Reader Submission: Immigration Corruption in Jomtien
I would like to tell my story along these lines. We are probably not the only victims, but maybe we can warn others with this. We have been living in Thailand with our family for 6 years now and like many, we have had to deal with the corruption of the country left or right, but this time I found it quite rude.
Every year, like all expats, we go to immigration for a residence permit, I have to go to Jomtien for that. With the necessary documents proving the monthly income and what is deposited into a Thai bank account, we (wife and I) waited our turn last week. I took a ticket and then waited until the number corresponding to our ticket was called. We went to the officer in charge of visa extensions. I felt uneasy when I saw his face. It spoke volumes. I was like “that's not coming here”, his look was all contempt!
And I was right, he said mockingly: you don't get by with your income. You are not entitled to stay here in Thailand!
This while he showed his calculator with an amount. My wife asked him, how is this possible? We still have a little more than the year before?
He replied: the Euro is higher now and then your bank amount on Thai bank must also be higher. I said, that's the first time I've heard something like that. How is this possible, then I will have to go back because I cannot prove that amount!
To which he replied angrily: you come to my country, then you should know the rules and not me. To which he flung my papers at me in a big swing and said: What, go home. Better for me and for you!
My wife and I didn't know what hit us at first, we were perplexed. Whereupon my wife immediately went to the entrance of the police officer and briefly told her story. He promised to talk to his colleague and asked for our documents and my pass.
My wife knows me and knows when I am angry that she should send me away. I am straight forward, straight forward. Never do no harm to anyone but hate not being treated fairly, so I kind of isolated myself. And also not to make any wrong statements, because they are quickly stepped on their toes here!
A few minutes later my wife came to me and told me that they would prepare my residence permit by the next day but she had to pay 8000 Baht. It was this or nothing!
This time we had made the stupid mistake of waiting until the last day before applying for a new permit and they had benefited greatly from that, because the comment was made by them: watch out for overstay! Otherwise you pay a lot for that too.
Now the next day we back to Jomtien. As agreed, my wife goes to the same servant as the day before, but now I wait at a distance in the waiting room, where I could still watch everything and see my wife arguing.
A little later I see her taking money out of her handbag. She comes up to me with a sour face and says: now you know what? I have your extension but he demanded another 5000 Baht on top to which she refused and told him she only had 2000 Baht. In the end he agreed.
Afterwards I was watching him a bit and at several farang I heard him react like with me. Apparently they have found a new way to lighten the farang at immigration. And now say yourself you feel completely powerless. According to my wife, that's the problem with Thailand. You always walk with your head against the wall, the corruption is present from high to low and everywhere.
Dear fellow expats, don't wait like us until the last day to renew your visa extension, but rather go a few weeks before it expires.
Submitted by Ron (BE)
And was the amount indeed too low, or was this a result of Thai math education?
If you had checked the calculation, you might have caught him making an arithmetic error.
Demonstrable amount was about 840000 baht ..according to official with the higher exchange rate of the euro now 900000 baht has to be shown…and.. @Ludo ..thank you for giving money to corrupt cops for my pleasure ..and thank you for you call me a liar!!
Ron, That official's argument that it should now be 900.000 because of the higher euro exchange rate is ridiculous. You've actually been blackmailed. He took advantage of the fact that you turned up on the last day.
I still take the view that we should refuse to meet these kinds of additional financial requirements. Make sure you have a card from a lawyer with you and say you're going to call them NOW.
With a higher exchange rate of the euro, the number of Thai baht will not have to increase, but the amount of the euros will have to increase to meet the amount in Baht.
Why he demands 900.000 baht and no higher amount in euros, I do not understand…?
With what amount in euros and with what percentage did you arrive at 840.000 baht and with what amount in euros and with what percentage did you arrive at 900.000 baht?
I think that you and the officer have calculated a different percentage from euros to baht.
I wondered what exactly is meant by those 840.000 and 900.000 Baht.
What I suspect is that the official has calculated with the stated amount and with the income in Euros and the money that came into the account in Thailand.
