What is the list of requirements for Non O extension based on marriage 1 year at Jomtien Immigration?(March 20 2020)

[pluto_manibo]

Would anyone have an updated list and experience of the requirements needed for an extension based on marriage(Non O) at Jomtien Immigration? These vary from province to province. I would like to avoid making more than the necessary trips. For example; how many pictures, witnesses, which documents and how many copies, etc...? I looked it up online but there is a lot of contradicting and outdated information. Thank you.

[johng]

Jomtien March 2020

 

2 x copies of

1. TM7 application form  signed  both sides. ( print both sides on one A4 page)

2. passport face page
3. visa page
4. previous visa extension page
5. TM6
6.Marriage Kor Ror 3  (both sides on one A4 page)
7. Marriage Kor Ror 2  (both sides on one A4 page)
8. ID Wife ( front back same page)
9. House book ( showing current address)
10.Bank statement confirming 400,000 + in  Thai bank for at least 2 month's + a transaction on that day

and if the book isn't updated for a while during the last 3 months and book doesn't show when top up occurred then also need a statement showing the last 3 months

Bank statement must be from that day
11. photos 4 different on 2 A4 pages     you and wife at home, 1 must clearly show you including the home/house/condo number.
12. Map to house
 
2 sets of everything   sign every page ( blue ink  best) except your wife's and witness ID/house book which they must sign.
 
They will come to interview  at home,and want to interview a "witness"  who must be Thai  but not a close relative  2 copies of their ID and house book..(no need to take witness to immigration office)

no need to  get ticket  when getting the extension stamp ( after 30 day wait)

go straight to the bloke on the left of  desk 6 (that's what he told me this year)

[zoza]

the list looks the B****CKS and I am sure it is correct, but to get past this Application you need determination and calmness and a few Thais (wifes friends) if possible , so they can ask why this visit is made so difficult .

 

after three days of being sent away for unconvincing reasons we were told the pictures that they had seen on the first day were not up to scratch, we were back inside

twenty mins with all new pictures, when they brought up the TM30 I just queued up and paid the fine that was not mine to pay, and in the end we wore them down (I have never seen my mild Thai wife so angry)

but if you do not want to be bullied into going through an Agent or changing your Visa to suit them, and it made my relationship much better as now my wife knows how poorly we are treated when we venture down Immigration lately, and she realises being a Farang in Thailand is not all fun anymore. Best of Luck.

Edited March 20, 2020 by zoza

[johng]

31 minutes ago, zoza said:

so they can ask why this visit is made so difficult .

You are not alone..they always find something wrong with my paperwork (every single time) too,

just try to keep calm  though it can be very frustrating...I saw one guy  loose it and use the F word towards the I/O ..after he stormed off she called after him to watch his mouth  and said when he comes back he'll be taken to "the room" !!!!!

[pluto_manibo]

2 hours ago, johng said:

Jomtien March 2020

 

2 x copies of

1. TM7 application form  signed  both sides. ( print both sides on one A4 page)

2. passport face page
3. visa page
4. previous visa extension page
5. TM6
6.Marriage Kor Ror 3  (both sides on one A4 page)
7. Marriage Kor Ror 2  (both sides on one A4 page)
8. ID Wife ( front back same page)
9. House book ( showing current address)
10.Bank statement confirming 400,000 + in  Thai bank for at least 2 month's + a transaction on that day

and if the book isn't updated for a while during the last 3 months and book doesn't show when top up occurred then also need a statement showing the last 3 months

Bank statement must be from that day
11. photos 4 different on 2 A4 pages     you and wife at home, 1 must clearly show you including the home/house/condo number.
12. Map to house
 
2 sets of everything   sign every page ( blue ink  best) except your wife's and witness ID/house book which they must sign.
 
They will come to interview  at home,and want to interview a "witness"  who must be Thai  but not a close relative  2 copies of their ID and house book..(no need to take witness to immigration office)

no need to  get ticket  when getting the extension stamp ( after 30 day wait)

go straight to the bloke on the left of  desk 6 (that's what he told me this year)

Johng, excellent! Thank you.

[johng]

5 minutes ago, pluto_manibo said:

Johng, excellent! Thank you.

You're welcome..good luck.

[Max69xl]

18 hours ago, zoza said:

the list looks the B****CKS and I am sure it is correct, but to get past this Application you need determination and calmness and a few Thais (wifes friends) if possible , so they can ask why this visit is made so difficult .

