Ill treatment at Udon Immigration

Post by **parrot** » November 24, 2011, 3:06 pm

"Remember that you have to get your account updated on three seperate occations (3 months/ 2 months and 1 month) prior to getting your visa. The fact that you have B800,000 in your account 3 months before and have updated your account book 7 days prior to your visit with no transactions during the three months is not good enough for Udon Immigration"

That's news to me. I brought in a Siam Commercial Bank time account passbook for my retirement renewal this past Sept. I opened the account in March 2011. One transaction. I received interest in August. Two transactions. I updated the passbook and received my letter from the bank in Sept. Three transactions. Got my visa no problem.

Post by **fdimike** » November 24, 2011, 3:58 pm

I don't know why they ask for a copy of my wife's ID card but they do along with the House Book. It may have something to do with the House book but I just don't know. I believe the owner of the house in the House Book essentially says that you are living in the house. Once you have the letter from the embassy the rest is a piece of cake.

Post by **stattointhailand** » November 24, 2011, 4:17 pm

Parrot, you had a letter from the bank stating that you had the funds on each of the three preceeding months, which covered the fact that you had not updated your passbook.

Last year, Udon's favorite immigration office girl made me go back to the bank and have them reword the letter to state the balance as of three months/two months/one month before as I forgot to go to the bank one month and get the book updated.
I've still got the origional bank letter with her note to the bank clerk telling them what she wanted written in pencil on it.

fdimike, have you got a yellow house book?

Post by **fdimike** » November 24, 2011, 4:27 pm

No I don't have a yellow House Book and quite frankly don't see the need for one. My wife is always with me when I renew my visa because she renews her visa as well.

Post by **stattointhailand** » November 24, 2011, 4:32 pm

That is probably why I've never needed my wifes ID card (or her) to be present. I just show them the yellow book instead.

Post by **stattointhailand** » November 24, 2011, 4:35 pm

Welshwizard wrote:- Both time this has happened to me i have been the only one in the office so perhaps they wait for someone to be alone ?

Funny you should mention that. The day that I got sent back to get my bank letter reworded, I was the last customer before the lunch break

Post by **kopkei** » November 24, 2011, 6:48 pm

i have been doing my visa extensions or permissions to stay .. whatever you want to call it ....for 10 years now
with bank deposit the first 2 years ( i think), of 200.000 baht, and later 400.000, never 480.000 baht , even the leaflet i picked up at immigration this year does not say other wise( i have posted this in an other topic )
look here...http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/u ... 1-480.html
where douglas gets his 480.000 baht , no idea unless they have changed it again...starting this year i also had to go change my bank statement same as in parrots case.... never had any problems in udon , as of nongkhai you had to be lucky who was handling your file...

Post by **jackspratt** » November 24, 2011, 8:29 pm

kopkei wrote: ............where douglas gets his 480.000 baht , no idea unless they have changed it again...

They haven't.

Post by **trubrit** » November 24, 2011, 8:35 pm

jackspratt wrote:
kopkei wrote: ............where douglas gets his 480.000 baht , no idea unless they have changed it again...
They haven't.

I think where the confusion comes in is that it mentions 40k a month, which of course is 480k per annum, but then goes on to say "Or 400k a year " :-"

Post by **jackspratt** » November 24, 2011, 8:39 pm

trubrit wrote:
jackspratt wrote:
kopkei wrote: ............where douglas gets his 480.000 baht , no idea unless they have changed it again...
They haven't.
I think where the confusion comes in is that it mentions 40k a month, which of course is 480k per annum, but then goes on to say "Or 400k a year " :-"

Fair point Val - but in the case of douglas, there are many, demonstrated, points of confusion.

And despite any evidence to the contrary, they keep getting repeated.

Post by **papaguido** » November 24, 2011, 8:44 pm

The immigration order states:

(6) In the case of marriage to a Thai women, the alien husband must earn an annual average income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month or must have no less than Baht 400,000 in a bank account in Thailand for the past two months to cover expenses for one year.

Para. 2.18

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/do ... 551_en.pdf

Post by **kopkei** » November 25, 2011, 6:46 am

TB isn't confusion what's it all about at thai immigration...

example: the need of a witness...in udon en nongkhai..., my friend in gorath until today never needed any witness,
even after asking if there where any changes concerning this they all funny there and even more with the photo in bedroom matter.... ,best you can do is post your own experiences with this ,(like i did before, and not assumptions , from hear tell here and there...)and even than there is never a warranty it will be same for the next one...TIT

Post by **Khun Paul** » November 25, 2011, 7:24 am

It seems to me that although most of us can read and speak English and the Thai immigration website is quite explicit, people seem unable to read the inforrmation and act on it. Also a failure to ask the relevant authorities before the due date, has led to difficulties.
We often slag off the authorities here, but those of us who think, know that these authorities are quite capable of being awkward and yet we still complain about the meaning of the written word and also about the actions of some staff.

personally only having had one problem in over 10 years leads me to think either I am lucky or that I use my brain and look at the situation and try to ensure that I have all the relevant paperwork correctly and if not, to ask a question long before the due date in order to eradicate possible problems.

In this country it seems the easier way, unfortunate many of us have an impression that they are cleverer than the immigration staff and come unstuck. maybe we are cleverer but it is their country and you are still a guest no matter how long you have been here and they can and do interpret it as they see fit, despite what the law says .

