First KCI Home visit tomorrow, do you have to pay their Gasoline

[Sofa_King]

BTW, I would bet money that these home visits are a direct result of expats gaming the system.  Who does not know of an expat paying off a visa service to get him his yearly "visa"?    Comes down to you reap what you sow.

How do you work that one out ??

To blame a few local Ex-pats that use a visa service for the  new Home visits just doesn't make sense .

There is nothing illegal with using a visa agent and if there are people obtaining Visa's and Visa Extensions without the correct paperwork then maybe they should start by looking at the people that are issuing these visa's in the first place.

I remember when I got my first marriage extension 14+ years ago and  I had to go to the local police Station with the in-laws and the local village headman to be interviewed before I was granted my extension . They have let this slide over the years and have now decided to do home visits. I would guess that because of low number of immigrants applying for extension's in the local area they have decided to include Retirement extension's too.
I would say it has more  to do with the Immigration Police coming out into the community , chatting with the locals to to find over-stayer or those working illegally . I remember reading somewhere they have caught a few over-stayers by chatting to the locals, but haven't heard of any visa agent user being locked up       

 

[Starman]

I think it is just a cash cow. As some one mentioned, if they make 10 visits a day then that is 5000. Good money.

If they were doing it because of those who use agents or are on overstay, why are they targeting those that willingly walk into their office and offer personal information for perposes of a legitimate extension of stay?

[Freddy]

I think it is just a cash cow. As some one mentioned, if they make 10 visits a day then that is 5000. Good money.

If they were doing it because of those who use agents or are on overstay, why are they targeting those that willingly walk into their office and offer personal information for perposes of a legitimate extension of stay?

Exactly. If it were the faceless Farangs represented by agents being targeted then it would be those who should get the home visits.
Current home visit situation is a way to make it appear tighter controls are in place and the easy option to get pocket money.
I had been under the impression that as I had a home visit for my most recent extension then I am unlikely to require one for my next. It will be interesting to see if this is the case. If 500 baht is being generated per visit then I think it more likely KCI will want to do home visits every year.

[smoooth2]

Let's not beat around the bush here .... this "gasoline money" is called extortion in English.

Doesn't matter that's it's a fairly trivial amount to most expats, but to a Thai it's a considerable amount of money.

The only reason that all of us are bending over and taking this up the arse, is because we can't read or speak Thai, and we don't know who to complain to.

I'm pretty certain that none of us would tolerate this back in our home country, as there we are familiar with the system and our native language, and we would know how to expose this type of condoned extortion to the public arena.

The Thai Prime Minister has made a big deal of trying to clean up corruption. Woopee. It hasn't worked, even at grass roots level.

[Freddy]

+1

Also it is interesting that our wives and girlfriends don't challenge it either. They do speak and read the language. Another example of the average Thai citizen being fearful of any government official and a general apathy and acceptance that corruption is normal and money is everything. I don't see anything changing anytime soon.

[Starman]

In think there is a level of acceptance because, at the end of the day, you don't want to upset the man that has the stamp in his hand that enables you to stay in this lovely Kingdom. There are no "3 strikes and out". You piss him off and that is it.

Thai people will generally not confront officialdom. This is a class society, one of the few drawbacks of said Kingdom.

I have been asked a few times if I would act as an onsite interpreter at Immigration. I have declined on all counts. I do not want to be seen to be causing trouble and end up with not only expat being banished but two.

[buckwhelk]

<Deleted>

[CO-CO]

In think there is a level of acceptance because, at the end of the day, you don't want to upset the man that has the stamp in his hand that enables you to stay in this lovely Kingdom. There are no "3 strikes and out". You piss him off and that is it.

Thai people will generally not confront officialdom. This is a class society, one of the few drawbacks of said Kingdom.

I have been asked a few times if I would act as an onsite interpreter at Immigration. I have declined on all counts. I do not want to be seen to be causing trouble and end up with not only expat being banished but two.

You may actually be the ideal person to perform that role given that KCI have no grip on your balls whatsoever.

