Hua Hin Immigration clampdown on ID and 24hr reporting

[buksida]

Amazed that nobody has picked up on this yet ... from Thaivisa:

Hua Hin Immigration is from today enforcing the existing rule that foreigners are required to carry a valid photo ID at all times.

At a meeting with Hua Hin Immigration and municipality, Thaivisa was informed of the news about the immediate enforcement regarding the requirements for foreigners - both tourists and expats - to carry valid photo ID at all times. Thaivisa has learned that Immigration is likely to enforce this nationwide.

Valid ID's are:
- Thai Drivers Licence
- Passport original
- Copy of passport verified and stamped by Hua Hin Immigration

Penalty:
Failure to carry valid ID as above is 2,000 Baht.

24-hour reporting
Hua Hin Immigration is from today also enforcing the requirements that you and your landlord (condominium owner, house owner etc) must report to Immigration within 24 hours of moving in to a new address. On your arrival card you already reported your place of stay, and if that changes you need to visit Immigration and report your new address. This applies to both tourists and expats.

[kendo]

So what they are saying if i carry a photo copy of my passport it's only valid if i get a stamp from immigration and i could be leaving myself open to a fine for not doing so.

Kendo.

[Bristolian]

Not sure of the 24 hour reporting but carrying a valid current (picture ID) is not so difficult as most countries enforce an ID system of some sorts and I always carry my Thai driving licence in my wallet and this has my passport number in place of the normal Thai ID number

It is a little tougher for tourists as, for one, I would never carry my passport with me for fear of losing it. It is always available but kept in a secure place. I hope that for tourists there is a little lenience and that they are given a little time to produce. Guess Not!

[Brit Jim]

As with all things in Thailand it will be interesting (or not) to see if this latest clampdown is enforced?

Will the Police be fining people who break this law….. nice earner. So when you get stopped on your bike for no helmet you know whats coming next. It could be an expensive day out!

Personally I think its way over the top and not practical…..Watch this space!

[Lung Per]

As usual, this may be enforced for a little while and then be forgotten.

[lomuamart]

These laws have been operational for longer than I've been here - 16 years.
Never really enforced though - until now maybe.
I'm really looking forward to taking my passport for a walk on the beach in rainy season!!

[LaughTilIDie]

So I assume that if a tourist brings a copy of the photo page of their passport they could have it stamped when entering the country @ immigrations? Maybe I should bring several just in case I lose one, or my pants?

[adammike]

I was hit by a scooter while on my bike here in Amsterdam ,cracked head concussion etc,police arrive
first question I.D second blow into this the ambulance guys were cool took me and the bike
to the hospital. A ID is the first thing they want to see here in the Netherlands, a worry if you can't
show something to the boys in brown the potential to be a serious little earner.

[Shoeless-Joe]

I got pulled over on my motorbike yesterday and had to pay for not carrying my licence. It was the honest kind of cops (the ones that give you a receipt). They asked me my name, so they could write it on the receipt but never asked for any kind of ID. So hopefully the enforcement of that passport rule will not be too tough.

[Thriftydrifter]

24-hour reporting
Hua Hin Immigration is from today also enforcing the requirements that you and your landlord (condominium owner, house owner etc) must report to Immigration within 24 hours of moving in to a new address. On your arrival card you already reported your place of stay, and if that changes you need to visit Immigration and report your new address. This applies to both tourists and expats.

So are tourists supposed to report every time they change hotel? Given that many tourists will be in places where there isn't an immigration office that they can actually get to it's hard to see how that's going to work!

[buksida]

There are more cops than citizens in Hua Hin at the moment, because I'm riding something bigger than a Fino they tried to pull me over on 3 separate occasions in 3 different places yesterday alone.

There maybe more to this 24 hour reporting than meets the eye ... anyone notice the bar code on the TM card? Once immigration is computerized hotels will be able to scan this in and your exact whereabouts will be known, come back to Hua Hin without telling them? Cough up round eye!

All very Big Brother.

[Big Boy]

So are tourists supposed to report every time they change hotel? Given that many tourists will be in places where there isn't an immigration office that they can actually get to it's hard to see how that's going to work!

Technically yes, but this is usually taken care of by the hotel. When there is more than one in your party, you need to make sure they take details of each traveller, and not just the person who made the booking.

[Dannie Boy]

24-hour reporting
Hua Hin Immigration is from today also enforcing the requirements that you and your landlord (condominium owner, house owner etc) must report to Immigration within 24 hours of moving in to a new address. On your arrival card you already reported your place of stay, and if that changes you need to visit Immigration and report your new address. This applies to both tourists and expats.

So are tourists supposed to report every time they change hotel? Given that many tourists will be in places where there isn't an immigration office that they can actually get to it's hard to see how that's going to work!

I thought the onus was on the hotel to do the reporting, not the tourist!!

[Takiap]

24 hour reporting for the most part shouldn't a concern for those of us who live here unless you travel about quite a lot. As the authorities have said, you report where you'll be staying when you enter the country so no need to report again at HH immigration.

Carrying your passport around with you is risky, and not something I would like to do, and get a copy certified at immigration seem to me like another neat little money spinner because I can't imagine such a service will be free.


Not sure if there is any connection but my FIL informed me yesterday that he had seen a number of Farang in handcuffs and shackles in town near the police station. Let's hope there is no connection because who knows what tourists will think of the country if they're being shackled for forgetting their passports in their hotel.

[Big Boy]

24 hour reporting, yes, but the bit at the bottom:

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.

Surely, once the hotel have updated your temporary address, that is the address that will then be held on the system. When you do your 90 day report, aren't they going to say that you haven't informed them of your home address i.e. address on system = Kanchanaburi Hotel - 2,000 Baht please.