SURVEY: What best describes your experiences with Thai Immigration?

Our members have had varied experiences with Thai Immigration. Which choice best describes your, or someone you know well, overall experience with Thai Immigration?

Please feel free to leave a comment.

I have contact with Immigration in several different provinces. I have never had any problems with Immigration officials, but in the course of my work, I have seen a great deal of variation in how they interpret and enforce the rules.

never had a problem with Immigration here in Mukdahan

all are very friendly,and go out of their way to help

The only times I had a problem, both times of my own doing - Thai immigration did a great job and took care of it for me...

They have been terrific.

Personally no problems over a period of 14 years and 3 different offices.

They do a great job and do their best to help.

Voted for B.

Officers are different, have a good or a bad day.

One time I should return 200 km because photocopy of my wife's ID was not signed by her (having the original with me)

Cleared the problem with the boss for a "fee".

Khon Kaen.

I prefer to go as early as possible before the officers have met all the trouble makers, Chang singlets etc.

Edited July 17, 20169 yr by KhunBENQ

If only that all applied the same consistent rules, it should not vary from office to office and often officer to officer.

Why are all the vote questions I or someone I know??? Should surley be I only. Even A is both if your doing the vote everyone on here has read of stories very biased poll in my eyes

So I vote non of the above.

I have used two immigration offices Pattaya and KK, I have never had a problem and found both to be exellent.

Edited July 17, 20169 yr by Deepinthailand

First Non-O extension based on marriage had 1 or 2 hiccups only because it was our first time going through the process. Always been a bit of an organizer/administrator type so TBH, I don't find the extension process as grueling as others seem to.

That said, I still grimace as I watch Immigration offers flounder around with these arcane, paper-intensive processes from the 20th Century. Meanwhile, on their lunch break, they send photos and documents to a friend in BKK via Facebook, then log in to internet banking and transfer money, all without batting an eye lid. They "get it" for sure, but are stuck with old school management.

Maybe in 10 years time, when the older, less tech inclined senior officers retire, the younger ones will drag the process the rest of the way into the 21st Century.

ive never had an issue.

gdaya folks,

thus far on a scale 1 to 10 after having filed 8 extensions, i rate immi pattaya 9+ namely counter 6 ......

wbr

roobaa01

Told by one officer they did not do extension and go to Suan Phlu Bkk when I did not live in Bkk, and they did do extensions, no problem

Asked for 4 then 5 copies of pp for 90 day extensions, no problem

Told need every page of PP copied even blank one for extension one year, then not the next, no problem

One officer told my mrs she did not know how she could live with a foreigner, no problem

Given forms all in Thai to sign when going for extension, no problem

Fill in info about foreigner form last time, no problem

Often asked, 'why you stay Thailand' by officials, no problem

-I know my place

Edited July 17, 20169 yr by thai3

The only issue I've ever had is upon returning to BKK a couple of years ago after a 1 month holiday... I had two open Visas.

My Visa (extension of stay, based on work Permit (or whatever its called) was expiring the day after my arrival.

I wanted to use my S.E. Visa (Thai Elite) valid until 2017.

The Immigration Officer told me I had to use my Extension of Stay (based on WP) which meant I would have had to exit Thailand the following day upon expiry (or get an extension).

This seemed insane, but he was firm in his decision. I was also firm that his decision didn't make any sense, I wouldn't accept and asked for a Senior Officer who told me I could enter on my S.E. Visa.

In short - the first Immigration officer didn't know what to do but stuck with an incorrect decision until it was sorted out by a senior officer.

Lesson: know what we can and can't do as the Immigration Officers may not always know themselves.

---------------------

A few years back a friend lost his TM6 card - He went to Suan Plu to report this and get a new one (if he could).

He was told to go to the Airport and do this - He went to the Airport to report this and get a new one (if he could).

He was told to go to Suan Plu... he was getting the run around... He got upset, made a little scene and a Senior Officer came out, took him into his office to find out what the issue was, called up Immigration at the Airport - the issue was resolved in a matter of minutes with a very apologetic Senior Immigration Officer.

Because the Junior Immigration officers were unsure what to do, they just pushed the issue elsewhere (lazy)...

Lesson: As above, if in doubt, speak with a Senior official.

Edited July 17, 20169 yr by richard_smith237

Never had a problem with Thai immigration either at Suan Phlu (in the old days), C/W or any airport on entry.

Basically, have all paperwork at hand ( and extra if needed), dress politely, smile and show respect without fawning .

IT WORKS!!

I had a few naughty moment due to my own attitude, but never had any serious problem with NongKhai immigration.

Fair and square!!

Been coming to Thailand for over twenty two years and lived here for the last twelve years. I've had friends and relatives from the UK coming here on a regular (annual) basis plus friends who live here and none of us have had a problem in all that time. The only problem I've known is when my mate's Thai wife threw her TM 6 away because, being Thai, she didn't think she needed it but got a right bo**ocking from the IO when she tried to leave and go back to the UK.

