Lost my Passport at Chomtien Immigration Office!

[plahgat]

Hi!

 

Nightmare happened today!

 

Today March the 5th 2013, I went to the Immigration Office at Soi 5 Chomthien to extend my Double Entry Tourist Visa

for another month.

I arrived at the office about 11:00 am, entered and told the Thai officer sitting to the left of the entrance I wanted to extend my visa and he gave me the application form and told me to be back at 13:00.

I returned back at 13:00 pm and handed over my filled in application, passport and a photo to the same officer and he sticked a queue-number #167 to my application form.

When I received back the paperform I noticed that my passport and photo was gone, and I presumed that he had taken it for some further processing along the line, and I taught it would be given back to me at the other end, so I never asked about them, and didn't give it a second thought!

 

I waited for almost 3,5 hours more until my number was up, and was directed to another officer's desk, were the officer to my surprise asked me where is my passport, I was expecting him to have it and was going to hand it over to me!

 

I told him I had given it to the officer at the entrance, and when I went to ask him about my passport he went very angry and started to shout at me, "why should I have kept your passport", I said I didn't know and that I don't know the process!

 

I told him I thought he passed it on to someone else for further processing.

I tried to tell him in a as calm tone as possible that I remembered giving it to him, but didn't receive it back and suggested that it maybe had felt down somewhere behind his counter, but he refused to even look and stopped talking to me!

People was staring at us and situation got very awkward, I asked what should I do now I have no passport!?

 

After some silence he just said come back tomorrow, maybe someone got it and will give it back.

 

Quite shocked I walked out and took a bathbus back to Pattaya without my passport!

 

Will go back again tomorrow to see if they have found it.

There is a farang "officer" on duty at the Immigration Office, but didn't see him when I realised my passport was missing, he probably gone home by then because it was getting late, maybe I should talk about it with him tomorrow if the passport doesn't show up

 

Just in case it doesn't turn up, what should I do?

Should I report it to the police/tourist police, or should I just go to BKK to my Swedish Embassy and tell them that I have lost my passport and how, and have them issue a new one?

Will my Double Entry Tourist Visa still be valid and how to get a new visa sticker  in my passport?

 

My Tourist Visa will end on 13 of March, and I think you must extend it at least 1 week before that date?

I still have the photo copies of my Passport, Double Entry Tourist Visa and my arrival/departure date stamp.

 

Would be greatful for any advice!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Plahgat

[Scumbag]

I suspect that they will find it somewhere by tomorrow. If not I would contact your embassy to let them know that it is missing. Ask them to contact you if someone contacts them because they found your passport. I would give it a few days before thinking about getting a new one.

 

I hope that it turns up.

 

I once found a Norwegian passport on a Baht bus. I contacted the embassy and told them that I had it (obviously giving details) and gave them my contact details. It wasn't long before the owner of the passport contacted me.

[jerry]

That sucks mate ...

 

but never ever tell a Thai he did something wrong ... you know it's always you that is to blame ...  .

Hope it will turn up tomorrow .

[kansuwan]

If the passport doesn't appear tomorrow.

 

Step 1: Report the loss to the police station closest to the site of the loss and get an official loss report. 

Step 2: Visit Swedish embassy Consular Section.  Show the police report.  The most likely solution you'll be offered is a Temporary Passport good for one exit journey from Thailand.  (No idea if full passports are issued on-site in BKK).

Step 3: Take Temporary Passport and Police Loss Report to Thai Immigration so that the immigration computer can be updated to reflect the loss and number/date of issue of the Temporary Passport. That may mean a trek out to Immigration HQ at Chaeng Wattana, but the embassy can advise you on that.

 

Of course, the embassy will have dealt with passport losses many, many times and there might be Swedish variations, but this is what I had to do when I lost my UK passport.  Address and contact numbers of the Swedish embassy below:  it's on Sukhumvit between Nana BTS and the Landmark hotel - can't miss it.

 

http://www.swedenabroad.com/en-GB/Embassies/Bangkok/Contact/Embassy--Consulates/

 

Good luck!

[key visa thailand]

 

Hi!

 

Nightmare happened today!

 

Today March the 5th 2013, I went to the Immigration Office at Soi 5 Chomthien to extend my Double Entry Tourist Visa

for another month.

I arrived at the office about 11:00 am, entered and told the Thai officer sitting to the left of the entrance I wanted to extend my visa and he gave me the application form and told me to be back at 13:00.

I returned back at 13:00 pm and handed over my filled in application, passport and a photo to the same officer and he sticked a queue-number #167 to my application form.

When I received back the paperform I noticed that my passport and photo was gone, and I presumed that he had taken it for some further processing along the line, and I taught it would be given back to me at the other end, so I never asked about them, and didn't give it a second thought!

 

I waited for almost 3,5 hours more until my number was up, and was directed to another officer's desk, were the officer to my surprise asked me where is my passport, I was expecting him to have it and was going to hand it over to me!