He therefore apparently assumes that all the money from the declared (gross?) income in Thailand should end up in the account.
Then he could be right that more Baht should end up in that account if the Euro rises.
At least if the possible tax levied in the Netherlands does not throw a spanner in the works.
Whether the declared income should indeed be sent to Thailand in its entirety, I dare not say, because I use the 800.000 Baht in the bank in Thailand.
He probably doesn't understand the system with gross and net income.
Next time it is probably best to make a clear overview in excel, which shows the amounts sent to Thailand and received in Thailand.
I also did that for the tax authorities and they were very happy with that.
The story rattles a bit because if you are married to a Thai you only need to show 400.000 baht three months in a bank account or an annual salary of 400.000 net or a combination of both for a one-year extension with the reason to stay with family.
An unclear story and do not believe that this would happen. My experience is that if your papers are in order, everything goes correctly. I was there recently and everything is spotless there. All due respect to immigration Pattaya
Tomorrow in the afternoon I can pick up my retirement Visa again and with a statement of sufficient income from the Dutch embassy from the Netherlands, everything is done again before 1900 Bath.
It didn't take more than half an hour. What might be important is that I ALWAYS have the papers filled in for 100 baht by the office to the left of the entrance. No mistakes or crossing out, but filled in correctly in one go. Maybe that's the key to success.
Last year I was advised to bring 20.000 baht in an envelope and to perform an undisclosed act, but when I showed the correctly filled out papers I was able to continue.
This action was also requested during the exam of my car / motorcycle driver's license. A separate people.
And this is the reason why I frozen my plans for Thailand in 2006 for good.
You generalize again. At immigration in Chiang Rai, for example, you will be treated correctly, you will not pay a baht more than the fixed prices and you will also be well informed, including the fact that the 800.000 baht will be refunded when you first apply for a 'retirement extension'. ' only needs to be in your bank account for two months. Without wanting to fall into generalizations myself: I can't imagine that correct behavior occurs anywhere else.
Khon Kaen Immigration also provides excellent service.
Although everything can suddenly be different, of course, a new head of the office should come.
But I have not had any complaints about the service in all these years.
When returning from abroad, the 90-day notification here is 90 days after arrival.
So you don't have to run to the office after arrival.
Yes, because you should also have a new proof of residency drawn up, yourself, your partner or the landlord. So after returning from abroad you have to go to immigration.
very correct, a TM 30 plus necessary copies when you come back from abroad, I had it right, immi had also warned me about this when I went to get my re-entry. my retirement visa.
I specifically asked for it recently, when I was going to get a re-entry visa (and renew my extension and immediately report the 90 days) for a trip in a few weeks.
I was clearly told that I did not have to appear in Thailand until 90 days after returning.
If I ever change my address, I have to report it immediately.
However, that is arranged differently at every immigration office, which is why I also expressed my satisfaction with the office in Khon Kaen.
They have the attitude to make it as easy as possible for the farang, not to try to make it as difficult as possible.
There was also a man (without uniform) outside the office to check the completed forms and make copies before I entered.
I had already picked up the forms earlier, to fill out at my leisure at home.
But apparently something was missing.
The man quickly filled out that form for me and all I had to do was sign it.
That's what I call good service.
Today I was at the immigration in Nakhon Ratchasima and as usual I had a more than excellent service. Incidentally, in recent years in Jomtien never had any problems.
The Immigration in Korat indeed gives an excellent service and so far no waiting times, but almost immediately. It is arranged within a few minutes. A few times I have been asked how I feel in Thailand and if I indicate that I am having a good time, they are happy.
An unclear story and have never experienced or seen this at Immigration in Jomtien. Do you have a Thai wife? We hear special stories about how a Thai partner gets extra money.
I indeed have a Thai wife ..since 22 years ..and my wife has been self-employed in Belgium for 15 years ..own restaurants (2)..and well-stocked savings book ..and indeed we are always in order with our documents and never any problems at immigration ..and now this crazy story from that official about a higher euro exchange rate ..I wonder how you would react to this if you experienced this …but the reactions clearly show how….next time “i shut up ”
Dear Ron and family (BE),
I have read your experience with attention.
