A few minutes ago, I received a call from an unknown number. Thinking it was Immigration coming to do a spot check, I answered.

The first call was a woman speaking Thai, I didn't understand what she said, and I heard other people laughing in the background, she hung up.

A few seconds later, same number calls, I pick up and they say "Hello, this is the police". I immediately give it to my wife, she asks them who it is, they say the police, and they are in the Ampur (the correct one, strangely enough) and want to come and investigate all falongs. They then ask what is the address, she starts yelling at them about they should know where we are and how they are a scam center and such. They just laughed all through her tirade and said they were coming anyway, she said come on, you should have our address.

Well 30 minutes later, 2 special investigation police from our Amphur show up, we were shocked. Before they came over, my wife called the Puyabaan assistant, a couple of nieces and her Aunt to come as witnesses. The cops all took picture with me, showed me a list of people they were going to visit today. They were very polite, and my wife kind of knew who one of the cops were, so they were legit with ID's and all. I asked why they were here and was told to ensure that I and other Americans weren't going over to fight Iran. (Weird)

I am almost 60, so no problem there. My youngest niece (13) was annoyed with them, and they got an earful from the ladies who showed up. All the ladies took pictures of their ID's, the license plate and such. I am a bit concerned as they knew where we are building a new house, only the Orbator and Puyabaan know, or so we thought. I have nothing to hide, but I have never been on any official radar before, so a bit disconcerting. Anyway, be prepared. It looks like they were tasked to do this by Immigration.

Are they visiting Iranians in your village or elsewhere, too?

Where do you live?

Near Chumpae, in Khon Kaen jungwat.

It's very hard to believe that was the real.reason.

34 minutes ago, Khyron said:

A few minutes ago, I received a call from an unknown number. Thinking it was Immigration coming to do a spot check, I answered.

The first call was a woman speaking Thai, I didn't understand what she said, and I heard other people laughing in the background, she hung up.

A few seconds later, same number calls, I pick up and they say "Hello, this is the police". I immediately give it to my wife, she asks them who it is, they say the police, and they are in the Ampur (the correct one, strangely enough) and want to come and investigate all falongs. They then ask what is the address, she starts yelling at them about they should know where we are and how they are a scam center and such. They just laughed all through her tirade and said they were coming anyway, she said come on, you should have our address.

Well 30 minutes later, 2 special investigation police from our Amphur show up, we were shocked. Before they came over, my wife called the Puyabaan assistant, a couple of nieces and her Aunt to come as witnesses. The cops all took picture with me, showed me a list of people they were going to visit today. They were very polite, and my wife kind of knew who one of the cops were, so they were legit with ID's and all. I asked why they were here and was told to ensure that I and other Americans weren't going over to fight Iran. (Weird)

I am almost 60, so no problem there. My youngest niece (13) was annoyed with them, and they got an earful from the ladies who showed up. All the ladies took pictures of their ID's, the license plate and such. I am a bit concerned as they knew where we are building a new house, only the Orbator and Puyabaan know, or so we thought. I have nothing to hide, but I have never been on any official radar before, so a bit disconcerting. Anyway, be prepared. It looks like they were tasked to do this by Immigration.

Sunday Immigration (4 guys) came to my home but I was out of town. My wife was there but they asked if I lived at that address and wanted to see my passport. Since I was traveling I had my passport. seemed like a normal house visit, but first time in 16 years at this address in Bangkok.

39 minutes ago, Khyron said:

I asked why they were here and was told to ensure that I and other Americans weren't going over to fight Iran

And if you were, apart from how you would get there (maybe hitch on Anutin's rescue flight?), what business is it of of theirs?

Step back and look at the big picture. Thailand is a Chinese puppet and Beijing is backing Iran, albeit quietly. You and the rest of us have been put on notice.

4 minutes ago, flaming dragon said:

Step back and look at the big picture. Thailand is a Chinese puppet and Beijing is backing Iran, albeit quietly. You and the rest of us have been put on notice.

Have you found your monkey yet?.

Another guy on FB also had a visit today, same thing. The info they told him was that they were checking Iranian people and Americans for a welfare check. That seems more like it, The Gov't wants to make sure that nobody is going to fight one another. I have no beef with anyone because of where they come from, their government isn't them, and vis versa.

2 hours ago, John Drake said:

Are they visiting Iranians in your village or elsewhere, too?

see my latest post.

1 hour ago, Khyron said:

see my latest post.

Welfare check? Still seems sort of odd, especially for those of us on retirement extensions, although I guess the guys in their 50s are still capable of a brawl.

