We thought we knew the rules, did  our 10th marriage extn at KhonKaen this morning, and  found we were not up to date on the rules

 

The marriage confirmation from local Ampur was rejected since it was not dated July, it was dated June 28 got replacement

 

400,000 Deposit, bank letter etc done BUT now told we can not touch it until our date for visa collection, (Sept 15 2019) this was never the case before, is there a government statement on this, we had promised builders this money this week, so effectively 400,000 tied up two months plus six weeks, if the money not there visa will not be issued. We were told by the boss lady very firmly,  if we do not like it do not get visa extension

 

It is the sudden change in rules that is the upsetting point

 

We requested a copy of the rules and were ignored

 

I thought grandfather in rules meant that original rules kept going so long as no break in continuity

 

Any input appreciated

Many offices are now requiring the 400k baht stay in the bank during the under consideration period.

There is no written rule stating that but it is a requirement set by the immigration division headquarters (Division 4 in your case) that approves your application. It could also be a directive from the immigration bureau sent out to them.

 

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Many offices are now requiring the 400k baht stay in the bank during the under consideration period.

There is no written rule stating that but it is a requirement set by the immigration division headquarters (Division 4 in your case) that approves your application. It could also be a directive from the immigration bureau sent out to them.

 

Thank you we were obviously ill informed, and caught off balance,  the question has been answered, maybe close the topic, we have no strong view

Best to keep it open for now so that others will see it so that more people will know about it.

At Buriram Immigration yesterday I had a slight problem. To cut it short my missus was passed a piece of paper with 15,000 Baht on it. The officer said this is the price for us to overlook the seasoning period. I said no as I don't mind going back in 2 months once my money has seasoned. 

They deliberately push people into a corner in the hope that they'll jump. I didn't, and saved myself 15,000 Baht.

17 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

At Buriram Immigration yesterday I had a slight problem. To cut it short my missus was passed a piece of paper with 15,000 Baht on it. The officer said this is the price for us to overlook the seasoning period. I said no as I don't mind going back in 2 months once my money has seasoned. 

They deliberately push people into a corner in the hope that they'll jump. I didn't, and saved myself 15,000 Baht.

Should be reported to higher authorities, this is the sort of crap us expats have to face with these corrupt people every day in Thailand.

5 minutes ago, DUNROAMIN said:

Should be reported to higher authorities, this is the sort of crap us expats have to face with these corrupt people every day in Thailand.

Nobody cares.

5 minutes ago, DUNROAMIN said:

Should be reported to higher authorities, this is the sort of crap us expats have to face with these corrupt people every day in Thailand.

Agreed but all an officer will receive is office transfer. I blame the aliens who pay under the table. It only encourages them to get greedy.

17 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

At Buriram Immigration yesterday I had a slight problem. To cut it short my missus was passed a piece of paper with 15,000 Baht on it. The officer said this is the price for us to overlook the seasoning period. I said no as I don't mind going back in 2 months once my money has seasoned. 

They deliberately push people into a corner in the hope that they'll jump. I didn't, and saved myself 15,000 Baht.

So they are still on the take.....What a bunch.....????

The day after BJ went the no tip we are professional banners were removed at my IO. 

So of course it's back to business as before.

How long has it been the case that it takes two months to process marriage extensions, back in my time before switching to retirement extensions it was one month.....such is progress.

Edited July 26, 20196 yr by dick turpin

19 hours ago, spornb said:

The marriage confirmation from local Ampur was rejected since it was not dated July, it was dated June 28 got replacement

Never heard of this one before?  Can someone please explain.  Is it something new, Ive never had to do it before.  Or is it something exclusive to the KK office only?

2 minutes ago, ThaiFelix said:

Never heard of this one before? 

i guess it is KorRor2. Requested every time.

18 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

At Buriram Immigration yesterday I had a slight problem. To cut it short my missus was passed a piece of paper with 15,000 Baht on it. The officer said this is the price for us to overlook the seasoning period. I said no as I don't mind going back in 2 months once my money has seasoned. 

They deliberately push people into a corner in the hope that they'll jump. I didn't, and saved myself 15,000 Baht.

Well done, good job 

Last Marriage Extension at KK in November, I used my KR2 from 9 years ago, the same one I've always used.

 

Looks like we might have to get an updated one if the contents of this report are correct and this is going to be the norm. It's not a problem, just one more piece of crap to deal with. 

 

A pity - KK Immi. has always been pretty good and easy to deal with but maybe this is a sign that they're going the way of so many other offices throughout the country.

1 hour ago, DUNROAMIN said:

Should be reported to higher authorities, this is the sort of crap us expats have to face with these corrupt people every day in Thailand.

Unfortunately, Whistleblower protection is not yet an accepted concept.

Remember the government employee that exposed a country wide re-routing of social security money who instead of receiving a huge medal, an x-procent  bonus of money saved and a job in the anti-corruption department, according to some news sources was made to apologize for inconvenience caused.

1 hour ago, transam said:

So they are still on the take.....What a bunch.....????

Yep. They tried to shaft me 500 for transfer of stamp in my old passport to my new one 6 weeks ago. In front of an office full of people I said I wouldn't pay as the service is free. I got the transfer and never paid a Baht. Okay they made me wait a little but I'd nothing else on.

Edited July 26, 20196 yr by IvorBiggun2

1 hour ago, transam said:

So they are still on the take.....What a bunch.....????

When the rubber meets the road, who isn't on the take?

We arrived at the Buriram IO without our KR2. Officer said he wouldn't accept a copy when my wife asked. He wanted the original. That meant a round trip of 150km to go get the original from home. 

