang Mai works unless you have all day to waste.

[StevieAus]

2 hours ago, observer90210 said:

Disgraceful way to behave towards expats who bring in good money in this country.....time to consider relocation to friendlier VietNam, Philippines, Malaysia etc (or any other neighbouring country) for those who can manage it.

Well off you go old chap and please let us all know how you enjoy life in your new country, having visited each of those countries several times I think I will remain here.

Renewed my Reirement Extension and multiple re-entry permit last week took all of about twenty minutes, shocking inconvenience once a year.

[NoshowJones]

2 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

What would you suggest to those who can't manage it?

If I wasn't married I would seriously consider it, But I still say that despite Thai immigrations contempt

of expats, Thailand is still much better to live in than the UK.

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, ThailandLOS said:

"The agent spoke no English so she could not tell me anything about why I needed the new documents or map"

 

And you spoke/read no Thai after 14 years in Thailand and couldn't ask why you needed the new documents or map. Works both ways buddy ????

☹️

[arithai12]

10 hours ago, kjun12 said:

I was there from 9 AM until 4 PM

Doesn't seem very long to me. Try Chiang Mai, if you start at 9am they won't even give you a queue number.

[Nanaplaza666]

I dont have to go there anymore, but before when i had to i went there 05:00 in the morning. almost nobody there ,maybe if unlucky your the fourth in line ,but then you just leave an umbrella or whatever to point out your spot go downstairs for a coffee or whatever. ok its also a 3.5 hour wait but when they open your out within an hour. or maybe get a motorbike taxi in your neighborhood that you know, go there for you at 5am and put something there ,so you can arrive at 08:15 and just walk in at 08:30 and be done within the hour .

[Mansell]

Chiang Mai sounds like a nightmare. Supposedly there are 10,000 or more expats living there. Even Phuket is quicker than that.....fastest time for 90 day was one minute. But Korat is even better. Just did one year extension in 50 mins without having to return for the passport next day.....all finished that day. And the lady immigration officer kindly showed me in my passport when the next extension was due, and also my next 90 day report date. Immigration has even been opening on Saturday mornings to see if it is more convenient for farang. So it doesn't have to be a big pain in the asspidestra. But please don't move here....Grin!

[connda]

11 hours ago, kjun12 said:

At one time there were only only two agents working desks and at least 500 people waiting to get visa extensions.

Do you guys in Bangkok have to show up at 4am in the morning and stand in line to get a queue number to be seem later in the day, and if you aren't one of the lucky few, to be turned away and told to come back the following day?  This is SOP for Chiang Mai. 

[connda]

3 hours ago, Kopitiam said:

What would you suggest to those who can't manage it?

Ecuador. South America.  Caribbeans.

[malibukid]

does anyone know if one could extend a retirement visa in KL?

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, connda said:

Do you guys in Bangkok have to show up at 4am in the morning and stand in line to get a queue number to be seem later in the day, and if you aren't one of the lucky few, to be turned away and told to come back the following day?

Not in Bangkok.

First they give out queue numbers to get a number at the desk that give them out if there before they open. If you get there before 3:30 pm they will give you a number and they will keep working until everybody is served.