Improved immigration procedures

[hhfarang]

^^ Big Boy, the guy I was talking about (90 day report) after sitting for a while got impatient and just walked over in front of the desks facing the front wall and stood looking sad and obviously displaying that he only had a 90 day to do. Finally they took pity on him and took him out of order. As a last resort you can try that.

He actually came back over smiling, proud of himself, and told me that he had done that and that it had worked after a few minutes.

[Big Boy]

I've never had a problem so far. I sit down, and let Mrs BB sort it. She's Thai, and queuing isn't in their vocabulary.

[HHTel]

I did my 90 day a couple of weeks ago and I'll re-iterate what Nereus said. The first sign is 90 day reporting for neighbouring countries. Further down is a desk outside for 90 day reporting where they will fill in the appropriate form for you (as before) and direct you to a desk number. No queuing and in and out in a very short time.

[Big Boy]

We'll I've been for my 90 day. First time I can remember having to wait - must have taken 10 minutes today

All machines were up and running, so normality has been restored.

[StevePIraq]

Anyone know the minimum number of pages required in a passport to get my annual Non IMM renewal, I think they usually like two full pages next to each other, one for the full page stamp the other for the Non IMM stamp

[centermid7]

I've never had a problem so far. I sit down, and let Mrs BB sort it. She's Thai, and queuing isn't in their vocabulary.

So the problems that she causes for others behind her (decency, consideration, manners, etc) are not your problems and this is something to be celebrated?

I would like to Cheers! you but I can't.

[Big Boy]

Basically, yes. We're in Thailand, it's the Thai way, not mine. I am simply a benefactor.

This is a problem with most Thais - when in Rome etc. etc. Or wait an eternity.

Actually, she behaved today, did not try to jump any queue, and we were done and dusted in 10 minutes.

[HHTel]

90 day reporting - there is no queue and never has been. Always one desk devoted to these reports. Not a question of queue jumping. THERE IS NO QUEUE. They even tell you that outside at the table.

[usual suspect]

Steve..I got my Non 0 visa from London last week with only 2 pages left in my pazzy..

[Big Boy]

90 day reporting - there is no queue and never has been. Always one desk devoted to these reports. Not a question of queue jumping. THERE IS NO QUEUE. They even tell you that outside at the table.

I think you'll find that happens MOST of the time. Initially yesterday, my wife went to the 90 Day desk (clearly marked with large orange letters), but was told that the 'fast' service was not operating yesterday.

I've read others report the same from time to time.

Getting back to centermid7's problem, are you sure you aren't going to the wrong desk etc/mis-understanding the rules. They will let you queue at immigration, but the procedures are usually in place to circumvent the need to queue, especially for 90 day reporting. If it were me, I would take a number and wait with everybody else, but my wife can normally find a way through.

[Big Boy]

I've just got back from the 90 Day report from hell!!!

Mrs BB tried all of the usual routes for 90 day fast stream. Every one of them replied, "No 90 day fast stream service today."

I prepared myself for the long haul. At one stage I calculated that it would take 23.5 hours to be seen, based on their throughput, and my number i.e. 4 days later (7 hour working day). Basically, in 1 hr 50 minutes, the 5 desks processed a total of 5 people.

All of the seats in the waiting room were full, the seats outside were full, there must have been 2 dozen people leaning against the walls, and even the seats in the portaloos lined up outside for Musical on the Beach were filling up.

Eventually, despite being Thailand, common sense prevailed . One of the desk officers stood up and announced 90 day reporters could line up at his desk, and he would process them (I don't have to tell you who was first in the line ). They'd moved from 5 desks processing 5 people in 1 hr 50 minutes to processing each customer in less than a minute.

[Nereus]

^^^^ The best way to beat that BS is to be there at 08-30 am. Even then, I was number 8 last week as it was 08-40 by the time I got inside, AND then 09-10 before I got through.

I have only ever seen the same officer there working at 08-30, the rest wander in in dribs and drabs until around 09-00 am. One helpful lady spent 10 minutes cleaning her desk, another 10 minutes nattering to one of the others, so it was 09-00 am before she actually did anything!

[Big Boy]

When the 90 day fast stream is open, there's nothing to beat. They were obviously getting too many satisfied customers,

[Vital Spark]

Our immigration office in Salaya has a neat system for the 90-day reporting. You chuck your passport in a basket (you don't even need to fill in a form), and a minion does the necessary on the computer. In the blink of an eye it's done, and you're out.

VS

[Big Boy]

It's such an easy process, it should be like that everywhere.