 

I told him I had given it to the officer at the entrance, and when I went to ask him about my passport he went very angry and started to shout at me, "why should I have kept your passport", I said I didn't know and that I don't know the process!

 

I told him I thought he passed it on to someone else for further processing.

I tried to tell him in a as calm tone as possible that I remembered giving it to him, but didn't receive it back and suggested that it maybe had felt down somewhere behind his counter, but he refused to even look and stopped talking to me!

People was staring at us and situation got very awkward, I asked what should I do now I have no passport!?

 

After some silence he just said come back tomorrow, maybe someone got it and will give it back.

 

Quite shocked I walked out and took a bathbus back to Pattaya without my passport!

 

Will go back again tomorrow to see if they have found it.

There is a farang "officer" on duty at the Immigration Office, but didn't see him when I realised my passport was missing, he probably gone home by then because it was getting late, maybe I should talk about it with him tomorrow if the passport doesn't show up

 

Just in case it doesn't turn up, what should I do?

Should I report it to the police/tourist police, or should I just go to BKK to my Swedish Embassy and tell them that I have lost my passport and how, and have them issue a new one?

Will my Double Entry Tourist Visa still be valid and how to get a new visa sticker  in my passport?

 

My Tourist Visa will end on 13 of March, and I think you must extend it at least 1 week before that date?

I still have the photo copies of my Passport, Double Entry Tourist Visa and my arrival/departure date stamp.

 

Would be greatful for any advice!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Plahgat

Plaghat,

 

I have just spoken to the officer on the telephone you had a little problem with, he is on the Information desk,

 

He is not angry with you and you have to understand he is currently dealing with 500 people a day who all go to normally see him first so he does get a bit hot headed sometimes,

 

He has said that he is sure your passport is in the office and has probably been picked up by another officer, he has said you visa does not expire until 13th so do not worry,

 

He has asked me to pass this message for you, he said do not worry and go to the Immigration and see him at 12.30 tomorrow and he should have it by then.

 

I would advise wrong or not give him a smile and say sorry "they like that" and he will help you, but dont worry there is no problem according to him and he will sort it out for you,

 

Sleep good mate I have know this happen many times,

 

Kindest regards and if you need anymore help let me know

 

Darren

[jimbobh28]

Plaghat,

 

I have just spoken to the officer on the telephone you had a little problem with, he is on the Information desk,

 

He is not angry with you and you have to understand he is currently dealing with 500 people a day who all go to normally see him first so he does get a bit hot headed sometimes,

 

He has said that he is sure your passport is in the office and has probably been picked up by another officer, he has said you visa does not expire until 13th so do not worry,

 

He has asked me to pass this message for you, he said do not worry and go to the Immigration and see him at 12.30 tomorrow and he should have it by then.

 

I would advise wrong or not give him a smile and say sorry "they like that" and he will help you, but dont worry there is no problem according to him and he will sort it out for you,

 

Sleep good mate I have know this happen many times,

 

Kindest regards and if you need anymore help let me know

 

Darren

After reading the Swedish guy's problem , that was fantastic of you do do that for him Darren! well done mate wish everybody was like you!!

[plahgat]

Thanks a lot Darren!

I really appreciated that!

Hopefully I will get a good nights rest after all! 

 

Once again thanks a lot for your help!

 

 

 

Plahgat

[key visa thailand]

Very welcome mate and sleep well he will sort it out for you,

 

Cheers

[PawYai]

Well I for one will use key visa in future....great attitude

[Norwich]

Plaghat,

 

I have just spoken to the officer on the telephone you had a little problem with, he is on the Information desk,

 

He is not angry with you and you have to understand he is currently dealing with 500 people a day who all go to normally see him first so he does get a bit hot headed sometimes,

 

He has said that he is sure your passport is in the office and has probably been picked up by another officer, he has said you visa does not expire until 13th so do not worry,

 

He has asked me to pass this message for you, he said do not worry and go to the Immigration and see him at 12.30 tomorrow and he should have it by then.

 

I would advise wrong or not give him a smile and say sorry "they like that" and he will help you, but dont worry there is no problem according to him and he will sort it out for you,

 

Sleep good mate I have know this happen many times,

 

Kindest regards and if you need anymore help let me know

 

Darren

 

Fantastic gesture fella, definitely more like you needed

[The Sly Fox]

You're a good man Darren. I noticed your kindness before a couple weeks ago when you offered assistance to the guy who was convalescing after an operation.

 

I will certainly recommend your services to others.

 

plahgat, the farang officer at Jomtien would be Barry Kenyon, a Brit, I've found him to be a very helpful man, ask him to look into it.

[plahgat]

plahgat, the farang officer at Jomtien would be Barry Kenyon, a Brit, I've found him to be a very helpful man, ask him to look into it.

 

Hi!

 

I'm not that sure the farang officer I saw and heard talking yesterday is a Brit, my thought was that he's english accent sounded a bit Danish or perhaps German!?

 

Anyway I'm going down there soon and if any more problems with the Thai Officer I will ask to talk to the farang.

