Udon Thani Immigration Office

UdonExpat wrote:A friend from Udon has reported that he went to Nong Khai immigration yesterday and was told that he could not use that office any more as the Udon Thani office, at the police station, is now open.

Which Police Station in Udon?

A classic "This is Thailand" (TIT) ! One hand doesn't have a clue what the other is doing. Thailand can't possibly hope to climb out of a "third world" developing nation status. A huge bloated government bureacracy where people are paid to be incompetant and rewarded for not thinking critically. And they get defensive about Thailand being considered a joke in the international press. I have not nor will I ever invest a dime in Thailand. Sorry for the rant Gents,,, Cheers.

Many points raised in the above post are very similar to the goverments around the world.So no change there then

macduff wrote:Many points raised in the above post are very similar to the goverments around the world.So no change there then

Not similar to Britain, the Immigration Office in Croydon is well signposted for the asylum seekers who manage to con their way into the country, at the exits from East Croydon Station. Where the asylum seekers can sign up for generous welfare benefits, free health care, and jump to the top of the social housing list.

Agree Prenders, and there are also laws that protect those very same immigrants against racial & ethnic abuse and discrimination, though not the natives Brits!

Ok I gotthe same thing sort of thing in e-mails to include an interview with the cops at the main station, yes they office is there, but not even desks yet. Contact made same thing the office is in, per Nong Khai, me my ninety day comes up and the Udon office isn't open and Nong Khai won't handle the contact. I'm calling Bangkok and do as I'm directed. I see no other safe course. Fully document all that I have done to comply, with names if I can get them.

In the end this will probably be a benefit for us, we just got to get over the hurdle.

A little off the specific subject referenced by the OP, but still to do with Nong Khai immigration office.

I need to give some background.

Last year I got my retirement visa in Phuket because we were living in Phuket at the time. Since then we have moved to Udon and 3 months ago I did my reporting at Nong Khai for the first time. Some minor questioning as to why I was reporting in Nong Khai when my visa was issued in Phuket, but basically no problem after I explained we had moved.

However, on 1st September I went to Nong Khai to renew my retirement visa which is due to expire on 1st October. I had all the right documents (letter from bank, bank book, adequate cash for 3 months etc) but they took one look at the previous years visa issued by Phuket immigration office and told me I had to go back to Phuket and get them to "transfer" the visa to Nong Khai.

I pressed them a bit as to just what Phuket immigration would do and was advised I would fill in a form and Phuket would then put a stamp in my passport to show a transfer to Nong Khai.

I was a bit worried that if I went to Phuket immigration, they wouldn't know what they needed to do, or wouldn't have the right forms etc etc, but was assured by the Nong Khai office that "all immigration offices have the same forms, no problem". So what else could I do, I exited the Nong Khai office and started to plan a trip south.

Well. it's 10 days later and two days ago I went to Phuket immigration office. You guessed it, they know nothing about "transferring" a retirement visa. "You go Nong Khai, no problem" was the only response. So I had no choice, yesterday I applied for my retirement visa at Phuket immigration after updating my bank letter and got it no problem.

Quite how I am going to do my three month reporting, I don't know. Depends on the attitude of the Nong Khai office I guess.

I suppose the above will only apply to those who are moving to Udon, or recently moved there, from other areas of Thailand, but if the Nong Khai attitude doesn't change, better be prepared for a trip back to where ever you have just come from!

Just guessing, but I wonder if the fact that a new immigration office is about to open in Udon (or has opened already if you believe Nong Khai immigration office), has pisxed off the people at Nong Khai because they feel rejected/passed over. And so the attitude is now to follow the letter of the law and deal with as few farang as possible by refusing to deal with anyone that they can pass off to alternative immigration offices. Shouldn't be true, but stranger things have happened.

Any way, just a heads up for those moving to Udon area from elsewhere.

wynnsiensheng, Although a little off topic, very interesting to me. I did my last visa renewal in Nong Khai, and my last 90 day in Kap Chong south of Surin, no questions ask, a very easy 5 minute process. We divide our time between Udon and Surin but wife owns a house in Surin so plan to do future renewals in Surin. Never heard of the hoops Nong Khai made you jump through but nice to know the possibilities.

Can someone tell me if this is an extension office that will open at the police station, similar to what we have had at AEK Hospital in the past, where the same officers come to Udon 2 days a week? Or is it a full time office with a new staff? Hopefully we can determine when this office will open and what the hours and days it will be in operation. I feel sorry for those who have gone to Nong Khai and perhaps waited to the full 10 day grace period for 90 day reporting and now are out of luck. Perhaps the Udon police can write a paper for this purpose. They are, after all, part of the same 'organization'.

I was at Chiang Khan Immigration yesterday and they told me to use Udon Thani next time, they will open at September 23

Answer wii Ning Khai be accomnidating I seriusly doubt ir. You don't have to\ appear on a 90 day you can mail it. Do a search on 90 day reporting you will find the nuts and bolts of how to do it.

Lets hope for bettter days in Udon, going to be a very busy office.

bumper wrote:Answer wii Ning Khai be accomnidating I seriusly doubt ir. You don't have to\ appear on a 90 day you can mail it.

It would seem if they are not accepting 90 day reporting in person, they would not do it by mail...??

Mine is due Sep 15. With a 7 day grace period, I do not make it until the Sept 23 opening day in Udon. Any suggestions?

EMS mail? Go to NK in person and try? Both?