On 5/28/2026 at 12:44 PM, IvorBiggun2 said:

I went to renew my 90 day report this morning at the Buriram main office. Being as a friend of mine was also due, I offered to do his at the same time. Upon arrival I submitted both passports. The young assistant took them and returned them to the senior staff woman who asked me for 100 Baht for completing my friend's TM47. I said that it was a free service. She replied that if someone gets someone else to do their reporting then there is a 100 Baht charge. Have been doing 90 reports for many a year and I've never been caught on this scam. So I refused to pay. Okay you may say 'it's only 100 Baht' but for me it's the principal. 20+years of being honest.

Anyways the senior staff woman then started to threaten me by refusing to do my friends report even though she'd entered the report into my friends passport. So I sat down and told her to go ahead and delete the entry. Which would mean a 160km road trip for my friend but not my problem. The staff woman then backtract on the 100 Baht and told me to go.

Has anyone else been caught out with this scam? Or is it not a scam?

It would have been really funny if she had deleted it and you went back to your friend and said you will have to do the 160kms round trip as you refused to pay 100 baht for him.

I had to get a proof of residency document, the office is only 20 mins drive from home in Phuket.

30 minutes in the office and it was ordered and paid for but it would not be ready until seven days later and my car driving licence renewal was to be done in three days.

So I asked if there is an express service available , there was one of course for about 300 baht more , so I paid for it and had the document 10 minutes later.

No receipt of course, so funny but very helpful just for a couple of quid, I don't see why you would see such things as dishonesty, it is just an extra service charge for doing something extra.

The 90 day report is free as it takes two minutes to do it online.

Edited May 29May 29 by JamesPhuket10

1 hour ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

It would have been really funny if she had deleted it and you went back to your friend and said you will have to do the 160kms round trip as you refused to pay 100 baht for him.

3 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

It would have been really funny if she had deleted it

She couldn't delete it. It's printed in the passport. Hence why I walked out of the IO with the new 90 day report.

Edited May 29May 29 by IvorBiggun2

1 hour ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

She couldn't delete it. It's printed in the passport. Hence why I walked out of the IO with the new 90 day report.

Nothing would be "printed in the passport"

TM47 has receipt with new due date.

That may have been placed in pp.

Perhaps even stapled.

Out of interest... Last time you visited place such as Koh Samed and you were charged 200b entry and Thai 40b.

Did you accept.

9 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Out of interest... Last time you visited place such as Koh Samed and you were charged 200b entry and Thai 40b.

Did you accept.

I've never been to Koh Samed or the likes.

Edited May 29May 29 by IvorBiggun2

16 hours ago, lanng khao said:

Is it possible to do a 90 day report in a different province than what your registered at.

only if you do it on line

19 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

Whilst you are absolutely right, I disagree with you.

This country is institutionally corrupt. It wants to be a first world country but will not get close whilst corruption and "acceptable" scams like this are widely accepted.

Look at neighbouring countries eg Hong Kong and especially Singapore to see how far Thailand has to climb.

You're also right, and thanks for the debate without a personal insult.

I may agree with the concept of Thailand potentially becoming a Singapore with its strict rules and orderly behaviour (China is a different story). However, Singapore was under the rule of an authoritarian dictator for more than 30 years who forced the country into orderliness (I still remember having to cut my hair to visit!) Do you wish that for Thailand?

I'm practical enough to know change is not going to happen in my lifetime, nor will some western expat refusing a small stipend to a police officer and visa dispenser even cause a ripple for change. It potentially could have the effect of making life here harder for all of us.

Morality and wishes are great things to have, but meantime we have to live in a country where neither are necessarily forefront with the citizens. Political campaigns are best fought in your own country.

Edited May 30May 30 by Old Croc

7 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

I may agree with the concept of Thailand potentially becoming a Singapore with its strict rules and orderly behaviour (China is a different story). However, Singapore was under the rule of an authoritarian dictator for more than 30 years who forced the country into orderliness (I still remember having to cut my hair to visit!) Do you wish that for Thailand?

Thailand needs a benevolent dictator to move the country forward. The current crop of leaders lacks the right stuff.

