I am in the process of applying for a Non-O retirement visa. In order to document my residence, Immigration requires a map, for some strange reason (like Thailand is terra incognita and they don't know where things are). So I submitted a printout from Google Maps.

 

NO! It must be a hand-drawn map. I told the agent: "I think Google can do a better job drawing a map than I can." She glared at me like I was Public Enemy Number 1. "No! It must be hand-drawn."

 

This is just a way to annoy and harass visa applicants, isn't it? Or is there a reason that I'm missing? What if they don't like my drawing??? Has anyone else experienced this nonsense?

6 minutes ago, eboy said:

Has anyone else experienced this nonsense?

Just draw it.

Only needs to show nearest main intersection from your home or condo etc. 

5 minutes ago, eboy said:

I am in the process of applying for a Non-O retirement visa. In order to document my residence, Immigration requires a map, for some strange reason (like Thailand is terra incognita and they don't know where things are). So I submitted a printout from Google Maps.

 

NO! It must be a hand-drawn map. I told the agent: "I think Google can do a better job drawing a map than I can." She glared at me like I was Public Enemy Number 1. "No! It must be hand-drawn."

 

This is just a way to annoy and harass visa applicants, isn't it? Or is there a reason that I'm missing? What if they don't like my drawing??? Has anyone else experienced this nonsense?

 

When I used to have a type-OA visa (and then later a Type-OA visa) here in Phuket (at the local immigration), I was asked for a hand drawn map.

 

I simply printed out a google map, held it up to the window with a blank piece of paper on top, and traced the outline of the street,  then I added some labels, and I created a basic hand drawn map.  It was quick to do. 

 

As to why it must be hand drawn?  I don't know.  Possibly by forcing one to hand draw a map, it gives immigration a bit more confidence that one actually lives in the location where they say they live - although that is speculation and frankly I don't think it should make any difference.

Anyone can access a Google map and print it without ever having been there. Ask someone to draw the way by hand, there is a better chance they do actually live there and know how to get there. 

 

Just saying.

Open Google Maps of your area and copy it by hand.

Back in the day I actually surveyed streets and villages (utilities). I had an Immigration officer reject my carefully drawn map, internationally recognised symbols were "wrong" and all roads had to be represented by double lines, which on that scale meant they were about 200 metres wide. Never mind, he meant well.

It is. or was in pre-Google days, a way to see that you actually lived where you say you do and know the area.

Yes I/we had to do it in the good old times when getting "Thai wife" extensions. My lady said that some people are just unable to read a map as there is something like an "information overload", their brains can't handle it.

 

In 10 years of daily on-line purchases, out of all delivery services, only Ikea made use of GPS coordinates, and just called the night before to make an appointment. All the others make 5 phone calls and get the wife to explain step by step to get to the house.

10 minutes ago, oldcpu said:

frankly I don't think it should make any difference.

 

I think it only matters what Immigration say or want. FWIW if you can't hand draw a map of where you live you obviously don't live there. 

 

There is an irony though as most Thais couldn't draw a map either. 

Requirements also state it must be drawn on their form. I have always done this so I don't know if it is enforced. You may save yourself some aggravation and use their form just in case.

At least our lot don't want me to draw a new map each year. I submit the same scanned work of art every time.

 

It didn't stop the visiting chaps calling Madam for directions the first year. 

 

 

I have tried for many years to teach my Thai wife to read a simple map, with zero success.

I said, 'pretend that you are a bird, looking down at the ground underneath you'.  Simple concept but she just can't handle it.

Back in my home country we were taught stuff like that in school.  Doesn't happen here, apparently.

I can't handle the Thai-style maps that places use to show their location, all right-angle turns and no sort of scaling that I can understand.

 

At least many places are now including Google maps on their websites.

1 hour ago, eboy said:

NO! It must be a hand-drawn map. I told the agent: "I think Google can do a better job drawing a map than I can." She glared at me like I was Public Enemy Number 1. "No! It must be hand-drawn."

Hat Yai want both a Google Map with Long/Lat coordinates, AND a hand drawn map! 
Why? Who knows.

1 minute ago, Stocky said:

Why? Who knows.

 

For the same reason a dog licks his balls!

 

Because they can!

I encountered the exact same response years ago. Last year they came and visited me for the first time, 4 of them, one sat in the car with the engine running. They said my map was no good even though  they got to within 200 metres of the house before they rang up and I had to rescue them. They were scared of the dogs and generally left with alacrity. This year I got asked to supply the GPS coordinates as well, so I found my house on satellite view and dropped a pin on it. I was happy because I hadn't noticed that feature before.

