90-day by mail neglected at Chaeng Wattana

[RLAretired]

 

90-day by mail.  Never had this happen before.  I'll describe in case this happens to others.

 

In short: Chaeng Wattana received my 90-day report by mail, but neglected to post the notification receipt back to me.

 

I've done many 90-day reports by mail.  Registered post in both directions.  Always worked fine, except this time.

 

Sent in the 90-day paper work three weeks ago. Today was the last day before incurring the penalty and that big red stamp in the passport.  When no envelope appeared in the post box this morning, I headed over to Bangkok Immigration after lunch.  Lady at "A" counter in 90-day report room looked puzzled only for a moment, then went over to speak to the supervisor in the corner office.  A few minutes later she came back with a proper receipt for my 90-day report AND handed me the paper work I had mailed in three works before.   "Here," she said, "you can use this registered mail envelope next time." 

 

I asked, speaking in my most polite Thai, if I'd made any mistake.  "No, everything's riap-roy."  I didn't push it, but took my fresh, 90-receipt and got out of there right quick.

 

What happened?

 

Maybe someone else here knows, because I sure don't.  I can only guess.  My guess is that Immigration officers are so confused and so frazzled these days that even simple things like sending back 90-day reports are slipping out of control and not getting done in a timely manner.

 

What did I learn?

 

Next time, at the post office, I will record the return registration number.  If the envelope doesn't come back in two weeks or so, I'll check the Thai Post Office online tracking system.  If the return registration number does not appear there, well, time to plan for a little visit to Chaeng Wattana.  Other than that, I can't think of what else to do to avoid this problem.

 

Any other views on this?  Anyone else have similar experience?

 

[JohnnyBKK]

Seriously, wouldn't it be just better to not do it and pay the fine if you get caught ? You did what you had to do by mailing it, the rest is not your concern anymore.

[JAS21]

I mail mine into Nonthaburi ... I send it EMS and track it to see when delivered and who signed for it....and take a photo of the delivery info.  I enclose a SAE with 9thb worth of stamps for IO to use to return the slip.

 

I enclose a letter saying what documents I send with the application and my phone number.

 

Only once has it not come back...they said they sent it when my wife phoned.  Seems now though that Nonthaburi don't want to answer the phone ...

[lamyai3]

4 hours ago, RLAretired said:

Any other views on this?  Anyone else have similar experience?

I think all that happened was they hadn't yet got round to it, and if you'd waited a few more days it would have showed up in the mail. I posted mine there last month and it also took three weeks or more to get the receipt, longer than usual. 

[Nyezhov]

2 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

I think all that happened was they hadn't yet got round to it, and if you'd waited a few more days it would have showed up in the mail. I posted mine there last month and it also took three weeks or more to get the receipt, longer than usual. 

Hopefully he will get the right one. I just looked at my last receipt and it's someone else's hahahahahahahaha.

 

Some Indian dude is cheap charlying bargirls with my receipt. *Insert happy dance laughing smiley here*

 

Guess I should look at the next one immediately, not 8 months later.

[brewsterbudgen]

There is no need to visit Immigration if your 90 day report or TM30 receipt is late. Just keep the EMS record. There is a huge backlog at the moment, so mailed-in receipts are taking weeks and in some cases months.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[MJKT2014]

10 hours ago, RLAretired said:

Any other views on this?  Anyone else have similar experience?

How does one include a return SAE as registered mail? I didn't know this could be done? I usually just put a 10THB stamp on as suggested on the immigration web site.

 

I would never follow up late return by mail, just keep the sent registered mail receipt as evidence in future. Life's too short. They should accept that come next 90 day report or visit to IO for other reason.

 

 

[Vacuum]

18 minutes ago, MJKT2014 said:

How does one include a return SAE as registered mail?

Just tell the post office worker that you want EMS on the return letter (about30 baht).

[brewsterbudgen]

24 minutes ago, MJKT2014 said:

How does one include a return SAE as registered mail? I didn't know this could be done? I usually just put a 10THB stamp on as suggested on the immigration web site.

 

I would never follow up late return by mail, just keep the sent registered mail receipt as evidence in future. Life's too short. They should accept that come next 90 day report or visit to IO for other reason.

 

 

I believe they do accept it, as it shows they received the report and the day they received it.

 

Using EMS for the return envelope is just an extra precaution and, for me, worth the extra 30 baht or so.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

FWIW, last time I had my 90-day report to BKK CW, I did mine online via the Immigration website and as usual, got the confirmation back within a day or two.

 

The seeming backlog on mail stuff doesn't seem to be impacting the online filing process. Doing the online web version also saves me having to fiddle with the photocopies all the time and the trip to the Post Office.