18 hours ago, Liquorice said:

A rich man with no principles prepared to pay whatever the asking price is.
You won't be rich for long with that mindset.

What a hypocritical and idiotic statement. You've never paid a satang above the asking price in Thailand, really?

My income is protected and permanent in my lifetime. I'll repeat, because you seem to have comprehension problems, my fairly average income in my home country equates to riches in Thailand. Small extras paid to make my life here easier come back to me many fold with the cheapness of labour and other things.

Are you the guy who gifts me a thumbs down on everything I post?

23 hours ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

For me it's the fact the immigration officer was openly a crook. Would you pay the money, if back in your own country, and in a government office. Nah, I don't think so.

If you believe you are Messiah who can transform cultures other than your own, forget about it. Best you don't venture beyond your home shores.

8 minutes ago, Mr Awesome said:

Thailand needs a benevolent dictator to move the country forward. The current crop of leaders lacks the right stuff.

True.

But how many does the country have to process before a benevolent one pops up?

As a practical person who doesn't believe in santa, tooth fairies, gods or wishes coming true, I prefer to adapt to the whims of the country in which I choose to live.

23 hours ago, Liquorice said:

And have you ever been charged for submitting online reports, or even by mail for that matter.
What makes in person reporting so different?

If you exit and re-enter the Country, the first 90 day report must be made in person, so what then if you're faced with a fee.

Simple, if it is 100baht or a little amount, I gladly pay it, smile, and thank them for their service. Pathum Thani is a small enough shop that they remember who is naughty and who is nice.

13 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

My income is protected and permanent in my lifetime. I'll repeat, because you seem to have comprehension problems, my fairly average income in my home country equates to riches in Thailand

No comprehension problems, your not unique, and just described the financial position of over half the long term expats including myself.

16 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

You've never paid a satang above the asking price in Thailand, really

Not that it hasn't been requested, but in 12 years I can honestly state, no I haven't.

27 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

Small extras paid to make my life here easier come back to me many fold with the cheapness of labour and other things.

I tend to labour for myself, unless the job requires more than one set of hands.
Very few Thais are conscientious workers, but I tip if I receive good service, which is different than being scammed.

31 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

Are you the guy who gifts me a thumbs down on everything I post?

Definitely not me, although there are those who do commonly respond in this manner, when they disagree, or have a different opinion.

Edited May 30May 30 by Liquorice

1 hour ago, Mr Awesome said:

Thailand needs a benevolent dictator to move the country forward. The current crop of leaders lacks the right stuff.

I think that applies to many countries

20 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

Simple, if it is 100baht or a little amount, I gladly pay it, smile, and thank them for their service. Pathum Thani is a small enough shop that they remember who is naughty and who is nice.

You completely miss the point.
If every foreigners gladly smiled and succumbs to scams/bribes regardless of the amount, you merely encourage them to continue with the practice.
If it's so easy for them, next time the price goes up to 200/300/500 Baht.
There comes a point and a limit where you start to complain, yet you are part of the problem in the first place.

On 5/29/2026 at 9:08 AM, IvorBiggun2 said:

For me it's the fact the immigration officer was openly a crook. Would you pay the money, if back in your own country, and in a government office. Nah, I don't think so.

but its not my home country is it ? and its not yours either, You appear to be unable to adapt to how things work here despite claiming to have been here 20 years. Getting worked up over 100 baht tea money is not a good look , perhaps this place is not for you

I reckon the immigration officers can suss out a serial complainer instantly, They are the ones they target for "tips" its a sort of game for them as another member has stated the cause of most people's problems here are as near as the mirror

4 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

I reckon the immigration officers can suss out a serial complainer instantly, They are the ones they target for "tips" its a sort of game for them as another member has stated the cause of most people's problems here are as near as the mirror

Correction.

Then can suss out the ones who don't know the Immigration laws and have no idea what they're talking about, thus become an easy target.

My take on the story:

100 baht is quite reasonable especially when it requires a 160 km to immigration and the op would presumably get the money back from his friend.

But, as said by many, it is the principle of the thing, the IO saw an opportunity and went with it, imho it was wrong to ask for money when it was not an unreasonable request ( 90 days report for another ) and is in the IO’s work schedule.

