Whats happening at CM Immigration?

[ChakaKhan]

I get to find out monday..did a test run today..the doors opened and I asked two thai gals-IO one old bag 

and a younger one to make sure no surprise holidays on monday.....not looking forward to it...last extension and Im back home...unless corona gets me in the next 30....

[Trujillo]

"Her (Nancy's) money, her choice. What's it to do with you?"

 

Okay, let me explain how a forum works: People post their ideas and comments. Others comment on those ideas and comments, adding their own reactions. 

I was reacting to a post. I can create a chart if it helps you understand. ...

 

If you want to chase your tail, why not ask yourself what does my opinion of NancyL's post have to do with YOU? 

[banagan]

Here now, circus. Got here at 6, opened doors at 7. 2 queues, unfortunately, mine is moving 4 times slower, seems this officer just keeps grilling people.

[banagan]

Seems the biggest hold up is people not having their docs in order, and looking bewildered at T M30 stuff.

 

They keep changing the rules, so what was normal last time most likely has changed.

 

My school takes care of all my paperwork, so, in the slow queue, took me around 3 min to get a ticket. 

 

Some people up to 10 min, and then coming back wasting more time.

 

They should have interns weeding out those with missing paperwork.

 

If you're not sure, hire an agent.

 

Oh, we were all made form a neat line before they opened the doors ???? Attention!

[Sparkles]

On 2/15/2020 at 4:56 PM, deej said:

Another Visa Agent Basher.

Many expats are  happy to engage a Reputable Visa Agent etc etc for a Saloon Passage  at  Cmai Immgr Dept . where their Fee.s IMO are very affordable to most expats residing in Cmai

Your properstrous remark of a Whistle Blower to come forward is Ga  Ga Land  Tripe

If that concerned.  be the Whistle Blower yourself.

Not Agent bashing at all you obviously have difficulty in both comprehension and spelling. Maybe when I am incapable of filling out a form or physically handicapped I will use an Agent.

 

What I was wondering ,when I posted,is why the function of the Immigration Office, ie providing a competent service like any Government Dept, has declined to the extent it has since my last visit in December.

 

As for a "whistle blower" that would obviously be someone inside the system that could explain why the processing of paperwork has gone back to the bad old days. Get it now ?

 

[ChakaKhan]

Yep I went today-monday about 3pm hoping it would mellow by then..NOPE

 

AND of course they switched everything around..AGAIN...a mobscene there

as chinese tried butting in and jumping past anyone as usual....

 

ALSO i filled out my forms-had all my copies ready as the IO complimented me!

but there was a sign saying front desk closed at 330pm?!! but seemed for the most

part she took in a few stragglers but eventually locked the doors..I was 20 behind others

and id say from arrival to departure for a 30 day extension took 2-2.5 hrs total

 

I did see some HISO officers being escorted around and kissed up to as well..

 

They did give me a # ticket as soon as my paperwork was in order and a new paper for me

to sign saying I am aware of overstay fines--not sure what that was about...

 

But got the extension...now had to rebook all my cancelled flights due to this damn virus!!!

[elektrified]

In complete contradiction to the above post, I was also there today. I arrived at about 14:20. Yes, the parking lot was busier than I have seen in the last year or however long it has been since they re-opened, but I found a spot within 5 minutes. I was also surprised at the sign that says they shut down the desk at 15:30. But after I was given a queue card, I was in and out in 15 minutes. My last two times there I was in and out in under 5 minutes each time, so yes this time it took longer by 10 minutes, so not unreasonable at all. I did not see any Chinese inside and I did not see any mob scene, queue jumping, pushing or shoving.

 

The Chinese are being kept outside and Immigration matters are being processed in an outdoor setting for the safety of those inside.

Edited February 17, 2020 by elektrified

[dingdongrb]

5 hours ago, elektrified said:

In complete contradiction to the above post, I was also there today. I arrived at about 14:20. Yes, the parking lot was busier than I have seen in the last year or however long it has been since they re-opened, but I found a spot within 5 minutes. I was also surprised at the sign that says they shut down the desk at 15:30. But after I was given a queue card, I was in and out in 15 minutes. My last two times there I was in and out in under 5 minutes each time, so yes this time it took longer by 10 minutes, so not unreasonable at all. I did not see any Chinese inside and I did not see any mob scene, queue jumping, pushing or shoving.

