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Immigration Office Craziness - The Long Weekend Is Over

ExpatLife

By ExpatLife
in General Topics

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ExpatLife Explorer Member

ExpatLife

Posted
Posted

So after making my trip to the immigration office today after the 5 day National holiday, I am interested to hear of any other stories users here may have?

I had to extend my visa in Hua Hin, which often is no big deal. Turn up at 8-8:30am and leave within an hour. I knew today was going to be hectic but I couldn't foresee to what extent.
I arrived at 8am and it was already visibly crowded. My girlfriend hopped in and got a number as I filed out the 30 day extension form. Time to get it photocopied, right? Wrong, the machine as broken. Now this meant that at least half of the people there needed to leave the office and out onto the streets to locate a copy place. It felt like something from the Whacky Races where people were running around town on bikes and cars, trying to get their paperwork copied and then hurry back to await the que. Here's the thing though, there must have been around 100-150 people who needed to get their things copied, the immigration had a copier inside but their argument was that if they allowed one person to get it done then they would have to do that for everyone. I would go as far as to say that is no problem, they could easily copy all of those passports in no time and it would be pennies.

Anyway I got back to the office and luckily due to my partners job she knows many people, I did not have to take a new number and get in line again, and was seated soon enough. However I had missed one page for to copy and the immigration officer saw this with a smile. I thought I would have to go again and head to the copy shop, but the officer decided this one page was fine to copy, talk about not making your mind up!

Ended up leaving at around 10:15 which is not so bad. I did see a few people blowing up at immigration officers and others who looked like they were about to kill someone, but overall I think it was not so bad. I am assuming that in busier immigration offices such as Bangkok today would have been hell!?

pgrahmm Platinum Member

pgrahmm

Posted
Posted (edited)

Will find out in CM at a 3:00 appointment (through my agent) for my annual extension....Got back into town from an international trip on the 4th - just in time to drop off the PP....

Holiday started on the 5th....Extension up on the 9th - last holiday day......Agent set the appointment with immigration for today......

Going to get there 30 minutes early.....

Stay tuned to this thread for latest developments.....

Our printer can make color/bw copies & scans - with the need to make copies for about everything + the girls school projects/lessons it's been a very handy tool to have around the house......

Plus neatly finished typed in forms - because my handwriting sucks....

Running to find copy places is not my favorite thing.....

Edited by pgrahmm
ukrules Star Member

ukrules

Posted
Posted

Everyone always seems to go to immigration very early in the morning to avoid the rush and get there first. This suggests that people are consciously making a decision to go at the absolute busiest time of the day.

Personally I always go in the mid to late afternoon when it's much quieter. I try to get there about an hour before they close for the day. I've never spent more than 20-30 minutes in an immigration office in Thailand.

pgrahmm Platinum Member

pgrahmm

Posted
Posted

hi am so sorry to bother you but what do i need to do for 30 day extension beside fill the form ,,,,thanks

Someone will know - I don't do 30's - can't answer.....

But the tourist desk was returning visa's in lesser numbers the short time I was there....People to the rafters though....

whatproblem Explorer Member

whatproblem

Posted
Posted

So ExpatLife didn't have to get a new number because his wife new enough people to jump the queue,lucky man ,the rest of us who not have wife's well known have to queue

ronrat Senior Member

ronrat

Posted
Posted

Went to jomtiem 1.40. 85 people before me in the 90 day reporting line. Come back tommorrow.

taichiplanet Advanced Member

taichiplanet

Posted
Posted (edited)

Was tossing up whether to go today or not but went to Jomtien at 11am and it was frantic. It took 15 minutes just to pick up my passport from having the extension done last Wednesday. Then decided to get a multi-entry permit, got one of the last numbers before cut-off for lunch and 10 minutes later was out the door. Generally everyone waited patiently, and although some staff looked a little stressed they were all very professional and efficient. i used to dread walking into that place but now it is a pleasure to go; almost!

