Retirement extension, Udon Thani

[TKDfella]

This is just for information. A couple of weeks ago I went to the immigration office and asked if there were any changes or additional requirements from 2015. I was told, no changes from last year. Today I went to extend my retirement here for another year and prepared all documents as last year. Two sets, one for the office and one for BKK central. After an initial 'hitch' by an inexperienced 'work experience' female student, all went smoothly. My passport is stamped for me to return in May. I signed the document of overstay info too.

However, unlike last year only one set was required and the other set was returned to me without perusal. All copies of each bank book page for the last year were returned and also the TM 30 signed by the owner of the residence. However, the personal registration (house and ID) copies from the owner of the residence were not returned to me again a departure from last year and seems odd to me. Perhaps my being here for over 20 years has some bearing but I don't think so.

Please, don't misunderstand me. I am not suggesting that anyone follow what I have posted and should prepare documents as each person sees fit or has been told. In fact, it might be better to have more and not need them rather than too little. And, of course, I appreciate that other immigration offices do things differently.

[KhunBENQ]

Return in May?

Unusually long "under consideration" period?

Udon is known to even put ret.ext. under consideration.

But usually 30 days.

[TKDfella]

Return in May?

Unusually long "under consideration" period?

Udon is known to even put ret.ext. under consideration.

But usually 30 days.

Yes, sorry about that. I forgot to mention that I was due to renew 1st of April but went early this year just in case there were additional requirements. So it would be 30 days had I gone on the day due.

[ubonjoe]

Return in May?

Unusually long "under consideration" period?

Udon is known to even put ret.ext. under consideration.

But usually 30 days.

It is still 30 days but they start from the end of the current permit to stay. Many offices do it that way. All the under consideration stamps for my extensions have been done that way.

[PeVee1st]

Same happened to me at Udon Immigration. I went 3 weeks before my extension renewal date, last year my Passport stamped to return on expiry date, this year stamped to return 1 month after the expiry date.

Queried the date & was told new rules.

Anyone else affected by the "new rules"?

[ubonjoe]

Same happened to me at Udon Immigration. I went 3 weeks before my extension renewal date, last year my Passport stamped to return on expiry date, this year stamped to return 1 month after the expiry date.

Queried the date & was told new rules.

Anyone else affected by the "new rules"?

Just a change of policy at Udon apparently. Perhaps on instructions from division 4 headquarters in Korat.

[bouph12]

It has been posted on a local forum in Udon this week that an American gentleman went for a retirement extension and asked for it to be done on the same day (without the 30 day wait).

When he was told it was 1500 baht for "Express Service", he went to the local N.A.C.C. office and complained.

He reports that after some phone calls between Udon and Bangkok he was asked to return to the Immigration office where he was given the extension without charge.

[wpcoe]

It has been posted on a local forum in Udon this week that an American gentleman went for a retirement extension and asked for it to be done on the same day (without the 30 day wait).

When he was told it was 1500 baht for "Express Service", he went to the local N.A.C.C. office and complained.

He reports that after some phone calls between Udon and Bangkok he was asked to return to the Immigration office where he was given the extension without charge.

Wow. If true that might open a big can of worms for somebody. Congrats to that American fellow for having the cojones to do that. Pretty sure I don't.

[JLCrab]

It has been posted on a local forum in Udon this week that an American gentleman went for a retirement extension and asked for it to be done on the same day (without the 30 day wait).

When he was told it was 1500 baht for "Express Service", he went to the local N.A.C.C. office and complained.

He reports that after some phone calls between Udon and Bangkok he was asked to return to the Immigration office where he was given the extension without charge.

Wow. If true that might open a big can of worms for somebody. Congrats to that American fellow for having the cojones to do that. Pretty sure I don't.

Good story. It would also be a good story whether the guy receives a service-with-a-smile treatment the next time he shows up.

[OJAS]

It has been posted on a local forum in Udon this week that an American gentleman went for a retirement extension and asked for it to be done on the same day (without the 30 day wait).

When he was told it was 1500 baht for "Express Service", he went to the local N.A.C.C. office and complained.

He reports that after some phone calls between Udon and Bangkok he was asked to return to the Immigration office where he was given the extension without charge.

Wow. If true that might open a big can of worms for somebody. Congrats to that American fellow for having the cojones to do that. Pretty sure I don't.

Good story. It would also be a good story whether the guy receives a service-with-a-smile treatment the next time he shows up.

But if he doesn't it looks like another trip on his part to the local N.A.C.C. office may well do the trick!

[JLCrab]

Bad or slow service may be just that and not within the mandate of the N.A.C.C.

[bouph12]

It has been posted on a local forum in Udon this week that an American gentleman went for a retirement extension and asked for it to be done on the same day (without the 30 day wait).

When he was told it was 1500 baht for "Express Service", he went to the local N.A.C.C. office and complained.

He reports that after some phone calls between Udon and Bangkok he was asked to return to the Immigration office where he was given the extension without charge.

Wow. If true that might open a big can of worms for somebody. Congrats to that American fellow for having the cojones to do that. Pretty sure I don't.

Good story. It would also be a good story whether the guy receives a service-with-a-smile treatment the next time he shows up.

Given the choice between probity with a scowl or scamming with a smile, I suspect he'd prefer the former.

I would.

Bad or slow service may be just that and not within the mandate of the N.A.C.C.

Yes, true, but bad or slow service that disappears when a bribe is paid surely is within their mandate.

If you're suggesting they may just make things awkward on his next visit, that may well happen.

I think it's more likely that they'll deal with him promptly,knowing that he's capable of kicking up a fuss. Why draw attention to yourself when there are so many pliable victims to hit on?

Vindictiveness requires effort.