Phuket Immigration Photocopy Shop Scam

[JetsetBkk]

At my 90-day report visit, I took a form from the desk occupied by two "pretties" (immigration helpers) - on the left of the main counters.

One of the girls asked to see my passport, so I gave it to her. She said I needed to copy one particular page. So I queried this as I know you don't have to, according to the rules. She again said I did, so I laughed and said "I'll try without a photocopy and maybe I'll have to come back."

So I went to get my new 90-day form attached to the passport. No problems whatsoever, no photocopy need.

I then went back to the girl and smiled at her: "No photocopy needed" and she said "So sorry" and that was it.

But I wonder... As many know the rate at the photocopy shop at immigration is much higher than most shops, where it is 1 baht. I can't remember if the shop at immigration charge 3 or 5 baht per copy. But I do remember the copies are poor quality, not that immigration seem to care.

So maybe she is in cahoots with the shop and tries to get them more business.

I really couldn't care less about the cost, it's simply that after 8 years I know what's needed and don't want to be given some BS by an uninformed or scheming immigration 'helper'.

[BangTaoBoy]

There are a lot of times when they do need copies of your passport, although obviously not in your case. She was probably just not very good at her job, but pushing work in the direction of a friend is a possibility.

Either way, I wouldn't feel it worth mentioning if it had happened to me. But then I am a yella belly push over, with mug written all over my face according to the highly principled, tough guys on TV

[LivinLOS]

Seem to think its only 2 baht a copy here.. Which is sort of standard ??

I bet they have to pay immigration a kick back to have the copier there also.. Overheads in keeping them in beemers

[BangTaoBoy]

For those of you that do need copies of stuff at immigration. There is nothing stopping you doing a bit of research, finding out that you needed copies before you got to the front of the queue, and getting them done at the place of your choice before hand, somewhere the quality and price suits you. That way you won't need to come on to a forum complaining about being scammed and won't spend half your lives feeling like a victim.

Push over 101

[JetsetBkk]

Seem to think its only 2 baht a copy here.. Which is sort of standard ??

I bet they have to pay immigration a kick back to have the copier there also.. Overheads in keeping them in beemers

In the Photo Express shop in Robinson, they have a good quality copier and charge one baht per copy - I used them for my last extension.

In Julapan's stationery shop Chalong it was always one baht too.

I also believe in other places in Phuket Town you can get 50 satang per copy for big orders.

But I've recently bought a printer with scanner and copier built in, so I can prepare everything before I go.

But as I said, it's not the cost, it's partly the inconvenience of having to trot down those slippery-when-wet steps, out to the back where the grotty shop is, queue up like a newbie <deleted> who has forgotten something, and then trot all the way back in the blazing sun and queue up again.

But it's mostly the thought that they are making me do this just so they can make a couple of baht. I'd rather give them 10 baht upstairs and tell them to forget the (alleged) scam.

But as BangTaoBoy says, she just probably wasn't trained to do her job properly.

[BangTaoBoy]

Seem to think its only 2 baht a copy here.. Which is sort of standard ??

I bet they have to pay immigration a kick back to have the copier there also.. Overheads in keeping them in beemers

The little office is on the grounds of the immigration. So I don't think that's called a kick back, I think they call that rent.

[JetsetBkk]

For those of you that do need copies of stuff at immigration. There is nothing stopping you doing a bit of research, finding out that you needed copies before you got to the front of the queue, and getting them done at the place of your choice before hand, somewhere the quality and price suits you. That way you won't need to come on to a forum complaining about being scammed and won't spend half your lives feeling like a victim.

Push over 101

We cross-posted, and as I posted above, there are a couple of places where you can get quality copies done.

And I wasn't scammed or feel like a victim, but I am prepared to warn others about a possible scam.

The daft thing is, 90-day reports are mostly done by long stayers who know that all you need is your passport and a TM 47 form. So it probably wasn't a scam, but if she says the same thing next January, I'll let you know!

Edited October 26, 2010 by JetsetBkk

[LivinginKata]

If I'm asked for extra photocopies (I usually go prepared, but often they ask for an unexpected page) then there is a very cheap commercial photo copy shop and supplies in the same road as Immigration, about 100m back towards Robinson on the right side. Charge 50 satang a copy. For me it's not about saving a few baht, it's just the annoyance of some sort of scam (asking for photocopies not really needed) and the high(er)charge at the Immigration photo copy place.

[MisterMan]

I can't even believe this thread!

Yes perhaps those students are in cahoots with the copier ladies in the back and maybe at the end of the day they kick her her pack 20 baht..hahaha What do you think those ladies with the copy machien make a day?

Do you really drive up the road to save 2.5 baht? Do you guys really worry about being scammed on a 3 baht COPY!!!!

