Rental contract for annual visa extension

It never ceases to amaze me.Today I went for my yearly extension as a retired person.I have everything that they have asked for in the past,but of course,this time we don't need HC,don't need bank books and copies of their pages,don't need a map to the house,don't need a 90 day report already filled out,but,'' where your contract?'',''what contract?'',''you rent right?,how much you pay?'' I have the copy of the landlords ID and the copy of his house book right there!'',''I remember you,but don't remember your contract!'',''You never asked for a contract before?'',''you can call your landlord?'',''yes!'',''let me talk to him,'',''OK''.''Your landlord will bring the contract,you wait for him!''
He grabs some papers and rushes out the door,gets in his car and drives away.2 hours later,one of the other staff finishes my paperwork,looks at my rental contract and says''You have the original contract?'',''NO,he said a copy!'',Oh copy ok'',then ''where is your entry card?'',''I don't know,you took it out''.3 people looking for it and they find it under her shoe!Then she has me fill out a 90 day report.I was going to tell her that there was one in ''Mr.Happys'' trash can,but.........
Stamp stamp stamp,stuff the receipt inside my passport and ''throw/spin'' it to me without saying anything,just turning away to talk to each other.If I had not been experienced,I wouldn't have known I was finished.

Oh yeah,first time in a long time that they didn't try to sell me anything!

Hi,
Last time when i went to Udon imm., when they were at the airport. There were 2 men and 1 lady officer. We got a vary nice person, helped us all he could, and was polite. When we first sat down he was talking to the off. next to him and they were both laughting. Who said they did not laugh. I said whats the joke, he smiled and showed me a thousand B note. The farang, who had just left, had give it to him when he sat down. He said people will never learn, this will not get him better treatment. He still has to have correct papers etc.. Joking i said to him i will not pay him any extra then. He said, you have some sense. Processed my ap. without any trouble.
A saying came to mind, a fool and his money is easily parted.
In all the years i have been dealing with Thai imm. I have not given them a "bribe" as i call it. And have had exellent service from them, both in Patts. and Udon.
Cheers Doug.

"Every time I went to Pattaya immigration I would always forget the shopping bag I had with me with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black in it.(sometimes even in the box). It's just a way of doing business here in Thailand. Or you can put up with the run arounds and hassle's as they say up 2 you"
"It's just a way of doing business here in Thailand."

It may be for you. But for most people I know who have been here 10+ years, there's never been an envelope passed.
I suppose the same can be said for the police stops. I've paid a legitimate fine twice over 14 years......been stopped probably near 100 other times and not paid anything. I could play it safe and hand over 100-200 baht each time I give the cop my license, but I don't. Likewise, I could convince myself that my visa is renewed each year because I've passed an envelope with cash along with my paperwork. Or I could renew my visa each year without passing the envelope. I guess it's up to you.

If you consider it just a way of doing business here in Thailand, do you pass an envelope when you buy land, get/renew a license, open a bank account, register your vehicle?

I suppose it's how you look at things. I don't see that an outright bribe should be necessary at all, but having said that I always take a packet of English biscuits in with me which they share with their morning coffee. Is that a bribe? I don't think so. For me its a gesture of thanks which ensures they remember me on the next visit. Whether it gets me special service or not, who knows but they certainly remember my name, but then again most people do, hard not to I suppose with a name like mine .

Never realised your name was "Mine" I'll get me Coat

Hi,
What ever colour you paint a horse, it is still a horse.
Giving money to a G. Off. above what is required, for what you went to see him for, is still a bribe. Hoping to get better service, which you don't. I have always got a smile, and a chat from them. And good service. I am always polite to them as well. One time when i went to see them, i thought i had forgotten something, and was looking through my papers. The lady off. came over to me, called me and my wife by our names, and called a young girl over to help us. The girl checked all our details took the form to her, she was dealing with another gentleman at the time. She signed the form striaght away stamped my P.P. and i was out. A farang sitting beside me said how much did you slip them for that service. I said not one single B. and i never will. How ferangs seem to think, wrongly, that you get better service, by doing this, I don't know. How the Thais over here can remember your name, even if you have not seen you for over a year, i do not know ether.
As for road stops by police. One time going South i was stopped by a policeman, by himself, alarm bells ringing, who said i was doing 104Kmph. He wanted 400B. I said i did not have any money with me. I said if you give me a ticket i will pay it at a police station when i get some money. He said on your way, and don't drive so fast. On that day i never drove over 90 on that road. Never keep money in your wallet when driving. If you are stopped and asked for you lic. they might see the money when you take the lic. from your wallet, and their eyes will light up, thinking another rich farang to con. I must say the gen. police stops are O.K. and they will not con. you. IMO.

I,d like to add an important observation re the O.P.

I think the poster is referring to N.Khai and not Udonthani for those who don,t know, just in case anyone gets the wrong office.

Udonthani has rightly earned a good reputation relating to the service it provides for those of us who use it, well most of us anyways.

As for offering gifts on your visits immediately prior to presenting your application this can also to be classed as a bribe and I do reckon it encourages them to expect it.

Not a complaint by the way, just my take on things.

If you really want to show your appreciation as indeed I always do, give them an extra 100 baht and say it is by way of a thank you for good, friendly processsing and a contribution towards the office funding.

eg, 2000 baht and tell them to please keep the change.

Keep up the great work Udonthani and please don,t let the odd armoles spoil it for us.

marshbags

no one has asked the question ,has the request to see the rental contract now a requirement for visa extension or is this a case of one officer trying to show a bit of power.

Stan's post reminds me of how grateful I am that we have a fine immigration office in Udon now, with efficient and polite staff. I am also grateful to not have to make the trek all the way to Nong Khai to wait my turn to become frustrated. Stan - plenty of nice homes available in Udon...

Did my 90 Day Report/Change of address yesterday in Udon Immigration. It took me longer to find a place to park than to do my business in Immigration. The officer was polite, friendly and expedient. Twas a pleasant experience.