The downhill trajectory of Chiang Mai immigration

[Bill97]

58 minutes ago, TigerandDog said:

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.

Another option is that all appointments are booked which is likely.  They are booked a few minutes after midnight when new ones become available

Been like that for a long time 

[NorthernRyland]

2 hours ago, CMBob said:

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).

 

yeah that's the legal way to do it but that guy was suggesting he broke the law (somewhere just assumed CM because this is a CM topic).

[CM Dad]

On 5/4/2025 at 11:48 AM, 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.

I agree. I use the Central Festival branch and am in and out very quickly.  The problem at the old location has always been parking.

[delboy]

My visits to CM Immigration started in Jan 1990 when I asked what I needed to do to stay in Thailand, married to a Thai national.  There was only 1 guy behind the desk in the old building on the left.  He had to telephone Bangkok for guidance, and told me to apply for a 1 year extension.  I filled in the form, gave him my passport and marriage certificate, he stamped the passport, and returned it with notice to return in 2 weeks.  I returned every 2 weeks for about 3 months before getting the extension.  I returned every month for the 90 day report and signed the book, sometimes the officer would say he couldn't find the book and to just come again next month.  The first new building appeared years later, but it was easy to visit until the early 2st century.  Then it got full, and I switched to a Retirement Visa.  It got really bad when they switched to the Promenada, then Big Joke appeared, and the 2nd new building arrived.  Since then it's been ok as long as you have the time.

[Presnock]

On 5/3/2025 at 10:54 PM, 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 come lately complainers don't know how it has improved over the years!  In years past, some people even got in a queue for the queue numbers inside and in order to insure getting one early on, some people got in line even at midnight but most like me began showing up at 4 AM and I was never even close to being first to get a queue ticket.  Before there was no call in for a reservation for anything, no online 90-day reports, and the yearly visit always took more time than in the more recent years.  My last yearly for retirement O was a breeze, no appointment yet less than 90 minutes total from check-in outside to leaving with next years stamp.  I got my LTR upon reading about that visa as it gives me the most benefits for the least money.  In addition, the CM immigration also has an office at the Central Festival Mall but I think has some restrictions on what can be accomplished there.In addition, if one arrives prior to the 8:30 opening, one can have documents checked prior to even going inside to insure all is proper and necessary which also saves one some time.  Having done the yearly so many times, I knew what I needed, with banking documents, the two forms they give you at the tent area, etc and i thought based on what it used to look like, was a pretty good improvement.  Obviously some of you might want to move to Bangkok and go to Chang Wattana instead of CM immigration.  Better yet, get an LTR and you can miss out altogether for most actions.  IMHO the best.

[NorthernRyland]

11 minutes ago, delboy said:

My visits to CM Immigration started in Jan 1990 when I asked what I needed to do to stay in Thailand, married to a Thai national.  There was only 1 guy behind the desk in the old building on the left.  He had to telephone Bangkok for guidance, and told me to apply for a 1 year extension.  I filled in the form, gave him my passport and marriage certificate, he stamped the passport, and returned it with notice to return in 2 weeks.  I returned every 2 weeks for about 3 months before getting the extension.  I returned every month for the 90 day report and signed the book, sometimes the officer would say he couldn't find the book and to just come again next month.  The first new building appeared years later, but it was easy to visit until the early 2st century.  Then it got full, and I switched to a Retirement Visa.  It got really bad when they switched to the Promenada, then Big Joke appeared, and the 2nd new building arrived.  Since then it's been ok as long as you have the time.

 

Sounds like from all these stories the problems in the past were ineffective staff so it didn't matter how busy it was. Sounds like the staff is more efficient now even though there's orders of magnitudes more people.

 

I never had this problems because of my visa category so I missed the old one simply because it was smaller and had so many fewer people.

[Cameroni]

32 minutes ago, CM Dad said:

I agree. I use the Central Festival branch and am in and out very quickly.  The problem at the old location has always been parking.

 

Yes indeed, you always had to park in that strange piece of land opposite Immigration, and they'd charge you money for it. Then you'd take your life into your hands as you cross the supposed zebra crossings nobody stops at.

[worgeordie]

15 minutes ago, Cameroni said:

 

Yes indeed, you always had to park in that strange piece of land opposite Immigration, and they'd charge you money for it. Then you'd take your life into your hands as you cross the supposed zebra crossings nobody stops at.

It has lights on that anyone wanting to cross the road press ,and it turns red

for cars going both way , and for anyone complaining about the 20 baht 

parking ,can do so free in the petrol station next door for free.

 

regards worgeordie 

[NorthernRyland]

5 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

It has lights on that anyone wanting to cross the road press ,and it turns red

for cars going both way , and for anyone complaining about the 20 baht 

parking ,can do so free in the petrol station next door for free.

 

if only you could trust the drivers to stop when the lights are red. Still have to be careful and rush across before the hordes get restless.

[Sydebolle]

Khon Kaen's dungeon moved from the Friendship Highway to the Bus Station on Road 230 and recently again; as well planned like the visa policies which change almost monthly 

[NorthernRyland]

5 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Khon Kaen's dungeon moved from the Friendship Highway to the Bus Station on Road 230 and recently again; as well planned like the visa policies which change almost monthly 

 

how's the service over there?

[Sydebolle]

5 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

 

how's the service over there?

No clue, just was told by a friend who lives there; in the last ten years they apparently moved for the third time 😉 

[JimGant]

4 hours ago, CMBob said:

even when using an agent, the person extending needs to show up at Immigration here in CM (mainly for the photo).

Another plus for the LTR visa -- never ever having to visit CM Imm again.

[cjinchiangrai]

On 5/3/2025 at 11:00 PM, 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.

The new Chiang Rai office in Central is very nice, as is the staff, My annual extension took 20 minutes. Chiang Mai really needs to start over somewhere farther out

[NorthernRyland]

33 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

The new Chiang Rai office in Central is very nice, as is the staff, My annual extension took 20 minutes. Chiang Mai really needs to start over somewhere farther out

 

Having nice staff that isn't stressed out would be amazing. There's just no way though with the volume of people they need to churn through daily.

 

I still remember the guy who does the intercom from all the way back then and got to talk to him before when it was more casual. I can't believe he's still there for 19 frickin' years dealing with that madness everyday and hasn't gone postal.

[NorthernRyland]

1 hour ago, JimGant said:

Another plus for the LTR visa -- never ever having to visit CM Imm again.

 

Yeah of course everyone wants the best visa but it's not easy to attain. If I recall I didn't qualify for LTR and wouldn't be willing to spend the  now absurdly high cost for the elite visa.

[1FinickyOne]

On 5/3/2025 at 10:42 PM, CMBob said:

it's fairly easy to do.  And we're only talking once a year.

And even easier if you pay the minimal fee for an agent to do all the paperwork etc...