 

The Chinese are being kept outside and Immigration matters are being processed in an outdoor setting for the safety of those inside.

What did you go for as that makes a big difference with how long it may take? I'm assuming 90 day reporting....

[jonwilly]

Pay the money and use an Agent.

 

john

[dingdongrb]

3 hours ago, jonwilly said:

Pay the money and use an Agent.

Why? It's not that hard of a process and saving 5-10k THB for just sitting at Immigration and surfing the Internet isn't so stressful.....at least not to me....  ????

[stament]

What's the procedure for TM30 reporting on a weekday when you've already previously registered. I've only been on a weekend where no tickets are required and you just go to the front desk.

 

Thanks

[Vacuum]

10 hours ago, elektrified said:

The Chinese are being kept outside and Immigration matters are being processed in an outdoor setting for the safety of those inside.

But they still let them enter the country.

[Vacuum]

@deej Why the confusion?  electrified wrote:

 

Quote

The Chinese are being kept outside and Immigration matters are being processed in an outdoor setting for the safety of those inside.

 

[deej]

28 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

@deej Why the confusion?  electrified wrote:

 

 

No confusion with Electrified post at all????in fact

very good information

Edited February 18, 2020 by deej

[kilt]

On 2/17/2020 at 5:00 PM, Sparkles said:

As for a "whistle blower" that would obviously be someone inside the system that could explain why the processing of paperwork has gone back to the bad old days. Get it now ?

 

Info from the inside: The new boss lady has instituted a new system that started the very day it all went to sh$t at cnx immigration. If one uses an agent, the new boss lady gets a brown envelope and the applicant will get express service where everything is fixable and the extension (or whatever service) is done in an efficient manner in a private office. The agents fees have risen in accordance with the new brown envelope. This is not considered corruption as the fees are paid to the agent. Go ahead, try to complain. Who did you pay the extra fee to? Not immigration. Pay attention when you're at immigration and you will see the 2 systems. Some are ushered into a private office and come out all smiles after 10 minutes. Others are there all day, maybe 2.

If you endeavor to do your extension (or whatever service) by yourself you will endure long wait times and will be given the runaround and told you are missing so and so document / the bank book needed to be updated 5 seconds ago etc... This is the new system.

I am also told that some loud, visible complaining by expats may help to have the system changed and the new boss lady transferred somewhere else... maybe.... someday...

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, kilt said:

I am also told that some loud, visible complaining by expats may help to have the system changed and the new boss lady transferred somewhere else... maybe.... someday...

Normally they change bosses when the guy above feels his share isn't big enough.

This is the way CM immigration has always been.

[Vacuum]

22 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Normally they change bosses when the guy above feels his share isn't big enough.

This is the way CM immigration has always been.

Considering that you leave Thailand 4 times a year to get your 'extension', how can you be an expert on this matter?

[Mapguy]

On 2/15/2020 at 8:08 AM, lopburi3 said:

Unfortunately it has much to do with everyone when it becomes accepted practice in any country.  

This graphic is a cheap shot. Agents are a boon in a system that is complex and inefficient as Thai Immigration law and administration are. And the Chiang Mai office has experienced astonishing ups and downs in leadership. I haven't yet felt the need for an agent but might in the future.

Edited February 18, 2020 by Mapguy

[lopburi3]

4 minutes ago, Mapguy said:

This graphic is a cheap shot. Agents are a boon in a system that is complex and inefficient as Thai Immigration law and administration are. And the Chiang Mai office has experienced astonishing ups and downs in leadership. I haven't yet felt the need for an agent but might in the future.

Any attempt to limit corruption is not a cheap shot IMHO.  There is far too much in this world.  Agents should never be required to perform such activities in an efficient manner.

