Went to HH immigration  and picked up the  "List" of requirements from the  check in staff 

then 28 days before expiration..  I took all of the paperwork / in duplicate...  PRESIGNED IN BLUE INK      with  Wife's signature as well                                                                                                                                      including pictures on A4  paper  ....   Living room / Bed Room / Kitchen / Front of house with house # showing,   all with change of clothes for each  ...

a witness,,  with their Blue Book   ,  required funds  ..  and a smile

We were  3rd in que..  and I witnessed the  2 before us..  getting grilled ..  ,,  Lets use assumed names ..  Joe.. then Charlie were not getting a smooth ride

Both were wearing short pants and Tee shirts and tried to do most of the talking  ( 2 diff windows )

We ... were dressed nicely and I sat back and let the  Mrs. conduct all the dialogue ..  a few extra signatures .. pics and  in and out   20 minutes     got a Line Phone call @ 4pm and the house visit / pictures were all done remote 1/2/3 ..   then 3 days prior to report back date ,..  we called and gave them our  file #..  good to go and went back and received the stamp .....  less than 5  minutes

can't ask for better than that

Will you take your wife if you ever progress to a retirement extension?

32 minutes ago, Luuk Chaai said:

We ... were dressed nicely........

So it was your clobber and not the fact that all your documents were well prepared and organized. 

Does she cut up your meat for you as well . . . ?

10 hours ago, Luuk Chaai said:

less than 5  minutes

can't ask for better than that

Have to say that after reading some of the horror stories of various IO's around the country, Hua Hinian expats seem to be blessed with one of the better run IO's. Me and "her indoors" have never had a problem with HH IO in 10 years.

I know jabs like those above are usually meant to be in good fun, but they do get a bit old, especially when you don't know if the guy's really just poking fun, or looking for a cheap shot. "Did you come here for a wife or a mother?", "Does she put your underwear on for you too?" Yeah, yeah.

 

Fellas, I get you all want to be the big man around here, swinging your gut and whatever else around. But even after 10, 20, 30 years here, we're all still beginning to scratch the surface of this complex culture, which unless we were born and raised here we'll never really get into. Is the farang less of a man because he lets the missus deal with it, especially an issue upon which his continued success in the country depends? Nope, I'd say he's very wise.

 

So, from the farang who thinks he's going to stomp into a Thai office, ready to give them what for, the result you'd then see posted on AN would be:

 

1. "Yeah, I totally showed them who's the boss and got what I wanted." - Not in a million years. If you do see this, it's a lie.
2. "I totally got ran over and should've let the missus deal with it." - Most likely, but you won't see it, as of course they won't admit to it.

 

But having taught in Thailand for close to a decade I can confirm that #2 is the fact the most common result, having heard of and seen teachers take up their beefs with mgmt, stomp into offices, then were gone the next term.

 

But as you certainly can't get your missus to deal with your employer, best thing to do in that case is just keep your head down. She can however, work behind the scenes dealing with those in the community with connections to the employer, which if you have a good wife like mine, will have done.

11 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

Will you take your wife if you ever progress to a retirement extension?

I recently went for the retirement extension elsewhere. Was asked:

IO: Where is your wife?

Me: Working.

IO: Why isn't she here?

Me: Retirement extension not marriage extension

IO: We need her here anyway.

Will you take your wife if you ever progress to a retirement extension?                                                                                                                                          My Rule #1 is..  The best place for my $$$ ( 400,000 ) is in my pocket..    not theirs.  ( 800,000 )

Why bother to change ?  and tie up an extra 400,000 ?                                                                                                                                                                  and as I learned very early on in the business world use the tools ..  my wife Thai National / Native speaker vs. myself that is not the greatest at speaking Thai .... zero stress @ communication with the  I/O                                                                                                                                                                           and another basic..  dress to impress and show respect ! a civil servant in uniform being addressed by a guy in flip flops and shorts and tee  vs a dress shirt, pants and shoes..     why give someone fuel ?    Works for us !

 

1 hour ago, bluemoon58 said:

Have to say that after reading some of the horror stories of various IO's around the country, Hua Hinian expats seem to be blessed with one of the better run IO's. Me and "her indoors" have never had a problem with HH IO in 10 years.

Yea ... what he said.  Udon Thani & Nong Khai run just as efficiently & polite as HH also.  Others that I read about here ... NO THANKS.

I went to Hua Hin at the end of November to renew my extension of stay based on retirement. I had booked an appointment online which proved to be a worthwhile option. Arrived around 09.30 for the 10.00 booking and had all papers checked downstairs before going up to the Office. Very busy!! Saw the female IO sitting by a sign stating Online Appointments, showed her my booking and was told to take a seat. There were at least 5 or 6 in front of me for the renewal but within 5 minutes I was called to the counter and proceeded to have my paperwork dealt with.

All done and dusted by 10.20 and certainly back up the OP with the 100% comment as has always been the case here. Very efficient and polite making this Office one of the top 5 in the Country based on comments made on this forum. Well done Hua Hin. 

Normal service in most western countries.

2 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

I recently went for the retirement extension elsewhere. Was asked:

IO: Where is your wife?

Me: Working.

IO: Why isn't she here?

Me: Retirement extension not marriage extension

IO: We need her here anyway.

 

 

They obviously don't (unless she is the only way you can confirm your address)......but they do like their comfort blanket. Quite typical of a rural Immigration office - and I have experienced the same.

 

Jomtien - which is more of a processing factory - routinely deals daily with scores of single male applicants.

23 hours ago, bluebluewater said:

Does she cut up your meat for you as well . . . ?

Do you keep a dog and bark yourself? If I had a Thai wife she'd handle all the talking, but I'd keep the cheque book. ????

12 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

I recently went for the retirement extension elsewhere. Was asked:

IO: Where is your wife?

Me: Working.

IO: Why isn't she here?

Me: Retirement extension not marriage extension

IO: We need her here anyway.

Very true. My Thai Mrs takes me (she drives, I don't) when I apply for retirement extensions. They ask her to sign the photocopies of her blue house book and ID card. 

1 minute ago, The Fugitive said:

They ask her to sign the photocopies of her blue house book and ID card.

That's is for your address.

Just happens you live at her place.

If you applied for extension retirement and rented condo etc they may ask for rental contract or TM30 or whatever.

The married bit is side issue.