1 hour ago, perthperson said:

If she insisted that she had a "retirement visa", something which does not exist,  why would an IO waste time searching for it?

 

I cannot help but believe the OP contributed to her own problem.

This is another example of why people need to understand that it is extremely important to

use the correct terminology, not doing so may have caused/contributed to this whole pointless scenario?

IMHO I think it is stretching it to say it was an attempted scam, perhaps you are over thinking it Sarah.

 

Edited July 15, 20178 yr by phuketjock
addition

Sadao right? My experience is that they like a 200 bht gift there and they don't like having to ask for it. So it can lead to confusion if you don't know the ropes.

4 hours ago, JomtienEats said:

Sadao right? My experience is that they like a 200 bht gift there and they don't like having to ask for it. So it can lead to confusion if you don't know the ropes.

And my experience would be very different.

 

Never have I experienced a problem at Sadao and , before you ask, have never given or been asked to give "gifts" 

How many times have you crossed there? As there have been many reports over the years of such behavior at that border crossing.

Just now, Sheryl said:

How many times have you crossed there? As there have been many reports over the years of such behavior at that border crossing.

A quick check in my old passport would reveal at least a dozen Sadao stamps. My wife and I often spend a long w/e in Penang. Our next trip is planned for December. 

16 hours ago, perthperson said:

And my experience would be very different.

 

Never have I experienced a problem at Sadao and , before you ask, have never given or been asked to give "gifts" 

It has been a while since I used the Sadao border, but I have used it a number of times in the past. I too have never been asked for  nor given 'a gift'

I have had one small problem when the IO failed to stamp the correct date in my passport, probably because he was multitasking at the time.

I went inside the little office, explained the situation and was escorted outside to the original IO who quickly rectified his error. I then continued on my way with smiles all around.

 

If only all days could be so smooth

 

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

How many times have you crossed there? As there have been many reports over the years of such behavior at that border crossing.

How many times have you crossed there Sheryl?

On 7/15/2017 at 5:01 PM, phuketjock said:

This is another example of why people need to understand that it is extremely important to

use the correct terminology, not doing so may have caused/contributed to this whole pointless scenario?

IMHO I think it is stretching it to say it was an attempted scam, perhaps you are over thinking it Sarah.

Terminology aside, I pointed out the  original  O visa, the extension based on retirement , and the multiple re entry. He ignored all three  and began  looking at prior entries, tsk'ing over the in and outs ( also not applicable to my status as a holder of a permission to stay  based on a retirement O visa.)  

Mr Supervisor suggests I enter Thailand without a stamp, that's suspicious. When Mr Supervisor suddenly does an about face when I tell him I'm calling Bangkok, that's suspicious.

 

 I've crossed many times Pedang and Sadao  both on a B and the current O  I mean   the extension based on retirement  and never been asked to show 20,000 - most agree here, that rule is for Tourists visas. 

Edited July 20, 20178 yr by PhuketSarah
pedantry

On 7/15/2017 at 4:12 PM, Sheryl said:

She likely means she showed them her most recent extension of stay. People often refer to these as visas.

Yes,  shorthand for- and seems everyone knows what it means- extension based on a prior visa. 

4 minutes ago, PhuketSarah said:

Terminology aside, I pointed out the  original visa, the extension, and the multiple re entry. He ignored all three  and began  looking at prior entries, tsk'ing over the in and outs ( also not applicable to my status as a holder of a permission to stay  based on a retirement O visa..yada yada yada ..) 

Mr Supervisor suggests I enter Thailand without a stamp, that's suspicious. When Mr Supervisor suddenly does an about face when I tell him I'm calling Bangkok, that's suspicious.

 

 I've crossed many time Pedang and Sadao  both on a B and the current O  and never been asked to show 20,000 - most agree here, that rule is for Tourists visas .

If your as insistent with an IO officer that your on an '0' as you keep telling us, then your confusing yourself as well.

3 minutes ago, PhuketSarah said:

Yes,  shorthand for- and seems everyone knows what it means- extension based on a prior visa. 

Prior Visas are never extended Sarah!

 

 Only the permission to stay can be extended.

 

 

On 7/15/2017 at 5:01 PM, phuketjock said:

This is another example of why people need to understand that it is extremely important to

use the correct terminology, not doing so may have caused/contributed to this whole pointless scenario?

IMHO I think it is stretching it to say it was an attempted scam, perhaps you are over thinking it Sarah.

 

 

48 minutes ago, PhuketSarah said:

Terminology aside, I pointed out the  original  O visa, the extension based on retirement , and the multiple re entry. He ignored all three  and began  looking at prior entries, tsk'ing over the in and outs ( also not applicable to my status as a holder of a permission to stay  based on a retirement O visa.)  

