Avoiding Nonthaburi Immigration?

[Tyler24]

I am currently living in Nonthaburi (in the Pakkret area, near Central Chaengwattana) and will need to extend my Non Immigrant ED visa in the next couple of weeks. I have read the various previous threads about the Nonthaburi Immigration Office, seen the maps, and so on.

I have a couple of questions.

First, if I do end up having to go there, how long would it take from the Pakkret area (near Central Chaengwattana)? I'm not familiar at all with the area in which it is located and do not have my own transportation, so I would have to take a taxi, and I assume pay an off-the-meter rate.

Second, is there any way around having to go there? My impression is that many of the wealthier expats in the area (such as those in Nichada Thani) keep second homes/apartments somewhere in Bangkok and use those addresses to enable themselves to use the Bangkok office. I'm pretty sure others must simply be using friends' addresses in the city. I suspect that is illegal but not very risky. I wonder, though--if I get the daily rate at an apartment or pay for a cheap hotel room for a day or two, would it be illegal then to go to the Bangkok office and use the address of the apartment/hotel?

Any thoughts? Maybe I'm being overdramatic, but I'm dreading the idea of spending hours in a taxi with an angry driver trying to find some immigration office out in a rice field. Thanks.

[moe666]

You may need some sort of proof of residence mail sent there, utilities bill, letter from landlord.

[JAS21]

I only live a couple of Kms from Chaeng Wattana Immigration but have to use Nonthaburi. It takes me some 20mins plus to get there and providing you don't go on a Monday or very near a holday you are dealt with very quick. They are really helpful there ... it's almost a pleasure going!

Getting a taxi there is no problem ... getting one back is though as the place is maybe 4Kms+ off the main road. If you are lucky someone may give you a lift back to the main road.

When you go it's always quicker to use the bypass rather than going past Ngam Wong Wan Mall.

[puyaidon]

If you have your paperwork in order, it will take you longer to drive to the Nonthaburi Immigration than to get the visa extension.

I have been going there for two years and last year, it took me just 5-10 minutes for my visa extension.

90 day reports take about 2 minutes if there is not a queue. Just use the window for this and the lady is very fast and helpful.

I have friends who use the main office on Chaengwattana and they have to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour to get their 90 day reports done.

Visas are longer sometimes. Besides, I have been told by neighbors in Nonthaburi that they went to the main office for their visa extensions as it was closer and were

told to use the Nonthaburi office from then on.

[Tyler24]

Okay, thanks for the replies. I'm a little worried about the issue of getting a taxi back. I guess I can try to pay a taxi to wait for me?

[emilyb]

Don't sweat it. At worst you can, yes, pay the taxi driver to keep the meter going (plus tip) while you process. It's not like it's in the middle of nowhere, you can catch a ride on the road nearby, just won't be as easy as downtown Bangkok. Nonthaburi's green side is blanketed with moto taxis and taxis and sawngtaews and so on.

[ignis]

Okay, thanks for the replies. I'm a little worried about the issue of getting a taxi back. I guess I can try to pay a taxi to wait for me?

Would not try getting the Taxi to wait unless your funds are limitless........ went Thursday, after my number was called took 7 mins for my extension, when I arrived 8 people in front of me, 3 hr 40 mins later my number was called.