Popular Post Skeptic7 Posted November 21, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted November 21, 2019 (edited) Just a recap of my (best yet) experience at Chaengwattana, Bangkok yesterday to do annual extension based on retirement and first time using money-in-bank method. As it expires on 3 January, in the past I've always gone in early December, when the place is a "zoo"...overcrowded and seemingly understaffed. This year decided to go the full 45 days before (or 44 depending how it's counted). Arrived inside the facility at 0820. To my eye, the place seemed less crowded than previous visits in December. All the "early arrival" queue numbers were gone, so went to the end of the fairly long line which was moving along steadily. Had my "L1" ticket #38 by 0845. Caught a real bit of good fortune, when a Thai girl with #27 asked me to trade with her, as she had some banking issues to deal with downstairs. THANK YOU! Had all my paperwork, forms and copies in order thanks to @TallGuyJohninBKK and his kindly sharing a much more detailed annual report each year...to which I always look forward and use as a checklist. As usual, the officer found a few more needed copies and directed my GF to go down to get them. An interesting point, was worried about TM30. The only time ever did one was when moved to BKK from Chon Buri 4 years ago and did it at CW when doing annual extension and was fined the max. Haven't done once since then, despite being out and in about 6 times each year...but this month we used the online TM30 Android app, as I arrived back in The Kingdom from abroad on 14 November. The next day, we used the app and got a SUCCESS notification, but no other verification. It must've worked, as the issue never came up. All done with Step 1 and my passport back w/new extension just before 1015 and by 1016 had my Reentry ticket #153...Step 2. Was thinking there was no way they'd get to my number before the noon lunch break. However, around 1100 they really stepped up the pace. My #153 was called at approx 1120. Had all my forms and copies in order again thanks to @TallGuyJohninBKK, except for one. In haste...forgot to make a copy of my new extension. They were kind enough to do it right there in their office. Had my PP back with multiple entry stamp at approx 1150. Total time 3.5 hours from arrival to being done. Last year took over 7 hours. Year before last...full 8 hours the first day and 5 hours more the next day. 13 hours over 2 days, but that was because I hadn't submitted TM28 nor TM30...having changed address from Chon Buri to Bangkok, so having to return a second day was on me. Edited November 21, 2019 by Skeptic7 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted November 21, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted November 21, 2019 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said: As it expires on 3 January, in the past I've always gone in early December, when the place is a "zoo"...overcrowded and seemingly understaffed. This year decided to go the full 45 days before (or 44 depending how it's counted). I think you may find it's easier because 2/3 of their customers have already left Thailand, never to return. Edited November 21, 2019 by BritManToo 4 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeptic7 Posted November 21, 2019 Author Share Posted November 21, 2019 1 minute ago, BritManToo said: I think you may find it's easier because 2/3 of their customers have already left Thailand, never to return. Very possibly true. Did cross my mind! Still was easier for and faster for me! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Matzzon Posted November 21, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted November 21, 2019 Yes, why would there be a problem if all papers are in order? Congrats to another year in Paradise. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TallGuyJohninBKK Posted November 21, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted November 21, 2019 36 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said: As usual, the officer found a few more needed copies and directed my GF to go down to get them. Skeptic, glad to hear everything went well at BKK CW, and thanks for the shout outs re my annual BKK CW trip reports/documents lists... Glad they have been useful to you... Couple of questions/thoughts... 1. Re your comment above, what were the additional things that Immigration in the extensions section wanted copied? I mean, things beyond what I have in my list of docs they ask for? 2. You didn't mention anything about O-A visas or health insurance. So I'm assuming that whatever your last actual visa was, prior to beginning retirement extensions, was not an O-A? 3. The experience at the re-entry permits desk is an interesting one. During my last visit there mid-year, I went and got a queue ticket, and then went to sit down, and my number was far below the number of their queue ticket display screen. Then after about 5 mins, an officer walked over to me, asked if I was waiting to file a re-entry permit app, and then invited me to come into their cubicle. Long story short, in discussion, they basically told me that in the future, I shouldn't worry about the queue ticket system there and that I should just walk up to their cubicle and hand in my paperwork when I get there. Never encountered that before. Will be interested to see if the same deal applies next year there. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeptic7 Posted November 21, 2019 Author Share Posted November 21, 2019 3 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said: Skeptic, glad to hear everything went well at BKK CW, and thanks for the shout outs re my annual BKK CW trip reports/documents lists... Glad they have been useful to you... Couple of questions/thoughts... 