Phuket's Patong Immigration office to reopen

Phuket Gazette

The Phuket Immigration Office in Patong, located next door to the Patong Tourist Police Volunteers office, will reopen next week after the refurbishment is complete. Photo: Patong Tourist Police Volunteers

Phuket Immigration Superintendent Col Panuwat Ruamrak said that the Patong office will be an information center only. All applications regarding visas and permits to stay must be made at the Immigration Office in Phuket Town. Photo: Gazette file

PHUKET: -- Phuket Immigration Office Superintendent Panuwat Ruamrak has confirmed to the Phuket Gazette that the Immigration Office in Patong will reopen next week.

The news comes amid rumors that the Patong Immigration Office, which is located right next door to the Patong Tourist Police Volunteers office, had been closed permanently.

“The Patong Immigration Office has not been shut down. It was closed temporarily for renovations,” said Col Panuwat.

“The building needed some improvements and they decided to close it so the work could be carried out properly. It will reopen and everything will be back to normal again next week,” he added.

Col Panuwat explained that the Patong Immigration Office is an information center only.

“The Patong office is only for providing information to tourists and to act as a coordination center. Any foreigners wanting to do their 90-day report, extend their visa or apply for a new visa still need to come to the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town,” he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12082.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-01-21

I'm missing something here.

So what is the point of the Patong 'Immigration Office'? To provide advice to tourists presumably. But why?

Tourists book a holiday and rarely need immigration advice.

Far better to open a proper Immigration Office in Chalong - where many expats live. People who are far more likely to need the service or information.

“The building needed some improvements and they decided to close it so the work could be carried out properly. It will reopen and everything will be back to normal again next week,” he added.

Col Panuwat explained that the Patong Immigration Office is an information center only.

How is an information only center back to normal? I use to do my 90 day reports there years ago, I even got a visa extension there once. I don't see the point in having it open. They could just put a sign up with a map showing where you have to go to get anything done... I agree with F1, a real Immigration Office in Chalong would be handy.

Agree with above about its use, and with an increasing number of expats living in and around Patong, why not process the 90 day reporting here. Would make life simpler for many, esp as the Phuket Imm office is becoming more crowded.