A Giggle At Immigration!

[dogpoo]

Went to immigration this morning, had all the correct paperwork or so I thought! Handed the paperwork over to the guy on the front far right, front desk, all great until he thrust the 300 bht back into my hand, what's going on I thought! I had 2 100 bht notes, 1 50 bht note, 2 20 bht notes and 1 ten bht coin, he says go and change into 3 100 bht notes, kind of obvious why, difficult to share the 1 ten bht coin, myself and a couple of guys there had a little chuckle!!

[KarenBravo]

"kind of obvious why, difficult to share the 1 ten bht coin, myself and a couple of guys there had a little chuckle!!"

Doesn't that rather depend on how may people he will share with? If it was two others, where's the difficulty with the ten baht coin? Even five others poses no problem.

Edited February 6, 2013 by KarenBravo

[Jimi007]

Three hundred Baht. For what? What were you trying to get with your paper work? And your three hundred Baht...

[dogpoo]

Three hundred Baht. For what? What were you trying to get with your paper work? And your three hundred Baht...

Certificate of residence to buy a vehicle, should be free, I have no problem giving them what they want, yes it was amusing.

[meatboy]

Three hundred Baht. For what? What were you trying to get with your paper work? And your three hundred Baht...

Certificate of residence to buy a vehicle, should be free, I have no problem giving them what they want, yes it was amusing.

korat imm.certificate of res.500 bht.

[hkt83100]

Certificate of residence to buy a vehicle, should be free, I have no problem giving them what they want, yes it was amusing.

For buying a vehicle it has been 300 Baht for a long time already. For the driving license it's free.

[Hedghog]

Seems they were,just taking the Piss.

[LivinginKata]

Certificate of residence to buy a vehicle, should be free, I have no problem giving them what they want, yes it was amusing.

For buying a vehicle it has been 300 Baht for a long time already. For the driving license it's free.

It's exactly the same certificate required for buy vehicle or get DL. In the past I have been asked as much as 500 baht. I just tell them there is no charge.

[Paangjang]

Three hundred Baht. For what? What were you trying to get with your paper work? And your three hundred Baht...

Certificate of residence to buy a vehicle, should be free, I have no problem giving them what they want, yes it was amusing.

korat imm.certificate of res.500 bht.

My friend just paid 800 in Samui

[LivinginKata]

My friend just paid 800 in Samui

From what I hear on the Samui forum, the Immigration office there demand 'extra' payment for every service.

[NamKangMan]

I pay 300 baht. Yes, I know they should be free, but I pay.

I laugh when people say they have never been scammed here. This is usually the first one I bring up.

Scamming/overcharging/ripping off, corruption etc are all systematic on Phuket, and before anyone starts, I'm not going to leave Phuket because of it, I'm not moaning or whinging about it, and I can afford the 300 baht.

I'm simply stating, in general, corruption is a part of daily living on Phuket and Thailand.

Edited February 7, 2013 by NamKangMan

[NamKangMan]

Certificate of residence to buy a vehicle, should be free, I have no problem giving them what they want, yes it was amusing.

For buying a vehicle it has been 300 Baht for a long time already. For the driving license it's free.

It's exactly the same certificate required for buy vehicle or get DL. In the past I have been asked as much as 500 baht. I just tell them there is no charge.

So, what is the immigration officer's reply, "Is free, but you pay 300 baht or no hab."

Seriously, what's the reaction when you tell them you know it's free?

[LivinginKata]

Certificate of residence to buy a vehicle, should be free, I have no problem giving them what they want, yes it was amusing.

For buying a vehicle it has been 300 Baht for a long time already. For the driving license it's free.

It's exactly the same certificate required for buy vehicle or get DL. In the past I have been asked as much as 500 baht. I just tell them there is no charge.

So, what is the immigration officer's reply, "Is free, but you pay 300 baht or no hab."

Seriously, what's the reaction when you tell them you know it's free?

They hand over the certificate and glower at me. Not the best idea for making friends at Immigration.

[NomadJoe]

]For buying a vehicle it has been 300 Baht for a long time already. For the driving license it's free.

It's exactly the same certificate required for buy vehicle or get DL. In the past I have been asked as much as 500 baht. I just tell them there is no charge.

So, what is the immigration officer's reply, "Is free, but you pay 300 baht or no hab."

Seriously, what's the reaction when you tell them you know it's free?

They hand over the certificate and glower at me. Not the best idea for making friends at Immigration.

Yes, I do this to. Once I asked how much and he said "Up to you." I walked out with my cert in hand. Luckily I don't have to use these guys very often. If I did I would assume my visits would become much more difficult since I really, really hate having to pay bribes for stuff. I consider it theft and don't take kindly to being victimized. So far 12 years in Thailand I have never paid one to anybody, ever.