[chingmai331]

the Royal Thai Police run every Immig office and airport Immig inspection station.  Do you have any idea the wages a 5 yr veteran police officer makes per month?

 

Very low.  In fact, low enough to seek alternative sources of income.  A very common situation in most of the world.  Have state power but no income. 

[NeeNoon]

On 2/17/2020 at 11:25 AM, banagan said:

Seems the biggest hold up is people not having their docs in order, and looking bewildered at T M30 stuff.

 

They keep changing the rules, so what was normal last time most likely has changed.

 

My school takes care of all my paperwork, so, in the slow queue, took me around 3 min to get a ticket. 

 

Some people up to 10 min, and then coming back wasting more time.

 

They should have interns weeding out those with missing paperwork.

 

If you're not sure, hire an agent.

 

Oh, we were all made form a neat line before they opened the doors ???? Attention!

They don't just have interns checking the paper, they have the actual officers.  But that does not matter, as they are not correcting all the paperwork at the front desk when they check them, on purpose I believe.

 

I went to renew a non-O visa based on marriage, and using my income from my Thai company as proof of funds.  Went in on a Wednesday afternoon with all documents.  Pass paperwork to the intern at the desk and as she is looking over all the documents, she actually says, "Oh my god" and then passes it to two officers next to her.  They each take a stack and begin to go through all the documents.  They asked where is my wife and 2 year old, and I said I am here to check documents only, so as to minimize the time inside with my toddler.  They find 3 items that are missing or wrong, one is a marriage certificate that we need to go to the Amphur to obtain.  The lady writes down on a piece of paper the items needed.  I take that and leave.

 

We get the documents then on Friday morning I am there at 7am.  I just got in with the first batch of 50.  Wait for the second que number then call my wife and tell her what time to be there.  They are there at 9am and we are seen shortly after.  Same two ladies at the counter checking documents.  I give them mine.  Then they ask me where my company certificate is.  I said what?  I show her the paper and the list, and she did not write that down.  My blood pressure is rising now.  She holds up an application with the certificate to show me, and I said, yeah, but you did not tell me to bring that.  She gives me my documents back and I get a number, so I think it must not be a big deal.

 

We wait.

 

Get called to counter 4 and hand my documents in.  Lady there asked where my company certificate is?  I told her I was here a few days ago to check documents and they did not inform me I needed it.  She said they only check documents but don't know whats needed??  That makes no sense at all.  This lady then rejects our rental contact, saying the date in it is expired!  I am not happy at this point.  She then also asked where the original copy of our marriage certificate is, the one we were told to get.  I showed the list and no where did they write bring original in.  Everything else is two copies of everything, but this they want the original.  I happen to have it with me, so no issue.  This lady writes down a list of and tells my wife what we need.  We leave.

 

Next week I am there at 5am, a few people in front of me.  Call my wife and tell her to show up at 8:30.  Now, the lady officers that originally checked my documents are at the counter and the other one is checking documents, so they switched places, which tells me they ALL know what documents are needed.  I go to the counter, wife and baby shows up and had the lady, who we last saw, our documents.  She checks everything then asked us where is the chanote copy of the house we are renting?  Now, my wife holding our baby is not happy, and tells here we where here multiple times and they never said anything about needing a chanote copy.  How can three offices all working on screening the documents not know what is needed?  Are they really that incompetent or are they corrupt?   I don't believe that when someone does this day in day out that they do not know what documents are required.

 

So we give the documents to the two ladies at the counter and are protesting that they are now requesting the chanote copy of the house we are renting.  They say ok, we feel sorry for you, so bring it to us later.  Thank <deleted>, as the house owner is in Europe, so its not so simple to get.  They accept our paperwork and we leave, and I vow I will leave this county as soon as I can.

 

Then, we get a call that because this is our first extension, the police will come to investigate us.  I had previous 8 years of visa extensions in my passport however forgot to get a re-entry permit one year and everything lost.  How crazy is that? 