Buriram has 2 offices so off we went to the second office and asked an officer there if he would accept a copy of our KR2? Yes he would. So off to the Buriram Amphur we go.

Saw the Top lady and she gave us a copy of out KR2. Cost 40 Baht. They're on national data base. Then back to the second office. Showed the officer the Amphur authorized copy of our KR2 and was given the 60 day extension that I needed. Don't be afraid to stand up to these idiots is all I can say. 

Edited July 26, 20196 yr by IvorBiggun2

10 minutes ago, newatthis said:

When the rubber meets the road, who isn't on the take?

Me.

20 hours ago, spornb said:

We thought we knew the rules, did  our 10th marriage extn at KhonKaen this morning, and  found we were not up to date on the rules

We try very hard to abide by the rules, as do most of us.

 

Immigration make it so hard, and very stressful, a full written set of rules would clarify so much, and on the same form for extension,  allow re entry permit, would be simpler easier and less time consuming for all involved

 

We get the extension then have to apply for reentry permit

 

But then as the  Head Lady in KhonKaen very correctly and uncaringly,  stated, if we do not like it we can go home, she is very correct

 

A lady married to a Thai man is treated very differently, and generally takes from the Thai economy

 

I spend/bring in on average over the last ten years 4/5 million bhatt a year, and have paid from my own money (and happily and appreciatively) very substantial sums to government hospitals here

 

The Real Estate agent who has our house for sale says we have one of the most beautiful, and expensive houses in KK, all built with money brought into Thailand

 

We support in Thailand, parents, children, in higher education, and three more full time employees, and their families, in our two houses and gardens

 

For those of you like me, who can only just climb/crawl up the very steep two flights of stairs, with the help of my stout stick, KhonKaen immigration has now added a bell and will come down to see you,  a big improvement, I recommend you use it

 

There are two disabled parking spaces out side immigration, at the bus station

 

We write this in the hope maybe immigration might read what some of us say and feel

 

The waste of paper and damage to the environment is another story

 

In fairness this is the first time in ten years we feel so badly treated, we do not tip money, but have given presents in the past, when we return from frequent trips

9 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

Saw the Top lady and she gave us a copy of out KR2. Cost 40 Baht. They're on national data base. Then back to the second office. Showed the officer the Amphur authorized copy of our KR2 and was given the 60 day extension that I needed. Don't be afraid to stand up to these idiots is all I can say. 

YES and on the National Data Base and immigration do not have access to this

 

Surely we deserve better

 

Does anyone use agents in KhonKaen, maybe pay up and avoid stress

Precisely why I renew my visa overseas - one year (can even be extended to add 90 days) multi-entry. I haven't experienced any scamming or extortion since opting for this method from 2009 onward. I also don't have to do the 90 day reporting.

 

My first experience with local immigration for about 10 years was this week when trying to get a letter for driving license renewal. And sure enough they wanted 600 baht for it when there is supposed to be no charge. They all seem to operate their own little fiefdoms.

3 minutes ago, spornb said:

 

Does anyone use agents in KhonKaen, maybe pay up and avoid stress

You are then going to be doing exactly what they want. More money to them.

4 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

Precisely why I renew my visa overseas - one year (can even be extended to add 90 days) multi-entry. I haven't experienced any scamming or extortion since opting for this method from 2009 onward. I also don't have to do the 90 day reporting.

Me too.

12 minutes ago, spornb said:

I spend/bring in on average over the last ten years 4/5 million bhatt a year, and have paid from my own money (and happily and appreciatively) very substantial sums to government hospitals here

They don't care what you bring to Thailand, they do care what you bring to the immigration officers.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Me too.

So you recommend that every year I/we do a visa overseas? As I see it that's the worst option when you can pay an agent 12,000 every year.

I did my marriage extension at Mahasarakham a month ago. They also required an updated marriage confirmation from the local Amphur and kept the original. The 'under consideration' period was also 8 weeks. I didn't ask about keeping the money in the bank (don't ask unnecessary questions).

Yes, the rules are onerous and abusive. For a marriage visa, the major hurdles should be cleared the first time around. There is no sensible reason for them to keep the hurdles so high, on each and every subsequent renewal. I was considering switching back to the retirement visa, as the hoops they make you jump through for the marriage visa are silly.

 

I think what they are saying is:

We do not approve of having a Thai woman (one of our own) married to a foreigner (a martian from another planet) so we are going to continue to make your life difficult.

We do not like foreigners, so we are not going to show them any respect.

We really do not want foreigners living here, so we are going to continue to make it tough, every step of the way. We will not be friendly, we will not be helpful, and we will not be cooperative.

35 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

We arrived at the Buriram IO without our KR2. Officer said he wouldn't accept a copy when my wife asked. He wanted the original. That meant a round trip of 150km to go get the original from home. 

Buriram has 2 offices so off we went to the second office and asked an officer there if he would accept a copy of our KR2? Yes he would. So off to the Buriram Amphur we go.

Saw the Top lady and she gave us a copy of out KR2. Cost 40 Baht. They're on national data base. Then back to the second office. Showed the officer the Amphur authorized copy of our KR2 and was given the 60 day extension that I needed. Don't be afraid to stand up to these idiots is all I can say. 

Looks to me that you have upset someone and they are now giving you the runaround. I did a 60 day extension at Buriram a few weeks back. No need for a KR2 at all. Just copy of marriage certificate, copy of wife's house book and ID. Copy of my passport.

 

Maybe because I don't show them up in front of an office full of people. My guess is you are going to have a hard time every time you go to immigration in Buriram.