SO USE YOUR INTELLIGENCE TO AVOID PROBLEMS.

Post by **parrot** » November 25, 2011, 8:22 am

"SO USE YOUR INTELLIGENCE TO AVOID PROBLEMS."

Not to take the thread to a different level, but I apply the same logic to dealing with the police at traffic stops. 15 years, 2 legitimate violations, hundreds (+-) of stops, no problems.

Post by **kjellsnell** » November 25, 2011, 9:09 am

I can only agree whit Khun Paul and papegoja - i have no problems whit the immigration and never have problems whit the police either.......in immigration they regard med and says: Oh, happy too meet you again, where you been, long time no see.....i like this people and they never take extras from mee!

Post by **trubrit** » November 25, 2011, 9:22 am

If I might add to the above advise based on my own observations .Learn when to be subservient. Now I know that will be difficult for some judging by their postings. Forget how big you were back home , what job you did, even how much money you have . Over here when dealing with any sort of officialdom that wears a uniform, they are bigger than you.
You may know you are better educated, earn more in a month than they get in a year and that you can do their job far better than them but don't show it. This is a country that runs on status. Loves wearing a uniform with lots of medals to show that status to all and sundry .Play their game, yes sir , three bags full sir, all the while thinking to yourself, c--t. But don't ever show it or you will get problems .Never tell them they are interpreting the regulations incorrectly, even if they are. Smile and ask them to explain what he means, you will get there in the end . The result in the end will be that visa extension in your passport. An officer thinking some farangs are okay, whilst you are more than ever convinced they are all twits .Every ones happy , for another year .

Post by **papaguido** » November 25, 2011, 9:54 am

trubrit wrote:If I might add to the above advise based on my own observations .Learn when to be subservient. Now I know that will be difficult for some judging by their postings. Forget how big you were back home , what job you did, even how much money you have . Over here when dealing with any sort of officialdom that wears a uniform, they are bigger than you.
You may know you are better educated, earn more in a month than they get in a year and that you can do their job far better than them but don't show it. This is a country that runs on status. Loves wearing a uniform with lots of medals to show that status to all and sundry .Play their game, yes sir , three bags full sir, all the while thinking to yourself, c--t. But don't ever show it or you will get problems .Never tell them they are interpreting the regulations incorrectly, even if they are. Smile and ask them to explain what he means, you will get there in the end . The result in the end will be that visa extension in your passport. An officer thinking some farangs are okay, whilst you are more than ever convinced they are all twits .Every ones happy , for another year .

Hit the nail on head...

With exception of one minor incident I've never experienced any significant problems. However, I have witness on more then one occasion farangs arguing because they were either ignorant of the immigration policies or ill prepared and demanding to know why they needed such and such.

Post by **Bread Man** » November 25, 2011, 11:21 am

f I might add to the above advise based on my own observations .Learn when to be subservient. Now I know that will be difficult for some judging by their postings. Forget how big you were back home , what job you did, even how much money you have . Over here when dealing with any sort of officialdom that wears a uniform, they are bigger than you.
You may know you are better educated, earn more in a month than they get in a year and that you can do their job far better than them but don't show it. This is a country that runs on status. Loves wearing a uniform with lots of medals to show that status to all and sundry .Play their game, yes sir , three bags full sir, all the while thinking to yourself, c--t. But don't ever show it or you will get problems .Never tell them they are interpreting the regulations incorrectly, even if they are. Smile and ask them to explain what he means, you will get there in the end . The result in the end will be that visa extension in your passport. An officer thinking some farangs are okay, whilst you are more than ever convinced they are all twits .Every ones happy , for another year .
ijuts rule!

Agree 100% yes Sir, It would be nice if the Immigrants in England would be a little more polite too, it works both ways..

Post by **LilRed** » November 26, 2011, 7:42 am

Two Things:

1. The immigration laws/regs here, provide much flexibility/leeway for immigration officers, in the marriage and retirement regs. They can make it easy, or, they can make it hard. (This is also true of many other government functionaries. Most of us have seen this here, in our home and other countries.)

The NK office had slipped into a "make it hard" routine. The Udon office, wanted to establish itself firmly to protect its existance, and, so, went in the wholly opposite direction of "making it easy(ier)". A rather obvious tactic in a small government turf war...

2. TB came close with his "status" thing... Most of us know this as "face".

In my experience here, if one "plays up" the official's "face" by being polite, respectful and avoiding confrontation (sometimes known as "sucking up"), generally abides by local law n custom (yes, including some SMALL "lunch money" now n then); and, even, sometimes shamelessly (but POLITELY...) lies, one can achieve satisfactory results.

Post by **Chriss** » November 26, 2011, 11:11 am

Non Imm 'O' visa requirements from the Liverpool Consulate website, where I have had consecutive 'O' visa's for the last few years

"People visiting family – i.e. men who are married to a Thai National, along with your visa application you must produce your marriage certificate and a translation of the certificate is required as evidence. A single entry visa is valid for 90 days and can be extended for a further 30 days. A multiple entry visa is valid for 12 months conditional on leaving Thailand for 48 hours every 90 days."

Never had to show a copy of the wife's ID card and they do insist on the translation, I forgot it one year..... They always quote the last sentance "conditional on leaving Thailand for 48 hours every 90 days" but I just nip over the bridge, hit the duty free and come home...