Udon Thani Immigration Office

[jackspratt]

Raises an interesting issue, B_D.

As you and I both live pretty much equidistant from Udon and Nong Khai, and the immigration "rules" seem to be that you must deal with your local immigration office - which is it to be

[Bandung_Dero]

Not a boner! Ban Dung is in the Udon province! Udon it should be. As with Igloo he should use Nakhon Phanom in the Sakon Nakhon province but I believe over 6 years he has here never visited the place. Always used NK even up to his last 90 day report 2 months ago.

Remains confusing!

[Khun Paul]

Went for the 90 day today, at Udon which opens at 0830 hrs closes for lunch at 1230ish reopens until 1639 so the sign says.
The 90 was no problem it wasn't until we were discussing the renewal of a visa did I get told i needed a landlords or owners authority to live where I hae been living for ther last 6 years that I saw a minor problem, although having a yellow book is ok, and having stated that I have never produced anything else apart from financial requirements over the past 4 years did I get told new office so requires new authorisation.
Now that will be interesting as I have a 30year lease do i sign or does the owner if so, as the owner with the blue book is 'God Knows' what does one do. Well I am asking my lawyer and will inform you all when I have the answer.
it seems strange that the 'New 'office will not talk to the 'old ' office at Nong Khai or am I just hoping for a miracle.
Did not have yellow book, blue book or anything else for the ninety day just passport and the necessary form.

[bumper]

That one could effect a lot of people, please post the answer.

Did you ask about the lease when speaking to Udon Immigration?

One office in the government not talking to another seems very common here actually.

[bn]

She follows the letter of the law. I remember the times when no one knew exactly what to do because they were not doing that. Although it would be nice if she smiled that's not a job requirement as far as I can tell.

My experience with her was once she saw I followed the Law she was pretty nice to me. My visa was processed in about five min's. As she had precleared the paper work before the other officer had even seen it.

We are now going to have a new Office in Udon, which means we may all have to learn all over again.

Technically, I believe the 3 months would be an administrative interpretation of the regulation not a law so yes it would be open to discretion if immigration so wanted.

And immigration follow the law you must be joking. The "law" hasn't changed in years yet every year I get asked for different paperwork for a Non-O. This year substantially different. If my visa is for "Supporting my Thai wife" then why am I not allowed to have a joint bank account anymore? For 5 plus years I was told I HAD to have a joint account to show funds at OUR disposal. This year the opposite and next year something different I'm sure. I only needed money in the account for 2 months for my visa. So much for the 3 months is written in stone theory.

I don't think the immigration officials create this ever changing web of paperwork and rules out of spite or anything malicious. I think they just lack the intelligence and/or empathy to realize the chaos or insecurity it can cause in the lives of others.

[jackspratt]

The law has changed on a number of occasions, even in the 2+ years I have been here.

What can vary, according to reports, is the paperwork you must show immigration to establish your bona fides.

I am quite sure "empathy" does not appear in the job description for a Thai Immigration officer. Whether or not it should is a debatable issue.

If you haven't done so already, it may be worth your while to look at some of the current Thai Immigration laws set out here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Immigrati ... t3139.html

[tinyterry]

Hi all, hope I am on the correct thread with this question. I will be making my first visit to Udon on 8th January 2010. I am flying London to Bangkok on Thai air and then will be connecting with a thai air flight a few hours later to Udon.
Do I have to clear immigration for visa at Bangkok or is this done at Udon. I will need a 30 day visa?
Advice appreciated,
Thanks Terry

[BobHelm]

Terry,
All immigration & customs clearance has to be done in BKK. Udon (although classified as an International airport) does not have these facilities, If you are only staying 30 days or less then you do not need to get a visa. A 30 day permission to stay will automatically be granted in BKK (by Immigration) because you are arriving by air & are a UK national. You could, however, apply for a tourist visa from any of the Thai embassies or consulates in the UK before flying to Thailand. With this stamp in your passport you would be granted a 60 day permission to stay when you arrived in BKK.

[Galee]

For what it's worth I know of a popular Udon apartment block that now has to report to the new Immigration office every day with a list of non Thai nationals staying there. Apparently this was always the case but was not enforced. Looks as though they are tightening up procedures.

[Ray.Charles]

Perhaps they need report a new resident...chai/mai?
Otherwise, in theory, the owner of the house where you are living would be required to report you each day!?