 

Police come like a week later.  Call us and say bring a witness.  Wife gets next door neighbour.  Police show up, walks in house with a laptop and printer!  Sets up his desk.  Asked me a few basic questions, then proceeded to grill the neighbour with what are ridiculous questions.  Asking her, what my job is, what my salary is, what is my licence plate number, what is my passport number!!  Jesus, my own wife would struggle with those questions!  Am I a drug dealer, have I ever fought with anyone in the area.  It was ridiculous and we had to apologize to her for this.  He printed off a bunch of documents, had her sign then left.

 

This country has NOT been progressing, its been re-gressing and we have had our fill of it.  Plans are in place to exit.  I pay income tax here of almost 10K a month, yet get no social benefits are are subjected to this kind of treatment every year.  People say use an agent, well, we have in the past, and even using an agent we were called to go back to immigration to RE-SIGN every document as the officer said I did not sign where he stamped.  Well, I signed first, then he stamped, so logic would say HE did not stamp where I signed!  Every single year its something else.  Agents wanted 9000 to do the extension, which I thought was a bit high, so decided to do it myself.  If they would just tell us whats needed the first time, there would have been no issues, but THEY want us to be frustrated so a we use certain agents so they can get tea money.  This is what is going on and its pathetic.  I am sure there will be some posters here that will try to spin this to say it was our fault somehow.  

 

 

 

[BritManToo]

19 minutes ago, NeeNoon said:

I am sure there will be some posters here that will try to spin this to say it was our fault somehow.  

Were you dressed correctly?

Did you wai(t) enough?

[LomSak27]

Deodorant and Aftershave. Did you apply liberally?

[stament]

42 minutes ago, NeeNoon said:

They don't just have interns checking the paper, they have the actual officers.  But that does not matter, as they are not correcting all the paperwork at the front desk when they check them, on purpose I believe.

 

I went to renew a non-O visa based on marriage, and using my income from my Thai company as proof of funds.  Went in on a Wednesday afternoon with all documents.  Pass paperwork to the intern at the desk and as she is looking over all the documents, she actually says, "Oh my god" and then passes it to two officers next to her.  They each take a stack and begin to go through all the documents.  They asked where is my wife and 2 year old, and I said I am here to check documents only, so as to minimize the time inside with my toddler.  They find 3 items that are missing or wrong, one is a marriage certificate that we need to go to the Amphur to obtain.  The lady writes down on a piece of paper the items needed.  I take that and leave.

 

We get the documents then on Friday morning I am there at 7am.  I just got in with the first batch of 50.  Wait for the second que number then call my wife and tell her what time to be there.  They are there at 9am and we are seen shortly after.  Same two ladies at the counter checking documents.  I give them mine.  Then they ask me where my company certificate is.  I said what?  I show her the paper and the list, and she did not write that down.  My blood pressure is rising now.  She holds up an application with the certificate to show me, and I said, yeah, but you did not tell me to bring that.  She gives me my documents back and I get a number, so I think it must not be a big deal.

 

We wait.

 

Get called to counter 4 and hand my documents in.  Lady there asked where my company certificate is?  I told her I was here a few days ago to check documents and they did not inform me I needed it.  She said they only check documents but don't know whats needed??  That makes no sense at all.  This lady then rejects our rental contact, saying the date in it is expired!  I am not happy at this point.  She then also asked where the original copy of our marriage certificate is, the one we were told to get.  I showed the list and no where did they write bring original in.  Everything else is two copies of everything, but this they want the original.  I happen to have it with me, so no issue.  This lady writes down a list of and tells my wife what we need.  We leave.

 

Next week I am there at 5am, a few people in front of me.  Call my wife and tell her to show up at 8:30.  Now, the lady officers that originally checked my documents are at the counter and the other one is checking documents, so they switched places, which tells me they ALL know what documents are needed.  I go to the counter, wife and baby shows up and had the lady, who we last saw, our documents.  She checks everything then asked us where is the chanote copy of the house we are renting?  Now, my wife holding our baby is not happy, and tells here we where here multiple times and they never said anything about needing a chanote copy.  How can three offices all working on screening the documents not know what is needed?  Are they really that incompetent or are they corrupt?   I don't believe that when someone does this day in day out that they do not know what documents are required.

