Well its that time of year and I was hoping (foolishly) for an easier time than last year, but it was not meant to be.

 

I took tthe initiative of going into im.office 3 dayys prior to make sure the goal posts hadnt moved and got a priinted paper of requiremments.

Paperwork in hand arrived to an empty office @10.45 am

Handed over the papwork, waited whilst it was looked at.

Given it back and told it needs to be rearranged in a specific order.

Re-compiled handed in.

Waited and returned with a request for 2 sets of copies for every page in the bank pass book. I explained thats not on your list and you have the required statements, didnt matter they wanted it.

Duly copied and re-submitted.

Next came the biggest  curved ball, previous passport !

Yes, despite my current passport going back to 2012 they wanted the previous passport. I was shocked and initially tried the "not have" route but was told my application would fail and the wife would have to write a letter begging for my extension to be granted.

I asked why in the previous 9 years this was never an issue and its not stated on the papwork ? Answer, new boss in Chiang Mai things change!

I was then told to go home and look for it and comeback after closure for lunch.

Drove home got the passport, returned, now they want 2 sets = 22 pages of copies for the old passport.

Bundle submitted and given 4 more forms to complete.

All done 47 page bundle x 2 submitted. 94 pages !

After awhile and alot of stamping going on both bundles are returned to us. I now have to print my full name and then sign EVERY page in both bundles. The wife, signature only on a few pages.

Finally finished the ordeal at 3pm with the "under consideration" stamp and instructed to return for decision nect month.

Horrendous, and I felt a totally unnecessary process and attitude having been here and married for 15 yrs.

 

So, if you had a visa moved to a new passport, doesnt matter how long ago, they want that previous passport, that was the explanation given.

 

Offices vary but be aware it may happen to you.

 

 

 

It just gets worse and worse ????  I've just transferred my stamps to a new passport (retirement extension) after which, supposedly, I won't need the old passport again.  I'll still be taking it next year though (along with the kitchen sink), just in case, doubtless they'll have drummed up something else by then.

 

I remember CM being a PITA when I lived there, hopefully this won't catch on at BKK / CW.

This was Chiang Mai office ?

 

I am going to Chiang Mai Immigration in a few days, for retirement extension not marriage, so I hope things go much smoother for me, but I have this feeling

in my gut,it might be different this time.......

 

I also have the worry that the bank will not be closed, because of covid, 4 Bangkok banks have already been closed because of Covid, collect the bank statement

tomorrow....I hope. 

 

regards Worgeordie

your immigration history should of been online, end of story, but there's always been a disconnect between paperwork and computers here (obviously). imo they wanted a copy of your original entry stamp though that is just a guess. Good learning experience for all.

Sad to hear, when i was married and used this extension it was always a problem. Looks like they hate that kind of extension.

 

The people who do retirement have it much easier. 

This is ridiculous. What if we lost our old passport?

 

That's what I said, the rules keep on changing everytime a new immig. boss comes in.

 

Why the need for an old passport when the visa has already been transferred to the new passport? 

 

By right, they should have a scan copy of all the extensions in their own computer system. Why the need for tons of documentation when they don't keep it in their computer system?

 

Thailand is a laughing stock who still require tons of photocopying when everywhere else is going digital.

29 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

I am going to Chiang Mai Immigration in a few days, for retirement extension

not marriage, so I hope things go much smoother for me, but I have this feeling

in my gut,it might be different this time.......

 

I also have the worry that the bank will not be closed, because of covid, 4 Bangkok

banks have already been closed because of Covid, collect the bank statement

tomorrow....I hope. 

 

regards Worgeordie

 

 

4 Bangkok Bank branches or 4 banks in Bangkok?

 

52 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

Waited and returned with a request for 2 sets of copies for every page in the bank pass book. I explained thats not on your list and you have the required statements, didnt matter they wanted it.

It is on my list, but I do update any changes from year to year. The old passport request is a new one (I was there in January) and they did not need even a copy of the original visa.

Writing you full name is a new one too, before it was just the signature on every page.

Commiserations for your experience. It's never nice being put through the wringer.

 

If it's any consolation, applying for a Non-B extension is even more horrific. To the point of absurdity.

A very sad post that reminds me of a friend's marathon with Immigration not so long ago.

 

   After the "under consideration stamp", they always found other issues to make the guy's life to a bad horror movie.

 

  He finally drove 1,400 km, visited Immigration six times to get all sorted out and almost committed suicide, or genocide. 

 

I wish you do not have to go though this bs. best of luck!!!

 

23 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Thailand is a laughing stock who still require tons of photocopying when everywhere else is going digital.

It most certainly is but it is Thailand that is doing the laughing.  Until and unless they genuinely want all these foreigners in the place they will continue to play these games.

It seems like pure provocation. Probably designed to "encourage" an applicant to cough up some money either directly, or through an agent, to smooth the process. Disgraceful;.

