Chonburi Immigration Office, 08:20am, Thurs 5th Feb ...

[MrWorldwide]

Avoid Mondays and Fridays, they said. check.

Go early, they said. check.

Live and learn - the place was a madhouse. Just putting it out there for anyone else who has the bright idea of going down there before lunch.

[smileplur]

Chonburi is a rather large province. Within the province, there happens to be more than one immigration office. Which one are you referring to in this post of yours?

[Suradit69]

Chonburi is a rather large province. Within the province, there happens to be more than one immigration office. Which one are you referring to in this post of yours?

It's the official title given to the office at Jomtien and the one on soi 5 is the one most people would assume to be referenced.

7th December 2009

Royal Decree has split government service, Royal Thai Police 2009 and ministerial regulation to spit the Division of Supervission or other government service in Royal Thai Prolice 2009, And had combine Pattaya Immigration, Sriracha Immigration and Srichang Immigration together. And establish new department called "Chonburi Immigration"

• http://www.immchonburi.go.th/main/?p=content-info&id=5

Edited February 5, 2015 by Suradit69

[steve187]

keep away from the expat masses, and the offices are a lot quieter.

Si Racha is a lot easier than Jomtein. as an example

Edited February 5, 2015 by steve187

[smileplur]

I don't know if I struck a nerve with my request for clarification. I have lived in Bangkok for a long time. I am in the process of relocating to Chonburi City. As a result, I asked for clarification ... I would avoid Jomtien like the plague if given the choice ... Thanks for the clarification ... =)

[Thailand J]

THe offial working hour starts at 8:30am , I think.

I got there this morning at 7:55am, the door was opened, there were about 20 people in the line to get in.

Counter 6 started working at 8:20am. I was fifth to be served, I got out at 8:50 am, but have to go back the next day to collect my passport.

I was there to tranfer stamps to a new passport.

[Jessi]

I don't know if I struck a nerve with my request for clarification. I have lived in Bangkok for a long time. I am in the process of relocating to Chonburi City. As a result, I asked for clarification ... I would avoid Jomtien like the plague if given the choice ... Thanks for the clarification ... =)

If you live in Chonburi city, the Immigration to report to is Si Ratcha.

I lived in Chonburi a few years ago & the Immigration at Si Ratcha is a piece of cake.

Hope that helps.

[jacko45k]

Getting there just before lunch finishes might be bad,ie 12.30-1pm. All those people who arrived after 10am, who need a 100-199 series ticket, are being told to come back then, and a queue forms. I had that experience recently. Likely had I arrived when they opened or just prior, 8.00am I could have done better, but I live nearer to Laem Chabang. As I said elsewhere everyone in there was working efficiently, they were just overwhelmed.

Edited February 6, 2015 by jacko45k

[steve187]

Getting there just before lunch finishes might be bad,ie 12.30-1pm. All those people who arrived after 10am, who need a 100-199 series ticket, are being told to come back then, and a queue forms. I had that experience recently. Likely had I arrived when they opened or just prior, 8.00am I could have done better, but I live nearer to Laem Chabang. As I said elsewhere everyone in there was working efficiently, they were just overwhelmed.

could you not use Si racha

quote from http://www.thai-visas.com/thai-immigration-si-racha-chonburi.html

'' This Thai immigration office covers the area of Chonburi Province (except the following which falls under Thai immigration in Pattaya – Banglamung District, Koh Sichang District, Sattahip District, Pattaya District). Chachoengsao Province also falls under this office.You can extend your Thai visa here be it a Thai tourist visa,marriage visa in Thailand or a retirement visa in Thailand. Note the location of Thai immigration in Si Racha. If you live in Pattaya then you cannot use this office but the one in Pattaya.''

Edited February 6, 2015 by steve187

[jacko45k]

Getting there just before lunch finishes might be bad,ie 12.30-1pm. All those people who arrived after 10am, who need a 100-199 series ticket, are being told to come back then, and a queue forms. I had that experience recently. Likely had I arrived when they opened or just prior, 8.00am I could have done better, but I live nearer to Laem Chabang. As I said elsewhere everyone in there was working efficiently, they were just overwhelmed.

could you not use Si racha

Probably about the same distance.... and I would have to use the truck not motorbike.

Just never have done, not sure where it is and was under some impression I had to use Jomtiem!