BTW the extension on Wednesday only took 5 minutes. Can't ask for better than that! thumbsup.gif

Edited by taichiplanet
moe666 Diamond Member

moe666

Posted
Posted

Extension done & out at 3:12.....

your photos of Cm immigration look like a regular business day. Why does anyone go to immigration on Monday, Friday or after a holiday

akentryan Senior Member

akentryan

Posted
Posted

Craziness seems to have spread to the Postal Service as well. At Banglamung PO this morning I was asked for my passport to mail two letters to the USA, One envelope was regular legal size the other was about 8 x 10. Both were air mail and not EMS. I had my US ID card with me and that got my letters mailed presumably. I was told next time to bring my passport. Is this something new?

ExpatLife Explorer Member

ExpatLife

Posted
  • Author
Posted

hi am so sorry to bother you but what do i need to do for 30 day extension beside fill the form ,,,,thanks

You need to have a photograph to attach to the form, your passport, photocopies of your main page in your passport along with the last stamp page and also your TM card.

pgrahmm Platinum Member

pgrahmm

Posted
Posted

Extension done & out at 3:12.....

your photos of Cm immigration look like a regular business day. Why does anyone go to immigration on Monday, Friday or after a holiday

I was in & out in 40 minutes - but had an appointment.....In my case the annual was up on the 9th & I got back in town on the 4th - had to go.....

Bredbury Blue Platinum Member

Bredbury Blue

Posted
Posted

Went to samut prakarn at 3pm. Busiest I've ever seen it in the decade or so I've been going there. One hour to do 90 days. Loads of new staff faces...guess they'd been brought in temporarily to help out.

MikeOwen Explorer Member

MikeOwen

Posted
Posted

Everyone always seems to go to immigration very early in the morning to avoid the rush and get there first. This suggests that people are consciously making a decision to go at the absolute busiest time of the day.

Personally I always go in the mid to late afternoon when it's much quieter. I try to get there about an hour before they close for the day. I've never spent more than 20-30 minutes in an immigration office in Thailand.

Don't tell everyone or they'll all be doing it !!!!!

patrick1968 Senior Member

patrick1968

Posted
Posted

hi am so sorry to bother you but what do i need to do for 30 day extension beside fill the form ,,,,thanks

You need to have a photograph to attach to the form, your passport, photocopies of your main page in your passport along with the last stamp page and also your TM card.

thank you ,,,

The Usual Suspect Senior Member

The Usual Suspect

Posted
Posted (edited)

The "holiday" UUGGHH! wreaked more havoc with my pension transfer, than with immigration! What a pain in the arse. I just went in this morning to the immigration office in Amnat Charoen. As always, I was treated with promptness and respect. The immigration officer even apologized for the "inconvenience" I experienced because of the holiday and processed my visa extension as fast as he could, as we walked in the door the minute the office opened. I have NEVER in the four years I have lived in Thailand, had a single problem with immigration! We ALWAYS go in with our ducks in a row, no overstays, proper documents (in duplicate), photos, etc. We have never had to wait more than fifteen minutes to be processed. Every staff member we have had to deal with has been right on. We were even informed that "if all goes according to plan" I will be able to do my next 90 day report in Roi Et! Thank you, Sweet Jesus!

Edited by The Usual Suspect
willyumiii Gold Member

willyumiii

Posted
Posted

Just read about some "fun" in Jomtien.

But the lucky member only did a 90 day report and escaped quickly.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/915255-jomtien-immigration-office-closed-5-9-may-2016/#entry10731117

Holidays, holidays, holidays to stimulate th economy blink.png

Logic of the current Thai government.

Why go through all that BS just mail it in simple. Its the visa renewal here in CM that is like a steeple chase.

Why?

because not all immigration offices have the mail in option.

That is why.

donnybay Explorer Member

donnybay

Posted
Posted

Went to jomtiem 1.40. 85 people before me in the 90 day reporting line. Come back tommorrow.

To be honest you knew yesterday would be busy, one day wont make a difference, I went today Jomtien 3:30 out 3:40 for 90 day reporting

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