Don't pay the bribe that they are trying to get from you. Sets a bad precedent.

Just tell them you can't afford it. 

Act normal when they arrive and be nice and friendly as they go through the process. If/when the issue of paying their 'costs' comes, then ask the wife to take over things and negotiate a lower amount.  Seems 300-500 Baht is likely to make them happy from what others have said. The upside is that they will approve, and when you go to the Immi Office in future, you will be treated good. Think of 2000 as an ambit claim.

 

But if they never mention it, then as they are leaving, offer to give them some 'gas money'. Think of it not as a bribe, but as an opportunity to 'curry' some favour with the local Immi Office. Being in favour will come in handy in the future, especially if even more draconian rules and regs are introduced by the Thai Govt against Expats living in Thailand.

 

Had a similar call many moons ago when I bothered with immigration in country offices.

Simply replied over the phone come if you must but there will be no money for you here.

They never arrived funnily enough.

On 1/31/2020 at 10:48 AM, possum1931 said:

and then get deported. ????

Ok so just had a call the boys are coming tomorrow I'll let you all know the outcome 

2 minutes ago, Harveyboy said:

Ok so just had a call the boys are coming tomorrow I'll let you all know the outcome 

Be sure not to forget, I look forward to your report. ????

13 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Be sure not to forget, I look forward to your report. ????

Ok mate will do 

2000 baht gasoline? I would have made an counter offer: 200B and 2x instant noodles. Hot water is on me.
Seriously, who do they think they are? Fkers.

On 2/4/2020 at 11:56 AM, Harveyboy said:

Ok mate will do 

Ok as promised...I had my visit this morning.  They told us yesterday must have someone living near our home to verify I live here  3 people ...so my wife decided to ask her boss a Government official..good move .... a security guy who takes care of the government centre and a fellow worker ..all of these people see me daily ..my wife's boss was good enough to take time and came from his office to help.so after dozens of signitures..loads of Kaps n ka   dozen photos of the boys doing the necessary..all smiles and would you believe not one mention of the mmmmmmm..well you know ..all done ..

On 2/1/2020 at 11:09 AM, AussieBob18 said:

The upside is that they will approve, and when you go to the Immi Office in future, you will be treated good. Think of 2000 as an ambit claim.

There is no upside at all, first of all you continue and motivate to keep them doing the wrong things, second you have no guarantee for next time or being treated good.
I think of 2000 baht as it being 2000 baht, belonging to me and not to some dogs in uniforms.

Happy I have never seen them at my house, never planning to see them here as well. 

Edited February 5, 20206 yr by ChaiyaTH

2 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

There is no upside at all, first of all you continue and motivate to keep them doing the wrong things, second you have no guarantee for next time or being treated good.
I think of 2000 baht as it being 2000 baht, belonging to me and not to some dogs in uniforms.

Precisely, if you give 2000 baht first time, they will almost certainly expect it next year.

6 minutes ago, SteveK said:

Precisely, if you give 2000 baht first time, they will almost certainly expect it next year.

Nothing given... Wont expect it next time.. hopefully..as of today all went well 

46 minutes ago, Harveyboy said:

Nothing given... Wont expect it next time.. hopefully..as of today all went well 

Happy for you but the fact you needed to get your wife's boss and other staff for that, well, doesn't make me think it is good at all lol. 
If you were to only do 3 months visa's with 2 month extensions they never show up or question this,
I think that is kind of silly (as that person could stay as long or even longer in TH already).

I stopped doing 90 day reports since 1-2 years, neither TM30 every single time, just once after getting back from a new visa, never had questions or complaints.
All they do during extensions is checking if I have that TM30 paper stapled in my passport (and the address never changed anyway).
If they were to complain in the future and fine me 2K baht once, I be happy as of all the saved rides and time.

Edited February 5, 20206 yr by ChaiyaTH

Cultural divide: we see it as a scam, while they see it as an entitlement. They are probably aware of this divide as much as we do, but they might well be less "helpful" in future dealings you might have with them.

My advice would be to bargain and pay, and rest assured they'd greatly appreciate your "Thainess".

On 2/5/2020 at 2:52 PM, Boomer6969 said:

Cultural divide: we see it as a scam, while they see it as an entitlement. They are probably aware of this divide as much as we do, but they might well be less "helpful" in future dealings you might have with them.

My advice would be to bargain and pay, and rest assured they'd greatly appreciate your "Thainess".

It got nothing to do with culture, it is called criminal behaviour or corruption, the government pays for their gasoline.
If you want to support that, fine but do not start calling it culture or entitlement. 

Those who visit you have nothing to do with your future dealings at immigration either, nor do they care about previous payments when there is a new problem.

Edited February 6, 20206 yr by ChaiyaTH

2k baht for them to come? Yes it's a scam. No doubt about it. 

Don't know what you told them when you that but you should have said no right away.

On 2/5/2020 at 2:44 PM, ChaiyaTH said:

Happy for you but the fact you needed to get your wife's boss and other staff for that, well, doesn't make me think it is good at all lol. 
If you were to only do 3 months visa's with 2 month extensions they never show up or question this,
I think that is kind of silly (as that person could stay as long or even longer in TH already).

I stopped doing 90 day reports since 1-2 years, neither TM30 every single time, just once after getting back from a new visa, never had questions or complaints.
All they do during extensions is checking if I have that TM30 paper stapled in my passport (and the address never changed anyway).
If they were to complain in the future and fine me 2K baht once, I be happy as of all the saved rides and time.

"I stopped doing 90 day reports since 1-2 years,"

If you left the country every 90 days, no need for a 90 days report. Don't compare yourself with expats living here long term. We can't "stop doing 90 days reports". Understand? Why would anyone pay 8000 baht of fines/year? And the 90 days report is possible to do online if staying far away from immigration.