How I got 500B from an immigration officer.

[NomadJoe]

I had a very funny experience on my last border crossing. Due to a logistical issue I had 2 days overstay. Fishing, I asked the girl writing me the ticket, who looked like an intern, "It's 500B right? That's what I paid before at the airport." which is true. But it didn't work. I paid 1000B and got a receipt. But before I could get up to leave the major or captain guy sat at the desk next to her indicated that because I was on overstay, I was required to do some additional paperwork. He put in front of me a paper which said "Immigration Exam Pt 1" on it. It was a series of questions on English grammar and vocabulary mostly pertaining to immigration law. It took me a moment to work it out, but after several seconds I realized it was his homework! So I told him in probably horrible Thai, "Sure, I can do. I was police in America. But you give me discount on overstay." Everybody in the office broke out in laughter "OK!" he practically shouted, pulling open his desk drawer, whipping out 500B and and slapping it on the table in front of me! (I did not fail to notice and was amused at the fact that he had a drawer full of cash in his desk) About 10 more pages of this exam appeared and so I spent the next 10 minutes doing his homework partly for him and partly with him as others joined in. The office was in absolute hestarics the whole time! After the obligatory 'You have Thai girlfriend?" and the inevitable request that I leave my gf for the Thai intern that cited me, I was finally allowed to leave, only to be told upon re-entry that the immigration office was now closed, but they could re-open for me for 500B!

This is why I love Thailand. Good or bad, it's never dull.

Edited February 6, 2014 by NomadJoe

[speedtripler]

they scammed you lol

[David48]

Nice to see your story back up ...

[DonaldBattles]

This is what makes Thailand what it is. There is no way it can ever change.

[TheWizardofRnR]

See it isn't Corruption anymore , Corruption isn't a normal pattern of behavior for a good person !

Everyone here is Jai Yen-Yen ,so no one is a bad person here. Here we mistake it for what is Normal behavior for a PM to the fried rice vendor charging farangs 10B more then your GF standing in front of you...TiT as Bernard Trink would say!

Edited February 7, 2014 by TheWizardofRnR

[dingoh]

Yet I wonder if I prefer this 'open' corruption. It exists everywhere, but in our western countries, corruption exists on many levels too, but it is more hidden and/or we pretend that it doesnt exist.

[stickylies]

that's the spririt and what thailand is all about.

a friendly wai, a good joke (talok dee!), a charming smile and things get quite the opposite of what so many T.V. clowns seem to experience here.

i've had numerous similar situations, not 100% the same but in the same vein.

nice one!

[smileydude]

Openly corrupt with a sense of humor and smiles all around........hmmmmm and I always thought corruption protocol was to remain discreet, straight-faced and slip bills in envelopes.

Immigration should write a manual on how to shaft customers amicably and with a smile as part of "Amazing Thailand"!

[slipperylobster]

Yes, In Udon its quite pleasant. Just smile and talk, and bam....everything smells like roses, and my gal gets all those compliments on how she found the good farang...and handsome, at that. But, I get that all over the world. I only wish the farangs here were more friendly....but, for now, I am one of those guys that just pretend they don't exist, and I am the only handsome guy in town. A joke and a smile is all it takes...sure nuff.

[lostmebike]

Nice story

To those of you mentioning corruption, you aint seen the half of it!

[ehw200]

good eperience with Immigration

2 weeks ago I was flying to Cambodia from Don Maung airport

I thought I was leavine 1 day ahead of my vis expiring,,,turns out I was 1 day overstay (me stupid)

I ciould tell there was some problem as the immigratkion officer was kinda squirming andf looking around

when I asked if there was a peoblem they informed me of the one day overstay

I was embarrassed by my stupidity, apologised and eplained I thought I leaving a day early

the told me no problem for only one day overstay

they got someone from the office who came out initiaalid and put small blue stam on my passport

they wished me well and I headied for my flight

no fine, no harassment nothing bad,,,just some very nice and understanding people

I just felt that the good things need to reported her as well

i

[rotary]

Many years ago in Khon Kaen for an "improper turn" I was fined several pages of a Tourist Police English test. ha ha. The guy went somewhere, came back in 5 minutes and asked me to fill out this test. I was then freed after the 15 minute test was complete.

Edited February 7, 2014 by rotary

[Naam]

Nice story

To those of you mentioning corruption, you aint seen the half of it!

to those who think there's is corruption in Thailand spend a year in Nigeria and find out that Thai government officials are as innocent as altar boys.

[baneko]

Some good stories. I've overstayed a couple of times accidentally. I find immigration at the airport friendly and really unconcerned.

[baneko]

Nice

story

To those of you mentioning corruption, you aint seen the half of it!

to those who think there's is corruption in Thailand spend a year in Nigeria and find out that Thai government officials are as innocent as altar boys.

http://static.thaivisa.com/forum//public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.png[/

img]

Angola the same. Thai immigration are far better.

[slappy]

About 6 years ago, I had the experience of loosing my wallet with all (big mistake) my cards and money in it, in Bangkok. I reported my problem at the nearest police station. With loosing everything I had a big problem, as two days later I was travelling to Pitsanulok to see my relative and spending a week up there and had no money on me to get there. Once there money problem would have been no problem. So I explained my predicament to the officer who I was dealing with. And I asked him if there is anyway I could borrow some money, so I could get to Pitsanulok. I told him that I would pay the money back once I arrive back in Bangkok a week later.