 

 

[lopburi3]

22 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

FWIW, last time I had my 90-day report to BKK CW, I did mine online via the Immigration website and as usual, got the confirmation back within a day or two.

 

The seeming backlog on mail stuff doesn't seem to be impacting the online filing process. Doing the online web version also saves me having to fiddle with the photocopies all the time and the trip to the Post Office.

 

 

That is fine and good if you can use that system - unfortunately those of us who have lived here for decades can't as it requires a country entry this decade.  So se have to report by mail or in person as there is no provision to manually, enter the required information into the database.

 

I am also waiting for a report received by immigration on August 2 so will have to visit middle of next month if not received.  Thanks OP for the information as it appears mail may not be lost but just not mailed so maybe will eventually get it.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

2 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

That is fine and good if you can use that system - unfortunately those of us who have lived here for decades can't as it requires a country entry this decade.  So se have to report by mail or in person as there is no provision to manually, enter the required information into the database.

 

I am also waiting for a report received by immigration on August 2 so will have to visit middle of next month if not received.  Thanks OP for the information as it appears mail may not be lost but just not mailed so maybe will eventually get it.

 

Yes, you're right about that, of course. However, the OP in this thread didn't give any information as to whether he'd be in the same situation as you -- a longstayer who hasn't traveled outside the country in recent years and thus not eligible for the online reporting system.

 

For all we know, he might well be able to use the online reporting system.

 

 

[lopburi3]

2 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

For all we know, he might well be able to use the online reporting system.

Indeed and was not discounting posting the information (although understand it could read that way).  Was just pointing out some of us do not have that option, which is unfortunate.

 

Indeed when using mail get registration number and record the receipt and keep copy.  If that is done should not have to visit immigration until 30 days after report due if return mail is missing (per immigration instructions).  

[LomSak27]

Thanks for posting this up. I am mailing mine today FYI.

 

I do both by EMS, but will go heavy on the phone pictures !! and have it scheduled up so if it does not show, I will make a pilgrimage out to IO land.

[jacko45k]

17 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

That is fine and good if you can use that system - unfortunately those of us who have lived here for decades can't as it requires a country entry this decade.  So se have to report by mail or in person as there is no provision to manually, enter the required information into the database

Would a quick border run or short trip to Singapore be too arduous? I would certainly consider it to get into the on-line 'loop'. 

[lopburi3]

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Would a quick border run or short trip to Singapore be too arduous? I would certainly consider it to get into the on-line 'loop'. 

For some yes, but for some of us with spouse that can not travel it is indeed arduous.  And adds the TM30 issue.  But indeed leave and return seems to be the only available option to make the list; as ridiculous as it seems.

[Beggar]

1 hour ago, brewsterbudgen said:

There is no need to visit Immigration if your 90 day report or TM30 receipt is late. Just keep the EMS record. There is a huge backlog at the moment, so mailed-in receipts are taking weeks and in some cases months.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

An EMS record just proves that you sent an envelope with the EMS number on it. It does not say anything about the contents of the envelope . It could have been empty. So to be on the save side you need witnesses that can confirm what you put into the envelope and that you sent it out with this. Might sound strange but it is like this. For this reason important letters might be send to you without an envelope. They are folded so that no envelope is needed and so the EMS number is directly on the letter. Then you can't say you did not receive the letter. 

[rabas]

12 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

For some yes, but for some of us with spouse that can not travel it is indeed arduous.  And adds the TM30 issue.  But indeed leave and return seems to be the only available option to make the list; as ridiculous as it seems.

You are also knocked out of the 90 day online system whenever you renew a passport in Thailand because the new passport has a new number. I'm told every 90 days that I must exit and re-enter to get in the system.

 

The 90 day system obviously knows my new number but not the online system. So much for big brother Thailand, more like little autistic sister.

 

[rabas]

1 hour ago, MJKT2014 said:

How does one include a return SAE as registered mail? I didn't know this could be done? I usually just put a 10THB stamp on as suggested on the immigration web site.

 

I would never follow up late return by mail, just keep the sent registered mail receipt as evidence in future. Life's too short. They should accept that come next 90 day report or visit to IO for other reason.

I think it is possible. I have a book of Thaipost registration numbers at home and fully prepare registered mail including registration number before going to the PO. There they just scan and I pay.

 

In the case of a registered SAE, you would pay but they would not scan the Reg no. into the system. That would happen on the return leg. My guess is this is normal, but don't know until it's tried.

[Beggar]

3 minutes ago, rabas said:

You are also knocked out of the 90 day online system whenever you renew a passport in Thailand because the new passport has a new number. I'm told every 90 days that I must exit and re-enter to get in the system.