It's terrible but this is Thailand too.
I therefore believe that there are people who, without really knowing everything and not having read your story correctly, have an incorrect opinion.
And you should never keep your mouth shut, that's not good for you.
You're just putting up an issue here that everyone can benefit from.
After all, you will always have different opinions.
Good luck.
Yours faithfully,
Those who doubt your story or flat out dismiss you as a liar are probably precisely those people who otherwise always want to glorify corruption when it suits them.
For example, think of those 2 bills of 100 baht when one is arrested with alcohol by a police officer, they are also proud that they were able to buy it off that way.
In the Jomtien immigration office there is a cardboard box with paper money in it on a desk… Occasionally something is thrown in there. No bills, no accounting of them. Very peculiar…
I have no experience with immigration in Jomtien, but I have always been treated correctly at all immigration offices I have been to over the years. If your papers are in order you will have no problem. I notice that when someone has problems, they always blame the official and very often they are dressed very carelessly and unkempt. Maybe that's a clue as to the condition of his papers. I think the only way to be abused is if you come on the last day and you haven't got your act together.
A strange story.
Either you have 3 Baht on your bank book for 800.000 months or you have a monthly income
converted 65.000 Baht or more.
The new head of immigration is: Pol.Kol.Songprode Sirishkha.
Deputy: Pol.Maj.Gen.Anan Charoenchasri
In the story I miss the confirmation of the income by bvambassade.
I stick to the 800.000 Bt, the euro high or low has no effect on that. If you end up with a pension amount, discussion can arise. Only if the Euro is low then you get less baht, if the Euro is high you get more Euro. Presumably he has divided an amount by a high Euro rate, had he divided this same amount by a low Euro rate, the outcome would have been more .
Corretje: on your first application the amount must be stated for 2 months, all subsequent applications must be for 3 months and this is also clearly stated.
Everyone is here playing with his or her phone 24 hours a day, but the moment the official says something like that, everyone forgets their phone.
Take it easy and take a clear picture of the relevant official WITH his name tag and neatly ask for your papers back with the announcement that you will inquire with the higher official why this is now insufficient and why it is sufficient for 8000 Baht. Indeed waiting until the last day is never smart and sometimes for one reason or another they are just closed all day and then you're screwed.
Is there no body in Thailand where you can report such corruption cases? If the military government, as they have often said, wants to tackle corruption, then you would at least expect that you can report such situations somewhere credible. Although it is known that corruption can occur everywhere in Thailand, I always wonder about expats who find such stories strange, or even unbelievable. Not infrequently on this blog, such cases are dismissed with so-called monkey stories, and the credibility goes more towards the accused Thai official. If everything seems so unclear and unbelievable to some, they certainly have a clever explanation as to why a victim here tries to make his experience public. In contrast to the financially advantaged civil servant, the victim has no further advantage with his story on this blog.
Well,
That is why it is wiser to first get an income statement from the Embassy and indeed never wait until the last day.
Greetings Gerrit
Gerrit also this was in order through the Austrian embassy at the sun garden resort .. we have been here for 6 years so it was familiar to us .. but you are taken aback by their reaction and not everyone reacts the same .. one says ..I would do this and the other I would that …all easy to say until they experience it themselves …everyone reacts differently ..great that you should even read here because I may not be dressed properly …I want to meet up sometime to show that I don't have tattoos and I do wear decent clothes.. might a tie be necessary?
Ron, the information you have now provided puts your story in a slightly different light. A demonstrable income of 840.000 Thb and yet a refusal to extend your period of residence on that basis is a reason to complain. Provided that's the only thing that was wrong with your documents.
You would have been better off going right next to the Immigration Office to the lawyers and the employees and aides located there, Visa 2 Brittain, V2B for short, they would have helped you through it for sure. Even at the current exchange rates of the Euro, 840.000 Thb would still have been sufficient to meet the required 800.000 Thb.
By the Austrian Embassy you must have meant the Austrian Consul?
Success.