 

So we give the documents to the two ladies at the counter and are protesting that they are now requesting the chanote copy of the house we are renting.  They say ok, we feel sorry for you, so bring it to us later.  Thank <deleted>, as the house owner is in Europe, so its not so simple to get.  They accept our paperwork and we leave, and I vow I will leave this county as soon as I can.

 

Then, we get a call that because this is our first extension, the police will come to investigate us.  I had previous 8 years of visa extensions in my passport however forgot to get a re-entry permit one year and everything lost.  How crazy is that? 

 

Police come like a week later.  Call us and say bring a witness.  Wife gets next door neighbour.  Police show up, walks in house with a laptop and printer!  Sets up his desk.  Asked me a few basic questions, then proceeded to grill the neighbour with what are ridiculous questions.  Asking her, what my job is, what my salary is, what is my licence plate number, what is my passport number!!  Jesus, my own wife would struggle with those questions!  Am I a drug dealer, have I ever fought with anyone in the area.  It was ridiculous and we had to apologize to her for this.  He printed off a bunch of documents, had her sign then left.

 

This country has NOT been progressing, its been re-gressing and we have had our fill of it.  Plans are in place to exit.  I pay income tax here of almost 10K a month, yet get no social benefits are are subjected to this kind of treatment every year.  People say use an agent, well, we have in the past, and even using an agent we were called to go back to immigration to RE-SIGN every document as the officer said I did not sign where he stamped.  Well, I signed first, then he stamped, so logic would say HE did not stamp where I signed!  Every single year its something else.  Agents wanted 9000 to do the extension, which I thought was a bit high, so decided to do it myself.  If they would just tell us whats needed the first time, there would have been no issues, but THEY want us to be frustrated so a we use certain agents so they can get tea money.  This is what is going on and its pathetic.  I am sure there will be some posters here that will try to spin this to say it was our fault somehow.  

 

 

 

I have sympathy with you, they sound completely incompetent. I always take originals with the copies in case they ask to see them, I know it's not asked for but I always prefer to be prepared just in case.

 

[roo860]

1 hour ago, NeeNoon said:

They don't just have interns checking the paper, they have the actual officers.  But that does not matter, as they are not correcting all the paperwork at the front desk when they check them, on purpose I believe.

 

I went to renew a non-O visa based on marriage, and using my income from my Thai company as proof of funds.  Went in on a Wednesday afternoon with all documents.  Pass paperwork to the intern at the desk and as she is looking over all the documents, she actually says, "Oh my god" and then passes it to two officers next to her.  They each take a stack and begin to go through all the documents.  They asked where is my wife and 2 year old, and I said I am here to check documents only, so as to minimize the time inside with my toddler.  They find 3 items that are missing or wrong, one is a marriage certificate that we need to go to the Amphur to obtain.  The lady writes down on a piece of paper the items needed.  I take that and leave.

 

We get the documents then on Friday morning I am there at 7am.  I just got in with the first batch of 50.  Wait for the second que number then call my wife and tell her what time to be there.  They are there at 9am and we are seen shortly after.  Same two ladies at the counter checking documents.  I give them mine.  Then they ask me where my company certificate is.  I said what?  I show her the paper and the list, and she did not write that down.  My blood pressure is rising now.  She holds up an application with the certificate to show me, and I said, yeah, but you did not tell me to bring that.  She gives me my documents back and I get a number, so I think it must not be a big deal.

 

We wait.

 

Get called to counter 4 and hand my documents in.  Lady there asked where my company certificate is?  I told her I was here a few days ago to check documents and they did not inform me I needed it.  She said they only check documents but don't know whats needed??  That makes no sense at all.  This lady then rejects our rental contact, saying the date in it is expired!  I am not happy at this point.  She then also asked where the original copy of our marriage certificate is, the one we were told to get.  I showed the list and no where did they write bring original in.  Everything else is two copies of everything, but this they want the original.  I happen to have it with me, so no issue.  This lady writes down a list of and tells my wife what we need.  We leave.

