Udon Government Counter Service to open in Shopping Mall

Udon Government Counter Service to open in Shopping Mall


Udon Government Counter Service or GCS


Waiting and queuing at local government offices may be a thing of the past! The Udon Thani Government has announced that they are opening a one-stop counter service next to the Easy Buy Shop in the Charoensri/Robinson Shopping Mall. Its aim is to provide non-stop service to all residents of Udon Thani province, 22 governments offices will be condensed into one 56 square meter shop. Services will include Thai ID Card applications and renewals, Thai driving licenses, Tourist Police and police information, tourist information etc.


This government office is open daily for your convenience: Monday to Friday from 11am to 8pm, and weekends from 10am to 8pm. From now on everyone will be served with convenient and fast service from all government offices.

Well Lee you have obviously read the publicity handouts now this is the reality. Yesterday met a couple of wandering farangs in the centre that seeing I looked local;??? asked my advise on a couple of things, so upstairs we went, being an avid supporter of City Hall wanted to show off how responsive they are to us farangs in Udon.
First impressions, long, long queue, but not for me, straight up to reception, apparently the queue was for citizens getting their new smart card ID before the month ends and they get fined 200bht.First dissapointment, no one available that speaks English, not quite sure what available meant, short term or permanently. The first question involved an immigration issue. No problem, the lady rang Non Khai and handed phone to customer.The query was politely and promptly answered by the person answering the phone. The second question involved divorcing a TW, again politely dealt with , but all in Thai which fortunately I was able to explain to the customers satisfaction.
So to summarise, unless you can speak Thai, or take someone with you that can, then it is absolutely no benefit to Farangs. The give you a free phone call solution applies , not only to immigration but police and tourist police queries.Well any phone can do that, no need to go there, just 3bht.
Forgot about the driving licenses. In case anyone is under the impression you can get or renew there, you can't but you can get queries answered, yes you've guessed it, with a free phone call

It sounds like they treat Falangs pretty well,especially since it is probably not setup to focus on ''English language speakers''!

Val, what is this new Smart Card ID that is need by the end of the month? I will ask the TW about it also, to make sure she has her's. This the first I have heard of it.

I'm sure that in the future, as more farangs coming to the GCS with questions and assistance, they will have someone that speaks some English at the counters, at least I hope so.

Pop's

Pop-pop's Net and Games wrote:Val, what is this new Smart Card ID that is need by the end of the month? I will ask the TW about it also, to make sure she has her's. This the first I have heard of it.



Pop's

About 6 months ago central govt announced the introduction of a new ID card with 'smart" facilities for all Thai citizens over 16 years of age, it was to be phased in over a 6 months period, well that period expires at the end of this month in most areas, so instead of the 20bht cost before expiry date you will have to pay 200bht, effectively a fine. The card is computer readable and contains info such as blood group, marital status and other "Big Brother" details. It is primarily designed to counteract forgeries and the use by persons other than the owner, quite common apparently.ie; if an underage bar girl needs to go to hotel, she borrows another older girls card.
Some areas were late starting the programme so if you reside in one of those you will possibly have longer to do it. Best to check with your local Amphoe.
The old style card will not be usable after this date.