The downhill trajectory of Chiang Mai immigration

[NorthernRyland]

I was watching a video on YouTube of a guy in Khon Kaen and he showed the new immigration building. Huge building and large open parking lot. Looked pretty much empty. How nice that would be.

 

This made me reflect on the Chiang Mai immigration office. First time I went was in 2006 but Google only has images going back to 2011 but I don't think much changed by then.

 

Back then I only used the small building on the right and even if it got full it didn't feel crowded or hectic. Parking was trivial but I only had a motorbike back then and cars seemed to find places within the grounds proper. I forget but I think they had a simple queue number and just came up and handed over the papers  then came back when it was done.

 

Fast forward to today and the old building is now dedicated to solely for Burmese and the rest of the people go to the new building on the left (see second picture). Parking is a non-option now and you need to park across the street and pay 20 baht then cross over the busy road (at least they made a cross walk with a light). During the peak season unless you get there before they open you're probably going to have to come back after their lunch break and there is a pre-scanning process outside before you even go inside. Seating is often so full you need to wait outside. Very hectic and stressful now.

 

They had to add a drive-thru line for 90 day reports and the copy/scanner building is located around the back where before it was right next to the main building (where the coffee shop is now I think, under that large tree).

 

It's a ticking time bomb. It gets worse every year and eventually the outside parking is going to be filled too. Hectic and slow as to be expected given the volume of people. Even so they seem dedicated to this location probably because it's so close to the airport and easy for tourists.

 

 

2024. Look at those wires now too. The median in the road (behind the picture) which had nice trees is all concrete now too. Uglier and top of it, except that tree has gotten much bigger but you know they're going to cut that down eventually too.

 

 

 

[CMBob]

Come on, it really isn't all that difficult.  

For most of us, we typically only have to go to Immigration once a year for our extensions and, if one has an appointment, it's fairly easy to do.  And we're only talking once a year.

As for 90-day reports, things have vastly improved from the "good" old days when we had to queue up inside to file those.  Now we have the online system which is easy to use and, on those occasions where the online is rejected, we have to show up but only need to hand over our passport and the completed TM47 at the drive-up/walk-up window and that's rather quick (never had to wait even 5 minutes using the drive-up window).  

As concerns re-entry permits, the easy thing to do there is to simply get one at the airport....rather quick and easy.

 

So, while I don't like hanging around inside the Immigration building once a year for an hour or so (with appointment), it's really not all that difficult or oppressive.

[NorthernRyland]

10 minutes ago, CMBob said:

So, while I don't like hanging around inside the Immigration building once a year for an hour or so (with appointment), it's really not all that difficult or oppressive.

 

Not saying it's the worst thing in the world just reflecting on how it's gotten worse over the years and will continue on this path. It's trend in the city and something to consider.

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Not saying it's the worst thing in the world just reflecting on how it's gotten worse over the years and will continue on this path. It's trend in the city and something to consider.

 

   You don't remember when you used to have to get there ar 3 AM to get in the queue and wait until 8 AM when they handed numbers out and getting your PP back at 5 PM ?

[Lacessit]

The difference between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Immigration is quite stark. I don't have fond memories of being treated like cattle in CM.

 

I can remember one IO in CM, white -haired guy. The way he treated everyone was disgusting, deliberately rude. Probably retired now.

[NorthernRyland]

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

   You don't remember when you used to have to get there ar 3 AM to get in the queue and wait until 8 AM when they handed numbers out and getting your PP back at 5 PM ?

uh no? It was always relaxed for me. Just that one small building back then.

[NorthernRyland]

4 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

The difference between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Immigration is quite stark. I don't have fond memories of being treated like cattle in CM.

 

I can remember one IO in CM, white -haired guy. The way he treated everyone was disgusting, deliberately rude. Probably retired now.

 

They're totally stressed out and it's only going to get worse. I thought they were going to move the building but they built back in the same place after closing for a year or so. They must be tied to that location but's obviously going to be overrun at some point.

