Yesterday I had the non pleasure of visiting the Bangkok immigration office for a visa extension.  It was my worse time there in 14 years I have had to go there and I was there from 9 AM until 4 PM.  At one time there were only only two agents working desks and at least 500 people waiting to get visa extensions.  Not until after the lunch break were all desks maned and working.  The new head of Immigration is supposed to be getting things working better but he has certainly done nothing to speed things up.  Also, I had to sign three new papers and I have no idea what they said because they were all in Thai with no English Translation.  In addition I had to draw a map to my residence.  The agent spoke no English so she could not tell me anything about why I needed the new documents or map.

I did my visa extension with a trip to Hanoi last week. I find it easier to leave the country than go to the Bangkok immigration office. 

Is this a one year extension?  That is what I am talking about.

kjun, you have been there 14 years and have not learned to speak Thai? I hope that I would have tried to learn to speak it if I stayed that long. I did take some lessons to allow me to use common phrases, ask where the bathroom is, and a few bedroom topics. To be proficient though might be too hard, I don't know.

I have studied under two instructors and failed to get it down.  I just can't hear some of the sounds and, therefore, can't replicate them.  Very discouraging.

That was a big surprise to me. Westerners don't use tones like Asians do. The word "mai" means no, if you use the right tone. There are 4 other tones, each giving the word a different meaning. Our ears just don't adapt well to that. Maybe the younger folks can do it.