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

Anyone can access a Google map and print it without ever having been there. Ask someone to draw the way by hand, there is a better chance they do actually live there and know how to get there. 

 

Just saying.

 

I'd like to see the results if asking a Thai to draw a map of where they reside. Add road names too? No chance. "Professional" drivers with Bolt/Grab can't even follow GPS properly here!

 

As for the OP's post, others have suggested too, print your Google maps then trace it by hand. Once done, make copious copies for future years to save drwaing each time (they have accepted my copies for the last 4 years on Non-O retired in Bangkok).

 

 

Another requirement aimed solely at irritating the farang. If they can't find you with only an address, their law-enforcement qualifications are highly suspect.

2 hours ago, eboy said:

Has anyone else experienced this nonsense?

Has been that way forever, as said you need to show them that you know the way. 

I enjoy doing it and it's normally the last doc. they require while they process all my other docs, I draw rivers, bridges, even trees just for a laugh, might take some colored pens next time 

3 hours ago, eboy said:

This is just a way to annoy and harass visa applicants, isn't it? Or is there a reason that I'm missing?

 

you know in most stories when people use a hand drawn map there is usually an X that marks the spot. usually where the treasure or reward is. 

They want a hand drawn map coz it has a document number, then they can file this document with the other 10000000000000000000000000000 forms they want you to complete.

Just put up with it ! Google map the route for reference and hand draw it from there....it's a requirement that is written for Phuket, mine was drawn 2 years ago haven't been asked to produce it yet, but did want to see a photo of myself next to  house number last year, had it on my phone but not good enough thus got a print out.......put up with it ! cheers

3 hours ago, Stocky said:

Hat Yai want both a Google Map with Long/Lat coordinates, AND a hand drawn map! 
Why? Who knows.

Sri Ratcha like both but I don't think they enforce the google. When my wife was first told to do hand drawn the IO said to use local names for roads and to write in Thai. It was to do with driver for home visits, some being more local than others.

We are out in the country and have had 6 home visits, the first lot came from somewhere near Bangkok and had to phone up for directions, but the last one was only one guy who lived just a couple of miles away.

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

We are out in the country and have had 6 home visits

what a joke.

Hand drawn maps comes from age-old traditions designed to protect the peasants and their land.  Not all properties had addresses, nor could everyone read & write, so having someone hand draw a map of their property was a way for poor farmers to identify their land.

Some traditions just don't change.

I've always supplied a hand drawn map for my 1 year marriage extension.

Yup, hand drawn map every extension.

But I think its more to do with them finding your place rather than proving you know where you are staying.

Every time they ask I pass the paper over to the old lady and she does it .

18 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Just draw it.

Only needs to show nearest main intersection from your home or condo etc. 

It's a good idea to mark the location of your nearest Wat as well, which are the most common landmarks officials go by.

12 hours ago, PJ71 said:

what a joke.

...did you pop the kettle on!

14 hours ago, CANSIAM said:

Just put up with it ! Google map the route for reference and hand draw it from there....it's a requirement that is written for Phuket, mine was drawn 2 years ago haven't been asked to produce it yet, but did want to see a photo of myself next to  house number last year, had it on my phone but not good enough thus got a print out.......put up with it ! cheers

..all part of our roles as clowns in the circus

18 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Just draw it.

Only needs to show nearest main intersection from your home or condo etc. 

YES just draw it what's the fuss or don't apply..

18 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

Yes I/we had to do it in the good old times when getting "Thai wife" extensions. My lady said that some people are just unable to read a map as there is something like an "information overload", their brains can't handle it.

 

In 10 years of daily on-line purchases, out of all delivery services, only Ikea made use of GPS coordinates, and just called the night before to make an appointment. All the others make 5 phone calls and get the wife to explain step by step to get to the house.

This is a problem in rural villages. 

When a villager builds a new house, it is given a number which bears no relation to other house numbers nearby. Streets don't have names or numbers.

There is no logical way to find an address other than go to the village and start making enquiries of the locals.

That is why a 'phone number is so important.

Reading a map can only be done if land marks are added like a picture of a bank on a corner.

My hand drawn map for immigration, is a copy of google maps with a single line drawing of the route added  plus a few identifiable buildings and crossroads. There has never been any problem of rejection by immigration.