Fun & Games at the UT Immigration Office

Post by **redwolf** » December 20, 2012, 12:29 am

I don't even bother going there anymore. I pay someone to come by, take the passport in, get the stamps, and come back here.

It's the same cost as when they flex me for a "donation" but saves me the gas & sitting around. e.g., I am at least getting something in return for the payment? Whatever. It's peanuts.

If anyone has an issue with them asking for extra money they should not, they can go ahead report them.

Corruption is pretty easy to define, and I disagree with Bonanza that we are somehow responsible to accept it blindly or that we are somehow naive to criticize it out of cultural naivete'. We are not stupid. And were are not the deserving victims of a noble Robin Hood who campaigns for the poor.

These people taking 500THB per foreigner are not paying the poor, they are buying gold for themselves each Friday down the street, and stashing it. And leverage their govt employee banking priviledges with it to make even more cash by taking out loans on real estate & then flipping it. Pretty solid racket if you ask me.

Most Thais with brains, especially those who have lived abroad, are sick & tired of this feudal mindset, as it's undermined all progress and given the nation a bad reputation abroad.

We all adapt to it, but we don't accept it. More than one of us have sat there and told them to their face, "no way, -not giving you jack sh# and you can't do a d4m thing about it, now stamp me because I'm busy, got places to be, things to do". It's called balls of steel.

And we don't need anyone trying to put a spin on what we know is right or wrong. We're not talking about quality of cheeseburgers, we're talking the law of the land. If someone wants to save face for themselves by thinking they are more clever by way of just accepting corruption, that's on them.

Unfortunately the key here for most Thais and some foreigners has been to out-think and out-maneuver many of the corrupt. Bilking, bypassing, tricking, or end-running some of them, for things they usually get a much larger cut for.

FK robin hood some say, they'll take his lunch and dinner too.

Post by **Khun Paul** » December 20, 2012, 4:55 am

Never paid, and wont, just what the hell are they going to do about that, absoiutley nothing. There is NO law in Thailand that says I have to, Any Government worker who gets not only a salary and free health and very very cheap loans to buy almost anything certainly does not require any extra dosh from me, nor will they get any.
I ave never been asked , so i do not expect the request to be made. If it was i would politely ignore it.

Post by **rick** » December 20, 2012, 12:24 pm

Bonanza said:

As a Western expat you are not trying to live a 'middle class' existence and raise a family on 20,000 baht a month or less, so give a thought for those who do

Speak for yourself, but many of us ARE trying to raise families on not much more than this; after taking into account visa costs, health costs and other extra expenses we suffer due to not being Thai Nationals. I have no intention of making 'charitable' donations to Thai's who are often better off than me. I have plenty of Thai relatives who are much poorer than these government officers and more deserving.

Most Thai families have to survive on less than 20,000 baht a month; that is positively middle class. In the village, the majority of families live on less than 10,000 baht. Anyway, under the new pay laws being introduced by the government, graduates should get a minimum of 15,000 baht (currently about 10,000 baht). I very much doubt that any shop in my village makes a fraction of that. The local shops might try to gouge me on prices (but rarely do), but that means they might ask for 5-10 baht more. Immigration officers asking for 100 baht, let alone 500 baht is sheer greed.

Post by **cactus** » December 20, 2012, 3:36 pm

yo guys slipped into ut immig this morn to renew my one year extension and get 2 letters 4 car and bike license 5 year renewal and SHE hit me up for 1000bt. now i thought this was a free service 4 the letters? anyway a mexican standoff ensured. i moved back to the back seats and waited 4 ages hoping would change mind but to no avail. i left after about one hour without the letters but i need them as i dont have a yellow housebook. anyone have any ideas as i cant drive around without a license. got me stumped guys?

Post by **fdimike** » December 20, 2012, 4:45 pm

Tell them you want to see the supervisor. His office is in the glass enclosed office marked Inspector. He's there all the time because he has to sign off on the documents. He told us himself there is NO charge for these letters. Let us know what happens.

Post by **fdimike** » December 20, 2012, 4:55 pm

Contniues from my last post.

Go back again and ask for the letters. Then ask for a receipt. She will not be able to give you a receipt so then ask to speak with the supervisor because you know these letters are free. This money is going right into her pocket.

Post by **fdimike** » December 20, 2012, 5:10 pm

Cactus

Go back and read Papaguido's 14 Dec post as it gives a phone number in BKK for immigration. He also refused to pay her any money and told her that he had already called immigration in BKK who told him the letter was free. You've got to stand up for yourself my friend.

Post by **cactus** » December 20, 2012, 5:26 pm

thanks guys 4 the heads up. will go back tomoro 2 speak to the supervisor and go from there. many thanks

Post by **papaguido** » December 20, 2012, 6:41 pm

Also, here's a link to the fee schedule to help support your argument...and call the number to get confirmation.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en ... p?page=fee

Hopefully an off day. It took over an hour to transfer old visa from old passport, to new passport. Sadder yet, I was tended to 5 minutes after arriving. The main scammer seemed to be the only one conscious. Intern students were dumb as rocks, and I’m being kind. 90 day reporting agent must have been super glued to the chair, and no assistance at all, and no customers to serve. Must be a union thing.

Must have been planning a good weekend, asked for 1000 baht, no receipt, so quickly down to 500. Little lady wasted 10 minutes on top of the hour, basically telling the scammer, it wasn’t going to work. I put the passports in my pocket and started walking out when she 1st asked for 1000. No receipt, no baht, arrest me.