Nico B
Ehhh maybe it's just me but what do tattoos have to do with it? Do you want to show that someone who has tattoos is shown the door? Well I can't imagine this, in fact I am always looked at with admiration and priced for my tattoos in Thailand!! But yes, I also have the Thai flag and some Thai characters on my wrist... And I always show my respect wherever I go, after all, you are a guest in this country.
The new head of immigration is: Pol.Kol.Songprode Sirishkha.
Contact him and present the story to him.
It really should have happened right at the “misunderstanding”.
Ron I was once sent away from Immigration soi Suan Plu in Bangkok because I was wearing a sleeveless T-shirt. Had to go home first and change shirt for 1 with short or long sleeves. The year? 1977.
Curious what that statement looks like, how expensive it is and what language is used?
I too have done many annual renewals of my visa in Jomtien but have always been treated very neatly and correctly because I dressed myself in that way for the occasion.
Just a matter of respect for each other and there is nothing wrong ..of course the evidence provided is also in order ..I see guys with big tattoos open shirts without sleeves shorts slippers that just ask for bad treatment
Man, it has nothing to do with clothes. Only your papers must be in order.
Ludo, that's a very big mistake you're making, disrespectfully walking into an Immigration Office or an Amphur, etc. in beachwear or vacation gear, etc., is a really big mistake.
Nico B
the way you describe those people, that's how I always go, what's wrong with that? I do tie my shirt partly, and have never had any problems for my retirement visa.
I think this is a strange story. I always have good experiences with the immigration in Jomtien.
I would inform the Dutch embassy if something is indeed wrong. Action can only be taken through Bangkok immigration
Dear Ron, General Prayut says he will continue to work against extortion, corruption and fraud. Especially by officials. News blogs and Thai media often announce this, after all: it must be said that the PM is indeed serious.
Not so long ago, the army once again announced that corruption must stop, and a hotline was set up to that end. Everyone is given the opportunity to report facts committed against him/her, via 1- telephone number 1299, or orally to 2- any army base, or in writing 3- via: NCPO Postbox 444, Rajdamnoen Post Office, Bangkok 10200, resp. 4- Government House, po Prime Minister of Thailand, Pitsanulok Road Dusit, Bangkok 10300. Take advantage if you are serious about working with others to end this irritating and unwelcome practice. Notify us of the answer.
(The NCOP once made an e-mail address available to report abuses directly, but that has slipped my mind. Perhaps one of the readers has it ready.)
Provided that I find it inferior that extra money is requested, here is my response to your story.
The story you want to share testifies to a lot, but not to coming for an extension of your period of stay with the correct and required income. After 6 years in Thailand, you know the level of the required income, don't you?
If the income does not fall within the rules, for example because you have less income in Thai Bath due to a lower Euro, then that is your problem. You could have prevented that by also using money in your bank account, by increasing it a bit, together that could have been enough, but no, you come with too low an income, yes, then you are asking for problems.
The civil servant cannot do anything other than inform you of this and therefore not extend it. You may even be very happy that you are still helped by paying some tea money, however reprehensible it may be.
Your bias towards. the official that you already knew everything when you saw his face also says something about your manner, where you also tell that you have a short fuse.
The fact that you appeared at Immigration on the last day is somewhat inconvenient and is also not recommended, if something is wrong you will not have a second chance to adjust it without Overstay.
You approach it completely negatively, your comment then wait until the number is called also testifies to this.
It is also logical that you thought that it would not be OK, so you already knew that it could not be OK and right, the official said that you no longer had the right to stay in Thailand. That this is the first time that you have heard that after 6 years does surprise me, but you were already aware, saying that you cannot prove that amount, how could you and your wife still be perplexed? The official acted just as you claim to be straightforward, you were treated fairly by him and you were rightly warned about Overstay.
You feel powerless, but that is not the case, if you have your affairs in order you are not powerless at all. Given what I write here, I can't come to any other conclusion than that you probably run against the wall more often in Thailand, too bad, it can be so beautiful there.
