I have read right through this thread but I have a few questions because a family member wants to extend his tourist (60 day) visa in Jomtien next week.

1. His visa expires September 26th is it O.K. to go six days early?

2. Is the Immingration really too busy on a Monday?

3. Is the system still the same as the old days (drop off passport & forms & fee 8.30-10.30 then return the same day at 3.00pm for pick-up?

Thanks for any feedback.

1. you can go anytime during the final 30 days of your 90 day.

2. not sure, but just went this morning and was in and out in 5 minutes. there was no one there. so, Monday is probably the busy day and Friday is the slowest.

3. reported for 90 days and they did it right there on the spot. previously i have dropped off one day and picked up the next.

I have used this office twice to extend my 30 day upon arrival visa, on two seperate occasions . I found the office efficient and I had no problem.

I think 1900 baht renewal is a little high.

I'll have one bottle of water and two glasses please. Thank you.

There have been ongoing improvements by the Immigration Police at Pattaya over the years and I find the present service very acceptable. The first time that I extended my retirement visa at Soi 8 I was told that I would have to ante up a bottle of JB Black. For the next few years subtle suggestions were made to me about a contribution which would grease the wheels of officialdom. Since the move to Jomtien graft and corruption seems to have been eliminated. 

Copies of all documentation are kept on my PC and I print when they are required. I purchase four passport photographs in a local shop and they last four years. A little thought can eliminate feeding the crocodiles. 

When comparing the cost of extending my retirement visa with that of renewing my passport my anger is directed towards HMG  Does anybody really think that the Thai Government should allow free visas. Wouldn't that be a world first?

It seems they have even spruced up the place a bit. I was there a few months ago before they opened...trying to get everything done quickly (I've since discovered the place is empty just before closing, and you don't have to wake up early!). There was a guy who had his girl stand in line for him. I watched him polish off one beer, then another before the doors opened. His girl went in, got the number, and when it was almost his turn, she went out and got him...still drinking...jeez. I'm sure the immigration people who had to deal with him were real happy...

You're quite easy to please. You pay 1900 baht for the visa but they can't make the photo copy themselves - instead you have to walk out and pay 250% the going rate because the copy shop happens to be next to Immigration. You were ripped off on the parking on the street (no, it's free). You waited an hour just to complete some bureaucratic form that effectively makes no difference to anyone except those bureaucrats having a job processing it. You paid 5 baht to use the toilet in a government building. I don't know where you come from but it's very different from how things are where I come from (Europe).

Follow up post regarding my post above # 30

The Jomtien Immigration on Soi 5 is open from 0830-1630 but be aware that for visa extensions using TM7 form and 1900 baht you will not be given a ticket to be seen from 1130-1300

I accompanied my brother-in-law to the office at 1145 and the officer at the information point was eating his lunch in full view of customers and was very abrupt in manner when a 'numbered ticket' was requested.

I think people 'signing-on' for 90 days can do so during their 'lunch break'.

Other than that a very fast and efficient service. A return at 1300 and job done by 1325.

So my message would be, don't assume that because the office is actually open 8 hours straight, visa extensions can be done anytime.