 

Next week I am there at 5am, a few people in front of me.  Call my wife and tell her to show up at 8:30.  Now, the lady officers that originally checked my documents are at the counter and the other one is checking documents, so they switched places, which tells me they ALL know what documents are needed.  I go to the counter, wife and baby shows up and had the lady, who we last saw, our documents.  She checks everything then asked us where is the chanote copy of the house we are renting?  Now, my wife holding our baby is not happy, and tells here we where here multiple times and they never said anything about needing a chanote copy.  How can three offices all working on screening the documents not know what is needed?  Are they really that incompetent or are they corrupt?   I don't believe that when someone does this day in day out that they do not know what documents are required.

 

So we give the documents to the two ladies at the counter and are protesting that they are now requesting the chanote copy of the house we are renting.  They say ok, we feel sorry for you, so bring it to us later.  Thank <deleted>, as the house owner is in Europe, so its not so simple to get.  They accept our paperwork and we leave, and I vow I will leave this county as soon as I can.

 

Then, we get a call that because this is our first extension, the police will come to investigate us.  I had previous 8 years of visa extensions in my passport however forgot to get a re-entry permit one year and everything lost.  How crazy is that? 

 

Police come like a week later.  Call us and say bring a witness.  Wife gets next door neighbour.  Police show up, walks in house with a laptop and printer!  Sets up his desk.  Asked me a few basic questions, then proceeded to grill the neighbour with what are ridiculous questions.  Asking her, what my job is, what my salary is, what is my licence plate number, what is my passport number!!  Jesus, my own wife would struggle with those questions!  Am I a drug dealer, have I ever fought with anyone in the area.  It was ridiculous and we had to apologize to her for this.  He printed off a bunch of documents, had her sign then left.

 

This country has NOT been progressing, its been re-gressing and we have had our fill of it.  Plans are in place to exit.  I pay income tax here of almost 10K a month, yet get no social benefits are are subjected to this kind of treatment every year.  People say use an agent, well, we have in the past, and even using an agent we were called to go back to immigration to RE-SIGN every document as the officer said I did not sign where he stamped.  Well, I signed first, then he stamped, so logic would say HE did not stamp where I signed!  Every single year its something else.  Agents wanted 9000 to do the extension, which I thought was a bit high, so decided to do it myself.  If they would just tell us whats needed the first time, there would have been no issues, but THEY want us to be frustrated so a we use certain agents so they can get tea money.  This is what is going on and its pathetic.  I am sure there will be some posters here that will try to spin this to say it was our fault somehow.  

 

 

 

I can see the next mass shooting will be at Chiang Mai Immigration, but will be no innocent bystanders killed! ????

[StevieAus]

On 2/14/2020 at 9:31 PM, Trujillo said:

"...for the first time in over a decade with a visa agent because I just couldn't take another year of getting up at 4 am and sitting around for hours. "

 

Well, yeah...but a few hours A YEAR? You'd rather spend three times the cost of the extension itself (or more) just to avoid a few hour of "sitting around" once a year? 

You must be one active person to not sit around at home for a few hours once in a while, let alone a year. 

But who wants to spend 0.034 percent of their entire year sitting around at immigration? 

I am one as well who doesn’t want to sit around in Immigration.

Its the same reason that I fly Business Class instead of Economy, for the comfort and convenience.

Its my money so I will spend it as I wish.

Sorry if you cannot or choose not to. 

[jonwilly]

9 hours ago, StevieAus said:

Well, yeah...but a few hours A YEAR? You'd rather spend three times the cost of the extension itself (or more) just to avoid a few hour of "sitting around" once a year? 

In my case, YES, I would rather spend some of my money then spend a few uncomfortable hours at CM immigration.

I suppose its OK for the young pups to spend their time waiting around but at my age I just don't need the hassle. 

I pay my agent and they do everything, in 2019 I was in immigration for exactly 10 mins, entering to leaving with a new 12 month visa. For my 90 day I am required to drop off then a couple of days later collect my passport from their office, even I can manage that.

