The certificate is free. You don't believe me? OK, ask them for a receipt. You wont get one. Or look for the cost of the certificate on the official list of fees. You wont find it.

The sum you pay is tea money. I pay 200B and get it the next day or within a few minutes if they aren't busy.

Either way, any amount you pay is 100% unofficial and as such is both negotiable and a rip-off. It should be 0B.

Welcome to Thailand.

Here was my experience. I was dropped off at the Chaeng Wattana Immigration in Bangkok. Went to the Information desk.

Me: "I need a residence certificate for a driver's license"

Officer: "go to window J2"

(First I went to the ticket line to get my que number)

Waiting at J2, my number is called.

Me: "I need a residence certificate for a driver's license"

Officer: "Passport please" Looks at passport. "Oh sorry sir, your VISA extension is from Chamchuri Square office. You must go there. Very sorry sir."

Off I go to the Chamchuri Square "one stop" office. Went directly to the Information desk. She gave me the forms to fill out. I filled them out, made copies of my passort, VISA extension page, and Departure Card. I returned the form and copies to her. She then walked me over to another staff lady and was asked to wait in the lobby. 15 minutes later I had my Residence Certificate.

Taxi -Chaeng Wattana to Morchit MRT: 135 baht

MRT to Sam Yan (Chamchuri Square): 40 baht

MRT to home: 25 baht

Residence Certificate: FREE!!

Total Cost: 200 baht

Smiles all around. Everyone spoke basic Engish. You read that correctly. The Residence Certificate was FREE.

The Residence Certificate was FREE.

Well done. Hopefully they will start doing the same in other offices. (Not holding my breath.)