In Praise of CNX Immigration

[Just1Voice]

I agree with the OP about the friendliness and efficiency of the staff at Chiang Mai Immigration. They do an amazing job with the limited space and staff that they have. I see that place as a great free entertainment venue. All these different varieties of "farang" on display, in various costumes, from the well-scrubbed super-white missionary/NGO families, to the couple of suburban white kids from who knows where, all decked out in native fishing pants, dirty dreadlocks, tattoos and piercings. Then you've got the rickety old guys (I should talk!), being ably assisted by their Thai wives/nurses/escorts. There's always a few lost-looking threadbare older cats that look like they've been staying up too late with the wrong sort of people. Sometimes they talk..."And then ya know what that b----h did to me??!!"

Everybody's jammed in so tight, it's a fertile ground for hearing fragments of stories, along with the occasional dramatic scene at the counter. "Whaddaya mean I can't...!" You know the ones.

What I wonder is what happens to the incredible pile of paper documents that get generated at that place every day? Everybody that passes through there accounts for at least four sheets of paper. What an interesting wall you could make there if there was one extra passport photo that could get pasted up. And the copy and photo concession out back is making someone very wealthy.

The only thing missing is some food stalls out on the road. The nearest place to eat around there is the Central Mall, six hot blocks away.

totally agree with everything you say, but in case you haven't noticed, there actually are some food stalls across the street by the entrance to the gas station. All Myanmar food, but my wife loves to stop there to get stuff to take home.

[Frank James]

One thing I have noticed is these Thai agents that come in with a fat handful of passports. They don't seem to have to take a number, they just go up front and hand them over, and then comeback sometime later and pick them up. I have seen ads for these businesses that will do all of your 90 day and even more complicated stuff for a fee. It sounds tempting, but I don't like the idea of my passport being handled by anyone besides me or Imm. itself. Plus, don't want to miss the live show down there.

[Just1Voice]

Last week for my 90, the two ahead of me, with queue numbers, each had at least 8 passports with them. I don't mind if people what to do that, but there should be a separate "line" for them so they don't hold others up. They had a woman doing the 90 days for a while and a guy just walked up, no number, and handed her about 10 passports while she was finishing mine. She looked him straight in the eyes, smiled, then asked if he had a queue number. He said he didn't. She smiled again and told him "You're not special. Get a queue number and wait your turn like everyone else." His jaw dropped, but she ignored him, finished mine and then called the next number. He went to get a number. I laughed all the way out the door.

[Tywais]

I have a large calendar hanging by my desk, and one on my desktop that is always visible. I fill in my 90 day in red, so I can't forget it. Please explain your comment about booking a place on their website. I'm not sure I comprehend about that.

I use an excellent small footprint program for all my appointment information. Has worked very well for me for a few years now. Takes up very little memory and sits in the task bar. Will popup on the assigned date and give an audible alarm and very flexible.

Simple Reminder 1.0

Exact dates removed for privacy reasons.

[northernjohn]

Last week for my 90, the two ahead of me, with queue numbers, each had at least 8 passports with them. I don't mind if people what to do that, but there should be a separate "line" for them so they don't hold others up. They had a woman doing the 90 days for a while and a guy just walked up, no number, and handed her about 10 passports while she was finishing mine. She looked him straight in the eyes, smiled, then asked if he had a queue number. He said he didn't. She smiled again and told him "You're not special. Get a queue number and wait your turn like everyone else." His jaw dropped, but she ignored him, finished mine and then called the next number. He went to get a number. I laughed all the way out the door.

Just couldn't resist.Wish I had been there.

[uptheos]

I have always had nice teatment at CNX immigration except one time quite a long time ago. The femaile Captain started chatting to me when she handed over my passport with my retirement visa and suggested we meet for a drink after work. She was very pretty, about mid. thirties. I was tempted, but knowlng my lack of ability to stick with one woman. I politely refused telling her that I already had a date. She got pretty angry. Later on when I went to get a re-entry permit she kept me waiting over two hours. It really was a no win situation for me. Had I ebtered into a relationship with her and then ditched her, I am sure the result

would have been disaterous.

Did she call you 'Hansum Man?

[tangcoral]

Argh, the urge to tell off a follow falang is immense at that place.

[Just1Voice]

Argh, the urge to tell off a follow falang is immense at that place.

This is SO TRUE! I know the number of decent people far and away outnumber the "jerks", but the jerks just make themselves stand out. I can't count the times I've had the urge to tell some of them: "Sit down, shut up, and read a copy of 'Miss Manners' while you're waiting." And that's with my polite side. My Marine Corps side could come up with a lot worse. lol.

Then you get those who come in dressed totally inappropriately for being out in public and when they pass you by, you almost gag from the smell. Do these people have no pride in themselves? Do they live someplace that has no shower or running water to wash off with? They ever hear of deodorant?

Face it, we've all, in our own way, engaged in some form of "Thai bashing", myself included, but it would be so easy to start a thread for "Farang Bashing". I know I'd participate. lol