I have the same situation. With the old passport it worked without problems. Now whenever I go to the Immigration for the 90 day reporting I get the answer that it will work next time. But next time never comes. It seems to be like this that I really have to leave the country. Just need a re-entry permit before and a new TM30 afterwards. Not now... Perhaps next time... 

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, Beggar said:

An EMS record just proves that you sent an envelope with the EMS number on it. It does not say anything about the contents of the envelope . It could have been empty. So to be on the save side you need witnesses that can confirm what you put into the envelope and that you sent it out with this. Might sound strange but it is like this. For this reason important letters might be send to you without an envelope. They are folded so that no envelope is needed and so the EMS number is directly on the letter. Then you can't say you did not receive the letter. 

Under your scenario, immigration received an empty envelope, with information on the sender, and decided just to ignore it. This is possible, but logical immigration officials (some of them really are) will tend to accept your statement that the envelope contained a TM47 form. Why on earth would you go to the trouble of sending an empty envelope when it is just about equally easy to insert a TM47?

[lamyai3]

2 hours ago, rabas said:

4 hours ago, MJKT2014 said:

How does one include a return SAE as registered mail? I didn't know this could be done? I usually just put a 10THB stamp on as suggested on the immigration web site.

In the case of a registered SAE, you would pay but they would not scan the Reg no. into the system. That would happen on the return leg. My guess is this is normal, but don't know until it's tried.

When I send mine by EMS (both ways) the outgoing envelope gets a sticker, and the return addressed envelope gets 37 baht's worth of stamps, affixed manually. It's then folded and thrown in along with the TM47 and the rest. 

[Number 6]

Solution: online

 

Response in six hours

[brewsterbudgen]

3 hours ago, Beggar said:

An EMS record just proves that you sent an envelope with the EMS number on it. It does not say anything about the contents of the envelope . It could have been empty. So to be on the save side you need witnesses that can confirm what you put into the envelope and that you sent it out with this. Might sound strange but it is like this. For this reason important letters might be send to you without an envelope. They are folded so that no envelope is needed and so the EMS number is directly on the letter. Then you can't say you did not receive the letter. 

My TM30 EMS receipt says "TM30" on it, and when I do mail-in 90 day reports, it says "90 Day".  This is sufficient if you need to show Immigration.

[Monkeyrobot]

Mine took 3 weeks to arrive and my return post envelope was EMSS I received mine a day before the 7 day after deadline. 

[justin case]

if you send your 90 days with EMS, you have proof they received it...

I would not bother to go to immigration and just time to when is the next due

and you send a copy of proof of sending by EMS of last time...

 

[ChouDoufu]

6 hours ago, Beggar said:

An EMS record just proves that you sent an envelope with the EMS number on it. It does not say anything about the contents of the envelope . It could have been empty. So to be on the save side you need witnesses that can confirm what you put into the envelope and that you sent it out with this. Might sound strange but it is like this. For this reason important letters might be send to you without an envelope. They are folded so that no envelope is needed and so the EMS number is directly on the letter. Then you can't say you did not receive the letter. 

the tracking site will show the date and time of delivery, and a wee, tiny popup window will show the name of the human who signed for the package.

 

when sending, the post office lady types in the first line of the address, in this case it will be "tm30 report.

 

we took digital photos of the form, all documents, the sending and return envelopes, AND a photo of the post office lady receiving our envelope. 

[The Fugitive]

6 hours ago, rabas said:

You are also knocked out of the 90 day online system whenever you renew a passport in Thailand because the new passport has a new number. I'm told every 90 days that I must exit and re-enter to get in the system.

 

The 90 day system obviously knows my new number but not the online system. So much for big brother Thailand, more like little autistic sister.

 

Thanks for that. Never thought about it!

[ChouDoufu]

6 hours ago, rabas said:

I think it is possible. I have a book of Thaipost registration numbers at home and fully prepare registered mail including registration number before going to the PO. There they just scan and I pay.

 

In the case of a registered SAE, you would pay but they would not scan the Reg no. into the system. That would happen on the return leg. My guess is this is normal, but don't know until it's tried.

that is correct.  the registered number was entered into the system at the cw government complex post office.........6 weeks after the ems was received.

[Beggar]

15 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

the tracking site will show the date and time of delivery, and a wee, tiny popup window will show the name of the human who signed for the package.

 

when sending, the post office lady types in the first line of the address, in this case it will be "tm30 report.

 

we took digital photos of the form, all documents, the sending and return envelopes, AND a photo of the post office lady receiving our envelope. 

Perfect. It seems to be an overkill but it is really like this. Sending anything registered alone is useless if you don't do it correctly. If anything goes to court and I say that I received an empty envelope then you have lost if you can't prove that I am lying.