Update from Phuket immigration today.
TONS of people! Divided into zones depending of the service required.
Foreign volunteer was fielding questions outside, but ended up screaming at a farang for not coming early, completely blowing his top.
Thai immigration staff were AWESOME, better even than usual.
I needed my first 30 day extension on a visa exempt entry. Less than 5 minutes to get called to the counter. Less than an hour get get my passport and my change back.
(I was worried that my non-immigrant B extension from Pathum Thani wasn’t cancelled. It was on a different page. I said nothing. But, it was a non-issue.)
It appeared that there were MANY overstays and those needing emergency 30 day stamps with embassy letters.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A recent visit to Phuket Immigration revealed a crowded but efficient service. The process for a first 30-day extension on a visa exempt entry took less than an hour. Although there were instances of overstays and frustrations from foreign volunteers, Thai immigration staff were noted to be exceptionally helpful.
