Immigration - free entertainment

Song_Si · #1 (**permalink**) 15th June 2012, 10:42 AM

nothing serious here, just story-telling . . .

I was at a border crossing this morning - an hour from home, Ban Laem is one of the smaller ones with Cambodia.
I was surprised to see a European man pass through the border control and immigration areas with an open bottle of beer, merrily drinking it while the Immigration Officer checked/stamped his passport.
They've likely 'seen it all before', but still surprised one of the Army or Immigration staff didn't ask him to finish it elsewhere. He crowned his visit with a good belch on the way out.
I doubt the staff at eg Suvarnabhumi Airport would be so understanding.

On the way home I was thinking about other 'examples' I've seen with officials.

There was a man who lived near us at our previous location who treated his regular visits to Immigration as a form of battle. He always lost, and as it was a 180km round-trip having to go back again was quite a penalty. However he persisted with his (often alcohol-fueled) manner/swearing/attitude, and at a guess remains their least favourite foreigner.
He once offered me a ride, i declined, not wanting them to know I knew him!

At the Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur we once witnessed quite a scene when a man's visa application was rejected. I felt bad afterwards, as maybe other people in the queue did - maybe hoping 'someone will step in here' as he abused the woman behind the counter, loudly informing her he was a 'citizen of _______' and asking if she had ever heard of the 'f___ing United Nations', whatever that was about . . . anyway security were there promptly and he was taken away.

***

I have read that some Immigration offices have a minimum dress standard ie no singlets (no bare chests!), no beach shorts but have not experienced this myself. Anyone confirm this?

Mweiga · #2 (**permalink**) 16th June 2012, 07:53 AM

Try turning up at Pattaya immigration like you just stepped off the beach and you'll probably be asked to upgrade your dress by someone - often at the reception counter when you check in.

Pattaya imm has a massive daily input of mainly farangs , both tourist and resident - often several hundred. They have worked hard to streamline everything as much as possible which includes getting everybody seated in orderly fashion awaiting their queueing number to come up - very efficient office these days and a major improvement on four or five years ago.

Song_Si · #3 (**permalink**) 17th June 2012, 01:29 AM

^ cheers; I went to the Phuket office a few years ago, at that time no numbering system it was 'sit and hope', assisted by some farang volunteers who were, to me anyway, extremely helpful. Definitely no dress/or hygiene/manners standards applied at that time, I sympathised with the staff having to work there.

Locally with only about 100 regulars at Pong Nam Ron Immigration (43km north of Chanthaburi city) it is quite different; has seats for about 20 incl a couple of small sets of tables/chairs near the free coffee/tea/ovaltine table, plus the daily newspapers (Thai ones only). My last visit I was told '10 minutes' but hadn't finished my first coffee when I was given my passport back. Most of their business is processing work permits for Cambodians, farang visits somewhat a rarity. Great staff.

*********

the best example of 'behaving' I've read of has to be the British man Simon Burrowes - January 31 2009 at Phuket Airport Immigration.

lots of media coverage, this from The Guardian

Quote:

Burrowes, concedes he used the words "f***ing" and "idiot" in front of immigration officials when his flight, for which his ticket was non-refundable, left without him.

"They'd kept me waiting an hour studying my passport with a magnifying glass," he said. "I was angry. I grabbed my passport and walked out of the immigration area, saying, 'I'm a British citizen who has come to your country to spend my money. Don't treat me like a f***ing idiot."

Thai immigration police say it was they who were called "f***ing idiots". His case could take a year, longer if he pleads not guilty, and the first hearing is not until 27 April.

he spent three weeks in jail, sharing a room with approx 120 other prisoners. Released on bail but could not leave Thailand until May after his case was heard. Fined 500 baht! Possible sentence was up to two years imprisonment.

KuhnKarl · #4 (**permalink**) 23rd August 2012, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mweiga

Try turning up at Pattaya immigration like you just stepped off the beach and you'll probably be asked to upgrade your dress by someone - often at the reception counter when you check in.

Pattaya imm has a massive daily input of mainly farangs , both tourist and resident - often several hundred. They have worked hard to streamline everything as much as possible which includes getting everybody seated in orderly fashion awaiting their queueing number to come up - very efficient office these days and a major improvement on four or five years ago.

Might I second the high grades for Pattaya (Jontiem Soi 5) Immigration. I renewed retirement visa last November, got a multiple reentry stamp, and got my drivers license renewal paperwork applied for in under one hour. Did have to come back next morning to pick up resident paper, took five minutes.

And I have to comment on how easily renewing drivers license went. Took less than half hour. Our Florida DMV could take a lesson. They also have nice ques with color coding now.

And the best part... not a single bit of tea money was needed anywhere. These public servants deserve gold stars lately. Wonder what changed????

longwalker · #5 (**permalink**) 18th November 2012, 11:56 PM

"...having just stepped off the beach..."

Does this mean long pants, or are dress shorts and collared shirts acceptable? I sweat torrents in warm climates.

On a related note, I am coming to Thailand on a one-way ticket because I will be hospitalized. I will bring copy of email showing my Dr. appt. later that day at the well-known private hospital. Should I expect trouble in Bangkok Airport immigration?

Thanks for your opinions.

Song_Si · #6 (**permalink**) 19th November 2012, 01:59 AM

Quote:

dress shorts and collared shirts acceptable

In my exp, yes.
To me, just basic respect for an official govt environment and the people that work there.

Out of the country - I have read that the Thai Consulate in Penang has a sign ' No t-shirts, no shorts, no flip flops'

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re the one-way ticket.
It is the airline you are boarding with you that may decline you (see below)

The Thai USA Embassy is quite clear on requirements:

Quote:

Travelers Advisory:-

Due to the requirement of the airlines in the United States to the travelers, it is advised as follows:

1. For the US passport holders and other countries, which are in the tourist visa exemption list, they are advised to confirm the return airline tickets within 30 days, both arrival in and departure to Thailand.

2. If the duration of arrival in and departure to Thailand on your confirmed return airline tickets is more than 30 days even though you plan to stay in Thailand not more than 30 days, you need to apply for a tourist visa.

also

Quote:

Foreigners entering Thailand under the Tourist Visa Exemption category must provide proof of adequate finances for the duration of stay in Thailand at the port of entry (i.e., traveller’s cheque or cash equivalent to 10,000 Baht per person and 20,000 Baht per family).

Foreigners entering Thailand by any means under the Tourist Visa Exemption category are required at the port of entry to have proof of onward travel (confirmed air, train, bus or boat tickets) to leave Thailand within 30 days of the arrival date (otherwise a tourist visa must be obtained).

Also see this thread Outward Bound Ticket