barrys wrote:Standard fine for late reporting is 2k with receipt or 1k without receipt
I was given a 2000 baht fine, no discussion about a receipt though
Not in Hua Hin.
But they did place a lovely stamp declaring my failure to report in my passport for "all the world" to see and snigger at .
Funny how every time when going through an Immigration check point in a country, this page would "open up",as if by magic,the Immigration Officer looking at it intensely and then looking at me with some evil thoughts spinning in his or her head
Luckily l received a new passport this month and the "embarrassing/shame him" stamp has not followed.
A lesson to never forget the 90 days visit.
Perhaps you may want to befriend an immigration officer with a small tip, perhaps 1000 -2000 Bt, for allowing you to report early. They may keep the documents in their desk and then stamp them on the appropriate day or just do it all in advance for you.
I would rather be early than late.
Seems anything is possible here if you grease the right wheels.
advocate wrote:I just did my 90 day report and was 8 days late. I never even bother to go to immigration anymore. I just send the wife. No fine and no hassle. .
When you say 8 days late, do you mean 15 days after the date endorsed in your passport?
Now that I take a closer look at my passport, my last appearance at immigration appears to be Aug 26 for my annual renewal which became effective Sept 8. So seems I should have reported by Nov 24 or Dec 7.
My wife filed my 90 day report on Dec. 16, either 9 days or 22 days late.
Sheer forgetfullnes and/or stupidity on my part, but no hassle or unkind word from immigration whatsoever.
We make it a point to always deal with the same officer or one other every time we go. I think it helps if you have been here a long time, have never been in trouble, and they are familiar with you.
A discrete envelope once a year at renewal time certainly doesn't hurt either.
jamesfrancis1 wrote:
Do not believe in a back-hander, sorry, there is enough corruption in Thailand.
BUT if the implications of not offering a small fee for professional advice is more expensive or damaging as far as you trip goes, is it not a case of 'a means to an end' ??
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
I agree there is more than enough corruption in Thailand. The amount we have given is minimal, and I look at it as insurance should something ever go bad. The officer also fills out all of the forms for me instead of having to do it myself, so in effect I am compensating them for a service beyond their call of duty.
Not morally acceptable to myself either, but TIT, and changing the centuries old practice is not going to happen in my lifetime.
I even have a business card from one of the officers advertising their " Visa Service".
Conflict of interest is a western concept that does not appear to be part of the Thai culture.
advocate wrote:I even have a business card from one of the officers advertising their " Visa Service".
Conflict of interest is a western concept that does not appear to be part of the Thai culture.
I have had previous experience with this so-called officer. She is not an officer but rather a friend of the boss there who permits her presence. She maintains an office on Phetkasem Road. I have been told that her car even has an Immigration Police sticker.
jamesfrancis1 wrote:
Do not believe in a back-hander, sorry, there is enough corruption in Thailand.
BUT if the implications of not offering a small fee for professional advice is more expensive or damaging as far as you trip goes, is it not a case of 'a means to an end' ??
But the implications of not offering a routine bribe are not damaging, are they? Or is there some suggestion that Immigration are making it an unofficial requirement?
I'm not prissy or unrealistic about this - if you have no choice, grit your teeth and pay up. But there are plenty of perfectly normal means of human interaction that function just as well, like smiling and speaking nicely to people.
And we are, after all, talking about 90-day reporting here!
I've never offered a "tip" to immigration other than the 100 baht change from my 1900 baht annual renewal. A couple of times if I've received good, friendly service I tell the officer to keep the hundred for their coffee break. They've always smiled, wai'd and seemed grateful for the show of appreciation.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
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