My visa run to Chiang Mai turned into a two week project

I thought a quick border hop would fix my Thai tourist visa, but the agent gave me bad info about required funds. Spent 5 days getting bank statements, then another 3 waiting for the consulate appointment. The whole thing took 14 days and cost about $200 in extra housing. I used to think visa runs were simple. What's the longest a simple admin task has derailed your plans?

3 comments

3 Comments

grantnelson24d ago

Man does it feel like simple tasks are designed to waste your time now? I mean, I spent three hours at the DMV last week just because their website gave me the wrong form. It's like the basic info you get from official places is always wrong, so you're forced to just figure it out through trial and error. Makes you wonder if it's on purpose sometimes, just to see how badly you want the thing. Your visa story is the international version of that same annoying game.

casey26823d ago

Ever think it's just bad systems? I used to blame myself for messing up paperwork, but after my bank sent me the wrong tax form three years in a row, I realized they just don't care if their info is right. It's not a test, it's just them being lazy and us paying for it.

keith16424d ago

Yeah, the "trial and error" part is the real test. @grantnelson It's like they want you to prove your commitment. My cable company's online chat gives three different answers to the same question. The IRS helpline hangs up on you after an hour on hold. You have to fail at the first two attempts before you find the secret, correct path. It's a loyalty program for dealing with pure annoyance.