CM immigration - going downhill?

[orchidfan]

2 hours ago, Srikcir said:

For my extension at CW Immigration in August the IO insisted on a record of 100 baht deposit in my KB passbook the same day of application for extension. As KB didn't open in the Government Complex until 10am and didn't have an automated passbook update machine outside the bank, completion of my extension application was delayed. So much for my No.1 cue for my extension application.

As I was using the income method with monthly foreign bank transfers on or about the 28th of each month, I asked why was the 100 baht passbook recording made on the day of my application necessary considering I had a bank letter itemizing my 12 monthly deposits, each documented by bank-issued Credit Advice Receipts and my passbooks. IO says, It's the Law. When pressed as to legal specifics, the IO said all my documentation might be fake and only a passbook showing a deposit on the day of my application confirms authenticity.???

Surely anybody can deposit into your account?? Now a withdrawal can only be done by you. My IO need to see a withdrawal on the day.....any amount.

[moontang]

I used cimb fixed deposits at cm immigration for three years without update, and had the stamped copies..however, that was not acceptable at Nonthaburi this week..solution was to add a 10,000 6 month to each of my two fixed books.  They also wanted original health insurance certificate and policy.  CM Immigration is a lot like the CM air.  You got off easy.  I queued at 3 am before, and sat in mosquito infested darkness.

[orchidfan]

1 hour ago, fredge45 said:

During my 20 minute visit to Chiang Mai Immigration to process my Retirement Extension this week my bank letter from the day before was accepted without comment.  Seems that any longer period is questioned.  My understanding is that the account is locked for 24 hours after the letter is given so withdrawals wouldn't happen in that time period.

If the account is locked for 24hrs then why do they require a deposit/withdrawal on the day of application....with updated bankbook ?

[NoshowJones]

I just cannot understand why people put themselves through all this hassle when they can go through

an agent, especially as there is nothing illegal about it.

Edited December 20, 2019 by possum1931

[NoshowJones]

18 hours ago, Martyp said:

Hmmm. In October I showed up at 8:30am and had both my 1 year extension and multiple entry permit by 11:30am. Best service ever. You are either lucky or not on any given day.

That's three totally unnecessary hours of your time wasted.

[saengd]

4 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

I just cannot understand why people put themselves through all this hassle when they can go through

an agent, especially there is nothing illegal about it.

It's well documented that some people throughout the ages have derived pleasure from inflicting pain on themselves.

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, worgeordie said:

I went to Chiang Mai Immigration same as my friend.different result.

regards Worgeordie

 

That figures. ????

[Martyp]

Just now, possum1931 said:

That's three totally unnecessary hours of your time wasted.

Sure, it would be nice to not have to report to Immigration so often but we are expats. You live in a foreign country. Life is different. There is the good and the bad. You get to choose where you want to be. 
 

I’m retired. I live here full time. I’ve got time. Going to CW is not such a big deal for me. For others I guess it is. 

[mberbae]

Never had a problem with CM immigration. Bankbook updates can be done 48 hours ahead

of the Visa Application. Most ALL Thai banks have ATM's with Update machines.

No deposit is ever needed.  If your bank does NOT have this feature, then change banks.

December is ALWAYS a busy time at immigration. If you can plan your renewal in November,

you will be better off.

 

[Deerculler]

20 hours ago, glegolo said:

I have read so enormously many posts and threads about CM Immigration and the struggle people have there. YOU seems to have a breeze and still complains... It is a sure thing to have your bankbook updated.... everybody knows that, so why even bother to mentioned it, like it was CM immigrtion fault of some kind.......

 

'Cheek up, all good.

glegolo

He was not complaining.

Only telling about his experience at CM.

 

[NoshowJones]

3 minutes ago, Martyp said:

Sure, it would be nice to not have to report to Immigration so often but we are expats. You live in a foreign country. Life is different. There is the good and the bad. You get to choose where you want to be. 
 

I’m retired. I live here full time. I’ve got time. Going to CW is not such a big deal for me. For others I guess it is. 

How do you compare when you first came to live in Thailand to today, will all these immigration hassles? Unless of course you came here in recent years.

[DrJack54]

31 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

That's three totally unnecessary hours of your time wasted.

True, that is 3 useful hours that could be used on Thaivisa.

[Martyp]

59 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

How do you compare when you first came to live in Thailand to today, will all these immigration hassles? Unless of course you came here in recent years.

2017

[NoshowJones]

2 minutes ago, Martyp said:

2017

That explains everything then.

[Vacuum]

1 hour ago, Martyp said:

Going to CW is not such a big deal for me. For others I guess it is. 

