5000 Extra Baht To Solve An Issue ? At ThaI Immigration

[Mitkof Island]

Seems I was just reading less than a month ago on this forum of a foreigner in Hua Hin who did not have the correct paper work?  At ThaI Immigration in Hua Hin and for a little extra cash of 5000 baht that problem would suddenly go away. Well just today in a immigration office lets just say in parts unknown I had much the same issue. My bank did not print out the deposit that was made over two months ago in my bank book as my wife deposited the money for me from my second bank while I was out of country. The bank book clearly showed I had well over the amount needed for my visa this morning but the bank after paying the fee for the document needed for immigration did not update the bank book of the deposit made over two months ago. My bad for not checking myself although after the officer called the bank that indeed the 400,000 had been deposited into the account in December and we were able to verify with receipts  of the deposit slips also. After paying another 2,000 baht for something unknown I was told to return in three weeks with the promise I would have my one year Type O Visa for Marriage. Is this getting to be a common practice now? Pay a little extra and suddenly the problem or small mistake suddenly disappears? Is there a link to the Hua Hin office doing the same?

[The Hammer2021]

It appears you made a mistake but have been given an opportunity to rectify it. You are lucky

[freedomnow]

I would say, "Welcome to Thailand".....but your post count...

[Mitkof Island]

26 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

It appears you made a mistake but have been given an opportunity to rectify it. You are lucky

My 60 day extension ended on April 16th I could have very easily gone back to my home town had the bank update the bank book correctly and returned tomorrow but oddly they insisted it had to be today.

[userabcd]

Is that 2000 baht not actually the 1900 baht for the extension of visa based on marriage which all applicants pay?

Edited March 2, 2022 by userabcd

[Andre0720]

10 minutes ago, Mitkof Island said:

My 60 day extension ended on April 16th I could have very easily gone back to my home town had the bank update the bank book correctly and returned tomorrow but oddly they insisted it had to be today.

I was not offered such a good arrangement....

Take it. They seem to want it that way...

Because otherwise they might find some other irregularities in something or other. Forms not the latest, oh something else is now needed. Oh well...

[The Fugitive]

6 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

I was not offered such a good arrangement....

Take it. They seem to want it that way...

Because otherwise they might find some other irregularities in something or other. Forms not the latest, oh something else is now needed. Oh well...

Agree! Turn this into an advantage. Obtain the IO's mobile number for future reference. You never know if you might need 'assistance' in the future.

[Mitkof Island]

43 minutes ago, userabcd said:

Is that 2000 baht not actually the 1900 baht for the extension of visa based on marriage which all applicants pay? No special paperwork they claimed.

 

[Mitkof Island]

46 minutes ago, Andre0720 said:

I was not offered such a good arrangement....

Take it. They seem to want it that way...

Because otherwise they might find some other irregularities in something or other. Forms not the latest, oh something else is now needed. Oh well...

Yea what next? I did not wear the correct colored shirt of the day. I forgot to wai first? The word Secret oddly came up also. As the 5000 baht suddenly disappeared between the papers.

Edited March 2, 2022 by Mitkof Island

[Nojohndoe]

How much is a flight home?

[spidermike007]

They seem to be more brazen than ever. I was given the nunber of an "agent" by immigration recently. Only she can help you. We can't. 

 

They are as corrupt as the rest of the "Prayuth crew". 

Edited March 2, 2022 by spidermike007

[Mac Mickmanus]

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

They seem to be more brazen than ever. I was given the nunber of an "agent" by immigration recently. Only she can help you. We can't. 

 

They are as corrupt as the rest of the "Prayuth crew". 

What was your issue at immigration ?

Why did they suggest that you use an agent ?

[scubascuba3]

Yes problems go away quickly with a backhander. Actually i was amazed when i used an agent, you get treated like a VIP and immigration are suddenly pragmatic rather than being difficult

[Mitkof Island]

20 minutes ago, Nojohndoe said:

How much is a flight home?

That is not the issue is it?

[it is what it is]

19 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes problems go away quickly with a backhander. Actually i was amazed when i used an agent, you get treated like a VIP and immigration are suddenly pragmatic rather than being difficult

indeed.  come on guys, haven't you been here long enough to know this is how things work here for the locals, we've been upgraded and are now being extended the advantages of the 'haves' over the 'have nots'.

 

when in rome and all that...

[clivebaxter]

31 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

They seem to be more brazen than ever. I was given the nunber of an "agent" by immigration recently. Only she can help you. We can't. 

 

They are as corrupt as the rest of the "Prayuth crew". 

Was her name 'Grace' by any chance?

[userabcd]

47 minutes ago, Mitkof Island said:

 

So you paid them 5000+2000 and then +1900 application fee?

