Good Way To Avoid Overcharging At Phuket Immigration.

[merijn]

I hear that they sometimes ask for money while the service should be for free.

I also hear from some people that the immigration officers don’t give back change when you pay for your extension etc.

Personally I never had this problem but I would be annoyed if this would happen to me.

I think that I have an easy solution for this.

When they ask for money while the service should be for free ( like transferring stamps into new passport ) you should ask for a receipt.

Do this off-course in a polite way and use the excuse that you need this for your accountant or something like that.

Or they give you a receipt ( what will not happen ) and you have bad luck or they make up a excuse and acknowledge that the service is indeed free maybe only for you or only for this one time.

If everybody would do this it would solve maybe a few problems.

What do you think? maybe I’m to optimistic.

[hansgruber]

A good way to avoid overcharging would be to pony up the extra cash and get a proper visa.

I got friends who use education visas and it usually ends up cheaper than doing runs and extensions anyway and without hassles.

[merijn]

A good way to avoid overcharging would be to pony up the extra cash and get a proper visa.

I got friends who use education visas and it usually ends up cheaper than doing runs and extensions anyway and without hassles.

I don't know what you are smoking but if you even bother to read my post?

[snamos]

Another 'how to save 50 Baht in Thailand thread' *yawn*

[merijn]

Another 'how to save 50 Baht in Thailand thread' *yawn*

It is not about the money, i don't really care about that.

But it is more about trying to stop the officers for openly asking money for things that should be fore free.

I know and accept that there is corruption and that in many cases tea money is required to get things done.

But i would like to see that it is not getting worse otherwise where is the end for them.

[MisterMan]

But if you only heard it and its never happened to you what are you worrying about? Have never had it happend to me but I have HEARD on some occasions the corrupt immigration officers will give you a break on the over stay fees and not charge for each actual day!!!

maybe they are balancing the kick backs.

[madmitch]

This topic was done to death on a thread a month or so go. Can't be bothered to search for the link.

[Hostile17]

if i had their job and someone came in weighting 200kg with a brown girl screaming U NO GO THAT U MOVE GO THAT WAY GET PAP-ER OK NA? id try to take them for a bit of extra money myself before it goes to his teeelak.

Have seen enough of them at immigration to know that they are at least 20-30% of the regular immig customer base

[hkt83100]

What somehow bewilders me is that so many people have heard of this problem, but not in a single one says it happened to him/her. I can confess that in about 17 years of dealing with the immigration office in Phuket I have never been asked for tea money or whatever the OP is writing about. And yes, my visa has been transferred to a new passport a few years ago, smoothly in a few minutes and for free.

[kawapower]

Never had a problem at Immigration, some people post in order to gain attention, who knows the reason why!!

[LivinginKata]

What somehow bewilders me is that so many people have heard of this problem, but not in a single one says it happened to him/her. I can confess that in about 17 years of dealing with the immigration office in Phuket I have never been asked for tea money or whatever the OP is writing about. And yes, my visa has been transferred to a new passport a few years ago, smoothly in a few minutes and for free.

Lucky you. I state here and now that I have been asked numerous times for tea money over the 16 years I have dealt with Phuket Immigration. The first time I was granted the one year extension I was asked for a lot of thousands to get my passport back, I showed the officer the 500 baht receipt (was 500 back then) and he flung my passport at me in a rage. He refused to process my application the next year. Each year they ask me or usually my wife (who has to accompany me) for 'lunch money' in the 500 baht range. I always try to politely ignore the requests, but my wife is pushed into a contribution.

[Hostile17]

What somehow bewilders me is that so many people have heard of this problem, but not in a single one says it happened to him/her. I can confess that in about 17 years of dealing with the immigration office in Phuket I have never been asked for tea money or whatever the OP is writing about. And yes, my visa has been transferred to a new passport a few years ago, smoothly in a few minutes and for free.

Ive had them shout after me because i forgot to take my 100baht in the back row. dam_n scammers, made me walk back instead of being good little servants and delivering it to me at the door.

[kawapower]

What somehow bewilders me is that so many people have heard of this problem, but not in a single one says it happened to him/her. I can confess that in about 17 years of dealing with the immigration office in Phuket I have never been asked for tea money or whatever the OP is writing about. And yes, my visa has been transferred to a new passport a few years ago, smoothly in a few minutes and for free.

Lucky you. I state here and now that I have been asked numerous times for tea money over the 16 years I have dealt with Phuket Immigration. The first time I was granted the one year extension I was asked for a lot of thousands to get my passport back, I showed the officer the 500 baht receipt (was 500 back then) and he flung my passport at me in a rage. He refused to process my application the next year. Each year they ask me or usually my wife (who has to accompany me) for 'lunch money' in the 500 baht range. I always try to politely ignore the requests, but my wife is pushed into a contribution.

We must assume all the people that have a problem at immigration are disliked by the immigration officers!!

