Carrying passport

[wpcoe]

As has been stated above, it is Thai law for foreigners to carry their passport at all times.

There are two types of police who you may encounter:

1) The "B.I.B." are probably going to be satisfied with a Thai drivers license or a photocopy of your passport -- they are mainly concerned with identifying you.

2) The Immigrations Police -- they are mainly concerned with verifying your immigration status, and they need to see your passport, including entry stamps, visas, etc.

Often times you'll hear about the Immigrations Police going on various types of raids (e.g. bars, massage parlors, construction sites) where they anticipate finding illegal aliens. Should you happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, i.e. a raid at a bar where the Immigrations Police appear, be prepared for a less-than-casual asking to see your passport. That said, you *probably* will be given the chance to retrieve, or have someone retrieve, your passport, but I'm not sure you should count on it.

[trisswines]

I have put a replica of my passport on Windows Live Skydrive, that way as long as I have access to a computer I have my passport with me.

[richard]

As has been stated above, it is Thai law for foreigners to carry their passport at all times.

There are two types of police who you may encounter:

1) The "B.I.B." are probably going to be satisfied with a Thai drivers license or a photocopy of your passport -- they are mainly concerned with identifying you.

2) The Immigrations Police -- they are mainly concerned with verifying your immigration status, and they need to see your passport, including entry stamps, visas, etc.

Often times you'll hear about the Immigrations Police going on various types of raids (e.g. bars, massage parlors, construction sites) where they anticipate finding illegal aliens. Should you happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, i.e. a raid at a bar where the Immigrations Police appear, be prepared for a less-than-casual asking to see your passport. That said, you *probably* will be given the chance to retrieve, or have someone retrieve, your passport, but I'm not sure you should count on it.

Yes it is law and if they want to enforce it they will depending on the level of tea money required mid month. Was stopped in BK in a taxi on the way to an Isaan disco out east. We were stopped in a roadblock where strip searching was going on. Drug bust I suspect. Asked for my passport so showed my up to date copy papers. Wos told 'you need to carry passport. It is the law' Fished around and produced it from a back pocket. TIT You never know