Went to immigration yesterday to apply for 1st 1 year extension based on marriage. They phoned 30  minutes ago saying they will be here within the hour. Amongst other things they say we will have to pay 2000 for the home visit which is 100 k from their office.

 

Are we about to get ripped of or not ?

 

Thanks in advance

ripped off big time, no doubt, Just say NO.....

 

glegolo

Edited November 4, 20205 yr by glegolo

Don't give them inducements. ever

Their choice to visit you, not your request - tell them to poke it!

oops

Edited November 4, 20205 yr by quake

19 minutes ago, Bangyai said:

Went to immigration yesterday to apply for 1st 1 year extension based on marriage. They phoned 30  minutes ago saying they will be here within the hour. Amongst other things they say we will have to pay 2000 for the home visit which is 100 k from their office.

 

Are we about to get ripped of or not ?

 

Thanks in advance

your still here aren't you, so you were not ripped off.  You paid an administration fee, live with it. 

15 hours ago, glegolo said:

ripped off big time, no doubt, Just say NO.....

 

glegolo

 

My thoughts exactly but wife is scared that it might affect the application. My makeshift plan is to say I have no cash at home but will go into their office tomorrow and pay on production of receipt.

1 minute ago, LennyW said:

Their choice to visit you, not your request - tell them to poke it!

yea right, that will work in smoothing the way. Not stupid at all. 

Ask for the Imm Office receipt, and see if it looks legit!

Just now, Bangyai said:

 

My thoughts exactly but wife is scared that it might affect the application. My makeshift plan is to say I have no cash at home but will go into their office tomorrow and pay on production of receipt.

your wife is dead on. You just don't <deleted> off he immigration police, unless you have a deportation wish. 

15 hours ago, Pilotman said:

your still here aren't you, so you were not ripped off.  You paid an administration fee, live with it. 

 

Did you read the original post ?  Yes...I paid 1900 for the extension yesterday at the immigration office. This 2000 baht today for a home visit, without a receipt is just blatant corruption.

Just now, Pilotman said:

You paid an administration fee, live with it. 

 

Oh come on - really? If it was really that he would get a receipt 

 

We all know what it really is don't we

Write them a rubber cheque. Tell them not to cash it 'til the end of the month. 

8 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

your still here aren't you, so you were not ripped off.  You paid an administration fee, live with it. 

 

I missed the part where the OP says the visit actually took place, or that he paid the "administration fee".

My experience, I was asked for this in the office, I asked to see where it is stipulated that this fee is payable, got no reply. I said I wasnt paying it and woukd check with Bangkok. 

The day of the visit came, nothing was asked or even mentioned about it, if they had it would have been "dont carry cash, send me an invoice" 

 

NEVER pay anything on demand is my advice.

My wife works for a different govt ministry.

On their frequent inspection visits she is provided with a dept car and driver.

If using her private car for official visits she is paid a travel allowance.

 

I cant see immigration being any different.

7 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

 

Oh come on - really? If it was really that he would get a receipt 

 

We all know what it really is don't we

do you honestly not know what an 'administrative fee' actually means in Thailand? 

Thats the first time I have ever heard of charging for a home visit, and where does it say you must pay? The ploblem is if you dont pay them these A holes will just <deleted> you over the next time

9 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

your wife is dead on. You just don't <deleted> off he immigration police, unless you have a deportation wish. 

Don't be so scared of everything, this makes you an easy target for extortion.

They only pick easy targets, if you show any reluctance they will back off because it could have serious consequences for them if their potential victim would push the matter.

If you refuse to pay it will have no consequences, you will get your extension as usual.

Edited November 4, 20205 yr by jackdd

Just now, Farma said:

My wife works for a different govt ministry.

On their frequent inspection visits she is provided with a dept car and driver.

If using her private car for official visits she is paid a travel allowance.

 

I cant see immigration being any different.

They are Police and they are immigration, dealing with foreigners. Its obvious isn't it?  

Just now, ChipButty said:

Thats the first time I have ever heard of charging for a home visit, and where does it say you must pay? The ploblem is if you dont pay them these A holes will just <deleted> you over the next time

exactly , that's the point isn't it? 

35 minutes ago, Bangyai said:

Went to immigration yesterday to apply for 1st 1 year extension based on marriage. They phoned 30  minutes ago saying they will be here within the hour. Amongst other things they say we will have to pay 2000 for the home visit which is 100 k from their office.

 

Are we about to get ripped of or not ?

 

Thanks in advance

100km within one hour?

Position yourself well in your living room.

Hide a camera and record the hand-over of admin. fee.

Just saying.

Well....they have called to say they will be here just before lunch ( what a surprise ) so I guess they will be looking for a free feed as well. That won't happen. As for the 2000 I will offer to drop the fee into their office tomorrow. Wife is now bust phoning friends to try to pack the house out a bit.

I will say one thing. For 40 years I have done visa runs. Not because I lacked the 400,000 but to avoid exactly this sort of thing. Now the wife is experiencing herself the exact kind of behavior I told her about. She is not at all happy with this new way of doing things.

39 minutes ago, Bangyai said:

Are we about to get ripped of or not ?

Let the wife sort it. It's how things work here.

 

Put it down to the cost of living so far from an Imm Off. I had to wait five weeks once for a Govt officer (not Imm Off) to come and do her job for us, it wasn't worth her effort until see saw a reward. Salaries are relatively low though she has a job for life and could care less. Appreciated the two bottles of J.Walker and 'expenses' we threw in her hamper, got the papers signed in no time.

15 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

do you honestly not know what an 'administrative fee' actually means in Thailand? 

I am sure we all know what an administrative fee is. You on the other hand are promoting to look the other way and let them fleece you are they see fit. That, I am also sure the most of us will not agree to. It is just to have a back bone and say no. They can not deport you on the basis of an illegal fee not being payed. But, okay! If you have other skeletons in your wardrobe, then I understand your position.

 

@Bangyai Please keep us updated on how things turn out. ????

Edited November 4, 20205 yr by Dagfinnur Traustason

For me in this day and age I would not risk anything as it is entirely up to them to make the judgement call of you are ok or you are not ok. It isn't right for then doing it, but then listen to your wife as they have all the points on their side and do not care about us one bit. You cannot prove they asked for gas money.

1 minute ago, holy cow cm said:

For me in this day and age I would not risk anything as it is entirely up to them to make the judgement call of you are ok or you are not ok. It isn't right for then doing it, but then listen to your wife as they have all the points on their side and do not care about us one bit. You cannot prove they asked for gas money.

Yes, you can! You can record their visit on your voice recorder.

15 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

exactly , that's the point isn't it? 

 

Yes, lets just roll over and pay the bribe just in case they will be even more unprofesional the next time rould.