Thai Spouse Extension - Changes.

[Liquorice]

So yesterday I submitted my usual annual extension application based on Thai spouse.

I'm well-organised, have my ducks in a row and like to complete as much as I can, including the STM2 (Acknowledgement of terms and conditions, and the STM9 (Acknowledgement of Overstay Rules) before visiting my local Immigration office. The wife obtained a new Kor Ror 2 from the Amphur, whilst I went to the bank to update my passbook, obtain the standard letter for Immigration and obtain a 3-month statement. (700K + funds in bank all year)

 

Usually, we're in and out within 30 minutes, then the application is pending approval. It's not a particularly busy office, with 3 officers servicing the front desk and if as many as 6 foreigners are in attendance, it's unusual.

It was busy by their standards, but today 4 officers manned the front desks, one of whom I wasn't familiar with.

So we submit two sets of identical documents, and I'm expecting it to go without any problems.

 

Changes.

They inform me the STM2 and STM9 have recently been changed/updated and worded differently, so I'll have to complete the new forms. Just a minor delay to the normal process.

New STM 2 form.

New STM 9 form.

 

 

New.

I was presented with and asked to sign a form I've never before been given.

Form STM 11 (Consent for Fact Checking).

 

For the last couple of years, the wife has been handed an 'affidavit' to complete, which again she duly completed.

Form STM 10 (Affidavit).

 

 

All forms stamped, signed and completed, we waited 5 minutes as usual before being called into the back office where they take a photograph and then pay the fee.

It's at this point and absolutely new to the previous procedures we've had to follow, they hand me another document to sign which is a double-sided form completely written in Thai, other than the fact I can observe my name in English, DOB, nationality and passport number which I'm asked to sign. I hesitate to sign, as I have no idea what this form states. The wife looks and tells me it's giving my consent for the Police to do a full Thai criminal record check on myself. The consent form I'd previously signed (STM 11) is a prelude to them then printing a request to the Thai Police for background checks.

 

The real 'ball-breaker' though was the fact they handed the completed STM 10 (Affidavit) form back to the wife and told her it must now be signed by a witness along with 2 signed copies of the witnesses ID card.

Fortunately, we live a 10-minute drive from the Immigration office, but for anyone living on the boundary of the Province, it could be a 90-minute drive to the office.

 

[Liquorice]

Today, we revisited the office to return the witnessed 'affidavit' and 2 signed copies of their ID card.

 

I requested copies of the new forms (posted above) which the girls duly obliged.

We've known the 2 girls in the back office for a few years, the wife being quite friendly with one who frequents the wife's business shop.

They advised not to prefill any of the above forms in for the next visit as many changes were currently underway and forms could change again.

Without going into great detail, they did state they were encountering many problems with so called 'de jure' and 'defacto' marriages.

(I read into that 'arranged' or 'sham' marriages, for the purpose of a foreigner remaining in Thailand).

 

[Liquorice]

As an aside, also on our visit, I witnessed another foreigner sat at the front desk next to me having a heated argument with an IO.

He was applying for a 60-day extension to visit a Thai spouse, which Immigration were refusing to approve.

Previously, you could apply for a 60 day extension for each entry.

The IO argued that since 60 day VE border entries were unlimited, they had now been instructed to only issue a single 60-day extension per annum, rather than per entry, as the system was being widely abused and foreigners were attempting to remain in Thailand throughout the year without obtaining the correct visa/ extension.

 

 

[Upnotover]

1 minute ago, Liquorice said:

As an aside, also on our visit, I witnessed another foreigner sat at the front desk next to me having a heated argument with an IO.

He was applying for a 60-day extension to visit a Thai spouse, which Immigration were refusing to approve.

Previously, you could apply for a 60 day extension for each entry.

The IO argued that since 60 day VE border entries were unlimited, they had now been instructed to only issue a single 60-day extension per annum, rather than per entry, as the system was being widely abused and foreigners were attempting to remain in Thailand throughout the year without obtaining the correct visa/ extension.

 

 

This one sounds entirely reasonable imho.

[MJCM]

As usual the good suffer because of the bad and this is a perfect example of IO tightening the rules because lots of people are abusing the system, but if you are legit you don't have to worry about it, just some extra hassle (and some extra trips to the IO office )

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

The IO argued that since 60 day VE border entries were unlimited, they had now been instructed to only issue a single 60-day extension per annum, rather than per entry, as the system was being widely abused and foreigners were attempting to remain in Thailand throughout the year without obtaining the correct visa/ extension.

OR they could consider the option of having clearly defined immigration rules without immigration offices just making up rubbish at a whim.

Damn ridiculous imo. 

