Kap Choeng Immigration Update.

[toffo]

226 is the best way to go much quicker and less traffic if your coming from Buriram

[gotlost]

BTW KCI will be closed Monday August 13 for the Queens Birthday.

[finnomick]

Gotlost -- surprised you have not updated us regarding the movement of desks and the addition of a second computer at KCI.  I actually saw one of them being used too ( for a resident permit ) ! Unfortunately a visa extension ( in my case and with all forms filled out and ALL relevant paperwork in order ) took 3 officers 2 hours to do. They also managed to completely confuse a poor Norwegian guy who left with a retirement visa, also after 2 hours of form filling. He didn't go there for a retirement visa but didn't have all his paperwork in order for whatever visa he wanted so that's what they gave him. The misses and I called in for a coffee and a bite to eat after our marathon session at KCI -- shame you weren't there.....

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Bugger me -is there someone else in this neck of the woods with a residents permit?

I doubt they were actually issuing a residents permit -this being the domain of Bangkok.

[gotlost]

Gotlost -- surprised you have not updated us regarding the movement of desks and the addition of a second computer at KCI.  I actually saw one of them being used too ( for a resident permit ) ! Unfortunately a visa extension ( in my case and with all forms filled out and ALL relevant paperwork in order ) took 3 officers 2 hours to do. They also managed to completely confuse a poor Norwegian guy who left with a retirement visa, also after 2 hours of form filling. He didn't go there for a retirement visa but didn't have all his paperwork in order for whatever visa he wanted so that's what they gave him. The misses and I called in for a coffee and a bite to eat after our marathon session at KCI -- shame you weren't there.....

I only stick my head in when need be. I maybe crazy but not stupid.

[Somnat]

Gotlost -- surprised you have not updated us regarding the movement of desks and the addition of a second computer at KCI.  I actually saw one of them being used too ( for a resident permit ) ! Unfortunately a visa extension ( in my case and with all forms filled out and ALL relevant paperwork in order ) took 3 officers 2 hours to do. They also managed to completely confuse a poor Norwegian guy who left with a retirement visa, also after 2 hours of form filling. He didn't go there for a retirement visa but didn't have all his paperwork in order for whatever visa he wanted so that's what they gave him. The misses and I called in for a coffee and a bite to eat after our marathon session at KCI -- shame you weren't there.....

KCI ...quite friendly, but ......

Went yesterday for a 90 day report. Got there at 8.30 and was #3 in line. 3 officers at desks.

One on the 'phone and counting money, one in and out and talking on his 'phone, one working but constanly asking other two advice on paperwork he was working on.

One hour later got called up. Straightforward 90 day report turned into a farce.

Korat immigration had extended my non O visa (retirement) for 12 months last March. My passport expires prior to the new extended to date by about 2 months.

At first I was told that I was already on OVERSTAY because Korat immigration could not extend pass the passport expiry date and therefore the stamp became null and void !!!!!!! WTF

I explained that I had already done a 90 day report at Korat and there was NO problems detected at that stage. Further discussions took place with the other officers and he finally realized that his first assumption was incorrect. No shit sherlock !!!

He then changed the expiry date on the "retirement" stamp issued by Korat imm to the same day as my passport expiry. That made sense to me. Being in a playfull mood, I asked him if he would change it back to the original expiry date if I got a new passport and bought it in. Totally confused the issue and had him scratching his head.

Another pow wow ensured. Result, bring in a new passport and I will transfer stamps for you but cannot extend date. No problems, and something that should be done anyway.

Meanwhile, he had forgotten about the 90 day report and went to give me my passport back !!!! Realized his error and processed my filled in TM47.

Lucky for me I was watching what he was writing / stamping. The next 90 day report date was stamped the same as my passport expiry date. I asked him if this was correct as this date was more than 90 days away. (5 months actually) Got it right the second time and I beat a hasty retreat before anything untoward happened.

The guy was obviously flustered by his actions and I must admit I did feel some empathy for him. I was tempted to give him a couple of hundred baht and tell him go and have a drink and a lie down. But I didnt.

[dimple joe]

I think we need to be patient with these guys, TIT after all.
When I went last month the boss man apologised profusely for the delays but explained that all the staff are new.

Given time they will (I hope) get their act together. 
Then it will be back to normal; the only delays will be with the usual changes to or interpretation of the rules...

I guess I am just a sentimental old optimist really..........

[bonghead]

I was at KCI two months ago for 90 day report,there was nobody else there i was in and out in 15 mins no problem,now im going to fear going next month for 90 day and retirement extension.

[ischme]

Gotlost -- surprised you have not updated us regarding the movement of desks and the addition of a second computer at KCI.  I actually saw one of them being used too ( for a resident permit ) ! Unfortunately a visa extension ( in my case and with all forms filled out and ALL relevant paperwork in order ) took 3 officers 2 hours to do. They also managed to completely confuse a poor Norwegian guy who left with a retirement visa, also after 2 hours of form filling. He didn't go there for a retirement visa but didn't have all his paperwork in order for whatever visa he wanted so that's what they gave him. The misses and I called in for a coffee and a bite to eat after our marathon session at KCI -- shame you weren't there.....

I can't imagine Immigration would just turn around and say, "here is an extension based on retirement". Are you saying that he just happened to have a bank book and letter showing 800000baht with him, and all the other documents.

Sounds like he was confused; Immigration helped him out, and gave him what he really wanted.

[finnomick]

I think we need to be patient with these guys, TIT after all.
When I went last month the boss man apologised profusely for the delays but explained that all the staff are new.

Given time they will (I hope) get their act together. 
Then it will be back to normal; the only delays will be with the usual changes to or interpretation of the rules...

I guess I am just a sentimental old optimist really..........

The lady on the phone and counting the money was the supervisor from Korat who previously was the supervisor at KCI before it closed down. The most hepful young lady who used to be at KCI and was also transferred to Korat is now at Nong Khai ( unfortunately because she REALLY new what she was talking about ). The officer who did the second stint on my extension told me he had been an immigration officer now for 25 years ( so you'd think he'd know the ropes by now ), and yes, they had to confer on everything they did. But as Dimple Joe rightly says, this IS Thailand. In my opinion, the best approach is to take an extrememly deep breath and let them get on with it. After all, it's only a couple of hours out of the year......but it is possibly the most fraught two hours of the year.

[finnomick]

Gotlost -- surprised you have not updated us regarding the movement of desks and the addition of a second computer at KCI.  I actually saw one of them being used too ( for a resident permit ) ! Unfortunately a visa extension ( in my case and with all forms filled out and ALL relevant paperwork in order ) took 3 officers 2 hours to do. They also managed to completely confuse a poor Norwegian guy who left with a retirement visa, also after 2 hours of form filling. He didn't go there for a retirement visa but didn't have all his paperwork in order for whatever visa he wanted so that's what they gave him. The misses and I called in for a coffee and a bite to eat after our marathon session at KCI -- shame you weren't there.....

I can't imagine Immigration would just turn around and say, "here is an extension based on retirement". Are you saying that he just happened to have a bank book and letter showing 800000baht with him, and all the other documents.

Sounds like he was confused; Immigration helped him out, and gave him what he really wanted.

Ischme, sorry, I didn't hear everything that was going on, too busy concentrating on what they were doing with my paperwork.

[Admin]

Keep the thread clean otherwise it will be closed. Thank you for your understanding.

[nookiebear]

Keep the thread clean otherwise it will be closed. Thank you for your understanding.

You've lost me completely ........What are you on about??

[Starman]

There have been some posts removed Nookie.

[RonTexas]

does anyone know if these folks got a phone number yet?  thanks