Bandung_Dero wrote:

jackspratt wrote:Sorry Stan - I have direct reports of an officer being over ruled by the supervisor.
.............

I think Jack is refering to an incident I was involved in up there where I did get the Supervisor involved and had the matter resolved in my favour. No points for quessing who the prick of an Immigration Officer was involved.

I might add that at that time (about 18 months ago) there was a big sign both in the foyer and in the main office saying something like "Ask to see the Supervisor if you are not happy with our service"

Bandung,I know there are NO points available for this,But you would'nt be talking about Mr Happy / Smiley face by any chance WOULD YOU ???

Mainer, through several renewals, I have never had to provide documentation proving my address. Except for some 90 day reports, I have always dealt directly with Bagnkok.

Mainer wrote:Now as I promised this is my account of my visit to Nong Khai Immigration on Tuesday of this week to extend my Non-O retirement visa. I am not married and this is not a business visa.

NEEDED:

Signed copies of a house book and I.D. card.

One copy of pertinent passport pages.

Bank Book

Copies of every page of bank book.

Notarized US Embassy paper showing I have required income (good for 2 years).


NOT NEEDED:

ATM slips or proof of incoming money.

Proof of foreign bank statements.

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Congrats on getting the visa, Mainer. A couple of questions....did they ask for a letter from your Thai bank or not? You didn't have to supply a med certif or photos?

A good move taking along the teacher who takes no guff. I may do the same when my turn comes up. Don't think I could handle the treatment given to 38nholding although realize that he has some real health issues to deal with. In my case they would be dealing with a wild injun.

jackspratt wrote:

Bandung_Dero wrote:Just be informed that there is an alternative for over 50 year olds. Jackspratt put me onto it and both he and I do it. After 3 years of "O" visa extensions I had a gut full of dealing with that lot at NK and having them continuely digging into my financial affairs and pissing me around.

Anyway, get a multiple entry "OA" visa issued from your home country. Play the game and you keep the visa going for 2 years. No 90 day border crossings as with the normal 12 month multi entry "O" visa. Each time you come into the country they stamp a full 12 months. During the 2nd year you have to get e re-entry permit. EASY

But also be aware that during the 2nd 12 months you will not get a further 12 months when you re-enter. You will only get up to the balance of that (2nd) 12 months.

I'm into the second year of the multi-entry "OA" issued in US and agree it's been relatively painless. Has anyone gone back to their home country and gotten a new one after the two years expired? Wonder if it's possible? Beats going through the renewal process, at Nong Khai anyway. Bangkok Immy looks more and more like the way to go.

polehawk wrote:Congrats on getting the visa, Mainer. A couple of questions....did they ask for a letter from your Thai bank or not? You didn't have to supply a med certif or photos?

Ron, you are a lot more on the ball than me. I should know better than write on here late at night. Here it is again on what was needed and not needed. Thanks for the heads up. I hope this helps others.

NEEDED:

Signed copies of a house book and I.D. card.

One copy of pertinent passport pages to include:
Front page
Page with original visa
Page showing the border entry stamp showing it is NON-O
Page with latest renewal stamp
Departure card, stapled in your passport

Letter from my Thai bank showing the balance and deposits for the last 3 months.

Copies of every page of bank book

Bank Book

Notarized US Embassy paper showing I have required income (good for 2 years).

1 Photo (I took 12 just in case... plus they were really good photos )


NOT NEEDED:

ATM slips or proof of incoming money (because I had notarized US Embassy paper).

Proof of foreign bank statements.

Medical certificate.

House book don't have one but the house is in the wifes name and she is there. Mine is a retirment visa a well. I'm scratching to remeber but it seems I file some sort of proof of residence. Might be tiem to get off the rear and get the yellow book. Mine is do in May I like to avoid all that I can.

Bump wrote:House book don't have one but the house is in the wifes name and she is there. Mine is a retirment visa a well. I'm scratching to remeber but it seems I file some sort of proof of residence. Might be tiem to get off the rear and get the yellow book. Mine is do in May I like to avoid all that I can.

Ray, I am thinking that as long as a Thai with a house book and ID card is with you, they can guarantee you live there. That is what happened to me, and it is the quickest and easiest method for me. But I still feel as though, Mister Smiley pulled a fast one on me when he said it is required. Hopefully the next person to extend his 1-year Non-O retirement visa can post his experience on here.

There is no formal requirement to have a house registration book when applying to extend/renew an O/A visa. How could there be, if for example you don't have a Thai wife and live in a rented room or similar (you are still entitled to have a retirement visa).

On the 2 occasions I have renewed my O/A in Phuket I haven't been asked for one, and never had one. But on the one occasion I renewed in Nong Khai I was asked for one, and at that time I did have one. When I asked why it was required, he replied: "Oh just to confirm you live where you say you live". Needless to say as I had one with me I didn't argue.

So again, I think it is merely one of these things that is nice to have, but isn't actually a requirement and couldn't/shouldn't be a problem if you don't have one.

arjay wrote:There is no formal requirement to have a house registration book when applying to extend/renew an O/A visa. How could there be, if for example you don't have a Thai wife and live in a rented room or similar (you are still entitled to have a retirement visa).

Arjay, you can tell us about what is formally required all you want, but the immigration people can tell us to go home and bring back the paper they ask for. He knows I am single and rent. Renters are required to show copies of housebooks for many things, one being... getting a 5-year driver's license. You should know that being a moderator, as it was discussed in detail on this forum.

arjay wrote:On the 2 occasions I have renewed my O/A in Phuket I haven't been asked for one, and never had one. D

And Nong Khai isn't Phuket.

arjay wrote:So again, I think it is merely one of these things that is nice to have, but isn't actually a requirement and couldn't/shouldn't be a problem if you don't have one.

