Tourist complains about crowded visa office, shoddy treatment by Thailand

[NanLaew]

6 hours ago, colinneil said:

Social distancing... Some stupid sods around.

Why are immigration so determined to make problems for tourists?

They are helping to trash tourism here in the future, with their crazy antics.

Meanwhile, Udon Thani Immigration that is swamped daily by Laotians getting extension plus the nominal trickle of farang tourists and coffin dodgers, has set up a large shaded seating area outside with the seating compliant with social distancing rules. The first order of business is the temperature check where everyone who passes get a colored sticker before the next step where they check what procedure each person is there for. Once that is defined, a maximum of 3 people at a time are allowed to enter (the pre-Covid office typically had waiting for about 50 and 3 service desks). An acquaintance of mine joined the throng early (he was there for his 2nd stamp on his extension). When they saw what he was there for, they took his passport inside immediately, got his approval stamp done and gave him back his passport, all within a few minutes so he was well chuffed. Some Immigration Offices do a better job than others but I agree that the exotic tropical island offices seem to be the pits.

[Moonlover]

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Because that would make life easy for the illegal workers and real overstays. ie since pre virus days. There are still lots of them in the Kingdom.

We all know that there are people in Thailand, living 'under the radar'. Unfortunately it is because of them that life for the genuine tourists is so difficult.

Sorry I disagree with that. By calling a moratorium on tourist visa extensions and an amnesty for those overstaying due to this mess, immigration will be free to concentrate on the other issues that you mention. Right now they seem to be totally bogged down doing unnecessary work.

 

Actually I have some sympathy for the 'front desk' officers right now. It must be hell for them as well as a for the visitors they are having to deal with. And it's all so avoidable.

[tomacht8]

Immigration could make it easy for everyone. Simply by email. Pdf from the passport, TM6 and the entry stamps plus address and telephone number. Everyone should get an email emergency visa until June 30th. This would avoid many unnecessary mass accumulations and all come out of the annoying stranglehold of overstaying.

[RichardColeman]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The Thai government announced on Tuesday it would extend visa automatically for tourists who had entered the country after March 1.

What ? Both of them ? 

[Justgrazing]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Thailand is taking advantage of tourist by forcing them to come and extend their visas for money, while all reasonable countries in the world extend the visa automatically for a certain date,” he said.

Reasonable .! as rare a trait as responsible and well known to be just as easily lost in translation .. But hey could it not just be the Thai way of saying they don't really want ferryang to go home in their own uncomplicated sort of way way .. 

[Assurancetourix]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The tourist, whose name is being withheld by The Nation to spare him any potential trouble, complained that he and other tourists had to be in a crowded office at the Immigration centre in Koh Samui to apply for visa extension.

I do not feel sorry for them; it is entirely their fault.
Always wanting to cluster on 3 to 4% of Thai territory while the remaining 96 or 97% are deserted ...

Western tourists, at least, because Thai tourists are much smarter than the Farang
(and yes Yinn, if you read me , you will see that there, I make farang bashing);
They just have to come and discover certain provinces totally forgotten in the travel guides.

A few days ago, I was going to the IO of Sakon Nakhon for my 90 days report; I spent 2 minutes there.

[TheFishman1]

The picture Says it all TIT

[miamiman123]

I was in 7/11 today and while there a Thai man asked me in Thai for money... I responded I don’t understand but of course I did....then at the checkout counter this sale guy goes nuts....shooting the bird and saying you farangs are the cause of the CV...the staff were embarrassed as I kept saying I don’t understand you but of course I did...the girl staff said maybe some thing wrong w him up top...no doubt but it reminded me of that health Thai minister that said it was all the farangs fault. Hahaha sad for these people 

[Enoon]

2 hours ago, robsamui said:

 

 

Instead of getting understandably angry at them, try to imagine that, instead of people wearing official uniforms, you are dealing with a whole bunch of people wearing 7-11 uniforms - I can't imagine there's much difference in aptitude or ability.

