Why Are The Immigration People So Bad Tempered?

[Familyonthemove]

I travel thoughout SE Asia, the US and India for work, and generally find immigration officers to be polite and efficient ... and at Delhi, Chicago and Hong Kong airports I've even found them to be polite and chatty despite the thousands of people they must deal with each day. But at Suvarnabhumi I invariably find that the men are bad tempered and often downright rude. Yesterday I was apprarently standing too close to the desk and was told "can't you see the sign on the floor ... stand on the footmarks!", once when I waiting in the hall at the rear of the counters for my daughter to clear immigration I was told 'Read the sign ... no waiting!", other times I've had my passport flung back at me without a single word being said .... which is preferable to abuse after a long flight but not exactly welcoming, and such a contrast to the rest of the people you're likely to meet once you're in the country.

The ladies on immigration seem fine .... but the blokes seem to act as if they have the worst job in the world.

Is it such a bad job?

[glyph]

They have to deal with farangs all day who have notihng better to do than to whine and complain.

[phaethon]

Interesting that the three exemplar countries you cite have English as a first or very significant language.

Have you taken the time to learn the basic pleasantries and smile and say "sawatdee kha/rap"?

The female Thai officers will be less inclined towards confrontation, especially with a male 'customer', but are likely to be thinking the same as their male counterparts.

Edited November 10, 2008 by phaethon

[Familyonthemove]

Interesting that the three exemplar countries you cite have English as a first or very significant language.

Have you taken the time to learn the basic pleasantries and smile and say "sawatdee kha/rap"?

The female Thai officers will be less inclined towards confrontation, especially with a male 'customer', but are likely to be thinking the same as their male counterparts.

Yes .... I've been having intensive Thai lessons for several months and try to greet and say thankyou in Thai .... just the same way I used Hindi in Delhi and Mandarin/Cantonese in China/HK to be polite. Does not seem to help.

[chiang mai]

They have to deal with farangs all day who have notihng better to do than to whine and complain.

That's the correct answer.

[Familyonthemove]

They have to deal with farangs all day who have notihng better to do than to whine and complain.

That's the correct answer.

I doubt it ..... it was a Thai friend of mine who first commented to me that he was worried about the attitude of the immigration people as it may put off repeat visitors to his country .... so it looks like it's not just foreigners who get a sense of the aggression. My wife also mentioned the issue and after the two comments it got me thinking that perhaps there's an issue with the job itself? I've seen misguided performance management systems accidentally create poor customer service in other organisations ... so maybe this is the case at the airport?

Anybody have any constructive thoughts?

[hkt83100]

... but the blokes seem to act as if they have the worst job in the world.

Is it such a bad job?

In about 16 years of In and Out of Thailand, I had only one guy at the Immigration Desk in Pedang Besar, who was a little ill-tempered.The reason was he could not find me in the computer and thought I was in Thailand illegally. I asked him politely, what he was looking for in his machine, and I suggested to switch first and last name. Voila, there it was! We had a good laugh and after my U-turn in Malaysia he stamped me in again and we started laughing again...

Maybe another bad situation was in Ranong when coming back from Myanmar. There was a guy from Austria who was complaining without end because he just got a stamp good for 30 days. He always said "I have tourist visa!". He had indeed, but the "Must be utilized before..." date was about one week ago. I was the next in row, but when I showed up with my Non-Imm everything was fine and the officer had cooled down already.

In all other times, I was always treated kindly and had no problem or reason to complain. Just be polite and correct, that all it needs.

(Edited typo)

Edited November 10, 2008 by hkt83100

[h90]

during the Surajud government that was a topic and the staff got ordered to take special training and wai to the "customer".

If you come for holidays to Thailand and the immigration is very friendly this is the first impression of the country and may change the point of view of it.

Now all is forgotten again, no wai no smile...charming like a Sovjet.

The next step is the Taxi driver who try to cheat you......