Must feel good to save 3 baht and not let them get away with it. Didn't get an extra satang off you!

Here all this time I have always felt like telling them they should raise their prices!!!!!!!!! The convenience of having a copy machine right there for all the times I forget a piece of paper is a very good service. I would pay 10 baht a copy just to get in and out of immigration faster and not having to go elsewhere for a copy. I do know copies are 1 baht elsewhere. With the price of paper, ink and maintenance and tight expats avoiding them I am not sure how they eat.

Ever forget a paper at the Sing or KL consulate? Pain in the ar*e!

Have to run down the road or across the street and only minutes left before the office closes.. no taxis outside KL consul..etc..

Those ladies don't get any walk by traffic.. so what they charge 2 baht more!! SO WHAT! I never need more then 1-5 copes. I can afford the extra and so can you! They are not ripping people off.

That girl probably just made a mistake! Even the officials don't always know.

And they don't need to scam you with the copies because the immigration guys will sometimes just straight ask you for a TIP for the students!

Lucky they didn't ask you!

[thaibutty]

I can't even believe this thread!

Yes perhaps those students are in cahoots with the copier ladies in the back and maybe at the end of the day they kick her her pack 20 baht..hahaha What do you think those ladies with the copy machien make a day?

Do you really drive up the road to save 2.5 baht? Do you guys really worry about being scammed on a 3 baht COPY!!!!

Must feel good to save 3 baht and not let them get away with it. Didn't get an extra satang off you!

Here all this time I have always felt like telling them they should raise their prices!!!!!!!!! The convenience of having a copy machine right there for all the times I forget a piece of paper is a very good service. I would pay 10 baht a copy just to get in and out of immigration faster and not having to go elsewhere for a copy. I do know copies are 1 baht elsewhere. With the price of paper, ink and maintenance and tight expats avoiding them I am not sure how they eat.

Ever forget a paper at the Sing or KL consulate? Pain in the ar*e!

Have to run down the road or across the street and only minutes left before the office closes.. no taxis outside KL consul..etc..

Those ladies don't get any walk by traffic.. so what they charge 2 baht more!! SO WHAT! I never need more then 1-5 copes. I can afford the extra and so can you! They are not ripping people off.

That girl probably just made a mistake! Even the officials don't always know.

And they don't need to scam you with the copies because the immigration guys will sometimes just straight ask you for a TIP for the students!

Lucky they didn't ask you!

Totally agree with you!

Reading this thread has just cost me at least 10 Baht: electricity, internet cost, and my precious time to read this crap! What a SCAM . Now I have to start earlier tonight to get one more beer during happy hour in order to get my lost 10 Baht back. ..

[BangTaoBoy]

I can't even believe this thread!

Yes perhaps those students are in cahoots with the copier ladies in the back and maybe at the end of the day they kick her her pack 20 baht..hahaha What do you think those ladies with the copy machien make a day?

Do you really drive up the road to save 2.5 baht? Do you guys really worry about being scammed on a 3 baht COPY!!!!

Must feel good to save 3 baht and not let them get away with it. Didn't get an extra satang off you!

Here all this time I have always felt like telling them they should raise their prices!!!!!!!!! The convenience of having a copy machine right there for all the times I forget a piece of paper is a very good service. I would pay 10 baht a copy just to get in and out of immigration faster and not having to go elsewhere for a copy. I do know copies are 1 baht elsewhere. With the price of paper, ink and maintenance and tight expats avoiding them I am not sure how they eat.

Ever forget a paper at the Sing or KL consulate? Pain in the ar*e!

Have to run down the road or across the street and only minutes left before the office closes.. no taxis outside KL consul..etc..

Those ladies don't get any walk by traffic.. so what they charge 2 baht more!! SO WHAT! I never need more then 1-5 copes. I can afford the extra and so can you! They are not ripping people off.

That girl probably just made a mistake! Even the officials don't always know.

And they don't need to scam you with the copies because the immigration guys will sometimes just straight ask you for a TIP for the students!

Lucky they didn't ask you!

It's just typical of the us and them, everybody's out to get me attitude that so many people on TV have. Most of it is put in to peoples heads by stirrers (you notice on the latest tuk tuk thread the OP made one post and then never returned, that's how interested in discussing it he was) but after that 6 page thread, tens of more people will now hate tuk tuks without any real reason, not of their own anyway. So now the rumour starts that immigration are scamming people as well, and that then snowballs.

[LivinLOS]

Seem to think its only 2 baht a copy here.. Which is sort of standard ??

I bet they have to pay immigration a kick back to have the copier there also.. Overheads in keeping them in beemers

The little office is on the grounds of the immigration. So I don't think that's called a kick back, I think they call that rent.