 

after three days of being sent away for unconvincing reasons we were told the pictures that they had seen on the first day were not up to scratch, we were back inside

twenty mins with all new pictures, when they brought up the TM30 I just queued up and paid the fine that was not mine to pay, and in the end we wore them down (I have never seen my mild Thai wife so angry)

but if you do not want to be bullied into going through an Agent or changing your Visa to suit them, and it made my relationship much better as now my wife knows how poorly we are treated when we venture down Immigration lately, and she realises being a Farang in Thailand is not all fun anymore. Best of Luck.

"as now my wife knows how poorly we are treated when we venture down Immigration lately"

After >2 years enforcing the TM30 report, you or your wife couldn't get it done?

We feel so sorry for you. 

[zoza]

5 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

"as now my wife knows how poorly we are treated when we venture down Immigration lately"

After >2 years enforcing the TM30 report, you or your wife couldn't get it done?

We feel so sorry for you. 

actually the TM30 was not mine to fill in, the person who was responsible for the TM30 was at work offshore, as suggested by senior mods on this

site the TM30 is not normally an issue when applying for an extension of stay, in fact in the last 10 years it has never been mentioned at Jomtien

whatever visa I have applied for, but this time I was applying for a visa that is not  welcomed  by jomtien Immigration, so it was brought up, and the lady on TM30 desk confirmed that it was not down to me or my wife, but there was an outstanding fine and suggested that it would be easier if it was paid for and erased, when the lady on the main desk brought it up, I foolishly mentioned the person responsible was offshore I noticed a slight

smile and I knew she was going to make an issue of it.

but do not feel sorry for us as it is not our responsibility, I could of argued but after three days I wanted the visa done , I now have copies of all the offshore lads passport details/ signatures /house book ect ect  for next time.   

[pluto_manibo]

Don't you also need a certified letter from the bank, confirming the funds came from abroad and the amount  of 400k has been on the account for more than two months? If so, 2 copies as well?

[Myran]

6 minutes ago, pluto_manibo said:

Don't you also need a certified letter from the bank, confirming the funds came from abroad and the amount  of 400k has been on the account for more than two months? If so, 2 copies as well?

The funds don't have to originate from abroad when using the 400k method. But yeah, you need a letter with a statement confirming that it's been in the bank for 2+ months, at least in Hua Hin.

[Myran]

3 hours ago, zoza said:

actually the TM30 was not mine to fill in, the person who was responsible for the TM30 was at work offshore, as suggested by senior mods on this

site the TM30 is not normally an issue when applying for an extension of stay, in fact in the last 10 years it has never been mentioned at Jomtien

whatever visa I have applied for, but this time I was applying for a visa that is not  welcomed  by jomtien Immigration, so it was brought up, and the lady on TM30 desk confirmed that it was not down to me or my wife, but there was an outstanding fine and suggested that it would be easier if it was paid for and erased, when the lady on the main desk brought it up, I foolishly mentioned the person responsible was offshore I noticed a slight

smile and I knew she was going to make an issue of it.

but do not feel sorry for us as it is not our responsibility, I could of argued but after three days I wanted the visa done , I now have copies of all the offshore lads passport details/ signatures /house book ect ect  for next time.   

The law actually states that the "house master" is responsible for doing the TM30, and if you're the one staying in the house, you can be regarded as the house master. Not trying to justify them making it difficult for us, just pointing it out.

[maxcorrigan]

1 hour ago, pluto_manibo said:

Don't you also need a certified letter from the bank, confirming the funds came from abroad and the amount  of 400k has been on the account for more than two months? If so, 2 copies as well?

And not more than two days old either.or they won't be excepted at Jomtien!

[johng]

5 minutes ago, maxcorrigan said:

And not more than two days old either.or they won't be excepted at Jomtien!