 

john

[jeffandgop]

22 hours ago, NeeNoon said:

They don't just have interns checking the paper, they have the actual officers.  But that does not matter, as they are not correcting all the paperwork at the front desk when they check them, on purpose I believe.

 

I went to renew a non-O visa based on marriage, and using my income from my Thai company as proof of funds.  Went in on a Wednesday afternoon with all documents.  Pass paperwork to the intern at the desk and as she is looking over all the documents, she actually says, "Oh my god" and then passes it to two officers next to her.  They each take a stack and begin to go through all the documents.  They asked where is my wife and 2 year old, and I said I am here to check documents only, so as to minimize the time inside with my toddler.  They find 3 items that are missing or wrong, one is a marriage certificate that we need to go to the Amphur to obtain.  The lady writes down on a piece of paper the items needed.  I take that and leave.

 

We get the documents then on Friday morning I am there at 7am.  I just got in with the first batch of 50.  Wait for the second que number then call my wife and tell her what time to be there.  They are there at 9am and we are seen shortly after.  Same two ladies at the counter checking documents.  I give them mine.  Then they ask me where my company certificate is.  I said what?  I show her the paper and the list, and she did not write that down.  My blood pressure is rising now.  She holds up an application with the certificate to show me, and I said, yeah, but you did not tell me to bring that.  She gives me my documents back and I get a number, so I think it must not be a big deal.

 

We wait.

 

Get called to counter 4 and hand my documents in.  Lady there asked where my company certificate is?  I told her I was here a few days ago to check documents and they did not inform me I needed it.  She said they only check documents but don't know whats needed??  That makes no sense at all.  This lady then rejects our rental contact, saying the date in it is expired!  I am not happy at this point.  She then also asked where the original copy of our marriage certificate is, the one we were told to get.  I showed the list and no where did they write bring original in.  Everything else is two copies of everything, but this they want the original.  I happen to have it with me, so no issue.  This lady writes down a list of and tells my wife what we need.  We leave.

 

Next week I am there at 5am, a few people in front of me.  Call my wife and tell her to show up at 8:30.  Now, the lady officers that originally checked my documents are at the counter and the other one is checking documents, so they switched places, which tells me they ALL know what documents are needed.  I go to the counter, wife and baby shows up and had the lady, who we last saw, our documents.  She checks everything then asked us where is the chanote copy of the house we are renting?  Now, my wife holding our baby is not happy, and tells here we where here multiple times and they never said anything about needing a chanote copy.  How can three offices all working on screening the documents not know what is needed?  Are they really that incompetent or are they corrupt?   I don't believe that when someone does this day in day out that they do not know what documents are required.

 

So we give the documents to the two ladies at the counter and are protesting that they are now requesting the chanote copy of the house we are renting.  They say ok, we feel sorry for you, so bring it to us later.  Thank <deleted>, as the house owner is in Europe, so its not so simple to get.  They accept our paperwork and we leave, and I vow I will leave this county as soon as I can.

 

Then, we get a call that because this is our first extension, the police will come to investigate us.  I had previous 8 years of visa extensions in my passport however forgot to get a re-entry permit one year and everything lost.  How crazy is that? 

 

Police come like a week later.  Call us and say bring a witness.  Wife gets next door neighbour.  Police show up, walks in house with a laptop and printer!  Sets up his desk.  Asked me a few basic questions, then proceeded to grill the neighbour with what are ridiculous questions.  Asking her, what my job is, what my salary is, what is my licence plate number, what is my passport number!!  Jesus, my own wife would struggle with those questions!  Am I a drug dealer, have I ever fought with anyone in the area.  It was ridiculous and we had to apologize to her for this.  He printed off a bunch of documents, had her sign then left.

 

This country has NOT been progressing, its been re-gressing and we have had our fill of it.  Plans are in place to exit.  I pay income tax here of almost 10K a month, yet get no social benefits are are subjected to this kind of treatment every year.  People say use an agent, well, we have in the past, and even using an agent we were called to go back to immigration to RE-SIGN every document as the officer said I did not sign where he stamped.  Well, I signed first, then he stamped, so logic would say HE did not stamp where I signed!  Every single year its something else.  Agents wanted 9000 to do the extension, which I thought was a bit high, so decided to do it myself.  If they would just tell us whats needed the first time, there would have been no issues, but THEY want us to be frustrated so a we use certain agents so they can get tea money.  This is what is going on and its pathetic.  I am sure there will be some posters here that will try to spin this to say it was our fault somehow.  

