Pattaya / Jomtien immigration office is terrible

[GameMaster]

If you have the opportunity to get a tourist visa extension anywhere in Thailand but Pattaya, go for it.

I don't know what going on in Pattaya right now but officers there are losing it.

 

Usually you need to provide the following documents to get your extension:

- TM7 form

- copy of your passport main page

- copy of your latest visa page

- copy of your departure card

(+ 1900 THB)

 

In Pattaya, they gonna ask you to provide a TM30 form - which is some BS that your hotel manager has to fill in for you.

So this is how it goes:

 

- In the morning you have to go to the immigration office to get your TM30 form and your queue number for the afternoon.

- Then you'll have till 1PM to go back to your hotel, find someone to fill in this TM30 form for you.

- At 1PM you gotta be back at the immigration to queue for your TM30 form receipt.

- Once you got your receipt you'll have to queue again for your tourist visa extension.

 

The entire experience is from another world. I went there at 10am and finally got my extension at 4PM.

In the meanwhile I've been yelled at by officers at least 2 or 3 times. I don't really blame them as they are understaffed.

 

Anyway, it was a horrible experience. Far from the quality you'll find in Hua Hin, Pai or even Ubon.

They really need to up their game.

 

[scubascuba3]

What you experienced is standard at Jomtien sadly. You will witness staff being rude to multiple people during the time there, partly caused by stress, but only certain staff are rude

[Upnotover]

For future reference, your hotel is obliged to report you to immigration via the TM30 when you arrive, that's why they ask for your passport.  They mostly do it online and can give you a printout of the report if you ask them nicely.

[MJCM]

When I recently stayed in Pattaya (Hotel) they filed the Tm30 online.

 

When I got home and I went to Immigration to do my 90 day report they saw that I stayed in Pattaya.

 

So maybe your Hotel should start file the Tm30 online and make it a bit easier for you?

[quake]

They have gotten used to a relaxed way of working.

since the Covid situation.

They don't want to go back to a full on real days work.

What a lazy bunch,  they are now. 

 

Ps And nasty with it by the sound of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 3, 2023 by quake

[JustThisOnePostOnly]

This is simply a function of it being far too small a space in which to be conducting that number of processings every day.

[kinyara]

The influx of Russians looking for extensions probably doesn't help matters in that section, communication and manners wise they are not the best from what I've witnessed out and about. Agree with others that the office isn't fit for purpose anymore size and layout wise. Now they have the online 90 days I'm only in there for 45 minutes a year at most for my retirement renewal, but invariably I see random customers interrupt the staff with questions as they are trying to process someone else's application, it should be organised where that can't physically happen. 

[biervoormij]

It is my understanding to open a new bank account you need to have a certificate of residence. That is just another thing that requires a day at immigration.

 

They need to open another office. If Phuket can have 3 offices why can't Chonburi.

[Lucky Bones]

I have been going there for 10 years for 90 day reports.

Prior to C19 it was a 5 minute job. Today Monday, 1 & 3/4 hours (took a book to read.)

Yes, many customers don't or can't read signs so they interrupt the staff outside and some customers and staff get angry.

Something has gone awry at Jomtien and I feel for the majority of the staff.

I don't understand why it all seemed to change during C-19. It can be a frustrating experience for newbies.

A new larger office is desperately needed.????????

[peter zwart]

Take an Agent Take an Agent Take an Agent Take an Agent Take an Agent Take an Agent

[Lucky Bones]

1 minute ago, biervoormij said:

It is my understanding to open a new bank account you need to have a certificate of residence. That is just another thing that requires a day at immigration.

 

They need to open another office. If Phuket can have 3 offices why can't Chonburi.

It differs from bank to bank and customer services staff member.

I just opened new bank with internet and app. Central province with only passport & Thai drivers licence required.

Two great girls set it all up.

Bit of a lucky dip.

Yes. Jomtien IO has outgrown it's purpose.????????

[moogradod]

I have been interacting with Jomtien Immigration for years and all I can say is that I have been always treated with the most respect and politeness. Be it TM30, 90-day report or Residence Certificate or Extension - everything went all the time quick and smooth. I never had any reason to complain.

 

I congratulate this office for its kind and swift treatment.

[connda]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

What you experienced is standard at Jomtien sadly. You will witness staff being rude to multiple people during the time there, partly caused by stress, but only certain staff are rude

Saturday Night Live's 'Ernestine the telephone operator' (Lilly Tomlin) - "We're the phone company, we don't care, we don't have to." <snicker snicker snicker>

That pretty much sum it up here, 'eh?  Same, same, but not different.  

[scubascuba3]

7 hours ago, moogradod said:

I have been interacting with Jomtien Immigration for years and all I can say is that I have been always treated with the most respect and politeness. Be it TM30, 90-day report or Residence Certificate or Extension - everything went all the time quick and smooth. I never had any reason to complain.

 

I congratulate this office for its kind and swift treatment.