[phaethon]

Yes .... I've been having intensive Thai lessons for several months and try to greet and say thankyou in Thai .... just the same way I used Hindi in Delhi and Mandarin/Cantonese in China/HK to be polite. Does not seem to help.

Well, I'm stumped. They don't bother me.

[chiang mai]

They have to deal with farangs all day who have notihng better to do than to whine and complain.

That's the correct answer.

I've seen misguided performance management systems accidentally create poor customer service in other organisations ... so maybe this is the case at the airport?

Anybody have any constructive thoughts?

For the love of God!

[PeaceBlondie]

Here is yet another constructive thought. Your experience conflicts with ours. Most of us have had little or no trouble with men immigration officers in Thailand, including the old and new airports, over many years and many border crossings. We have had worse experiences coming in and out of other countries, including our own. We cannot explain what you do that gets you different results. I am sorry it happens to you. Better luck next time.

[Swanky]

Try going through Australian customs flying in from BKK without a hassle. Rude, obnoxious they think anyone flying in from Thailand is to be treated as an undesirable. Just my run of experiences.

[PhilHarries]

In all the years I've been travelling around S.E. Asia I've never noticed the Thai immigration to be any different to any of the others. As for US immigration they positively made me feel like I was a criminal and that was years before 9/11.

Just imagine if you had to sit there for hours on end dealing with dweebs demanding special attention just because they have a wad of cash but lack the intelligence to get themselves sorted out before reaching the desk. You might not exactly be a bundle of joy if you had to deal with some of the characters those guys have to.

[undercover]

I think it's to do with the uniform, self importance, just like the staff at immigration soi 5 Jumptien Pattaya, on the one day a week where they wear ordinary clothes they are nothing like when in uniform and are almost aproachable.

Uniforms change people just look at the tourist police volunteers.

[h90]

I think it's to do with the uniform, self importance, just like the staff at immigration soi 5 Jumptien Pattaya, on the one day a week where they wear ordinary clothes they are nothing like when in uniform and are almost aproachable.

Uniforms change people just look at the tourist police volunteers.

Maybe giving them an Hello Kitty uniform may help.....

[peter991]

Maybe giving them an Hello Kitty uniform may help.....

Seriously though, I tend to agree with the posters so far. Immigration / Passport Control is generally your introduction to a country. There's a distinct lack of smiles at the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Peter

[toptuan]

Remember immigration is an agency of the national police, and this arm of the government is not known for its PR skills.

[pampal]

I travel thoughout SE Asia, the US and India for work, and generally find immigration officers to be polite and efficient ... and at Delhi, Chicago and Hong Kong airports I've even found them to be polite and chatty despite the thousands of people they must deal with each day. But at Suvarnabhumi I invariably find that the men are bad tempered and often downright rude. Yesterday I was apprarently standing too close to the desk and was told "can't you see the sign on the floor ... stand on the footmarks!", once when I waiting in the hall at the rear of the counters for my daughter to clear immigration I was told 'Read the sign ... no waiting!", other times I've had my passport flung back at me without a single word being said .... which is preferable to abuse after a long flight but not exactly welcoming, and such a contrast to the rest of the people you're likely to meet once you're in the country.

The ladies on immigration seem fine .... but the blokes seem to act as if they have the worst job in the world.

Is it such a bad job?

So you were told to stand on the footmark which are clearly marked on the ground and in a no waiting area you were told to move on. What is it that leads you to believe that they are being rude. They are instructing you to do what is clearly marked/written under your feet and on the wall.

Your passport is returned to you without a single word being said, so what, what do you expect them to say to you?

You need to stop whining and move on

[bkkjames]

Try Dubai or Bahrain then compare Thailand. Australia is a good example too. We don't have it that bad here IMO.

