Thailand grants citizenship to half a million people – but not farangs

[MacWalen]

A word of warning to those with an attitude.

We had a call from the immigration today about one of our students who presented extension papers in a very bad condition. The papers got wet the day before or something like that and then he handled them carelessly so their condition was not the officer's satisfaction. When told to request a new set of the documents from the school he refused, made a funny face and just threw the shabby documents on the officer's desk demanding extension! (relating the info given us)

Needles to say a lady officer was not impressed and refused the extension of his ED visa. More than that. She called the school to inform that there is no need to issue the student a new set of the documents as his ED visa will not be extended anymore. He got kind of blacklisted as I understand it.

Please remember, we are guests in this lovely country so not need to complicate your life by being disrespectful to immigration officers. They really have the power to refuse extending your visa as the extension of stay is subject to the discretion of an immigration officer.

Walen School - being polite goes a long way.

Edit: post relates to a situation that took place at the immigration office in Bangkok.

Edited June 4, 2013 by MacWalen

[Satcommlee]

Some people just don't get it do they?

I'm not surprised at the outcome!

[Jingthing]

I don't really get why you would conclude we are "guests" in this country because of that immigration incident. It's pretty obvious the immigration police have great power over us foreigners, and it is foolish not to adopt a kowtow like attitude towards them in this culture, but I don't see the connection to the guests rhetoric.

[jrtmedic]

I hope the Immigration Officer spoke to the applicant in Thai.

Walen guarantees rapid results !

[SPG]

Walen School - Be polite or your be on the next flight.

[manarak]

If only the officers in Europe could do the same!

Edited June 4, 2013 by manarak

[Phronesis]

This has nothing to do with manners.

There is a whole new level of corruption now at Phuket immigration and the ED visa is targeted as a high passive income stream.

Why don't you start a thread about the recent meeting where all of the Phuket schools were invited in to immigration to identify who was going to pay tea money and who was not.

The students of those schools that are not paying are now being targeted with special treatment.

Tell it like it is or don't bother posting.

[jrtmedic]

What a disgraceful comment to make. I hope you have evidence to support your allegation.

I have used Phuket Immigration for years and have never experienced anything other than a professional and polite service.

Edited June 4, 2013 by jrtmedic

[ClareQuilty]

The crab pinches hard, but then lets go - the most important thing to remember about Thai society. I doubt he's really 'blacklisted' in any kind of permanent or country-wide way. More likely they just don't want him to show his face in that office again.

[sustento]

This has nothing to do with manners.

There is a whole new level of corruption now at Phuket immigration and the ED visa is targeted as a high passive income stream.

Why don't you start a thread about the recent meeting where all of the Phuket schools were invited in to immigration to identify who was going to pay tea money and who was not.

Because the incident that Macwalen is reporting took place in Bangkok?

[Mario2008]

The student will not be blacklisted, that is a whole process that includes very senior officials and carries an appeal.

Which is not to say the student can try to extend.

[Mario2008]

1 off topic comment deleted.

[Payboy]

We need to hear the students version of those events as well.

[Jingthing]

I think it is worthwhile for everyone whose stay here is at the mercy of the immigration police to read the OP.

While taking the story at face value, the officer had very good reasons to reject the documents, and the applicant was irrational to be disrespectful, there is a BIGGER lesson to be considered.

There are certainly times where immigration police will give applicants a hard time with no apparent logical reason.

During a weak moment and in the spell of intense frustration, I think many of us are capable of potentially "losing it" a little bit in the face of such scenarios.

The OP is a reminder to try really, really hard to NEVER lose it that way towards an immigration officer, even if totally justified.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Jingthing

[NancyL]

Yes, I also doubt he was blacklisted from the entire country. I know someone in Chiang Mai who threw a fit, refused to leave until she got her extension (even though she didn't bring all the required paperwork) and was escorted from the office and put into a tuk-tuk. She was able to eventually get the desired extension, but only after hiring a visa agent who held her hand in getting her documents together and represented her at the same office, again.

Edited June 5, 2013 by NancyL

[roiethome]

With that kind of attitude, we don't want that kind of student in Thailand. He deserves to be kicked out pronto.

[richard10365]

Last semester a visa officer called the dean's office for one of our misguided students. The officer told the assistant dean he was going to arrest the unruly student if we didn't send someone down to put this student in their place. Fortunately for the student, the assistant dean kept the student out of jail. The student ended up apologizing to immigration and thanking the assistant dean for helping. This probably happens to many universities across Thailand every year.