[dogpoo]

I don't see this payment as a bribe, tea money or anything else, to me it is simply a payment for the necessary paperwork to buy a vehicle, if you were in there shoes I am sure you would be doing something similar, you don't have to pay this fee, you can refuse and still walk out with the certificate so it is not a bribe etc, the saying is, if you don't ask you don't get!! It's a small amount of money to us, it's a lot to them! V

[KarenBravo]

It's officially free. If they try to charge you for it, it's a bribe and dishonest.

These officers get a salary for the work they do.

Would you pay the postman for each letter delivered when you know he gets paid by the Post Office?

Just because you would do the same, don't think that everyone else has the same morals as you .

Edited February 9, 2013 by LivinginKata
name removed

[LivinginKata]

Immigration officers receive a salary and much more (as in many times more) for these 'extra' services.

[dogpoo]

It's officially free. If they try to charge you for it, it's a bribe and dishonest.

These officers get a salary for the work they do.

Would you pay the postman for each letter delivered when you know he gets paid by the Post Office?

Just because you would do the same, don't think that everyone else has the same morals as you .

No I would not do the same as them, many people would and obviously do!! as far as I am concerned it is a tip for a service exactly the same as if you were in a restaurant and were given good service, is this a bribe, the waiter or waitress also receives a salary!! It's a tip which you do not have to pay!!

[Jimi007]

It's officially free. If they try to charge you for it, it's a bribe and dishonest.

These officers get a salary for the work they do.

Would you pay the postman for each letter delivered when you know he gets paid by the Post Office?

Just because you would do the same, don't think that everyone else has the same morals as you .

No I would not do the same as them, many people would and obviously do!! as far as I am concerned it is a tip for a service exactly the same as if you were in a restaurant and were given good service, is this a bribe, the waiter or waitress also receives a salary!! It's a tip which you do not have to pay!!

You pay a 300 Baht tip at a restaurant? That's more than our bill is usually! I also have never paid immigration anything for their services, other the the amount stated on the form.

Edited February 9, 2013 by Jimi007

[dogpoo]

I have no problem giving them 300 bht for something I need! Others choose not to give them this fee, it's up to the individual!

[transam]

My friend just paid 800 in Samui

From what I hear on the Samui forum, the Immigration office there demand 'extra' payment for every service.

Hmmm, beer more expensive down in your neck of the woods.

[NamKangMan]

It's officially free. If they try to charge you for it, it's a bribe and dishonest.

These officers get a salary for the work they do.

Would you pay the postman for each letter delivered when you know he gets paid by the Post Office?

Just because you would do the same, don't think that everyone else has the same morals as you .

No I would not do the same as them, many people would and obviously do!! as far as I am concerned it is a tip for a service exactly the same as if you were in a restaurant and were given good service, is this a bribe, the waiter or waitress also receives a salary!! It's a tip which you do not have to pay!!

You pay a 300 Baht tip at a restaurant? That's more than our bill is usually! I also have never paid immigration anything for their services, other the the amount stated on the form.

The problem is, they know you MUST have the certificate for many things. Eg. drivers/riders licence, buying a car/bike etc.

Maybe you have been lucky. You tell the immigration guy you know it's free, and not 300 baht, but, one day, you might get a guy challenge you and say, "It's 300 baht. You not pay - I not give."

What are you going to do? He knows you need it and he knows you will unhappily pay the 300 baht.

A small thing like this could esculate to some other issues for you. The Thai's have designed the laws for Aliens in such a way that they always hold all the aces, and I do not trust their judical system here anyway.

Like I said in a previous post, I know they are free, I know I am indirectly being scammed and made to pay 300 baht for the certificate, but I just pay without any other issues arising if I was to cause a loss of face to an immigration officer by involving his supervisor.

Also, let's not forget, by the very nature of The Certificate of Residence - he knows where you live.

I respect you, and other members, for mentioning to immigation officials you know it's free and the fact that you do not pay it, but it could turn into something a little nasty one day, all over 300 baht, and it goes against my personal "keep a low profile policy" whilst here in Thailand..

Edited February 9, 2013 by NamKangMan

[dogpoo]

Couldn't agree more, why cause potential problems for yourself over such a small amount!

[Jimi007]

It's officially free. If they try to charge you for it, it's a bribe and dishonest.

These officers get a salary for the work they do.

Would you pay the postman for each letter delivered when you know he gets paid by the Post Office?

Just because you would do the same, don't think that everyone else has the same morals as you .

No I would not do the same as them, many people would and obviously do!! as far as I am concerned it is a tip for a service exactly the same as if you were in a restaurant and were given good service, is this a bribe, the waiter or waitress also receives a salary!! It's a tip which you do not have to pay!!

