Popular Post glegolo Posted September 12, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted September 12, 2014 Today I went with my wife to the Amphue office in Chaiyaphum, where we belong! It was time to have that yearly stamp, signature and date from whoever officer, who with that can confirm that I am alive and well, and that my pensio-nmoney can continue to be sent to me by the swedish authorities.... After like 12 minutes of handing this one A4-paper in english, where they should stamp it, they finally behind the desks, came up with that grandios idea´ that I must go and translate this A4 paper, because there was not anybody at all that could read english at that Amphue. Mind you that there are some 1,200 falangs at least who belong to this Amphue. And on top of that translation I should bring 2 witnesses that shall guranatee that I am being me.. and alive??? My passport with extension of stay therein, and my thai driver license, and my tabien baan didn´t do it.. it was just not enough!! Pissed but didn´t show, I dont wont make a fool out of myself....we went on and I suggested to my wife, let´s go to the police-station, Good idea she thought as well... Came in to the big central police-station and sat there a short while waiting amongst a couple of Yabba-dealers who was caught redhanded doing burglery... Soon our turn.. Very nice police officer....said after 5 minutes of looking back and fourth in my passport, that he need to find somebody that could actually read the poor A4 dokument from Sweden in english.... He came back after 10 minutes and told us that, sorry, - "we are dealing with thievs, crocks ands criminals, NOT signing papers.....But was generous enough to suggest a neighbouring house with also policemen that probably could help us.... We got there only to be stopped by the cleaning guy, who took the paper from my wife, and started to talk for 5 minutes, my wife started to go backwards out of the house... I was pissed but didn´t show it.... I took the paper from the cleaning-guy and start to pass him, and went into the office where it sat 12 policeman doing absolutely nothing.... They were happy that we came in, yes wife stumled in after me.... She explained the situation and the smiling policeman started to look through my passport, and did it for at least 5 minutes, he than mumled something. Took the tabien baan, look through that and smiled, looked at my thai driver license, and smiled and said after he talked for 8,5 minutes constantly, that we must get the village-chief, poo jai something (??) And in addition my wifes mama and papa who lives 75 km from Chaiyaphum, these three people should gurante that it is me. My extension of stay and passport was not enough, my driver license was not enough, and my tabien baan was not enough. But bring in a guy called village chief from our village who never have seen me, never met me, that would be enough. This is the rules of Chaiyaphum......Before, during the past 7 years I have lived here, we have just went down to the amphue, handed over one A4-document in english, got their stamp and signature, and exchange that for a quicky of 100 baht... No problem at all.... NOW it seems that everybody here is afraid of the military who is doing a lot about that corruption-stamp that Thailand have on it self.... So people are afraid on many places to deal and wheal....... So for me, sometimes,,,,,,,corruption is NOT a drag, it is actually a blessing, and a nice oil in the machinery!! Glegolo 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwasaki Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Feel for you it's not nice to be in such a situation and very annoying at the very least. I don't have that problem, I wonder why you cannot go to the Swedish Embassy with your stuff and sort it there. A Norway friend does this and has no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naam Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 corruption is NOT a drag, it is actually a blessing, and a nice oil in the machinery!! words of wisdom others might disagree. but then... invidual mileages may vary. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdiddy Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Cant have disadvantages without advantages and vv 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bunnydrops Posted September 12, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted September 12, 2014 Yes, Corruption is great when it works in your favor. But the same guy that takes the money for the stamp is the same guy who lets the YaaBaa dealer out the back door. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glegolo Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 Feel for you it's not nice to be in such a situation and very annoying at the very least. I don't have that problem, I wonder why you cannot go to the Swedish Embassy with your stuff and sort it there. A Norway friend does this and has no problems. Agree with you 100% - Problem here is Chaiyaphum - Bangkok 680 km both ways..... A shitty distance for a simple piece of paper to sign for these guys.... But I dont give up yet ,,, next week immigration and new extension of stay in Khon Kaen, and THESE guys must be able to help me..... keep fingers crossed. thank you.. Glegolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 No you are complete wrong! It is also possible to apply common sense and bend some rules to help the customer (yes the government provides service and you are customer....not a beggar) that don't make sense without corruption. And most probable there are official ways to short cut things.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
namdocmai Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 One could blame this to the corrupt government but i would blame all the farang who stayed here to long without a valid visa. They want to get rid of begging farang which i can understand. Also they are on the hunt for overstayers, some of them have overstayed for decades. The good ones always have to be punished for the bad ones, that's how it works in many country's. It is the same for Thai who go to Macau. I know a hi=so thai couple who went there recently and the thai lady was questioned by the Macau officials because they expected her to be a thai hooker which she sure isn't. She felt very offended by that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glegolo Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 One could blame this to the corrupt government but i would blame all the farang who stayed here to long without a valid visa. They want to get rid of begging farang which i can understand. Also they are on the hunt for overstayers, some of them have overstayed for decades. The good ones always have to be punished for the bad ones, that's how it works in many