 

 

 

I have never been angry with the IOs in my provincial office, because so far (3 years, 3 visits) they have demonstrated themselves to be the opposite.

 

Last weeks visit had the IO asking me, politely, in perfect English, what I intended to do when my extension ran out and then explaining an option to get a new one.

 

She also engaged me in conversation about England, recounting how much she enjoyed her stay in Oxford.

 

She obviously would have liked to hear more about Wales and Scotland (specifically the nature/history of the "Union") when the origin of my METV (Cardiff) came under discussion.

 

She also dealt very well with a group of Filipinas (teachers?) who had been wrong-footed by a very recent change in their requirements.

 

Here's hoping I get her next time.

 

 

 

[ajarnmarc]

6 hours ago, UbonThani said:

Why did they enter after March 10? By late Feb it was clear travel would be a problem. No sympathy for people like this.

Really?

Why not ask the IO why they let the arrivals into the country then?

If Immigration is going to let the tourist into the country, 

then last time I checked it is the immigrations responsibility to assure they can leave as well, no?

People made reservations long before they traveled, 

long before this became an issue.

How many of those reservation do you think were refundable?

Was everyone across the world supposed to suffer, take a loss from the reservations they made, 

because the Chinese nationals, who all knew they had another outbreak, stronger than SARS, 

yet they thought they still needed to travel, needed to celebrate their Chinese New Year, in other countries.

They knew full well they needed to leave the country or face lockdown, so they left, and Thailand was happy to take their money, and ignore all the spit they generally throw around while they are here.

Why not consider all the variables, instead of jumping on the band wagon of it's the tourist fault.

Why did Thailand let in any Chinese nationals in 2020?

Knowing full well where the virus outbreak came from and when.

No, instead they gave them free Visa upon arrival, yes?

What you stated is a complete copout, 

especially when you consider the neighboring countries approach, 

and when you think that Thailand is supposed to have more tourists than most of those neighboring

countries have in any given year. So the question arrises as to why they not have the system more streamlined decades ago?

Lets see how much sympathy you're not looking for, when your 90 day report comes due, and you need to face these same conditions? 

Or are you one of those that pays an agent to get your deeds done, so you have more time to express how little you're able to provide understanding in a situation like this. Thialand changed for the worse since 2000 preciously because people just like you starting coming, defending their upside down system, making them think that the majority of the foreigners were on their side and understood all the confusion they have decided to dish out to each of us over the coming years. Normally in the world, things are supposed to get better, more organized, more efficient, yet here that is far from the case. It just continues to get even worse, and this crisis is just showing more people than not, how truly unorganized the system truly is...

[Card]

"...which serves both tourists in Koh Samui and Kho Phangnan"

 

What both of them? So one in each of those places? Seems a lot to me.

[GoNavy]

Whenever government is involved it is a cluster "----."  Agencies do not work together or it becomes a powerplay between them.  For me, start off with 'how long has it been where e-mail links don't work on Immigration websites?'  I HAD to go to Immigration for the 90 day report.  It hasn't anything to do with how fast, easy or free.  Just fixing this glitch would be so much, for the farang and immigration staff.  How about some consistency among Immigration offices?  It is as if each office is its on fiefdom.  

 

Contributors bashing those in a jam are rather short sighted.  Walk in their shoes. Tourists do NOT read up on idiosyncrasies of foreign law.  Then when they change or as in this case, world wide messages were inconsistent by governments.  This pandemic was evolving.  Government was placing hoops to jump not the world citizen.

[shady86]

Hopefully they will think twice to come back here ever again. 

[rumak]

5 hours ago, Tops said:

I still hear the upper monkey dictator say: We have everything 100% under control.

i guarantee you that when someone reads that to him he will  have everything 200% under control.    

 

i understand everyone's frustration.   but trying to get by without making things worse.