You pay a 300 Baht tip at a restaurant? That's more than our bill is usually! I also have never paid immigration anything for their services, other the the amount stated on the form.

The problem is, they know you MUST have the certificate for many things. Eg. drivers/riders licence, buying a car/bike etc.

Maybe you have been lucky. You tell the immigration guy you know it's free, and not 300 baht, but, one day, you might get a guy challenge you and say, "It's 300 baht. You not pay - I not give."

What are you going to do? He knows you need it and he knows you will unhappily pay the 300 baht.

A small thing like this could esculate to some other issues for you. The Thai's have designed the laws for Aliens in such a way that they always hold all the aces, and I do not trust their judical system here anyway.

Like I said in a previous post, I know they are free, I know I am indirectly being scammed and made to pay 300 baht for the certificate, but I just pay without any other issues arising if I was to cause a loss of face to an immigration officer by involving his supervisor.

Also, let's not forget, by the very nature of The Certificate of Residence - he knows where you live.

I respect you, and other members, for mentioning to immigation officials you know it's free and the fact that you do not pay it, but it could turn into something a little nasty one day, all over 300 baht, and it goes against my personal "keep a low profile policy" whilst here in Thailand..

I pretty much agree, although I do stand up to them in a joking manner. I have been asked for money several times when extending my visa from one certain older officer. I just start joking with him. The younger ones never pull that. I think it sets a bad precedent to pay for something you know is a non charge item. No wonder they keep trying it. I see others "tip" for a 90 day check in too. Never been asked. I know the guy, he knows me and knows I won't give him anything, other than a hello and have have you been? Not seen you in a long time...

Edited February 9, 2013 by Jimi007

[pagallim]

I see others "tip" for a 90 day check in too. Never been asked.

Nor me, in 5 years of 90 day reports, never been asked and never offered. However, last Wednesday/6th, I discovered to my horror that the next 90 day report was supposed to have been on the 16th January, and hence I was 3 weeks late! Never happened before, and I put it down to changing my phone a couple of months ago and not updating the calendar from the old one. It actually says on the bottom of the form you can be fined up to 5000 baht for failing to report, so I went to Immigration expecting the worse. The youngish guy I dealt with was actually quite friendly, and pointed out the 5000 baht charge that he could ask for. He didn't so I thought I'd gotten away with it, until he was giving me my passport back and asked for 1000 baht. No receipt of course, and I wasn't in a position to argue. Hopefully that's the last time it will happen.

[Jimi007]

I see others "tip" for a 90 day check in too. Never been asked.

Nor me, in 5 years of 90 day reports, never been asked and never offered. However, last Wednesday/6th, I discovered to my horror that the next 90 day report was supposed to have been on the 16th January, and hence I was 3 weeks late! Never happened before, and I put it down to changing my phone a couple of months ago and not updating the calendar from the old one. It actually says on the bottom of the form you can be fined up to 5000 baht for failing to report, so I went to Immigration expecting the worse. The youngish guy I dealt with was actually quite friendly, and pointed out the 5000 baht charge that he could ask for. He didn't so I thought I'd gotten away with it, until he was giving me my passport back and asked for 1000 baht. No receipt of course, and I wasn't in a position to argue. Hopefully that's the last time it will happen.

Nice! Yes, a 1,000 Baht is way better than 5,000 Baht! Years ago I would ride up to Patong to do my 90 day checkins and they always wanted to photocopy the ID page on my passport and say up to you what to pay for the copy. I'd give them 10, sometimes 20 Baht... So much for that scam. They used to do visa extensions there as well. Now there is no real immigration station in Patong.

[NamKangMan]

@ Jimi007

Fair call and good luck to you.

My approach is to walk in like a nameless and faceless farang, pay my 300 baht and leave.

I do not want to "know" them, and I do not want them to know me.

Having said that, I might give it a go next time.

Edited February 9, 2013 by NamKangMan

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

You just need to have it altogether like this you tube

[Jimi007]

@ Jimi007

Fair call and good luck to you.

My approach is to walk in like a nameless and faceless farang, pay my 300 baht and leave.

I do not want to "know" them, and I do not want them to know me.

Having said that, I might give it a go next time.

If you go in nameless and faceless you get treated like you're nameless and faceless. My Thai has gotten a bit better over the years, and some of the guys know me. I go in dressed nicely and treat them with the respect they are due and try to make it as enjoyable as it can be for an immigration office visit. I'm usually in and and very quickly, compared to most. But then again it helps to have all your paper work in order and filled out before you get there... It can actually lead to mutual respect.

[MacChine]

Couldn't agree more, why cause potential problems for yourself over such a small amount!

Because when small laws can't be adhered to, neither can the bigger ones.

Where does the shakedown stop?

I understood it now costs 300 for one and 500 for the second. That's what I last paid in December and I was told this by Phuket immigration officials.