Upon arriving at the house, what exactly did the police "check"? Did they interrogate you? Did they search the property for armaments? Did they take away your phone and computer?

Or was it just a totally pointless box-ticking exercise that has been filtered down through several layers of bureaucracy until any possible benefit, if any ever existed, has long since been discarded and now the only purpose is the photo which will be passed back up the chain as proof the American has been "checked" and the order has been followed.

Off topic trolling posts along with replies removed

I think a few failures of understanding there - I'll add to it with some assumptions.

You are on a Non-Immigration Visa, and it was Immigration Police coming to check your address.

That not uncommon outside of Bangkok.

The USA-Iranian link - thats just Thai sense of humour - nothing specifically to do with you being American and checking up on you - they're just taking the pish.

As far as the earlier call - they're checkup up to see if you were home.

As far as requesting your address - they're checking if they have the right number / right person - and carrying on with the usually light hearted and someone juvenile lack of professionalism you might expect from an 'official home visit'...

Ultimately - nothing to see here - just them doing their job and nothing more to it.

It might feel like an invasion on privacy - for them its checking a box.

9 hours ago, Khyron said:

Another guy on FB also had a visit today, same thing. The info they told him was that they were checking Iranian people and Americans for a welfare check. That seems more like it, The Gov't wants to make sure that nobody is going to fight one another. I have no beef with anyone because of where they come from, their government isn't them, and vis versa.

Op - did you also make a FaceBook post about this ?

17 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Upon arriving at the house, what exactly did the police "check"? Did they interrogate you? Did they search the property for armaments? Did they take away your phone and computer?

Or was it just a totally pointless box-ticking exercise that has been filtered down through several layers of bureaucracy until any possible benefit, if any ever existed, has long since been discarded and now the only purpose is the photo which will be passed back up the chain as proof the American has been "checked" and the order has been followed.

Three "Special Investigation units" from the local Amphur called, then showed up. Didn't look at any ID of any kind, showed me a list with about 30 other people on it, they asked if that was my name on the list. Nobody went inside the house, nor did they ask. Then they took a few pictures with me and the nieces and Aunts that came by to witness everything. They shot the <deleted> with everyone for 10 minutes and then went on their way. This morning I received another call from the Amphur police and they asked my wife if anyone came by to check. I guess the guys yesterday didn't report in yet or something. They asked if I was ok, and if I was I was planning on traveling, said I should try to keep close to home. Kind of weird questions. So we will see. Hopefully it is as you say, a box checking exercise.

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Op - did you also make a FaceBook post about this ?

Nope, a few others did though.

I'm inviting Imm & all my Iranian friends, family and Iranian neighbors over for a big mehmooni. Need a good recipe for brisket kebabs.

ROCK ON SAMI ...

21 hours ago, Khyron said:

Near Chumpae, in Khon Kaen jungwat.

Are you on retirement extensions? If so, and, assuming that Khon Kaen - which I also assume is your office - is one of those which require hand-drawn maps to be provided in support of retirement extension applications, it might simply be a case of the head honcho at that particular office deciding that it was now high time for those maps to be put to some use!

20 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

You and the rest of us have been put on notice.

Who exactly is this “us”, please?

1 hour ago, OJAS said:

Are you on retirement extensions? If so, and, assuming that Khon Kaen - which I also assume is your office - is one of those which require hand-drawn maps to be provided in support of retirement extension applications, it might simply be a case of the head honcho at that particular office deciding that it was now high time for those maps to be put to some use!

No, KK is a super easy Immigration office from what I have experienced. No map, nothing of the sort. I am on Non-O.

They probably worried about the possibility of Americans being attacked. If I was American I think be wise not to broadcast it.

I

Don't worry Trump got your back, he very brave and gave himself a medal to prove it.😂

12 minutes ago, Bruce Aussie said:

They probably worried about the possibility of Americans being attacked. If I was American I think be wise not to broadcast it.

I

Don't worry Trump got your back, he very brave and gave himself a medal to prove it.😂

Yeah, whenever other expats find out you're American, they try to "borrow" money.

On 3/3/2026 at 11:58 AM, Khyron said:

A few minutes ago, I received a call from an unknown number. Thinking it was Immigration coming to do a spot check, I answered.

The first call was a woman speaking Thai, I didn't understand what she said, and I heard other people laughing in the background, she hung up.

