Residence Permit And Immigration Queues

[Namphonny]

Hi All,

I have read before in these columns and elsewhere that a residence permit holder is able to use the queue for Thai Nationals. However, I have never seen a farang in one and never plucked up the courage to try it myself. Has anyone ever actually done this? or seen it done?

If the answer is yes, does it apply to departure and arrival or just arrival?

TIA

Nam.

[skippybangkok]

Yes ...... both.

Generall choose the shortest queue - typically the Thai one

[KamnanT]

I use the Thai queue on both arrival and departure and haven't ever been turned away.

[Namphonny]

Thanks for the replies - I will try it next time out.

[CharlieH]

When travelling with the wife (Thai) we always use the Thai lane going out and coming in, never a problem.

In UK she comes with me in UK nationals lane, never a problem.

[FarangBuddha]

I use the Thai queue on both arrival and departure and haven't ever been turned away.

Do you ever need to show any form of Thai ID (e.g. drivers license or retirement extension in passport) or just say that you live in Thailand?

[samran]

I use the Thai queue on both arrival and departure and haven't ever been turned away.

Do you ever need to show any form of Thai ID (e.g. drivers license or retirement extension in passport) or just say that you live in Thailand?

I think the residency book given to permanent residents is what you'd need to show.

[lopburi3]

Normally if with a Thai spouse you are also allowed to use this line.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Normally if with a Thai spouse you are also allowed to use this line.

Wonder if showing a Yellow Tambien Ban would also work? Sure be a good reason for going through the hoops to get one.

Mac

[KamnanT]

Normally if with a Thai spouse you are also allowed to use this line.

Wonder if showing a Yellow Tambien Ban would also work? Sure be a good reason for going through the hoops to get one.

Mac

You may be confusing "Permanent Residence" and "Temporary Residence". Residing in Thailand on a tourist visa, Non-Immigrant visa or Extension of Stay is Temporary Residence, regardless of how long term that "temporary" residence may have been. Residing in Thailand with a Certificate of Residence is Permanent Residence (PR). A yellow tabien baan doesn't demonstrate PR.

Permanent Residents can use the "Thai Passport" queues at inbound and outbound immigration. Temporary residents use the "Foreign Passport" queues. Mixed family groups (some Thai, some foreign) are generally allowed to use the Thai queue.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Normally if with a Thai spouse you are also allowed to use this line.

Wonder if showing a Yellow Tambien Ban would also work? Sure be a good reason for going through the hoops to get one.

Mac

You may be confusing "Permanent Residence" and "Temporary Residence". Residing in Thailand on a tourist visa, Non-Immigrant visa or Extension of Stay is Temporary Residence, regardless of how long term that "temporary" residence may have been. Residing in Thailand with a Certificate of Residence is Permanent Residence (PR). A yellow tabien baan doesn't demonstrate PR.

Permanent Residents can use the "Thai Passport" queues at inbound and outbound immigration. Temporary residents use the "Foreign Passport" queues. Mixed family groups (some Thai, some foreign) are generally allowed to use the Thai queue.

Thanks for the comment, but NO confusion on my part, I was just asking if the Yellow would work, you say no. Hmmm, I might just try it next time, if the "Thai line" is really low. At least the Yellow book does indicate an attempt to show a semi permanent, if "temporary" in law, presence here.

FYI, I did apply for PR status several years back but was rejected, this was during K Purachai's tenure at MOI. The the cost WENT UP so can't afford it these days.

Mac

[KamnanT]

Thanks for the comment, but NO confusion on my part, I was just asking if the Yellow would work, you say no. Hmmm, I might just try it next time, if the "Thai line" is really low. At least the Yellow book does indicate an attempt to show a semi permanent, if "temporary" in law, presence here.

FYI, I did apply for PR status several years back but was rejected, this was during K Purachai's tenure at MOI. The the cost WENT UP so can't afford it these days.

Mac

I was fortunate enough to apply in December 2005 - the last year in which there was "normal" processing of PR applications. And yes, for a family of four it was quite expensive.

I remember when I first moved to Thailand in 2001 and was still a "temporary resident" (Non-Imm "B" and extensions), each of the arrival immigration halls at Don Muang used to have, in addition to the "Thai Passport" and "Foreign Passport" lines, a single desk with the sign "Residents of Thailand". Still being in short pants, I assumed this meant me and I always used it, as there was rarely anyone in that queue. I don't remember ever being turned away, but in hindsight it was almost certainly intended for Permanent Residents of Thailand and not for me.

At Suvarnabhumi, whether or not a particular immigration officer will deal with a non-PR foreigner in the Thai queue seems to depend on his/her mood at the time. I think we've all witnessed foreigners accidentially or deliberately getting in one of the Thai lines - sometimes they get stamped in with a stern warning to use the foreign queue in the future, sometimes they get told "This line is for Thais, go to those lines over there."

