Tourist complains about crowded visa office, shoddy treatment by Thailand

[smudger1951]

7 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 ?

[NanLaew]

2 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 

Most of them already go home in the low season to help on the farm so yes, maybe they will do more of that.

 

Anyway, lost tourism means only 9% to 17% of GDP that needs to be replaced. Pretty sure the already mature services sector can fill the gap and the younger more agile generation of workers will easily retrain and adapt.

 

The notion that Thailand will become a total basket case after all the foreigners stop coming is quite funny. Did you come up with that one yourself?

[Fairynuff]

8 hours ago, colinneil said:

Why are immigration so determined to make problems for tourists?

They’re not making problems for tourists, they’re making money for themselves 

[Ubonfarang]

Tourists complain ??! Tourists should be back home weeks ago !!! Stupid <deleted> !

[473geo]

1 minute ago, Fex Bluse said:

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? 

I was just doing as I was told, is no longer mitigation in the real world, have you not heard

[Benmart]

Memories of poor treatment will come back to address shoddy treatment.

[473geo]

Just now, Benmart said:

Memories of poor treatment will come back to address shoddy treatment.

No it won't, sensible people, went home already, and readily accept these tourists were the architects of their own situation

[ChipButty]

8 hours ago, UbonThani said:

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

Im not sure of the dates, but I know of some tourist who's flight got cancelled and the next available flight was 4000 Pounds for them they could afford it,

[Fairynuff]

7 hours ago, RJRS1301 said:

Not defending anyone, but working under extreme strain and pressure, perhaps poorly briefed, having to achieve KPIs of processing. 

Tourists as well as IOs unable to respond calmly, and fear on both sides

No one has ever had to deal with this choas ever before

What’s happening is indefensible. I don’t care what they’re doing to try to mitigate this situation. The answer is simple and obvious. AMNESTY. Job done.

[ThailandRyan]

30 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

 

 

It is not just tourists on Koh Samui, Even those of us expats who have lived here, and I mean do live here, are considered Long-Stay Tourists, we all have rights according to the Thai Immigration Law.  No one is trying to exert any other rights except that of which is in law, and to be treated fairly in these uncertain times, and not have additional obstacles placed in our way as we try to conduct daily business. 

 

So try again with your statement of:

 

"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". 

 

That makes about as much sense as the statement:

 

"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"

 

Where do you think that all of us need to go eventually when its time to do a report of 90 days, a change of address, or even better when its time to renew the extension, that's right we all need to go to Immigration.  With your statements you have lumped every non Thai foreigner, be they a short term tourist, a long-stay expat or someone employed here by a company all into the same category   We are all tourists here, and nothing more, we may be married to a Thai, or work here as I stated on a WP, or we are here because we have moved to be where we wanted to be when we retired. 

 

So try again and look at the bigger picture, other nations are doing things to assist the people stuck there, or who are there long term....

Edited April 5, 2020 by ThailandRyan

[Fairynuff]

5 hours ago, madmitch said:

expecting close to 40 million this year

Are you a close friend of the tourism minister?

[473geo]

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Even those of us expats who have lived here, and I mean do live here, are considered Long-Stay Tourists, so try again with your statement of:

 

"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". 

 

That makes about as much sense as the statement:

 

"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"

 

Where do you think that all of us need to go eventually when its time to do a report of 90 days, a change of address, or even better when its time to renew the extension, that's right we all need to go to Immigration.  With your statements you have lumped every non Thai foreigner, be they a short term tourist, a long-stay expat or someone employed here by a company all into the same category   We are all tourists here, and nothing more, we may be married to a Thai, or work here as I stated on a WP, or we are here because we have moved to be where we wanted to be when we retired. 

 

So try again....

90 days on line - social distancing use an agent, or at least for gods sake spread yourselves out a bit, while claiming some semblance of concern and intelligence!!

 

But this thread is about 'tourists' so if you as 'long term' wish to be 'lumped in' to my remarks please feel free to be so

 

 

[DerThaiPin]

TOURISTS applying for visa EXTENSION. 

Hmmmm, did they miss anything? It's NOT the time to EXTEND a visa! Since several weeks it's time to catch one of many flights back out of Thailand! All I can say is: Somm numm naa khrub, farang. May you rot in your self elected "paradise". 

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

Are you a close friend of the tourism minister?

An employee of TAT more than likely

[sambum]

6 hours ago, dutchinlondon said:

I have to be honest, but I'm always treated right at Jomtien Immigration. Even when I was stressed out. Great guys. don't forget they only do their job. Not that hard to stay polite and friendly.  they are getting hundreds of people extra now. Not easy to keep caring.

You seem to be in the minority then - but good luck to you! There is no reason in the world - stressed out or not, for I.O.s to treat their "guests" in an extremely rude manner, as if they were naughty schoolchildren who hadn't done their homework correctly! 

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

2 minutes ago, 473geo said:

90 days on line - social distancing use an agent, or at least for gods sake spread yourselves out a bit, while claiming some semblance of concern and intelligence!!

 

But this thread is about 'tourists' so if you as 'long term' wish to be 'lumped in' to my remarks please feel free to be so

 

 

Tell me where a Long-Term Stay extension is not still considered a tourist.  At any moment they could cancel your extension and you are out of here.  There are no special privileges one has with being a long-stay extension holder.  You must be deluding yourself.