A few seconds later, same number calls, I pick up and they say "Hello, this is the police". I immediately give it to my wife, she asks them who it is, they say the police, and they are in the Ampur (the correct one, strangely enough) and want to come and investigate all falongs. They then ask what is the address, she starts yelling at them about they should know where we are and how they are a scam center and such. They just laughed all through her tirade and said they were coming anyway, she said come on, you should have our address.

Well 30 minutes later, 2 special investigation police from our Amphur show up, we were shocked. Before they came over, my wife called the Puyabaan assistant, a couple of nieces and her Aunt to come as witnesses. The cops all took picture with me, showed me a list of people they were going to visit today. They were very polite, and my wife kind of knew who one of the cops were, so they were legit with ID's and all. I asked why they were here and was told to ensure that I and other Americans weren't going over to fight Iran. (Weird)

I am almost 60, so no problem there. My youngest niece (13) was annoyed with them, and they got an earful from the ladies who showed up. All the ladies took pictures of their ID's, the license plate and such. I am a bit concerned as they knew where we are building a new house, only the Orbator and Puyabaan know, or so we thought. I have nothing to hide, but I have never been on any official radar before, so a bit disconcerting. Anyway, be prepared. It looks like they were tasked to do this by Immigration.

Strange, indeed. Better than any other protection ... Thai Wife ... pity those on the receiving end of perceived injustice!

On 3/3/2026 at 11:58 AM, Khyron said:

A few minutes ago, I received a call from an unknown number. Thinking it was Immigration coming to do a spot check, I answered.

The first call was a woman speaking Thai, I didn't understand what she said, and I heard other people laughing in the background, she hung up.

A few seconds later, same number calls, I pick up and they say "Hello, this is the police". I immediately give it to my wife, she asks them who it is, they say the police, and they are in the Ampur (the correct one, strangely enough) and want to come and investigate all falongs. They then ask what is the address, she starts yelling at them about they should know where we are and how they are a scam center and such. They just laughed all through her tirade and said they were coming anyway, she said come on, you should have our address.

Well 30 minutes later, 2 special investigation police from our Amphur show up, we were shocked. Before they came over, my wife called the Puyabaan assistant, a couple of nieces and her Aunt to come as witnesses. The cops all took picture with me, showed me a list of people they were going to visit today. They were very polite, and my wife kind of knew who one of the cops were, so they were legit with ID's and all. I asked why they were here and was told to ensure that I and other Americans weren't going over to fight Iran. (Weird)

I am almost 60, so no problem there. My youngest niece (13) was annoyed with them, and they got an earful from the ladies who showed up. All the ladies took pictures of their ID's, the license plate and such. I am a bit concerned as they knew where we are building a new house, only the Orbator and Puyabaan know, or so we thought. I have nothing to hide, but I have never been on any official radar before, so a bit disconcerting. Anyway, be prepared. It looks like they were tasked to do this by Immigration.

During the last spat with Cambodia we had a visit from the police to take a picture of me holding my passport, four days after immigration visited, (we are only 50 km from the border). When I asked them why a visit just after immigration they told my wife they were checking all farangs in case I was spying for Cambodia. I just looked at them, shook my head, and turned away. Never heard such zenophobic claptrap in all my life.

1 hour ago, Unamerican said:

Who exactly is this “us”, please?

Foreigners whose governments are not aligned with the Chinese Communist Party. As a Canadian I've no concern because Canada is closer to China than any other Western nation.

3 hours ago, Khyron said:

Three "Special Investigation units" from the local Amphur called, then showed up. Didn't look at any ID of any kind, showed me a list with about 30 other people on it, they asked if that was my name on the list. Nobody went inside the house, nor did they ask. Then they took a few pictures with me and the nieces and Aunts that came by to witness everything. They shot the <deleted> with everyone for 10 minutes and then went on their way. This morning I received another call from the Amphur police and they asked my wife if anyone came by to check. I guess the guys yesterday didn't report in yet or something. They asked if I was ok, and if I was I was planning on traveling, said I should try to keep close to home. Kind of weird questions. So we will see. Hopefully it is as you say, a box checking exercise.

I'm getting sort of jealous. Why aren't immigration and/or the police checking on me? Don't I count?

Immigration police regularly (every few years) starts checking up on Farangs, especially those on Spouse visas, when they find that abuses of the visa rules are getting out of hand. Clever Farang always find loophole. Seems to me that you are being overly paranoid.

13 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

the usually light hearted and someone juvenile lack of professionalism you might expect from an 'official home visit'...

They may well find the whole procedure acutely embarrassing themselves ...