Thai post office

[PREM-R]

???

I have been here in Thailand for about 9 months and regularly send packages back to family in UK. These packages are always of similar size and weight and have always cost between 550 and 600 baht to send each time.

Last week I made my regular run to the post office and handed over my 2 packages, the counter assistant said "nung pan baht" (1000 baht) I assumed he meant for the two, he then weighed the second package and asked me for a total of 2000 baht. I told him I had regularly sent similar packages to England via airmail and never paid more than 600 baht for each package, he pressed a few keys and asked for 535 baht and 575 baht for the two packages. I paid him and for the first time I did not receive a receipt.  

  I have been in contact with my family in UK and for the first time in 9 months the parcels have failed to arrive within 10 days of posting (Did I upset the Post Office Clerk?)

 I can only assume that the man on the counter was trying to make about 1000 baht out of a 'hapless farang', it was only because of my previous experience of Thai post that I had an idea of how much my packages should be, if this had been the first time I had sent packages I would have been non the wiser and paid up!

 Has anyone else had a similar experience with the Thai Post Office?

[Alberta]

Would you mind giving us the location of the  post office you used so I can avoid it? This reminds me of some advice I was once given. Never argue with a customs officer, an immigration officer, or a restuarent waiter (because he will spit in your soup). We can add postal clerk to the list.

[wilson steer]

If sending any more than a postcard or letter take a Thai with you to the Post Office. Actually most Post Office workers are O.K. You were unlucky there! Never use postboxes to post postcards, they know that they are unimportant, steal them and soak the stamps off....true, I was told this by a Thai Post Office worker.

[wolf5370]

I always get my wife to post things - they always give her free boxes to send things in and the best ways to send it etc.

I get charged for the boxes; get the run around at the post office (usually get told I have to use their boxes and I have to buy one and requeue - never think to buy more than one for next time of course!!!); get annoyed by the push-ins (I know TiT, but I hate ignorance - so I quietly fume and grumble under my breath - wifey would not stand for it though unless its a monk of course) and haven't a clue how much it costs so probably get ripped off something cronic!

[z21rhd]

???

I have been here in Thailand for about 9 months and regularly send packages back to family in UK. These packages are always of similar size and weight and have always cost between 550 and 600 baht to send each time.

Last week I made my regular run to the post office and handed over my 2 packages, the counter assistant said "nung pan baht" (1000 baht) I assumed he meant for the two, he then weighed the second package and asked me for a total of 2000 baht. I told him I had regularly sent similar packages to England via airmail and never paid more than 600 baht for each package, he pressed a few keys and asked for 535 baht and 575 baht for the two packages. I paid him and for the first time I did not receive a receipt.  

  I have been in contact with my family in UK and for the first time in 9 months the parcels have failed to arrive within 10 days of posting (Did I upset the Post Office Clerk?)

 I can only assume that the man on the counter was trying to make about 1000 baht out of a 'hapless farang', it was only because of my previous experience of Thai post that I had an idea of how much my packages should be, if this had been the first time I had sent packages I would have been non the wiser and paid up!

 Has anyone else had a similar experience with the Thai Post Office?

Prem-R

In 5 years , never once ripped off at the post office - excellent

delivery system within Thailand , have always had my own box

number in 4 different parts of Thailand (which may help).

In general : best value for money anywhere!  

Most recent experence: friend sent me documents using box 40,

should have been box 4, - ended up in local university, the Post Office spent days looking for it, found it, then hand delivered it to my home      

Patience always seems to assist the process.

[Bob Chittie]

If you're spending around 1000 baht at the post office, you may be better off at DHL, FED EX or UPS. You might pay a little more, but it arrives in three days and you have a tracking number.

I've had things dissapear on me with the post office here. i also receive a big discount at UPS so I never use the post office anymore.

[PREM-R]

???

Alberta, The location is Khon Kaen, but don't be too hard on them, as I said in my original posting, I have been sending  packages for 9 months and this is the first problem. I have been in touch with UK again and now 2 weeks after dispatch the items have not arrived, so I suppose they are gone for ever.  I think that the counter assistant was put out because he failed to get his 'bonus' 1000 baht from me, in future if I am asked for an inflated fee for my post I will just take my packages back and go to another assistant, it will mean another wait in the queue but the packages will probably get there!

     Always remember TIT!

[PREM-R]

z21rhd I would agree with you about the postal service within Thailand, it is inexpensive and quick with even quite heavy packages costing only a few baht to send.  I suppose it is harder to add on a 'bonus' fee when the real figure is so low!

[Jade]

I have always had speedy international mail delivery and efficient service from the General Post Office (Charoenkrung) in Bangkok. Can't say the same about the post office in the Bangkok Bank building on Silom Road though.

[wilson steer]

Has anyone noticed that when your personal mail arrives, it comes in a clump of four or five dating back three weeks. I am sure they just wait till you have a few letter before they deliver. No problems really, because I receive all my mail (eventually).