Answered5 months ago
Why do immigration rules seem to vary so much in Thailand?
Mystery Solved.
Yesterday I had my visit from immigration after my yearly application for 12 month marriage extension. Two really nice guys, spoke great English. We were having a laugh, so when the mood was good I asked them why different regions want different information and even my office want different information to last time. He said because they change the managers and they bring their policies from their previous office. He said the staff dread when a new manager is coming as they have to apply all the changes. It's as frustrating for them as us. The staff also want a straight forward set of rules.
Yesterday I had my visit from immigration after my yearly application for 12 month marriage extension. Two really nice guys, spoke great English. We were having a laugh, so when the mood was good I asked them why different regions want different information and even my office want different information to last time. He said because they change the managers and they bring their policies from their previous office. He said the staff dread when a new manager is coming as they have to apply all the changes. It's as frustrating for them as us. The staff also want a straight forward set of rules.
Answer summary
The original post shares a positive personal experience with Thai immigration officers during a yearly marriage visa extension visit. It reveals that variations in required documentation and procedures often arise due to changes in local immigration office management, where new managers implement their policies, leading to inconsistency across regions. The discussion highlights frustrations among expats regarding these changes and the importance of adaptability when dealing with Thai immigration. Community comments reflect similar experiences, acknowledgment of the courteousness of immigration officers, and suggestions for a more standardized approach to immigration policies.
42 repliesnewest first
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Mark *********
Yes, this is very true. It happens in many government departments. When the head of the department at my local immigration office changed, it became a nightmare. Now we are in a new province, and it is a blessing. The head of immigration is so helpful and respectful. Mutual respect makes a big difference.
Andy ******
Glad you had a good experience 👍🏻
Steven ***************
Been going to the same office for 8 years and it does seem like every year they want one or two things different. Last year was a perfect example, I took exactly all of the same documentation as the year before. Only this time there in the office they has 2 additional forms for me and my fiancee to sign and wanted some new more recent pictures of us together. We simply signed the forms transferred some pictures from our phones to theirs and they were happy. I learned long ago that in Thailand remaining flexible is the key to success. Never a dull moment with immigration, but they really are quite nice and very helpful.
Mark *********
Steven L. Daugherty, yes, very true. Never lose your temper or get annoyed. Just smile and give a Wai. When I used to live in Bangkok, I saw many foreigners losing their temper at immigration. This is a big NO NO! If you show them respect, they will give it in return. Another simple matter, don’t turn up looking like a backpacker! Look presentable, believe me, it makes a huge difference. 👍👍
Bill ********
OPSteven L. Daugherty my immigration office is great, only a small office never been in there more than 20 minutes. I go in to do my 90 day reports so know them well. Same as you they wanted additional pictures this year to last year, no point in getting annoyed, just gave them the pictures.
Steven ***************
Bill Harden Yeah same here. There aren't many Farangs here so they pretty much know most of us, and with my long hair and long beard they definitely remember me. They we're actually apologetic and very helpful.
Gram **********
You must be suspect
Lived here 8 years and have never had a visit
Lived here 8 years and have never had a visit
Dale *******
I know this won't happen but they need a Quality Management approach. This would include controlled documents, ISO Procedures Manuals. Simple and it makes it easy for all. Those on visas and those responsible for processing. Yeah, I know, it's never going to happen.🤫
Jason ********
The simple answer is Thai people think emotionally, and there is no consistency with people who think emotionally.
This system works in a rural agricultural system, but not in an industrialised system.
Maybe in another 3 or 4 generations they might start to switch to a more logical way of thinking?
This system works in a rural agricultural system, but not in an industrialised system.
Maybe in another 3 or 4 generations they might start to switch to a more logical way of thinking?
Kevin ********
Jason Morrow pigs will be flying by then and the sky shall be green.
Jason ********
Kevin Martyn true story 👍
Terence **********
4 years retirement visa no changes every year
Nigel *******
Shut Up
Why do you broadcast, you can't speak Thai
Different version
Why do you broadcast, you can't speak Thai
Different version
Paul *******
They got grumpy last yeat because I wasnt sitting at my house when thr randomly turned up. My wife told them I was in chang mai visiting friends and 3 days later I would fly to Australia. Told me I need to come home or my extention could get revoked, I didnt my... extension is fine.