Post above suggests I do as I am in Banglamung.

Edited February 6, 2015 by jacko45k

[steve187]

Getting there just before lunch finishes might be bad,ie 12.30-1pm. All those people who arrived after 10am, who need a 100-199 series ticket, are being told to come back then, and a queue forms. I had that experience recently. Likely had I arrived when they opened or just prior, 8.00am I could have done better, but I live nearer to Laem Chabang. As I said elsewhere everyone in there was working efficiently, they were just overwhelmed.

could you not use Si racha

Probably about the same distance.... and I would have to use the truck not motorbike.

Just never have done, not sure where it is and was under some impression I had to use Jomtiem!

see edit in first post, depends on which district you live, I used si racha for a 60 day wife extension using an address in Sattahip

[ubonjoe]

Getting there just before lunch finishes might be bad,ie 12.30-1pm. All those people who arrived after 10am, who need a 100-199 series ticket, are being told to come back then, and a queue forms. I had that experience recently. Likely had I arrived when they opened or just prior, 8.00am I could have done better, but I live nearer to Laem Chabang. As I said elsewhere everyone in there was working efficiently, they were just overwhelmed.

could you not use Si racha

quote from http://www.thai-visas.com/thai-immigration-si-racha-chonburi.html

'' This Thai immigration office covers the area of Chonburi Province (except the following which falls under Thai immigration in Pattaya – Banglamung District, Koh Sichang District, Sattahip District, Pattaya District). Chachoengsao Province also falls under this office.You can extend your Thai visa here be it a Thai tourist visa,marriage visa in Thailand or a retirement visa in Thailand. Note the location of Thai immigration in Si Racha. If you live in Pattaya then you cannot use this office but the one in Pattaya.''

It would depend upon which district he lives in. Banglamung is almost all the way to Laem Chabang.

[MrWorldwide]

Apologies for any confusion, but I live in Banglamung and go over the hill to Jomtien. I called it 'Chonburi Immigration' after someone was corrected for referring to it as 'Jomtien' in another thread : given that most of us know where the Soi 5 office is, I made an assumption which apparently isnt shared by everyone. Personally, I'd be a lot happier if I never went there again, but I guess we can all dream. It's not the end of the world to wait 30-45 minutes to be served but being jammed in like sardines when you *think* you'll get an early start on everyone else is a bit of a jolt. Anyway, onward and upward.

[jacko45k]

Getting there just before lunch finishes might be bad,ie 12.30-1pm. All those people who arrived after 10am, who need a 100-199 series ticket, are being told to come back then, and a queue forms. I had that experience recently. Likely had I arrived when they opened or just prior, 8.00am I could have done better, but I live nearer to Laem Chabang. As I said elsewhere everyone in there was working efficiently, they were just overwhelmed.

could you not use Si racha

quote from http://www.thai-visas.com/thai-immigration-si-racha-chonburi.html

'' This Thai immigration office covers the area of Chonburi Province (except the following which falls under Thai immigration in Pattaya – Banglamung District, Koh Sichang District, Sattahip District, Pattaya District). Chachoengsao Province also falls under this office.You can extend your Thai visa here be it a Thai tourist visa,marriage visa in Thailand or a retirement visa in Thailand. Note the location of Thai immigration in Si Racha. If you live in Pattaya then you cannot use this office but the one in Pattaya.''

It would depend upon which district he lives in. Banglamung is almost all the way to Laem Chabang.

Nong Pla Lai.

[MrWorldwide]

It would depend upon which district he lives in. Banglamung is almost all the way to Laem Chabang.

Nongprue, Banglamung near the Big C Extra on Pattaya Klang - I consider it 'central Pattaya'. If you leave Big C right now, walk back to Third Road and into the first 7-11 on your left, you'll find me getting my morning coffee : given the assistance you've provided myself and thousands of others on this board, I'll even spring for a ham and cheese toastie, ubonjoe

(I love this town, and I hate this town, but it's part of me either way. Those kids in the 7 remind me that there are people here who don't need eight-inch heels, silicon implants and gold from head to toe, and they seem a lot happier for it. Viva Pattaya - aging tart or no, you had me at hello)

[ToddinChonburi]

I was just at Si Racha yesterday and it was a mad house. I was there just for an address certificate and took 45 minutes. Si Racha is a small office and is serving many immigrant workers. Seems to be much slower there in the afternoon.