 

Plahgat

[jerry]

plahgat, the farang officer at Jomtien would be Barry Kenyon, a Brit, I've found him to be a very helpful man, ask him to look into it.

 

Barry has retired , there are 2 new farangs helping out now .

It's a pitty Barry isn't there anymore as he was a great guy but the two new guys are doing a good job as well .

 

http://pattayatoday.net/news/news-from-around-pattaya/barry-kenyon-retires-from-immigration/

[The Sly Fox]

Barry has retired , there are 2 new farangs helping out now .

It's a pitty Barry isn't there anymore as he was a great guy but the two new guys are doing a good job as well .

 

http://pattayatoday.net/news/news-from-around-pattaya/barry-kenyon-retires-from-immigration/

OK, that's news, yes Barry was very helpful and friendly, he sure assisted me on a couple of matters. Guess I'll meet the new guys later this year when I pop in to do my next retirement extension.

[mpm]

Good man Darren...Pm please let us all know if your problem has been resolved

[Edge RIP]

............... and then?

.

[Cnut the lesser]

As we wait with baited breath

[plahgat]

OK, guys I'm back in my room!

 

Arrived at Immigration Office 5 minutes before scheduled time at 12:25.

Crowded with people waiting even outside blocking the entrance.

I stayed put outside as someone said that there wasn't anyone behind the counter to give them their application forms.

 

While I was waiting outside I started to think of the possibilty of myself having lost my passport before I entered yesterday,

and then recalled that I had it up while I filled in my form at the copymachine shop next door, but I was also pretty sure I put it down in my bag again, because I can clearly remember looking back at the table when I left and it was empty. I'm also pretty sure I gave it to him when I handed over the papers, and I'm 100 % sure I remembered that I thought it was strange that I didn't receive back my passport but only the application forms.

Just to be really sure and to be prepared for the meeting I asked the people in the shop if they have found any passport at the tables yesterday but they all denied having seen any.

 

Finally the queue started to move, and since I was not sure I was supposed to wait in the queue or not I squeezed myself inside and stood opposite the counter, and then saw it was my "friend" the officer from yesterday that was working!

After a while or eyes met and he gave me a blink of recognation, and I blinked back with a forced smile!

I waited for the long line of people to thin out and walked up to the counter.

I then stood in silence and waited for his first move, he then asked me why I was angry at him yesterday!?

I told him I wasn't angry at him at all, but he just kept repeating "why I was angry at him yesterday"!

I tried to smile at him, but he only gave me the "evil eye" and stared at me!

I new what he was expecting so to get out of the gridlock, I gave up and said simply sorry and that I might have lost my passport outside yesterday and that it probably was my fault!

He then seemed to relax and just said "yes it was your fault"!

He still didn't mention anything about my passport so I started to get worried, and asked him if he had found it or not?

He then replied that "someone" had given it to him this morning, and then he opened a drawer and pulled it out and handed it to me.

I waied to him and said thank you, and he said it was better I came back earlier tomorrow to do my extension and repeated it was no hurry since I still got until the 13th of March.

I then left and felt relieved to finally get out of there!

So that is probably it!

Only thing is tomorrow I have to go back and do the same procedure over again, only this time I will keep my eyes on my passport the whole time! 

 

Plahgat

[plahgat]

What really happened to my passport in there I will probably never know.

 

Only one guy knows what really happened and I have a feeling he will never tell the truth!

 

Once again thanks for your support, especially Darren who went out of the way to help me!

 

Plahgat

[plahgat]

While I'm still on the subject...

What time does Immigration Office in Chomthien open in the morning?

What other Immigration Offices are there close to Pattaya?

 

I recall from my old traveling days that every provincial capital in Thailand is supposed to have one

and even some larger seaports or border towns.

How about Sri Racha or Chonburi City do they have Immigration Offices?

 

Just thinking that there might be less hassle and less farangs and tourists,

so I would save time going there even though traveling time is longer.

How about the Immigration Office in Bangkok, are they swift or as slow and crowded as in Chomthien,

planning to go there in a few days anyway.

 

Plahgat

[The Sly Fox]

Good news then plahgat.

 

Wonder what would have happened had you not apologized and admitted fault. Maybe he would have just left your passport in the drawer.

[The Sly Fox]

plahgat, I believe the Jomtien immigration is in fact the Chonburi office.

 

There is another immigration office at Sri Racha.

[Cnut the lesser]

Good news and glad everything worked out for you

 

You might be able to track down offices in the area with this link http://immchonburi.go.th/eng/aboutus-th.php

 

I've only looked briefly - leave the rest "up to you"

 

Face is the big thing and if he loses face he in big trouble

 

Give it a couple of days and always treat him with respect and I'd reckon you'd be OK 

[petemo]

YAY.  I mean YAY!  Thanks for the thread, happy outcome.  I am taking my wingman there in the next few days..

[jerry]

He then seemed to relax and just said "yes it was your fault"!

 

I told you ...  .

 

Anyway you got your pasport back , that's what counts .