Covid Extension Report: Chiang Mai Immigration – Threatened by immigration officer to have police called.

*Preface – A good lesson in self advocacy and why you should never go into something blind.*

So about 2 weeks ago I went to immigration for another covid extension. After January 25th, covid extensions are starting from the day you apply not added onto you stay, which I was informed by the IO and she recommend I come back closer to March 25th so I wouldn’t lose days. I agreed with her and left.

Today I showed up about 7:45am, got que number 16, sat and waited. They started document check at 8am today since there were a ton of people. I was initially on a visa exempt entry and now the covid extensions. While waiting, the immigration officer looked at my packet and said,

“ok, after January 25th you can only get 7 days.”

I replied sorry, that’s not correct. That only applies to people who were on Non immigrant visas.

He turned to a group of foreigners and said, “this guy thinks he knows everything, he’ll see.”

So 5 minutes later I made it to the table, the volunteer looked at my paperwork and said, “you need a letter from you embassy.” I laughed and said what? That hasn’t been a requirement for over a year. She asked the IO, he told her I can only get 7 days. I said just give me the que number, I will deal with the 7 days inside. Got my number and waited inline.

So 20 minutes go by, my time comes and the IO who is always outside went inside behind the desk and called me over. He looks through my packet and said ok, you can only have 7 days. I said that’s not true. He folded my paper back, handed me a pen and said write here you only need 7 days.

I said NO and pointed to the sign on the wall (as shown below). I am not writing anything, I want to speak to your supervisor. He replied, “I am a supervisor.” I replied no you aren’t, I want to speak to your supervisor. “Ok, go sit down. “

I knew if I went and sat down, I’d sit there and wait all day. I said no, I’m going to wait right here until you call your supervisor.

His response (he was visibly upset), “If you don’t sit down I will call the Police and the US consulate.” I laughed because at this point I knew he was bluffing and doing whatever he could to not let me reach his supervisor. I told him to call whoever he wanted to, I’m going to wait right here until I speak to your supervisor, you’re a government officer, you’ve given false information a multitude of times, you’ve acted rude and unprofessionally and I’m going to make a complaint.

He walked away, I tried with 3 other officers, none would leave their seats. Eventually a younger officer called me over. He asked what he could do for me. I very calmly told him what happened, handed him my passport and application packet. He said, “hm, it does appear you are eligible for the covid extension. The 7 days and the embassy letter are only for people who are not eligible for the covid extension. There must have been a miscommunication between you and the other officer. Her is your ticket number, sorry for the inconvenience.”

Waited 30 minutes, got my covid extension (15 day under consideration stamp) and off I went. I reached out to a few people I know, was encouraged not to make any official complaint, and I agree that probably wouldn’t be in my best interest moving forward. I left an unofficial complaint and went about my day.

All in all I arrived at 7:45, got que number 16, and didn’t leave until 10am. Chiang Mai immigration is so unbelievably slow compared to Bangkok or Phuket. I’ve really never seen anyone move so slowly as a group like these people move. Past experiences found CM immigration polite and friendly, unfortunately that was not the case today.

Most important thing I took away from this is when you know you’re right, stand your ground. No one in this world is going to advocate for you more than you. Go into any situation as prepared as you can, knowledge is power.