And you imagine that rent goes to the contral government of Thailand and the taxpayers who own the building and land do you ??

Or do you think it goes into one of the senior officials pocket ?? As a kick back ??

For the record I always thought it was cheap.. copies in Patong run 2 baht most places.. Just glad its there.

Edited October 26, 2010 by LivinLOS

[BangTaoBoy]

Seem to think its only 2 baht a copy here.. Which is sort of standard ??

I bet they have to pay immigration a kick back to have the copier there also.. Overheads in keeping them in beemers

The little office is on the grounds of the immigration. So I don't think that's called a kick back, I think they call that rent.

And you imagine that rent goes to the contral government of Thailand and the taxpayers who own the building and land do you ??

Or do you think it goes into one of the senior officials pocket ?? As a kick back ??

For the record I always thought it was cheap.. copies in Patong run 2 baht most places.. Just glad its there.

In the U.K gambling on line is perfectly legal. In the US it isn't. If an American came up to me in the UK and said, 'stop doing that that's illegal' when he saw me gambling on line, what do you think I would say. I would tell him to get lost and mind his own business, and get his facts right.

Strange example but the point is valid. If the main boss at that governmental department, is able to rent that space out the back for a fee, without anybody else caring, and without getting in any trouble with any of his superiors, then you can call it rent, kick back, or anything else you please, but he isn't doing anything wrong is he. If what he was doing wasn't allowed he would be stopped and possibly arrested wouldn't he.

You could live here for 100 years and you would never learn to stop putting your own spin on things. You look at the Phuket immigration building and you see a council building in the UK. You see a row of tuk tuks and you see a row of black cabs outside Victoria station. You put your own ideals on to people who don't share them and never have, and I for one am glad they don't, otherwise I may have well just stopped in the UK.

Things that are done here that would be illegal in the UK or US, or highly unethical at best, are every day practices here. The fact that you think they should be illegal is irrelevant. I know the 'if you don't like it, bugger off ' line gets thrown about a lot, but quite frankly, it's as simple as that. Every time you moan about something like that, or claim something to be a kick back, in such a way that you are implying it's highly illegal, you are just highlighting your inability to accept the way things are, which will always make me wonder why you have wanted to live here for so long.

If you want things to be done differently, then it's a different place you are after. The fact that you're thinking about moving up north, pretty much proves that theory. Just do me one favour, when you finally move, don't come on here slagging Phuket off, any more than you do now anyway, like everybody else does. If Phuket's not right for you, then that's a reflection of you not Phuket.

[snamos]

yeah can you imagine it....if they "scammed" 100 people a day they would make 300-500 baht between them....and 200 people a day getting copies??...my god the figures are astounding!!! Beemers my ass...they would be buying Rolex watches and Bentleys

[ilyelol]

its not a scam, that lady's only customers are from the immigration. Her location makes sure that she wont get any other business. Of course she has to ask for more money. I feel that its a fair price seeing as its ON premises

[Jimi007]

The farang and Thai volunteers at the front left desk often give out false information. An English volunteer told me my earnings statement could not to be more than 30 days old. False! It has to be dated the same year as your extension. And there was a new requirement this year for using an earnings statement, a copy of your ATM card. I was joking with the immigration officer in Thai and he made me a copy of it on their office copier for free... Although there is a scam at the Patong Immigration office. They always say they have to make a copy of the front page of your passport for the 90 day report and they want a donation for the copy. I gave him 10 baht. I don't bother to go there anymore. I know the guy that does the 90 day reports at the Phuket office, he just refolds my old report, stamps it with the new date and staples it back into my passport and says see you in three months. It takes about 2 minutes...

[JetsetBkk]

<snip>

For the record I always thought it was cheap.. copies in Patong run 2 baht most places.. Just glad its there.

Yes, but everything's expensive in Patong, even KFC! I think the KFC in Jungceylon has it's own menu and price list - about 20% more than in Phuket town.

[JetsetBkk]

The farang and Thai volunteers at the front left desk often give out false information. An English volunteer told me my earnings statement could not to be more than 30 days old. False! It has to be dated the same year as your extension.

He was probably thinking of the bank letter for one year extensions.

And there was a new requirement this year for using an earnings statement, a copy of your ATM card. I was joking with the immigration officer in Thai and he made me a copy of it on their office copier for free... Although there is a scam at the Patong Immigration office. They always say they have to make a copy of the front page of your passport for the 90 day report and they want a donation for the copy. I gave him 10 baht. I don't bother to go there anymore. I know the guy that does the 90 day reports at the Phuket office, he just refolds my old report, stamps it with the new date and staples it back into my passport and says see you in three months. It takes about 2 minutes...

Yes, I was disappointed that this time he gave me a new report receipt. My old one had about 5 stamps on it and I wanted to see if he would make it 6!