Tip to make conversation short: Told her we were already informed by sathorn office in bkk, dialed 1111, that it is a free service, and I almost heard her heart hit the floor. Then had the gall to imply maybe a 100 tip would be agreeable. Wouldn’t be a possibility even if I was going to tip, as the service didn’t warrant anything but a tough lashing. I was still courteous, but sure she could tell, disappointed with her style.

That’s a first, as usually prompt and courteous service with a smile. The extremely efficient and knowledgeable staff must have left for an early weekend party. Renew visa in February, and hope they are back to normal.

Post by **fdimike** » December 20, 2012, 7:45 pm

Cactus

Here's what they're going to tell you:

1. They will have to visit your home to verify you live there (your reply OK)
2. They will have to interview a neighbor or some other witness who can verify that you live there. They will need to have a copy of their House Book & ID card with them - once again ok
3. The process will take at least 2 days (it only took us 1 day) - ok
4. It would be best to have a map drawn ahead of time showing the location of your house. Check Google Earth
5. Your wife/significant other/owner of the house will have to produce their House Book & ID card & attest you live there.

They will make it sound like it's a big deal (in reality it's not) BUT "we can cut the line for you (assuming you go along with the 1,000Baht Tip)". Cut the line means they will waive all of the above in lieu of the 1,000Baht. The supervisor repeatedly told us that there was no charge for the letter. I assume you had all the necessary documents. I would make sure you have all the correct documents when you visit them again just in case. Just let them know that it will be just fine and get a time when they will be at your home. We live about .5km from the Ring Rd vicinity of the old Tesco Lotus so they came out the next morning at 10 as promised. The visit to our home took all of about 30 minutes. The letters were ready to be picked up that afternoon at no cost.

Post by **jackspratt** » December 20, 2012, 8:04 pm

fdimike wrote:Cactus

Here's what they're going to tell you:

1. They will have to visit your home to verify you live there (your reply OK)
2. They will have to interview a neighbor or some other witness who can verify that you live there. They will need to have a copy of their House Book & ID card with them - once again ok
3. The process will take at least 2 days (it only took us 1 day) - ok
4. It would be best to have a map drawn ahead of time showing the location of your house. Check Google Earth
5. Your wife/significant other/owner of the house will have to produce their House Book & ID card & attest you live there.

They will make it sound like it's a big deal (in reality it's not) BUT "we can cut the line for you (assuming you go along with the 1,000Baht Tip)". Cut the line means they will waive all of the above in lieu of the 1,000Baht. The supervisor repeatedly told us that there was no charge for the letter. I assume you had all the necessary documents. I would make sure you have all the correct documents when you visit them again just in case. Just let them know that it will be just fine and get a time when they will be at your home. We live about .5km from the Ring Rd vicinity of the old Tesco Lotus so they came out the next morning at 10 as promised. The visit to our home took all of about 30 minutes. The letters were ready to be picked up that afternoon at no cost.

Just to put a cat amongst the pigeons (and depending upon the size of your cojones

) it may be worth mentioning at the office that all the farang forums are talking about the extra "fees" from the Udon office, and it has been confirmed that address letters are a free service.

Post by **fdimike** » December 20, 2012, 8:51 pm

Jack

We did exactly that as well when we met with the supervisor.

Post by **Brian Davis** » December 21, 2012, 6:52 am

Just be prepared also that, if they do actually insist on visiting your home address, they may try and obtain lunch or gasoline money at that time. The answer should still be NO.
I'm unaware that any Officers have tried to check out my address here in Phen, in connection with my visa extension or anything else. Too risky to pay for all that gasoline and no chance of getting it back.

Post by **papaguido** » December 21, 2012, 9:48 am

I don't think the entire Udon immigration office is guilty of practicing extortion and I believe most of it is centered around one female IO. As a heads up for those not aware of this practice and name & shame in case UTI is watching.

Post by **nkstan** » December 21, 2012, 9:59 am

papaguido wrote:I don't think the entire Udon immigration office is guilty of practicing extortion and I believe most of it is centered around one female IO. As a heads up for those not aware of this practice and name & shame in case UTI is watching.

My dear friend,I have to disagree with you on this one!
The others are supportive of the ''out front person'',therefore they share equal guilt.

Post by **Brian Davis** » December 21, 2012, 10:04 am

Much as I'd like to think so, papaguido, my own feeling is that is more than just the odd 'rotten egg'. The woman who wanted 700 baht out of me was not the same as stage left in the photo.

Post by **papaguido** » December 21, 2012, 10:06 am

Brian Davis wrote:Much as I'd like to think so, papaguido, my own feeling is that is more than just the odd 'rotten egg'. The woman who wanted 700 baht out of me was not the same as stage left in the photo.

Business must be good that it's spreading as I've never had any issues with anyone else.

Post by **BigBubba** » December 21, 2012, 3:17 pm

Just came from 90 day reporting. Everyone all smiles, but the place was PACKED. I was in and out in less than 5 minutes as my form 47 was already filled out before I arrived. FYI, I asked and they WILL BE OPEN ON MONAY AND TUESDAY next week.

Post by **mykthemin** » December 21, 2012, 3:25 pm

Why are they still using form 47 so old fashioned! where I go at Chiang Khan Loei, they use the bar code method, so quick, no photocopies, no forms for me to fill out, they just scan the bar code on my 90 day slip, they print out the completed form from their computer, I just sign it and get given the bottom bit with new bar code and next date, all so simple and quick.

Post by **Bonanza** » December 21, 2012, 9:43 pm

A couple of questions for the 'Anti-Corruption' squad,

" When you bought your house/farm/land and went to register the transfer did you declare the actual sum paid for it and pay the appropriate transfer tax - or was a lesser purchase price quoted to reduce the tax payable?"

"For those with children at University - did you make any donation to ensure that they attended the college they specifically wanted?"

Just fishing.