Bad Experience Chiang Mai Immigration

[Foxy]

Went for a extention for a non imm B visum to the Immigration in Chiang Mai.

Have a Co. Ltd. Can show tax payment and social security payments for at least 4 employees.

Have land house and export approvals as well as clear bank statements. Invested about 5 millioen

Immagine, ...... they require a copy of an advertisement in a Chiang Mai newpaper asking for for staff and a picture of a poster asking for staff displayed on the front of the office. Otherwise no Visa.!!!

Do I come from the moon or do they come from the moon ??? I do not need any staff. We have over six people working. Who is comming from the moon ??? Any one has a reasonable explanation ??

Thanks Foxy

[Cyberstar]

Six people working... What's their nationality? And are they fulltime employees on at least minimum wage (5000 baht for Chiang Mai half a year ago - maybe upped a bit).

[cclub75]

Immagine, ...... they require a copy of an advertisement in a Chiang Mai newpaper asking for for staff and a picture of a poster asking for staff displayed on the front of the office. Otherwise no Visa.!!!

An interesting variation over the "photo of husband and wife in front of the house" asked for a Visa type O.

More and more, I think the best solution is to avoid at all cost contact with thai immigration officers. They can be so lunatic.

Use a lawyer, a go between whatever.

[chuchok]

Sounds like they are trying to extort money.Don't give in.

[Cyberstar]

We all can't but be guessing until OP returns with some answers.

My guess is that two of the six people working are foreigners. If that's the case, CM immigration has used their discretion in a postive way. The official rules dictate 4 fulltime employees per employed foreigner. So by merely asking OP to show evidence that he's actively trying to better the situation, rather than requiring 8 Thai employees appear on the tax records, shows nothing but leniency

[calibanjr.]

I have an amity company which has different regulations, one of which is that we don't need any Thai employees per WP. Biz in BKK for 2 years, then we moved the company up here to CM and the guy in charge of WP's (Chiang Mai) decided that we should have 1 Thai per WP! Nowhere in the regs, just his opinion, so that's the way it is! Hysterical.

[Foxy]

We all can't but be guessing until OP returns with some answers.

My guess is that two of the six people working are foreigners. If that's the case, CM immigration has used their discretion in a postive way. The official rules dictate 4 fulltime employees per employed foreigner. So by merely asking OP to show evidence that he's actively trying to better the situation, rather than requiring 8 Thai employees appear on the tax records, shows nothing but leniency

Thank you cyberstar, there is one farang and at least 4 full time thai employees with tax and social security records. So most of the friends I have talked to thinking about a bribery trick, It seems like CM IM has a bad reputation. Also bad for poor people looking for a job and spending their last few bath

on a useless telephone call. We are not looking for more employees.

[lingyai]

I have an amity company which has different regulations, one of which is that we don't need any Thai employees per WP. Biz in BKK for 2 years, then we moved the company up here to CM and the guy in charge of WP's (Chiang Mai) decided that we should have 1 Thai per WP! Nowhere in the regs, just his opinion, so that's the way it is! Hysterical.

Companies under the American amenity treaty (I assume this is what the OP is reffering to) don't need to hire any Thai employees for a work permit? Can this be confirmed by Sun Belt or another organization?

[toptuan]

Foxy, the immigration people (including any low-level clerk at the counter who may be having a very bad day) could ask you for your first dirty diaper. If you cannot produce it, then sorry, no visa. You are completely at their mercy.

They are not limited to, nor bound by, any law, reguation or policy in print or otherwise. The sooner we all learn this, the better. Always wear yout best clothes, put on your best manners, say your prayers, and bring everything with you, including the kitchen sink. With enough luck, you may get your visa.

I regularly show up with a minimum of 40 different documents, in triplicate, and am gradually beating the odds. But believe me, I have been asked for some pretty weird stuff. Of course, I refuse to offer a bribe as well, so that cuts my chances down a bit, too.

I have been through the process nearly 20 times, and I am not joking.

Edited November 24, 2006 by toptuan

[astral]

I suggest you ask to speak to the senior officer in charge and get his clarification of the rules.

You can also drop a line to the Head Office in Suan Plu,

the name and address should be on display in the CM office.

I have always found Suan Plu to be very straight forward and helpful.

[toptuan]

I suggest you ask to speak to the senior officer in charge and get his clarification of the rules.

You can also drop a line to the Head Office in Suan Plu,

the name and address should be on display in the CM office.

I have always found Suan Plu to be very straight forward and helpful.

Wow, what a fluke. I am going to ditch the five other offices I have been dealing with, and am coming straightaway to Suan Plu! Chances that they might start a training program for the other miscreants I deal with?

Edited November 24, 2006 by toptuan

[calibanjr.]