[crazyfalang]

Getting there just before lunch finishes might be bad,ie 12.30-1pm. All those people who arrived after 10am, who need a 100-199 series ticket, are being told to come back then, and a queue forms. I had that experience recently. Likely had I arrived when they opened or just prior, 8.00am I could have done better, but I live nearer to Laem Chabang. As I said elsewhere everyone in there was working efficiently, they were just overwhelmed.

could you not use Si racha

Probably about the same distance.... and I would have to use the truck not motorbike.

Just never have done, not sure where it is and was under some impression I had to use Jomtiem!

see edit in first post, depends on which district you live, I used si racha for a 60 day wife extension using an address in Sattahip

I live in Bang Saray Near Sattahip,so would i be able to use Si Racha instead of going to the dreaded Jomtien..!!!!

[ubonjoe]

It would depend upon which district he lives in. Banglamung is almost all the way to Laem Chabang.

Nong Pla Lai.

Jomtien is correct.

"Nong Pla Lai, Bang Lamung District" (thank you Google)

[samsingsong]

Following advice from a similar forum here last week; last Thursday I went to Jomtien Immigration at 12.15. I had to take my Thai wife with me because this was to get a 60 day extension to a 60 day tourist visa and you have to have a Thai spouse (or child?) to be eligible for 60 days.

The queue to check-in at information took me about 10 minutes and I had a ticket with 35 people ahead of me. However it soon became apparent that desks 1 & 2 for Extensions numbers weren't changing! They were taking a break and restarted at 1pm. (I didn't know they stopped for lunch).

So it was about 2 hours before my number came up and shortly after sitting down and showing my documents it transpired that the bloke at information had given me a number for the wrong queue! They prepared some of the paperwork and handed it over to the 'Long Stay' desk. I didn't have to wait long but I must say that my documents have never been scrutinised so thoroughly. He read through each page again and again. I felt confident when I went in that everything was in order, but was starting to get nervous that he was searching of some small issue and I'd have to start all over again!

All OK I the end, but it took 2hr.45mins. Last year I got there at opening time, the place was packed-out and I had about the same wait.

[ubonjoe]

see edit in first post, depends on which district you live, I used si racha for a 60 day wife extension using an address in Sattahip

I live in Bang Saray Near Sattahip,so would i be able to use Si Racha instead of going to the dreaded Jomtien..!!!!

Your assigned office is Jomtien. He was lucky they let him do it in Sriracha.

[canarysun]

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see edit in first post, depends on which district you live, I used si racha for a 60 day wife extension using an address in Sattahip

I live in Bang Saray Near Sattahip,so would i be able to use Si Racha instead of going to the dreaded Jomtien..!!!!

Your assigned office is Jomtien. He was lucky they let him do it in Sriracha.

I really don't understand all this " carry on " with reporting at Immigration. I was told by Immigration a while back that you can do 90 day reporting and even ED visa reporting at ANY immigration office you wish in Thailand.Its all the same thing and all linked by computer now! So if i have a retirement visa and my nearest immigration office is in Jomtien and i wish to report at the immigration office on the island of Koh Sichang then they have to honor the report there! an immigration office is the same wherever you are in Thailand.?????

F.J

[ubonjoe]

I really don't understand all this " carry on " with reporting at Immigration. I was told by Immigration a while back that you can do 90 day reporting and even ED visa reporting at ANY immigration office you wish in Thailand.Its all the same thing and all linked by computer now! So if i have a retirement visa and my nearest immigration office is in Jomtien and i wish to report at the immigration office on the island of Koh Sichang then they have to honor the report there! an immigration office is the same wherever you are in Thailand.?????

F.J

Immigration offices have assigned areas of responsibility. When you make an application or a report you have to have an address within their assigned area on the form and proof of that address at some offices.

There have been reports of a new rule that you can only do 90 day reports where you got your extension of stay now. Their have been reports that some offices are even saying you have to do them where you got the extension even if you moved and have registered your address at the new office.

[MrWorldwide]

I assumed that it was simply because the officers at Jomtien would find it easier to check my address. Google maps or no google maps, plugging an address like mine into google isnt always straightforward - luckily they have the name of the apartments and my phone number. FWIW, i was never asked to show the location of my apartment building on google maps - not for the extension and never for 90-day reporting. Perfect world, it would be cross-checked against the names and passport IDs of every foreigner living in this building - I know management here are required to lodge that information with the Thai government but I cant guarantee it finds its way into the Immi database.