[tinyterry]

Thanks Bob a very clear explanation which helps me. What had me confused was Udon airport being described as an International airport. Regards Terry

[pompui]

Friend did his 90 day report just over a week ago and was told Udon could not handle anything complicated until the New year.His Retirement visa was up for extension for another year today and off he went to Nong Khai for the simple procedure.
WRONG!! They told him Udon is NOW up and ready and apologised for him coming to Nong Khai with the incorrect information given by Udon Immigration Office at the Airport! They told him only Udon can do his extension now and so a waste of Diesel going back to Udon Immigration that he says has no aircon and not even a fan,very hot waiting and finally Udon Immigration signed him off,he says by an officer who used to work at Nong Khai and recognised him.
The stupid officer who gave him the wrong info was dark skinned so anybody else go to Udon now!!
There were other farang who had to do the same thing today at Nong Khai and go to Udon.
TIT

[parrot]

This was posted on Thaivisa.com today....don't know the validity
QUOTE
Surprise surprise Udon visa applicants.

My friend went to the Airport yesterday to report for his 90 day notification, he asked when they where going to start processing all related visa matters.

He did this because the only person at the present location looked important.

The officer in charge who he said was a very senior officer, going by his uniform ect. told him they are not and will be moving to the Udon police station shortly as previously planned.

They are awaiting the completion of yet another new dedicated office and will transfer back to there once all is ready.

When asked when he replied not to far in the future as in his words it is nearly ready for use.

The officer incidently was very friendly indeed

marshbags END QUOTE

P.S.

[laphanphon]

sounds like the usual mis information of thai visa. i didn't see anyone in any type of high authority uniform, i don't think. nothing that impressed me. matter of fact, the one guy that was signing off, and being asked questions was in a white t-shirt, the rest, in uniform, but no spit and shine, all casual and relaxed, a bit too much, as things went slow. it is way too hot there, and they could use some ac. explaining the relaxed dress code.

airport would definitely seem the best place, use of an empty building, parking, easy access, and if ever they turn international again, they are already there. since the police station was original plan, and didn't work, can't see them returning. i hope not.

[jackspratt]

This was posted on Thaivisa.com today....don't know the validity
QUOTE
Surprise surprise Udon visa applicants.

My friend went to the Airport yesterday to report for his 90 day notification, he asked when they where going to start processing all related visa matters.

He did this because the only person at the present location looked important.

The officer in charge who he said was a very senior officer, going by his uniform ect. told him they are not and will be moving to the Udon police station shortly as previously planned.

They are awaiting the completion of yet another new dedicated office and will transfer back to there once all is ready.

When asked when he replied not to far in the future as in his words it is nearly ready for use.

The officer incidently was very friendly indeed

marshbags END QUOTE

P.S.

So we have 3 degrees of separation - TV, marshbags, and his friend.

Alternatively, we have separate report of computer equipment being moved into the airport site.

I reckon I would wait a bit before I formed any opinion of what is actually going to happen.

[Khun Paul]

Well went with lawyer and 'er indoors ' to the Airport today, the statutory authority for living in what I regard as my home was sorted, amicably, the interesting point was that while waiting for the necessary person to endorse the application, ( how this was done I have no idea, I just signed where I was told and smiled and Wai'd as required) cost for legal advice acceptable.
Anyway backto the plot as it were, while waiting, I heard the man ( who was at Nong Khai ) stating that all visas can be done at the Airport, there was NO mention of it relocating to the Police station at all.
Having spent time on occasions trolling through Thai Visa's post, what i find disturbing is their complete lack of vetting of the information they put out, as they wish to be the ''The answer to every farangs
problems '' their seemingly lack of verification on imortant issues at times gives one cause for concern . When I did my short TV stint, I stated then and I reiterate it here, if you want to know what the hell is going on with Immigration ASK THEM, simplicity itself.

[Khun Paul]

A small point, in questioning my lawyer, he was thinking of asking the Credin ( land Registry) to sign the document to state with a 30 year lease, I obviously had the owners permission to stay at that address, that was not needed, but it was an avenue he was considering and those who may find themselves in the same plight ( absent owners ) but lease obtained, that could be a way forward.
He had other plans up his sleeve but they would be particular to my circumstances and may not have the same effect with other people.

[bumper]

Paul one of the guys here was having problems in registering his bike. Same lease agreement missing landlord. They gave him the yellow book at the Amphur, they really are very handy if you get a chance.

Sorry off topic, But, helpful I hope.

[Khun Paul]

They gave him the yellow book at the Amphur, they really are very handy if you get a chance.

I am fully aware of the importance of the Yellow book I have had one for over 6 years, however it seems as in my previous post, that a Government Issued Document is not acceptable at the new Udon Immigration Office, for reasons which I do not even begin to understand, hence my problem with an absent owner, as I do not rent I have NO rental agreement.
It owuld appear as initially stated that the Inspector/captain at the new office wants everything just so, and he does not trust his own Governemnt agencies, a fact that always manages to make us wonder.

[bumper]

Well Paul there is a new Sheriff, in town I think we all know things are going to be different we just don't how yet.

One Government ageny recognizing another here. I've never seen that. Sounded like you got through it. Or did I miss somehting?

Somewhere along the line seems like I saw something, about someone thinking they couldn't get a yellow book. My appoligies for confusing you with that