It's more than just a feeling. They really do that. When you go to any immigration office you can never be certain as to what to expect even though you think you've complied with all their requirements. Sometimes the rules change, and that happens all too often with no prior notice.Trongpai wrote:I get the feeling that every immigration office will be making up their own rules and procedures to accommodate these new immigration requirements.
This is exactly why I have been recommending renewing retirement visas a month in advance or as long as possible in advance before going in to apply for the visa. If you run into unexpected problems you may need time to come into compliance with whatever their latest rules are. Remember, whatever you do, don't try to argue with the immigration official. It won't do any good and will only make things more difficult for you.
Some people think if you renew the visa in advance of the expiration date, then it affects the next expiration date. It doesn't. No matter how far in advance you renew the visa, the expiration date will be one year from the current expiration date. So, don't wait until the last minute to renew.
I've also been saying for years that people contemplating retirement in Thailand or are frequent visitors, get a Thai bank account while you still can. Based on Trongpai's experience at the embassy, now it's getting even more difficult. Apparently, now if you want to open a Thai bank account, you're going to have to make a trek to the embassy first.
For Americans, don't forget that just to go to the embassy's American Citizen Services, you must have an appointment and that appointment must be made online.
For an appointment, see:
For Bangkok: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/defaul ... &appcode=1
For Chiang Mai: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/defaul ... &appcode=1