Just did my 3rd Marriage extension, the first since OA insurance requirement. (have the under consideration stamp)

I went last Friday with all docs in order and was told at the marriage desk that I would need insurance because of original OA. I argued that its only for retire etc but they wouldn't budge. (friday afternoon insurance shopping)

I went back today armed with the 548/2562 police order (that says otherwise) and wife on fire after talking to 1178.

The IO wouldn't even read the police order and kept insisting OA=Insurance, Not sure how but my wife finally convinced the IO to seek clarification, the IO called a superior on the phone and after much nodding and frowning, hung up the phone and conceded, no insurance required.

Hopefully they are now aware and wont require insurance for anyone doing OA to Marriage extension route.

I am surprised this hasn't come up previously as I cant be the first.

Thanks for the report.

A clear case of PPP > polite persistence pays!

Especially if you are 100% sure that you are correct, and the immigration officer has it wrong.

Kudos!

1 hour ago, Peter Denis said:

Thanks for the report.

A clear case of PPP > polite persistence pays!

Especially if you are 100% sure that you are correct, and the immigration officer has it wrong.

Kudos!

A clear case of ATWCM > Angry Thai Wives Change Minds. 
He wasn't gonna budge for you farang.
Kudos Mrs. Peterw42

The IO wouldn't happen to be the woman on the centre desk would it, truly one of the most unpleasant people I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with at Jomtien and I have been going in there for the last 13 years.

29 minutes ago, Pungdo said:

The IO wouldn't happen to be the woman on the centre desk would it, truly one of the most unpleasant people I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with at Jomtien and I have been going in there for the last 13 years.

No, it was actually a new guy that sits to her right and does the final inspection of documents. 

The woman I can deal with, although she isnt happy, at least she is consistent, same rules each year. She actually cracked a smile when I suggested going to the ampher for a divorce would be easier.

The guy, on the other hand, was actually happy and friendly when insisting on insurance.

 

 

Edited August 11, 20205 yr by Peterw42

At least you went armed with the proof and prepared to make a stand.

It just proves how well informed and knowledgeable some of these IO's are (not) of their own orders and have to be informed and corrected by the foreigner.

You should have given them a bill for 1,900 for supplying the information  ????

 

It helps to have a fired up wife on your side as well.

14 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

Hopefully they are now aware and wont require insurance for anyone doing OA to Marriage extension route.

I am surprised this hasn't come up previously as I cant be the first.

For sure retaining will be needed tomorrow. TIT.

17 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

At least you went armed with the proof and prepared to make a stand.

It just proves how well informed and knowledgeable some of these IO's are (not) of their own orders and have to be informed and corrected by the foreigner.

You should have given them a bill for 1,900 for supplying the information  ????

 

It helps to have a fired up wife on your side as well.

Thing is, they didn't take any notice of the police order etc, he wouldn't even read it.

His official explanation was, because I have previous marriage extensions from OA , insurance not required.

Unfortunately, someone doing their first Marriage extension from OA may still have problems.

However, as we left there was an impromptu meeting being called at the marriage desk, wife says he was telling everyone no insurance for marriage extension.

Edited August 11, 20205 yr by Peterw42

15 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

Hopefully they are now aware and wont require insurance for anyone doing OA to Marriage extension route.

No doubt the particular officer you dealt with is now well aware of the official rule in that regard, but there could, of course, be others at Jomtien who will continue to "place their personalised gloss" on its interpretation!

Edited August 11, 20205 yr by OJAS

34 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Unfortunately, someone doing their first Marriage extension from OA may still have problems.

However, as we left there was an impromptu meeting being called at the marriage desk, wife says he was telling everyone no insurance for marriage extension.

I had a similar experience last year, whilst assisting a disabled expat with his retirement extension based on income in June 2019 - not possible, need Embassy letter. (Australian citizen).

When I produced their amended order to 138/2557 (in Thai and English) they'd never seen it (dated Dec 26th 2018) accepting proof of income transferred into a Thai bank and were very inquisitive as to how I obtained that order.

 

When they called the Inspector, she knew all about it, just never thought to inform the staff.

A quick meeting of all the staff rapidly took place.

 

Most of these misunderstandings are caused by breakdown in Communication from top to bottom.

It's like it's on a need to know basis only when a foreign makes a complaint.

2 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

No, it was actually a new guy that sits to her right and does the final inspection of documents. 

The woman I can deal with, although she isnt happy, at least she is consistent, same rules each year. She actually cracked a smile when I suggested going to the ampher for a divorce would be easier.

The guy, on the other hand, was actually happy and friendly when insisting on insurance.

 

 

If it was a new guy at the marriage desk denying you the extension, then you have the answer to your question. They do hire new people once in a while, and the change of reason for the extension from O-A to marriage isn't yet that common. 

19 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

Not sure how but my wife finally convinced the IO to seek clarification,

Had she lived in the West long enough to acquire the option to push a point, i.e, become argumentative (something home grown Thais are loath to do...)?

Edited August 11, 20205 yr by JimGant

1 hour ago, JimGant said:

Had she lived in the West long enough to acquire the option to push a point, i.e, become argumentative (something home grown Thais are loath to do...)?

I know what you mean but it ended up the opposite, the gentle art of negotiation and not causing loss of face.

Thank you very much for your post.

The face thing is not just Thai.

It an Asian thing.