Many would just roll their eyes, showing that they saw the corrupt act, and pay up, I would, the OP stood his ground, good for him.

My only similar experience was when I asked for a CofR from my immigration. They told me to come back in 2 hours, there was no mention of an express option or any payment, a previous CofR had been issued FOC in 5 minutes, and I figured this time the official signing the doc was busy or at lunch etc.

On returning, 2 hours later I was ushered into an office at the back where a smiling IO handed me an envelope with the CofR and asked me for 800 baht. I asked for a receipt, his smile dropped and demeanour changed, he repeated “ 800 baht “ . I opened the envelope and showed him the CofR , “ no mention of 800 baht anywhere here “ I stated. He glared at me !!

I turned around and walked out envelope in hand.

Afterwards i slightly regretted this and thought I should have negotiated or put 400/500 baht on the table before walking out.

But there has been zero comeback after 2 years.

Now when I visit IO, visited recently for a Re-entry permit, I notice the amount of unwitting foreigners being ushered into that same office and upon exiting none of them are smiling !

I did post a thread about this at the time and got similar replies as the op is getting now, the majority stating we should just accept corruption.

On 5/29/2026 at 10:14 AM, IvorBiggun2 said:

On 5/29/2026 at 9:39 AM, J Branche said:

Each office can set some fees for certain services independent of what other offices do.

On 5/29/2026 at 10:14 AM, IvorBiggun2 said:

On 5/29/2026 at 9:39 AM, J Branche said:

Each office can set some fees for certain services independent of what other offices do.

Unfortunately you are not informed.

Unless you are dealing directly with the Central Bangkok Immigration Office, different provincial offices can and do impose certain fees on documents like the "Certificate of Residency". The fee is usually Framed as an expedite fee. Meaning you can get the document same day for X fee. (The offices can Not charge a different Visa or Extension of Stay fee, that goes against the published fee)

On 5/29/2026 at 12:43 PM, hotandsticky said:

Whilst you are absolutely right, I disagree with you.

This country is institutionally corrupt. It wants to be a first world country but will not get close whilst corruption and "acceptable" scams like this are widely accepted.

Look at neighbouring countries eg Hong Kong and especially Singapore to see how far Thailand has to climb.

There are very few countries in the world, including Hong Kong and Singapore, where corruption does not exist, be it institutionalised or well hidden.

11 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

There are very few countries in the world, including Hong Kong and Singapore, where corruption does not exist, be it institutionalised or well hidden.

Nonsense post.

No country is without corruption but your distorted posts lines those relatively 'clean' countries with Thailand. A stupid comment.

5 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Old Croc said:

My income is protected and permanent in my lifetime. I'll repeat, because you seem to have comprehension problems, my fairly average income in my home country equates to riches in Thailand

No comprehension problems, your not unique, and just described the financial position of over half the long term expats including myself.

Considering this, could you explain why the need to attack the statement?

5 hours ago, Liquorice said:

You've never paid a satang above the asking price in Thailand, really

Not that it hasn't been requested, but in 12 years I can honestly state, no I haven't.

Wow, you're either dirt poor or the cheapest, meanest person in the country!

5 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Small extras paid to make my life here easier come back to me many fold with the cheapness of labour and other things.

I tend to labour for myself, unless the job requires more than one set of hands.
Very few Thais are conscientious workers, but I tip if I receive good service, which is different than being scammed.

I don't do the labour myself, if outside help is required we're happy to pay the price and include extras like tips, food and drink. I would like to hear how you pump out your sewage and wire up electricity to new outbuildings and houses we've built on the property. Perhaps next time the car fuel tank needs to be dropped to replace rat eaten lines you could help with advice and charge less than $20.

5 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Are you the guy who gifts me a thumbs down on everything I post?

Definitely not me, although there are those who do commonly respond in this manner, when they disagree, or have a different opinion.

I appreciate your honesty in saying you're not that guy. I thought it may have been you because you often quote me in an atacking manner.

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

Nonsense post.

No country is without corruption but your distorted posts lines those relatively 'clean' countries with Thailand. A stupid comment.

No reference to Thailand in my comment. Either read properly or find something else to do.

Topic had various views covered.

Now bickering. Thread closed.