Your advice is correct, extend on time, my advice to you is, make sure you have your affairs in order, then everything will run smoothly.
Went today for my year extension, within 20 minutes I was outside with the extension stamped in my passport, so that's how it can be.
Success.
Nico B
That is also strange, after 20 minutes back outside with a stamp, I always get a number after handing over the necessary papers for retirement visa and I can come and get a passport the next day after 10 am.
Joskeshake, it is certainly not strange, as we know, things can be slightly different everywhere. Wonderful, isn't it, that's how it went for me today in Mapthaput and rather earlier.
I was the 1st today, immediately helped by an official behind the counter, after checking the documents, the lady stamped the extension in my passport. Everything then went to the next official, who also signed immediately. He came to me and gave the advice again, if you leave the country, get a Re-Entry first and remember to report your address every 90 days. Made nice contact, he spoke English and I Thai and we appreciated each other and expressed that. Must say for the first time that 2 officials signed the extension. If an extension is not signed immediately, you should receive an under consideration stamp for 30 days, you will receive your passport, which you should always have with you. Usually within a few days you can bring your passport and the extension will be stamped in it.
Nico B
Another strange (fake) story. I'm sure you were out of order. Also: why Austrian embassy? Go to your own embassy.
13 years in Thailand, NEVER had any problems. Even still in soi 8 in Pattaya, then Yomtien. Been in Sakun Nakhon for 4 years now.
I don't believe you, apologies. You scare people.
Rudy, your response does not show much knowledge as an ex-pattaya resident...which surprises me as an old neighbor? ...you lived in my neighborhood for 2 years so you should know that no one goes to the Belgian embassy in Bangkok, but all expats of various nationalities go to the Austrian embassy which was previously located in the Arab Quarter...but now in Naklua... to legitimize the necessary document!
And with this I close this .. thought I did well to report this I am shocked how people react today ... thanks!
Ron, I too am still waiting for a know-it-all who will tell me that Immigration has been to their house for free because they have difficulty walking or don't feel like waiting.
The fun of telling something about your experience quickly disappears, especially if you are called a liar or someone with a tattoo in shorts and slippers who does not have his papers in order.
Hear, see and be silent, you will unfortunately do next time. Too bad about this blog.
I always go to the Belgian embassy for affidavit of income. Why should I pay double at Austrian consul. Well a shameless amount to pay there.
At the Dutch embassy in Bangkok you pay more than at the consul of Austria in Pattaya. Apart from the travel costs and travel time that you save with this. I do not know what the Belgian embassy charges, but this does not apply to Dutch people.
The Inquisitor :: Do you go to Bangkok to get a piece of paper while a friendly Austrian man who lives nearby is happy to do it for you ???
Enough has been written about OUR own Embassy, so don't broach that subject.
Here in Udon Thani no problem at all with an annual extension. Everything goes very smoothly and is arranged within 15 minutes. But I also make sure that all papers are in order, and I apply for the extension about three weeks in advance.
Most of the times things go well in Udon, but also have bad experiences.
There is now one more man making trouble the other 2 are okay.
Even had my extension from him in the spring and only cost 100 bath extra.
duration was 2 hours but that aside. You can be lucky or unlucky.
What was annoying was that the stamp was wrong VALID UNTIL JUNE 2017.
I always check and point this out to him. No excuse angrily took the papers and went to scratch.
A little weird stamp now but it will be fine.
If I hadn't seen this, it would certainly have caused problems because overstay with your first 90 day report.
So advice check your stamps carefully before you leave.
Ron: why people don't believe your story sounds a bit strange to me, even though I have been saying for years that in my opinion Thailandblog is for and by Dutch and Belgian people to help each other with certain things.
However, this opinion is not shared by many fellow countrymen because we are increasingly dealing with trying to stamp each other into the ground as deeply as possible and humiliate each other. You can write and tell from your own experience, but there are always those know-it-alls, even if you say that it is dark with you at night, many will say that the sun has shone all night with them.
You see this on all social media and in every pub in Thailand. Sometimes you are afraid to tell someone else something because as soon as you walk out of the pub, he turns it around and starts telling the opposite. Probably also some jealousy or boredom.
