Onlyme, sure Thais are not afforded a decent standard of education (others say stupid), yes Thailand is corrupt, particularly officials with a bit of power and we get caught up in that ....... BUT WE KNEW ALL THAT ALREADY ........ when we chose to live here (because we are very very clever and researched the place first).
Also if it wasn't like this, but was an educated, prosperous nation, free of corruption, a lot of us wouldn't be living here so cheaply.
Once a year/3 months taking some extra photos or filling in some extra forms!?!? That's less aggro than getting to work on a Monday morning back home. I just don't get how this can upset people.
Sorry for shouting.
SJ
Conning foreigners at Hua Hin immigration office
Onlyme to quote the life of Brian
You lukkee lukkee barstarrd You lukkee lukkee barstarrd
Ive been married to a thai for 24 years taking care of 2 families ive lived here in Hua Hin 365 for almost 11 years
Ive never been asked to pay a bribe i have always been helped and treated courteously and i am in and out in 15/20 mins tops
You lukkee lukkee barstarrd You lukkee lukkee barstarrd
Only 4 years and they are asking for your holiday snaps already
You lukkee lukkee barstarrd
You lukkee lukkee barstarrd You lukkee lukkee barstarrd
Ive been married to a thai for 24 years taking care of 2 families ive lived here in Hua Hin 365 for almost 11 years
Ive never been asked to pay a bribe i have always been helped and treated courteously and i am in and out in 15/20 mins tops
You lukkee lukkee barstarrd You lukkee lukkee barstarrd
Only 4 years and they are asking for your holiday snaps already
You lukkee lukkee barstarrd
A Greatfull Guest of Thailand
I think there's a big difference, from Imm's point of view, with family income/marriage extensions and retirement extensions (I can't speak for Non Imm B visas and Work Permits).
The difference is that a provincial office can't approve a family income extension. That is done in BKK. It's loads of paperwork without a "real result" for them.
I went through this last year. Imm here seemed difficult when I was inquiring about the family income extension, especially as I was going to turn 50 in nine month's time. However, I was given an alternative course of action and I followed it. When the dreaded 50 turned up, Imm were great.
What did I get out of it? A better understanding of how Imm view things, a few trips to Penang and loads of curries
The difference is that a provincial office can't approve a family income extension. That is done in BKK. It's loads of paperwork without a "real result" for them.
I went through this last year. Imm here seemed difficult when I was inquiring about the family income extension, especially as I was going to turn 50 in nine month's time. However, I was given an alternative course of action and I followed it. When the dreaded 50 turned up, Imm were great.
What did I get out of it? A better understanding of how Imm view things, a few trips to Penang and loads of curries
Onlyme
You have the advantage of a clearer insight into the nuances of Thai human nature as you are fluent in the language .You have hit on one of the causes of difficult officials,jealousy .Some of the officials resent the fact that a Thai woman they consider to be an uneducated black skinned peasant has just pulled up in a nice car with a farang husband and is sporting gold worth six months of their salary and consequently make things difficult because they can .I am sure other posters who have witnessed the way Thai embassy staff treat Thai women applying for visas will be familiar with this scenario .It is a horrible situation for the Thai ladies as they know full well why the official is being a **** .Sometimes they even make snide comments if they think the farang does not understand Thai .Happened to bee and I just a few days ago .
That aside,as SJ pointed out ,it is only once every 3 months and happens in the minority of cases .If it happens to you grin and bear it and take your good lady for a nice meal afterwards .
Crazy 88
You have the advantage of a clearer insight into the nuances of Thai human nature as you are fluent in the language .You have hit on one of the causes of difficult officials,jealousy .Some of the officials resent the fact that a Thai woman they consider to be an uneducated black skinned peasant has just pulled up in a nice car with a farang husband and is sporting gold worth six months of their salary and consequently make things difficult because they can .I am sure other posters who have witnessed the way Thai embassy staff treat Thai women applying for visas will be familiar with this scenario .It is a horrible situation for the Thai ladies as they know full well why the official is being a **** .Sometimes they even make snide comments if they think the farang does not understand Thai .Happened to bee and I just a few days ago .
That aside,as SJ pointed out ,it is only once every 3 months and happens in the minority of cases .If it happens to you grin and bear it and take your good lady for a nice meal afterwards .
Crazy 88
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Wanderlust
- Legend
- Posts: 2862
- Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2004 12:27 pm
- Location: Hua Hin
crazy88,
You are probably right, that some applications are needlessly drawn out because of jealousy, but I wouldn't think it is many. Equally, I haven't really come across much difficulty in my dealings with them anywhere, only typical officiousness on occasions and no different from people in similar positions in other countries. Maybe the staff at Hua hin/Singkhon are more sticklers for the rules (not necessarily a bad thing, just a bit non-Thai like), and possibly have peculiar interpretations sometimes, but Thai immigration officers are allowed a lot of leeway, which is why people should always dress smartly, look clean and tidy, be polite and smile - these things could easily make the difference between several journeys to the office or just one, as the officer may overlook certain required documents not being presented, and may just ask you to bring them next time, depending on what you are after. As has been said, with Family Income extensions they have no choice as they are approved/rejected in Bangkok, so they probably take a belt and braces approach to ensure the best chance of success for you, as well as not irritating their fellow officers in Bangkok if they have overlooked something. They are generally very helpful, but are only human so might have a bad day from time to time.