[hotsun]

Everything gets worse after a while. Chang wattana immigration has always been a nightmare

[NorthernRyland]

5 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Everything gets worse after a while. Chang wattana immigration has always been a nightmare

it's headed that way too. The slower pace of life in Chiang Mai is fading fast.

[connda]

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

I was watching a video on YouTube of a guy in Khon Kaen and he showed the new immigration building. Huge building and large open parking lot. Looked pretty much empty. How nice that would be.

 

This made me reflect on the Chiang Mai immigration office. First time I went was in 2006 but Google only has images going back to 2011 but I don't think much changed by then.

 

Back then I only used the small building on the right and even if it got full it didn't feel crowded or hectic. Parking was trivial but I only had a motorbike back then and cars seemed to find places within the grounds proper. I forget but I think they had a simple queue number and just came up and handed over the papers  then came back when it was done.

 

Fast forward to today and the old building is now dedicated to solely for Burmese and the rest of the people go to the new building on the left (see second picture). Parking is a non-option now and you need to park across the street and pay 20 baht then cross over the busy road (at least they made a cross walk with a light). During the peak season unless you get there before they open you're probably going to have to come back after their lunch break and there is a pre-scanning process outside before you even go inside. Seating is often so full you need to wait outside. Very hectic and stressful now.

 

They had to add a drive-thru line for 90 day reports and the copy/scanner building is located around the back where before it was right next to the main building (where the coffee shop is now I think, under that large tree).

 

It's a ticking time bomb. It gets worse every year and eventually the outside parking is going to be filled too. Hectic and slow as to be expected given the volume of people. Even so they seem dedicated to this location probably because it's so close to the airport and easy for tourists.

 

 

2024. Look at those wires now too. The median in the road (behind the picture) which had nice trees is all concrete now too. Uglier and top of it, except that tree has gotten much bigger but you know they're going to cut that down eventually too.

 

 

 

One thing ya'll have now that we didn't have when I used CM Immigration:  Grab Taxi. 
However, I'm glad I'm out of that rat race and now report to a regional office where my wife, quite literally, knows about 50% of the IOs.  I just shut up, smile, and let her talk.  I don't miss CM Immigration in the least.  My last extension renewal I used an agent.  I ❤️ rural life.
 

Green Acres is the place to be.

Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan Chiang Mai,  just give me that countryside.
 

[CMBob]

Puzzled by the purported nostalgia as to how "good" it used to be.  Back when we had to show up at 6AM and spend  4-6 hours to get our annual extensions and also having to go to Immigration another 4 times a year to file our 90-day reports.......those were the good old days?  Not in my memory.

[worgeordie]

No way ,things are so much better today , the small building you talk

about was like The black hole of Calcutta,crowded ,smelly ,hot,

 

I did my latest extension last month ,took all of half an hour ,once

a year ,90 day I do on line ,I get Email from immigration reminding

me when it's due, and email saying I have filed my 90 day report ,and

another email saying it's been approved , that's service.

 

Then there was the time they moved to Promenada ,you had to get

there at 4,30 in the morning to get a seat i the que ,and there were

always 4- 5 Burmese sitters who had been there all night keeping

seats for Farangs who turned up at opening time.

 

I find the people working there to be helpful and friendly ,especially

considering the  s hit they have to put up with, OK you have to park

over the road and pay 20 baht , not a hardship really ,is it.

 

Doing extension's for many years here ,and I must say ,with been able

to make appointments (but you must be quick,) things for me are the 

best they have ever been at CM Immigration ,I don't recognize anything

the OP is on about 

 

regards worgeordie

 

 

[NorthernRyland]

8 hours ago, CMBob said:

Puzzled by the purported nostalgia as to how "good" it used to be.  Back when we had to show up at 6AM and spend  4-6 hours to get our annual extensions and also having to go to Immigration another 4 times a year to file our 90-day reports.......those were the good old days?  Not in my memory.

I only had a tourist visa back then. Never had anything like that happen. Felt like there was 1/10th the amount of people back then so how did it take so much longer than today?