Mr Supervisor suggests I enter Thailand without a stamp, that's suspicious. When Mr Supervisor suddenly does an about face when I tell him I'm calling Bangkok, that's suspicious.

 

 I've crossed many times Pedang and Sadao  both on a B and the current O  I mean   the extension based on retirement  and never been asked to show 20,000 - most agree here, that rule is for Tourists visas. 

As I said above Sarah and after your last post I am even more convinced that your misuse of the correct terminology

is largely responsible for your debacle at the border. If you have had your extension for more than 3 months then you

no longer have Visa of any kind because it has expired. Although you require a visa of some sort, usually a non imm."O",

to obtain an extension of your permission to stay this only gives you the option to apply for an extension, you do

not have to apply for that extension but if you do and it is granted then your original visa plays no further part in your

permission to stay. From then on you can renew your permission to stay every year without ever having to get another

visa of any kind. So the "current O" that you keep referring to no longer exists.

What you do now have is an extension of permission to stay based on retirement, not on any VISA, visa deceased dead

gone, no longer required. As long as you continue to obtain your re-entry permits and meet the necessary requirement

each year you can indefinitely renew your extension. Providing of course you make sure you make your application before

your current extension expires.

I hope this is of assistance to you Sarah because that is all I and others posting here are trying to do, help you.

I would also suggest that anyone crossing the border on a regular basis that you hinted that you do could arouse suspicion,

rightly or wrongly, in an overly curious IO.

 

Edited July 20, 20178 yr by phuketjock
addition

regardless of what "he she they" call it!

Actually i dont think i  have ever spoke to an IO, i dont wish to socialise with them and i doubt they want to talk to me

 

Anyway

 

The IO had a valid re entry permit in front of him relating to a visa

So he could easily find visa it related too

 

But

He asked for 20K that was not required

then offered to let her wander around thailand without an entry stamp which is the sole purpose of his job not to allow

 

either he's downright stupid  or playing silly games, because he wanted a tip, or running a scam

 

 

16 minutes ago, poohy said:

regardless of what "he she they" call it!

Actually i dont think i  have ever spoke to an IO, i dont wish to socialise with them and i doubt they want to talk to me

 

Anyway

 

The IO had a valid re entry permit in front of him relating to a visa

So he could easily find visa it related too

 

But

He asked for 20K that was not required

then offered to let her wander around thailand without an entry stamp which is the sole purpose of his job not to allow

 

either he's downright stupid  or playing silly games, because he wanted a tip, or running a scam

 

 

Do you just beam yourself in and out of Thailand then?

I guess you are not big on reading before you post?

The IO in question had a re-entry permit in front of him relating to an extension of stay, not a VISA,

and by her own admission Sarah continued to refer to her current "O" visa, this may or may not

have been where, when, the confusion began, and yes perhaps because the IO thought, wrongly it

would seem, that Sarah may have been a bit confused he was trying it on, who knows.

It is by no means certain that had she used the correct terms that the IO would not have behaved

the same, it is also possible that the IO was a rooky, we don't know. 

I believe that there are much more people who visit and stay long term in Thailand, like myself who

have more good experiences with immigration than bad.

We really need to keep things in perspective.

Edited July 20, 20178 yr by phuketjock
addition

regardless of what "he she they" call it!
Actually i dont think i  have ever spoke to an IO, i dont wish to socialise with them and i doubt they want to talk to me
 
Anyway
 
The IO had a valid re entry permit in front of him relating to a visa
So he could easily find visa it related too
 
But
He asked for 20K that was not required
then offered to let her wander around thailand without an entry stamp which is the sole purpose of his job not to allow
 
either he's downright stupid  or playing silly games, because he wanted a tip, or running a scam
 
 

I have to agree with the above. Either that or he was new to his job and completely clueless.

As she physically showed him the extension of stay and re-entry permit (which he anyway should have seen) I really doubt semantics were the issue.

There have been many reports over the years of "rent-seeking" behavior by IOs at Sadao crossing and the Thai govt rwcentlt in effect acknowledged the problem thete, issuing them an order to stop collecying "tea money".

1 minute ago, Sheryl said:

I have to agree with the above. Either that or he was new to his job and completely clueless.

As she physically showed him the extension of stay and re-entry permit (which he anyway should have seen) I really doubt semantics were the issue.

There have been many reports over the years of "rent-seeking" behavior by IOs at Sadao crossing and the Thai govt rwcentlt in effect acknowledged the problem thete, issuing them an order to stop collecying "tea money".

Do you have any link to this Thai government order issued to Sadao crossing in particular

or are you just throwing that out there? as back up for your pov.

39 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I have to agree with the above. Either that or he was new to his job and completely clueless.

As she physically showed him the extension of stay and re-entry permit (which he anyway should have seen) I really doubt semantics were the issue.

There have been many reports over the years of "rent-seeking" behavior by IOs at Sadao crossing and the Thai govt rwcentlt in effect acknowledged the problem thete, issuing them an order to stop collecying "tea money".