[sambum]

5 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.

I thought "Big Joke" had got rid of them all?

[sambum]

4 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

Yes that is true, but your Thai ladies will not be having to go to immigration every 90 days for the rest of their lives, or each year to renew their visa, with a constantly changing and seeming endless list of documents and copies of stuff that is not needs as the info is all on immigration computer anyway. 

 

The good ladies would also not be crammed up in over crowded hot immigration offices for hours on end when there is a serious disease outbreak when people are supposed to be staying at home and also using social distancing to prevent the spread of a deadly virus.  I suspect they don't have to take their landlords and property owners along with them either, or photos of themselves outside, and inside their home.  

 

 

Sorry - can only like this once - there should be a button that says "Right On!"

[Fex Bluse]

23 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Most of them already go home in the low season to help on the farm so yes, maybe they will do more of that.

 

Anyway, lost tourism means only 9% to 17% of GDP that needs to be replaced. Pretty sure the already mature services sector can fill the gap and the younger more agile generation of workers will easily retrain and adapt.

 

The notion that Thailand will become a total basket case after all the foreigners stop coming is quite funny. Did you come up with that one yourself?

Good luck. When the Thai economy is in tatters, all the fanboys and girls will vanish from the forums overnight. I've seen it before. Until then, they continue to provide us entertainment. 

[Fairynuff]

3 hours ago, robsamui said:

The biggest problem with immigration officials in all small provincial offices is that they are essentially undereducated - as with all Thais. Also, they are specifically trained to work in an exact way, and lack the initiative or creativity to adjust, or find solutions, to new situations.

 

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.

 

These are exceptional times, leading to floods of people (farangs) all of which have distressing visa scenarios, combined with an easily-spread disease which makes everyone edgy and nervous.

 

The situation is heightened by the rapidly-changing attitudes of central government and the ongoing poor communications between Bangkok and it's far-flung outposts.

 

Not to mention the conflict with the traditional Thai instruction that all immigration directives are up to the discretion of individual immigration officer - this has always been a nonsense but under these new emergency circumstances it's become yet another Thai farce.

 

Try to keep it in mind that 99% of Thais are conservative, shy, gentle folks who would much rather disappear through a back door for an hour than face a confrontation in a situation they are not trained to cope with.

 

Be patient with what's happening now - the staff at immigration are probably at their wit's end. It's not these individuals who are sinking Thailand's tourist boat; that's already been achieved by the simple soldiers who are currently running the nation and their insane lust for the tourist $$ at any cost and the outmoded and unreliable computer infrastructure - plus their open racism . . . not to mention their inability to take decisive and positive action - none of which is being well-perceived by the rest of the world.

All this and you’re asking us to be patient? We wouldn’t need to be patient if they could treat us with respect, forget lining their pockets, and just for once, do the right thing.

[digger70]

8 hours ago, bangkokfrog said:

I couldn't agree more, but if truly stuck here they still deserve to be treated with dignity and concern for their safety... something immigration offices in the provinces are not well known for.

It would be better for the tourist jus to stay Away from IMM office .When they can get a Flight out of here than just pay the overstay fine Or the Beamer could find you (saves a trip to IMM). Much Safer an Healthier

[473geo]

7 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Tell me where a Long-Term Stay extension is not still considered a tourist.  At any moment they could cancel your extension and you are out of here.  There are no special privileges one has with being a long-stay extension holder.  You must be deluding yourself.

Don't be an ar5e you are trying to make your narrative fit the topic - it doesn't ok

[herwin1234]

8 hours ago, petermik said:

They only want our money.... we are looked at as parasites here...????

oh another farang who feels victimezed. thats pretty stupid though, living in a country that treats you so bad. somebody put a gun on yr head and forced you to live here? 

[finnishmen]

all idiot visa system at thailand need end, have idiot make thailand visa law, need grow to neares to normal human life and end all animal monkeyy visa laws. idiot has made all thai visa laws.

[murraynz]

8 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.

 

[Fairynuff]

51 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

 

 

I’m not sure how many people will realise you’re being sarcastic and that these are not your true thoughts.

[ThailandRyan]

12 minutes ago, 473geo said:

Don't be an ar5e you are trying to make your narrative fit the topic - it doesn't ok

Sorry, but a tourist is just a tourist, no matter short term on a holiday, or long term stay expat, workers here on a WP, or even someone married and with family here.  We are all tourists, I apologize if it hurts your sensibilities......

[murraynz]

8 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.

You sum up things quite well,Colin.

Im still happy in thailand,but im very sure the reputation Is getting more damaged by the day,more expensive,and NO respect for tourists and the money they bring here..

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, bangkokfrog said:

it is simply a matter of not caring

More simply put it's a nation that is out of step with the rest of the world with their archaic policies.

Where immigration treat all tourists, expats and working immigrants as potential criminals!

Thais now touring the world enjoy the freedom of those countries with a lot less hassle than those who come here.

[473geo]

7 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

I’m not sure how many people will realise you’re being sarcastic and that these are not your true thoughts.

Oh but they are you see I was scheduled to arrive right now in Thailand in January decided not to travel did not even book a ticket

 

Yeah all down to luck I expect ????