country's. It is the same for Thai who go to Macau. I know a hi=so thai couple who went there recently and the thai lady was questioned by the Macau officials because they expected her to be a thai hooker which she sure isn't. She felt very offended by that. So you are NOT blaming this on ignorant unedicated office-officials than??? People that do not have a single braincell to think with. OR people that have been programmed to live by the money, doing nothing if nothing is there for them, And this from people who work on places that supposedly should service THE PEOPLE?? For me I do sincerely hope that Thailand will discover that there is a world out there, and that they MUST try to compete. And by competing they will be forced to recognize the presence of sales promotion and being A LOT MORE serviceminded in their lifes. Glegolo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costas2008 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 OP, just forget for a moment if corruption is a drag or a blessing. You should have put 500Baht under that A4 paper and given it to the amphur people or the police. First, you wouldn't have to waste your time complaining on this forum. And second when back home with your A4 paper signed you could always start thinking if corruption is a drag or a blessing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandi Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 This quote says everything what should be said about this topic. Yes, Corruption is great when it works in your favor. But the same guy that takes the money for the stamp is the same guy who lets the YaaBaa dealer out the back door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seajae Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 and I thought sandman was gone forever, seems he did some teaching before he left 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzra Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 It's a blessing for the corrupt and a drag for the person on the other side, that said, many thing will be very awkward to arrange had not been for the palm greasing tradition here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suradit69 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 (edited) So for me, sometimes,,,,,,,corruption is NOT a drag, it is actually a blessing, and a nice oil in the machinery!! Not everything that foreigners regard as corruption is, but yes "playing the game" is often more efficient and less time consuming. I grew up in suburban Chicago in the US during the senior Daley's reign. "Cooperating" with the "established way of doing things" was (and probably still is) the best way to get things done ... in fact quite often it was the only way. Usually both sides got what they wanted, so it was considered of mutual benefit to all concerned. Paying exorbitant taxes to support often inadequate public services might make some people happier, but wouldn't you rather pay a small "tax" on an as-needed basis and see results than to be taxed to death to maintain government services that you never use? It's a blessing for the corrupt and a drag for the person on the other side, that said, many thing will be very awkward to arrange had not been for the palm greasing tradition here... " palm greasing tradition here ..." There's a reason why "palm greasing" is an English expression. I'm certain it exists in every country in the world to some extent. The corruption in the financial centers of New York and London is beyond belief, and in Washington D.C it's obscene. Not condoning it, but the suggestion that it is a tradition here ( and by implication nowhere else) is unfair and naive. I hope no one believes he or she comes from a country where "palm greasing" or worse does not exist. Edited September 12, 2014 by Suradit69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maswov Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 It's just growing pains. People don't know what is expected of them so they err on the side of caution. Once the dust settles and the low class expats looking to cut corners and do things illegally move on, I think things will be running much smoother and the rest of us won't be scrutinized and treated as criminals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishJohn Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Of course the corrupt route is the easiest - there would be no point otherwise. For me, the net result of corruption on the scale we see in Thailand is that economically it holds the country in the dark ages. None of that money goes into the government tax system to help develop the country and hence the poor are going to stay poor and the rich get very rich. For us farang of course it means the cost of living stays cheap and we can live like Kings for the same price as living a very normal life in a semi-detached street somewhere in our home country. Thailand's loss is our gain - but I would still prefer it to be different. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinmaew Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 it makes about as much sense as the case where some guy applying for a Thai passport (The rare few) also provided a photo of his house. How the hell is that admissible?, it could be any house nothing is verified. I am not surprised they bring the village Poo Yai that makes perfect "Thai sense" and enjoy the cheap living!! The more stamps, people references, checks and time wasted the better aka Thainess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
razer Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Regulations need to be rewritten for the 21st centry and distrubuted nation wide. Village leader verification? ... maybe 100 years ago but a little silly now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwinchester Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 My wife lost a brother who was killed by a drunk driver who paid off the police to avoid responsibility. Her mum made two suicide attempts following the whole sorry episode. No, far from a blessing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggt Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 This kind of BS...is exactly why many farangs are looking for greener pastures...you think it is going to get better...I seriously doubt it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResandePohm Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Feel for you it's not nice to be in such a situation and very annoying at the very least. I don't have that problem, I wonder why you cannot go to the Swedish Embassy with your stuff and sort it there. A Norway friend does this and has no problems. The Swedish form is very specific about who can sign it. eg a Public notary (a lawyer who charges a lot of money), A national censor official (try