As can be seen from this signboard which has been on display at every border post I have ever used to cross into Thailand,

and it has been around for at least the last 20 years.

If you look closely you see that for a tourist or NON- IMMIGRANT VISA proof of not less than 20,000 "bath " is required so 

it is possible that Sarahs continue reference to her current "O" visa had something to do with the demand for the 20,000 baht.

I am by no means saying that is the case but it is possible is it not?

I am pretty sure the same sign is prominently displayed at all airports just before immigration too.

 

 

I knew I had seen this sign board many times and it has taken me days to find it online.

Edited July 20, 20178 yr by phuketjock
addition

1 hour ago, phuketjock said:

Do you have any link to this Thai government order issued to Sadao crossing in particular

or are you just throwing that out there? as back up for your pov.

It's in the news - and not the first time they tried to clean it up, there.  People able to bribe their way into the country with who knows what sort of intentions is not a good thing.  Glad they are on it.

 

13 hours ago, phuketjock said:

Do you just beam yourself in and out of Thailand then?

I guess you are not big on reading before you post?

The IO in question had a re-entry permit in front of him relating to an extension of stay, not a VISA,

and by her own admission Sarah continued to refer to her current "O" visa, this may or may not

have been where, when, the confusion began, and yes perhaps because the IO thought, wrongly it

would seem, that Sarah may have been a bit confused he was trying it on, who knows.

It is by no means certain that had she used the correct terms that the IO would not have behaved

the same, it is also possible that the IO was a rooky, we don't know. 

I believe that there are much more people who visit and stay long term in Thailand, like myself who

have more good experiences with immigration than bad.

We really need to keep things in perspective.

Thank you for comments i am but  a poor soul that has to use planes not teleporters

 

But I have lived here 20 years and I dont get worked up about by whatever  you call visa or extension of stays

Anyway i say again

The IO had all the information he did not do his job correctly

 

and I still maintain i have rarely ever spoken to an IO when entering the country i just hand over the passport 

 

Edited July 21, 20178 yr by poohy

get over it the immigration officer tried a scam but our poster had enough information not to fall for it. Drama over

19 hours ago, JackThompson said:

It's in the news - and not the first time they tried to clean it up, there.  People able to bribe their way into the country with who knows what sort of intentions is not a good thing.  Glad they are on it.

 

Penang agent has post on FB just yesterday it's back to 200 in the passport- I guess I will do it from now on- but then... I'm breaking the  &^%$^* law for NO REASON- I' m legal as it gets  and  still harassed. 

Bad Guys Pay, Good  Guys Pay Too (and get harassed).

20 hours ago, JackThompson said:

It's in the news - and not the first time they tried to clean it up, there.  People able to bribe their way into the country with who knows what sort of intentions is not a good thing.  Glad they are on it.

 

This article is in particular about Malaysian tourists coming through Sadao nothing to do with farangs.

41 minutes ago, PhuketSarah said:

Penang agent has post on FB just yesterday it's back to 200 in the passport- I guess I will do it from now on- but then... I'm breaking the  &^%$^* law for NO REASON- I' m legal as it gets  and  still harassed. 

Bad Guys Pay, Good  Guys Pay Too (and get harassed).

I'm sorry Sarah if you have no reason to break the law why would you?

Just now, phuketjock said:

This article is in particular about Malaysian tourists coming through Sadao nothing to do with farangs.

I think you will find if you read the later articles about it was for everybody. Enough so that some officers were transferred.

Just now, ubonjoe said:

I think you will find if you read the later articles about it was for everybody. Enough so that some officers were transferred.

Sorry Joe i just read the article that was posted there was

no mention of any other related articles, that I know of.

11 minutes ago, phuketjock said:

Sorry Joe i just read the article that was posted there was

no mention of any other related articles, that I know of.

All you need to do is look in the news forum to find them.

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

All you need to do is look in the news forum to find them.

I try not to look at the news these days Joe way too depressing.

4 hours ago, PhuketSarah said:

Penang agent has post on FB just yesterday it's back to 200 in the passport- I guess I will do it from now on- but then... I'm breaking the  &^%$^* law for NO REASON- I' m legal as it gets  and  still harassed. 

Bad Guys Pay, Good  Guys Pay Too (and get harassed).

I always just avoided Sadao and used Pedang Besar.  But maybe, now, that will not be necessary.

17 hours ago, JackThompson said:

I always just avoided Sadao and used Pedang Besar.  But maybe, now, that will not be necessary.

It now appears from another thread that it was Padang Besar that Sarah had her

problems so all this talk about Sadao has been irrelevant.

 "I was asked at land crossing Pedang Besar  2 weeks ago to  show 20, 000".

Edited July 22, 20178 yr by phuketjock
addition