The downhill trajectory of Chiang Mai immigration

[Packer]

Well, that young Chinese woman did pay 7k, or was it 70k, for a police car escort from Swampy to Pattaya a few years ago. 

 

Just go the agent route, the expensive ones, and it could probably be done like that, perhaps on official 'medical grounds'. I'm sure 50k would see them come to your home and take care of everything.

[CMBob]

2 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

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.

 

That's not the way it was initially.  I do remember (same as Worgeordie) that when the airport Immigration building closed, we had to get to Promenada very early and had to queue up outside with the hope of ending up with a reasonable queue number so we could get the annual extension before the staff's lunch break.  There were even people claiming they actually showed up at 3-4AM and said even then that there were agents (or their "sitters")  already sitting in the first seats with a bagful of passports and various Immigration paperwork.   

Later (once new Immigration building was finished?), the office at Promenada moved upstairs.....but, if I recall right, they no longer did annual extensions out there (not 100% sure of that as from that point on I only went to the airport Immigration building).  

[novacova]

19 hours 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.

Things tend to get worse for those who tend/refuse to adapt and search for stuff to complain about. Nothing to complain about here for the one day a year at the cm io, though it’s remarkable that some retired folks have rough time finding a quarter-half day out of their busy schedule to do an extension. & hanging on to the past is of absolute no value, it’s gone for good so get over it.

[Will B Good]

The worst aspect for me is no queuing system at all (Chaiyaphum)......people take a seat and just hope they might get the call, might catch someone's eye........we've been in and out in no time and other times been sat there for hours.

 

 

[NorthernRyland]

7 hours ago, NotEinstein said:

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.....

 

That's interesting thanks. Do the guys way out in Fang all go to the same immigration? That would really suck, you'd have to make a full day trip. 

[NorthernRyland]

6 hours ago, JimGant said:

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

Yeah I remember it was on the ground floor but within glass. I don't see how they couldn't have AC in there. It would be unbearable otherwise.

[NorthernRyland]

5 hours ago, CMBob said:

That's not the way it was initially.  I do remember (same as Worgeordie) that when the airport Immigration building closed, we had to get to Promenada very early and had to queue up outside with the hope of ending up with a reasonable queue number so we could get the annual extension before the staff's lunch break.  There were even people claiming they actually showed up at 3-4AM and said even then that there were agents (or their "sitters")  already sitting in the first seats with a bagful of passports and various Immigration paperwork.   

 

 

It's been a while now so I don't remember if there was queueing outside but that does kind of ring of bell. 

 

I don't understand the early arrivers unless that's just their schedule anyways. Worst case is you arrive late and miss the lunch break and have to come back. This sucks too because it's another hour of waiting but that's what I'd prefer.

 

Actually I found out for simple extensions I was able to arrive in the afternoon and this beat the crowds because most people were so determined to be the first ones there. Maybe this only works for tourist visa extensions though. I just started doing non-O marriage extensions two ago so I don't have much experience there.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

It's been a while now so I don't remember if there was queueing outside but that does kind of ring of bell. 

I don't understand the early arrivers unless that's just their schedule anyways.

 

   They used to serve 50 people per day , and they handed out 50 numbers to the first people in the queue and if you didn't get a ticket, you wouldn't be served that day and you would have to come back the next day and try again . 

   Had to get in the queue by 3 AM to likely get a ticket 

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, novacova said:

Things tend to get worse for those who tend/refuse to adapt and search for stuff to complain about. Nothing to complain about here for the one day a year at the cm io, though it’s remarkable that some retired folks have rough time finding a quarter-half day out of their busy schedule to do an extension. & hanging on to the past is of absolute no value, it’s gone for good so get over it.

 

You can move to other places besides CM though so it's good to consider these things. It's not just immigration, all manor of things become less tenable every year so it's good to keep an eye on the trend and act accordingly.

 

 

[NorthernRyland]

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

   They used to serve 50 people per day , and they handed out 50 numbers to the first people in the queue and if you didn't get a ticket, you wouldn't be served that day and you would have to come back the next day and try again . 

   Had to get in the queue by 3 AM to likely get a ticket 

 

Man that's horrible. I wonder why I never had problem. All I had were various kinds of tourists visas back then so maybe they allocated enough of those.

 

Glad to hear immigration is now working better for you guys at least.

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

The worst aspect for me is no queuing system at all (Chaiyaphum)......people take a seat and just hope they might get the call, might catch someone's eye........we've been in and out in no time and other times been sat there for hours.

 

 

Thailand really needs to have queues otherwise people swarm and get anxious. Ever see an intersection where the traffic light fails? Suddenly people have no idea how to take turns and it becomes a total free for all with pushing and shoving. It's a really interesting insight into the culture and how well they trust and respect each other.

[Magictoad]

Just send one of your kids to do it!

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Man that's horrible. I wonder why I never had problem. All I had were various kinds of tourists visas back then so maybe they allocated enough of those.

 

Glad to hear immigration is now working better for you guys at least.

 

   Immigration used to serve everyone who showed up and often stayed open to 6 PM and later .

   They then began working to rule and just limiting the amount of customers they could serve per day and closing on time .

   Then not everyone could get served

[Magictoad]

2 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

Thailand really needs to have queues otherwise people swarm and get anxious. Ever see an intersection where the traffic light fails? Suddenly people have no idea how to take turns and it becomes a total free for all with pushing and shoving. It's a really interesting insight into the culture and how well they trust and respect each other.

