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Why was I charged 3,000 baht for my first COVID visa extension in Thailand instead of the 1,900 baht fee?

Visa ExtensionCOVID ExtensionThai ImmigrationNon-O VisaResidence CertificateUdon Thani ImmigrationImmigration FeesExpat IssuesThai Bureaucracy
Sep 9, 2021
3 years ago
Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone I went yesterday for my first covid extension I was charged 3,000 baht I told the lady at immigration I thought it was 1900 she said because it was my first stamp I had to pay 3,000 was this correct or did she have my pants down ? Plus I got a letter to open a bank account she charged 500 baht for that also thanks for any information
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about being charged 3,000 baht for their first COVID-related visa extension, expecting to pay the standard fee of 1,900 baht. The community provided various insights, indicating that the higher fee might be due to an unofficial 'express' service or corruption at the immigration office. Many users confirmed that the official charge is 1,900 baht for such extensions, and emphasized the importance of obtaining a receipt. Additionally, some users mentioned they had encountered similar experiences with varied charges for residence certificates, which are typically stated as free of charge.
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Scot *******
Hello, what is a certificate of residence?
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Scot ******
 Just a letter written by the immigration office in Thai, stating what your name is, what visa you are on and at what address you did your last report. So certificate of residence sounds a bit misleading. And it should not me needed, cause everybody could easily take these information from your passport with the TM.30 and visa / extension stamp in it. But the certificate of residence is another over-bureaucratic way of making money.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
And lastly: At immigration office be prepared that they might tell you they stopped issuing those and that you should go to your embassy. The next day, they do issue those, but it will take weeks and can only be send to your reported address. Then you let them know you’d be happy to expedite things with a donation. And about 500 Baht and 24 hours later you can pick it up. Quite irritating if it is your first time.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
You need it for things like applying for a drivers license or opening a bank account. And don’t think they would accept a copy for this. No of course not. And I quote: “One original for one job, sir”. So if you want both, driver license and bank account - better order two of those. 🇹🇭
3 years ago
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Scot *******
@Frank-Steven **********
 - well I got a bank account in Bangkok a few weeks ago and they did not ask for one.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
@Scot ******
 Sure. Same, same but sometimes different. Nothing ever works consistently. For driver license or car / motorcycle registration you need one for sure, though.
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Scot *******
@Frank-Steven **********
 - so why would someone obtain one?
3 years ago
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James ********
@Scot ******
 to purchase a motorbike or auto you will need a Residence Certificate from your Thai immigration office.
3 years ago
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James ********
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Nikk ******
Did you come in on a 30 day visa exemption? I'm from the US and wondering if I come in with no visa, can I get covid extensions after the 30 or 60 day exemption is up?
3 years ago
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Martin ******
I once got charged 3,000 in Udon for a 1 week extension. Some just take the pish.
3 years ago
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Arjun ********
Soap definately fell on the floor when she saw you
3 years ago
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Frank ******
Scammed
3 years ago
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Stephen **********
ha ha u grabbed you socks ha ha ha
3 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
As for the certificate of residence: It is supposed to be free of charge. BUT if you really want it for free, they say it is going to take a few weeks. If you pay 500THB, you can come in and collect it the next day. Welcome to Thailand.
3 years ago
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Erik **********
@Frank-Steven **********
 blah blah... 10 years always free.. ask for receipt otherwise... mafia...
3 years ago
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Erik **********
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Ben *********
Always demand for an invoice that match the amount.
3 years ago
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Michael *******
1900,no ifs buts or maybes,its 1900 👍
3 years ago
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Huey ***********
Should be 1900 only. Without a receipt how do you know it was done correctly? Maybe you should go to another immigration and see if it’s a legit stamp and that it was put into the system.
3 years ago
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Richard ********
For Second extension they will charge you 4000 !!!
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Richard *******
 they have his number now 😛
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Kim ******
Do u need any additional letter from you embassy or anything or just passport enough?
3 years ago
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Michael *******
@Kim *****
 passport with relevant forms completed along with photos.

There will usually be a local office service to help complete for you and take photos for around 150 baht.

Totally stress free then 👍
3 years ago
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Michael *******
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Prieto ****
u got scammed
3 years ago
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Rollo ************************
No one ever accused Thai’s as being people of integrity— 🤷🏾‍♂️

“Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.”

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

{I would add sons too in this land of Sodomy} 😂
3 years ago
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Nick *******
@Rollo ***********************
 well if some guy wrote it on a scroll thousands of years ago it must be a legit and up to date code of living.