I have an amity company which has different regulations, one of which is that we don't need any Thai employees per WP. Biz in BKK for 2 years, then we moved the company up here to CM and the guy in charge of WP's (Chiang Mai) decided that we should have 1 Thai per WP! Nowhere in the regs, just his opinion, so that's the way it is! Hysterical.

Companies under the American amenity treaty (I assume this is what the OP is reffering to) don't need to hire any Thai employees for a work permit? Can this be confirmed by Sun Belt or another organization?

I hope so!

Edited November 24, 2006 by calibanjr.

[BronzeRider]

I suggest you ask to speak to the senior officer in charge and get his clarification of the rules.

You can also drop a line to the Head Office in Suan Plu,

the name and address should be on display in the CM office.

I have always found Suan Plu to be very straight forward and helpful.

And it is sad that the all immigration offices, throughout the country, can't be as helpfull.

BR

[h5n1]

i would have tried to work my way up chain of command, that is an absolutely arbitrary demand.

i think its time you pack your bag - this is how much they care about you and your employment of the nationals.

thai rak thai

[toptuan]

...that is an absolutely arbitrary demand...

...and that's exactly my point. At their mercy. You're not living in a society where the law is supreme. Here, it's who you know, and how you connect. Love it or leave it.

Edited November 26, 2006 by toptuan

[mouse]

I have an amity company which has different regulations, one of which is that we don't need any Thai employees per WP. Biz in BKK for 2 years, then we moved the company up here to CM and the guy in charge of WP's (Chiang Mai) decided that we should have 1 Thai per WP! Nowhere in the regs, just his opinion, so that's the way it is! Hysterical.

Double check with Sunbelt but, I think that after the first year we also need the 4 Thais.

[tartempion]

Jeez, why anyone non-thai (or non-chinese) wants to invest/work in this country goes beyond my understanding.

Can someone explain?

[Foxy]

Jeez, why anyone non-thai (or non-chinese) wants to invest/work in this country goes beyond my understanding.

Can someone explain?

I was blocked by Thai Visa for a 10 days, as by their point of view , I posted a message containing no valuable info for any farang because I called the Chiang Mai Immigration ........

Finally I got through the Non Immigrant B Extension proces, I started counting how many times the officer checked and marked and reordered and reordered again and again and checked again and again and marked again and again my 94 pages file. And every time the officer found somthing not 100 % correct. I have been waiting for hours and hours like a beggar. I had to go back for 5 times

and wasted at least 25 working hours. I will not go into further details but this is something that can realy give you a sick feeling for at least two or tree weeks.

Right now my records are send to Bangkok for further approval. Takes another month.

Yes indeed my love and sympathy for Thailand has melting away those days.

I have a company, jobs and export to offer, bought land + house + warehouse + office.

Indeed stupid because you are fully depending on the Immigrations unpredictable behaviour.

However they keep om smiling.

You are never too old to learn and I agree your poit of view, do not start anything in this unpredictable environment.

Without properties and no investments I would have left this place with rocket speed and never be back. Tartemtion is right.

[Dakhar]

Yep,

This is why I keep my money in the US. This is why I don't drop roots here. I just figure I will be here until they finally rule me out. You know, set the bar to like 400K a month income or something off the wall like that.

So until that time, work, work, work and more work.... 6 days a week. Save my bahts, and when I am ruled out... pack up and go back to a 5 day a week schedule... you know, semi-retire!

It is crazy, I could afford to retire here, but I have to work... . crazy crazy crazy

[chuchok]

I was blocked by Thai Visa for a 10 days, as by their point of view , I posted a message containing no valuable info for any farang because I called the Chiang Mai Immigration ........

Finally I got through the Non Immigrant B Extension proces, I started counting how many times the officer checked and marked and reordered and reordered again and again and checked again and again and marked again and again my 94 pages file. And every time the officer found somthing not 100 % correct. I have been waiting for hours and hours like a beggar. I had to go back for 5 times

and wasted at least 25 working hours. I will not go into further details but this is something that can realy give you a sick feeling for at least two or tree weeks.

Right now my records are send to Bangkok for further approval. Takes another month.

Yes indeed my love and sympathy for Thailand has melting away those days.

I have a company, jobs and export to offer, bought land + house + warehouse + office.

Indeed stupid because you are fully depending on the Immigrations unpredictable behaviour.

However they keep om smiling.

You are never too old to learn and I agree your poit of view, do not start anything in this unpredictable environment.

Without properties and no investments I would have left this place with rocket speed and never be back. Tartemtion is right.

Why were you blocked again????