[geriatrickid]

In fairness to the OP, the immigration guys seem a tad constipated, particularly when it is busy. I have always been treated professionally albeit coldly with nary a smile from the males. Maybe I fit the profile of a sex seeker? I will gladly take that over the hostile nastiness I have experienced at LAX. The lady immigration people are downright pleasant and always flash me one of those shy cute smiles at me. Maybe it's a sympathy smile because I am so ugly that they know I can't be coming for sex? The customs guys sometimes ask me if I am carrying booze or smokes and have checked the bag once or twice. Very nice about it and smiling. They have a job to do and that's all.

Big contrast from 1 time at LAX where they went through everything asking if I had porn. I was going to tell them that it was 2007 and that programs like limewire allow one to download porn with no need to carry great DVDs like Sweetpea gets curious in the barnyard.

On the other hand, I was transiting YVR not too long ago and the hefty gal from Canadian Border Services gave me the 3rd degree;

Why was I in Thailand, why have I been making so many trips back and forth, who do I work for. O.K. fair enough as all those trips give the profile of a crook or something. She got intrusive when she asked me who my friends were, and what they did. Seemed heartbroken when I answered pathologist, accountant and not lady that dances on a stage in a bikini.

[ray08]

Said it before Australia is the worse, they strut around and ask questions even when waiting for luggage , Thailand immagration are Ok , try getting a hello or smile from Italian customs ,they don,t even both to look at you.

[dumball]

Interesting that the three exemplar countries you cite have English as a first or very significant language.

Have you taken the time to learn the basic pleasantries and smile and say "sawatdee kha/rap"?

The female Thai officers will be less inclined towards confrontation, especially with a male 'customer', but are likely to be thinking the same as their male counterparts.

I think you are way out if line here , the first visit i made to Thailand for 3 weeks i was expected to learn the language ? Immigration is my 'Welcoming host' , not the first major detterent i meet to prevent or persuade me not to return . It is also not what they say to people , but more HOW THEY SAY IT , and to do the usual wannabee thai thing and spout off about how it is in other countries has absolutely nothing to do with how one is treated on arrival by the first Thai person you have any exchange of conversation with .

How can you 'Presume 'the ladies are thinking the same as their male counterparts ? Rather presumptous don't you think ?

Never mind realy , it is hard to put many things across here because of tunnel vision and one way hearing , can NOBODY have a personal interpretation of anything any more in this world ? Shame , how times and convictions have changed , i.e. been downgraded !!!!!!!!!

Oh , these are my personal thoughts if i may be so bold , sorry to sound or come across as an independant thinker .

[Super Hans]

I think it's to do with the uniform, self importance, just like the staff at immigration soi 5 Jumptien Pattaya, on the one day a week where they wear ordinary clothes they are nothing like when in uniform and are almost aproachable.

Uniforms change people just look at the tourist police volunteers.

I agree with the OP, but the chap I had at Jomptien one time was something else - he was just a complete c**t. Strangely, he was nice as pie to the attractive female before me. The fellas at the airport are generally cold and surly, but non confrontational.

Some people really do bend over backwards to excuse bad behaviour - it's ok for them to be rude because they are dealing with idiotic farangs all day!? Honestly, what rubbish. Are Heathrow immigration rude to non English speakers who aren't used to UK procedures? No they're not.

The root cause is an underlying bitterness towards farang, not least due to wealth and status.

[JimsKnight]

At Suvarnbhumi not that bad, although they are often as grim as greenback.

The girls are more indifferent usually.

At Don Muang they were a lot friendlier and the girls would sometimes make a wee bit of small talk.

A certain smoozing thai at Ranong Immigration I'll always have a wee grudge cause he cheated me on an overstay fine (it wasn't much 400 baht or something).

But they've usually ok there though.

[Super Hans]

At Suvarnbhumi not that bad, although they are often as grim as greenback.

The girls are more indifferent usually.

At Don Muang they were a lot friendlier and the girls would sometimes make a wee bit of small talk.

A certain smoozing thai at Ranong Immigration I'll always have a wee grudge cause he cheated me on an overstay fine (it wasn't much 400 baht or something).

