Time for my annual visit to renew my visa, a process that always fills me with unnecessary trepidation. It is not that the renewal is in any way difficult, but rather a reminder that my life here; with wife, condo, car, cats and more cameras than is sensible; is entirely dependent upon an annual stamp in my passport that allows me to reside in this most excellent country.
It is also something to do with the fact that I dislike going to the immigration office. Not because the service there has ever been less than efficient and friendly*; but because of the parade of partially dressed ingrates that stagger through the doors in search of what they believe to be their right rather than a privilege. They are an embarrassment; and they smell bad. Obviously this observation excludes any readers of this journal who are all fragrant and wonderful human beings.
Last year I adopted a first come, first served strategy by arriving at the office at 0800, a full half hour before opening, and joined a small queue which ensured I was dealt with promptly and out of the door before the heaving hordes arrived. It worked well enough and I decided to pursue the same approach this year.
A reconnaissance mission was conducted yesterday afternoon and I had to fight my way through the throng to obtain the necessary form. The place was packed and I left as soon as possible. This morning I arose early (for me) and arrived at the immigration office at 0750, no queue!! But I then discovered that they had already opened the doors, and were handing out queue tickets to a mini-mob that had had the same idea as me. This meant I could wait the next forty minutes in the aircon, sat in a comfy chair, clutching a ticket that advised me I was third in line to be processed. Good times.
At 0815 the staff filed into the office and at 0825 the retirement visa desk started work. The process has always been that a clerk checked through your papers, stamped the passport and then your package was passed to a cashier who would take your money and write out a receipt. In early times you would also have to wait to see a senior officer who would review your submission, before you were finally given a ticket to collect your passport later in the day. This year, the process had changed. A sub-clerk checked the papers, highlighted the relevant bits with a marker pen, took your money and then gave you your ticket to return later. This took three minutes.
I was out of the door by 0832; by which time every queue seat was taken and it was standing room only. During the course of the day my passport was checked, stamped and a receipt prepared and I collected it again at 1500. Everyone was pleasant and polite and I reckon Pattaya Immigration deserves plaudits for managing massive number of customers, not all of them pleasant, on a daily basis. The improved procedures may be down to the new boss who spent the early part of the morning walking round the office talking rather loudly at his staff; well done sir.
Flushed with success, I filled out another form and completed my ninety day report. This took five minutes. I almost embarked upon round three by applying for a multiple entry permit, but decided to quit while I was ahead.
Another year, another visa; thank you Thailand.
*Apart from the guy at the front desk; he’s a miserable bugger.
Comments 🔗
2014-02-22| Andrew saysA visit to immigration in almost any country is reminiscent of the old circus sideshows and really makes you wonder how humanity as whole ( you know - all those guys who were actually working while you were out having fun ) managed to make it this far…and then you complain your toaster doesn’t work - look - the head of their engineering department is it the head of the line….
2014-02-22| Andrew says*at ( damn - no edits !! )