[redinvestor]

Which immigration office was this at?

 

Do you normally need to provide the 3 month account history too, previously at CW they only need the statement and updated passbook?

[NanLaew]

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OR they could consider the option of having clearly defined immigration rules without immigration offices just making up rubbish at a whim.

Damn ridiculous imo. 

 

Their country, their rules including the one that empowers the IO doing any processing to ask for additional information.

 

It's a shame the OP went to such great lengths to include all the details and all the forms without mentioning what bloody immigration office he's dealing with. Now THAT is "damn ridiculous imo"

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Their country, their rules including the one that empowers the IO doing any processing to ask for additional information.

That's the point  there are no rules. 

Common example being that no stated limit on visa exempt entries via air. 

Leaves refused entry a raffle/Russian Roulette. 

It would be so easy to have clearly stated Rules. 

 

 

No Rules. No Consistently. No Idea. 

[connda]

28 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OR they could consider the option of having clearly defined immigration rules without immigration offices just making up rubbish at a whim.

Damn ridiculous imo. 

Amen that! 

[johng]

Thanks for posting the forms  but the forum software has made them unreadable  the resolution is just too low..it would also help to state which immigration office you use.

[johng]

12 minutes ago, connda said:

You need to juggle a running chain saw, a bowling pin, and a ping pong ball, while riding a unicycle on a tightrope wire over a flaming pit of oil, and sing John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt - in the Thai language? 

 

I think they reserve that for Thai nationality applicants ?

[johng]

Can anyone read the scans of the forms  posted  or is it just me ??

[Upnotover]

Just now, johng said:

Can anyone read the scans of the forms  posted  or is it just me ??

 

Yes, not the sharpest ever seen but every word is readable.

[Magictoad]

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

So yesterday I submitted my usual annual extension application based on Thai spouse.

I'm well-organised, have my ducks in a row and like to complete as much as I can, including the STM2 (Acknowledgement of terms and conditions, and the STM9 (Acknowledgement of Overstay Rules) before visiting my local Immigration office. The wife obtained a new Kor Ror 2 from the Amphur, whilst I went to the bank to update my passbook, obtain the standard letter for Immigration and obtain a 3-month statement. (700K + funds in bank all year)

 

Usually, we're in and out within 30 minutes, then the application is pending approval. It's not a particularly busy office, with 3 officers servicing the front desk and if as many as 6 foreigners are in attendance, it's unusual.

It was busy by their standards, but today 4 officers manned the front desks, one of whom I wasn't familiar with.

So we submit two sets of identical documents, and I'm expecting it to go without any problems.

 

Changes.

They inform me the STM2 and STM9 have recently been changed/updated and worded differently, so I'll have to complete the new forms. Just a minor delay to the normal process.

New STM 2 form.

New STM 9 form.

 

 

New.

I was presented with and asked to sign a form I've never before been given.

Form STM 11 (Consent for Fact Checking).

 

For the last couple of years, the wife has been handed an 'affidavit' to complete, which again she duly completed.

Form STM 10 (Affidavit).

 

 

All forms stamped, signed and completed, we waited 5 minutes as usual before being called into the back office where they take a photograph and then pay the fee.

It's at this point and absolutely new to the previous procedures we've had to follow, they hand me another document to sign which is a double-sided form completely written in Thai, other than the fact I can observe my name in English, DOB, nationality and passport number which I'm asked to sign. I hesitate to sign, as I have no idea what this form states. The wife looks and tells me it's giving my consent for the Police to do a full Thai criminal record check on myself. The consent form I'd previously signed (STM 11) is a prelude to them then printing a request to the Thai Police for background checks.

 

The real 'ball-breaker' though was the fact they handed the completed STM 10 (Affidavit) form back to the wife and told her it must now be signed by a witness along with 2 signed copies of the witnesses ID card.

Fortunately, we live a 10-minute drive from the Immigration office, but for anyone living on the boundary of the Province, it could be a 90-minute drive to the office.

 

So things have changed a bit? If you are worried about someone who live a long way then I suggest they use an agent.

[Upnotover]

2 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

So things have changed a bit? If you are worried about someone who live a long way then I suggest they use an agent.

For a marriage/spouse (actually family) extension?  Agents don't normally like those.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

So things have changed a bit? If you are worried about someone who live a long way then I suggest they use an agent.

Agents do not deal with extensions based on marriage unless just for hand holding.. 

Also in many areas agents are not readily available. 

[Liquorice]

5 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OR they could consider the option of having clearly defined immigration rules without immigration offices just making up rubbish at a whim.

Damn ridiculous imo. 