As far as I know funds don't need to be shown coming from abroad if using the 400,000 in a bank method..you need to get a letter from the bank showing that on that day you have the money in the bank and show the updated bank book with a transaction on that day  showing the money has been there for 2 months (60 days)

[john terry1001]

On 3/20/2020 at 2:10 PM, pluto_manibo said:

Would anyone have an updated list and experience of the requirements needed for an extension based on marriage(Non O) at Jomtien Immigration? These vary from province to province. I would like to avoid making more than the necessary trips. For example; how many pictures, witnesses, which documents and how many copies, etc...? I looked it up online but there is a lot of contradicting and outdated information. Thank you

I have just done my marriage extension in Si Racha (three weeks ago). both Si Racha and Jomtien are part of Chonburi Immigration and have the same requirements. Attached is the document requirements supplied by Si Racha (1). Its written in Thai (Si Racha like to be awkward ????) so I had it translated into English (2). You need two copies of every document and presented as two separate individual folders. I've added a couple of notes with regard to the finance section for clarity. (at least, with me, they were very particular about proving both the source of the money and where it originates from (eg: proof of pensions and proof of where/how it was sent to Thailand.

 

Long story but Jomtien actually checked all my documents first, before Si Racha, and confirmed everything was correct and presented properly and they informed Si Racha of this by telephone.

 

2. Marriage ext docs Eng -Si Racha.pdf

1. Marriage ext req docs Thai-Si Racha Dec 19.pdf

Edited March 21, 2020 by john terry1001

[Chomper Higgot]

On 3/20/2020 at 2:36 PM, johng said:

Jomtien March 2020

 

2 x copies of

1. TM7 application form  signed  both sides. ( print both sides on one A4 page)

2. passport face page
3. visa page
4. previous visa extension page
5. TM6
6.Marriage Kor Ror 3  (both sides on one A4 page)
7. Marriage Kor Ror 2  (both sides on one A4 page)
8. ID Wife ( front back same page)
9. House book ( showing current address)
10.Bank statement confirming 400,000 + in  Thai bank for at least 2 month's + a transaction on that day

and if the book isn't updated for a while during the last 3 months and book doesn't show when top up occurred then also need a statement showing the last 3 months

Bank statement must be from that day
11. photos 4 different on 2 A4 pages     you and wife at home, 1 must clearly show you including the home/house/condo number.
12. Map to house
 
2 sets of everything   sign every page ( blue ink  best) except your wife's and witness ID/house book which they must sign.
 
They will come to interview  at home,and want to interview a "witness"  who must be Thai  but not a close relative  2 copies of their ID and house book..(no need to take witness to immigration office)

no need to  get ticket  when getting the extension stamp ( after 30 day wait)

go straight to the bloke on the left of  desk 6 (that's what he told me this year)

I submitted my renewal at Jomtien yesterday, I have some comments to John’s list as follows:

 

TM7

I downloaded my TM7 forms from the Thai Immigration website, there are two pages to each form. Print them as two pages not back to back.

Fill them in by hand in blue ball point.

 

You need to glue a RECENT passport size/format photo of yourself to each form. Color photo on white background. 

Use a glue stick.

 

Kor Ror 2 (Kor Ror 22 if married outside Thailand)

This must be a recent copy, tge rule is within 3 months but within a few days is better. 

 

House Book

Your wife might be registered at another address, for example at her parents home, if so you need copies of the House Book she is registered in (Front page and page with her name) AND the House Book where you both live.

 

Other Home Documents 

According to your personal circumstances include copies of the Chanote/Mortgage Agreement/Rental Agreement.

 

Bank Statement

The requirement is a statement for 2 months showing a continual balance above 400,000. But when you finally submit you’ll be asked what your monthly income is, here a statement going back 3 months is ‘helpful’.

 

Request a formal statement from your bank, explain what it’s for - It must be stamped and signed by the bank.

 

You also need a certified statement from the bank ‘nang suer lap long’ confirming your balance on the day. Again this must have the bank stamp and signature(s).

 

These documents must be obtained and signed/dated on the day you apply for your visa.

 

Update and photo copy your bank book.

 

Photos.

Six RECENT color photos of you close together, one in front of your home (number clearly visible, others at locations around the house including sitting on your bed.

Try to have evidence of living in the home in the background of these photos, example books, desk with family photos in view, food on shelves in the kitchen.

 

Photos printed at a photo shop, not printed by you onto normal paper.

 

Glue these six photos as two photos to a page on A4 paper.

 

Map of house

Hand drawn on A4 paper, not printed from google maps etc.

 

Add to John’s list

Copies of 90 day reporting slip.

 

Details

Make sure all details you write on forms and the map, names, addresses etc, are exactly as recorded in the documents you are referencing.