Somewhat OT, but is Immigration under the same umbrella as the RTP ? The officer who processed my 90-day form had a photo of herself on the desk and the uniform looked more brown than black - I also thought her title read 'Pol Snr Sgt .....', but I could simply be going blind. She was wearing civilian clothing, but not the same t-shirt as most of the office drones - if she is a cop, it may have been deemed more appropriate to for her to wear civvies for her role. If Wikipedia is correct, there are moves to separate the 'Immigration Bureau' from the RTP - gotta love a bureaucracy, though.

The Immigration Bureau has the following duties and authorities

Serves as a strategy intendance for Royal Thai Police to plan, control, examine, recommend and suggest about immigration procedures according to related laws.

Performs duties according to Criminal Procedure Law, Immigration Act, Alien Registration Law, Human Trafficking Act and other related criminal laws.

Collaborates or supports other related agencies or upon assignment.

[thaitero]

Complete "madhouse" this place at the moment. I went there this morning to get 30 extension to 30 day airportstamp. Place was totally packed. a trainee looked my passport and say i have to come back monday. Man with uniform said same thing. Coming back monday would have meant that i would had overstayd.

Lef my passport to agent and went to breakfast.. One was asking 8500 and another one 5000..Totally ridicilous.

Edited February 6, 2015 by thaitero

[ubonjoe]

Complete "madhouse" this place at the moment. I went there this morning to get 30 extension to 30 day airportstamp. Place was totally packed. a trainee looked my passport and say i have to come back monday. Man with uniform said same thing. Coming back monday would have meant that i would had overstayd.

Lef my passport to agent and went to breakfast.. One was asking 8500 and another one 5000..Totally ridicilous.

If your permit to stay ends over the weekend you will not be fined for overstay if you go on Monday.

Perhaps a short road trip to a city that has a immigration office . Check into a cheap guest house or hotel to get a receipt and address for it to put on the application.

[thaitero]

Thanks for your suggestion Ubonjoe but i already left my passport to agent and paid 5000 baht. Agent made paperwork for me and escorted me back to this "madhouse" where one uniformman took a photo of me and i asked is it o.k me to go and answer was yes.. I will collect my passport later this day.

Edited February 6, 2015 by thaitero

[samsingsong]

When I was at Jomtien Immigration last week I noticed that occasionally, between them changing queue numbers at the extensions desk, a young Thai lady representative with a 'Brittania Visa' polo shirt, would take an

applicant up to the desk (surely not jumping the queue?). My wife recognised one couple who she had seen in the initial queue at Information well behind us. I also noticed that sometimes they quickly skipped numbers, which could account for somebody going out of turn.

I'm sure there must be an innocent explanation......

[Bruzzzz]

This moening I got a Certificate of Residency at Soi 5 Jomtien (whatever the semantics want to call that address). In at 11:30 and finished by 12:00 including going out to get photocopies.

Last year I got my 12 month Retirement Visa in about 3 hours at the same office.

Tedious but reasonable I thought.

[thailien8]

Complete "madhouse" this place at the moment. I went there this morning to get 30 extension to 30 day airportstamp. Place was totally packed. a trainee looked my passport and say i have to come back monday. Man with uniform said same thing. Coming back monday would have meant that i would had overstayd.

Lef my passport to agent and went to breakfast.. One was asking 8500 and another one 5000..Totally ridicilous.

If your permit to stay ends over the weekend you will not be fined for overstay if you go on Monday.

Perhaps a short road trip to a city that has a immigration office . Check into a cheap guest house or hotel to get a receipt and address for it to put on the application.

When I went to Jomtien a week early to get 30-day extension, they said to come back on Feb. 6, Friday, the last possible day, I thought, to extend before expiration on Feb.7. But when I went back there today at 11 am., I was too late, they were too crowded, and will have to come back on Monday, two days into overstay. I'm afraid I blew my cool a bit as i didn't realize Monday is acceptable to them.

So I like ubonjoe's suggestion as I don't want to ever have to deal with Jomtien again. Is Chaeng Wattana any easier these days?

[thaitero]

I received my passport and stamp was o.k. At the end, did not take much of my time but like i said 5000 baht was the price of this " special" service this time.