Going anywhere in BKK is a big deal/hassle.

[Max69xl]

21 hours ago, glegolo said:

I have read so enormously many posts and threads about CM Immigration and the struggle people have there. YOU seems to have a breeze and still complains... It is a sure thing to have your bankbook updated.... everybody knows that, so why even bother to mentioned it, like it was CM immigrtion fault of some kind.......

 

'Cheek up, all good.

glegolo

You need to read better. At some thai banks you can update your Fixed Deposit Account bank book in the update machines outside the bank or in the bank without any deposit. It seems it doesn't work that way at CIMB. The OP just stated that the immigration officer required an update. He wasn't talking about a savings account where you just withdraw a sum and then update the bank book. 

[glegolo]

6 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

You need to read better. At some thai banks you can update your Fixed Deposit Account bank book in the update machines outside the bank or in the bank without any deposit. It seems it doesn't work that way at CIMB. The OP just stated that the immigration officer required an update. He wasn't talking about a savings account where you just withdraw a sum and then update the bank book. 

I dont need to read any better. CIMB is a bank, and there you can either withdraw or deposit an amout i.e. 100 baht, and get it updated..... You mean that is not true???

 

glegolo

[Gweiloman]

6 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

You need to read better. At some thai banks you can update your Fixed Deposit Account bank book in the update machines outside the bank or in the bank without any deposit. It seems it doesn't work that way at CIMB. The OP just stated that the immigration officer required an update. He wasn't talking about a savings account where you just withdraw a sum and then update the bank book. 

You are absolutely correct. In anticipation of this, I told the bank to make copies of every page of my passbook and to stamp, date and sign every page. All credit to the IO who exhibited an above and beyond level of critical thinking as he accepted the bank copies. 
The same could not be said for the young chap who was handing out queue numbers at around half 11 (and spoke fairly good English) for the multiple reentry permit. He insisted that I should indicate the date of my proposed travel even though I told him that I hadn’t planned any travels and that’s why I’m applying for a multiple reentry permit. He said to just make up a date. I guess maybe he was just following the instructions of a less intelligent higher up. 

[Martyp]

18 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

You need to read better. At some thai banks you can update your Fixed Deposit Account bank book in the update machines outside the bank or in the bank without any deposit. It seems it doesn't work that way at CIMB. The OP just stated that the immigration officer required an update. He wasn't talking about a savings account where you just withdraw a sum and then update the bank book. 

That is what you can do at CW. Any account that qualifies for the 1 year extension, you just make a small same day deposit or withdrawal and update your bank book.

[Gweiloman]

13 minutes ago, glegolo said:

I dont need to read any better. CIMB is a bank, and there you can either withdraw or deposit an amout i.e. 100 baht, and get it updated..... You mean that is not true???

 

glegolo

You are not incorrect other than that the minimum deposit is 1,000? 2,000? baht and quite a bit more paperwork involved as it’s a fixed deposit. That’s why I mentioned that I will be doing that next year. 

[Momofarang]

20 hours ago, ukrules said:

This level of service is pathetic and should be regarded an an embarrassment to the country.

But, since this is a service to foreigners, its pathetic unfriendliness will be seen by the Thais as a virtue.

[Gweiloman]

5 hours ago, Martyp said:

If that were the case then no. A one year extension is not some simple checks and a stamp. The actual processing of the paperwork and examining your financials for a one year extension takes about 45 minutes. About 15 minutes for the multiple entry stamp. In your home country, without an appointment, you’ve never had to wait for your turn at a government office, motor vehicle department, doctors office, bank? Heck . . . I’ve waited hours just to be seen in an emergency room. I waited in two queues that morning. 
 

And to get a little more technical about it, if you’ve studied a little industrial engineering, they are doing batch processing. They look at the applications of several applicants in a batch. They may finish processing your application more quickly but you have to wait for the batch to complete.

 

Just bring something to do while you are there. I usually have lunch and do a little shopping. There is often a large food festival on the main floor at CW. Relax and enjoy. Sabai Sabai.

 

And . . . get organized and be prepared with everything you need for whatever you are doing. Be nice to the IO’s and they will be nice to you. You will encounter fewer frustrations.

A one year extension should be just some simple checks and a stamp. All they need to verify is that you have the minimum required funds (800k) seasoned for the minimum required period (2 months). This would take you 45 mins? It would take me less than a minute. 
In CM, they do not do batch processing the way you describe. The IO attending to you process the application and affix the appropriate stamp and dates to your passport. Only then is the passport is batched up for a more senior officer’s signature. 
There is also nothing to do at CM immigration other than sit and wait. There isn’t even a coffee shop on the premises. 30 years ago when I had to go to immigration in Singapore, they had TV’s playing Mr. Bean shows. Kept the customers amused. Not to mention that they had enough seating for everyone, something that can’t be said for CM immigration. 