No,  i am not a woos

[CMNightRider]

It's good tourists are finally waking up to see what the Thai government thinks of them.  Thailand is no longer the "land of smiles."  If there are any westerners who still live in Thailand, who think the Thai government wants you here, you either are delusional or have a very low cognitive ability.    

[manhood]

I defenitly wish that the way how Thailand is mistreating tourists in general and especially in this dangerous time of cocvid 19 that can effect everybody, will spread around the world, will be recognised and effect the future visits of Thailand.  Maybe mass of Chinese will go on holidays again in couple of months but western people better stay away as long immigration rules are how they are!

The same effect should be on forrigners plan to live in Thailand.  It's sure not the best choice! You sure can find lovely people in Thailand but the officials in Thailand do everything to keep western foreigners out!

[Dap]

7 hours ago, UbonThani said:

All tourists should have left 3 weeks ago. Don't these whingers read the news. Forget holidays for 9 months.

Holidays for many means not reading the news 

[ThailandRyan]

As much as we would all like this situation fixed and people to not have to travel to immigration, there is not much one can do except to play the stupid game that it is.  I just find it funny that I would ave to get my condo owner, who lives in New York, to go to immigration with me for an interrogation.  So I will not be playing the game they want, and hopefully, whatever fines they decide to impose will be mitigated by another decree.

[Fex Bluse]

This coronavirus is the one. Thai tourism is dead for several years. We finally will get to see the country suffer for treating foreigners so poorly. 

 

What will all the millions of Thais who live off foreign tourism do? 

 

Grow rice maybe 

[NanLaew]

44 minutes ago, shady86 said:

Hopefully they will think twice to come back here ever again. 

Are you keeping tabs on flights so you can leave as soon as convenient as well?

[473geo]

Why the downer on Thai people

Relax, you pay your way in Thailand, you adhere to the requests for information, you remain dignified, polite and understanding and 99% of the time life is ok

 

Alternatively, try insisting you have 'rights' be aggressive, moan and complain about Thai skills and attitude, voice opinions about how bad the system is you are set for a disappointing time

 

Thai people are concerned about the virus, they would probably really prefer these farang tourists had gone home rather than take the selfish gamble of being stranded and risk the health of the Thai IOs by cramming into an already crowded office

 

But then selfish the 'tourists' have been, and, selfish they continue to remain, my sympathy lies with the Thai office workers who have to face this kind of person in this kind of environment clearly tourists who do not give a damn about social distancing or the welfare of others

 

 

[thailand49]

This shouldn't be of any surprise to any of us who live here!  You don't want to call anyone Stupid we tend to be polite and use other words but this is exactly what it is from the top to the bottom.

 

It is all about money and power so much even if it cause more problems like it spreading since we foreigner are stupid and all dirty like Thais working in the offices of Immigration are immune to the virus.

 

It has nothing to do with National security it is money first and foremost, it isn't rocket science as to why people are stuck here one looks at the situation with virus and if and when things are better and they can leave anyone with a bit of brain and common sense would know while at the airport immigration why they have overstayed of course except a Thai!

 

Just give a blank overstay exception for all the tourist once an announcement is made things open up one has 15 days to leave beyond that without any good reason then you will be fined, wave 90 days reports that includes Immigration O, bank verification until further notice, wave TM-30 reports and no residential letters until further notice, might even include re-entry stamps since traveling has been suspended? That would pretty much just leave your extension visa's?  Problem solved but I guess solving a problem would cause many to not have a job but save a lot from maybe getting sick?

 

 

[Rawnthai]

Obviously their short timers. Those of us who have been here awhile know that this current treatment is better than it use to be.   555!

[richard_smith237]

5 minutes ago, Fex Bluse said:

This coronavirus is the one. Thai tourism is dead for several years. We finally will get to see the country suffer for treating foreigners so poorly. 

 

What will all the millions of Thais who live off foreign tourism do? 

