Residence Certificates - Chiang Mai

[FolkGuitar]

Haven't done one in a year, but I'd heard things have changed. Everything is at Promenada now?

Yes, One-stop shopping? Well....  Not quite.

We went to the downstairs area looking for the new office for Residence certificates, only to be told that THAT office is now on the second floor.  OK, no problem. We took the escalators up to the second floor and looked for a sign. No sign. Not even a sign from God.

 

So we walked. And walked. We eventually found it, tucked into one of the corners, with a great big blue sign over the door that could only be seen if you were standing in front of it. So we went in. Empty chairs everywhere. A few staff behind some desks, but no customers. We asked, and were directed to the desk for Residence certificates. No one behind that desk, but after a moment, a smiling young woman came, sat down, and said; "Please let me tell you our procedure."

 

That worried me. How much 'procedure' is needed to hand in papers and get some back?

I told her that my wife required two certificates and I needed one.

She began; " We now have a queue system for application for Residence Certificates." She pulled out a ledger book, flipped some pages to the next blank spot and said;  "The next available opening is on the 27th in the afternoon. But you can only submit one application at a time, so you will need three queue numbers. I can give you one on the 27th, and the next two on the 28th." And then she smiled and continued; "After you submit your applications, you must wait two weeks for them to be processed, so you must plan to return twice to get your certificates." I smiled. I asked; "What is the cost for these?" to which she replied; "Oh, they are free."  How nice.

 

My next question was, as this is Thailand; "What if I wanted to pay for them? Could I get them more quickly?" She smiled. "Oh, of course. Please go downstairs to room #7 right next to the copy shop." So we did. Handed in our passport copies and papers from the condo, handed over some money, and out the door. Start to finish in room #7... 4 minutes. We'll pick up the certificates tomorrow.  I love Thailand.

 

Edited April 19, 2017 by FolkGuitar

[canthai55]

I have my seat belt on. Helmet on. Fire suit on. All prepared for the posts full of outrage - how dare they allow anyone to pay for expedited service 555

I love it here too !

[Bill97]

Yes paying for expedited service is an outrage available almost everywhere and for almost all time.

 

Lucky are those who have the extra dime to partake.

[trainman34014]

And there are those of us with Yellow Books that never need another Certificate of Residence !

[heybruce]

1 hour ago, canthai55 said:

I have my seat belt on. Helmet on. Fire suit on. All prepared for the posts full of outrage - how dare they allow anyone to pay for expedited service 555

I love it here too !

Of course the outrage will come from those who object to paying for convenience.  "What?  You paid to get residence certificates in a day instead of weeks, and to avoid extra trips to Promenada?  You fool!"

 

Granted, the system does seemed designed to push people to paying services, however anyone who moved to Thailand without expecting this sort of thing didn't do their homework.

[lordblackader]

Is there a paid service downstairs again? last time I was out there G4T was upstairs. 

[Sparkles]

1 hour ago, lordblackader said:

Is there a paid service downstairs again? last time I was out there G4T was upstairs. 

The goal posts keep moving .I did my TM 30 3 weeks ago,2nd floor, and they were doing residence certs there,well taking orders anyway.

 

RC of course are so time consuming, typing in the date and an address onto a standard template and printing it off can really stress staff out.... so be kind

 

[onfireuk]

Used the office next to the copy shop yesterday afternoon to.get a RC needed for DL, told come back after 2pm today. Total time spent there sorting this out less than 10min. Been in Chiang Mai a month and already had to visit CMI 4 times, the first 2 for the TM30 which was painful as the officer insulted my landlord who was doing me a favour. Just happy getting the RC was quick and easy.

[NancyL]

And so how much did you have to fork over and did you get an official receipt from Immigration?  I'd still rather go to the U.S. Consulate to get a C of R and pay them $50 even with Donald as president. At least the U.S. Consulate staff remains helpful and gives out official receipts. Plus, you can make your appointment on-line and get in-and-out in about 10 minutes.  You people are just fueling the machine at Promenada.

