Cheng Wattana visit.

[Londinium]

Reading some of the gloomy stories here made me a bit concerned about a trip to the IO this morning.

 

like many of you I have had good and bad experiences on trips to CW to do the visa extension (in my case, non-O/retirement).

 

I arrived today at 6.30am to find a couple of hundred already in the queue. However there were several members of staff around directing the queue and the bureau opened at 7.30. Rather than entering and obtaining a ticket these were given out at a desk outside the office, after checks on paperwork, along with a new two-page form which is not downloadable in advance. It seemed to be something about making an oath not to overstay. Once inside my number was called after 15 minutes and, after presenting the forms, my bank statement, bank letter and the usual, photocopies of passport pages the extension was processed. This took 15 minutes (and would have been quicker but I needed to update my bank pass-book downstairs). I noticed that the visa extension stamps were being done by the officers processing the paperwork rather than going off to someone else, as usually happens. Having obtained the new visa extension stamp I then went to get the multiple re-entry permit (having taken a ticket for this at the same time as the ticket for the visa extension). This took 10 minutes. The whole visit, including coffee, a pee and a good wash of the hands, was completed by 8.30am. The only mistake I made was not to pick up a ticket for the 90 day report. They wanted me (rightly, I suppose) to go to the back of the queue and start again but the queue was out of the building by then and I can do it on-line.

 

People were keeping a reasonable distance from one another and I didn’t see anyone not wearing a mask. All in all I was impressed by the system they had in place. It might have been luck of the draw but it wasn’t a bad experience today.

 

 

[TaoNow]

thanks for the trip report, Londinium.  These are always the most useful posts in this section of TV.

 

A few questions:  Previously, there were issuing queue numbers starting at 7:00 a.m. to get into the door.  Are you saying this step is no longer in place?

 

Also, when they screened your paper work, didn't they look to see if you had the bank letter and up-dated bank book before giving you a queue number?

 

Final question:  After your number was called and you saw the IO -- they asked you to go downstairs to up-date the bank book and get the bank letter.  It seems you did not lose your place in line.  So did you simply go back to the desk you were previously called to?

 

Thanks for these clarifications  -- I plan to go to do the same, next week.

[bangkokspurs]

excellent news ..they might have got themselfs organised for a change

one question do you have to have the bank letter and passbook updated the day you apply for extension or can it be done 24 hrs before.

[Curt1591]

1 hour ago, Londinium said:

a new two-page form

I don't believe I have ever had an extension visit without without at least one new form. 

[dddave]

1 hour ago, bangkokspurs said:

excellent news ..they might have got themselfs organised for a change

one question do you have to have the bank letter and passbook updated the day you apply for extension or can it be done 24 hrs before.

They told me the statement has to be the same date as application.  Many of the major banks have offices downstairs in the basement level.  At Bangkok Bank, use the teller queue.  I tried to update my bankbook at the update ATM but kept getting "Bar-Code Error" as did another customer behind me.  If that's the case with you as well, be sure to ask the teller to update your bankbook at the same time she is issuing the letter.

 

Nice to see the OP had a much smoother visit than I did the previous day.  His experience really makes clear the importance of getting there as early as possible.

[Londinium]

TaoNow, I’ve only just started posting to the forum and not sure if this is the correct way to reply to you.

 

Yes, ticket numbers were distributed to those in the queue. My passport was checked, and also the visa extension form but the bank paperwork wasn’t looked at until I was called to see the immigration officer.

 

in reply to questions from other members, I sorted out the bank letter (from Bangkok Bank) 100 baht, and bank statement (200 baht) yesterday and understand that one can do this a few days in advance.

 

As for forgetting to update my pass book before seeing the immigration officer, she simply smiled and said I should go downstairs, update it, make a copy and come straight back.

 

I have never extended my visa quite so quickly and was a bit surprised to be honest.

 

I hope every one else has a good experience. It’s not great being in a place with so many other people but the advantage is that it is a huge open space. Also people were being considerate and keeping their distance. I didn’t opt to use the officer’s pen, however, and gave anything that was handled a good wipe down afterwards. 

[nightbird]

I also arrived at CW this morning at 8:30 to find utter chaos and a completely novel system for entering. There was a line outside the entrance where they screened your temperature. You then entered the building and saw nothing but different lines of people with no signs or instructions about what to do. Asking the guards helped a bit but the chaotic congregation of folks STANDING in lines has never been seen before. I stood for 1 hour outside of the Immigration offices and then was handed a ticket #. I had idea what this was for. When I finally asked another attendant where the extension of stay line was, they directed me to one of several queues for different services. I was then given a ticket allowing me to go to the usual L counter inside, but told I had to come back at 1pm. I patiently had a coffee, take away only, no sitting down, read a book upstairs in the main plaza where you could sit, and then queued again at 1pm. Luckily this moved fairly quickly. Out at 2:30. 6 hours, a record for me after 14 years. 99% were wearing masks although some were walking around without. I could see where things like this will contribute to the many fears that are in the air about pandemic and pandemonium. The Thais seemed much more patient than the farang and asian foreigners who were their for various reasons. Many stranded and not able to get back to their country of origin. It's a bizarre time. 

 

When I got home, I went to the local Villa market which looked a little threadbare. They seem to be running out of things but maybe their deliveries have been disrupted with all the regulations put in place. The DHL and Post Office inside this small complex were closed as well as every other shop that didn't sell food or pharmaceuticals. 

[dcgm]

Is the photocopy place at immigration still open? It occurred to me the other day that when I do need to extend the print/copy shop near my apartment that I normally go to will likely be closed.