90 Day Reporting!

[HarryHacker]

I have just returned from Suan Pluh Immigration in BKK after doing my 90-day reporting gig. What was in the past, a very quick and pleasant procedure, 5 mins at the most on the 4th floor has become a right pain in the butt! They have moved that section to the ground floor where you must get a ticket and wait in line, today it took best part of an hour to get the one-minute job done.

A loud mouth German also caught in the new system, bless his heart ‘gave it’ to the officials, he told them what I thinking. The officers seemed to appreciate the problem but for sure out of their personal control.

The question must be asked, WHY? Are they getting ready to enforce this regulation, thus expecting hoards of 90 dayers which would have meant room 403 would be too small or what? I estimate that right now less than half of the peeps that should report don’t.

Anyway, those who do report personally and not by post, be warned and expect the delay!

[bdenner]

Shades of what is going on here up North with the closure of the AEK Udon Thani office forcing a bottle neck into Nong Khai.

I'm thinking they want us to get to know one another better through creating meeting places.

[olaus]

Never had any problem. Always by post.

[buadhai]

Perhaps it's a way to encourage people to do their 90 day reporting by mail?

Why would you want to go in, anyway?

[HarryHacker]

Why would you want to go in, anyway?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its always been easy to 'drop in' in the past plus I always prefer do all my own legal stuff face 2 face. I guess I will have to learn to trust the post.

[HarryHacker]

I'm thinking they want us to get to know one another better through creating meeting places.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah but I had the choice of a angry red faced German or 4 yanky Mormans

[Rags]

Why would you want to go in, anyway?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its always been easy to 'drop in' in the past plus I always prefer do all my own legal stuff face 2 face. I guess I will have to learn to trust the post.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Same here. As you mentioned, it has actually been surprisingly easy and straight forward in the past. Only one person to speak to, and none of the usual process of getting sent from pillar to post and back again.....

[buadhai]

Trouble is, it's expensive dealing with people in person and relatively cheap to do business by phone, fax, mail or e-mail.

I used to run a US Government office and I did everything I could to discourage people from coming in unless it was absolutely necessary. By keeping people out of the office we were able to offer instant service and zero waiting time.

I realize it seems unfriendly. But, in the long run it's better devote your personal service time to the people who really need it.

[Kringle]

He11, once I found out that you go to the information desk to get your number and tell them what you're doing, it was a piece of cake. Usually I go in to see friends the same day so it's not a big deal. Took me all of 30 minutes. The immigration lady was very nice to me. I had the form already filled out and they gave me a blank when done for the next visit.

From what some of you guys have said on this forum about sending this by post is that it might get lost or delayed or whatever. Just easy for me to go in and I don't have any hassles.

Edited June 30, 2005 by Kringle

[HarryHacker]

He11, once I found out that you go to the information desk to get your number and tell them what you're doing, it was a piece of cake. Usually I go in to see friends the same day so it's not a big deal. Took me all of 30 minutes. The immigration lady was very nice to me. I had the form already filled out and they gave me a blank when done for the next visit.

From what some of you guys have said on this forum about sending this by post is that it might get lost or delayed or whatever. Just easy for me to go in and I don't have any hassles.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess there will be good days and bad days, the point is, in the past it was always as in always very quick.

[lopburi3]

He11, once I found out that you go to the information desk to get your number and tell them what you're doing, it was a piece of cake. Usually I go in to see friends the same day so it's not a big deal. Took me all of 30 minutes. The immigration lady was very nice to me. I had the form already filled out and they gave me a blank when done for the next visit.

From what some of you guys have said on this forum about sending this by post is that it might get lost or delayed or whatever. Just easy for me to go in and I don't have any hassles.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess there will be good days and bad days, the point is, in the past it was always as in always very quick.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Except if you hit them at lunch hour.

[camerata]

You could try doing the 90-day report at the Rachada one-stop office. Unless things have changed recently, it's easy to do there and it's near an underground station.

[Bluffer]

....

I used to run a US Government office and I did everything I could to discourage people from coming in unless it was absolutely necessary. By keeping people out of the office we were able to offer instant service and zero waiting time.

...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes but you are assuming that all mail will get there in time, if at all, no one will delte your email, lose your fax etc etc etc All these things are more likely to happen here.

And arent people on this forum always saying that you should never rely on anyone else to do something to prevent overstay, 90 day fines etc etc?

[PeaceBlondie]

Trouble is, it's expensive dealing with people in person and relatively cheap to do business by phone, fax, mail or e-mail.

I used to run a US Government office and I did everything I could to discourage people from coming in unless it was absolutely necessary. By keeping people out of the office we were able to offer instant service and zero waiting time.

I realize it seems unfriendly. But, in the long run it's better devote your personal service time to the people who really need it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But Mike - I'm still waiting on that SS application I made on 30 September, through the diplomatic pouch! They did call me on the phone once from the Philipines, and always answered my emails within two weeks, and then requested a statement through the post........I wish I'd flown to Manila or Baltimore after all.

Besides, if we don't speak and write Thai, some of those alternatives don't work well in Thailand. I don't even get my phone bill on time, through the post.

