Online Tm7 (application For Extension Of Temporary Stay)

[toptuan]

Just came back from renewing my Non-Imm B visa, and I am so impressed at what a bunch of buffoons the Immigration clerks at Nong Khai continue to be.

I was first motioned to come up to the desk by a rather portly woman with short hair. The woman spoke only Thai, and refused to speak any English. Amazing for someone who serves English-speaking foreigners all day long. Even though I speak rudimentary Thai, I blanked out under stress, and couldn't understand her question. I replied politely, "I'm sorry, but I don't understand." So, she continued to repeat the question in Thai, in louder and angrier tones while I continued to draw a total blank. Finally she waved me back to my seat and took care of other customers. A Thai friend who was waiting for me, said that she asked in a very discourteous way, "What do you want?" Yes, I should have understood that simple question, but she obviously was enjoying watching me squirm in my ignorance, and making a fool out of me for the entire office to enjoy.

Finally, another clerk motioned to me and I presented my paperwork. Earlier in the week, I was quite happy to discover the online form TM 7, for extending one's visa (in my case Non-Immigrant B ). Form is found at www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/tm7.doc . It was very convenient to download, and the form was set up so that all you had to do was tab to each field and fill it in. In some cases, there were convenient drop-down boxes for the months of the year.

After filling out the online form, printing it out, and signing the original, I took it to Nong Khai immigration. The form was discourteously torn up in my face, and another form was shoved in my face with the terse words: 'MUST DO ORIGINAL." I told them that the form they just tore up WAS an original--printed out and signed, just like their website indicated. Same instruction: "MUST DO ORIGINAL."

So, with a long line of foreigners behind me, they waited while I took another 10 minutes to fill out the exact same form and sign it just like I did their online form. What the h_ll is an original to them? Signed in blood? Moreover, why in the h_ll do they have an online form if it's not accepted at their offices?

Such mixed signals. Incidentally, last year they required two copies of EVERYTHING (passport, work permit, all documents). This year, only one copy of everything but the work contract. All the other copies (about 30) were shoved back at me with the short "DON'T WANT."

I have dealt with this office over a dozen times, and virtually every time I am met with the most discourteous and insolent manner imaginable. I am quite a mild-mannered person, and do not normally incite ANYONE to respond to me with these attitudes. In addition to the attitude, I am constantly met with changing rules and policies.

Anyone else notice these other problems with the lynch crew at NK, or am I the only unwitting lightning rod for these blokes?

Meanwhile, until further notice, don't bring your online forms to Nong Khai. They're useless.

Edited September 28, 2007 by toptuan

[toptuan]

Mods, please edit topic title, to delete "From what website can I download," and replace with "Online."

Thanks,

TT

Edited September 28, 2007 by toptuan

[gzu88bv]

Mods, please edit topic title, to delete "From what website can I download," and replace with "Online."

Thanks,

TT

TT, just do not worry at all and enjoy your visa.

I just presume that you had to use the forms of the office at which you applied. The guy who processed your application may not have been correctly addressed with "To The Commissioner-General, Royal Thai Police" and therefore let you fill-in his form.

These bureaucrats have to be dealt with utmost courtesy, and since I prepare and fill-in everything in advance and they do not like it, I will just do it again.

Who cares, I do have more time than these guys/gals do have.

[mopenyang]

Here you go:

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/ba...p?page=download

[toptuan]

Thanks for the link, Mopenyang, but, per my post, if you have to go to Nong Khai Immigration, don't bother. They'll just toss your online form, and make you fill out another one in their office. Such efficiency.

[Brew]

I never had any problem with NK Immigration in the last 7 years. They always have been very polite and helpful.

3 weeks ago I used an online form for my re-entry permit. It had been accepted, but I was asked to use "their" forms in the future.

[toptuan]

I never had any problem with NK Immigration in the last 7 years. They always have been very polite and helpful.

3 weeks ago I used an online form for my re-entry permit. It had been accepted, but I was asked to use "their" forms in the future.

An obvious contradiction.... Now, no online forms are accepted.

[wpcoe]

When you printed out the online TM.7 form, did you print the front and back of the form on two separate sheets of paper, or did you print it on both sides of a single sheet of paper?

Last year, Jomtien told me they would not accept mine as it was on two sheets of paper, only if it were printed back-and-front on a single sheet of paper like the forms they have in the office.

Maybe that is why they refused your form, but didn't quite say so? Maybe they thought saying "must do original" meant "same-same like the original form in our office?"

[mpdkorat]

When you printed out the online TM.7 form, did you print the front and back of the form on two separate sheets of paper, or did you print it on both sides of a single sheet of paper?

Last year, Jomtien told me they would not accept mine as it was on two sheets of paper, only if it were printed back-and-front on a single sheet of paper like the forms they have in the office.

Maybe that is why they refused your form, but didn't quite say so? Maybe they thought saying "must do original" meant "same-same like the original form in our office?"

I was also told at the Kap Chong office they would only accept the online forms that were printed on one sheet of paper, as I had printed mine on two seperate sheets I had to write the form out again.

[toptuan]

That's probably it. Thanks for the feedback!