I can assure you it was a problem. And while I was in the hall making a copy of last page of bank book, he came up with that requirement. And he was about to send me back to Udon without my visa extension.

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It was my intention to tell you all exactly what happened to me on Tuesday. For many people, I know this is appreciated. Clouding the post with what should be or could be, seems to only confuse us.

I have never used the Nong Khai office for my retirement renewal.

I have used the Pattaya/Jomtiem beach office the last 6 years.

The old office in Pattaya was sometimes a hassle but that maybe was caused by me not having the proper forms.

I have used the Jomtiem beach office for the renewal and 90 check ins without any problems at all.

In and out in less than 5 minutes for the 90 day check-in and not over 15 minutes for the retirement renewal.....unless a whole lot of folks there.

I realize that the Pattaya area isn't a "dream paradise" but the Jomtiem area isn't bad for a night or 2.

What I do is take a nice easy drive down, find a quiet hotel in the area and have dinner. The next morning pop in the the Soi 5 Jomtiem Beach office when they open, deal with it and enjoy breakfast at one of the several nice eaterys around and drive back.

This isn't for everyone I understand, but for me I enjoy the drive down and the hassle free environment at the Jomtiem beach office.

And yes, I always keep a couple of purple notes in my top pocket in case things start going pear shaped.

ISSAN_NISSAN wrote:I have never used the Nong Khai office for my retirement renewal.

I have used the Pattaya/Jomtiem beach office the last 6 years.

The old office in Pattaya was sometimes a hassle but that maybe was caused by me not having the proper forms.

I have used the Jomtiem beach office for the renewal and 90 check ins without any problems at all.

In and out in less than 5 minutes for the 90 day check-in and not over 15 minutes for the retirement renewal.....unless a whole lot of folks there.

I realize that the Pattaya area isn't a "dream paradise" but the Jomtiem area isn't bad for a night or 2.

What I do is take a nice easy drive down, find a quiet hotel in the area and have dinner. The next morning pop in the the Soi 5 Jomtiem Beach office when they open, deal with it and enjoy breakfast at one of the several nice eaterys around and drive back.

This isn't for everyone I understand, but for me I enjoy the drive down and the hassle free environment at the Jomtiem beach office.

And yes, I always keep a couple of purple notes in my top pocket in case things start going pear shaped.

What ONLY PURPLE Notes !!!!!!

I think we have now established that Nong Khai is a world of it's own. They are covered by the one phrase in the rules that leaves it up to them what is appropriate. It sounds like guys are still being allowed to go elsewhere if need be, The comments in a Public office about ones sex life, is over the top. The goating of the applicant asking what he thought about it looking for adverse reaction is akin to kicking sand in someone's face. It woudl eb very scary to take them to task on it. But, they deserve it

Is this problem only common to Thailand, this weekend International Herald Tribune ran an article about an American Immigration officer being prosecuted for soliciting sex in exchange for a green card. It mentioned other incidents of money exchanging hands as well a sexual favors being solicitated all over the country. There are huge controls over government employees in the states yet it still happens. The victim are afraid to say anything for not getting the documents they need. Sound familiar? Beleive me I am not beating up on anybody, I swallow my pride and take what comes unless I'm left with no altrenative. Then I will and have fought them in a professional manner.

The problem I see is some people don't handle having authority well and become abusive. But I doubt that will ever change anywhere in the world.

Me I'm getting the yellow book, before the next renewal just one more door closed on them.

Yes mainer, A stapled bunch of papers and this particular sentence was highlighted . I accepted it ,because the choice is deportation or jail. Isn't the saying turn the other cheek? You see I am saving my anger for someone who really deserves it ,and he is not worth it.

I only just caught up with this thread again.

Mainer you don't need to be defensive, - apologies if you felt I was attacking you, or challenging your account of what happened. That wasn't my intention. I appreciate you were recounting exactly what took place and sharing your experience with others, which we all welcome.

I was trying to highlight that Nong Khai do seem to make up their own rules, (as Bump has reiterated) and rules which aren't consistent with those being generally applied elsewhere, and that was why I appropriately used the words could and should. I wasn't challenging your account of events.

That said I still can't see how they can expect everyone to have a house registration book. If one is staying in Top Mansion, do they expect him to take the owner along with his tabien bahn?!

Incidentally, you don't have to have a house registration book to buy a car or motorbike, - a letter from Immigration will suffice, but maybe in Nong Khai they would want a house registration book before writing the letter!!!!!

i have always used NK for retirement and 90 days, last 2 mailed, guess that will change. always had too much paperwork, and only one real bad experience, explained a couple times, so won't bore you with details. my happy tells me during 90 day that soon renew, no problem, bring bank statement and house book. took 3 different bank statements before statisfied, and last but not least, asked for med cert when we all know not needed. and yes, i always have one, and only the last time, in feb, did i not need it. 3 out of 4 it was asked for. my financials are always way more than necessary and use same house book for past 7 yrs. no, i am not rich, alwasy seems i'm making a purchase so pump up the bank book before going, such as new car, twice in 6 years, no, junkers, entry level overpriced junk, but practical. then the WBU doctorate fee had to be transferred in, that always looks good. but a poor smuck like the rest of you, but a happy smuck, not sure if smuck is the proper word, how could smuck actually be happy. sorry, still learning english. well, there are a couple of you guys with way too much money.........................................i know who you are. love the parties though, thanks.

best of luck to all.