Carrying your passport?

[Dannie Boy]

I read this with regards to information given out by the Phuket Immigration Office - presumably the same interpretation will apply nationwide?

Phuket Immigration has confirmed there is no need for foreigners to carry their passports at all times, despite the ongoing ‘Operation X-Ray Outlaw Foreigner’ crackdown on illegal foreigners netting 300 foreigners in Phuket last month alone.

Phuket Immigration Chief Col Kathathorn Kumthieng this week confirmed that although the archaic law remains unchanged, requiring foreigners to have their passports at the ready to show officials at any time of day, enforcement of the law in Phuket will be not so strict.

“We are not enforcing this so hard because we know that foreigners and tourists need to relax in our country, so we see no need to annoy them with rules like this,” he said.

However, Col Kathathorn did advise that foreigners carry a copy of their passports with them just in case.

“This could be a photocopy or just a photo of their passport on their phone, which will be useful if something happens and they need to show their ID or if the foreigner is worried about losing their passport.

“With just a copy, any officer can call in the foreigner’s name and passport number and check their current legal status on our database. But if we do require them to show us their actual passport, they can go back to their hotel or their home and get it,” he explained.

Col Kathathorn did point out that any foreigner who is unable to present his or her passport, given reasonable time and opportunity, will be in trouble. At worst case scenario, the foreigner may be arrested and even face deportation.

[T.O.M.]

In my 17 years here I have NEVER been asked to show my passport....

[RCer]

I had a wallet size copy of the front page and visa page on the back, all in copy, then laminated.

Place in basement of Market Village did it.

Showed it to immigration at Bluport, they loved it.

I nevery carry the original. The card size works when checking into hotels in other towns.

[HHTel]

Phuket Immigration has confirmed there is no need for foreigners to carry their passports at all times,

This was stated by the chief of the National Police back in 2014. I've not heard of anyone being arrested for not having their passport with them.

[MLS]

When I remember to, I take a photo on my phone of the photo page in my passport, latest extension stamp and my latest entry stamp page. To be honest I’ve yet to be asked to show my passport so I don’t know if photos on phones would suffice, but photos are much easier than photocopies, laminating etc. and I always have my iPhone with me.

[Nereus]

In my 17 years here I have NEVER been asked to show my passport....

I guess that you don't go shopping at BigC with a loyalty card? Worse, become entitled to a free 100 Baht voucher and count how many copies it takes! Bloody idiots!

And today I had to use a breakdown truck and the driver took a bloody photo of my Passport!

[oakdale160]

At TMB Bank I must have shown my PP over 200 times overr the years. They will accept a photo-copy.

[HHTel]

Try posting a letter/parcel without a passport!

[VincentD]

My Thai driving licence has been used in most cases, don't remember having to use my passport except when I first came here. And that was almost thirty years ago...

[brianks]

Interesting point on Drivers License. Except for hotels, most places will take the Thai Drivers License as all they want is a picture ID. I use my DL when I go to local airport to enter waiting area. Always works.

[HHTel]

Except for hotels,

Strange as I've always used my Thai DL in hotels. Never a passport.

[Big Boy]

I thought my Thai ID was the answer, but it is illegal for internal flights (officially confirmed after I threw my toys out of the pram). My name is shown in Thai only, so airline is unable to verify my name is spelt correctly on the ticket

[PeteC]

Thai hotels by law have to report your presence and your passport details to the Gov within 24 hours of your arrival. If they're not they are opening themselves up to a large fine. Most hotels can do the reporting electronically so no running to the nearest immigration office necessary.

[HHTel]

I must have stayed in at least 100 hotels and never used my passport. On occasions (when she's with me) we've used the wife's ID card. When filling in the check-in slip, when I've asked, I've been told to ignore the entry "Passport No:"
Does that mean that most hotels don't bother or have I been miraculously selective over the years!

[PeteC]

What it means is that the hotel is breaking the law. It's all explained in the below link. I too many times let the wife check in and then go up to the room later but that has been mainly used to avoid the necessity of me having to go submit yet another TM30 report when I arrive home. In the past when they weren't enforcing the homeowner TM30 reporting I didn't really care, but now foreigners are being traced from place to place.

http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/bas ... =alienstay