Edited June 5, 2013 by richard10365

[lopburi3]

Troll and reply removed.

[GrantSmith]

I hope the Immigration Officer spoke to the applicant in Thai.

Walen guarantees rapid results !

And one would hope that said student responded in Thai...

[mickjn]

Chiyo Chiyo Chiyo for the lady she is great.The guy is an idiot,pack your bag and go

[MacWalen]

The student will not be blacklisted, that is a whole process that includes very senior officials and carries an appeal.

Which is not to say the student can try to extend.

That is why Mario I said kind of blacklisted, lets call it unofficial blacklisting by the officer, he is not going to get an extension in Bangkok anymore. I really don't think he will. Perhaps in another immigration office.

[MacWalen]

Chiyo Chiyo Chiyo for the lady she is great.The guy is an idiot,pack your bag and go

That was rather unfortunate. Maybe he just had a bad day, I don't know, but it did not work out in his favour.

[MacWalen]

Yes, I also doubt he was blacklisted from the entire country. I know someone in Chiang Mai who threw a fit, refused to leave until she got her extension (even though she didn't bring all the required paperwork) and was escorted from the office and put into a tuk-tuk. She was able to eventually get the desired extension, but only after hiring a visa agent who held her hand in getting her documents together and represented her at the same office, again.

I believe he might get an extension in another office Nancy, but things are more complicated now.

[TerryLH]

OP, thanks for posting this. It should be a reminder to all of us.

I think that most here really do know the proper way to act - anywhere. Unfortunately, some don't.

Terry

[Alwyn]

I don't really get why you would conclude we are "guests" in this country because of that immigration incident. It's pretty obvious the immigration police have great power over us foreigners, and it is foolish not to adopt a kowtow like attitude towards them in this culture, but I don't see the connection to the guests rhetoric.

Unless you have a residency then I'd agree and say we are guests in the country. We're 'Johhny Foreigner' here in Thailand with or without the incident relating to this post. I don't agree with kowtowing but politeness goes a long way anywhere. The fact is the chaps papers weren't in good order so he was requested to renew them. He had a little temper-tantrum and got what was coming to him I guess. It's a shame the immigration don't adopt the same attitude in the UK with all the <deleted> pitching up illegally and claiming benefits etc..

Edited June 5, 2013 by Alwyn

[KhunHehe]

I hope he never has to apply for a Chinese visa in Bangkok. That's the toughest I've ever experienced.

[lubbkis]

What is it that can only be studied in Thailand except for a language not used anywhere else? Blacklisted, scmacklisted.

[mca]

OP, thanks for posting this. It should be a reminder to all of us.

I think that most here really do know the proper way to act - anywhere. Unfortunately, some don't.

Terry

Yeah. In my years here I've had a couple of immi officers who went beyond the mere "brusque" and strayed into the downright rude. Whatever. Keep smiling. Keep polite. I only have to see them once a year and if some officers get their kicks out of lording it over a foreigner then so what. Let them have their fun. I don't know them. They ain't my friends.

[pete66]

I don't really get why you would conclude we are "guests" in this country because of that immigration incident. It's pretty obvious the immigration police have great power over us foreigners, and it is foolish not to adopt a kowtow like attitude towards them in this culture, but I don't see the connection to the guests rhetoric.

Unless you have a residency then I'd agree and say we are guests in the country. We're 'Johhny Foreigner' here in Thailand with or without the incident relating to this post. I don't agree with kowtowing but politeness goes a long way anywhere. The fact is the chaps papers weren't in good order so he was requested to renew them. He had a little temper-tantrum and got what was coming to him I guess. It's a shame the immigration don't adopt the same attitude in the UK with all the <deleted> pitching up illegally and claiming benefits etc..

My son is called "Johnny" but is in fact Thai. Its a good job our surname isn't "Foreigner" or that would confuse the heck out of everyone!

As for public displays of anger and contempt to any Thai officials, and immigration officials at that, what does the guy expect to happen? Unless he had a frontal lobotomy the week before he has no excuses.

Just hope he doesn't show up in Chiang Mai. The immigration office simply can't take any more people, let alone though with dodgy attitudes.

[Gerald14]

There is no reason to be rude to the immigration people. I never have a problem with them and found them helpful rather than otherwise, but you need to be polite (It is free)