On Tuesday Jan 27, I renewed my retirement visa at Suan Plu, Bangkok.

The day started out good, I made an online appointment for the retirement pension verification letter at the US embassy and I was out of there in 10 minutes flat! In the past I've had to wait over 1.5 hours so the embassy has definately improved.

I rode the 62 bus to Suan Plu, a cool 14 baht , arriving at 10:40 am. The place was packed with 25 numbers ahead of me, but the line seemed to be moving reasonably fast so I hoped to get through before lunch at 12 pm. I didn't make the cut so I cooled my heels and waited. About 1:10 pm the line started moving again and my number was called at 1:30 pm. The Immigration officer was OK but during my renewal process three people (visa agents) barged in and of course the Immigration officer immediately processed them and made me wait.

Well, when in Rome...

I wonder if anyone has "played the game" and jumped the line like the locals do? Any one ever tried it? From what I could follow, one of the applicants had been there before, so fair enough but I'm 99% sure the other two simply jumped the line because they knew the officer. I've been pretty lucky at Suan Plu before and gotten through the process in one hour or less. But the line jumping seems to be getting worse

TIT

"Well, when in Rome...I wonder if anyone has 'played the game' and jumped the line like the locals do?"

Bad manners are bad, and I don't see why you'd consider displaying bad manners. "Hey, other people are doing it". That's true, and that doesn't make it right. Did you even consider speaking to the Immigration official?

Sometimes, an applicant for extension of stay is asked by the immigration officer to get another photocopy and when he comes back he does not have to go to the back of the queue again but can go straight to the officer’s desk.

“Visa agents”, on the other hand, probably do get special recognition, ie faster service, depending on their relationship with the immigration officers.

--

Maestro

Why would visa agents get special service unless they are giving baksheesh or the agents relative?

There are a lot of possible reasons. I once attended the funeral of the father of a government official (not an immigration officer) and thereafter received special recognition whenever I had business at his office.

A “visa agent” probably goes to the immigration office several times a week and over time gets friendly with the officer, while you are seen there only once a year and not remembered from your last visit.

--

Maestro

It still doesn't add up to me. I reckon the agents are often paying baksheesh.

Sometimes, an applicant for extension of stay is asked by the immigration officer to get another photocopy and when he comes back he does not have to go to the back of the queue again but can go straight to the officer’s desk.

“Visa agents”, on the other hand, probably do get special recognition, ie faster service, depending on their relationship with the immigration officers.

--

Maestro

Not copy issues, basically just two thai nationals (agents?) producing the passports of one chinese and one japanese national. Yeah, I did obserrve several people delivering "food/treat baskets" to several very pleased Immigration officials

That’s what I said: building up a good relationship and receiving special recognition in return.

--

Maestro

Visa agents get special treatment for special reasons and I think it is bad form and there is no need to openly discuss in here, just live with - this is Thailand and it is how things have always been done .

Edited January 29, 200917 yr by Artisi

Visa agents get special treatment for special reasons and I think it is bad form and there is no need to openly discuss in here, just live with - this is Thailand and it is how things have always been done .

Just because "This is Thailand" does not make it right. What is wrong with open -as long as its civil- discussion?

Visa agents get special treatment for special reasons and I think it is bad form and there is no need to openly discuss in here, just live with - this is Thailand and it is how things have always been done .

Rose colored glasses sales -- go long!