[JimGant]

1 hour ago, mberbae said:

Most ALL Thai banks have ATM's with Update machines.

No deposit is ever needed. 

True for Bangkok Bank. Got bank letter on 16th; drove to Immigration on the 17th, stopping by local bank on the way and updating passbook in their machine. No deposit or withdrawal needed -- in fact, new figure for the 17th, because of no withdrawal or deposit, is equivalent to the figure on the bank letter. And this used to be the requirement....

Anyway, all the above worked last Aug 2019 -- but standing by for something definitive to indicate the system has been queered again....

[Cheesekraft]

three months ago I had a 9 hour wait for an extension, and a few days ago only had to wait a few hours, so perhaps going uphill? 

[Gweiloman]

5 hours ago, worgeordie said:

I have a friend who went there on Friday 11.00,which is

about the soonest you can arrive after getting Bank letter

and update on the book....no tickets left,come back sharp

on Monday, so he gets there at 5.00 in morning,gets ticket

number 3, When he gets up to Immigration officer,you have

to update your bank book !.

So off he goes to update the book, he says there are all new

staff there and new boss,looks like it's back to Promenade

carry on where you had to be there 4-5 o'clock to get a

ticket,where you were feel you were been steered to use

an agent, about 6 months ago I did my extension,from getting

letter at bank, driving to offices,getting my extension and out

total time approx 2 hours,now it looks  like things have changed,

back to the old ways .☹️    P.S. it was 4.00 went he left Immigration.

regards Worgeordie

 

I actually met a guy who was at 9 am the previous day and there were no tickets left already at that time. 
 

4 hours ago, Captain 776 said:

I disagree on this one.

I commend them for being extremely efficient.

It is absolute PEAK HIGH TIME right now,........keep that in mind.

Will be crazy now until after Jan 15

Last year, I did my extension at the same time and it was efficient then. That’s why I’m wondering if their services and efficiency is going downhill. 

[Gweiloman]

2 hours ago, possum1931 said:

I just cannot understand why people put themselves through all this hassle when they can go through

an agent, especially as there is nothing illegal about it.

I guess you are very well off, able to blow thousands of baht on someone to do something for you, something which you should be able to do very easily yourself.
I must admit that I have taken the same approach previously with regards hj’s. 

[mike787]

I have herd from expats trying to renew having a terrible time As well.  They agree the quality is rapidly deteriorating and the xenophobic culture is propelling it.

[Gweiloman]

2 hours ago, mberbae said:

Never had a problem with CM immigration. Bankbook updates can be done 48 hours ahead

of the Visa Application. Most ALL Thai banks have ATM's with Update machines.

No deposit is ever needed.  If your bank does NOT have this feature, then change banks.

December is ALWAYS a busy time at immigration. If you can plan your renewal in November,

you will be better off.

 

CIMB is only able to print the last transaction with the date of said transaction for FD accounts. So for example, if there was a deposit or withdrawal or interest credit on say 04 Dec, that is the date that will appear on the passbook even if you went to the bank on 17 Dec. 
I bank with CIMB because I get around 2% pa on my FD’s and I have privileged banking with them, making my banking issues a lot easier. 

[sfokevin]

36 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

I guess you are very well off, able to blow thousands of baht on someone to do something for you, something which you should be able to do very easily yourself.
I must admit that I have taken the same approach previously with regards hj’s. 

So you get the jist of it...

But many here are rather tight fisted... 

Edited December 20, 2019 by sfokevin

[Gweiloman]

4 hours ago, Captain 776 said:

I disagree on this one.

I commend them for being extremely efficient.

It is absolute PEAK HIGH TIME right now,........keep that in mind.

Will be crazy now until after Jan 15

Not sure what country you are from or what sort of experiences you have had at government offices around the world. What I saw at CM immigration this week was definitely an extremely inefficient way to conduct business, all the more because it’s supposedly peak season. 
Say there’s 100 people wanting to renew their extensions of stay. If you only hand out tickets between 7-8 am, you will have 100 people queuing in that 1 hr. However, if you handed out tickets throughout the morning for say 5 hrs, then you will only have an average of 20 people per hour in that queue. Judging from my observations, I would estimate that about 35 tickets for retirement extensions were handed out. I was ticket 24 and was processed by 11:30. So the remaining 11 tickets would have been processed by early afternoon. That would still leave a couple of hours for the two IO’s to pop over the road for a quick massage I guess, before their workday comes to a close.