[moe666]

O please all of the drama from the refuse niks is old and boreing. Just pay up and get your documents and out the door in 10 or 15 min. Having to pay 500b for a service (yeah I know suppose to be free, and it is if you want to wait) that you can pay 50 dollars for paying 50 dollars or waiting a month doesn't make much sense. Just look upon it as a service and it makes the medicine go down easier

[moe666]

45 minutes ago, NancyL said:

And so how much did you have to fork over and did you get an official receipt from Immigration?  I'd still rather go to the U.S. Consulate to get a C of R and pay them $50 even with Donald as president. At least the U.S. Consulate staff remains helpful and gives out official receipts. Plus, you can make your appointment on-line and get in-and-out in about 10 minutes.  You people are just fueling the machine at Promenada.

It was fifty with Obumer in office

[FolkGuitar]

29 minutes ago, NancyL said:

And so how much did you have to fork over and did you get an official receipt from Immigration?  I'd still rather go to the U.S. Consulate to get a C of R and pay them $50 even with Donald as president. At least the U.S. Consulate staff remains helpful and gives out official receipts. Plus, you can make your appointment on-line and get in-and-out in about 10 minutes.  You people are just fueling the machine at Promenada.

 

$15 and I don't require a receipt. I'll use the other $35 for a better purpose than funding Trump's insanities.  Yes, you can get an appointment on line at the Consulate. I didn't have to make an appointment today. Easier. You prefer to fund Trump. I prefer to fund the Thais.

 

I didn't walk into Thailand blind. I knew how things worked before I came, and once here, I don't try to change the way the Thais do things. It's their country. I just co-exist with it. I'll applaud any positive (in my mind, anyway) changes that they make, but I won't try to impose my western values on them. 

But you may wish to review your Bible... John 8:7

 

[scottiejohn]

10 hours ago, NancyL said:

And so how much did you have to fork over and did you get an official receipt from Immigration?  I'd still rather go to the U.S. Consulate to get a C of R and pay them $50 even with Donald as president. At least the U.S. Consulate staff remains helpful and gives out official receipts. Plus, you can make your appointment on-line and get in-and-out in about 10 minutes.  You people are just fueling the machine at Promenada.

What if you are not a US citizen what are the options?

[rawhod]

39 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

What if you are not a US citizen what are the options?

Exactly....

 

If immigration were to discontinue issuing Certs. of Residence, which they have done in the past...

For us UK citizens it means a trip to British Embassy in Bangkok plus a nights stay-over to collect the certificate the following day, if you are lucky.

A fact that our American contributor conveniently forgets whilst continuing this never-ending, and possibly damaging, vendetta.

[FolkGuitar]

48 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

What if you are not a US citizen what are the options?

 

There is always the option of moving to Malaysia... No problems with corruption in Malaysia, as long as you're rich enough to pay for the expedited service.  $50,000 US dollars, if I remember correctly. But you get a receipt.

[moe666]

10 minutes ago, rawhod said:

Exactly....

 

If immigration were to discontinue issuing Certs. of Residence, which they have done in the past...

For us UK citizens it means a trip to British Embassy in Bangkok plus a nights stay-over to collect the certificate the following day, if you are lucky.

A fact that our American contributor conveniently forgets whilst continuing this never-ending, and possibly damaging, vendetta.

Only a few americans not all

[Bill97]

 
There is always the option of moving to Malaysia... No problems with corruption in Malaysia, as long as you're rich enough to pay for the expedited service.  $50,000 US dollars, if I remember correctly. But you get a receipt.

Exactly, no corruption there. How much of that Billion ?? Did they ever recover? From Singapore, Saudi, Switzerland....

[rawhod]

 

Correct "moe666". 

That's why I used the singular...

"A fact that our American contributor conveniently forgets..."

[scottiejohn]

3 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

 

There is always the option of moving to Malaysia... No problems with corruption in Malaysia, as long as you're rich enough to pay for the expedited service.  $50,000 US dollars, if I remember correctly. But you get a receipt.

I have no wish to move to Malaysia or any other country nor waste time hanging about or going to and from the Immigration Offices just because some US lady has a ‘bee in her bonnet’ about unproven allegations at Immigration.

 

Same as she cannot prove her allegations I cannot prove that she is making life more difficult for the rest of the expat community. I just wish she would desist in her actions/allegations and the sooner her planned move happens the better for all expats and immigration. IMHO

 

As I have no intention of making any more trips to Immigration than are absolutely essential I will continue to make use of the services of my local ‘Visa’ agent company. That includes residence certificates.

 

Long live visa agents and other such entrepreneurs.

