90-day irritation

[TaoNow]

So, yesterday, Monday September 2, I left my home in Taling Chan, Bangkok at 6:15 a.m. expecting to get to Immo/CW at 7:30 and have a leisurely coffee before getting in line to submit my 90-day crime-free report.

However, being the first Monday of the month, there was monster traffic on my route and I arrived after a 2-hour commute.

I passed through the bag check to make sure there were no bombs in my backpack and made my way to the queue counters. Typically, I selected the wrong line and was behind five people and a guy who needed to have a five-minute discussion with the officer to determine which queue ticket he needed. So I switched lines after assessing that this discussion would not end soon. Then the other line sped up and my line slowed down.

Anyway, I got, my queue number (#30 at 8:45 a.m.) and sat patiently to be called. They were efficient and I was outtathere by 9:00 a.m. But to what end?

Us ex-pats on one-year extensions have to report our residence to Immo once a year and are not likely to move around much, being established residents already. So why make us report every three months like ex-cons who are shifty and need criminal monitoring?

Accordingly, I took advantage of the courteous Immo/CW option of filling out a customer satisfaction form. I then wrote my suggestions that ex-pats on one-year extensions be exempt from 90-day reports of residence. I encourage all of you in the same category to please submit the same recommendation, unless you enjoy your 90-day encounter at Immo to exonerate you from any wrong-doing.

'nuff said

[Mario2008]

You could report by mail.

[ubonjoe]

Or have somebody do for you.

There is a ongoing topic about 90 day reports you could of posted on.

Edited September 3, 2013 by ubonjoe

[rishi]

Personally, I don't mind the 50 km return ride to CW 4 times a year - 3 times just for the address report and one for a combined report and extension session. I get to a part of the city, I don't to go in between because I know I get the chance those days. I have no intention or reasons to get there as to get it dealt with as early in the morning as possible. My daily routines fits well with me ready to go anywhere when the morning rushours are over and my route goes solely along main highways so - eexcept for one light near my home - I can have a smooth ride without hardly using the brake until I get to the CW-soi. It's seems that motorcycles are now allowed to use all overpasses on that route, at least that's what they all do and I've never seen any checkpoints.

I used to time it well so I could get my ticket, check out the speed long enough to ascertain they wouldn't get to my number before noon whereafter I was free to go and check out IT-Square where they have an excellent Kao Soi. Unfortunately, the last couple of times the lines have been so short, that I couldn't be sure I was free to go for lunch as usual, but that was counter-weighted with me actually getting my stamp well before noon. I live in a non-touristy area and haven't been to any border or airport for eight years so fine with me to spend some time at the place. At CW comes people of all breeds, races, nationalities and dresscodes so I just lean back and enjoy the folklore.

Irritating? For me - no! For people who are easily irritated if not every detail concords with their version of perfectionism - apparently. But what sense is there in spending a sunny day in the miserable state of mind, irritation is? - Or perhaps several days for such an inferiour thing that happens 4 times a year?

Burocratic nonsense? Perhaps - maybe not completelye. In this way they get to know your wayabouts four times a year. Lots of things can happen in one year. Most people may stay the same place year after year, but - belive it or not - there are expats that move once in a while. On my part, I have lived the same place 3 years, but am actually planning to move to Kanchanabury shortly after my net extension next week. Or you may get murdered, burried in the forrest or dumped on a construction site with a load of cement above you. Sometimes $hit does happen to foreigners without being discovered by Coconut or Pataya One, in this country, you know. In this way they get to ascertain your where abouts (wherever that may be) 4 times a year and as a side-efffect, they provide the extra service - free of any charge - it is to get your whereabouts publicitly registered so that e.g. some forgotton family back home via the embassy can learn your last known address as of this year and not as of seven years ago if you should get killed and hidden next month and the said family wish to contact you for some good reason next year.

[MeowBundit]

Your question in the row of other "why's". Do copies of documents and walk to nearest post office is enough to make report. Reporting by mail exist for years already. This is practically the same as extempt from additional visits to CW.

[wayned]

I mailed mine yesterday. Cost 47 baht for the postage and EMS and took 5 minutes at the post office. Why complain about a situation that you created yourself?

[piston broke]

I mailed mine yesterday. Cost 47 baht for the postage and EMS and took 5 minutes at the post office. Why complain about a situation that you created yourself?

i'd never put my passport in the mail......

[lopburi3]

You don't put your passport in the mail - just copies of required pages.

That said for some it can be more of a process getting together/making copies/getting stamps for return/typing return env/placing stamps on it/getting to post office at a time they are working/getting into registry line and mailing/getting receipt/saving receipt/keeping watch for return envelope/getting receipt and staple into passport and worry for weeks that is has not been received.