It depends who you interact with, some are very rude to foreigners, remember they should be patient with foreigners who may be elderly and only attend once a year

Edited April 3, 2023 by scubascuba3

[scubascuba3]

7 hours ago, biervoormij said:

They need to open another office. If Phuket can have 3 offices why can't Chonburi.

They like it too busy so it drives people to using an agent so more money for them

[jacko45k]

9 hours ago, kinyara said:

The influx of Russians looking for extensions probably doesn't help matters in that section, communication and manners wise they are not the best from what I've witnessed out and about. Agree with others that the office isn't fit for purpose anymore size and layout wise. Now they have the online 90 days I'm only in there for 45 minutes a year at most for my retirement renewal, but invariably I see random customers interrupt the staff with questions as they are trying to process someone else's application, it should be organised where that can't physically happen. 

And the reality is they (Russians) cannot get them... they likely get 7 days to leave the country, or seek alternatives. 

[RandiRona]

9 hours ago, moogradod said:

I have been interacting with Jomtien Immigration for years and all I can say is that I have been always treated with the most respect and politeness. Be it TM30, 90-day report or Residence Certificate or Extension - everything went all the time quick and smooth. I never had any reason to complain.

 

I congratulate this office for its kind and swift treatment.

Me too!! And I don’t even visit there.

[bkk6060]

There are offices in Issan and other places in the country that are brand new and 10 times the size of Jomtien.  Way way too small and way understaffed.  

It can be difficult. but I try to give them a break and ask myself: would I want to work in that environment?  No way.

[jacko45k]

12 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

There are offices in Issan and other places in the country that are brand new and 10 times the size of Jomtien.  Way way too small and way understaffed.  

It can be difficult. but I try to give them a break and ask myself: would I want to work in that environment?  No way.

Yes, well overdue for a new building. I suggest a place with more space, perhaps near the Chonburi Provisional Transport Office, then we can get our CORs 'nearby' and not have to traipse from one end of Banglamung to the other! 

[Henryford]

They just hate Russians, like we all do

[champers]

Been this morning for retirement extension and was in and out in less than an hour. Not enough chairs in the building and many people standing around. All the staff in pink shirts - what a gay day.

[BigStar]

3 hours ago, Henryford said:

They just hate Russians, like we all do

I don't hate Russians.

[kinyara]

2 hours ago, champers said:

Been this morning for retirement extension and was in and out in less than an hour. Not enough chairs in the building and many people standing around. All the staff in pink shirts - what a gay day.

What's the retirement system now, does outside pre-check your paperwork and give you a number and you wait for your number on a screen outside before entering the office ?

[Lucky Bones]

7 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

There are offices in Issan and other places in the country that are brand new and 10 times the size of Jomtien.  Way way too small and way understaffed.  

It can be difficult. but I try to give them a break and ask myself: would I want to work in that environment?  No way.

Fair call.

[Lucky Bones]

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

And the reality is they (Russians) cannot get them... they likely get 7 days to leave the country, or seek alternatives. 

Jacko that is interesting.

I value your comments.

Where do these Russians go?

(Do not give up secrets.)

Jomtien IO is flooded with Russians.

Cheers

 

[champers]

1 hour ago, kinyara said:

What's the retirement system now, does outside pre-check your paperwork and give you a number and you wait for your number on a screen outside before entering the office ?

Same as usual: go inside and show your passport to whoever is in the kiosk and tell them "retirement".  They give you a queue ticket for section 8. There were 3 officers doing retirements and 10 people in front of me in the queue got sorted in about 40 minutes. 10 minutes with an officer and he gives you a token to collect the passport tomorrow pm.

[kinyara]

13 minutes ago, champers said:

Same as usual: go inside and show your passport to whoever is in the kiosk and tell them "retirement".  They give you a queue ticket for section 8. There were 3 officers doing retirements and 10 people in front of me in the queue got sorted in about 40 minutes. 10 minutes with an officer and he gives you a token to collect the passport tomorrow pm.

Thanks for the quick reply and information, I thought they'd added some form of easier access system on the right side outside where you didn't have to join the general bigger snaking queue on the left side. 

Edited April 4, 2023 by kinyara
addition

[scubascuba3]

57 minutes ago, champers said:

Same as usual: go inside and show your passport to whoever is in the kiosk and tell them "retirement".  They give you a queue ticket for section 8. There were 3 officers doing retirements and 10 people in front of me in the queue got sorted in about 40 minutes. 10 minutes with an officer and he gives you a token to collect the passport tomorrow pm.

so no queuing outside? which recently took 2+ hours

[topt]

55 minutes ago, kinyara said:

Thanks for the quick reply and information, I thought they'd added some form of easier access system on the right side outside where you didn't have to join the general bigger snaking queue on the left side. 

They certainly had that 3 weeks ago when I did mine.

[champers]

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

so no queuing outside? which recently took 2+ hours

No.