Popular Post NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 I wanted to open a bank account with a new bank. I was told I needed a form from Immigration to confirm my address and visa status. Went to my local Immigration office (I would prefer not to say which one) and requested said form. Immigration officer was very polite and started the process. 20 Minutes later I had my form. She said "That will be 500 Baht, please". I paid the 500 Baht. She said "Thank you" as if I was dismissed. I said, "I would like my receipt, please". She said "We don't provide receipts for this service". Did I just line the Immigration officer's pocket? Has anyone else experienced services for which no receipt is offered/required? 1 2 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubascuba3 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 yeah don't get receipts for residence certs 300 baht at Jomtien either 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted February 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 16 minutes ago, NotReallyHere said: Did I just line the Immigration officer's pocket? Has anyone else experienced services for which no receipt is offered/required? CofR is free (14 day wait at CM), but many immigration offices want 500-1000bht for 'instant' VIP service. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 1 minute ago, BritManToo said: CofR is free (14 day wait at CM), but many immigration offices want 500-1000bht for 'instant' VIP service. Thanks for confirming my suspicion. I wasn't even given a choice. I would rather have waited. I wasn't in a hurry. 500 Baht is not a big deal, but I resent being tricked into participating in their little "side hustles". 5 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post nigelforbes Posted February 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 (edited) If you wish to receive the special expedited service, you are required to pay an inducement fee, because they are not obliged to offer such a service. If you are in such a hurry that you cannot wait 14 days for the free service then you must pay. Surely you don't expect Immi to drop everything, just because you want it now and if they do, get it without paying an inducement fee, tsk tsk. ???? (Tongue in cheek, for the avoidance of doubt). Edited February 14, 2023 by nigelforbes 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 2 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said: "...why are you worried..." Who said I was "worried"? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 3 minutes ago, nigelforbes said: If you wish to receive the special expedited service, you are required to pay an inducement fee, because they are not obliged to offer such a service. If you are in such a hurry that you cannot wait 14 days for the free service then you must pay. Surely you don't expect Immi to drop everything, just because you want it now and if they do, get it without paying an inducement fee, tsk tsk. ???? (Tongue in cheek, for the avoidance of doubt). I was surprised at how out in the open it was. The Immigration officer was already walking away from me when she answered my question. She said it in a loud voice that everyone in the crowded immigration office could hear. Maybe it was a notice to future customers. 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubascuba3 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 17 minutes ago, NotReallyHere said: Thanks for confirming my suspicion. I wasn't even given a choice. I would rather have waited. I wasn't in a hurry. 500 Baht is not a big deal, but I resent being tricked into participating in their little "side hustles". Best to check beforehand in future on this forum or Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemsta69 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 14 minutes ago, NotReallyHere said: Who said I was "worried"? Resentful, worried, same same. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 5 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said: Best to check beforehand in future on this forum or Facebook Thanks for the advice. I'm just surprised they "got me". I moved recently from an expat "hotbed" to a more remote location in Thailand. Sticking it to the Farang seems to be worse here. Restaurants, transportation, housing and now even the Immigration office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 7 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said: Resentful, worried, same same. not really... 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AhFarangJa Posted February 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 The letter for the Driving licence from Immigration is 1,000 Baht in a seaside town about 250 km from Bangkok 0n the way down to Surat Thani.... 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunLA Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 CoR and transfer of Visa to new PP used to be 'free' service. Scamming was so rampant, that head Imm office made it UP2 Imm office. My experiences: ... CoR ... 2X free ... CoR ... ฿300, want receipt ฿600 Visa tfr to new PP: ... Free ... asked for ฿1000 then ฿500-฿100-no receipt, refused to pay - FREE ... Last Oct 500 w/receipt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailand Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 6 minutes ago, NotReallyHere said: Thanks for the advice. I'm just surprised they "got me". I moved recently from an expat "hotbed" to a more remote location in Thailand. Sticking it to the Farang seems to be worse here. Restaurants, transportation, housing and now even the Immigration office. Interesting, as a Farang I would like to say I have rarely had it stuck to me in all my years in Thailand. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Dwyer Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 My experience: Pathum Thani IO: residence cert 500 baht , no waiting, no receipt. Ayutthaya IO : residence cert 0 baht, no waiting. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 6 minutes ago, KhunLA said: CoR and transfer of Visa to new PP used to be 'free' service. Scamming was so rampant, that head Imm office made it UP2 Imm office. My experiences: ... CoR ... 