Express Government Service

Dealing with government and paperwork is a hassle in your home country, let alone as an expat. It used to be that there were different government buildings for different issues, permits, visas, and what-have-you scattered throughout the city. You had to set aside your entire day if you needed to get to more than one of them. The buildings themselves were often crowded, noisy and disorganised. Thankfully, those problems are no more.

All government offices have been moved out to Chaeng Watthana. Now, we know that many of you who stay downtown are a little peeved about having to go so far to extend your visas, but the new facility encompasses all the offices into one huge compound. You’ll see what we mean when you get there; you’ll wish the move had happened sooner. Every department is within walking distance of the other and, for those located in other buildings, there is a shuttle service to get you where you want to go.

It is extremely efficient; there is an information desk right at the entrance, which is already an upgrade from former offices that had none. The queues are much more orderly and there’s enough space for a line to actually be formed in the first place. The entire visa process can take as little as 15 minutes. The offices are centred around a huge soccer field-sized atrium and rise 6 or 7 floors in stadium-like fashion. At the basement there are even restaurants, coffee shops, and retail stores. You can contact the immigration office at 02-141-9889, and the new chic complex where you can renew your visa is located at:

Government Centre B
No. 120, Moo 3
Chaeng Watthana Soi 7
Thong Song Hong, Laksi
Bangkok 10210

03/11/2010 - 13:21

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Express Government Service