 

Compiling your applications (2 sets)

Set two identical document sets.

Fasten with bulldog clips, do not put in file binders. Do put in large envelope Incase it rains.

 

TM7 on top, 

Passport

Wife’s ID 

Marriage Documents

House Documents

Photos

Bank Documents (original statements and certificates issued by the bank - not copies!)

Map

 

Process

Go to the bank first thing, get your bank documents sorted and inserted into your application documents sets - do this where you can sit down comfortably and before you arrive at Immigration.

 

Take all the originals with you, assembled together for easy access when asked by the officer for the original.

 

I take a large tote bag to keep my documents in.

 

Try to get to Immigration as early as possible.

 

At Immigration

Use the car park opposite and a little down the Soi from Immigration. On every recent occasion I’ve been to the office I’ve seen cars parked in the roads near Immigration with police locks on their wheels.

 

In response to the virus threat Jomtien now have an outside queue, it’s not perfect but it’s a lot better than it could be, it is also quite orderly and well managed.

 

Once you get to the door you’ll have your temperature taken and if OK a stamp on your forearm before you are let in.

 

At the desk directly in-front of the main doors, hand the staff both your files and tell them ‘Marriage Visa Extension’ they’ll briefly check you have both sets of documents and then hand you a ticket - For  is a extension based on marriage it will be a 600 series ticket.

 

Go straight to the far end of the waiting room - Desk 6 and take a seat in a nearby row, wait for your number to be called.

 

Caution: The officer who deals with marriage visa applications takes no nonsense - sit down and wait your turn, on several occasions I’ve seen her rip into people standing around in front of her.

 

On the upside, she’s by-the/book, I rather like her.

 

Fee

Bht 1900 paid to the application officer.

Keep the receipt safe, you may be asked for it when you collect your visa.

 

Missing Documents - Instructions from the application officer.

 

Pay very close attention to everything the application officer tells you, she doesn’t like repeating herself, if she says there is a problem or missing document(s) take her at her word and do exactly what she instructs - Do not argue with her, she’s giving you instructions/advice on what you need to do.

 

If your application is in order

You’ll be sent to an adjacent desk where you’ll photographed together while seated. 

 

You’ll be given two more forms to sign and your passport will have a stamp recording your application and telling you the expected date to collect your passport.

 

 

Questions you will be asked

How long have you been married, known each other, date of marriage. Average monthly income/expenditure.

 

Trick question: Where are you working/what’s your job. 

 

Home Visit

In the week or so after your application an Immigration officer(s) will visit you at your home. They will want to confirm with one or two Thai citizens that you are married and living together. They also ask to see the Thai ID of these witnesses who may be asked to sign to confirm their statement. Make sure you have given your witnesses a heads up.

 

When to apply

I normally apply 28 days in advance of my visa expiry, but this year circumstances dictated I had to leave it until 10 days left on my visa.  

Try to apply early, I was getting very concerned that Immigration might close their office.

 

If you leave it to the very last minute you have zero time to deal with errors or corrections.

 

One last point

Smart clean dress and both of you wear face masks.

 

Good luck.

 

 

 

Edited March 21, 2020 by Chomper Higgot

[Peter Denis]

30 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I submitted my renewal at Jomtien yesterday, I have some comments to John’s list

Many thanks.

This will be very useful for all those applying for a Non Imm O - marriage extension.

Those with already some IO mileage for sure will recognize the value of the info provided, as it will save them a couple of re-runs before their application is complete and approved..

 

Note: But at the same time it is both APPALING and RIDICULOUS to hassle applicants with this mountain of requirements, and insist on repeating this whole circus every year.

[somo]

I am due to extend my non- o in ealry May. I am hoping that by then the gov. hasn't started insisting on $100k worth of insurance for all extensions as well as all arrivals. If I leave the country and come back I will need it yet for now extending my stay I don't. Some bright spark may spot this inconsistency.

[zoza]

looks like some great info and for people who have not gone through all the hoops (we were sent away or should I say dismissed a couple of times because we did not have all the forms in the correct order? when I asked

if they had a list of what forms were in what order, I got a glare and an arm waving us away) I did find one a bit later but in Thai of course.