[NorthernRyland]

8 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Then there was the time they moved to Promenada ,you had to get

there at 4,30 in the morning to get a seat i the que ,and there were

always 4- 5 Burmese sitters who had been there all night keeping

seats for Farangs who turned up at opening time.

 

 

Promenada was great. You could get up and walk around instead of waiting and always had air con because it was in a mall. For most expats it was more convenient too because it was outside the city but much worse for tourists.

 

I don't know why you were coming so early. That's the part of the problem with CM though isn't it? You're in full panic mode and waking up in the dark to do your visa. Other places are just a simple walk in and forget about it. The vibe in 2006 was much more like this too albeit yet it was swampy and hot but it was a small crowd and not hectic.  

 

They needed the bigger building but as soon as it was built tourism exploded and it was back to being fuller than ever. People living hours outside the city must have to stay the night in order to do their visa.

[NotEinstein]

The 'service area' is not much bigger than in the old building. They obviously needed the extra floors for more staff - nothing to do with responding to volume. Compared to the pre-promenada days, which involved queuing up from 5 to stand a chance of being allocated a 'family extension' slot for that day, then being told 'need updated KR2' and having to do the same again the next day, it's like the difference between night and day.

[BritManToo]

10 hours ago, CMBob said:

Puzzled by the purported nostalgia as to how "good" it used to be.  Back when we had to show up at 6AM and spend  4-6 hours to get our annual extensions and also having to go to Immigration another 4 times a year to file our 90-day reports.......those were the good old days?  Not in my memory.

CMI was always a poop show (past 15 years), except during COVID when it was deserted.

Dunno about 90 day reports, always used post, online, drive through.

Today it's about as the worst of times in past history.

[impulse]

There's also lot of guys nostalgiac for the good old days when you could clear a 5 year overstay at the airport on your way out and be back in Thailand in time for the weekend.  And stay for years on tourist visas and border runs.

 

But time moves on.

 

I think a lot of the newfound angst is the fact that you can't just fob off immigration and get away with it with a few baht fine any more.

 

[worgeordie]

2 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Promenada was great. You could get up and walk around instead of waiting and always had air con because it was in a mall. For most expats it was more convenient too because it was outside the city but much worse for tourists.

 

I don't know why you were coming so early. That's the part of the problem with CM though isn't it? You're in full panic mode and waking up in the dark to do your visa. Other places are just a simple walk in and forget about it. The vibe in 2006 was much more like this too albeit yet it was swampy and hot but it was a small crowd and not hectic.  

 

They needed the bigger building but as soon as it was built tourism exploded and it was back to being fuller than ever. People living hours outside the city must have to stay the night in order to do their visa.

There was no A/c at Promenada where you had to wait on seats ,if you could get one ,I was coming

early to get a ticket so I could  get an Extension that day as I said that early in the morning there

were Burmese sitters already there , I have been doing various extensions ,in Chiang Mai since

1987 and I can say this is the best it's ever been..period.  

 

Yes they need a bigger building ,there are several Government departments on the same road

with much bigger plots ,and less going on in them ,but I suppose they won't give up their fiefdoms

for  a smaller plot ,they would lose face , so it is what it is ,and I  am very happy with it.as I say

did my retirement extension last month , took half an hour ,no agent always do by myself ,whats

to complain about....

 

regards Worgeordie

 

regards Worgeordie

 

[Cameroni]

It's not just the main building is not great, but airport immigration in CM has become a lot more like Nazi Germany than anyone thought possible.

 

It's nice they opened that Central Festival branch now though, probably the best location.

[KhaoHom]

Only related

 

BKK is now swamped. They've organized it a bit more, but all the tourists and one-offers add hundreds to queue. It's as stressful as always. +1 though...last two years L family area is less stress and crowded , but to get there is a struggle

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Yes they need a bigger building ,there are several Government departments on the same road

with much bigger plots ,and less going on in them ,but I suppose they won't give up their fiefdoms

for  a smaller plot ,they would lose face , so it is what it is ,and I  am very happy with it.as I say

did my retirement extension last month , took half an hour ,no agent always do by myself ,whats

to complain about....