That, of course, should be unnecessary. Immigration should understand that we only want to make their job easier, which in turn makes life easier for us. That is why the likes of Keith, you and numerous individuals/groups have spent hours trying to put together information packs. The idea of this is simply to enable us to present the right documents so we can meet immigration requirements in the most efficient manner.

We need to understand that Immigration has a job to do and it is our responsibility to meet their requirements and present the necessary paperwork.

Why does it feel that we are not working together? - surely that would help everybody.

Additionally, nobody is fundamentally in favour of corruption and nobody likes to feel 'screwed over'. That is how it feels with the 500 Bahts for home visits or previously for residence certificates. The amount is not important - the principle is.

IMO Immigration should clearly list, and update, required documents/procedures on a website. Any applicant who has made the effort to read and comply with those requirements should then be 'fast-tracked' at KCI. There seems little reward for those who have spent time trying to get everything in order. Those who haven't bothered can be directed to a waiting area and given an instruction sheet so they can complete the necessary paperwork. Junior staff can be available to provide guidance. It reminds me a little of the TM7 form on arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport - many times I have been delayed because some prat has not completed the form; now they have checkers on hand.

[Starman]

Some good points there.

The problem with listing requirements on a website is that there would be a need for a website for every immigration department.

The OP stated that this is his first home visit despite having used Hua Hin immigration in the past.

Immigration offices each seem to have their own quirks.

[CO-CO]

Some good points there.

The problem with listing requirements on a website is that there would be a need for a website for every immigration department.

The OP stated that this is his first home visit despite having used Hua Hin immigration in the past.

Immigration offices each seem to have their own quirks.

Agree.

They shouldn't have quirks though. Immigration is based on national directives (Police Orders)and should be applied consistently in all areas.

T. I. T.

[smoooth2]

It reminds me a little of the TM7 form on arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport - many times I have been delayed because some prat has not completed the form; now they have checkers on hand.

Off topic .... Ray, I've never seen anyone do a TM7 before arrival Immi at Suvarnabhumi ? Why would they need an "Application For Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom" before they've even entered Thailand ?

[Sofa_King]

It reminds me a little of the TM7 form on arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport - many times I have been delayed because some prat has not completed the form; now they have checkers on hand.

Off topic .... Ray, I've never seen anyone do a TM7 before arrival Immi at Suvarnabhumi ? Why would they need an "Application For Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom" before they've even entered Thailand ?

I think Co Co means a TM6  [ only one out   ]

[CO-CO]

It reminds me a little of the TM7 form on arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport - many times I have been delayed because some prat has not completed the form; now they have checkers on hand.

Off topic .... Ray, I've never seen anyone do a TM7 before arrival Immi at Suvarnabhumi ? Why would they need an "Application For Extension of Temporary Stay in the Kingdom" before they've even entered Thailand ?

My mistake Smooth - as Sofa King correctly pointed out I should have said TM6 

[smoooth2]

No worries Ray.        If you give me 500 baht, I can make this Post go away     

Unfortunately, I will not be able to give you a receipt for said transaction.     

That's the way it works here isn't it ?

Cheers mate.

[smoooth2]

Let's not beat around the bush here .... this "gasoline money" is called extortion in English.

Doesn't matter that's it's a fairly trivial amount to most expats, but to a Thai it's a considerable amount of money.

The only reason that all of us are bending over and taking this up the arse, is because we can't read or speak Thai, and we don't know who to complain to.

I'm pretty certain that none of us would tolerate this back in our home country, as there we are familiar with the system and our native language, and we would know how to expose this type of condoned extortion to the public arena.

The Thai Prime Minister has made a big deal of trying to clean up corruption. Woopee. It hasn't worked, even at grass roots level.

Terrific news that Buriram Immi Office has finally opened.

I live about 7km from this new office. About half a litre of petrol I reckon.

Next time I get a home visit from Immi guy, do you reckon he'd be disappointed if I put 12 baht in the envelope to cover his half litre of fuel ?

.................... only joking ................. but it does open an interesting scenario. Will they still request fuel money ?