[buadhai]

Trouble is, it's expensive dealing with people in person and relatively cheap to do business by phone, fax, mail or e-mail.

I used to run a US Government office and I did everything I could to discourage people from coming in unless it was absolutely necessary. By keeping people out of the office we were able to offer instant service and zero waiting time.

I realize it seems unfriendly. But, in the long run it's better devote your personal service time to the people who really need it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But Mike - I'm still waiting on that SS application I made on 30 September, through the diplomatic pouch! They did call me on the phone once from the Philipines, and always answered my emails within two weeks, and then requested a statement through the post........I wish I'd flown to Manila or Baltimore after all.

Besides, if we don't speak and write Thai, some of those alternatives don't work well in Thailand. I don't even get my phone bill on time, through the post.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Keep corresponding with Manila via e-mail. If that doesn't work, PM me and I'll give you a contact at my old office who can help you out.

Unfortunately our Office of International Operations is so anachronistic that I often wondered when they were going to give up their quill pens so they could start using carbon paper.

It often takes them up to a year to process something that would take my office a few hours. That's one of the reasons why I started helping out claimants in Asia, bypassing International Operations all together.

Granted, sometimes mail fails. But, I don't think that's any reason to inconvenience yourself and avoid it all together. However, it is always good to cover your bases. When I mailed my 90 day report this afternoon I did so using registered mail and got a receipt to prove I'd mailed it.

[Phil Clark]

Well Stickman seems to have his finger on the pulse as usual!

From his column yesterday:

Immigration ease.

Good news for expats that are lucky enough to have a long term visa. When you go to Suan Plu immigration office for reporting your address every 90 days you no longer have to slog up to room 401 on the 4th floor. There are new rules now being used and you have to get a queue chit with a number from the information desk on the first floor then go to window number 6 and wait for your number to be called, if you forget to get a queue number and wait to talk to the women at the window they will send you back outside to get a number before talking to you. Still quick service as it only took about 3 minutes this week.

And, as if to prove he is the man in the know:

Perhaps it is just my mates, I don't know, but there is some fairly strong pessimism amongst a number of Westerners resident in Thailand, and it all revolves around the economy. All sorts of gloom and doom is predicted, although a lot of it is based on news and various articles in the English language newspapers which certainly don't paint the rosiest of pictures about the Thai economy. The one I have been hearing most recently is 100 baht to the US dollar by this time next year.

Now please do not mock, as the other week he announced that a Filipina is different from a Filipino so he does know what he talking about!

Edited July 4, 2005 by Phil Clark

[A. BOOZER]

Well Stickman seems to have his finger on the pulse as usual!

Now please do not mock, as the other week he announced that a Filipina is different from a Filipino so he does know what he talking about! 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Obviously masculine and feminine!

[lopburi3]

It appears the poster was at the right place but at the wrong time as I did the 90 day Tuesday afternoon at about 1400 and no queue anywhere. You do have to visit the information desk to receive form and/or number but was stand up fast at the 90 day desk. Only problem was the number light was already inoperative so you had to catch the voice announcement.

[deepdiver]

Never had any problem. Always by post.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

can you tell me where do you sent it to ??

[sadako]

Hi All ,

Just a question in relation to this office . Early next year I will have a 1 year non-immigrant O type multi -entry visa which will be issued in the UK . Can I report to this office in Suan Plu every 90 days to avoid "running " to Cambodia to get my stamp , or is this not possible ? I have a little confusion over this , as I have always heard that I MUST go to the border every 90 days , but I have been told here in Bangkok perhaps un-reliably that I dont need to do this , and can report to this office for the stamp . Is this true ? Surely not ......

[lopburi3]

Hi All ,

Just a question in relation to this office . Early next year I will have a 1 year non-immigrant O type multi -entry visa which will be issued in the UK . Can I report to this office in Suan Plu every 90 days to avoid "running " to Cambodia to get my stamp , or is this not possible ? I have a little confusion over this , as I have always heard that I MUST go to the border every 90 days , but I have been told here in Bangkok perhaps un-reliably that I dont need to do this , and can report to this office for the stamp . Is this true ? Surely not ......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No.

[HarryHacker]

It appears the poster was at the right place but at the wrong time as I did the 90 day Tuesday afternoon at about 1400 and no queue anywhere.  You do have to visit the information desk to receive form and/or number but was stand up fast at the 90 day desk.  Only problem was the number light was already inoperative so you had to catch the voice announcement.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...well I guess its a game of Hit & Miss. I will follow up in another 80 days or so ;-)

[HarryHacker]

It appears the poster was at the right place but at the wrong time as I did the 90 day Tuesday afternoon at about 1400 and no queue anywhere.  You do have to visit the information desk to receive form and/or number but was stand up fast at the 90 day desk.  Only problem was the number light was already inoperative so you had to catch the voice announcement.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...well I guess its a game of Hit & Miss. I will follow up in another 80 days or so ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

UPDATE.........UPDATE.........UPDATE......UPDATE....."90 day" old topic!

...out of fairness to my opening rant some 90 days ago, yesterday I was 5th in the queue and was in and out of the place in just 15 mins.

Very fast and efficient!

Humbled