I've just renewed my retirement extension at Pathum Thani. My impressions were of a friendly but overworked staff in cramped conditions doing the best they could.

I was astounded by the number of people who turned up without proper documentation. This just adds to the workload for the staff as they have to check their paperwork, send them away, and then re-check it when they return.

Examples were a student wanting to extend his education visa who had only his passport; a foreigner and his wife renewing stay by marriage who had no photocopies, etc. Perhaps its me, but I always go prepared with forms ready completed, lots of copies of everything, and supporting paperwork of various kinds just in case its asked for.

One surprise for me was a Thai language form I've never seen before - questions which included parents nationality and names, past employments, and questions such as "Can You Read & Write Thai?" and various other questions. I was in and out in 1.5 hours which I considered pretty good under the circumstances.

Paul

You should have been to Sam Khok Immigration before they got organized!! Now with the queue system, and the gal out front at the table helping to sort people and paperwork into the proper queue, it really helps out.

But, do agree, LOTS of people coming for business and only 2-3 gals inside doing the checking and stamping. Good folks, pleasant.

I was there this morning for my 90-day report, got lucky, in between a couple batches of Burmese, in and out in five minutes.

Mac