[Nowisee]

On 4/19/2017 at 11:00 PM, FolkGuitar said:

 

$15 and I don't require a receipt. I'll use the other $35 for a better purpose than funding Trump's insanities.  Yes, you can get an appointment on line at the Consulate. I didn't have to make an appointment today. Easier. You prefer to fund Trump. I prefer to fund the Thais.

 

I didn't walk into Thailand blind. I knew how things worked before I came, and once here, I don't try to change the way the Thais do things. It's their country. I just co-exist with it. I'll applaud any positive (in my mind, anyway) changes that they make, but I won't try to impose my western values on them. 

But you may wish to review your Bible... John 8:7

 

 

Valid point.  

 

It is less expensive the thai way.  One has to determine if paying more for "principle" is worth it.  

I do like the clever way they have made it so inconvenient.   

 

I find it unreasonable to have to pay $50 for an affidavit... 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 21, 2017 by Nowisee

[DeaconJohn]

On ‎4‎/‎19‎/‎2017 at 11:00 PM, FolkGuitar said:

 

$15 and I don't require a receipt. I'll use the other $35 for a better purpose than funding Trump's insanities.  Yes, you can get an appointment on line at the Consulate. I didn't have to make an appointment today. Easier. You prefer to fund Trump. I prefer to fund the Thais.

 

I didn't walk into Thailand blind. I knew how things worked before I came, and once here, I don't try to change the way the Thais do things. It's their country. I just co-exist with it. I'll applaud any positive (in my mind, anyway) changes that they make, but I won't try to impose my western values on them. 

But you may wish to review your Bible... John 8:7

 

Exceptionally good post.

An excellent reply to nonsense.

Some good advice on how to get along here.

Concluding with John 8:7... that's one to live by.

[NancyL]

6 hours ago, Nowisee said:

 

Valid point.  

 

It is less expensive the thai way.  One has to determine if paying more for "principle" is worth it.  

I do like the clever way they have made it so inconvenient.   

 

I find it unreasonable to have to pay $50 for an affidavit... 

 

 

 

 

Yes, it's the height of Thai ingenuity that in order to get the "free" C of R one must first travel to Prom. to make an appointment to apply.  You can make appointments just during one hour of the morning and if you miss that window of time, oh well, come back tomorrow.  There never are appointments available for the same day, so you have to return another day for your appointment to submit your actual application then you have to return a few weeks (or is it a month?) later to pick up your completed "free" C or R.  That's three trips to Prom. Mall, assuming to arrive during the window of time when you can make application for an appointment during your first trip.

 

Prom. Mall has discontinued their free shuttle van and that wouldn't have helped for the first visit anyway, which is a morning window of time.

 

So, for those without their own transportation, that's three 400 baht round trips to the mall.  1200 baht.  Plus transport time.  It makes the $50 at the U.S. Consulate for the appointment you make on-line and in-and-out service in minutes from smiling staff look more and more reasonable.

 

Incidentally, the description of my first two paragraphs isn't an "unfounded allegation", it's a simple statement of fact.  Imm. has taken what is a very simple transaction and applied pure bureaucratic genius to it.  You can draw your own conclusions about why it was designed this way and who stands to gain when people get fed up and walk 30 meters down the 2nd floor hallway to a storefront at Prom. mall to get the same document in a few minutes for a 500 baht fee.  How is it this business can gain access that mere morals can't?

[canthai55]

28 minutes ago, NancyL said:

  How is it this business can gain access that mere morals can't?

I take it that this last sentence was made with tongue firmly lodged in cheek ?

[KhonKaenKowboy]

I was surprised by how easy it was to speak with the fat pig IO, who sat on my 90 report for two weeks, on the telephone.  Just called the main number and said 90 day reports...Perhaps you could make an appointment by phone for CR.  Still takes two trips with an agent.

[FolkGuitar]

1 hour ago, NancyL said:

  How is it this business can gain access that mere morals can't?

 

How is it that you moved to a country you find so corrupt?

And then spend so much time fighting about it? That makes no sense to me. At all.

[scottiejohn]

1 hour ago, NancyL said:

Yes, it's the height of Thai ingenuity that in order to get the "free" C of R one must first travel to Prom. to make an appointment to apply.  You can make appointments just during one hour of the morning and if you miss that window of time, oh well, come back tomorrow.  There never are appointments available for the same day, so you have to return another day for your appointment to submit your actual application then you have to return a few weeks (or is it a month?) later to pick up your completed "free" C or R.  That's three trips to Prom. Mall, assuming to arrive during the window of time when you can make application for an appointment during your first trip.

