New Immigration Office Udonthani

[tamada]

Aye up Jon. Gives the old b'stards something to moan about. They love having a good bitch and moan.

Actually I've often wondered how many of the aging falang just decide not to even bother renewing their visas. Take your chances and hope death gets you before the bib grab you as an overstayer.

Shhhh.... you're not supposed to talk about that.

[Barney]

Had a recent visit to the new premises, only a few oldies waiting in line staring out into space alongside their special partner.
Found the lift and the office upstairs. All smiling helpful staff on my entrance. Only there to get a letter confirming residence as my business at the city Amphur would not accept the yellow book or pink card as proof. Funny they are the ones who issued them years ago.
My issue was it was absolutely raining cats and dogs and I nearly became a hospital patient with the very very slippery outside entrance tiles. But with the agility of a cat, I pulled off a high score of 10 for my landing. Be careful if you wear old worn-out crocs.

[Doodoo]

Barney
Did you go into the office and explain the situation to the Officers?? For those that do not subscribe to Udonmap they could become a victim

[Barney]

Barney
Did you go into the office and explain the situation to the Officers?? For those that do not subscribe to Udonmap they could become a victim

No I didn't and you are correct in your thinking. My years of construction and safety learnings should have had me do that. "" you see it you own it", You have me on a guilt trip now. I can't go back now as I'm in Perth getting a long-term Z visa.
But in my defense, it was pouring and my missus had me get into the truck quickly to get out of the rain and take me to the Amphur to complete our very important business. Missus just lambasted me as to why am I wearing my old crocs.

As a side note,
I thought it was strange the Amphur did not accept the yellow and pink ID card hence getting the letters from Immigration, but during our business and subsequent Amphur interviews with the boss, the one in the glass office she asked my missus who was it that provided the yellow book and pink card? While she was looking out into the main office area, wow this was 8 years ago, missus didn't give any one up, boss then explained that there was corruption in the Amphur office years ago. Maybe this boss is cleaning out the wrong people.

Any way be careful on wet surfaces.

[semperfiguy]

Barney
Did you go into the office and explain the situation to the Officers?? For those that do not subscribe to Udonmap they could become a victim

No I didn't and you are correct in your thinking. My years of construction and safety learnings should have had me do that. "" you see it you own it", You have me on a guilt trip now. I can't go back now as I'm in Perth getting a long-term Z visa.
But in my defense, it was pouring and my missus had me get into the truck quickly to get out of the rain and take me to the Amphur to complete our very important business. Missus just lambasted me as to why am I wearing my old crocs.

As a side note,
I thought it was strange the Amphur did not accept the yellow and pink ID card hence getting the letters from Immigration, but during our business and subsequent Amphur interviews with the boss, the one in the glass office she asked my missus who was it that provided the yellow book and pink card? While she was looking out into the main office area, wow this was 8 years ago, missus didn't give any one up, boss then explained that there was corruption in the Amphur office years ago. Maybe this boss is cleaning out the wrong people.

Any way be careful on wet surfaces.

"boss then explained that there was corruption in the Amphur office years ago. Maybe this boss is cleaning out the wrong people"

These bureaucrats know that the entire government system is corrupt here in Thailand, and they don't even trust each other. Earlier this year, I filed my 2024 taxes with the Thai Revenue Dept. in Udon Thani. I provided all of my information to the officer downstairs who filed my report for me on his computer, so I thought all was good. After 30 days, I hadn't received my refund, so I presented myself at the 4th floor to inquire and was basically attacked and subjected to an audit of my tax return on the spot. When I asked them why they didn't accept my return as was presented since an official TRD officer approved my information and filed the return for me. The answer was, "we don't trust those people downstairs". WTF! I was treated like a common criminal and was judged guilty before we even got started. In the end, they concurred with the tax return that I had filed, and I went about my merry way shaking my head as I do day in and day out in this crazy country.

[the-monk]

FYI.
On Wednesday October 22nd, we flew from Taipei to Bkk via Hong Kong.
In Taipei our flight was delayed by about 2 hours due to poor weather conditions.
\We missed our Hong Kong connection, fortunately for us Cathay was able to find us 2 seats in the next flight.
At the fast lane BKK immigration, the officer did not ask to see my arrival card as she did a few months ago,
Instead she surprised me by asking .
<< Why did you change flight ? >>
So I assume that they check your arrival card info.
I hope this helps.

[deankham]

^ monk, did you use the new online arrival system? I understoid this was mandatory now and woukd explain why she had you down to arrive on another flight.

The arrival card did not exist anymore when i travelled in july.

[the-monk]

Yes i did and it was approved 2 days before my arrival. But in the mad rush to catch the connecting flight i did NOT update my arrival card. Actually i did not know my flight number until the moment i sat on that plane, the Cathay agent in Hong Kong had directed me to a gate number. The message i was trying to convy is this -- be aware that the immigration offocers check your arrival data -- ..
Have a safe journey...

[deankham]

Thanks for the update Monk, got it and good info as i'd wondered about flight changes and if it would cause any issues.

I'd misunderstood when you said Arrival Card and thought you'd meant the old TM(was it 28?) Paper card.

I did print a copy of my electronic arrival form when i travelled but they never asked for it.

[lassebasse]

When applying for an Extension of Stay in Thailand, either money is required in the bank or that you can show that you have a certain monthly income.
As a Swedish, our embassy has helped with issuing so-called Income Certificates but now our embassy announces that they will cease this service.
How do you others, who also cannot get income certificates from your embassies, show your monthly income?

[Bandung_Dero]

I assume a retirement extension? Transfere 65K Baht / monthly through Wise or similar. Their statements are accepted in the Udon office along with your certified Thai bank statement.

[Niggly]

Transfere 65K Baht / monthly through Wise or similar.

Pretty sure the rules haven’t changed so you need to make sure your recipient bank codes the deposit as an international receipt for it to be acceptable at Immigration.
Needless to say for the income method to work you need to show the deposits for each & every of the 12 preceding months.

[tamada]

When applying for an Extension of Stay in Thailand, either money is required in the bank or that you can show that you have a certain monthly income.
As a Swedish, our embassy has helped with issuing so-called Income Certificates but now our embassy announces that they will cease this service.
How do you others, who also cannot get income certificates from your embassies, show your monthly income?

As other members have advised, if using the monthly income method, you will need to show you've been receiving this for each of the 12 months preceding your extension application and/or renewal.

The alternative is the seasoned lump-sum. This has minimums that can't be exceeded during the ensuing year, and must be back at "full strength" in the months before the next renewal.

Your next renewal is probably less than 12 months away? If you don't already have the 12-month income deposit history, you may need to consider some hybrid plan where you let your current extension lapse, and use either Tourist or visa-exempt entries (+any local extension you may qualify for), until you have 12-months banked. At that point, you can start on a new Extension with annual renewals.

The nuclear option is to use an agent.

As in all cases, a visit with your local immigration and getting their advice should take precedent over online advice