2X free ... CoR ... ฿300, want receipt ฿600 Visa tfr to new PP: ... Free ... asked for ฿1000 then ฿500-฿100-no receipt, refused to pay - FREE ... Last Oct 500 w/receipt That's quite a history. I guess in the future, I'll go to the immigration office with a large stack of small bills. Not sure what the going rate will be. Need to be prepared for anything. Sounds like the issue might also be which Immigration officer I am assigned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post proton Posted February 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 Its a free service, as long as people cave in and pay the illegal bribe they will continue to ask for it. I refused and still go it. Helps if you are with a Thai wife, they look embarrassed in front of another Thai. 2 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jai Dee Posted February 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 A troll post has been removed. Also the duplicate topic has been merged into this one... just in case you were wondering where it went. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 13 minutes ago, proton said: Its a free service, as long as people cave in and pay the illegal bribe they will continue to ask for it. I refused and still go it. Helps if you are with a Thai wife, they look embarrassed in front of another Thai. Unfortunately, I was solo. I didn't realize it wasn't a standard price until after I had paid, but I agree with you in principle. That's why I don't use "agents". Yes, they provide a service, but I suspect part of that service is "tipping" the immigration officer. I can xerox, sort and staple my own documents. And I have all the time in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobBKK Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 It's not right, of course, but it is so endemic here it would take a revolution to get rid of it. They feel entitled and it goes up the food chain to the very top. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post proton Posted February 14, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 26 minutes ago, NotReallyHere said: Unfortunately, I was solo. I didn't realize it wasn't a standard price until after I had paid, but I agree with you in principle. That's why I don't use "agents". Yes, they provide a service, but I suspect part of that service is "tipping" the immigration officer. I can xerox, sort and staple my own documents. And I have all the time in the world. Tipping officers is illegal, my office now has a sign outside saying so 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 2 minutes ago, proton said: Tipping officers is illegal, my office now has a sign outside saying so Interesting. I'll look for a sign the next time I go to my Immigration Office. On the one hand, a sign is a good thing because it sets boundaries, but on the other hand it demonstrates that tipping was problematic there in the past. Reminds me of some of my experiences in massage shops. I've seen "No Sex" signs posted at entrance, but was still offered sex when inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukrules Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, NotReallyHere said: Thanks for confirming my suspicion. I wasn't even given a choice. I would rather have waited. I wasn't in a hurry. 500 Baht is not a big deal, but I resent being tricked into participating in their little "side hustles". Better to just pay the small amount than wait for weeks. Be thankful you have the option. Edited February 14, 2023 by ukrules 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 2 minutes ago, userabcd said: She said please and thank you, very polite. The usual reply to that would be you're welcome. This is an interesting comment. Are you saying I was rude? I'm not following you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
473geo Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Familiarity with the term and use of 'petty cash' allows me to be quite relaxed about topping it up See the drinks and food offered by the Ubon immigration guys a genuine pleasant gesture indeed 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChaiyaTH Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 2 hours ago, NotReallyHere said: Thanks for confirming my suspicion. I wasn't even given a choice. I would rather have waited. I wasn't in a hurry. 500 Baht is not a big deal, but I resent being tricked into participating in their little "side hustles". Cry me a river dude, you would participate so many more times just living daily life here. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Share Posted February 14, 2023 15 minutes ago, 473geo said: Familiarity with the term and use of 'petty cash' allows me to be quite relaxed about topping it up See the drinks and food offered by the Ubon immigration guys a genuine pleasant gesture indeed But how can we know the "tips" are going to petty cash? The Immigration Officer I was dealing with was very "polished". Lots of jewelry and an expensive handbag. Flaunting her wealth, basically. Not the usual understated government attire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NotReallyHere Posted February 14, 2023 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 14, 2023 1 minute ago, ChaiyaTH said: Cry me a river dude, you would participate so many more times just living daily life here. Nobody's crying... Life is good... 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvorBiggun2 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Asked for my passport stamps to be transfered to my new one. Officer said '400 Baht'. I said I wasn't paying as I know there is NO fee for the transfer. You can pay it if you want but I ain't gonna be caught on a bribe charge. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeymike100 Posted February 14, 2023 Share Posted February 14, 2023 Your just paying for a 'fastrack' service, similar you can get at the airport, to process your passport????? 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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