egypte Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Coming back from Singapore/Malaysia by car (Thai registered)we were stopped at a check point near Thung Khlong somewhere south of Surathani, and we were asked to show our passports by Immigration officers standing by at the check point with Customs officer. We've been travelling by car from North Laos to South Malaysia and Cambodia many times, and were never asked this at any checkpoint, things are changing in the kingdom..... What surprised us is not the fact that they checked us it is the distance after crossing the border (around 300Km) for this check to happen. Everything when smoothly and friendly, no problems whatsoever to report, all officers, Police, Customs and Immigration were very polite, friendly and smiling though they were doing their job. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post villagefarang Posted March 11, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2019 I am not sure a one-off can be construed as things are changing. I have on several occasions come across something different but never experienced it again. My guess, there are sometimes things behind the scenes that we are not aware of. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post allane Posted March 11, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2019 Strictly a guess on my part - maybe related to the recent bombings in Satun and Phattalung. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egypte Posted March 11, 2019 Author Share Posted March 11, 2019 As I said everything was fine, just surprised to be asked for our passports at a check point so far away from the border, They do their jobs and do so nicely whatever others may say. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post villagefarang Posted March 11, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2019 Who said anything about officials not being nice? I have never had a problem and have always been treated with politeness. 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightSky Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 (edited) I remember years ago I was the only westerner on a small bus from Nong Khai to Udon Thani after crossing the border from Laos and there was a temporary army stop on the roadside. Soldiers boarded the bus and checked id cards and passports. Its just the army or police doing their job probably looking for smugglers (drugs/people/weapons/geese?) ok maybe not geese. Edited March 11, 2019 by NightSky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesimps Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 6 hours ago, egypte said: As I said everything was fine, just surprised to be asked for our passports at a check point so far away from the border, They do their jobs and do so nicely whatever others may say. Why, Are you the only one to say nice things about them? What do others say? Examples please. Maybe some have bad experiences with officials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 36 minutes ago, jesimps said: Why, Are you the only one to say nice things about them? What do others say? Examples please. Maybe some have bad experiences with officials. About 5 years ago, I was accused of having 25 days overstay, asked if my wife was working. This was while I was doing a 90 day report, I raised my voice and pointed my finger at the IO, then he got it sorted out and no apology. I have never done a 90 day report in person since. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post shy coconut Posted March 11, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2019 13 minutes ago, possum1931 said: About 5 years ago, I was accused of having 25 days overstay, asked if my wife was working. This was while I was doing a 90 day report, I raised my voice and pointed my finger at the IO, then he got it sorted out and no apology. I have never done a 90 day report in person since. That sounds more like a bad experience for the official. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 11 minutes ago, shy coconut said: That sounds more like a bad experience for the official. It was, after his superior got a hold of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emptypockets Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 2 hours ago, possum1931 said: About 5 years ago, I was accused of having 25 days overstay, asked if my wife was working. This was while I was doing a 90 day report, I raised my voice and pointed my finger at the IO, then he got it sorted out and no apology. I have never done a 90 day report in person since. Was he wearing a singlet, fat and ugly with facial hair and tattoos? I very much doubt you raised your voice much less pointed your finger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emptypockets Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 2 hours ago, shy coconut said: That sounds more like a bad experience for the official. Sounds more like bs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 1 hour ago, emptypockets said: Was he wearing a singlet, fat and ugly with facial hair and tattoos? I very much doubt you raised your voice much less pointed your finger. I raised my voice, but did not shout, just enough to know I was not happy, I pointed at him and told him I would go to the ATM and get 20.000 Bt, he then took me to an office, told me to wait, came out in about 2 mins, handed me my passport and said report back here in 90 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 2 hours ago, emptypockets said: Sounds more like bs Would you like to say what bs stands for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain 776 Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 13 yrs here, never had a problem. When they have these checkpoints its typicall for drugs, many up notyj here catching drugs coming out of Burma 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaZa9 Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 There is a very large , what I read as "Border Immigration Office" building and sign ( in Thai ) nowhere near the border , maybe 80km south of Surat Thani , and not too far from Sichon. I often comment on it to my tg , as we drive by , simply