But they've usually ok there though.

Yeah, the difference between land and air crossings is enormous - immigration at the border crossings I've done have all been as friendly anything.

[Hairy]

In all the years I've been travelling around S.E. Asia I've never noticed the Thai immigration to be any different to any of the others. As for US immigration they positively made me feel like I was a criminal and that was years before 9/11.

TITCR.

[cobra]

Wouldn't be surprised if SOPs direct them to be as administrative and curt as possible, thinking this is core to efficiency and moving long lines expeditiously.

I arrive in shirt and tie, polished shoes, documents in order and the attendant big Forest Gump smile,

it's hard not to smile back at someone smiling at you or at the very least to be put at ease.

Never had a problem and treated with as much courtesy as time would appropriately permit.

This contrasted against the unshaven and the oblivious, the sandal wearing, tank topped clod reeking of BO and invariably holding up the line because of this or that.

It's amazing they can even get anybody that would want to do the job. I couldn't do it.

Pay attention, read the signs, resist entering in needless conversation and quickly step aside just like ordering soup from the Soup Nazi (Seinfeld) and you'll have less problems. Your results may vary.

[joe552]

It's funny, all I expect from an Immigration Officer (in any country) is to stamp my passport with the correct visa - I look elsewhere for the welcome. I just want to get through as quickly as possible - I don't need smiles and small talk.

[Sarge]

Try going through Australian customs flying in from BKK without a hassle. Rude, obnoxious they think anyone flying in from Thailand is to be treated as an undesirable. Just my run of experiences.

indeed! but not only from people coming from Thailand, just about from any country. You get obnoxious custom officers at Kingsford Smith in Sydney, a most lugubrious airport, low ceiling, cramped, humourless armed officials roaming around with sniffer dogs, lead to double sniff every passengers and THAT double baggage screening bottleneck point, never seen anywhere else in the world. One gets a real feeling of being inside a penal institute, awaiting for detention, which is par for the course. It gave me such bad impression of Australia & Australians, even before I set foot in the open. Never recovered from there. This risk aversion paranoia that grips aussies from birth is bordering on the ludicrous; nowadays once you get past custom at Suvarnabhumi airport, you get another checkpoint (to check for liquid, gel, aerosol) before walking to the assigned gate. Only for flights to Australia you get a further checkpoint, next to your gate entrance, manned by officials who triple checks your bags all over again. No other countries in the worlds demands that from airport officials. So you guys stop moaning about Thai border controls, you have it easy compared to other countries.

[Artisi]

Try going through Australian customs flying in from BKK without a hassle. Rude, obnoxious they think anyone flying in from Thailand is to be treated as an undesirable. Just my run of experiences.

indeed! but not only from people coming from Thailand, just about from any country. You get obnoxious custom officers at Kingsford Smith in Sydney, a most lugubrious airport, low ceiling, cramped, humourless armed officials roaming around with sniffer dogs, lead to double sniff every passengers and THAT double baggage screening bottleneck point, never seen anywhere else in the world. One gets a real feeling of being inside a penal institute, awaiting for detention, which is par for the course. It gave me such bad impression of Australia & Australians, even before I set foot in the open. Never recovered from there. This risk aversion paranoia that grips aussies from birth is bordering on the ludicrous; nowadays once you get past custom at Suvarnabhumi airport, you get another checkpoint (to check for liquid, gel, aerosol) before walking to the assigned gate. Only for flights to Australia you get a further checkpoint, next to your gate entrance, manned by officials who triple checks your bags all over again. No other countries in the worlds demands that from airport officials. So you guys stop moaning about Thai border controls, you have it easy compared to other countries.

Have you ever considered it is to keep the @rseholes out of our great country at a minor inconvenience to those of us, including tourists who want quality people allowed in. If you're not happy with the entry requirements into Australia don't bother coming - you won't be missed.