Ian *****
This is true .... I have experienced it before .... for example at our new office they installed a ticket/que system and it worked like a dream ..... new top guy arrived and removed machine and kaos was the result ..... when I asked why it was removed it was because new boss old ways ..... the frustration of the 1 step forward 2 steps back is something we just have to accept and enjoy as part of living here .... glad you had a good experience for your inspection, people following the rules need not worry ..... your interaction with officers will be noted and appreciated ....
Julian *******
yes that’s exactly what happens and it’s a failure of central government and policing that allows this. and managers are changed regularly. any normal country has one set of rules and applied nationwide. phang nga want to see my 800k in my account 3 months prior and 3 months post renewal which is not the official rules given on the website. it’s unnecessary, confusing, overly bureaucratic but we chose to live in a country that us institutionally discriminatory and racist against non thais.
Sam ******
There's nothing racist about Thailand. Your opinion is based on western conditioning. These people simply see it how it is, if you're not Thai, then you are a farang, kek, niko, etc
Julian *******
@Sam *****
do you read the comments in thai media social media posts ? can you actually read or speak thai ? even my wife of 20 years who is thai says that thais are racist.
Matthew *********
I had 2 policeman come to house. They were so cool and offered me to come drink with sometime. Only part on didn't like is that are required to speak with neighbors. Relying on third party information should never be a reason to deny.
Julian *******
Matthew Plymale i live 2km from the nearest neighbour who is a nasty vindictive man and is not liked by anyone in the municipality, he land encroaches to the degree that the pea cut down his banana trees because he planted so many they were touching the electric wires and kept cutting the supply. my wife referred them to the police chief and amphur who know me well
Matthew *********
Julian Lewis dam. That is problem everywhere around me. Trees grow into the power lines. We lose power constantly. Much worst this year
Julian *******
Matthew Plymale power cut and our broadband too.
Chriss *********
Only ever had one visit, when I applied for the first marriage extension... three guys, one of them saw a rugby shirt drying, we talked about rugby while the other two took photos and had the wife sign their paperwork.
Scott *******
Good post 👍🏻
Barry ********
I’ve been getting my marriage visa for the last seven years. I’ve never had anybody come to the house every year. I show them proof of my money and where I live and that’s it.


Alan ********
I just did a marriage visa and Sakon Nakhon told me I will have to do all paperwork every year and bring witnesses and two trips which is two hours each way. Probably going back to retirement visa next year. Were you required to do everything again each year.
Ian ********
No new news there, every government office has thier own set of policies and are interperated differently.It should be all uniformed but it's not, unfortunately😔
Potpon******
The only constant in life is Change
Nobody likes change, it’s the same worldwide
Just remember every time you get a new boss you have to deal with their new set of rules and regulations
Nobody likes change, it’s the same worldwide
Just remember every time you get a new boss you have to deal with their new set of rules and regulations
Vic *********
Potpong_Life true but, the rules should not change depending on the whims of the local manager.
Potpon******
Vic Rollins I guess you have never worked a day in your life or ever had a foreman, supervisor or manager
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Paul *******
@Vic ********
national security, national policy... you would think. Not all these little serfdoms...Paul *******
Potpong_Life serfdoms
Potpon******
@Paul ******
I too used to believe that about police officers But after working with police officers from countries all over tye world they are all the same
They all pick and choose which laws to enforce and when
No rhyme or reason just how they feel at that moment
Paul *******
Potpong_Life these are police officers who should be consistently enfourcing the actual law, they don't get to pick and choose it isn't a supermarket or icecream shop.
Potpon******
@Paul ******
every manager everywhere in the world in every industry likes to leave their mark on the position. It’s human nature
Thai****
Wow, if they said dread, that’s some really good English!
James **********
Thai Immigration came to my home for the first time in 6 years. retirement visa. we had a few laughs and they were on their wy.
Asso ******
I have a similar experience from 4-5 years ago. Nothing too tense, they even bought us gifts (for putting up with them, I suppose) :)
Paul ********
@Asso *****
In your dreams Asso. Great name and so appropriateAsso ******
Paul Davies What an intelligent guy you seem to be... If you communicate just as "elegantly" with IOs, it is no surprise that you may have mostly negative experiences... Be a jerk, and you get jerky attitude back. You get what you give!
Paul ********
ThaiFaqs Clearly a work of fiction. Jovial immigration officers visiting you at home, having a laugh.
Denis *********
It makes sense 👍
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