Thai bureaucracy and the 'mai dai' mantra

[boomerangutang]

I reside in Chiang Rai. It's probably typical of many Thai provincial capitals, in that it is packed with government buildings. Hundreds. Many of the buildings have no more than 2 cars parked outside and rarely any visitors. Some of those buildings have have rooms, often windowless, packed with accountants. It's sadly ironic that a government of a small country, with tens of thousands of accountants, can't even give any reliable numbers on its rice pledging scheme.

Here's part of the problem: the more accounting that goes on, the less efficient the results. Many of those accountants probably do absolutely nothing (certainly nothing worthwhile) all day. They're prime concern is pretending they're busy, getting their paycheck, and then retiring with benefits. Paper pushers. It appears no one is ever fired or laid-off in Thai bureaucracies.

It relates also to private or semi-private enterprises. Yesterday, after having 40 minutes of discussions with Nok Air employees (I was trying to get a refund for a plane ticket I had paid for, but couldn't use - no dice). I went to my bank to get a new account booklet. I had already gone to the police to file a report of a stolen booklet - (that's a prerequisite, though silly, if you ask me). The first employee I spoke said 'mai dai' because the police report was dated the day before. I went to talk to a bank officer. Both offices were closed. I went back to talk to another desk person. She started processing my request, but (in typical Thai style) had to confer with each of the other 5 desk people nearby. Then a guy showed up and said, "mai dai, it's a photocopy. We need original." (MAI DAI is one of the most common things you'll ever hear in Thailand). I went back to the officers' offices and found someone. I started telling my story of wanting a bank book, ....then the desk guy shows up, interrupts me, and tells his story. The bank officer sides with me. 20 minutes, and 6 signatures later, I get the little booklet.

Sorry for the long diatribe, but I wanted to say: Just because a Thai person of authority says "Mai Dai" - that doesn't mean you should give up on whatever you're pursuing. Thais say 'mai dai' because either (pick one or more):

>>>> they don't understand what you're saying, and want you to go away

>>>> it's outside the box, and they want you to go away

>>>> they think you can't do it, but are unwilling to use their brain to think of a way it can be done.

Don't give up easily. More often than not, when a Thai says 'mai dai' - there is actually a way to get what you want.

[bkkgriz]

Haha, Mai Dai. Reminds me of the time I was trying to get my first non-B visa. My school kept sending me on border runs to Cambodia to get the 30 day tourist visa. After four trips and four pages in my passport used up I was starting to get a bit tired of all the trips to the border. I was told it was possible to get a non-B without leaving the country. Whether or not this was true at the time I really didn't care, I just wanted the matter taken care of. I went to the old immigration office off Sathorn Rd with a representative from my school and another teacher who was in the same boat. We were escorted up to an office on the third floor with four immigration officers in the room. We explained that we had been on four visa runs and we didn't want to do any more runs. Is it possible to get the non-B here, right now? Mai Dai, ma dai, mai dai, mai dai, echoed from all four mouths at once. My friend and I stood our ground and asked again. Mai dai. Well, we just didn't move. We kept asking and a bit of pleading went on as well. After about 20 minutes they finally gave in and we got our non-B's stamped in the passport. It was one of the first times, but not the last, I have heard the dreaded words Mai Dai in Thailand.

[Lammbock]

I can sing you a song called "Mai Dai".....

[boomerangutang]

...and 'mai mee' (we don't have). More than a few times, when I've been in various stores (usually hardware stores), and have asked politely if they stock a particular item. Often, I hear 'mai mee' right away from the sales-person. Rather than leave, I sometimes take a look on my own, and lo and behold, there's the item I was asking about.

[impulse]

...and 'mai mee' (we don't have). More than a few times, when I've been in various stores (usually hardware stores), and have asked politely if they stock a particular item. Often, I hear 'mai mee' right away from the sales-person. Rather than leave, I sometimes take a look on my own, and lo and behold, there's the item I was asking about.

Double edged sword, there.

I always look as hard as I can first. Only if I can't find it on my own do I ask.

Found out the hard way that they lose face if I find it after they tell me they don't have it.

But that's only important if I plan to ever go back to the same store...

[robblok]

@BOOMERANGUTANG

I really don't get you i bet you start to moan when someone gets your bankbook fraudulently and they give out cash easy. That it is hard and that they don't accept photocopies is a good thing else there is no security at all. Yes its a bit inconvenient at first but better this then loosing your money easy.

As for the plane.. read the rules before im pretty sure they stated no refund.

I do agree that you need to stand your ground but your example is one where i would say its good that procedure is followed.

[JoeThePoster]

The story of the Siamese twins named Cannot and Nohave.