1. Re your comment above, what were the additional things that Immigration in the extensions section wanted copied? I mean, things beyond what I have in my list of docs they ask for? 2. You didn't mention anything about O-A visas or health insurance. So I'm assuming that whatever your last actual visa was, prior to beginning retirement extensions, was not an O-A? 3. The experience at the re-entry permits desk is an interesting one. During my last visit there mid-year, I went and got a queue ticket, and then went to sit down, and my number was far below the number of their queue ticket display screen. Then after about 5 mins, an officer walked over to me, asked if I was waiting to file a re-entry permit app, and then invited me to come into their cubicle. Long story short, in discussion, they basically told me that in the future, I shouldn't worry about the queue ticket system there and that I should just walk up to their cubicle and hand in my paperwork when I get there. Never encountered that before. Will be interested to see if the same deal applies next year there. Thx again TallGuy. In answer to your queries... 1. Your list covered everything. My mistake...didn't have a copy of my updated bank book, which I had updated that morning. Also seems that your stressing "portrait" orientation copies is important. Pretty sure a couple things which I had previously copied in "landscape" orientation...she had us do again in "portrait". I say "pretty sure" as she (IO) instructed my GF to get them...and she just did what she was told. 2. Correct...never had an O-A visa. There was no mention of health insurance, which I was not anticipating. However...a good friend of mine was very keen on that issue, as he fully expects Thailand to spring that requirement for all at any moment! 3. While I was waiting for my "Re-entry" number to be called, I also remembered reading about your interesting expedited processing experience. While great for you, didn't notice anything like that while I was there. Not to say it didn't happen, but was watching closely and didn't see anyone pulled out of order or even approached by any of the staff. The seating area was full and extremely busy. Numbers were being called fast and furious in strict order and PP returned in similar order...that I could observe anyway. Last year my wait was much longer to get called and then 2 full hours to get my PP back. This year the process was much quicker and seemingly more efficient. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallGuyJohninBKK Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 5 minutes ago, Skeptic7 said: 3. While I was waiting for my "Re-entry" number to be called, I also remembered reading about your interesting expedited processing experience. While great for you, didn't notice anything like that while I was there. Not to say it didn't happen, but was watching closely and didn't see anyone pulled out of order or even approached by any of the staff. The seating area was full and extremely busy. Numbers were being called fast and furious in strict order and PP returned in similar order...that I could observe anyway. Last year my wait was much longer to get called and then 2 full hours to get my PP back. This year the process was much quicker and seemingly more efficient. Thanks for the answers and clarifications above.... Re the re-entry permits section, ya, I dunno what to make of that. It IS normally very busy there with lots of people waiting... It didn't seem quite so busy the day I was there, but there were still a lot of folks waiting, although, I couldn't say whether they were waiting to submit their paperwork vs. waiting for the return of their stamped passport. Next year, I guess, I'll try the walk up and drop off paperwork approach at the re-entry permits desk, and see if that works as they promised. And just hope I don't get lynched by a crowd of angry farangs who've been waiting there in queue for an hour! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracyb Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 "Next year, I guess, I'll try the walk up and drop off paperwork approach at the re-entry permits desk, and see if that works as they promised. And just hope I don't get lynched by a crowd of angry farangs who've been waiting there in queue for an hour! " Ya. Good luck with THAT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbi1 Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 1 hour ago, BritManToo said: I think you may find it's easier because 2/3 of their customers have already left Thailand, never to return. And many more to leave Thailand in the next year after being denied for not having the required health insurance. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TallGuyJohninBKK Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 3 minutes ago, Tracyb said: Ya. Good luck with THAT! That's what I thought also... Couldn't believe what they were telling me. So I specifically talked with the supervisor officer there, who told me the same thing... in English! So, dunno what more I can say about that... other than... it's always a bit dangerous to believe anything Thai Immigration tells you here.... One possible thing I can think of, in my wildest imagination, is them thinking that I've already waited and been in queue for the new extension in the retirements section, and thus didn't need to wait queue again in the re-entry permit section... But that's just pure speculation on my part. The IOs I was talking with there never mentioned that distinction. One way or the other, I guess I'll find out for sure next year on my return visit, and will report accordingly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracyb Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 well, I was thinking more along the lines of avoiding being lynched by waiting Expats! LOL???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psimbo Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 23 minutes ago, bbi1 said: And many more to leave Thailand in the next year after being denied for not having the required health insurance. What a silly comment- the majority of retirees are completely unaffected by the Health Insurance requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbi1 Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Psimbo said: What a silly comment- the majority of retirees are completely unaffected by the Health Insurance requirements. Majority of retirees not on an OA visa you mean. If a retiree is on a marriage visa (Non-O) or Elite visa then they are fine. Edited November 21, 2019 by bbi1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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