But, if you want to talk about visa problems, try getting a visa to the UK for your wives/girlfriends etc. Compared to the relative ease of getting visas/extensions etc in Thailand, the UK can be (and usually is) an absolute nightmare.

I have nothing but praise for the Nong Khai office. A pre-visit to ask about the specific requirements to achieve my next goal is a must. i ensure that I have all my ducks lined up to their requirements, in and out in a few minutes. 90 day reports online is working after some early technical glitches.

I've known several people who had significant problems with immigration. Most of it has been resolved, but in one situation a person ended up exiting the country and was not allowed to return. She was told to go back to her home country and get a visa. She was applying for a non-Immigrant B visa. She did and eventually returned and now has a work permit.

They can be quite capricious at times.

Thai Immigration here in Rayong is second to none. They do a great Job.

Never a problem. The pretty lady at desk 2 Khon Kaen most obliging.

Two former employers fired me. I had very strong litigation cases for violation of contract which were later settled in my favor. In retaliation for my filing litigation, both held my work permit beyond the new termination date but reported the termination to be sooner, which would normally put me in overstay. In both cases, the immigration officers, one in Isaan and one in Pattaya aggressively investigated the situation and ruled in my favor, chastising the former employers.

Also, any time I report to immigration, I dress as though I am going for a job interview. I have never even once in eight years had the slightest problem. When one immigration officer found the paperwork from a new employer to be shoddy, she took the trouble to make calls and fixed it so I would not have to return. In fact, I have never had anything but the most courteous treatment from any Thai government agency. OTOH, while not exactly hostile, the police in the traffic office on Pattaya's Beach Road office were at best cool (not in a good way).

Sakon Nakhon IO very efficient & friendly. Never a problem. I have seen a few customers that could have done with a slight attitude adjustment though.

With one notable exception the people at my immigration office have always been polite and helpful.

But they have to deal with the silly procedures that are mandated from on high.

This year's example.

In the ridiculous photos we have to take of the wife and I sitting on the sofa, the bed and standing outside the house beside an address sign the lady told us that I should change shirts in the pictures.

Bangkok apparently asked someone to send photos with different shirts. I guess the mentality is that somehow adds further proof you live there.

The same with all the passport photocopies. They have all this on file. All that should be required is your visa number, then present passport for verification of identity.

To my mind this seems like Bangkok not trusting their provincial offices ability to properly verify foreigners' information.

But, to reiterate, given the rules that they have to follow virtually all the officers I've dealt with have been great.

Jomtien Immigration always EXCELLENT Service!

Never had a problem with Thai immigration either at Suan Phlu (in the old days), C/W or any airport on entry.

Basically, have all paperwork at hand ( and extra if needed), dress politely, smile and show respect without fawning .

IT WORKS!!

Years ago I was given a hard time for only having one child in our 'family outside the house' photos instead of two.

"Who do you think took the photo?" said I as my poker face started to slip...

Samui were deliberately obstructive for a decade or more and are far from perfect today. If the OP opened a sub-thread for that office the result would mirror the Jocks re Brexit

Edited July 18, 20169 yr by evadgib

When extending my stay based on marriage I suffered multiple occasions of frustration based on the different interpretations of what is actually required. Having changed to extension based on retirement, it's a breeze, no issues whatsoever.

Voted C.

Far too much inconsistency from Office to Office, Officer to Officer and from year to year.

All operate under one set of regulations, but interpret them differently depending on the vague whims of bosses and individuals. It seems new paperwork is required every year.

I understand the race to accumulate the highest stack of paperwork is a unique Thai thing, whatever the agency, but I still find it frustrating that they don't understand that computers and efficiencies make everyone's lives easier.

While I applaud their efforts to clean out the scum of the world from their borders, I also get annoyed that they seem unable to separate genuine tourists and expats from these people.

On a personal note, a couple of years ago they initially rejected my retirement extension, lodged by my wife, because of the urgent need to take an extra photo on somebodies iPhone. I had to front the next day ,and the officer was very annoyed that he had to come down the steps to take this photo because my wheelchair couldn't get upstairs to his desk.

When extending my stay based on marriage I suffered multiple occasions of frustration based on the different interpretations of what is actually required. Having changed to extension based on retirement, it's a breeze, no issues whatsoever.

GPS maps etc deemed fine for the last 3+ years can inexplicably fail if someone is having a bad day. With no complaints procedure there's nothing we can do but laugh...

The only consistency is the inconsistency!

Edited July 18, 20169 yr by evadgib

Never had a problem with Immigration at CW or Jomtien when I lived there.

Jomtien Immigration always EXCELLENT Service!

Agree. Never had a problem with immigrations at Jomtien. Always amazed at how calm and patient the officers are considering what (and who) they have to deal with hour after hour, day after day.