The "process" changed. I only found out because I was going to find my immigration friend and have a chat. I had to go upstairs and saw another friend picking one up. Too simple now.
Hopefully, it will stay like this. Maybe they were just doing it to pay for the new building like the TM.30 tax in Chiang Mai. By the way the new building at airport looks fantastic. I hope they can create more efficient procedures for Chiang Mai people.
I went in yesterday and the system is changed due to their new Chiang Mai boss. No graft needed. 50+ per day and no money changing hands. My friend did it twice. Guy downstairs is gone.