[Nojohndoe]

Is It not? It would/could likely be a consideration as part of discretionary entitlement combined with any number of other  perhaps seemingly  minor factors that could culminate in consideration of it as indeed a significant issue.

[Caldera]

Corruption definitely seems to be through the roof in recent years. While I have no doubt that it has existed before, officials more or less openly soliciting bribes directly from foreigners without going through a middleman (lawyers, agents, etc.) isn't something that used to be common.

[Mitkof Island]

10 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Corruption definitely seems to be through the roof in recent years. While I have no doubt that it has existed before, officials more or less openly soliciting bribes directly from foreigners without going through a middleman (lawyers, agents, etc.) isn't something that used to be common.

Yes I would say it seems to be getting worse Covid seems like another perfect excuse for the government in a backhanded way to not only screw over foreigners in new inventive ways but also used to rub out Thais not willing to  pay/play their games. But if my hunch is correct some serious financial  crisis is coming because of this and other factors that will make 1997 look tame. Before the end of 2022 the signs are everywhere.

[problemfarang]

im sorry OP but whats the problem here? 

i mean he called the bank and the bank confirmed plus slips and so on. then he asked for 2000 baht. Need more detail. did he tell to you like if you give 2000 i can do it or everything can be ok for a 2000 baht? there is no unknown thing.. did you get a slip after you pay that 2000? was it 2000 or 1900? You said after paying him another 2000 baht.. did you pay him before 2000 baht?

 

like mentioned before i think extension is 1900 baht, so is that 2000 baht that one? I think you are wrong what you are trying to say. It seems that the immigration just make things easier for you and did his job correctly. I think that money is for the visa extension not a bribe. 

Edited March 2, 2022 by problemfarang

[Jack1988]

This country is so crazy about money! ????????

[Mitkof Island]

2 hours ago, problemfarang said:

im sorry OP but whats the problem here? 

i mean he called the bank and the bank confirmed plus slips and so on. then he asked for 2000 baht. Need more detail. did he tell to you like if you give 2000 i can do it or everything can be ok for a 2000 baht? there is no unknown thing.. did you get a slip after you pay that 2000? was it 2000 or 1900? You said after paying him another 2000 baht.. did you pay him before 2000 baht?

 

like mentioned before i think extension is 1900 baht, so is that 2000 baht that one? I think you are wrong what you are trying to say. It seems that the immigration just make things easier for you and did his job correctly. I think that money is for the visa extension not a bribe. 

Entered Thailand on visa exempt paid 1900 for 60 visa, bribe 5000 after I had proved I did indeed have over 400,000 in my Thai bank account over two months prior, 2000 baht visa non o visa. The issue is the 5000 but hey since Covid at least in my case and everything I have witnessed with the insurance, hotels and just general life the corruption has gotten much worse.

[Mac Mickmanus]

13 minutes ago, Mitkof Island said:

Entered Thailand on visa exempt paid 1900 for 60 visa, bribe 5000 after I had proved I did indeed have over 400,000 in my Thai bank account over two months prior, 2000 baht visa non o visa. The issue is the 5000 but hey since Covid at least in my case and everything I have witnessed with the insurance, hotels and just general life the corruption has gotten much worse.

Your paper work wasnt in order , consider yourself lucky that you were able to get a visa extension, you could have and should have been refused an extension and got given seven days to leave the Count4y 

[SAFETY FIRST]

11 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Yes problems go away quickly with a backhander. Actually i was amazed when i used an agent, you get treated like a VIP and immigration are suddenly pragmatic rather than being difficult

Agree

 

I've been using an agent since covid came to Thailand.

I lost my job offshore and found it a huge task getting everything in order.

The agency handles my visa extensions and all my 90 day reports.

 

It's a little bit of effort from me and a little bit more money to pay the agent, then it's like magic, all my anxiety goes away. 

 

[Guest Isaanlife]

I would volunteer to pay 5,000 baht just for the convenience of getting in there and getting out in a very timely manner.

 

However, no longer an issue

 

<4 days and counting

[Scottie12]

Any idea who you report corrupt immigration officials to ?

[BritManToo]

12 hours ago, Mitkof Island said:

Yea what next? I did not wear the correct colored shirt of the day. I forgot to wai first? The word Secret oddly came up also. As the 5000 baht suddenly disappeared between the papers.

I don't think they care much about anything except the bribe.

I never wai immigration (or anyone else).

[rwill]

I've only used immigration in Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi since I moved here.  But I have never been asked for anything extra and they have always been helpful.

 

Ratchaburi immigration recently made a new waiting area outside of their office with free water, coffee, and some snacks.  They give you one of those buzzers like some restaurants use to signal you when they are done.  The only downside is the new waiting area seating are bundles of hay.  LOL.

[Thailand]

1 hour ago, Scottie12 said:

Any idea who you report corrupt immigration officials to ?

Ask to see the officer in charge of the office where you have a problem.