That was easy...CM Immigration

[DowntownAl]

I had my ED visa extension (Thai language school) appointment this morning at CM Immigration. I arrived by tuk-tuk (no parking issues) at about 9:05 for my 9:30 appointment. I noticed immediately that there were empty seats outside by the coffee shop meaning, a slow day at immigration. Inside, same story, several empty seats and no line up at the centre counter or the TM-47 counter. I checked in, just to be sure everything was copacetic, it was. I always check-in, common sense, if there's a problem, it gets fixed.

I took a seat in the front row and started reading stuff on my phone. At 9:15(ish) my name was called. I was a little surprised and a touch dismayed by the early call since I was to meet one of the office staff from my school (Pro Language) in case there were any extension problems. You see, when I was paying for my second year at PL in early June, I was told by one of the staff members there that I might not get the “usual” one year extension (which is common when beginning your second year of study) because I am really, really old...sigh...and that I might only get a 90 extension which would be followed by a 9 month extension. I whined and groused about that and one of the staff, Non, volunteered to meet me at immigration and help deal with any issues. Anyway, as I went behind the counter Non appeared right behind me. We sat down at the rear desk with a male officer, exchanged minor pleasantries in Thai, and he began perusing the paperwork PL had supplied. At one point Non held up one finger and said “nèung bpee” - one year. The office mumbled something that started with “mâi” but I didn't understand the rest so I just sat quietly and watched him go through everything. I signed a couple of addtional pages, put my phone number on another one and smiled nicely. Finally, the stamps came out. Everything in sight got two or more stamps, Thais really like stamps. Then finally, the big half page stamp for my passport appeared. Then, the even more important little red one that read “July 12 2014” my brain said “cool.”

The officer made certain I saw the permission to stay date, verified I was aware of my next 90 report, I thanked him, we exchanged weis(sp) and off I went to sit and wait for my passport. Less than ten minutes passed when my name was called, I picked up my passport, smiled at the extension date once again and left the building. I crossed the road in front of Immigration flagged down a songthaew which took me to Kad Suan Kaew. I walked the 150 metres to my building just inside Chang Phuak.

The bottom line: I left here at 8:55 and arrived back in front of my building at 9:45(ish) after a 9:30 appointment with a brand new 1 year ED visa extension. For those of you who don't know me, really, really old is 64. The moral of the story, don't believe any of that crap about not getting extensions if you're in your fifties or sixties at CM Immigration and going to a Thai language school. If you show the folks at immigration some respect, dress properly, arrive with professionally prepared paperwork, ditch the attitude at the front door and, in my case, and just in case, arrive with a staff member, things go smooth as glass.

[uptheos]

Well done.

A friend around your age inquired at Walen some months back. He was told it was not possible to do it in Chiang Mai. but it could be done if he registered in Pattaya ( he could study in Chiang Mai). Don't know if that means he needed an address in Pattaya or had to do the 90 days there or what? Sounded quite complicated so he didn't go through with it.

Maybe Mr. MacWalen might come on here and give us more insight?

[DowntownAl]

Well done.

A friend around your age inquired at Walen some months back. He was told it was not possible to do it in Chiang Mai. but it could be done if he registered in Pattaya ( he could study in Chiang Mai). Don't know if that means he needed an address in Pattaya or had to do the 90 days there or what? Sounded quite complicated so he didn't go through with it.

Maybe Mr. MacWalen might come on here and give us more insight?

I know what you mean, I've been hearing those stories for well over a year now. Last year there was a guy in my class who was 65 - zero extension or visa problems. I've had, in total, at CM immigration, 3 extensions (plus the original ED Visa from Vientiane) - zero problems.

[NancyL]

Al, you forgot to get a re-entry permit while you were there and had time!