Immigration loon in Nong Khai

Post by **Sateev** » September 19, 2011, 2:25 pm

Just accompanied my wife to do her 90-day report at Nong Khai Immigration.

Should have been a 30-sec. piece of cake, but the certifiably insane woman on the far left got excited because my wife's extension of stay was issued in Bangkok (before we moved to Nong Khai).

She does the same routine every time - carefully looking for something amiss in our passports, and jumping on some imagined irregularity, complete with head shaking, eye-rolling, and muttering, and a VERY rude question or two, followed by tossing the passport back across the table, and refusing to acknowledge our polite "Thank you". Of course she accepted the 90-day report, because everything was in order, but it seems she was just pissed that Bangkok had issued the extension.

In this case, the 90-day report that she had processed last time was still in my wife's passport, leading one to wonder why she didn't look more closely before flying into a snit.

I could recount a few more incidents of lunacy with this broad, but I really just want to take it to her boss. I'm really getting fed up, and won't have anyone treating my wife with disrespect again.

No need for the usual, "I never have a problem at Immigration, because I'm so well-dressed and my paperwork is always neat and tidy" brigade to speak up. I couldn't give a flying f*ck.

I'm pissed.

Post by **arjay** » September 19, 2011, 4:08 pm

Sateev, I think I know who you mean, - the woman on the left is the supervisor of those adjacent to her, and likes to find something to quibble about.

Sometimes they have/hand out customer service questionnaires, you could ask for one of those, and then take it to the supervisors office and hand it in with substantiating comments. Otherwise, the bigger bosses are upstairs or in the room across the hall if you want to complain.

Post by **Sateev** » September 19, 2011, 4:20 pm

Thanks, Arjay.

I was there the day they hung the box on the wall for the feedback forms. They asked me where I though they should hang it, and I said "Outside the door" (where it is out of their direct view), but they smiled and said it would go on the pillar, just in front of their desks!

I guess I need to go see the boss. Fools rush in...

-S

Post by **arjay** » September 19, 2011, 4:56 pm

Sateev, the "box" was outside on the column/wall in the lobby/hall (to the right of the table) earlier this year, as we had to ask what to do with the forms we had just been given and filled in. Though when we went mid August and again late August no forms were given out and I didn't see (or look for) the box. We haven't been asked to buy any watches or sandwiches lately though.

A couple of years back I too did get a grilling about why I had extended my visa in Phuket, but was now doing my 90 day report in NK.

Post by **nkstan** » September 19, 2011, 6:10 pm

(Cynical,I know)I am of the belief that the immigration employees feel no fear of complaints about their attitude and their nitpicking demands .I believe that everything that happens there is well known by the leadership.Saying that though,I have noticed the absence of the constant attempts to get you to buy something,so it is possible that a complaint was filed and there might have been a directive(possibly by Bangkok) to cease that activity!

The attitude and hassling has really picked up since the ''sales'' have ended,which might be a direct retaliation on their part!13 years,I have been here and the last 2 times for my extensions,being well known to them,I have been asked to present paperwork never asked for in the past,causing me to have to leave ,get it and return.This year it was the lease on my house and they wanted the landlord to attend in person.although I had the last years requirement of copies of his house book and ID card,signed with a requested hand drawn map.Then,the supervisor wanted the original lease contract,not a copy(landlord refused) and I reminded her that I was asked for a copy.She mumbled ''OK'' and ''threw'' the passport to me.

I never hassle them in anyway when I go,never show my displeasure in anyway,but I have always deflected,politely and subserviently,the sales pitches and questions regarding speaking Thai and why I don't own a house,Plus, I always wait for my change that is usually slow in coming!

I happen to have a low level contact there(doesn't work in that room) who is one of the nicest Thai people I know.A couple of times ,in the past,I ran into him as I am entering the facility.After a warm welcome,he would take my paperwork into the room with him as an escort,tell them I was his friend and stamp stamp stamp,no questions or requests!