finding one of those), A Swedish church official (dont know if there is one in LOS, maybe one in BBK but not Isaan)), A humble policeman can sign it etc. I took mine to my doctor to sign. Thought he should know if I am alive if anyone does. Ha ha . Not acceptable to the Swedish Pension department. Crazy It is always a pain in the backside to get it acceptably signed every year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussieroaming Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Yes, it can be a little frustrating. We went to get my 12 month extension to my non o visa yesterday at immigration, based on marriage. Prior to this we had visited immigration and contacted the call centre (wife did) to ensure that we prepared the correct documents. So we then prepared according to what we had been told. Well we got rejected by the woman we saw..so I assume that each officials interpretation of what is required varies. Rejection reasons included: Photos at Baan.....insufficient photos because we didn't have one of us near the house number on the front fence ( there isn't a number on it). We had photos of us in the house, with family, house book etc. Marriage certificate..we took the original, as given by the Amphur....it was rejected because I needed to provide proof that I was single before we married. We explained that this evidence was provided to the Amphur when we were married. They said the Amphur isn't trusted and I have to bring them a certified document showing I was single. Bank information....we took a current bank letter, statement of transactions for the last 2 years for our joint account, all obtained the week before prior to going and also the bank book. We got rejected because the bank book transaction wasn't current to the day we turned up to immigration. We were a bit bemused by it...but like most things in Thailand, a bit of perseverance and it eventually all turns out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy chef 1 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 One could blame this to the corrupt government but i would blame all the farang who stayed here to long without a valid visa. They want to get rid of begging farang which i can understand. Also they are on the hunt for overstayers, some of them have overstayed for decades. The good ones always have to be punished for the bad ones, that's how it works in many country's. It is the same for Thai who go to Macau. I know a hi=so thai couple who went there recently and the thai lady was questioned by the Macau officials because they expected her to be a thai hooker which she sure isn't. She felt very offended by that. So you are NOT blaming this on ignorant unedicated office-officials than??? People that do not have a single braincell to think with. OR people that have been programmed to live by the money, doing nothing if nothing is there for them, And this from people who work on places that supposedly should service THE PEOPLE??For me I do sincerely hope that Thailand will discover that there is a world out there, and that they MUST try to compete. And by competing they will be forced to recognize the presence of sales promotion and being A LOT MORE serviceminded in their lifes. Glegolo... your OP nicely written.in regards to your las post i have to admit this is not uniquely to Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisb Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Corruption in Thailand is seriously fkd up it's disgusting. Anyone that thinks it works is deluded. Sure once or twice, it helped or saved your ass, but much more so being a western person in Thailand, it will eventually cause trouble usually costing baht. Be careful out there, listen to your wife. How many times Thais suffer from this is just terrible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotpoom Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 When it suits me.....A Blessing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKnave Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 So for me, sometimes,,,,,,,corruption is NOT a drag, it is actually a blessing, and a nice oil in the machinery!! Not everything that foreigners regard as corruption is, but yes "playing the game" is often more efficient and less time consuming. I grew up in suburban Chicago in the US during the senior Daley's reign. "Cooperating" with the "established way of doing things" was (and probably still is) the best way to get things done ... in fact quite often it was the only way. Usually both sides got what they wanted, so it was considered of mutual benefit to all concerned. Paying exorbitant taxes to support often inadequate public services might make some people happier, but wouldn't you rather pay a small "tax" on an as-needed basis and see results than to be taxed to death to maintain government services that you never use? It's a blessing for the corrupt and a drag for the person on the other side, that said, many thing will be very awkward to arrange had not been for the palm greasing tradition here... " palm greasing tradition here ..." There's a reason why "palm greasing" is an English expression. I'm certain it exists in every country in the world to some extent. The corruption in the financial centers of New York and London is beyond belief, and in Washington D.C it's obscene. Not condoning it, but the suggestion that it is a tradition here ( and by implication nowhere else) is unfair and naive. I hope no one believes he or she comes from a country where "palm greasing" or worse does not exist. What an insufferable blowhard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duanebigsby Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 When it suits me.....A Blessing Corruption suits an acquaintance of mine just fine. He's been caught drunk driving 8 or 9 times and just paid a roadside bribe. He's going to kill somebody and then just bribe his way out of it again. Would you consider corruption a blessing if it's you or a loved one he kills? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farang000999 Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 'Take a picture of your house with you in the picture'. I wonder what other countries have such a requirement. <deleted>? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piusmann Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 why not go to the tourist police - they are usually very helpful ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glegolo Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 why not go to the tourist police - they are usually very helpful ! Good idea - however up here in deepest Isaan, I am not sure there aint any Tourist-police.. Will search - thanks Glegolo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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