'How To' - Requirements for visa extensions etc

[Big Boy]

I was only joking about your man. For the first few years it seemed as though it was the same old faces every time we went. They then seemed to have a major clear-out, and faces seem to change very regularly these days.

[Nereus]

Yes, this is the inconsistency of Hua Hin Immigration. I was actually blocked from moving upstairs until I produced the evidence. However, as I've mentioned, it depends who you speak to on the day, and the staff seem to have changed recently, except for handdrummer who has kept his I/O locked in a cupboard for the last 8 years

It may well be an inconsistency, but as far as I am aware those young girls checking papers downstairs are not immigration officers, just as the photo lady is not. I even doubt that they can read English, but are just checking the number of documentts they have been told to check are there.
Also, that checking is a relatively new innovation, which has only started since the igoramus that used to do it upstairs has gone. Which also coincided with the failure of the queuing system!

[Nereus]

Yes, this is the inconsistency of Hua Hin Immigration. I was actually blocked from moving upstairs until I produced the evidence. However, as I've mentioned, it depends who you speak to on the day, and the staff seem to have changed recently, except for handdrummer who has kept his I/O locked in a cupboard for the last 8 years

He's the head officer and sits around the corner, to the, your left, of the ones in front.
I won't know if he's still there until I return in Nov.
If worst come to worst, my landlady, who knows everyone, will come with me and sort out whatever needs sorting.

Yes, he has done mine a couple of times, including last year where he "forgot" to give me a new 90 day stamp, despite me sending him the 100 Baht change from the renewal fee!

[Big Boy]

It may well be an inconsistency, but as far as I am aware those young girls checking papers downstairs are not immigration officers. They were wearing the same uniforms, and their number badges were in the same sequence. If they were not I/Os, they were doing a very good impersonation. Of course, maybe staff is rotated.
Also, that checking is a relatively new innovation, which has only started since the igoramus that used to do it upstairs has gone. HaHa I remember him I thought it was a Covid measure, but I guess both happened about the same time.

[HHTel]

Yes, this is the inconsistency of Hua Hin Immigration. I was actually blocked from moving upstairs until I produced the evidence. However, as I've mentioned, it depends who you speak to on the day, and the staff seem to have changed recently, except for handdrummer who has kept his I/O locked in a cupboard for the last 8 years

It may well be an inconsistency, but as far as I am aware those young girls checking papers downstairs are not immigration officers, just as the photo lady is not. I even doubt that they can read English, but are just checking the number of documentts they have been told to check are there.
Also, that checking is a relatively new innovation, which has only started since the igoramus that used to do it upstairs has gone. Which also coincided with the failure of the queuing system!

They are University students doing 'work experience'. I've had several conversations, while waiting, regarding what uni they're from and what their ambition is when they graduate.

[Big Boy]

I think you'll find that has either changed, or there were no uni girls available on the day when I did my renewal.

Has anybody else been recently? Did you get I/Os or uni girls at the downstairs check? Maybe it's luck of the draw.

When I couldn't get upstairs previously, it was actually a male, and he was also in uniform.

[Nereus]

When I couldn't get upstairs previously, it was actually a male, and he was also in uniform.

Of course! Thais love uniforms! Your whistle blowing parking attendant has one, as do the "security" guards in every Condo! Prisoners out on work details look the part in theirs!

[Big Boy]

No, these guys were wearing the exact same uniforms. Particularly a couple of weeks ago I was taking particular note of the uniforms, including their official numbers. When I got upstairs, there was a girl wearing a 'trainee' armband, although her uniform was similar, her number sequence was in a different sequence. I remember thinking how the 2 downstairs slotted in the middle of the 2 I could see upstairs. They were most definitely all I/Os or all uni girls. Because of the uniforms, I'd opt for I/Os. As I've said, maybe I was unlucky (twice) and have attended when uni girls were unavailable.

Out of interest, I was there a couple of weeks ago. When was your last visit?

I had some friends there yesterday. I will ask them whether the downstairs checkers were I/Os or uni girls. The answer may not come back for a couple of hours.

[Big Boy]

Here we go, it looks as though I'm the unluckiest person in the world. From my friends who went yesterday:

Not uniformed. Skirt length, no idea. Ours looked like a bloke, short hair but female and very nice

[HHTel]

Things change. They were Uni girls back in January. They enjoyed interacting so they could practice their English.

[buksida]

They were uni girls when I went to get a re-entry permit last month.

[Big Boy]

OK guys, mine have definitely been the real thing, so I just have to be very unlucky, although the 2 I/Os this year were actually very pleasant. The previous guy wasn't so pleasant, in fact I'd call him a jobsworth - he is the reason I will continue to provide copies of my pension letters and P60. I guess he's still walking and breathing in an Immigration Office somewhere

[buksida]

My neighbour was stung 1,000 baht "service charge" by the Gestapo downstairs before they would let him go up. Like everything with immigration - its a lottery.

[Big Boy]

My neighbour was stung 1,000 baht "service charge" by the Gestapo downstairs before they would let him go up. Like everything with immigration - its a lottery.

I very much doubt that would have been Uni girls on work experience However, if it was, they are learning fast

[HHTel]

As I understand it, the uni girls are only there as assistants. They're not involved in decisions.