I never discuss my feelings with him as I only consider him a friendly acquaintance from our daughters being classmates and reciprocal house dinners and visits in the past!

Depending on your priorities about living in Thailand or not,IMO,it is smart to remember that they have very broad powers and abilities to hassle you if they choose.They can run you around as long as they want by asking for additional paperwork which is there prerogative!

Now I know and understand what a minority position is in a racist oriented social structure!

Post by **Sateev** » September 19, 2011, 6:49 pm

Interesting that I was thinking the same thing: her boss MUST know what kind of imbecile she is, and does nothing to prevent her from acting out, so maybe it's 'official policy'. However, the last time she went off (because she didn't know what a non-O-A visa was, and insisted that I needed to apply for an extension), the guy at the far right end interceded, and got me sorted, over protests and a few sharp words from her. He even shook my hand and said, "Welcome to Nong Khai", as a way of saying, "Don't worry about her...".

I have worked with people in the corporate setting who had a similar personality defect, and whose co-workers, even supervisors, did nothing, rather than confront them and open the can of worms. They were usually people who worked hard, and were good at their jobs, but were slightly paranoid, and disliked people in general. They are hard to shake off. Think Scotty in Star Trek...to the max.

Anyway, for me, there's nothing here in Nong Khai that would be worth going to the mat for. I have other friends who feel the same way, some after many years. I'm going to have problems with her in the future, because I DID let her know I didn't care for her attitude...as I said, I can hold my own, but you DON'T mess with my loved ones.

Enjoy the industrial waste-pond look in the new, improved, Nong Thin Park, and all the broken/destroyed trees. I'll be headed into the sunset...they can have it.

Post by **kjellsnell** » September 19, 2011, 7:26 pm

Nongkai imigration........puh....i am so happy that i dont need to go to this place any more. A vistit at Imigration in Udon is like a soft dream in compare with Nongkai. I hope i never need to go there again and i strongly recomand everyone to go to other places if they can! I feel really sorry for what people have to meet in Nong Kai imigration!

Regards Kjell

Post by **parrot** » September 19, 2011, 8:20 pm

The lady sounds like Nina....the dragon lady who used to split her time between Nongkai and the satellite office at AEK. She was later relegated to a back office in Nongkai. Maybe some one let her out of her cell.

Post by **stattointhailand** » September 19, 2011, 10:17 pm

If Nong Khai Immigration is SOoooooo bad, would someone explain why , even though I live in Udon, it now takes longer to get my Visa/90 day report done than it used to when I had the additional travel to NK & back.
Only ever had one problem in NK in 6 years and they kindly gave me directions to where I had to go , and as soon as I returned they processed my application (without having to queue again).
I think they built Udon Immigration on the wrong side of the road ...... it should be in the prison grounds.

Post by **nkstan** » September 20, 2011, 6:52 am

stattointhailand wrote:If Nong Khai Immigration is SOoooooo bad, would someone explain why , even though I live in Udon, it now takes longer to get my Visa/90 day report done than it used to when I had the additional travel to NK & back.
Only ever had one problem in NK in 6 years and they kindly gave me directions to where I had to go , and as soon as I returned they processed my application (without having to queue again).
I think they built Udon Immigration on the wrong side of the road ...... it should be in the prison grounds.

I have had several OK experiences over the years with them,it doesn't change the fact that on many days they are assholes in their manner and presentation,taking opportunity to cheat you out of change,subtly coercing applicants to buy products(especially Thai wives/GF's)and direct rudeness.

I have seen some falang assholes also that deserved being shown the door(None since they stopped processing the paperwork of those from outside NK area),but I can assure you that I have always been polite,subservient in manner,show patience and compliance while there!Although,I quickly vent my feelings after I leave as I hate kowtowing to obvious BS!