Personally, I have been coming to Sri Racha for 10 years and there too it just depends on which leg the official got out of bed with, fortunately I have not experienced your problems yet, but I have experienced a diversity of equivalent things. And yes, I have no tattoos, but don't put on a suit and tie to go to Immigration either.
Everywhere it is known that you can have to deal with corruption in Thailand. Even the military government, which has regularly announced that it will act against this, is nothing new. Only on thailandblog nl. do you see many readers who react immediately to every story or warning, as if they were bitten by a poisonous spider. If you have to believe them, Thai corruption has long been out of this world, although even most Thais think otherwise.
I heard a story this week from an expat who also went for his annual visa, all papers in order, only if his wife could sign a paper that the farang lives in her house, okay she did, it cost 1900 baht for it visa, and they asked for 2000 baht to sign the other paper, after many discussions it was possible for 300 baht? In the end they received a bill for 1900 baht, of course 2200 baht paid, so pure theft. (ps I don't know which immigration office it was). it was a land of smiling here, ammehoela.
So I read that the Euro exchange appears in the story…. if you work with the combination, it is best to calculate at the lowest rate, it may be that the official in question uses the rate of another bank, for example..., also read that the "savings books are well filled"..., why not just 800 000 +..., put it on the Thai bank, then such discussions are not an issue...., and also do not go at the last minute.... Do you have some reserve, for example to go to Bangkok headquarters ..... not now ...
I have never had any problems with Jomtien immigration in the 8 years that I have been in Thailand, I jump through their hoops as they like, 2nd day of the 30 days I am ready with them with all the documents from the same day with more than 800 and never paid more than the 000 baht fee….
I note that knowing you (probably after so many years...lol...) your wife kept you at a distance on the second day...she apparently should have done that better the first day...maybe she showed a bit too expressive body language AND too short on due date…!!
PS: unless the tm 30 plays a role in this, for example, not done, and therefore a fine..?? That could be a catch, perhaps, but I have never had a question about that... but then I have not been outside Thailand for years.
Dear Ron, as a fellow Belgian, I also come to immi Jomtien every three months and annually.
I have always been treated completely correctly and according to the rules, and that is why I find this strange!
You don't give concrete numbers about what sum you were able to prove, which makes it very confusing.
What I do notice is that you indicate a possible cause in your account, namely your personal behavior!
You indicate that both you and your wife know your inflammable character!
You do not let us know in what terms you expressed your displeasure, but I can imagine.
I suppose you are intelligent to realize that a lack of "respect" towards any person who has any power over you can have dire consequences!
Hopefully a lesson for later. Good luck in Thailand.
If you read carefully, you would have read that the officer was the first to behave rudely and act like a dictator and extortionist.
Dear Peter,
I had read and understood this very carefully! However, this is your personal view of the event.
The other person has no possibility to give his personal version, so that we cannot take an objective position.
It is quite possible that you are telling the whole truth, but there is no confirmation of this true or false story anywhere.
I am extremely surprised that the writer of this blog is not believed… We have all experienced corruption to a greater or lesser extent. How could the writer benefit by sharing this…???… I think it's sad that fellow speakers can treat each other like this !!!
Of course there is corruption in Thailand.
Much of the corruption, however, consists of compensation to overlook a violation of the law.
If the “corrupt” police officer asks 200 Baht because you are not wearing your helmet, that is a compensation to save you the walk to the police station.
If you had simply complied with the law, you would not have had to pay the agent.
As an honest foreigner it is much better not to pay the cop and to take that walk to the police station.
But apparently we would rather not and would rather participate in this corruption.
And then we complain at a forum about corruption in Thailand.
In the case of immigration, it seems the official believed - rightly or wrongly - that Ron did not meet the terms of the extension.
And wanted compensation to overlook that shortcoming.
If the shortcoming was justified, Ron could have chosen to apply for a new visa and do the whole procedure again.
Apparently he preferred to pay.
Incidentally, immigration, at least the head of immigration, has the right to bend rules as he sees fit.