 

Grow rice maybe 

Because tourism in no other country has been impacted, right??? just Thailands. 

 

Thailand does not treat tourists poorly. Genuine tourists to Thailand get favourable treatment, easy visas or visa exemption arrivals.

 

The strong baht had an impact, but the only foreigners who have suffered through this ‘poor’ treatment you speak of are long-termer who want to remain on tourist Visas etc... they are not tourists and don’t have a significant impact on the 9-15% contribution towards Thailand GDP by the tourism industry. 

 

As with many countries, reliant on tourism - the industry ebbs and flows as different markets are attracted to one area then move on. Thailand has had is hay-day with cheap tourists, now that the Baht is so strong it may have to concentrate on tourists who can afford to spend more, this means better quality places, not the cheap drop outs who somehow think they are a major contributor to the Thai economy. 

 

Tourism and Thailand will bounce back. 

[sambum]

7 hours ago, baansgr said:

Just one infected person in that crowded office will have a dire effect on numbers in Samui.....it really is beyond a joke, curfews, booze bans etc, yet this scene is happening on a daily basis for over two weeks throughout Thailand..madness, total madness

The PM (quite rightly) talks about the benefits of social distancing and yet allows some of the worst offences to occur in his own Immigration Offices! The photograph says it all!!!

[rosst]

Wow Thailand, you just don't get it. 

The legacy of this will fuel conversations all over the world for years, "I was treated badly by Thailand during the virus, don't go there". 

Yes, it will happen 

[Fex Bluse]

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

Because tourism in no other country has been impacted, right??? just Thailands. 

 

Thailand does not treat tourists poorly. Genuine tourists to Thailand get favourable treatment, easy visas or visa exemption arrivals.

 

The strong baht had an impact, but the only foreigners who have suffered through this ‘poor’ treatment you speak of are long-termer who want to remain on tourist Visas etc... they are not tourists and don’t have a significant impact on the 9-15% contribution towards Thailand GDP by the tourism industry. 

 

As with many countries, reliant on tourism - the industry ebbs and flows as different markets are attracted to one area then move on. Thailand has had is hay-day with cheap tourists, now that the Baht is so strong it may have to concentrate on tourists who can afford to spend more, this means better quality places, not the cheap drop outs who somehow think they are a major contributor to the Thai economy. 

 

Tourism and Thailand will bounce back. 

Good luck 

[Fex Bluse]

10 minutes ago, 473geo said:

Why the downer on Thai people

Relax, you pay your way in Thailand, you adhere to the requests for information, you remain dignified, polite and understanding and 99% of the time life is ok

 

Alternatively, try insisting you have 'rights' be aggressive, moan and complain about Thai skills and attitude, voice opinions about how bad the system is you are set for a disappointing time

 

Thai people are concerned about the virus, they would probably really prefer these farang tourists had gone home rather than take the selfish gamble of being stranded and risk the health of the Thai IOs by cramming into an already crowded office

 

But then selfish the 'tourists' have been, and, selfish they continue to remain, my sympathy lies with the Thai office workers who have to face this kind of person in this kind of environment clearly tourists who do not give a damn about social distancing or the welfare of others

 

 

You're not serious, surely? Thailand was one of the ONLY countries in the world that keep telling tourists to come whilst almost certainly under reporting their virus numbers. 

 

Have you already forgotten? 

[sambum]

7 hours ago, Moonlover said:

What details are necessary? Announce a blanket extension policy NOW and work out the details later.

 

Why is that so bloody difficult?

 

Because they need to form  a committee to discuss it - silly!

[473geo]

1 minute ago, rosst said:

Wow Thailand, you just don't get it. 

The legacy of this will fuel conversations all over the world for years, "I was treated badly by Thailand during the virus, don't go there". 

Yes, it will happen 

Perhaps also fuel the conversation subject matter of 'why were you so ignorant and selfish getting stranded in the first place!!'