[Jimi007]

Yes, I was disappointed that this time he gave me a new report receipt. My old one had about 5 stamps on it and I wanted to see if he would make it 6!

LOL! Mine only has three!

[MisterMan]

Why would anybody eat at KFC?????????? More MSG than any other fast food and it is so processed!

ICK! So much great Thai food .. please look into the nutritional value of KFC and help yourself.

Ever see any healthy looking people there?

I love my chocolate, wine, rich foods, and occasional junk food but avoid at all cost to support places like that.

[mkawish]

Seem to think its only 2 baht a copy here.. Which is sort of standard ??

I bet they have to pay immigration a kick back to have the copier there also.. Overheads in keeping them in beemers

Nonsense, absolute nonsense!

Why would anyone want to pay kickback to anyone?

Better go and check the ownership, it is owned by a relative of the chief's spouse, whom the chief vows never knows that relative.

He has absolutely no hand in this and his wife is with her youngest daughter in Florida Disney World at the moment. LOL

[JetsetBkk]

Why would anybody eat at KFC? <snip>

Er... because it is delicious. I usually have the spicy wings - fantastic!

Now, if Immigration had any sense, they'd open a KFC on their grounds and people could go and eat while waiting for the queues to shorten. Much more profitable than the "unnecessary photocopy" scam. (Always 'allegedly', of course ).

[pmgthailand]

Oh no not another mafia

THE PRETTY GIRL AT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE PHOTO COPY MAFIA

[SeanPhuket]

Oh no not another mafia

THE PRETTY GIRL AT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE PHOTO COPY MAFIA

LOL, unfortunately your right, the photocopying mafia are here and here to stay!

But i'll tell you what, you can go around the corner and save 2 Baht on a copy! I know, unbelievable isn't it! However you will spend 5 Baht getting there and thus fueling the PTT Mafia ... OMG, These mafias will never end! Everyone is a Mafia, 7/11 too, Tesco, the guy next door... ARHHHHHH!

I think some people have to much time on their hands.

[pmgthailand]

Oh no not another mafia

THE PRETTY GIRL AT THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE PHOTO COPY MAFIA

LOL, unfortunately your right, the photocopying mafia are here and here to stay!

But i'll tell you what, you can go around the corner and save 2 Baht on a copy! I know, unbelievable isn't it! However you will spend 5 Baht getting there and thus fueling the PTT Mafia ... OMG, These mafias will never end! Everyone is a Mafia, 7/11 too, Tesco, the guy next door... ARHHHHHH!

I think some people have to much time on their hands.

Are TV mods a mafia?

Edited October 27, 2010 by pmgthailand

[Felt 35]

To go from discussing copy prices in the backyard at that official department to paint that same department pink and stuffed with lawfully officers who only do their duty “the way it is” is a long.....stretch an as absurd as to tell people that Patong now are the religious Hub of South East Asia.That mentioned department have a history they better not include in History books.

“The way it is” here and there change on a daily basis depending on what’s fit the person you deal with and “the way they want it to be” either if it’s the lawful way or not.

Many people have with great enthusiasm and with more honourable motives than anyone here tried to adapt and followed “the way it is” only to find out that the same “the way it is” are more murky than an old jungle track.

[petercallen]

Amazing how people will go elsewhere when copies are 2 baht each at immigration.

When i did my annual extension it cost me about 10 baht

I know i am only charged 2 baht a copy.

Would i go elsewhere to save a few baht, you must be joking.

WHAT SCAM

[JetsetBkk]

Amazing how people will go elsewhere when copies are 2 baht each at immigration.

When i did my annual extension it cost me about 10 baht

I know i am only charged 2 baht a copy.

Would i go elsewhere to save a few baht, you must be joking.

WHAT SCAM

As I said in the last paragraph my opening post, it's not about the money.

But never mind, this thread has been derailed as most are on TV.

Carry on.

[H2oDunc]

As I said in the last paragraph my opening post, it's not about the money.

But never mind, this thread has been derailed as most are on TV.

Carry on.

I'm sorry but it is all about the money!

If it wasn't then you wouldn't go the trouble of warning other posters of this heinous scam. Just once I would love somebody to be honest and admit it was all about the money. Personally if I needed to have a copy and they wanted to charge me 10 baht I would simply pay it. It is 10 baht for crying out loud and it saves you having to go and trapse around town to find somewhere that will do one for you for 1-2 baht.

I think you need to change the monica from jetsetbkk to flipflopbkk

[madmitch]

But never mind, this thread has been derailed as most are on TV.

This is a thread that doesn't seem to have derailed but that has gone on a bit to long for something so trivial.

Who really cares about spending a couple of baht extra for the convenience, whether a mini-scam (dubious) or not?