But what I think most of us really want to know is: did you not know anything about Thailand before moving here? Their land, their culture. Who are you to judge what they do? Didn't the same guy or one of his pals also write "judge not, lest ye be judged"?
3 years ago
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Steve **********
@Rollo ***********************
 You talking about your host country, which you are a guest ?....bye, will forward.
3 years ago
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Steve **********
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Leslie *******
I always give them a few hundreds extra for cafe N donut.for the last 18 years.at udon or Nong Khai.or sakanakon
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Leslie ******
 that's a fail if I ever heard it. Why would you tip someone for doing their f*cking job? They have GREAT benefits, good wages and aside from having to deal with dip-shit foreigners all day it's not a bad gig.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
@Les***
, I do hope that you are kidding, as such a selfish act only encourages corruption.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
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Mark ***********
She is working the franchise.
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark **********
 Mrs Ferrari of immigration 😂
3 years ago
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Andy *******
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Tod *********
@Andy ******
 look on the extension of stay stamp she gave you and see if it has a #5 or a ข้อ5 written on it <- that's a 60 day covid extension, OR see if it has thai writing <- meaning she issued you a 60 day visit thai family extension.

BOTH are only 1900baht but you already know you were hosed. ..
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 can you see it ?
3 years ago
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Tod *********
Yep ข้อ 5.0 right on the bottom right

That's a 60 day covid extension 🙂
3 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
okay, listen up boyz and squirrellz 😮 The residence certificate price varies from office to office, SOME issue it free, SOME charge money for it. ONLY Bangkok charges 200baht AND gives you a receipt showing that money didn't just end up in someones pocket 😛

So that your office does it for free, or 200 or 300 or even 500 is neither here nor there. There is NO 'officially set price' for that service 😕
3 years ago
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Ben *********
@Tod ********
 unbelievable
3 years ago
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Ben *********
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John ********
Did you get receipts
3 years ago
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Steve **********
@John *******
 always ask for receipt.

Then they correct statement and reduce price to that listed on sign .

Sometime not worth the hassle, they' ll get you one way or another .
3 years ago
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Steve **********
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Channel **********
Don't believe that story.
3 years ago
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James ********
@Channel *********
 believe it... It's reported to be happening in a few other Thai immigration offices too.
3 years ago
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James ********
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Andrew ********
When in Rome
3 years ago
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Helio *****
Residence letter should be 300 baht
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Helio ****
 Elisa and Colin ar corect. Its free
3 years ago
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Andy *********
Free at Khon kaen
3 years ago
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Colin ***************
@Helio ****
 No
3 years ago
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Helio *****
@Colin **************
 now I'm confused haha. Is this a scam then?
3 years ago
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Colin ***************
@Helio ****
 Did you get a receipt ????
3 years ago
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Helio *****
@Colin **************
 I didn't
3 years ago
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Colin ***************
@Helio ****
 macS
3 years ago
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Helio *****
@Colin **************
 Macs?
3 years ago
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Colin ***************
@Helio ****
 Scam
3 years ago
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Colin ***************
@Helio ****
 macS
3 years ago
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Colin ***************
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Vasco ***********
@Colin **************
 always free
3 years ago
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Helio *****
@Colin **************
 how come everyone pays 300 Baht?
3 years ago
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Colin ***************
@Helio ****
 I don't know. I don't.
3 years ago
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Colin ***************
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Ivan ********
They lies to much every were
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
Did you received your 60-day extension yesterday, or an "under consideration" stamp? For 1,900 Baht, they make you come back in two weeks to re-genuflect. But, I have been told, for 3,000, you can pretty much get same-day service.
3 years ago
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Charlene ****************
@Mark **********
 I got my first for 1900, same day.
3 years ago
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Lisa ********************
@Mark **********
 that's a scam too
3 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Mark **********
 I thought they done away with the unfrconsiderstion element at the last round of extensions. Maybe not every office.
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
@Ni***
, that would be nice, but I guess one thing that this two-step process does is stop people from all piling in on the last day. I have the feeling that the standard expiration date for these extensions is on the 28th, (this month.) Not sure why they did that, but it may have created a mess for them on the 27th, eh?
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Nigel *********************
 most offices started issuing a straight 60 day covid extension when you show up BUT some (Samui, Pai, etc) were known for saying you can pay 1900baht and get the under consideration stamp OR you can pay the "special price for you" 3000baht and we'll give you the extension today.
3 years ago
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Travis *******
@Tod ********
 Samui never offered that. Surat Thani mainland did. Samui is 1900, no under consideration period.
3 years ago
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Travis *******
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nigel *********************
 I was on a non o visa I have a 8 year old son out here so may be that had something to do with it
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Andy ******
, a non o 90 day entry stamp OR a year extension or what?
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 non o 60 days +30 days
3 years ago
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Andy *******
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark **********
 got the stamp yesterday may be your correct with that then
3 years ago
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Mark ***********
@An**
, well, at first glance, it makes it all seem bogus, but then, even the U.S. will charge you (a lot) extra for expedited service. Was your receipt for 1,900 or 3,000? That would say a lot.