 

Prom. Mall has discontinued their free shuttle van and that wouldn't have helped for the first visit anyway, which is a morning window of time.

 

So, for those without their own transportation, that's three 400 baht round trips to the mall.  1200 baht.  Plus transport time.  It makes the $50 at the U.S. Consulate for the appointment you make on-line and in-and-out service in minutes from smiling staff look more and more reasonable.

 

Incidentally, the description of my first two paragraphs isn't an "unfounded allegation", it's a simple statement of fact.  Imm. has taken what is a very simple transaction and applied pure bureaucratic genius to it.  You can draw your own conclusions about why it was designed this way and who stands to gain when people get fed up and walk 30 meters down the 2nd floor hallway to a storefront at Prom. mall to get the same document in a few minutes for a 500 baht fee.  How is it this business can gain access that mere morals can't?

Just what is you response/problem/complaint about?

 

Are you just against the Immigration Department, agent(s) in Prom or all agents.

 

You say "make you own conclusions". Sorry-what are your "conclusions"? I would love to see you put your "conclusions" in print.  If you dare!

 

If you have proof of wrongdoing with the Immigration Department (and or agents) then please go ahead and publish it and not continue to make snide remarks.

 

Meanwhile I do not give a fig about you opinions and attacks about immigration. I don’t care how many trips it takes to Prom to do what you are on about. I just don’t make the trips.

I just walk down the road to my visa agent. The overall fees and waste of time etc far outweigh any other consideration. (At either site)

 

Unless the IO has to ‘See me" in person (annual extension photo etc nowadays) I have no need ever to visit Immigration personally at either location. I have used ‘agents’ in all their guises for over 20 years.

 

Please leave us expats who are staying here, and the Immigration Department, alone and let us lead our own lives without, what I believe, is your hindrance with the Immigration Department.

Edited April 21, 2017 by scottiejohn
minor edit

[JimGant]

Someone please clarify -- the quickest way to get an RC is to go to room #7? Is this a few minute turnaround, or as I understand with G4T, come back in a few hours? Obviously, the value of time, is important, but not a show stopper -- which parking and $50 at the Consulate certainly is. So -- going direct to room 7 is mo betta than G4T, or not?

Edited April 21, 2017 by JimGant

[scottiejohn]

48 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Someone please clarify -- the quickest way to get an RC is to go to room #7? Is this a few minute turnaround, or as I understand with G4T, come back in a few hours? Obviously, the value of time, is important, but not a show stopper -- which parking and $50 at the Consulate certainly is. So -- going direct to room 7 is mo betta than G4T, or not?

Ask NancyL for the "best way" to get it done ASAP.

Edited April 21, 2017 by scottiejohn

[scottiejohn]

57 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Someone please clarify -- the quickest way to get an RC is to go to room #7? Is this a few minute turnaround, or as I understand with G4T, come back in a few hours? Obviously, the value of time, is important, but not a show stopper -- which parking and $50 at the Consulate certainly is. So -- going direct to room 7 is mo betta than G4T, or not?

I don't use the in-house  agents at Prom.  I use one near my location.  G4 is, I believe, the one in  Prom.  Do a quick "Google" search for "visa Agents" in your area and it may be Quicker and cheaper, depending on distances/mode of transport, from your location than going out to prom.

 

PS;  Please disregard my "tongue in cheek" ranting comment above. 

Edited April 21, 2017 by scottiejohn
Adding the PS; trying to keep the Mods happy

[FolkGuitar]

1 hour ago, JimGant said:

Someone please clarify -- the quickest way to get an RC is to go to room #7? Is this a few minute turnaround, or as I understand with G4T, come back in a few hours? Obviously, the value of time, is important, but not a show stopper -- which parking and $50 at the Consulate certainly is. So -- going direct to room 7 is mo betta than G4T, or not?

 

Go to room #7 just next to the copy shop with all your documents, turn them in and pay 500 baht. 3-4 minutes at most.  Come back the next afternoon to pick up your RC. Less than one minute.

 

I believe that the person who must sign the RC is not on the property, which is the reason for any delay.