You are probably right, that some applications are needlessly drawn out because of jealousy, but I wouldn't think it is many. Equally, I haven't really come across much difficulty in my dealings with them anywhere, only typical officiousness on occasions and no different from people in similar positions in other countries. Maybe the staff at Hua hin/Singkhon are more sticklers for the rules (not necessarily a bad thing, just a bit non-Thai like), and possibly have peculiar interpretations sometimes, but Thai immigration officers are allowed a lot of leeway, which is why people should always dress smartly, look clean and tidy, be polite and smile - these things could easily make the difference between several journeys to the office or just one, as the officer may overlook certain required documents not being presented, and may just ask you to bring them next time, depending on what you are after. As has been said, with Family Income extensions they have no choice as they are approved/rejected in Bangkok, so they probably take a belt and braces approach to ensure the best chance of success for you, as well as not irritating their fellow officers in Bangkok if they have overlooked something. They are generally very helpful, but are only human so might have a bad day from time to time.
lomu has a good point also, it seems that there is some kind of pecking order to visa extensions in Hua Hin and the resultant treatment you'll get (first being easiest):
Retirement (OA)
Marriage/Support (O)
Work (B)
Other (M, S etc)
They obviously favour retirement here in HH and I'd say that group makes up 80% of their workload. The more work they have to do or the less sure they are of the official requirements the more hassle you're likely to get IMO (unless you reek of alcohol, turn up with a teenage girlfriend, or are impolite to them).
I have done the same extension (last category) countless times and Bangkok has always been far easier, smoother and a more pleasant experience. HH is a blindfolded dart throw as to what they'll ask for next.
Retirement (OA)
Marriage/Support (O)
Work (B)
Other (M, S etc)
They obviously favour retirement here in HH and I'd say that group makes up 80% of their workload. The more work they have to do or the less sure they are of the official requirements the more hassle you're likely to get IMO (unless you reek of alcohol, turn up with a teenage girlfriend, or are impolite to them).
I have done the same extension (last category) countless times and Bangkok has always been far easier, smoother and a more pleasant experience. HH is a blindfolded dart throw as to what they'll ask for next.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
An OA visa is correctly termed a "retirement/long stay visa". You can only apply for it your home county and it's basically a pre-approved retirement visa, subject to status. That gives you one year on entry, 90 day reporting applies.
What a lot of people here have is an extension to a previous visa - Non O category.
What a lot of people here have is an extension to a previous visa - Non O category.
I think the Immigration department deserve a large amount of credit in their tireless efforts to make it easier for us foreigners to gain our long stay renewals, most notably by not increasing the income requirement year-on-year, in line with inflation.
I'm sure you all share this sentiment
Philippines retirement extension fee is 850% more expensive than Thailand's. That buys you 1,750 standard sized 4R photographs. Portrait orientation.
SJ
PS: You can get a retirement visa for the Philippines aged 35, but there is an investment required.
I'm sure you all share this sentiment
Philippines retirement extension fee is 850% more expensive than Thailand's. That buys you 1,750 standard sized 4R photographs. Portrait orientation.
SJ
PS: You can get a retirement visa for the Philippines aged 35, but there is an investment required.
No they just increase it 200% every fifteen years or so which equates to the inflation rate of a small African country.Super Joe wrote:I think the Immigration department deserve a large amount of credit in their tireless efforts to make it easier for us foreigners to gain our long stay renewals, most notably by not increasing the income requirement year-on-year, in line with inflation.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
I like the idea of retiring in the Phils in two years. 
If I wait here until I'm the required age I'll need at least the income of your average oil Sheikh.
If I wait here until I'm the required age I'll need at least the income of your average oil Sheikh.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Phils retirement visa would not be pretty for an under 50 year old with two kids, the investment money is 2M Baht I think. Over 50 800k if you have a mixture of savings and income, 1.6M Baht if saving only.
Thailand offers easier and cheaper legal long stay options than Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia & Philippines (if not married to one of them) from my research, which is why I laugh at people who have to go back home and take another picture of their door bell
SJ
Thailand offers easier and cheaper legal long stay options than Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia & Philippines (if not married to one of them) from my research, which is why I laugh at people who have to go back home and take another picture of their door bell
SJ
I've never taken my wife with me... maybe that's why it has always gone so smoothly. I make it a point to do everything myself (without my wife's help) unless I know that there will be nobody who speaks any English. My wife, like a lot of Thai women, I think, would just muddy the waters... especially when dealing with another Thai woman in a position of power. I'm sure I wouldn't like the result...Some of the officials resent the fact that a Thai woman they consider to be an uneducated black skinned peasant has just pulled up in a nice car with a farang husband and is sporting gold worth six months of their salary and consequently make things difficult because they can