Also, this explains why, even though it usually takes a few weeks for this process, a sign out front states that you can come in up to about the day before your current visa expires.
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
People on the gulf islands (Tao, Phanghan, Samui) actually appreciated the 3000 deal. It saved them an extra hassle of having to return a 2nd time on a ferry boat trip just to get the stamp. It's a non-standard fee though. The official is always 1900baht.
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
@Andy ******
 It sounds like you were given the "express" service to expedite your stamp. This happened a few times at Surat Thani also last year. When word got around, they quickly stopped doing it.
3 years ago
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Jared **********
@MarGuyvin **
 I went for my 30 day extension on my TR in Surat Thani and was offered 60 day covid for 3000 baht, I got an extra month I wasn’t counting on but that’s pretty funny
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@MarGuyvin **
 that make’s me feel a bit better may be thats what she’s done
3 years ago
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Andy *******
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Nigel *********
The resident certificate is free.
3 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
Be certain you were at Udorn Thani Immigration.

It might be you were at an Immigration Services Office(read:agent) in Udorn Thani. 1900 is all you would pay at the official govt office.
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@MarGuyvin **
 this is the one I went too
3 years ago
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Andy *******
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Cambodia **************
lol
3 years ago
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Tod *********
Wanna say what immigration office you were at?
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 udon Thani
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Andy ******
 strange, as a rule that place is pretty easy to deal with.

I'm sure you didn't get a receipt either did you?

Sadly (for you) they totally hosed you.

Keep in mind EVERY extension you apply for inside of thailand no matter the reason and no matter how long it's issued for is always 1900baht AND

to avoid any issues you should always have correct change 😛 😉
3 years ago
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Henrik **************
@Tod ********
 Udon thani Immigration have always charged me 2000thb for extension but it's 5-10 minutes from walking in to the office until it's finished and they do all the paperwork, only thing I need to do is write my signature so it's worth the extra 100thb.
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Henrik *************
 any wonder why they take advantage of us 😛
3 years ago
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Henrik **************
@Tod ********
 time is money, I lived in Rayong for 2 years and every time I went for extension it took 1 - 2 hours so I have no problem with that at all 😊
3 years ago
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Tod *********
@Henrik *************
 wow a whole two hours a year out of your life 😮 Oh the humanity 😉
3 years ago
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Henrik **************
@Tod ********
 I guess everyone ain't a poor cheap charlie like u but whatever floats your boat 🤷🏻‍♂️
3 years ago
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Chris ********
@Henrik *************
 why is he a "cheap charlie"?. If the price is set, why pay more?. Do you pay extra for everything, fridge, car, TV?. And paying 100 baht extra, £2.20, you are not exactly splashing the cash around yourself!
3 years ago
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Chris ********
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James ********
The 500 for the residence certificate is OK...a nominal contribution... You got it on the same day rather than having to return days later ....

The 3,000 is a combo of the extension fee of 1,900 and a contribution to the office coffee and donut fund.

Welcome to Thailand.
3 years ago
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Colin *******
You get receipts,,??
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Colin ******
 no
3 years ago
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Chris ************
@Andy ******
 lottery money!!!
3 years ago
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Harry ************
@Andy ******
 you would get a receipt for a pair of socks....why not you ask when something so important like immigration.????
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Harry ***********
 your in there the only think your thinking about is getting your stamp and not any problems didn’t even think about receipt it was my first time at an immigration office
3 years ago
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Harry ************
@Andy ******
 well as it's your first time Andy you are forgiven, I have done far worse......it's all alearning curve here in Thailand.........
3 years ago
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Andy *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Harry ***********
 next time I will be asking questions and asking for receipts
3 years ago
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Andy *******
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Stan *******
@Andy ******
 Then she screwed you. You should have asked to see a supervisor.
3 years ago
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Stan *******
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Lisa ********************
1900bt is fee for extension... at every immigration office. You got pants down and spanked.
3 years ago
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George *********
@Lisa *******************
 that’s hilarious.
3 years ago
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Reply to
George *********
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