Another Side To Immigration Staff

[dutchdellboy2]

This has nothing much to do with the normal stuff that appears on this site but I think it’s nevertheless worth mentioning.

I went to Jomtien Immigration this afternoon for a residency letter, duly handed over the appropriate documentation and money, and was told to come back in an hour.

I did and my letter was waiting for me. As the lady official handed it over there was a loud rumble of thunder – it had been dark and overcast outside.

“There is going to be rain.” she said, “Do you have a car?”

“No” I said, “I am getting a car tomorrow which is why I need this letter. But I have a bicycle and I don’t have too far to go.”

“But you will get wet” she said. “Wait one minute and I will get you a something to keep things dry!”

She went out and appeared back with a plastic bag into which she carefully put the letter, my wallet and phone.

OK – no big deal – but lots of folk, myself included, can be critical of the Immigration staff – and maybe with good reason sometimes.

But that little gesture today, something that she didn't have to do, showed me that they can human and considerate too. I appreciated her thoughtfulness.

I personally think that "another side to Immigration Staff" is not a just heading.

My 18 years experience with the folks who work at Chiang Mai Immigration shows only one side; they are friendly, courteous, helpful and to the point.

I have never experienced any difficulties; they do their duty in an absolute correct way and with smiles all around; this applies to the junior staff at the counters all the way up to the most senior officer in her small office.

I would say it is us, foreigners, who often make problems.

If you visit an official department in your own country you would behave well and dress properly, you would not turn-up nearly bare-chested, in short trousers, showing off your tattoos or shout, rand and rave to the official who is trying to help you.

I have seen this on numerous occasions and I am every time amazed how cool the Chiang Mai immigration staff behave, even under a barrage of complaints.

We foreigners often forget that, on the whole, Thais are very reserved, that their clothing is always clean and that, no matter how financially disadvantaged they might be in our spoiled eyes, they dress correctly and speak in a soft-spoken way, not raising their voices to win an argument.

The longer I live here, the more I must come to the conclusion that, although there are certainly issues I do not agree with, we, foreigners, can learn a lot from the Thais, when it comes to correct behavior towards other people.

All I can say is that, I for one, am a happy customer at Chiang Mai Immigration.

R.M. van den Berg

Edited March 27, 2007 by dutchdellboy2