because its yet another Thai anomaly , and she has suggested that maybe its more a training 'school' . Could it be that the people who stopped you were just training ? Any name around those parts often have "Ta" or "thung" in their name - the old South Thai name for shelter , whilst the addition of "Khlong" in a place name is often more used in Krabi ( but not ALWAYS -just to cover all the TV nit pickers ) . Thung Klong I dont know. But if you are / have often driven from North Laos to Malaysia , Im all ears ! Please start a thread on how you cover the border crossings and whats required ! Its something I would like to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaZa9 Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 6 hours ago, possum1931 said: About 5 years ago, I was accused of having 25 days overstay, asked if my wife was working. This was while I was doing a 90 day report, I raised my voice and pointed my finger at the IO, then he got it sorted out and no apology. I have never done a 90 day report in person since. And the relevance to the OP is ..........................................? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1Str8 Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 These checkpoints are set up to stop incoming drug traffic. Been around for a few decades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 8 hours ago, zaZa9 said: And the relevance to the OP is ..........................................? Read the post I was answering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 10 hours ago, possum1931 said: Would you like to say what bs stands for? No, I thought not. more like an empty head rather than empty pockets. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 15 hours ago, NightSky said: I remember years ago I was the only westerner on a small bus from Nong Khai to Udon Thani after crossing the border from Laos and there was a temporary army stop on the roadside. Soldiers boarded the bus and checked id cards and passports. Its just the army or police doing their job probably looking for smugglers (drugs/people/weapons/geese?) ok maybe not geese. Army checks happens all the time on main roads leaving border areas, as a white guy they usually walk right by me as if I wasn't there, twice between Burma and Chang Rai last year, also near Aranyaprathet. Brown people get ID/documents/bag examined and questions asked. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egypte Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 8 hours ago, zaZa9 said: There is a very large , what I read as "Border Immigration Office" building and sign ( in Thai ) nowhere near the border , maybe 80km south of Surat Thani , and not too far from Sichon. I often comment on it to my tg , as we drive by , simply because its yet another Thai anomaly , and she has suggested that maybe its more a training 'school' . Could it be that the people who stopped you were just training ? Any name around those parts often have "Ta" or "thung" in their name - the old South Thai name for shelter , whilst the addition of "Khlong" in a place name is often more used in Krabi ( but not ALWAYS -just to cover all the TV nit pickers ) . Thung Klong I dont know. But if you are / have often driven from North Laos to Malaysia , Im all ears ! Please start a thread on how you cover the border crossings and whats required ! Its something I would like to do. Sorry a typo it is Thung Song Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 18 hours ago, possum1931 said: About 5 years ago, I was accused of having 25 days overstay, asked if my wife was working. This was while I was doing a 90 day report, I raised my voice and pointed my finger at the IO, then he got it sorted out and no apology. I have never done a 90 day report in person since. 5 years ago, was 90 days reporting already done then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55Jay Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Also been recent article on increased security threats down South, so they may have ramped up their internal security effort to include screening cars/people traveling Northbound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55Jay Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1088927-insurgents-behind-south-bombing-spree-not-politics/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoshowJones Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 43 minutes ago, stevenl said: 5 years ago, was 90 days reporting already done then? What???? So you think it has only started in recent years?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieAus Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 I have to say egypte if you have lived here for 41 years congratulations! The longest I had heard of before was from a chap here in Northern Chiangmai province which from memory was 37 years ( maybe more now) Certainly puts paid to the comments by some posters on this site that the Thai government doesn’t want expats to live here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unblocktheplanet Posted March 13, 2019 Share Posted March 13, 2019 Sorry to be so politically-incorrect but I'm betting you're not white... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villagefarang Posted March 14, 2019 Share Posted March 14, 2019 On 3/12/2019 at 3:00 PM, StevieAus said: I have to say egypte if you have lived here for 41 years congratulations! The longest I had heard of before was from a chap here in Northern Chiangmai province which from memory was 37 years ( maybe more now) Certainly puts paid to the comments by some posters on this site that the Thai government doesn’t want expats to live here. There are a few of us around. I first visited as a university student in 1975 and moved here permanently, though I didn't know it at the time, in 1977.???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egypte Posted April 27, 2019 Author Share Posted April 27, 2019 On 3/13/2019 at 10:36 PM, unblocktheplanet said: Sorry to be so politically-incorrect but I'm betting you're not white... Sorry, white and French..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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