I've had to use Thai Immigration for about 25 years and most of my annual trips for retirement visas have been a nightmare. I find Immigration staff are generally obnoxious, and frantically looking for fault, or just plain intimidating. Coupled with that, each year seems to bring a new surprise demand that is not required by law, and any information given is often suspect as being inaccurate, outdated or ambiguous. It really doesn't need to be like that. I wonder if this is a deliberate policy?

 In my case, the nightmare, cavalier treatment received on my special day poisons my entire thinking about staying here.

  Yes, I know what you are saying: "Then go somewhere else." I'm thinking about it.  

I like when after inspecting it, and shuffling back n forth between the pages for 5 mins, they stamp it and shove it back at me, and the do the hand "dismissed" thing...you go now.....

Sounds like you use Kanchanaburi Immigration, because this is an accurate description of how they treat people.

Immigration offices, and individual officials vary greatly. You appear to be unlucky with your local office. It is also possible that there was some unpleasantness in the past. Officials tend to have long memories. That is why you should always bite your tongue if subjected to something unreasonable. In Thai culture, keeping things pleasant on the surface is important, even when you are seething inside.

32 minutes ago, GlobalCynic said:

I find Immigration staff are generally obnoxious, and frantically looking for fault, or just plain intimidating.

The uniform gives them power and hides their inferiority complex!

13 minutes ago, BritTim said:

That is why you should always bite your tongue if subjected to something unreasonable.

That is totally wrong and that's what makes it so hard for the rest of us. Why bite your tongue if you know full well that you are right? So let's say that the next time you go to immigration to do a 90 day report the officer asks you for 500 Baht you'd gladly say nothing and pay him? As I said earlier.................

6 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

The uniform gives them power and hides their inferiority complex!

I sure that's the case with some...as it is with government officials around the world over. As for "looking for fault," keep in mind that they are immigration police officers, charged with enforcing Thailand's visa extension laws. They are not part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, whose job is promoting tourism and long stays in the Kingdom.

1 minute ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

That is totally wrong and that's what makes it so hard for the rest of us. Why bite your tongue if you know full well that you are right? So let's say that the next time you go to immigration to do a 90 day report the officer asks you for 500 Baht you'd gladly say nothing and pay him? As I said earlier.................

The most I have ever been "asked for" was the 100 baht change I didn't get back once when I paid for an annual B 1900 retirement extension with two-thousand baht. And yeah, I didn't say anything and thanked them when I left.

1 minute ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

As for "looking for fault," keep in mind that they are immigration police officers, charged with enforcing Thailand's visa extension laws.

You're having a laugh. They have to be some of the biggest crooks in Thailand. A bit like letting the patients take charge of the asylum.

Until a few years ago they were still using carbon paper. If they were to fully embrace 21st C technology lives would be easier... inc theirs!

1 minute ago, Pattaya Spotter said:

I didn't say anything and thanked them when I left.

But would you pay 500 Baht for a 90 day report if the officer asked you? According to your beliefs you would bite your tongue.

Here in Pattaya at Jomtien Immigration we are treated with the same respect we show to them....

7 hours ago, evadgib said:

Until a few years ago they were still using carbon paper. If they were to fully embrace 21st C technology lives would be easier... inc theirs!

Yes but it would mean less jobs and no warehouses full of useless paperwork...

If we are talking just about Thailand's immigration then I have to say in 25 years I have never had a problem I think the ones sat on the desk at the airports have been a bit miserable but who wouldn't be sitting there all looking through passports just a few polite words and on your way as for the immigration offices I've got to know a few and always been very helpful but then again I always turn up looking clean and tidy always smile, I just think some people bring the worst out of people even I look at some farang not had a wash for a week no shave stinking of drink, I know the immigration dont like it some have told me and I agree with them,

Well I don't have quite as many years experience as you (only 20) but overall my experience hasn't been too bad. The main issue when I lived in Bangkok was the crowds and general mayhem at the old immigration office on soi Suan Plu (and I was also a newb back then). However, I was never asked for anything "underhanded" there or unusual document requests. When I moved to Pattaya after a few years, it was the same story at the old immigration office on soi 8...crowded and general confusion but never paid anything other than posted rates for whatever visa or other document I needed (residence cert.). Everything changed for the better with the move to the Jomtien office and other than sometimes crowding, never an issue there either. In fact now, they have streamlined things to such an extent (and I have become such an expert in what's required) that I'm in and out for my annual retirement extensions in literally 10-15 mins and my 90 Day reports I do online. While not the friendliest bunch of people you'll ever meet, if your papers are in order, and again no weird demands, it's easy peasy (at least in Jomtien).  

