Attempting to locate list of 'official' fees re/ docs & services from Thai government.

[kevden]

I have searched (unsuccessfully) for a list of 'Official / Approved ' fees (and associated timeframes) that are collected by departments such as Immigration, in the
Kingdom of Thailand.

There are many reports of what some members consider "acceptable / 'tea money' / usual / or to be expected", however I am seeking information on what is lawful according to Thai legislation. Reports for obtaining things such as "certificate of residency" range from nil cost to 500 baht. The same reports concerning the timeframe for supply (of that certificate) range from same day to 4 weeks. Various official websites of Thai government departments advise the required documentation for services, further that receipts are issued for monies collected. In November 2014 the Governor of Phuket wrote to Immigration department about a similar matter (another thread on Thaivisa), but I am unaware of the outcome.

My experience with government services around the world is that fees charged are standardised, as are procedures. This includes government requiring the officers to issue receipts for all monies collected. In fact there are signs at some Thai government offices of "No service fees / Don't believe anyone who says there is a service fee / Only official fees are collected / Receipts are to be issued and collected. (paraphrasing)."

I believe there will be official document(s) specifying the actual fees, the expected time taken for preparation of documents and the procedures available to report
difficulties. I am asking the help of members who know the location / link of such documents to reply to this post.

The Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha is encouraging things such as the cessation and reporting of corruption, however the method of reporting such is not broadcast. I am seeking the mentioned information so that visitors to Thailand are aware what is official and required by Thai Law. Once that information is readily available, misunderstandings and mistakes by both visitors and officials can be reduced, even eliminated. Not all misunderstandings or mistakes are corrupt.

In anticipation of (possible) negative comments, I add the following information; I am not attempting to change Thailand or it's people. I am attempting to comply with the law of Thailand and not facilitate behaviour by any person (Thai or visitor) that undermines Thai Law. I certainly would not condone the reporting of an official for an honest misunderstanding or mistake, and an "official document" would inform and support both the official and 'customer / visitor'.

Thanking you in anticipation.

[ubonjoe]

Immigration's is here. http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=fee

You would have to dig deep on each ministry website to find theirs.

[Mario2008]

Normally if a receipt is issued it is an official fee, while when no receipt is issued (or at a different price) it is can be a sign that something is wrong. Especially when you ask for a receipt but don't get it.

[kevden]

Thanks Mario2008, I am confident you are correct. What took place was 'the person' listened to my request then informed me I needed three (3) certificates of residency (to obtain 2 x Thai Driving Licences and to register a motor vehicle in my name), then asked for money. In the discussion that followed, they agreed the certificates were free, but stated there was a service fee to obtain them. They refused to issue any receipts and informed me I would only be issued with a single certificate each month, if I refused to pay. (This meant it would take three (3) months to obtain the required documents, with multiple attendances at the office, versus payment of 500 baat each item for the documents to be prepared in 24 hours). The person repeatedly stressed that it would take a very long time to get these things, if I did not pay the service fee. On the wall outside the office was a large poster stating "No service fees / Don't believe anyone who says there is a service fee / Only official fees are collected". In another office there was a sign telling us to "Collect receipts". In my opinion, whilst I attempted to comply with Thai Law (I held International Driving Licences), the person was only interested in collecting monies for something they acknowledged was free and for which no receipt would be issued. Perhaps they need retraining or repositioning, (neither of which are my decisions to make). Ideally, the publication of official fees, required documents (and timeframes to obtain the same) would assist customers (visitors) and honest officials. The ability to produce a printout of an official advisory note from the Thai government would alert any misguided official that the correct fees were known. Add to this the ability to report such incidents to the Thai government for appropriate investigation and I believe correct fees could be collected and receipted. Officials and customers would each have a record of monies collected and complaints would be less likely. I don't object to paying the government of Thailand for items such as 'Certificate of Residency' (if it did have a fee), but I do expect receipts (especially since there are signs stating they will be given and that no service fees exist). I have seen (the translations of) Mr Prayut Chan-o-cha speaking about changing behaviour related to corruption. I am a respectful visitor in this country and wish to comply with Thai Law, which includes not engaging in corrupt behaviour. The 'Residence Certificate' I have referred to is not the same as the Residence Certificate (which has a fee of about 2,000 baat attached to it).

[kevden]

Sorry, but I have attempted to edit the figure in the last line of post #4. It should read "Residence Certificate (which as a significant fee attached to it). Perhaps the moderator can modify it on my behalf.

[ubonjoe]

The residence certificate in the fee list is to do with permanent residency.

The certificate of residence you are thinking about is not on the list of fees. The list of fees was done long before immigration stared doing them.