I don't think that is particularly true of Thailand. You notice it because you're living here. It would be the same in London or New York if the lights failed.

[Magictoad]

2 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Immigration used to serve everyone who showed up and often stayed open to 6 PM and later .

   They then began working to rule and just limiting the amount of customers they could serve per day and closing on time .

   Then not everyone could get served

"Working to rule" instead of staying behind and "Working For Free".

What would you choose?

[Nick Carter icp]

Just now, Magictoad said:

"Working to rule" instead of staying behind and "Working For Free".

What would you choose?

 

   I agreed with them , they should be going home at 5 PM . not working overtime every night 

[NorthernRyland]

9 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Immigration used to serve everyone who showed up and often stayed open to 6 PM and later .

   They then began working to rule and just limiting the amount of customers they could serve per day and closing on time .

   Then not everyone could get served

I don't blame them it just shows the stress on the system. I've always been treated well but there's a tension in the air, tourists included.

 

The influx of Chinese was unexpected also but they did respond nicely by having on-sight translators for them as many seem to not speak English. That must be really frustrating for the IO's too. 

[NorthernRyland]

11 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

I don't think that is particularly true of Thailand. You notice it because you're living here. It would be the same in London or New York if the lights failed.

 

Those cities are filled with immigrants and just random people from everywhere so sure low trust I bet. In the rest of established America if the light fails people revert to the rules at any intersection without a light, which is taking turns, i.e. first in last out.

 

That's what Thailand doesn't have. Any interaction without a light defaults to pushing and shoving. That's just how they are.

[dutch boy]

You could just hire an agent and pay the 2000 BAHT fine and never do the 90 day report. The agent will also go to the Immigration office while you can just relax. I never do the 90 day report or keep 800,000 BAHT in the bank or visit the Immigration office as long as you I have agents to do this.

[Dellboy218]

On 5/4/2025 at 12:02 AM, 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.

My nostalgia goes back to the 80s/90s when it was the now demolished building on the left.  if there was one other person in there and in front of you then you were unlucky.

[Bill97]

1 hour ago, Dellboy218 said:

My nostalgia goes back to the 80s/90s when it was the now demolished building on the left.  if there was one other person in there and in front of you then you were unlucky.

Yeh, where did all those people jamming it up now come form?

[roo860]

On 5/4/2025 at 10:17 PM, dutch boy said:

You could just hire an agent and pay the 2000 BAHT fine and never do the 90 day report. The agent will also go to the Immigration office while you can just relax. I never do the 90 day report or keep 800,000 BAHT in the bank or visit the Immigration office as long as you I have agents to do this.

So you never go, even if you have a retirement extension?

[NorthernRyland]

57 minutes ago, roo860 said:

So you never go, even if you have a retirement extension?

If they check your 90 day report during the extension they see it's expired, you pay 2000 baht and do that every year.

 

In theory this works but maybe you piss them off is my guess.

[roo860]

22 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

If they check your 90 day report during the extension they see it's expired, you pay 2000 baht and do that every year.

 

In theory this works but maybe you piss them off is my guess.

The poster 'Dutch boy' who i was replying  to said he never goes to immigration .

[NorthernRyland]

32 minutes ago, roo860 said:

The poster 'Dutch boy' who i was replying  to said he never goes to immigration .

 

well then immigration in CM is corrupt and taking bribes to file false documents. 

[CMBob]

39 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

well then immigration in CM is corrupt and taking bribes to file false documents. 

And you're presuming that happened in CM.  I don't as, even when using an agent, the person extending needs to show up at Immigration here in CM (mainly for the photo).

[Dazinoz]

Remember going to the old, small, hot, smelly, overcrowded room before the new building. I was using an agent and was told to arrive 3pm. Sat next to guy and started chatting. He said he had been there since 5am to get a number. I said I use an agent. He quickly commented he would never waste his money on an agent. At about that time, now a whole 15 minutes after I had arrived, my name was called and I collected my passport and was finished for the day. I did say as I walked past him that sometimes worth paying an agent.

 

On another note I went last week to get a re-entry permit. I know they can be done at the airport it's just I like to be prepared. Car park across road was packed and obviously immigration was too. I was in the "document check" queue for nearly 90 minutes but fortunately first when I went inside so only another 10 minutes.

 

Not complaint just saying.

[newbee2022]

On 5/3/2025 at 10:08 PM, 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.

 

 

 

Right.

The best time was when they resided in Promenada. Huge parking area. Time for shopping. (Rimping).

[roo860]

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

well then immigration in CM is corrupt and taking bribes to file false documents. 

Deleted 

[TigerandDog]

On 5/4/2025 at 12:10 AM, worgeordie said:

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

 

 

for the most part I agree with everything you say with 2 exceptions. #1. You could always park at Central Airport with no parking fee and walk to the Imm Office, #2. Since appointments have been available I've always made one, but this year, as usual, I started monitoring the appointments web site from the middle of December on a daily basis. Without exception the ONLY dates that would come up as having appointment times available were public holidays. So this year I was unable to make an appointment. I just checked the appointment web site again, and between today and the end of July not a single date available. So either CM do not want us making appointments any more OR the web site is down, and despite being advised that it's not working they aren't interested in getting it working again.