Edited August 7, 20205 yr by Pattaya Spotter

23 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

The uniform gives them power and hides their inferiority complex!

I love a woman in a uniform

47 minutes ago, ChakaKhan said:

I like when after inspecting it, and shuffling back n forth between the pages for 5 mins, they stamp it and shove it back at me, and the do the hand "dismissed" thing...you go now.....

You do realize that it takes many years of hard work to get that hand wave just right 

They are much better now than they used to be. My first try at an extension in 2006 was handled by a fat aggressive uniformed trout who had no intention of processing it. Having failed at visa out of date and bank letter no good she ended up telling us we had gone there too early- come back in 2 week. As we were leaving she said no not back here we don't really do extensions, and said go Suan Phlu instead (we did not live in Bkk). When i asked why they had the forms then and what did the big sign outside mean saying they did extensions mean she got really nasty and said to the Mrs she did not know how she could be with somebody too stupid to understand immigration law. No point in complaining of course and within two weeks we moved into Bkk anyway. Now it's far better, apart from websites that do not work and the other dodgy online reliability.

I guess some of the guys here have a target painted on their backs. Ten years of getting extensions here in Chiang Mai never a real problem from Immigration, never been asked to give money, I have been asked for more copies but really is that a big problem. I have been given every extension and 90 day report with no problem. More than likely the majority of people getting service at immigration have never had a problem.

9 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

But would you pay 500 Baht for a 90 day report if the officer asked you? According to your beliefs you would bite your tongue.

No...the amount is relative of course.

8 minutes ago, petermik said:

Yes but it would mean less jobs and no warehouses full of useless paperwork...

Are they still recycling it by using the reverse page by handing unredacted personal data (Ppt/Bank a/c) to unsuspecting members of the public on the back of a TM7 etc? The practice used to be rife but hopefully is no longer happening.

Edited August 7, 20205 yr by evadgib

3 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I love a woman in a uniform

Much better out of a uniform  

5 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

I love a woman in a uniform

Especially in Thailand...where all women wear their uniforms at least one size too small.

3 minutes ago, moe666 said:

I have been given every extension and 90 day report with no problem.

Ever had your old passport stamps transferred to your new one? No I didn't think so. 500 Baht is usually asked for, no receipt, when it's a free service.

1 minute ago, moe666 said:

I guess some of the guys here have a target painted on their backs. Ten years of getting extensions here in Chiang Mai never a real problem from Immigration, never been asked to give money, I have been asked for more copies but really is that a big problem. I have been given every extension and 90 day report with no problem. More than likely the majority of people getting service at immigration have never had a problem.

There used to be an old guy in Phuket immigration give him 200 baht and he would do everything all the photocopies, I used to just go outside have a smoke 5 minutes later he'd give me a shout done mine obviously went to the front of the que

you don't know anything about obnoxious immigration officers until you have suffered them in the US.  Now there is obnoxious and unfriendly, most of them are also stupid and thick. 

16 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

You're having a laugh. They have to be some of the biggest crooks in Thailand. A bit like letting the patients take charge of the asylum.

I am just sayin' that from my personal experience, I have not experienced any corruption in my dealings with Thai immigration (other than the 100 baht they once kited from me). Of course, my paperwork has always been legitimate and correct so never had any reason to avail myself of any "corruption" if it was offered (if lets say one's paperwork wasn't in order).

1 minute ago, Pilotman said:

you don't know anything about obnoxious immigration officers until you have suffered them in the US.  Now there is obnoxious and unfriendly, most of them are also stupid and thick. 

And Fat

7 minutes ago, moe666 said:

I guess some of the guys here have a target painted on their backs. Ten years of getting extensions here in Chiang Mai never a real problem from Immigration, never been asked to give money, I have been asked for more copies but really is that a big problem. I have been given every extension and 90 day report with no problem. More than likely the majority of people getting service at immigration have never had a problem.

Other than the 4am queueing or were posters using that office exaggerating?

3 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

you don't know anything about obnoxious immigration officers until you have suffered them in the US.  Now there is obnoxious and unfriendly, most of them are also stupid and thick. 

You mean a non-US national or citizens as well. I've had nothing but positive experiences entering the US as a citizen (always at SFO). Again, if a non-citizen, remember these are border enforcement police officers...not tourism promotion agents.