Hua Hin Immigration clampdown on ID and 24hr reporting

[kendo]

This new crackdown could also affect tourism and scare newbies off from coming to Thailand in the immediate future.

Kendo.

[bsdk1960]

well, rules and laws must be followed same as the all the other laws here in Thailand, if not be ready to the consequences

[Shoeless-Joe]

foreigners who failed to produce their passports would be fined up to Bt20,000 and jailed for up to two years.

Maybe there will be a passport-making craft-course and if you fail it you go to jail. 20.000 Baht for a D-, 2 years in jail for an F.

[Bamboo Grove]

Think how relaxing it will be for the tourists to go to the beach and dip in to the sea thinking that their passports are unguarded in their bags.

[jumusman]

^No one has ever been able to rob anything from my person.

I love that! Famous last words.....

[europtimiste]

Maybe its time farangs stage a protest.

[PeteC]

Maybe its time farangs stage a protest.

They would probably arrest you for not having a work permit.

[sateeb]

Maybe its time farangs stage a protest.

Yet another contender for the Forum Oscars

[sateeb]

Panic over?????


Deputy Commander and Police Colonel
Voravat Amornvivat file photo

BANGKOK:-- [thaivisa.com] After the confusion surrounding the news that all foreigners in Thailand are required to carry their passport with them at all times, Thaivisa.com has today obtained official clarification on this matter.

Earlier this afternoon, Thaivisa.com spoke to Deputy Commander and Police Colonel Voravat Amornvivat, a senior official at Immigration headquarters in Bangkok.

Deputy Commander Voravat wanted to reassure the expat community in Thailand about the current situation.

He told Thaivsia.com that information in an article published by The Nation on 31 July 2014, was incorrect.

Deputy Commander Voravat confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times.

He said that tourists can of course leave their passports locked in their hotel safe and enjoy their holiday in Thailand without worrying about the need to carry their original passport.

Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification.

However, if Immigration Police suspect an individual to be overstaying in Thailand or being involved in illegal activity, then the individual would be required to produce their original passport promptly.

Deputy Commander Voravat referred to Section 58, which reads as follows:

Any alien who has no lawful document for entering the Kingdom under section 12(1);....under this Act; and has no identification in accordance with the Law on Alien registration, is considered to have entered the Kingdom in violation of the Act.

Entering or staying in Thailand without holding a valid passport and visa/extension is subject a fine and possible prison sentence.

“Making all foreigners in Thailand carry their original passports with them would be very difficult.”

“It’s about being reasonable and using common sense”

“But if we think a foreigner is involved in illegal activity then we will of course need to see their original passport, this is normal”, said Deputy Commander Voravat.

Deputy Commander Voravat is eager to avoid further misunderstandings and miscommunication regarding immigration matters and is happy to work with Thaivisa.com in the future in order to provide correct information to foreign tourists and the wider expat community in Thailand.

Thaivisa.com thanks Deputy Commander Voravat for his interview and taking time to clarify the situation.

The idea of foreigners being able to get a copy of their passport officially stamped by Immigration is currently not an option. However, it is always a good idea to have a copy of your passport with you at all times while in Thailand.

[dtaai-maai]

“It’s about being reasonable and using common sense”

[Nereus]

“It’s about being reasonable and using common sense”

Maybe they are going to import some after they sell the rice stockpile?

[dozer]

I think they whole thing was a ploy by Thai Visa to draw more to their site

[centermid7]

Some new quotes coming out today from the Deputy Commander of Bangkok Immigration . . .

"Deputy Commander Voravat wanted to reassure the expat community in Thailand about the current situation.

Deputy Commander Voravat confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times.

He said that tourists can of course leave their passports locked in their hotel safe and enjoy their holiday in Thailand without worrying about the need to carry their original passport.

Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification.

However, if Immigration Police suspect an individual to be overstaying in Thailand or being involved in illegal activity, then the individual would be required to produce their original passport promptly.

“Making all foreigners in Thailand carry their original passports with them would be very difficult.”
“It’s about being reasonable and using common sense”"

[centermid7]

^ whoops! Sateeb beat me to it

[Big Boy]

So what about the reports we've had of people being fined already? Were they exaggerated rumours or will they get their money back?