[LivinginKata]

We must assume all the people that have a problem at immigration are disliked by the immigration officers!!

You can assume what you like. The guy I had trouble with is like that with everyone and he was moved off the extensions desk to the front desk. I get on quite well with the extension officers and I think that's why they act friendly and ask for lunch money. Never asked for anything at the front desk with notification/extension (other than the fee). Always asked for 500 baht for Residence Certificate which I only offer 100 baht and tell then there is no charge.

[kawapower]

We must assume all the people that have a problem at immigration are disliked by the immigration officers!!

You can assume what you like. The guy I had trouble with is like that with everyone and he was moved off the extensions desk to the front desk. I get on quite well with the extension officers and I think that's why they act friendly and ask for lunch money. Never asked for anything at the front desk with notification/extension (other than the fee). Always asked for 500 baht for Residence Certificate which I only offer 100 baht and tell then there is no charge.

Explain why some have a big problem whereas others do not? There must be a reason!!

[petercallen]

Best to keep the money required in a separate bank account 800 baht or 400 baht according to the type of visa you are applying for

If they know you have more than the required amount in bank accounts you will be asked for tea money

Last year when we bought the house the immigration officer asked my wife what the money was taken out of my bank account for, then tried to give my wife advice on how the house should have been bought which was none of his business

He sits in the back row and never in the last couple of years has worn a uniform and speaks very good english but pretends he does not and insists on talking Thai to my wife who tells me everything he says afterwards

I call him the bag man because that is what he is, always tells all the other officers how much he collects in tea money, they share this money equally

[petercallen]

We must assume all the people that have a problem at immigration are disliked by the immigration officers!!

You can assume what you like. The guy I had trouble with is like that with everyone and he was moved off the extensions desk to the front desk. I get on quite well with the extension officers and I think that's why they act friendly and ask for lunch money. Never asked for anything at the front desk with notification/extension (other than the fee). Always asked for 500 baht for Residence Certificate which I only offer 100 baht and tell then there is no charge.

Explain why some have a big problem whereas others do not? There must be a reason!!

You should not have a problem giving them the goofy look you showed me when attending

they probably think you are a fruitcake and are glad to see you leave

[Jimi007]

We must assume all the people that have a problem at immigration are disliked by the immigration officers!!

You can assume what you like. The guy I had trouble with is like that with everyone and he was moved off the extensions desk to the front desk. I get on quite well with the extension officers and I think that's why they act friendly and ask for lunch money. Never asked for anything at the front desk with notification/extension (other than the fee). Always asked for 500 baht for Residence Certificate which I only offer 100 baht and tell then there is no charge.

Explain why some have a big problem whereas others do not? There must be a reason!!

My experience is that if you go in properly attired, with all you copies and paperwork in order, they will quickly stamp your paperwork, collect the fee, give you the receipt and send you on your way...

[Felt 35]

if i had their job and someone came in weighting 200kg with a brown girl screaming U NO GO THAT U MOVE GO THAT WAY GET PAP-ER OK NA? id try to take them for a bit of extra money myself before it goes to his teeelak.

Have seen enough of them at immigration to know that they are at least 20-30% of the regular immig customer base

r

So if the brown little wanna go to Europe/USA with her boyfriend you think its fine if the the embassy staff tell here, we not like small brown diggers.....

[Felt 35]

What somehow bewilders me is that so many people have heard of this problem, but not in a single one says it happened to him/her. I can confess that in about 17 years of dealing with the immigration office in Phuket I have never been asked for tea money or whatever the OP is writing about. And yes, my visa has been transferred to a new passport a few years ago, smoothly in a few minutes and for free.

How old first(over/under 50) time you visited Immigration in Phuket?

[petercallen]

We must assume all the people that have a problem at immigration are disliked by the immigration officers!!

You can assume what you like. The guy I had trouble with is like that with everyone and he was moved off the extensions desk to the front desk. I get on quite well with the extension officers and I think that's why they act friendly and ask for lunch money. Never asked for anything at the front desk with notification/extension (other than the fee). Always asked for 500 baht for Residence Certificate which I only offer 100 baht and tell then there is no charge.

Explain why some have a big problem whereas others do not? There must be a reason!!

My experience is that if you go in properly attired, with all you copies and paperwork in order, they will quickly stamp your paperwork, collect the fee, give you the receipt and send you on your way...

You take a letter from your embassy and do not need to show a bank book there fore they have no idea how much money you have in your bank account

[petercallen]

if i had their job and someone came in weighting 200kg with a brown girl screaming U NO GO THAT U MOVE GO THAT WAY GET PAP-ER OK NA? id try to take them for a bit of extra money myself before it goes to his teeelak.

Have seen enough of them at immigration to know that they are at least 20-30% of the regular immig customer base

r

So if the brown little wanna go to Europe/USA with her boyfriend you think its fine if the the embassy staff tell here, we not like small brown diggers.....