 

I have copied both lists as at least until next year when no doubt they will bring in new or alter some things, we will be half way to our Visa,

so thanks Lads,

 

just to point out I am the 3rd person on the list to be liable for a TM30.

after the owner the householder, I believe my description is ''Possessor'' 

 

 Section 38. The householder, the owner or the possessor of a dwelling place or a hotel manager, who takes in, as a resident, an alien with permission to temporarily stay in the Kingdom, 

Edited March 22, 2020 by zoza

[john terry1001]

1. Marriage ext req docs Thai-Si Racha Dec 19.pdf

On 3/22/2020 at 10:20 AM, zoza said:

looks like some great info and for people who have not gone through all the hoops (we were sent away or should I say dismissed a couple of times because we did not have all the forms in the correct order? when I asked

if they had a list of what forms were in what order, I got a glare and an arm waving us away) I did find one a bit later but in Thai of course.

At Si Racha (which is also part of Chonburi Immigration)1. Marriage ext req docs Thai-Si Racha Dec 19.pdf I was given a list of required documents (in Thai) and I needed two copies of everything. After my wife (the IO refuses to speak to the applicant and will only talk to the wife) presented them the IO messed up both copies together, then pushed the now single pile back to my wife and said each pile should be presented in exactly the same order as written on the list they supplied. 

[zoza]

10 minutes ago, john terry1001 said:

1. Marriage ext req docs Thai-Si Racha Dec 19.pdf 94.79 kB · 1 download

At Si Racha (which is also part of Chonburi Immigration)1. Marriage ext req docs Thai-Si Racha Dec 19.pdf I was given a list of required documents (in Thai) and I needed two copies of everything. After my wife (the IO refuses to speak to the applicant and will only talk to the wife) presented them the IO messed up both copies together, then pushed the now single pile back to my wife and said each pile should be presented in exactly the same order as written on the list they supplied. 

Thanks for the list, we now have a copy each and I will get the Thai one copied in case the dragon lady is having a bad day. 

[spidermike007]

They make the marriage visa very difficult. Far more difficult, than it needs to be. We should be required to provide all of this on the application for the first time. Much of this information should be passed on, onto future applications, once we have proven we are a real couple. Countless hours of time, and countless forests of paper are being consumed for nothing. New photos of the house, each and every time we apply? Copies of the marriage paper again? We are talking what, 60-70 pages of documents and paperwork, in duplicate?

Edited March 24, 2020 by spidermike007

[john terry1001]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

They make the marriage visa very difficult. Far more difficult, than it needs to be. We should be required to provide all of this on the application for the first time. Much of this information should be passed on, onto future applications, once we have proven we are a real couple. Countless hours of time, and countless forests of paper are being consumed for nothing. New photos of the house, each and every time we apply? Copies of the marriage paper again? We are talking what, 60-70 pages of documents and paperwork, in duplicate?

Agree they make things difficult for us. but I think it probably started out to prove the marriage was genuine and not something that was arranged in a bar over a drink and a few baht as a sweetner. One reason visas to/in the UK are difficult is because of scam marriages and I should imagine its at least as common in Thailand.

 

But with the increased number of people wanting to change from retirement to marriage extensions as well I would expect the IO's have been instructed to be much more vigilant as well.  

 

As to the number of documents we need to supply, I've just counted mine. Excluding financial proof mine was eighteen (which included two name change certificates for my wife), and with two copies of each that's a total of thirty-six pieces of paper. If doing the 400k in the bank method it would require another six pieces of paper, so between 38-42 in total. Doing the 40k pm option it would require even more pages but would depend on exactly what information the IO wants to see. (for me they wanted proof of pensions and proof of transfer from the UK as well as the Thai bank statements and copies of the bank book.

 

 

[johng]

On 3/21/2020 at 6:09 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

Pay very close attention to everything the application officer tells you, she doesn’t like repeating herself,

Neither my wife or myself are "hard of hearing"  but often have difficulties hearing what she says over the general noise of the office..now with mask wearing it can only be worse ?

[stoicccc]

On 3/21/2020 at 6:09 PM, Chomper Higgot said:

Questions you will be asked

How long have you been married, known each other, date of marriage. Average monthly income/expenditure.

 

Trick question: Where are you working/what’s your job. 

 

Many thanks for this amazing list, this is all anyone needs when applying for extension.

 

If I answer the trick question the following way: "I write investment articles in German for a German investment website about US and European investments"
Will that fly or will it be an issue with them?
If it's an issue, will a written statement from the CEO confirming employment suffice as proof?

