Flashermac Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 I just had the pleasure of reporting to my "parole officer" at immigration, since it's 90 days again. For what it's worth, I'll post some thoughts. Firstly, do I see the hand of Thaksin in this extremely expensive building in a huge new government area in the middle of nowhere? Maybe this has something to do with the fact that the entire basement floor is a shopping mall. I spotted 8 or 9 banks, 3 car dealerships, a 7-Eleven, and assorted shops and stalls, plus there is a branch of every fast food outlet you can think of. Most of the food is pricey (by the local scale), so I wonder where Thais working there have their meals. There must be a cheap Thai canteen hidden away somewhere. Equally bizarre was the fact that the government mall was playing Jingle Bells on the sound system in early October. Immigration itself is crammed into a space that hardly seems any bigger than what it had at Soi Suan Plu. A sign informs you the Immigration office is for "Bangkok residents only". An arrow points upstairs for Nonthaburi and Pathumthani residents. Things are still a bit chaotic, but it took me only half an hour or so for my piece of paper. Still, the crowds waiting for visas guaranteed they had a long wait ahead of them. The immigration officers are in little cubicles now, which I thought made things a bit intimidating. Getting to the new Immigration site is a pain in the arse. It is close to nothing in particular (except maybe Klong Prem Prison). There is a shuttle bus service so you can get around, if you can figure out where it is going. (There weren't any signs in English.) One could almost use a shuttle bus inside the building too. Unless you have driven there, expect a long hot walk back out to Chaeng Wattana. There will probably be a taxi driver or two waiting to pick a fare, since it is a long way back to civilisation. My general impression? I miss Soi Suan Plu already. At least it felt like I was in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faustian Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 Can't wait.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 I go to Mae Sai, never a problem and made to feel welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 I don't think they'll let me do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartempion Posted October 14, 2009 Report Share Posted October 14, 2009 Rumors are Udon Thani has an immigration office at last (again) but you only can do 90 days reporting as yet, suppose staff not trained to issue the very complex "extension of stay" stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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