Job Discussion Forums

[fetuskarate]

So I have been living in Thailand since April, working at a school here. I went through all the necessary hoops (and then some) to get the right documents for my work permit, visas, and so on. For the record, I worked with MediaKids, and while there were misunderstandings here and there with payments and whatnot, I had a decent experience with them.

Anyway, I finished my contract with the company, handed in my work visa, and made my way to Aranyaprathet yesterday. Things went for an unexpected turn at immigration.

I had gotten a new passport about two weeks ago from the US embassy, because my passport was getting full and I wanted a fresh new one for traveling. I hadn't transfered my non-immigrant B visa over because I had figured there wouldn't be a problem- I was leaving Thailand, right?

Big mistake.

The woman at immigration raised a huge stink about my visa, saying she had "lo contron" over my visa, and that I had to go to the department of labor in order to inform them of the change. Only then could I come back through immigration.

It should be mentioned here that my fiance, an Australian, was able to pass through immigration just fine with the exact same visa/visa extension.

She called my fiance in, had his exit stamp cancelled (?!), and called our bosses at Media Kids to discuss our labor problem. She also made a rather snarky remark to the tune of "Well, if you are coming here to Thailand to work and make money, it's give and take. You have to know our laws before coming here and taking advantage of the opportunities here."

Excuse me? Since when were laws worth the paper they were written on here? Where was she getting off lecturing me on following correct protocol when I'd already spent thousands of Baht and considerable amounts of time obtaining the paperwork to be here legally?

Long story short, after discussing matters with our bosses at MK, it was decided that we would pay for Re-entry visas. 1000B apiece. I don't know how this makes sense. If she had "lo contron" to transfer my visa to my new passport, how did getting a re-entry permit settle the matter? Particularly because I didn't plan on coming back to Thailand anyway?

I am still not sure if this whole ordeal had anything to do with any real mistake of mine (new passport and all) or if the immigration officer was just having a particularly bitchy day. The only thing I think I could have done to prevent this situation was transfer my visa at the immigration office in Mae Sot (where I got the extension, and where my work district sent me to process the visa/permit paperwork).

But Media Kids had never told me about this potential problem. Nor have I ever heard of anyone else having problems with this. My fiance was able to pass through immigration with no problems. But it was different with me. I hesitate to think that the fact that I'm Filipina-American has anything to do with it, but I'm not sure either. Being lectured about the law and my apparent lack of respect for it was uncalled for too.

I've been stewing about it all day, and frankly it leaves a rather sour taste in my mouth for Thailand. After a good time here, I hate to have my experience tainted by this but I can't help it. I had an easier time once crossing into Cambodia!

Sorry about the novel, but what do you think about this? Ever heard of anyone else experiencing a similar ordeal? Was I in the wrong here?

[MaiPenRai]

From the sounds of things, your being part Filipino probably did have something to do with it. In hindsight you probably should have transferred your Visa over. Immigration offices here are not really "linked" by computer, even if they say they are. SO, showing up at the border without a Visa in your passport would probably raise some alarms as, in their eyes, you are in Thailand illegally. IMO, the Aranyapratet crossing is horribly unorganized unless you have a few hundred/thousand baht to pass around to suddenly "organize" things.

As I know many in MediaKids, I am curious as to who the "boss" was that you spoke with. There are a few staff there that have worked there too lond and unfortunately seen too many farang do stupid things (not to say you were stupid) and now just dont bother helping in any "unusual" situations. They are classic for using the "its just Thai culture, you dont understand" line.

Sorry you had to experience the joys of dealing with Thai/Cambodian immigration.

PM me if you wanna let me know who the "boss" was you spoke with.

[frankly speaking]

I don't think your ethnicity has anything to do with it. In fact they could have charged you 500 baht a day for every day that you didn't have your visa transferred over. Don't forget when you cancel your work permit that you have to leave the country that day or have to pay 500 baht a day overstay.

Anytime that you get a new passport you need to have your old visa transferred. And to be fair to your school, they are not responsible either for your visa or work permit, their only responsibility is to provide you with the paperwork. Most administration staff don't know the rules of immigration.

Everything is on their website. Though I do sympathize with you, because I often have nothing but trouble with the immigration office, however she is right to say that you should know the rules of the country that you are living in as a guest.

What I hate is that I follow the rules and keep up with all the changes, but every time that I extend my visa the rules change.

I am a US citizen but I am ethnic Thai and still I don't get any more respect than you did.

Just keep a strong upper lip and ignore the retards that you have to face in those departments. Pay your small fines and don't worry about it. Really is 25 dollars really worth getting in a bad mood over. I have had to learn that it is sometimes better to be happy than to be in the right.

[MaiPenRai]