 

 

I need to reset mine to not be in December where it's packed. Mine takes hours and unless I get up early enough it can spill over in to the afternoon. It's packed then with people waiting outside and sitting on the stairs.

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

It's not just the main building is not great, but airport immigration in CM has become a lot more like Nazi Germany than anyone thought possible.

 

It's nice they opened that Central Festival branch now though, probably the best location.

 

They're stressed for sure. Everyone is edge trying to get in before the lunch break.

 

The C.F. branch has limited service though right? Pretty sure I asked they said it's only has a limited subset of services.

[NorthernRyland]

3 hours ago, NotEinstein said:

The 'service area' is not much bigger than in the old building. They obviously needed the extra floors for more staff - nothing to do with responding to volume. Compared to the pre-promenada days, which involved queuing up from 5 to stand a chance of being allocated a 'family extension' slot for that day, then being told 'need updated KR2' and having to do the same again the next day, it's like the difference between night and day.

 

People keep mentioning this long wait times when there were 10x less tourists in Chiang Mai so how is this even possible? Maybe 10x less staff?

 

Keep in mind I only had a tourist visa back then (or the non-O which they extended improperly) and was doing extensions (like the old METV). Yes it was crowded at some times of year because the small space but it wasn't hectic since the volume of people was so much lower. Less stress and more personal too.

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

There's also lot of guys nostalgiac for the good old days when you could clear a 5 year overstay at the airport on your way out and be back in Thailand in time for the weekend.  And stay for years on tourist visas and border runs.

 

But time moves on.

 

 

it's not even about that. It's just the sheer volumes of people and the lack of the space. Same for the roads and general congestion.

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

There was no A/c at Promenada where you had to wait on seats ,if you could get one ,

 

It was inside the mall in its own room surely it had AC. They had overflow in the outside area but that was inside the mall too. I remember it all having AC as you would expect in a mall.

 

EDIT: if you had a long wait you could walk around the mall too and get coffee etc.. so there was always space somewhere. That's the nice thing. Had a Rim Ping in there too so you could do some shopping even.

[Cameroni]

8 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

The C.F. branch has limited service though right? Pretty sure I asked they said it's only has a limited subset of services.

 

That's right, some things you'll still have to go to the main Immo.

[NotEinstein]

17 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

People keep mentioning this long wait times when there were 10x less tourists in Chiang Mai so how is this even possible? Maybe 10x less staff?

 

Keep in mind I only had a tourist visa back then (or the non-O which they extended improperly) and was doing extensions (like the old METV). Yes it was crowded at some times of year because the small space but it wasn't hectic since the volume of people was so much lower. Less stress and more personal too.

At that time people were having to extend etc. at CMI from all over northern Thailand. Just before the Promenada period other Imm branches were opened, e.g. Lamphun, Chiang Rai, so the volume dropped significantly. When 'Big Joke' was in charge of Imm. there was also a huge improvement of service. The IOs were complaining of having to work extra hours for free.....

[JimGant]

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

It was inside the mall in its own room surely it had AC.

It was joined at the hip with the parking lot. Thus, not in the AC bubble of the mall.

[Packer]

They've got a huge fleet of brand new state of the art BMWs parked there.

 

Presumably for the officers to go to foreigner's homes and do all the visa and extension stuff there for the sake of convenience? Book an appointment for an extension and on the date and time you choose their BMW arrives at your home with a few officers to politely check, stamp and take your documents, then return your passport to your home once granted? 🙂

 

German sense and efficiency to match their high end fleet of German cars? 

[BritManToo]

8 minutes ago, Packer said:

They've got a huge fleet of brand new state of the art BMWs parked there.

 

Presumably for the officers to go to foreigner's homes and do all the visa and extension stuff there for the sake of convenience? Book an appointment for an extension and on the date and time you choose their BMW arrives at your home with a few officers to politely check, stamp and take your documents, then return your passport to your home once granted? 🙂

 

German sense and efficiency to match their high end fleet of German cars? 

I'd pay an extra 5kbht for that, or even 10kbht.

Maybe you've got a money making idea for them there.