[jayboy]

FYI, I did apply for PR status several years back but was rejected, this was during K Purachai's tenure at MOI.

As a matter of interest was your application rejected while it was still with the Immigration Department or was it approved by the latter and then rejected by the MOI? In either event did you ever find out why?

Thanks

[Thanyaburi Mac]

FYI, I did apply for PR status several years back but was rejected, this was during K Purachai's tenure at MOI.

As a matter of interest was your application rejected while it was still with the Immigration Department or was it approved by the latter and then rejected by the MOI? In either event did you ever find out why?

Thanks

Believe I miss-phrased it, application "not accepted" might be better wording. And this was after about 6 months or so of temporary extensions, and visits to Suan Plu top floor several times by the Mrs and me. Two problems, I think, first being on a "retirement" extension, and this was the year K Purachai as MoI said "no" to that category, and second was no history of Thai tax payments since when I'd earlier been working here was in an exempt status.

In the end, just got a stamp in my passport, in Thai, saying "nix." When I get back home will scan and post the stamp.

Mac

[jayboy]

Believe I miss-phrased it, application "not accepted" might be better wording. And this was after about 6 months or so of temporary extensions, and visits to Suan Plu top floor several times by the Mrs and me. Two problems, I think, first being on a "retirement" extension, and this was the year K Purachai as MoI said "no" to that category, and second was no history of Thai tax payments since when I'd earlier been working here was in an exempt status.

In the end, just got a stamp in my passport, in Thai, saying "nix." When I get back home will scan and post the stamp.

Mac

Many thanks and hope that something can be worked out for you in the future.

[skippybangkok]

Well, the question was about permanent residents......... technically you are supposed to use the Thai queue.

[Richard4849]

I always used the Thai line as PR. A couple of times they attempted to shoo me away, but apologized when I showed the blue/white book.

[samran]

I hid my passport from sight once when the immigration lady started repeating loudly 'Thai part-bord on-lee' which was clearly directed at me.

I ignored her and then strode up passing over my Thai passport with a sh!t eating grin on my face and a humble 'khor tort kha' from her

[Richard4849]

That's sweet, isn't it? I'm guilty myself...

[samran]

was pretty sweet, though I must admit 98 times out 100 I don't get a second look.

I get more head scratching in places like Laos and Vietnam, where I travel to often and use the Thai passport for visa free entry. At the friendship bridge, one Thai immigration officer remembers me, even though I only go through there a couple of times per year, so there is a bit of upside.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

FYI, I did apply for PR status several years back but was rejected, this was during K Purachai's tenure at MOI.

As a matter of interest was your application rejected while it was still with the Immigration Department or was it approved by the latter and then rejected by the MOI? In either event did you ever find out why?

Thanks

Believe I miss-phrased it, application "not accepted" might be better wording. And this was after about 6 months or so of temporary extensions, and visits to Suan Plu top floor several times by the Mrs and me. Two problems, I think, first being on a "retirement" extension, and this was the year K Purachai as MoI said "no" to that category, and second was no history of Thai tax payments since when I'd earlier been working here was in an exempt status.

In the end, just got a stamp in my passport, in Thai, saying "nix." When I get back home will scan and post the stamp.

Mac

Here's the stamp and the letter. Anyone read them? Nice of Immigration, tho, when I took the letter down to the "retirement extension" desk they just chopped me in for an additional year. So my extensions got shifted from the original period of May-May to Feb-Feb, which I'm still on these days.

Mac

[samran]

FYI, I did apply for PR status several years back but was rejected, this was during K Purachai's tenure at MOI.

As a matter of interest was your application rejected while it was still with the Immigration Department or was it approved by the latter and then rejected by the MOI? In either event did you ever find out why?

Thanks

Believe I miss-phrased it, application "not accepted" might be better wording. And this was after about 6 months or so of temporary extensions, and visits to Suan Plu top floor several times by the Mrs and me. Two problems, I think, first being on a "retirement" extension, and this was the year K Purachai as MoI said "no" to that category, and second was no history of Thai tax payments since when I'd earlier been working here was in an exempt status.

In the end, just got a stamp in my passport, in Thai, saying "nix." When I get back home will scan and post the stamp.

Mac

Here's the stamp and the letter. Anyone read them? Nice of Immigration, tho, when I took the letter down to the "retirement extension" desk they just chopped me in for an additional year. So my extensions got shifted from the original period of May-May to Feb-Feb, which I'm still on these days.

Mac

The stamp essentially says permission to for PR not granted. The letter essentially says the same thing. First para says the committe has considered the applucation and the result is: No.

Then a long speil about how you can reapply again etc.