And with no guarantees from the officer, other than to pay him back, he gave me 500bahts. When I went back to Bangkok a week later, I went back to see the officer and pay him back. I actually gave him 600bahts and extra 100 as a thank you. But he wouldn't accept the 100 bahts. So for me, not all Thai police are bad, there is some genuine police out there.

[stickylies]

I second the comments about Africa. i used to hang out there 15 years ago and simply crossing a border (with valid documents/visas in passport) implied "tea/cigarette" money unless u wanted to wait (camp!!) an indefinite time at the border. indefinite period in africa can be a loooooooooong time btw

[rct99q]

Nice story

To those of you mentioning corruption, you aint seen the half of it!

to those who think there's is corruption in Thailand spend a year in Nigeria and find out that Thai government officials are as innocent as altar boys.

Have worked and lived in Italy, Jamaica and Mexico (brown shirts, all one needs to say).......all worse then here.

Great story, this is what is different here.....

[4u2mad]

Just got back from getting my extension of stay in --. Evidently, according to the immigration officer, at 59yo, I could become a 'special case' and with no money in the bank, qualify for a retirement extension, for the princely sum of 20,000bht! Wonder how that works then?

[Guest]

I second the comments about Africa. i used to hang out there 15 years ago and simply crossing a border (with valid documents/visas in passport) implied "tea/cigarette" money unless u wanted to wait (camp!!) an indefinite time at the border. indefinite period in africa can be a loooooooooong time btw

Thank FSM Latin blood runs faster. I once was in similar situation Venezuelan police station and decided to play dump gringo, who don't understand to offer money to the officials. After 45 minutes or so they gave up and kicked me out.

One trick to avoid troubles in the border crossings was to ask, in very friendly manner, the officials to pose for an photo. They always seemed to love it. Not sure if that works in Africa or in Asia.

[Ulic]

That is too funny.

[harrry]

I thought for a moment you were going to tell me the labor department then arrived and booked you for working without a work permit.

The nice thing to have done was to have sent someone out with the 500baht for some munchies while you worked. Guaranteed permanent friends in the right place.

[VINCENT2012]

For a mistake like an overstay ,.......myself i would have paid 500 bath for each day as the law says and ask for my receipt.

thats it

no stupid smiling, stupid game or funny staff.....!

no funny discount either or money under the table .....i never do that....thats the way in my place many police officer knows me and i got respected for that ..or not... but i don't care ...i am right

[Gsxrnz]

I thought for a moment you were going to tell me the labor department then arrived and booked you for working without a work permit.

The nice thing to have done was to have sent someone out with the 500baht for some munchies while you worked. Guaranteed permanent friends in the right place.

That's a good point about the food.

It took me a while to figure out why the missus always supplies food for anybody doing home repairs or even for the security dudes. Then i figured out how much it pays in dividends for the sake of 100B worth of food or a couple of cans of red bull or iced coffee, or a free cigarette. Our security guys bend over backwards for us and have done us numerous favours for no reward other than as stated above. It's almost as though they feel a need to overpay us in favours - nam-jai in action.

The wife even does it at the hair salon - goes in for the works that should cost 500B but she takes them food, discount hair do and the occasional freebie. Som-tam is the currency of favours amongst women in Thailand.

[techboy]

they scammed you lol

This was a thoroughly charming story. I cannot imagine someone who is such a dullard, such an imperceptive and boring creature that they would only take "scammed" out of it.

[techboy]

Great story! Here is one for you, though not nearly as full. I once had a long overstay and was quite concerned at the walk-across. The examining immi officer had a stern face and lots of stripes on his shoulders. When he quoted an expensive fine to me I mimed a pained face and said "Jep mak maaak!" The officer and the rest of the crew thought that was hilarious. They let me walk without paying. "Land of smiles," and that includes they love it when you make 'em smile.

Yeah I'm with you. Love this place.

Edited February 7, 2014 by techboy

[speedtripler]

they scammed you lol

This was a thoroughly charming story. I cannot imagine someone who is such a dullard, such an imperceptive and boring creature that they would only take "scammed" out of it.

It's a very amusing story, they gave him the money and found a way to take it back at the same and have him do the work as well, it's like getting a dog to do a trick for a dog biscuit and after the trick he doesn't get to eat it

[harrry]

Good to see too that there is at least an attemp to learn relevant english and not just "Hey You".

[NHT]

Some good stories. I've overstayed a couple of times accidentally. I find immigration at the airport friendly and really unconcerned.

I overstayed in Hong Kong, twice. First for a week, second time for a month. No fancy test, no silly scummy smile, no fine, just some explanation and "legal" check work, and off I was, on the flight.

I just wonder, no I don't

[NomadJoe]

they scammed you lol

This was a thoroughly charming story. I cannot imagine someone who is such a dullard, such an imperceptive and boring creature that they would only take "scammed" out of it.

It's a very amusing story, they gave him the money and found a way to take it back at the same and have him do the work as well, it's like getting a dog to do a trick for a dog biscuit and after the trick he doesn't get to eat it

Nope. I did not say I paid the 500B for them to re-open.

Edited February 7, 2014 by NomadJoe