Conning foreigners at Hua Hin immigration office

[huahincharlie]

I am not writing this from first-hand experience because I do not use this immigration office but two separate friends have mentioned to me that they have often met with obstructions at Hua Hin immigration, namely that they were told they had to go to Bangkok to obtain the paperwork they required.

On arrival at Bangkok, one friend was told it was his own local office they had to deal with. It appears that Hua Hin's representative has mislead them and could easily have helped in the first place.

Clearly if we give them the benefit of the doubt, then they are at best ineffective at carrying out their jobs (which of course most of Thailand is anyway), but I think from the sound of my friends' stories the more likely reason is that they want foreigners to try to buy their way into getting the service they need.

I wanted to share my friends' experiences anyway, because if enough people create a fuss about it, then maybe something will be more easily done to eradicate their corruption.

[Chas]

I have never had problems with the Hua Hin Immigration, other than negotiating that dreadful road, but I have heeded the numerous posts and threads here from people who DID have problems and I decided that I just did not want to deal with them for my annual visa renewal.

I got it done in Bangkok at the main office at a time when I was in Bangkok for a while. I had to get a form signed giving the reasons why I was not doing it in Hua Hin ( spouse helped with this) and they did it for me and were very nice about it.

It took a few hours, the place was and probably always is busy, but the folks were nice. Cheerful and joking with us as we worked it through.

No house book needed. No medical cert. ( even though the form says so, the clerk said they no longer needed it) And no bribe even hinted at . .unless sharing our potato chips counts.)

I wonder if enough people did this and gave the reason that the Hua Hin office is inept and corrupt, perhaps someone might take notice?

OK. I can hear the TIT replies already. .and you can keep them. I am still going to say that if a large enough number of us went to BKK for service and gave the reasons why. . .it seems like someone in authority would notice. And has BKK actually refused to give service. .or just said that you "should" get it done here?

[Guess]

OK. I can hear the TIT replies already. .and you can keep them. I am still going to say that if a large enough number of us went to BKK for service and gave the reasons why. . .

I agree 100%. I've never had a problem in HH but that's what I would do if I had.

TIT = apathy.

[dtaai-maai]

I agree 100%. I've never had a problem in HH but that's what I would do if I had.

I also agree entirely, but 'if' is still the relevant word for me. No problems yet.

[niggle]

Apart from the stupid enforcement of the 24 hour rule I have found them OK.
The first retirement visa I was stung for a bribe but told that only pay this first year then all ok.
Sure enough after first year, no tea money requested, polite and efficient service.

[MrPlum]

I have nothing but praise for HH immigration. Quick, polite and never any hint of any wheels needing greasing. They even stayed open over lunch although the sign on the door said otherwise. I do dress smartly and try to look like I've more than tuppence in my pocket.

[Super Joe]

I'd love to see the paperwork (and attitude) of these people that keep getting 'picked on' by Immigration.
I have a picture in my mind already ...........

SJ

[clive]

I always try to see one of the two women in HH imm, they are always pleasant, never seem to be surly and appreciate you being pleasant to them, particularly if you can just use a spattering of Thai.
Agree with Super Joe, I wonder how those people who have problems present there application?
I once foolishly took out the cost of the visa from the bank after getting the letter so the book and the letter did not read the same, back to the bank for a new letter!

[Chas]

Well, SJ the people who have had trouble are your fellow HHAD posters. Just check back to the various threads in which the problems are detailed and you will have their identities as well as some idea of their attitudes and paperwork.

The 24 hour thing alone will tell you that not all the problems there can be chalked up to farang boorishness.

As for their working through lunch, get there some morning at 8 ( as I did a few months ago) and watch them straggle in after 9:00, 9:30, 10:00. . .

[buksida]

I wonder what a poll on experiences with local immigration would show ...

Personally I haven't had any bad experiences with them but they certainly don't make things easy for you and it definitely gets tougher every year compared to the previous.

[sandman67]

I have no complaints about the staff at all...they have been helpful when issues like Ranong buggering my stamp up came up, and have let me off overstaying by a day or so at least twice. The staff are polite and actually smile a lot.

The bone I have got is the fact they show sod all inclination to move somewhere actually accessible. The place is a pig to find, miles out of town, the direction signs keep getting nicked or smashed, and the road gets progressively worse every time I go there. In wet season its sodding lethal on a bike, especially now some clownshoes has decided to strip large bits of the road surface off and spread loose gravel about. Combine that with builders trucks using the road as a racetrack and shaving corners/driving directly at you cos your side of the road is flatter and it makes the journey hell.

I guess the location is down to the chief officer. Im thinking someones getting a kickback for the fact its in the middle of a bunch of developments.

The only way they could make things worse would be to move offshore to that little island opposite Kao Takiab beach....maybe thats their next move.

[Cowtown Comedy]

Interesting, I've always found the officers at Singkhon exceptionally helpful and friendly. You only need to spend a day at BKK Immigration to realize how nice the Hua Hin people really are. I can't remember the older lady officer's name, but she is completely on top of her game and wonderful to deal with.

[Onlyme]

I've dealt with immigration in Huahin and Singkon over the past 6 years.
Contrary to what other posters have posted, I am not your average Joe,
I speak , read and write Thai, I am not scruffy nor disrespectful.
I have seen the "dark" side of the Thai's, the jealousy.
My wife is a very respectful Thai, never drinks, smokes or swears.
I have seen the Thai "lady" officers look down their noses towards my wife. I personally have jumped through more hoops here than a normal person would want to.
Onlyme.

[dtaai-maai]

I personally have jumped through more hoops here than a normal person would want to.
Onlyme.

Why?

[Onlyme]

Dtaii Maai, you've obviously been very lucky, or you're a Thai national, maybe something else.
I've re-newed my visa for the past four years, due to the fact that I'm married to a Thai national. Yes, I'm actually ( like most Farrangs) taking care of a Thai family that some arsehole Thai male doesn't appear to want to look after.
This year......Extra photo's, ( I took a photo outside the house with the house number visible). Stupid Thai immigration officer . " Want more picture".
Dtaai Maai. Would you really like me to go on?
They are a bunch of arseholes!
Onlyme.