What type of Thai lady do you have for the embassy or its representatives to treat her like that

If my wife was treated that way i would make sure it was officially reported to the Australian govt

[Felt 35]

We must assume all the people that have a problem at immigration are disliked by the immigration officers!!

You can assume what you like. The guy I had trouble with is like that with everyone and he was moved off the extensions desk to the front desk. I get on quite well with the extension officers and I think that's why they act friendly and ask for lunch money. Never asked for anything at the front desk with notification/extension (other than the fee). Always asked for 500 baht for Residence Certificate which I only offer 100 baht and tell then there is no charge.

It the same bunch today as 10 years ago. When Taksin come to power it was said that it should be a huge renewal in the immigration and Police bureau.The only thing which change now and then is the boss. This is a family/friend business and always been that way.

[Felt 35]

if i had their job and someone came in weighting 200kg with a brown girl screaming U NO GO THAT U MOVE GO THAT WAY GET PAP-ER OK NA? id try to take them for a bit of extra money myself before it goes to his teeelak.

Have seen enough of them at immigration to know that they are at least 20-30% of the regular immig customer base

r

So if the brown little wanna go to Europe/USA with her boyfriend you think its fine if the the embassy staff tell here, we not like small brown diggers.....

What type of Thai lady do you have for the embassy or its representatives to treat her like that

If my wife was treated that way i would make sure it was officially reported to the Australian govt

Think you missed my point Peter. Never mind.

[Jimi007]

You can assume what you like. The guy I had trouble with is like that with everyone and he was moved off the extensions desk to the front desk. I get on quite well with the extension officers and I think that's why they act friendly and ask for lunch money. Never asked for anything at the front desk with notification/extension (other than the fee). Always asked for 500 baht for Residence Certificate which I only offer 100 baht and tell then there is no charge.

Explain why some have a big problem whereas others do not? There must be a reason!!

My experience is that if you go in properly attired, with all you copies and paperwork in order, they will quickly stamp your paperwork, collect the fee, give you the receipt and send you on your way...

You take a letter from your embassy and do not need to show a bank book there fore they have no idea how much money you have in your bank account

Yeah, so... Better for me. Even with my earnings statement, when I got my extension last month, the officer said, "oh, big money." I laughed.

[petercallen]

Fair enough Jimi but do you have big money in a bank account here which they know you can draw on

[PoorSucker]

On Samui they demand 5000 baht for yearly extension, the trick is to put 1900 in an envelope marked "FEE 1900 baht"

[petercallen]

Documents required for retirement visa applicant over 50 years taken from phuket immigration booklet

application form (TM7)with 1 (4x6 CM) photo

Passport with copy of every page with none-immigrant visa

Financial evidence such as evidence showing reception of pension by accompanied letter, interest or dividend not less than 65,000 baht per month OR a letter from a local Thai bank confirming an amount exceeding 800,000 baht with a statement showing the last 3 months balance

OR to have an income and that amount remaining in the bank is not less than 800,000 baht

Fee 1900 baht

Documents required to apply to reside in the Kingdom to support a wife who is a Thai citizen

application form(TM7) with 2 (4x6) photos

passport with copy of every page with a valid non-immigration type visa

Copy of ID card and copy of house registration of wife

Marriage certificate. birth certificate of all children (if any)

For first year have to show a monthly income from one or both combined of not less than 40,000 baht, if the person who has been permitted to stay in the Kingdom does not have an income as required. must have funds in a local bank not less than 400,000 baht- the last 3 months statements are required

Two copies of all documents

Edited July 22, 2012 by petercallen

[Felt 35]

As a relatively young man more than 30 years ago after a sports tournament in Korea on the way to Europe I had an 5hour layover at that time Don Muang, Immigration wanted to confiscate my Passport if I not bought them Whisky and cigarettes. I did not buy but it was a scary experience at that age and it sure built some prejudice against Thai Immigration.

When I should buy my first motorbike in Phuket(about 14-15 years ago) I visited Phuket Immigration to get info about what documents was needed. I had already non immigrant visa (which was needed that time to buy a vehicle) and I was told by immigration that I needed the “Notification of address”, Okay I had already heard some about that and my landlord had said he could give me a copy of Tabian Ban. Then one Immigration officer suggested he could arrange this for me against a fee. I said no thanks and the reply was be careful or I could come to shot you.

11 years ago when I with wife should apply for an extension based on marriage they did not believe my Embassy statement (which is impossible to fake because unless the Embassy are provided with last months income slip they don’t write any statement), they demanded then that I needed a Thai person as guarantee, asked for whisky and even told my wife that they was interested to met her without me present.

If I’m impolite, no, If I dress badly, no, If I’m fat or ugly, no, If I look at corrupt people like they was a rat , yes.

[LivinginKata]

Racist post removed.