[Foxy]

I have an amity company which has different regulations, one of which is that we don't need any Thai employees per WP. Biz in BKK for 2 years, then we moved the company up here to CM and the guy in charge of WP's (Chiang Mai) decided that we should have 1 Thai per WP! Nowhere in the regs, just his opinion, so that's the way it is! Hysterical.

Double check with Sunbelt but, I think that after the first year we also need the 4 Thais.

I considered to contact Sunbelt to do the Visa extention for me. But the application form stated very clearly the the application has to be done in person. Would be a gift from heaven if the next time ( IF ANY !!! ) is easier. rgd Foxyl

[Foxy]

I was blocked by Thai Visa for a 10 days, as by their point of view , I posted a message containing no valuable info for any farang because I called the Chiang Mai Immigration ........

Finally I got through the Non Immigrant B Extension proces, I started counting how many times the officer checked and marked and reordered and reordered again and again and checked again and again and marked again and again my 94 pages file. And every time the officer found somthing not 100 % correct. I have been waiting for hours and hours like a beggar. I had to go back for 5 times

and wasted at least 25 working hours. I will not go into further details but this is something that can realy give you a sick feeling for at least two or tree weeks.

Right now my records are send to Bangkok for further approval. Takes another month.

Yes indeed my love and sympathy for Thailand has melting away those days.

I have a company, jobs and export to offer, bought land + house + warehouse + office.

Indeed stupid because you are fully depending on the Immigrations unpredictable behaviour.

However they keep om smiling.

You are never too old to learn and I agree your poit of view, do not start anything in this unpredictable environment.

Without properties and no investments I would have left this place with rocket speed and never be back. Tartemtion is right.

Why were you blocked again????

Clever you.... somthing simulair, that makes a total of 10 days, it's also a bit out of topic

[Sunbelt Asia]

I have an amity company which has different regulations, one of which is that we don't need any Thai employees per WP. Biz in BKK for 2 years, then we moved the company up here to CM and the guy in charge of WP's (Chiang Mai) decided that we should have 1 Thai per WP! Nowhere in the regs, just his opinion, so that's the way it is! Hysterical.

Double check with Sunbelt but, I think that after the first year we also need the 4 Thais.

No Thai employees are needed unless you are applying for a extension of stay permit based on business. If you are applying, you need 4 Thai employees per work permit.

No Thais employees needed if you are applying for a extension of stay permit based on marriage.

No Thais employees needed if you are applying for a extension of stay permit based on education.

No Thais employees needed if you are applying for a extension of stay permit based on living with your Thai children and you are over 50 years old.

No Thais employees needed if you are applying for a work permit.

Please be aware : This is in BKk. Each province that has a Labor Dept can use their own rules of having one Thai employee even though its not in the regulation rules required to obtain a work permit. If they feel like it, they can require it.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

.

[Sunbelt Asia]

I considered to contact Sunbelt to do the Visa extention for me. But the application form stated very clearly the the application has to be done in person. Would be a gift from heaven if the next time ( IF ANY !!! ) is easier. rgd Foxyl

We go with a number of people for the extensions to make it go smoother. Even though the client must go as well, they find it helps having someone with them able to convince the officer.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[Sunbelt Asia]

I have an amity company which has different regulations, one of which is that we don't need any Thai employees per WP. Biz in BKK for 2 years, then we moved the company up here to CM and the guy in charge of WP's (Chiang Mai) decided that we should have 1 Thai per WP! Nowhere in the regs, just his opinion, so that's the way it is! Hysterical.

Companies under the American amenity treaty (I assume this is what the OP is reffering to) don't need to hire any Thai employees for a work permit? Can this be confirmed by Sun Belt or another organization?

I hope so!

Confirmed. Not required at least in BKk for any Thai company even if they are not Amity. Some Labor Depts. want to see one Thai employee in some provinces but it’s not in the regulation.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

[brahmburgers]

introducing fruit types that are as yet unknown.....

Yep,

This is why I keep my money in the US. This is why I don't drop roots here. I just figure I will be here until they finally rule me out. You know, set the bar to like 400K a month income or something off the wall like that.

So until that time, work, work, work and more work.... 6 days a week. Save my bahts, and when I am ruled out... pack up and go back to a 5 day a week schedule... you know, semi-retire!

It is crazy, I could afford to retire here, but I have to work... . crazy crazy crazy

I too wish I hadn't set such deep roots in Thailand - literally - I've planted hundreds of trees on rural property - to develop an experimental farm. I'll stay here for as long as possible, as there are still attributes that endear me. However, the closer it gets to Zimbabwe-mentality (retrieve from the whites to give back to the natives) ....the closer I get to pulling tent stakes and finding a more hospitable place. It will be a bit sad, because the fruits I'm growing are found nowhere else in Thailand, and without my husbandry, they'll likely revert to the weed choked field that was here originally.