#Tag5: Government Center

Today I had the opportunity to visit the Immigration Office in Bangkok as I wanted to extend my visa. For that, I embarked on a long journey. Although it is the Immigration Office in Bangkok, it is located very far away. I took a water taxi from Pier 13 to Pier 3. From there, I took a 15-minute walk along a canal that ends at the main train station. For only 20B (about 50 cents), I bought a train ticket to Lak Si.

I must say, train travel in Thailand is really charming. The regular trains resemble the early 20th century. With a maximum speed of about 40 km/h, you can lean out of the window and enjoy the surroundings. Another peculiar feature that would never exist in Germany is that the doors can be opened on both sides (of course, only one side of the platform is used).

Unaware, I got off the train in Lak Si behind two Thai women and suddenly found myself in the middle of the other tracks. At first, I thought there was no platform until I saw it.

After another 30-minute walk to the Government Center, I found the right building, but it was so huge that it was natural to ask for directions. However, all I got was a gesture straight ahead... After some time, I found the right office and realized that the service staff at the information counter hardly speak any English and only pointed to a piece of paper. After I found out that they meant I needed a copy of my passport and asked where I could make a copy, I got another hand gesture that led me out of the office 😂 In the hallway, I then found an information counter that told me I had to go one floor down, but he did not tell me exactly where. It felt like the copy shop was on the other side of the building (and it's at least as big as a football stadium). However, the ladies at the copy shop were very helpful. I had already filled out half of the visa extension application in advance, but I was unsure about the other half. Then I read a sign saying that they can also fill out the application for 30B and asked them to do it for me. Since I had already filled out a lot myself, she didn't even ask for money anymore.

Armed with all the documents, I made my way back to the office, but then I realized it was 12:00 noon and there was now a one-hour lunch break.

The bottom line is, after an hour-long lunch break, I had to wait another hour to be seen. Then another hour until I received my passport with the extended visa.

You see, authorities are the same in every country. Slow and complicated.