Hua Hin Immigration clampdown on ID and 24hr reporting

[Big Boy]

I'm doing my 90 day on Monday, so will ask - can't guarantee what answer I will get though

[HHTel]

My son lives on the BKK side of Samut Sakhon and last night the MIB were out in force stopping everyone very aggressively and demanding ID. Photocopies, driving licences were not good enough. It had to be original passport. He had lots of photo ID but no passport. Settled for a backhander! And as he said the police were very agressive. Not an ounce of politeness.

So if you're going to mug a farang, then at least you know he/she has a passport which is saleable. Wonder how many passports are going to be lost in the coming months.

The advice from HMG is not to carry your passport with you!

[sateeb]

I'm doing my 90 day on Monday, so will ask - can't guarantee what answer I will get though

[Pleng]

Is asking an official really going to prove helpful? Any 'decent' official will only be able to tell you "you need to carry your passport at all times", because that's the law. Regardless of how strongly it may or may not have been enforced in the past, or will be in the future, a competent official should not be telling you anything other than what's written in the book.

There are a couple of reports in this thread of people being fined 200bt by police. I'm not going to go back and find them but I remember at least one of them was a fine for not having an original driving licence (only a copy) when riding a bike, which is another issue all together. Perhaps the other reports were not quite as clean cut as a simple fine for not having a passport on them?

[dozer]

I spoke to our HR manager about this and he said, “Carry your passport and keep your head down” and he later sent out an email, which basically said the same to all expats

[Big Boy]

Is asking an official really going to prove helpful? Any 'decent' official will only be able to tell you "you need to carry your passport at all times", because that's the law. Regardless of how strongly it may or may not have been enforced in the past, or will be in the future, a competent official should not be telling you anything other than what's written in the book.

There are a couple of reports in this thread of people being fined 200bt by police. I'm not going to go back and find them but I remember at least one of them was a fine for not having an original driving licence (only a copy) when riding a bike, which is another issue all together. Perhaps the other reports were not quite as clean cut as a simple fine for not having a passport on them?

Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but I guess it's better than just listening to a lot of speculation. Do you have a better/alternative suggestion?

As I said earlier, it's not the passport thing that concerns me - it's the 48 hour reporting which I really want to know more about.

[Nereus]

As I said earlier, it's not the passport thing that concerns me - it's the 48 hour reporting which I really want to know more about.

What 48 hour reporting? Or do you mean 24 hour?

[Big Boy]

No. being away elsewhere in Thailand for 48 hours

There is also another reporting obligation, and this applies when a foreigner visits another province and stays for more than 48 hours. In that case the reporting of the new address must be provided to the police, or the immigration, within 48 hours.

[hhfarang]

Yes, and as I understand it, if you are staying in a hotel or other paid establishment it is the proprietors obligation to report it. If you are staying with relatives or in a second home that you own, I guess it is your responisbility. Am I wrong?

[lomuamart]

As if anyone is going to tell Imm that they're off to another province. Or even tell that province that they've arrived.
If you're in rented accommodation, then it's not the lessee who has to report. If it's an owned property then the situation will probably be different.
That's my reading of it and always has been and I've commented on this reporting thing on other threads before. Our posts crossed, hhfarang.

[Big Boy]

The way I read it is the hotel will inform Immigration (address updated on computer) - its what the TM30 is for. In my case, it is up to my wife to report that I'm back. If she doesn't, I go to do my 90 day report, stating that I'm still living at my Hua Hin address - no you're not, the computer says................... That'll be 2,000 Baht please.

[Big Boy]

It's a grey area, and the reason I'm going to ask the questions.

[dtaai-maai]

I have a friend who comes over once a year for a couple of months. During that time, he usually visits at least 5 provinces for more than 48 hours. Goodness, he'll be kept busy next year...

[Brit Jim]

Just my take on this circus

This is a severe misunderstanding or deliberate communication failure between Immigration, Police, Media to mention a few.
Total mess, money spinner, saving face exercise.

Unless Ive read it wrong the BKK Immigration Colonel has stated that we do not have to carry original passports but each district is doing its own thing and making the most of this extra tea money. On the other hand if they suspect you are involved in criminal activity or overstaying you need to produce your passport ASAP….

I suspect HH Immigration will advise us to carry our passports? OK Girlfriends bag could be the answer if she has the space!

I normally keep my Thai driving license and a passport copy in the car, never a problem. Appreciate its all change now.

That said if I'm galavanting down town there is no way Im carrying it to lose it in a beer bar at Soi 80. Lost property department at Hua Hin Police station are going to be busy if your lucky!

Watch this space!

[Big Boy]

I have a friend who comes over once a year for a couple of months. During that time, he usually visits at least 5 provinces for more than 48 hours. Goodness, he'll be kept busy next year...

No, the hotels will be kept busy. The only responsibility he'll have is paying the fine if somebody fails to report his address.