Post by **parrot** » September 20, 2011, 10:45 am

Sateev, I just read your comment on another thread about visas:
"Then, two fortunate things happened: they hired a farang into the Visa Section, who is both knowledgeable and helpful, and I met the newly installed Royal Thai Consul General, Mr. Damrong Kraikruan, at a Wat function, near San Diego.

I had the opportunity to speak with K. Damrong at length about the website, and the perception that the LA consulate was not playing by the rulebook. His response was that they could not make up the rules, and that they were bound by the laws of Thailand, and that he would look into the matter.

Within a week of our conversation, I received confirmation that they were again issuing multi-entry O-A visas, and that they were in the process of correcting the website. From that point forward, I had nothing but great service from the Consulate."

Maybe it's time to try to befriend the head honcho at immigration. I doubt you'd have an opportunity like you did in San Diego, but you sound like reasonable guy....and sometimes the people at the top don't have a clue what the people down below are doing until it's pointed out to them.

side note: Assuming your name is Steve, I can almost hear your wife say "Sa-teev" as most Thais do.

Post by **Sateev** » September 20, 2011, 11:28 am

Yeah, it's Steve. But my wife, being a Filipina, says "Hunnnnn..."

I can't help but think that the Marx siblings that populate the office in Nong Khai are somehow permitted their shenanigans by the boss, since it has been going on for such a long time. I didn't see much of it when I lived here in 2006, but there weren't nearly as many farangs here then, and people didn't seem to have the hostile edge that I'm seeing these days. It must be a war of attrition to thin out the (foreign) herd.

And in a way, who can blame them? Soi Alcohol is a mini-Pattaya on weekends (well, VERY mini), and there are a lot of pretty dodgy characters around town. The sad thing is that perfectly stable and sane retirees are lumped in with the riff-raff, Thais being as racist as they are. The inablilty to discriminate, and the lack of cause-and-effect reasoning means that getting rid of ALL farangs would solve the problem, even the ones who contribute to the economy, and who are respectful of, even interested in, Thai culture and Buddhism.

I respect anyone who can find a balance, and learn to live here with confidence that their future is secure. I know many here on UM have done it, and continue to do so. For me, I am beginning to see that Thailand is no longer a good fit. Part of this is self-discovery: I'm not ready to give up work, and I'm not good at putting up with petty bureaucrats messing with me and mine. Another part is the direction Thailand is moving, seen once from 2001 until the coup, and I'm afraid, even more rabidly this time around. I predict a further tightening of Immigration, and increased demands, to the point of harassment, in general. But that's a topic for another thread...

Thanks for your kind words. Glad you're one of the ones who seems to make it work.

Post by **douglas** » September 20, 2011, 11:43 am

Hi,
Statt, don't know what trouble you have in Udon Imm. For my last four 90 day reports, i was in and out within five mins. The last time i was in, at the begining of the month, i even had a chat with a lady i know there. and it still did not take me over five mins. The hardest part was the 10K drive to get to them, that took longer. Mind you i always fill the forms out before i go and have everything that Imm require. Belt and braces. I pick up spare forms for my next visit on the way out. My app. for permission to stay, being married to a Thai National, took the longest. Just over a hour, still could not drive to N.K. Imm and back in that time, without breaking the law. The last time i went to N.K. Imm. it took me over an hour to get a 90 day report done, and that is not including the drive up to N.K.
I find that the staff in Udon Imm. are very good and polite, and helpful, and i do not give them "bribes".
Cheers Doug.

Post by **Nick@AUA** » September 20, 2011, 11:45 am

Just do what I do..get someone else to do it for you. Then you don't need to deal with them.

Post by **wynnsiensheng** » September 21, 2011, 9:35 pm

I've had experiences at the opposite end of the spectrum at Nong Khai.

The first time, my 90 day report was a breeze. A guy at one of the centre desks dealt with it.

