# Navigating Visa Cancellation in Thailand
The visa process in Thailand is often known to be confusing, so I thought I'd share my recent experience of visa cancellation today! While this is very anecdotal for me and may not apply to everyone, I hope my experience can shine a light on the process and help the rest of us to feel some assurance when it is their turn to come. Feel free to drop your thoughts or feedback in the comments below!
My day began at the company's office, where I was handed a letter from HR and received my last month's pay in cash. As I signed off, I was reminded of the little details like my social security card, which I hadn't thought about during my tenure. In case I'm getting a second job here, I'll already have the card and number here and there's no need to register for a second one again.
With my departure date set, they tailored a letter indicating my visa cancellation on the 16th. Copies of my passport and visa pages were made, and I was ready for the next step - immigration.
Around 10:45 AM, I started my journey from the Ploen Chit BTS station. Despite Google Maps suggesting a route via Victory Monument and then via bus, I opted for the route of going to Wat Phra Si Mahathat station, and then grab a taxi at Exit 3 to avoid road traffic. Thailand is hot, and the BTS has aircon. This decision is a no brainer.
I arrived around 11:50 AM, just before lunchtime, this could be a useful reference if you're planning a similar trip. The taxi driver asked me you which "soi" (street) I'm headed to. I simply said "passport," and the understanding driver dropped me at Division 2. The taxi meter showed around 70 baht but I gave him 100 and told him "no change", and the taxi driver was estatic about it.
Through the security check (showing my passport) and inside, I went to the Information counter and showed the letter to the lady there. The staff there speaks decent English, communication wasn't an issue. I was guided left and straight ahead, to reach my destination at the Immigration Division. Went to the Information desk again, showed my letter, told to get a queue number and showed my letter at the queue counter again, and I was told to go to Zone N to counter N2.
Although I arrived before lunch time, when lunchtime at 12pm hit, everything came to a halt immediately, even for those already processing their paper in the counters. An announcement rang and we ALL had to clear out the division, no exception. Here's a reminder---KEEP YOUR QUEUE TICKET! Do not throw it away! You'll need it after the lunch break.
The Chaengwattana Government Complex is very big and has lots of food. After the lunch break, I came back a little before 1pm and there's a (physical) queue outside the Immigration Division of people waiting to go in. Get in line, a police officer will ask you to show your queue ticket before letting you back in -- I witnessed first hand someone without a ticket got kicked out o the line! Bummer for him.
Back at the chairs in Zone N, I waited for my number to be eventually called, and handed in my letter and passport copies, the staff asked for my "work permit," which I don't have. What!? They asked me to make a phone call to the company's ofice which I did, and I handed the phone over for the immigration office for them to speak in Thai. The result: I'll have to come back tomorrow with a copy of my work permit and the original copy.
Mrs Humphry-Lo's saga continues.......stay tuned for chapter 2 tomorrow!
