REP at Swampy: report

[10years]

Earlier this month got a single-entry re-entry permit at Swampy.

 

Passed thru scanning in the fast lane, then asked for an escort to the REP office before getting the exit stamp. Was told to ask the IO at one of the stations. A nice lady IO said in good English that i could get stamped out and then get a REP. I told her that the last time, i did just that and was denied. I had to get my exit stamp cancelled, which was a headache. The lady IO was surprised at my story and said she could stamp me out first, no problem.

 

Had to back out of the priority lane. Went to security staging area #3, which was really crowded. Asked someone where was the REP office and was told i had to go back downstairs and go to #2. Going downstairs took me to the end of the terminal and it was a long walk to #2. Fortunately, there was almost no wait to go thru scanning.

 

Back downstairs, the was a sign and special lane to go to the REP desk. A man took my passport and said the handling fee would be Bt200. Told him i never had to pay such a fee, then he asked me if i brought my own photo. Told him no and he insisted on the Bt200. TO BE ADDED

[BritTim]

My understanding is that, if you have them do the photo and form filling, a handling charge of 200 baht is normal. I am surprised if you ever managed a re-entry permit for only 1000 baht with no photo.

[elviajero]

10 minutes ago, 10years said:

A man took my passport and said the handling fee would be Bt200. Told him i never had to pay such a fee, then he asked me if i brought my own photo. Told him no and he insisted on the Bt200. TO BE ADDED

A “handling fee” has been charged for years if you don’t provide a completed form and photo yourself.

[Catkiwi]

I think best to not even question the 200 baht and just get on with it. You know how the machine gets oiled around here...

[Olmate]

1 minute ago, Catkiwi said:

I think best to not even question the 200 baht and just get on with it. You know how the machine gets oiled around here...

He had hassles last time around,slow learner it seems!

[DrJack54]

As mentioned, if you don't bring the form with photo then service fee 200baht. 

[10years]

Wasn't able to edit the original post so here it is in full:

 

Earlier this month got a single-entry re-entry permit at Swampy.

 

Passed thru scanning in the fast lane, then asked for an escort to the REP office before getting the exit stamp. Was told to ask the IO at one of the stations. A nice lady IO said in good English that i could get stamped out and then get a REP. I told her that the last time, i did just that and was denied. I had to get my exit stamp cancelled, which was a headache. The lady IO was surprised at my story and said she could stamp me out first, no problem.

 

Had to back out of the priority lane. Went to security staging area #3, which was really crowded. Asked someone where was the REP office and was told i had to go back downstairs and go to #2. Going downstairs took me to the end of the terminal and it was a long walk to #2. Fortunately, there was almost no wait to go thru scanning.

 

Back downstairs, the was a sign and special lane to go to the REP desk. A man took my passport and said the handling fee would be Bt200. Told him i never had to pay such a fee, then he asked me if i brought my own photo. Told him no and he insisted on the Bt200. Later got a receipt for "Application Form and Photo Service."

 

While waiting for my REP, asked his partner about getting an exit stamp first and she said that in principle, you should get the REP before passing thru imm, but since some people don't know this, they will still process those people. Note that in general, if you leave the country w/o getting a REP, your visa/stay will be automatically cancelled.

 

Asked if the REP office could also stamp me out so that i wouldn't have to get in the line for imm, but they said no. But to avoid waiting for the REV, which took a long time to get approved, then having to get in the back of the line for imm, i got in line for imm and when i got to the IO, the girl from the REP office brought my passport and receipts and gave them to the IO. Note that i didn't have to give the IO my departure card. This saved me considerable time.

 

Summary:

You can use the Fast Lane and get your REP afterwards.

You can avoid the Bt200 ripoff charge by bringing your own pic.

You can get in the imm line while waiting for your REP.

[10years]

37 minutes ago, BritTim said:

My understanding is that, if you have them do the photo and form filling, a handling charge of 200 baht is normal. I am surprised if you ever managed a re-entry permit for only 1000 baht with no photo.

At DMK, i was never charged a B200 pic/form fee for a multiple-entry REP. Once i gave them B4000 and didn't get any change back. When I asked for my change, they laughed and said "tip tip." But i got the B200 back.

 

Is there a difference fee-wise if you get a single-entry vs a multiple-entry?

 

If you bring your own pic and form, do they still take your pic and print out the form from the PC?

[elviajero]

1 minute ago, 10years said:

Is there a difference fee-wise if you get a single-entry vs a multiple-entry?

SE = 1,000 THB

ME = 3,800 THB

 

11 minutes ago, 10years said:

You can avoid the Bt200 ripoff charge by bringing your own pic.

1 minute ago, 10years said:

If you bring your own pic and form, do they still take your pic and print out the form from the PC?

You surely can't be bothered by a 200 THB fee for a service of convenience. 

[jacko45k]

16 hours ago, 10years said:

Wasn't able to edit the original post so here it is in full:

Well I appreciate the feedback, particularly that you can get the Permit using the Fast-track lines, although it all sounds like a lot of faffing. Think I will go to Jomtiem!

[PerkinsCuthbert]

Reminders:

- the Re-entry Permit office at BKK is one the far left of the left-hand immigration hall as you face airside.

- If by mistake or accident you go to the right-hand hall as you face airside, it is possible to be stamped out of Thailand then walk around airside to the Re-entry Permit office on the left-hand side; I have done this, but as the OP intimates, you are at the mercy of random IOs as to whether they will allow it or not. Therefore best to make sure to go through in the left-hand hall.

- The 200B fee for form and photo has been standard for years. With a little preparation and forethought, it is easily avoided by downloading the form and filling it in, then taking it with you, together with standard passport-sized photo, prior to setting off from home. As far as I remember last time a month ago, at BKK they have dispensed with a lot of the copies of passport that were previously required. Best check this to be certain.

- The Re-entry Permit offices are open 24/7 at both BKK and DMK; at the latter, however, the office is immediately after you pass through immigration on your way out of Thailand.

- Fees are as stated in post #9 above.

 

[NanLaew]

I only had to avail myself of getting re-entry permits at the airport quite recently. Allowing for all the hootin' an' hollerin' on TV about the 200 baht 'rip off', the first time I fronted up with the pre-filled form and the photo. The next time, I went 'VIP' and paid the 200 baht and honestly on that and subsequent visits, having paid the 200 baht and their having both my picture and form already on file, it is a whole lot faster so not worth crying about.

 

I did meet a guy who was getting his re-entry permit after being stamped out through the priority lanes and he said that despite having his passport already stamped out and the IO keeping the TM6 departure stub, the IO holds on to his boarding pass which he goes back to collect after getting his re-entry permit.

[justin case]

2019 and still don't understand why one could not be stamped out "thailand" and stamped in again ....  you have to leave the country, get on a plane, fly a few hours, wait, return ... get stamped back in

 

so backwards... thais can stay in USA for up to 6 months without leaving the country

 

I would be glad to pay the airport / fly fee and get stamped out / in but off course ... too simplistic