If this is an official right, charging a fee is not necessarily corrupt, but a paid service rendered.
If it's an unofficial right, it's probably a bit more difficult.
I was at Samui immigration this month for my extension of stay (retirement). Someone was standing in front of me and I already heard, with the necessary problems. He came for an extension of stay based on being married to a Thai. Three months ago 400.000 thb in the bank, had withdrawn money from it in the meantime and topped it up later. So this hadn't been up for the full three months. The lady behind the counter remained calm and correct, but was not explained that this is not according to the rules. Mr. eventually got all the papers back with the message that he had to leave the country to apply for a new visa. I handed in my stuff, got a number and was able to pick up my passport with extension after payment.
Now I have to tell you that it has happened years that 1900 to 6000 thb was not asked. But after the departure of a certain person, a new head and now the ladies who were sitting at the counter somewhere else, this no longer happens.
And make sure you have enough income….
The Belgians among us do not have to go to Bangkok for an income statement. This can be done by mail
Also for the Dutch, by the way, and with an income statement you do not have to have 800.000 baht on your account. It's either, or, and not and, and.
It can be and and. 400.000 in the bank 3 months and an annual income of 400.000 or more also makes 800.000 or more.
I was once told that my visa had to be valid for another 15 days before an extension. Perhaps that was the reason for the rejection and not the amount of salary or balance in the bank.
Then 10000 baht is still cheap for the extension, because leaving the country and applying for a new visa at the Thai embassy is many times more expensive.
So ron they beat you up there in jomtien, be happy.
Dear readers,
It is true what Ron writes about Immigration in Jomtien, they measure there with multiple levels of corruption.
It starts at the door with that official who has had his face drawn, he can help you with everything for a good payment for his own benefit.
And of course there are farrangs that are well helped with immigration in Jomtien.
But I had a friend here who always said that to me, that they were well helped with immigration in Jomtien, because his Thai wife always had a good time with the officials, hahaha I thought.
Until two years ago, my friend now also says that they are crooks there at the immigration in Jomtien.
Because they have been asking him for two years now for 20.000 baht extra for the extension beyond the 1900 baht, which it actually costs.
Because they have seen his bank book with several million Thai Baht on it, so they like to grab something from that, when his wife asked the female official why they had to pay those 20.000, she got the answer, does your husband want the visa or not? She says yes, he would like that very much. Then the female officer said he has enough money and can afford it easily.
But he didn't get a receipt of the 20.000, so that money doesn't go into the state treasury.
But I do feel in favor of making these bad experiences known to Prayut and that we then visit those corrupt officials in Jomtien with several military personnel and then point them out.
But I advise everyone to make a recording of the conversation when extended and preferably with an image where all actions can be clearly seen.
Because it must be over at some point that we as Farrangs are milked out by these corrupt people from the immigration in Jomtien.
I wish everyone good luck in the future, including the people who now say or write that they do not believe this story from Ron ….
That is asking for trouble showing a bank book with a balance of several million. It is more advisable to take one separate booklet through the bank with 850K. No one has anything to do with the rest, nor does it need to be shown!
Dear people,
I also have bad experiences with the Immigration office in Jomtien.
But I hope that the corruption in that office will soon come to an end, because I really like living in Thailand.
There is still HOPE, that it will stop sometime!!!
The solution:
If no more foreigners would come to Thailand and all foreigners who now live or work here leave for another country!!
Then those corrupt officials will no longer have a job and then 85% of the Thai population will have nothing, THANKS TO THE CORRUPT IMMIGRATION AND POLICE IN THAILAND.
Best regards.
Dear Ron,
I understand your problem, because what you write is 100% correct.
Success.
I have been living in Thailand for 7 years now, and I must say I have never had any problems before
an extension request.
Yet it was 1 time wrong with an application.
Just a little stupid mistake on my part that could have been done in a human way
are corrected at immigration.
No, I had to pay 15000 bath, then suddenly that small mistake was no longer a problem.
I'm not going to elaborate on that anymore, I believe the story of that man.