[ubonjoe]

Or have to drive 30 kilometers to the neatest post office.

When immigration was only 60. Decided trips to office was less trouble.

[Time Traveller]

Could be worse. It could be 30 day reports.

[wayned]

Or have to drive 30 kilometers to the neatest post office.

When immigration was only 60. Decided trips to office was less trouble.

It's 100 kilometers to the immigration office and 12 kilometers to the post office. I maiied main at 1040 yesterday morning and have confirmation that it was received at 0859 this morning. Better than a 200 + kilometer round trip and my wife's shopping spree at the mall and Big C.

[toooa]

"it is to get your whereabouts publicitly registered so that e.g. some forgotton family back home via the embassy can learn your last known address"

Sorry Rishi, it has nothing to do with any kind of benevolence on the government's part. They don't give a toss about you or your family. The fact is, ppl running the show are control freaks with a mind set edging towards fascism. You as a foreigner are guilty until proven innocent.

What other countries require ppl to report every 90 days? Remember, this rule came in under Thaksin. He spells "Authoritarian" with a capital "A". Anyway, this sad small man mentality is endemic to almost anyone in a position of any power in Asia. Just give a man a uniform and a whistle and he goes nuts.

There's no point in defending the government and their policies, you're not going to be their friend. If they had it their way they wouldn't let anyone in.

To recap, it's all about control, any benefit to your or your family is just a coincidence, not part of the plan. Government is a self fulfilling prophecy that just feeds like a leech.

[Mario2008]

90 day reporting has been part of the immirgaiton act for decades, it was not introduced by Thaksin.

[samran]

"it is to get your whereabouts publicitly registered so that e.g. some forgotton family back home via the embassy can learn your last known address"

Sorry Rishi, it has nothing to do with any kind of benevolence on the government's part. They don't give a toss about you or your family. The fact is, ppl running the show are control freaks with a mind set edging towards fascism. You as a foreigner are guilty until proven innocent.

What other countries require ppl to report every 90 days? Remember, this rule came in under Thaksin. He spells "Authoritarian" with a capital "A". Anyway, this sad small man mentality is endemic to almost anyone in a position of any power in Asia. Just give a man a uniform and a whistle and he goes nuts.

There's no point in defending the government and their policies, you're not going to be their friend. If they had it their way they wouldn't let anyone in.

To recap, it's all about control, any benefit to your or your family is just a coincidence, not part of the plan. Government is a self fulfilling prophecy that just feeds like a leech.

You forgot to mention that they think we all bite the heads off little kittens.

[ubonjoe]

Or have to drive 30 kilometers to the neatest post office.

When immigration was only 60. Decided trips to office was less trouble.

 

It's 100 kilometers to the immigration office and 12 kilometers to the post office.  I maiied main at 1040 yesterday morning and have confirmation that it was received at 0859 this morning. Better than a 200 + kilometer round trip and my wife's shopping spree at the mall and Big C.

The best thing is my wife has made most of my reports for the past five years.

Sent from my AirPad 8" TA803D using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Sceptict11]

Some things are much more irritating than 90 reports.

Whining "Farangs" being top of the list

[jpeg]

90 day reporting has been part of the immirgaiton act for decades, it was not introduced by Thaksin.

Correct. But was not enforced up until Taksin got in. Here on Phuket anyway.This might help/confuse: http://www.stickmanweekly.com/ThailandVisa/90DayReporting.htm

I did once meet a man who lived in Bangkok who told me he'd never reported. However, the veracity of his claim was taken, by me, to be in doubt as he was/is a notorious liar.

Edited September 4, 2013 by jpeg

[ubonjoe]

90 day reporting has been part of the immirgaiton act for decades, it was not introduced by Thaksin.

 

Correct. But was not enforced up until Taksin got in. Here on Phuket anyway.This might help/confuse: http://www.stickmanweekly.com/ThailandVisa/90DayReporting.htm

 

I did once meet a man who lived in Bangkok who told me he'd never reported. However, the veracity of his claim was taken, by me, to be in doubt as he was/is a notorious liar.

They started enforcing it in 1996. Long before Taksin became PM.

Sent from my AirPad 8" TA803D using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[sustento]

Is the OP's post going to be as regular as the need for him to visit Immigration to make his 90 day report?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/638571-suggestions-box/#entry6388697

[Soutpeel]

"it is to get your whereabouts publicitly registered so that e.g. some forgotton family back home via the embassy can learn your last known address"

Sorry Rishi, it has nothing to do with any kind of benevolence on the government's part. They don't give a toss about you or your family. The fact is, ppl running the show are control freaks with a mind set edging towards fascism. You as a foreigner are guilty until proven innocent.