 

 

 

 

22 hours ago, stament said:

I have sympathy with you, they sound completely incompetent. I always take originals with the copies in case they ask to see them, I know it's not asked for but I always prefer to be prepared just in case.

 

While I too empathize with NeeNoon's struggle, I have to wonder that, after 8 previous extensions based on marriage and income based on company funds, why he would need to be told to bring originals of any or all documents he may have- one should always have originals in the event IMM wants to compare the copies given- I mean, did the list have to state for you to bring your "original" passport in order for you to submit your request?  For marriage extensions, a KorRor 2 or KorRor22 (depending on your marriage registration) is required every year- why didn't the OP have that as part of the routine?  An expired lease agreement? Why would one expect that to be acceptable?  Now the chanote request was way off base- I would expect copies of the owner's ID & Blue Book is all that is required.

No, I do not agree that the incompetency was solely on the part of the IO's in this case...OP's experience should have enable him to be better prepared.  IMHO.....

[NeeNoon]

58 minutes ago, jeffandgop said:

 

While I too empathize with NeeNoon's struggle, I have to wonder that, after 8 previous extensions based on marriage and income based on company funds, why he would need to be told to bring originals of any or all documents he may have- one should always have originals in the event IMM wants to compare the copies given- I mean, did the list have to state for you to bring your "original" passport in order for you to submit your request?  For marriage extensions, a KorRor 2 or KorRor22 (depending on your marriage registration) is required every year- why didn't the OP have that as part of the routine?  An expired lease agreement? Why would one expect that to be acceptable?  Now the chanote request was way off base- I would expect copies of the owner's ID & Blue Book is all that is required.

No, I do not agree that the incompetency was solely on the part of the IO's in this case...OP's experience should have enable him to be better prepared.  IMHO.....

I was waiting for you.  I knew someone here would twist this to be my fault.  You can state all you want that I "should have known" what to bring, but the reality is, I specifically did a dry run there with my documents to GET THEM CHECKED, and they failed to tell me the rental contract is not accepted, nor that I need the ORIGINAL KorRor22, or that I need the company certificate (original not required) or that I needed the owners chanote.  

 

Do you get the picture?   THEY are the officers who accept the documents, its not up to me to try to guess what is needed.  I WENT TO CHECK.  Just because I had previous 8 extensions does not mean I knew exactly what is needed, especially since some years I used an agent.  About the lease agreement, I am not saying they should have accepted it, I did not even know that it was expired, however after having my documents checked, if they KNEW that the expiry date in the rental contract is important, than why not check it at that time and advise me?

 

Why try to say I should have been better prepared?  Thats a stupid thing to say when I tried my best to be prepared and then went there for them to cross check before I brought my family.

 

What about when I first went to get the application form, I asked for a list of whats required for this extension, and the lady gave me the print out and the application form, but, she did not give me the "official" paper that the map needed to be drawn on, I knew about this and had to ask for it.  Also, the "list" does not have many many of the items that are required is using Thai income.  Is that so difficult to make one complete list of all the requirements so people don't have to make multiple trips?  It seams that THEY don't want people to be able to do this themselves, as they do not receive kickbacks from the agents then.  Its that simple.

[Bill97]

Nee Noon,

 

many people do it themselves without the difficulties you found.  So why did you have problems?  Bad luck?  Possibly.    Something you did or did not do? Possibly.  You made several efforts to tell the immigration officers that they had done things wrong,  they did not make their requirements clear to you several times.  Generally telling police they are wrong is counter productive so you probably gave them reason to be difficult.  Get it?

 

Also you went in to have them pre-check your documents.  Think about what a monster mess there would be if everyone did that.

Edited February 20, 2020 by Bill97