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What challenges do expats face with Thai immigration offices regarding visa renewals?

Thai immigration visa renewal expat experiences government bureaucracy local regulations

Mar 3, 2024

10 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

There's nothing so good as information from the source.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Expats attempting to navigate visa renewal processes in Thailand often encounter inconsistencies between local immigration offices. While the local immigration office is seen as the primary source of information, experiences can vary significantly, leading to confusion and frustration. For instance, updates on official websites may be unreliable, and personal encounters at immigration can result in contradictory outcomes, as illustrated by a case of a retiree facing visa renewal challenges in Pattaya.

Dennis ***********

A friend of mine(18 yrs living in PATTAYA)renewed retirement visa at Jomtien each yr no issues in /out done.Last yr went as usual approached Imm officers desk-passport-documents-fee.Officer looked at him and said denied you have to leave the country.Went 3 days later different officer .Officer -good morning sir give me your Passport/documents examination-stamped renewal and said have a nice day.Amazingly it happens

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Kool *******

You will learn after a time in Thailand that most government websites, including immigration, are not updated regularly, or timely.

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Todd *********

Right up until you realize all the offices do their own thing

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Jacob ********

Always a bit stressful even in the best of times. Just never sure what stunt they might pull out of the hat today $$$.

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Todd *********

agreed. Every time can be a new experience at some locations I think

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Todd *********

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Tom *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I haven't been to all the offices, so until I'm asked for additional information I follow the official protocol. It hasn't failed me in 16 years.

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Peter **********

I’d love to see you talk like that to a police officer when they stop you… 🤣🤣🤣

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Tom *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Peter Janssens thanks for your concern, but I know several officers in my village, and occasionally drink with a couple retired ones. My Thai lady friend works highway checkpoints as needed.

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Todd *********

@Peter *********

i'd love to see you get better at reading comprehension.😂🤣🤣😂😂

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Todd *********

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Brandon ************

The "source" is your local immigration office. They are the ones who make the rules, regardless of what you find on the internet.

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Tom *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Stuart Cumming what part of my statement " anyone who lives in Thailand already knows... didn't you understand?

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Peter **********

I guess the part where it says “but possibly many newcomers think something like ‘official government information’ exists in Thailand so it is good that they are educated by people like Stuart even though people like Tom Reubens can respond really rude”???

Does that properly explain the situation?

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Peter **********

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Tom *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

what office are you using? This is the official line. What ever happens outside of those distinctions anyone who lives in Thailand already knows about. If your entering the country by air Bangkok rules generally apply.

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Andrew ***********

unfortunately that is only partly correct, you are forgetting where you are. Every officer, every immigration office has different rules and that can change, depend on who you get on the day. Most importantly it's always at the discretion of the immigration officer you get. You could goo w and be told something and go back 1 day later and get a different officer and the requirements change or are different.

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Stuart *********

If you believe that offices around the country follow the “official” line (or at least should) then you’ve either not been in these forums too long or are living in cloud cuckoo land.

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Stuart *********

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