The second visit I needed to renew my retirement visa. The lady on the left (your dragon lady I assume) refused to process the application because my visa had been issued in Phuket the previous year, even though we were now living in Udon. The lady insisted I had to get Phuket immigration to "transfer" my expiring visa to Nong Khai. I ended up having to make a trip to Phuket to apply for a visa and of course the office there had never heard of a "transfer" to another immigration office.

I never did find out why my visa application had to be done in Phuket, certainly the Phuket immigration couldn't explain why. But now I just make sure that my visa renewal coincides with one of my trips to Phuket. A good excuse for a few days away, ha ha.

Not that the Phuket office is a bed of roses....but that is another story.

Post by **zoomzoom** » September 21, 2011, 9:53 pm

From what I have seen, over the past 6 years, it is simple.

Accept that every Thai government employee wishes to make themselves look important and so avoid (if possible) at all costs.

NEVER go to a Thai Embassy, for a VISA, ONLY to a Consulate.

A Consulate (normally (but not always), operated by ferangs) will apply the rules/law, relating to the application, that were decided upon by the Thai Government.

A Thai Embassy will attempt to invent their own - as with Thai Immigration officials!

Enough said!!

Post by **threelegcowboy** » September 25, 2011, 10:22 am

Let me guess at the reason for your problem. Maybe there was an infraction and she let you off with a toss of the passport instead of a few hundred baht fee. She felt she let you off lite and you felt slighted. It may be a communication problem.

If you move from Phuket to Udon and have a visa the address was first reported in Phuket. The new address should have been reported to the Udon Immigration(or Nongkai) SOON after the move. Then the 90 day address report would start again from that Udon update.

You made an attempt to renew your 90 days and were in default because you had split the 90 days. She should have fined you (maybe 200 baht).

I could be wrong on this...

LLL :-"

Post by **nkstan** » September 25, 2011, 11:23 am

threelegcowboy wrote:Let me guess at the reason for your problem. Maybe there was an infraction and she let you off with a toss of the passport instead of a few hundred baht fee. She felt she let you off lite and you felt slighted. It may be a communication problem.

If you move from Phuket to Udon and have a visa the address was first reported in Phuket. The new address should have been reported to the Udon Immigration(or Nongkai) SOON after the move. Then the 90 day address report would start again from that Udon update.

You made an attempt to renew your 90 days and were in default because you had split the 90 days. She should have fined you (maybe 200 baht).

I could be wrong on this...

LLL :-"

I don't think it is the applicants responsibility to report his new address on arrival.It is the responsibility of the landlord.Therefore,no fine to impose.
It is interesting that you and some others seem to want to defend,arrogant rude behavior by these people.I guess you just LOVE Thailand TO MUCH!

Post by **threelegcowboy** » September 25, 2011, 6:26 pm

"Let me guess at the reason for your problem" was my opening statement. I am not taking up for these people.

I have had dealings with this lady immigration officer and the famous AEK Udon commander in chief of immigration. But the more I learn about Thai Immigration the more I realize I dont know. There are holes in the procedure AND CAN BE LEFT UP TO THE DESCRETION OF THE IMMIGRATION OFFICER.

I did google and tried to find an answer but only came up with a hundred versions. What works for me is to report my new address when I move ASAP. And we are talking about in relation to a visa. From this point on it is every 90 days to report. If you leave the country and return (you have to give the address on entry forms) then the 90 days start from that reentry.

I do think that SOME of the blame on bad behavier is due to language/communication problems. SHE JUST DOESNT WANT TO HAVE TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOU IN ENGLISH.

I did get a few things completely wrong on first post. 1 it was BKK not Phuket. 2. Amount of fine can be much more.

LLL

Post by **old-timer** » September 25, 2011, 7:21 pm

They are all loonies. OT walks in gets what he wants and walks out. Whatever happens in between walking in and walking out doesn't bother me. Pretend to fall asleep before they call you up, that gets them going.

OT............... $\:D/$