Edited July 19, 2020 by stoicccc

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, stoicccc said:

Many thanks for this amazing list, this is all anyone needs when applying for extension.

 

If I answer the trick question the following way: "I write investment articles in German for a German investment website about US and European investments"
Will that fly or will it be an issue with them?
If it's an issue, will a written statement from the CEO confirming employment suffice as proof?

Don’t risk it.

 

If you don’t have a work permit you are not permitted to work.

 

Reply you don’t work.

 

And make sure your wife understands and is ready to say you do not work.

 

If you are asked were your income is from, savings and investments overseas.

 

If you are doing any work of the kind you describe for an overseas employer be sure that you are paid into your overseas account and that transfers to your Thai account are from an overseas account in your name.

 

I signed up for email copies of money transfer certificates which detail where my income arrives from.

 

I have a certificate for every single transfer I have ever made to Thailand.

 

 

Edited July 19, 2020 by Chomper Higgot

[Samui875]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

If you are asked were your income is from, savings and investments overseas.

 

 

 

I rent out a House overseas and get income from renting it out. Is this ok?

Money goes to overseas bank account.

[bert bloggs]

Did my first marriage after 14 yrs retirement last january at Jomtien ,we had been married and lived in the UK , followed the list given by Ubonjoe ,they were really nice  and i had made a few minor mistakes,which were sorted there and then ,they were as nice as pie ,as were the guys who came to our house ,a week later. our neighbour acted as a witness ,her husband owns a company ,when asked how much they earned a month and she replied about 1 million baht ,well lets say they were very ,very polite, mind you so was i ????

[stoicccc]

9 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

 

If you are asked were your income is from, savings and investments overseas.

 

If you are doing any work of the kind you describe for an overseas employer be sure that you are paid into your overseas account and that transfers to your Thai account are from an overseas account in your name.

 

 

 

 

 

Do they ask to see investment proof, portfolio statement etc?

 

I get paid to my overseas account for sure and work has nothing to do with Thailand or Thai people. I also get commission from affiliate work that I have done years ago and not activately doing anything about it anymore, maybe that would be a good thing to mention instead then. I could have their CEO write a letter of proof.

[Peter Denis]

On 3/21/2020 at 4:57 AM, zoza said:

actually the TM30 was not mine to fill in, the person who was responsible for the TM30 was at work offshore, as suggested by senior mods on this

site the TM30 is not normally an issue when applying for an extension of stay, in fact in the last 10 years it has never been mentioned at Jomtien

whatever visa I have applied for, but this time I was applying for a visa that is not  welcomed  by jomtien Immigration, so it was brought up, and the lady on TM30 desk confirmed that it was not down to me or my wife, but there was an outstanding fine and suggested that it would be easier if it was paid for and erased, when the lady on the main desk brought it up, I foolishly mentioned the person responsible was offshore I noticed a slight

smile and I knew she was going to make an issue of it.

but do not feel sorry for us as it is not our responsibility, I could of argued but after three days I wanted the visa done , I now have copies of all the offshore lads passport details/ signatures /house book ect ect  for next time.   

I PM-ed you a step-by-step instruction on how to register on the IO TM-30 website, so that you can do 'your' TM-30s on-line.

You can register either as tenant or on behalf of the owner.

One less thing to worry about on your next visit to that friendly helpful office.

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, stoicccc said:

 

Do they ask to see investment proof, portfolio statement etc?

 

I get paid to my overseas account for sure and work has nothing to do with Thailand or Thai people. I also get commission from affiliate work that I have done years ago and not activately doing anything about it anymore, maybe that would be a good thing to mention instead then. I could have their CEO write a letter of proof.

I once included the past twelve month’s transfer certificates in my application pack, the immigration officer removed them and returned them to me.

 

However, I always take them with me just Incase I am asked.

 

Keep this in mind:

 

Applications for extension on the basis of marriage are not approved by the local office, they are sent to Bangkok for approval:

 

The requirements are written down, discussed above, and are formal immigration department requirements.

 

The immigration officer who you see is checking your application before sending it up to Bangkok.

 

S/he is naturally being very careful to ensure what s/he sends up the line is correct.

 

If incomplete applications are sent up to Bangkok that will reflect poorly on the immigration officer you see.

 

Hence the meticulous checking to ensure your application is ‘by the book’.