48 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

 

4 Bangkok Bank branches or 4 banks in Bangkok?

 

The wife reported 4 branches in Chiang Mai, Bangkok Bank.

regards Worgeordie

26 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

It most certainly is but it is Thailand that is doing the laughing.  Until and unless they genuinely want all these foreigners in the place they will continue to play these games.

In the IO we are discussing, and it would apply to most, us farang are less then 10% of the aliens they deal with. This IO used to occasionally publish, in the office, the numbers but have not seen anything of late.

But in the OP's case and many others there is no need for it.

18 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

The wife reported 4 branches in Chiang Mai, Bangkok Bank.

regards Worgeordie

You can get the info for Bangkok Bank's branch closures and opening hours changes here.

https://www.bangkokbank.com/en/COVID19-Update

5 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Well its that time of year and I was hoping (foolishly) for an easier time than last year, but it was not meant to be.

I feel for you mate, I thought I'd issues.

If you've got the ability move to a retirement extension only a single set and only about 20 pages or so.

Did they bring up a home visit, asking for a mate whose due to submit next week I think.

For those that do not have any knowledge of me I'm on retirement granted .2 days ago

6 hours ago, Tony M said:

This was Chiang Mai office ?

 

Chiang Mai are the marriage clearing office for a number of other offices, e.g. the application has to be referred to them for approval, hence the under consideration period.

Some of the offices covered by Chiang Mai are Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nong Khai, Chiang Khan plus probably a lot more.

So you wasted a day surely paying an agent is better you probably dont even have to show up

For my retirement visa i dont have to go near a immigration office

1 minute ago, poohy said:

So you wasted a day surely paying an agent is better you probably dont even have to show up

For my retirement visa i dont have to go near a immigration office

 

There arent any in this neck of the woods that I am aware of.

And frankly I would prefer not to take that route, to each their own on that choice.

 

48 minutes ago, foreverlomsak said:

Chiang Mai are the marriage clearing office for a number of other offices, e.g. the application has to be referred to them for approval, hence the under consideration period.

Some of the offices covered by Chiang Mai are Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Nong Khai, Chiang Khan plus probably a lot more.

 

 

I thought the office only controls Chiang Mai province. Why does it cover places like Nong Khai which is in other provinces?

That sounds horrendous. I had to provide copies of every page of my bank book last time around which I could not understand as never needed before (and required to only show 2 months worth).

 

My extension is coming soon - can feel the tension building already. Worst day of the year for me.

6 hours ago, blackcab said:

Commiserations for your experience. It's never nice being put through the wringer.

 

If it's any consolation, applying for a Non-B extension is even more horrific. To the point of absurdity.

Non-B based on work is a breeze, by the sounds of it. My school does the paperwork (wife fills in the houseowner details) and I just show my face to take the photo and pay the money. I plan to work till I drop. lol

57 minutes ago, poohy said:

So you wasted a day surely paying an agent is better you probably dont even have to show up

For my retirement visa i dont have to go near a immigration office

Once I saw a guy in the Nonthaburi office trying to do his marriage extension. They didn't want to do it until his wife arrived at the office. Not sute if that's normal or not. 

8 hours ago, CharlieH said:

I explained thats not on your list

I reckon that's where you went wrong. They don't like being told.

 

Best just get the wife to do it all and just sit and smile, less frustrating for the officers (unless you speak very good Thai)

 

They probably get a bit judgmental with the marriage visa because so many westerners marry bargirls, so they look down on that a bit I think.

 

Still a lot easier, quicker and cheaper for you to get a visa to live here than if a Thai woman wants to relocate to the UK.

1 hour ago, greenmonkey said:

That sounds horrendous. 

My extension is coming soon - can feel the tension building already. Worst day of the year for me.

Don't worry so much. They don't reject anyone who is really married.

 

If you don't have the required photocopies in order they just tell you what else you need to get it in order and approve you.

 

Get your wife to do it all. And just sit and smile.

9 hours ago, Upnotover said:

It most certainly is but it is Thailand that is doing the laughing.  Until and unless they genuinely want all these foreigners in the place they will continue to play these games.

 

It seems to be mostly provincial offices for now. Hopefully this won't become a thing at Bangkok as it's already difficult enough.

 

3 hours ago, DavisH said:

Non-B based on work is a breeze, by the sounds of it. My school does the paperwork...

 

A somewhat more substantial set of documents is required for non-teachers.

7 hours ago, EricTh said:

 

 

I thought the office only controls Chiang Mai province. Why does it cover places like Nong Khai which is in other provinces?

The country is divided into Regions for bureaucratic purposes. The region heads cannot trust their fellow officers at provincial level, probably think they take bribes.

8 hours ago, EricTh said:

 

 

I thought the office only controls Chiang Mai province. Why does it cover places like Nong Khai which is in other provinces?

ask Immigration.

I may be wrong but believe there are only 5 "clearing offices" for the whole of Thailand for marriage extensions, hence 1 month "under consideration stamps" and duplicate copies of everything, 1 set for onward transmission and one for your local office.