What other countries require ppl to report every 90 days? Remember, this rule came in under Thaksin. He spells "Authoritarian" with a capital "A". Anyway, this sad small man mentality is endemic to almost anyone in a position of any power in Asia. Just give a man a uniform and a whistle and he goes nuts.

There's no point in defending the government and their policies, you're not going to be their friend. If they had it their way they wouldn't let anyone in.

To recap, it's all about control, any benefit to your or your family is just a coincidence, not part of the plan. Government is a self fulfilling prophecy that just feeds like a leech.

You forgot to mention that they think we all bite the heads off little kittens.

I get the distinct impression when I read the howls about the 90 day report, this has nothing to do with the actual process it'self but more to do with how dare the natives impose this on us we are westerners, they cant do this to us...

[Soutpeel]

"it is to get your whereabouts publicitly registered so that e.g. some forgotton family back home via the embassy can learn your last known address"

Sorry Rishi, it has nothing to do with any kind of benevolence on the government's part. They don't give a toss about you or your family. The fact is, ppl running the show are control freaks with a mind set edging towards fascism. You as a foreigner are guilty until proven innocent.

What other countries require ppl to report every 90 days? Remember, this rule came in under Thaksin. He spells "Authoritarian" with a capital "A". Anyway, this sad small man mentality is endemic to almost anyone in a position of any power in Asia. Just give a man a uniform and a whistle and he goes nuts.

There's no point in defending the government and their policies, you're not going to be their friend. If they had it their way they wouldn't let anyone in.

To recap, it's all about control, any benefit to your or your family is just a coincidence, not part of the plan. Government is a self fulfilling prophecy that just feeds like a leech.

must be really sad for you living in Thailand, maybe what they should do then..is do away with the 90 day report completely but change the long term visa qualification criteria ? and large numbers of those who believe the 90 day report is so hard may not qualify then....

[lopburi3]

Actually to me it is an outdated rule that should not be on books, much less actively enforced, and suspect most Thai agree but likely is enforced due to our foreign government concerns about knowing who is where/when and this being an easy answer. If we qualify for one year extensions in country we should not have to be needlessly reporting negatives (no change) every 90 days - and yes it does make people feel like convicts out on a supervised release program. If we were actually convicts maybe we would not be concerned - but believe it is reasonable for those who are not to be so.

[rishi]

"it is to get your whereabouts publicitly registered so that e.g. some forgotton family back home via the embassy can learn your last known address"

Sorry Rishi, it has nothing to do with any kind of benevolence on the government's part. They don't give a toss about you or your family. The fact is, ppl running the show are control freaks with a mind set edging towards fascism. You as a foreigner are guilty until proven innocent.

What other countries require ppl to report every 90 days? Remember, this rule came in under Thaksin. He spells "Authoritarian" with a capital "A". Anyway, this sad small man mentality is endemic to almost anyone in a position of any power in Asia. Just give a man a uniform and a whistle and he goes nuts.

There's no point in defending the government and their policies, you're not going to be their friend. If they had it their way they wouldn't let anyone in.

To recap, it's all about control, any benefit to your or your family is just a coincidence, not part of the plan. Government is a self fulfilling prophecy that just feeds like a leech.

Must be wonderful to be that insightsful with respect to heathern-gone lawmakers' socio-psychological motivation factors. I have no intention or reasons to defend anyone or anything on that side of the desks and am not much concerned about what they may think of me or what other expats may think of them. My interaction with immigration is strictly business - nothing personal from either side. But businesses tend to run more smoothly if conducted with a positive attitude and making it run smoothly, rather than letting it ruin my day, I see as the more intelligent way of dealing with game-rules on a field where the other party has the absolute power and defacto right to set the rules as they please. If one is into actively working for a better world there are lots of more deserving caues out there than expatriotic Don Quichote crusades against Thailands burocracy and political system.

[TaoNow]

Thanks, Lopburi3, for explaining why this regulation is irritating.

I once asked a senior Immo officer what the purpose was of the 90-day report. She said it was to help the authorities find you quickly if you "had a problem," clearly meaning that if you were wanted by Interpol or the Thai police.

Since you are required to give your cell phone number at your annual extension report (and not at the 90-day report) wouldn't it be more efficient for Immo to use the phone number to track you down if need be?

That is the point: Not the inconvenience of the travel or postage every 90 days.

Is this 'nuff said for you doubters to comprehend?

[OJAS]

One thing I find particularly irritating about the 90-day reporting requirement is that you receive no credit for reporting early by the number of days you do this, unlike in the case of non-imm extensions of stay for instance. What is the justification for this apparently absurd inconsistency?

[ubonjoe]

Now I think the problem arises because they are entering the info in a computer and it does the calculation.