 

The problem with section 2.24 is that it has always left the statement "Permission shall be granted for one time and no more than 60 days", open to interpretation.
It was always instigated as 'one time per entry' as UJ always stated

My IO are only a 90 minute drive from the Lao border so have seen a significant increase in 60 day extension applications particularly since Embassies ceased the Non Imm O ME visa, and many have resorted to using the 60 day VE entry + 60 day extensions as an alternative to staying long term in Thailand.

 

Other inland IO's may still offer unlimited 60 day extensions per entry.

 

[connda]

6 minutes ago, johng said:

Can anyone read the scans of the forms  posted  or is it just me ??

You can always make the assumption that the Thai Immigration site has the most current forms - or not.  I don't usually fill out the extra forms.  The IOs print them out and have you fill them out in the office.  Like DrJack54 mentioned, it's a PITA to try to keep up with the rules at each individual Immigration Office operate on their own particular set of rules. So I just let them supply me with the forms they want filled out on a annual basis with the exception of the TM7 which SHOULD be standard, but hey - ya never really do know for year to year, 'eh? 

But for those who care:  Forms  https://www.immigration.go.th/en/?page_id=3202&eeFolder=form-download

[Magictoad]

46 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

OR they could consider the option of having clearly defined immigration rules without immigration offices just making up rubbish at a whim.

Damn ridiculous imo. 

But it allows them to do "random checks" looking for terrorists and criminals and people on the run. I think  there is a method in their madness.

[connda]

4 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

So things have changed a bit? If you are worried about someone who live a long way then I suggest they use an agent.

A whole lot of us don't live anywhere near a "big city" with Immigration agents.  You just get good at putting together your annual marriage harassment package and then roll with the punches when they come.

[Liquorice]

38 minutes ago, redinvestor said:

Which immigration office was this at?

 

Do you normally need to provide the 3 month account history too, previously at CW they only need the statement and updated passbook?

Roi Et.

 

Only 2 months seasoning of 400K using the fund's method, but I always request a 3 month statement - same cost, 100 BHT.

[Captain Flack]

Some unhelpful reported troll posts removed.

[Magictoad]

2 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

For a marriage/spouse (actually family) extension?  Agents don't normally like those.

An agent will do ANYTHING for money. I use mine when I just too tired to visit to the IO or more complex things requiring translations etc. 

[connda]

1 minute ago, Magictoad said:

But it allows them to do "random checks" looking for terrorists and criminals and people on the run. I think  there is a method in their madness.

Remember after the Erawan Bombing incident.  Every one of us living out here in Bum-**** Nowhereville Thailand was considered a "Potential Terrorist" and was in need of a Police Visit to make sure we weren't up to monkey-business. 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, Magictoad said:

I use mine when I just too tired to visit to the IO or more complex things requiring translations etc.

Which has nothing to do with the OP report. 

[Liquorice]

21 minutes ago, johng said:

Thanks for posting the forms  but the forum software has made them unreadable  the resolution is just too low..it would also help to state which immigration office you use.

It is the forum software that 'clouds' the text. Clear as a bell on my PC saved as jpeg.

 

Roi Et Immigration.

[Liquorice]

I believe each Immigration office has its own set of particular issues with tourists and Non Immigrants based on their location, and adjust at their discretion requirements in order to combat the particular problems in that area.

 

I posted the new forms and our experience as a heads-up, but suspect many will have a totally different experience.

The new forms we were advised are 'recent', although again some may have already been presented with them.

 

It's the wives that are being asked to sign an affidavit, with a witnesses ID and signature, that the marriage is de jure and defacto.

In the event of the marriage not being so, it's the wife and witness that can be now be prosecuted for the crime of perjury.

[Caldera]

1 hour ago, Liquorice said:

Without going into great detail, they did state they were encountering many problems with so called 'de jure' and 'defacto' marriages.

(I read into that 'arranged' or 'sham' marriages, for the purpose of a foreigner remaining in Thailand).

 

Hard to tell how much of a problem that really is, but in any case, I think what they don't get is that it would be much more efficient to do some proper vetting for the FIRST marriage extension and then make it easier for subsequent ones.

 

It's deplorable that they tend to treat foreigners who have been married for many years like criminals. Bedroom pictures, house visits with interviewing the neighbors, now those new forms and the need to have a witness for a wife affidavit... no self-respecting person who has alternatives should be willing to play along with that nonsense. 

[johng]

18 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

It is the forum software that 'clouds' the text.

Yes unreadable to me @Upnotover must have superman's eyes 😋

I have had the same issue trying to post scanned images of very high quality  but mangled by the forum software..doesn't help that you can no longer upload PDF files.