We have been asked and authorized by Hua Hin Immigration Department to publish this set of guidelines in order to clarify the current situation regarding reporting which has been the source of some confusion on the forum lately.
Well, that seems about as clear as mud to me on a first reading and may not be as bad as it first appears.
We have to report every 90 days - no change.
We have to get a re-entry permit to keep our extensions alive if we exit Thailand - no change.
Section 37 (2&3) seem to relate to a change of address. If I'm staying at the same address as per my 90 day report, after I come back to Thailand, then there's no need to do anything?????? I've also notified Imm at the airport or border crossing. If I move, then I've got 24 hours to inform the original office and the new one (if appropriate).
4. I've love to see them try and enforce this. I go to stay for a week with a friend in Phuket. How do Imm know I've left Prachuab unless I tell them? It's a private house there, so my friend isn't going to say anything to Phuket either I should imagine.
5. This is interesting as there's no mention of someone else doing the 90 day report for you. Seems to have to be either in person or by post.
Section 38. We've been through this before on the forum and I reckon this relates more to hotels and guesthouses than anywhere else. It appears that if you own your own home, you're caught in the dragnet as well. If you rent, then it's the owners' responsibility which is unlikely to be complied with for tax reasons. What's a Household-Master?
This also seems to run contrary to Section 37 where it seems to me that you only need to do the 24 hour report if you move house????
Section 39 - just re-entry permits.
As aid, those are my initial observations. It'll be interesting to see what other think.
Not at all. If you look at the opening of Lev's attachment, it states that the rules apply to all entering Thailand on a temporary stay. That means, to me, tourist visas or Non Os.
They're both the same in as much as they allow a temporary stay in Thailand. So do annual extensions - no difference there either.
I think that PR status is the only one where reporting isn't necessary?
Yes a glossary of terms and definitions would be good.
Possessor, Household master (mistress ha, ha) and even the address - "line, tumbol" ??
They really need to redo the form !! Even a list of contacts (phone/fax/e-mail) and addresses would be too much to ask.
Almost all hotels and guest houses take your passport details but the police very rarely inspect the books.
Checking in if done in a Thai name excludes you from this
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
Thank you Lev (or rather the Thai immigration) for the 'clarification'.
I've got my work permit and comply with all the privileges, and I do the 90-day thingy - so lots of competent officials know what I do and where I live. They have more photos of me than my mother does! I'm sure the landlord of my residence has also complied with his requirements because he's a civil servant and they always do things by the book - so I'm in the clear!
It's comforting to know that with all these rules and regulations fugitives can quickly be tracked down and apprehended by Interpol, the CIA, etc.
VS
"Properly trained, man can be a dog's best friend"
Do my 90 day thing and visa extension in Khon Khaen. So much easier. Less hassle and snaller queues and well organised and helpful
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
Richard - What bar does your information come from? All registered hotels and guesthouses provide daily records to the immigration ( by law ).This I have witnessed personally when I was at the immigration late one afternoon several hotel minibuses where outside wating whilst staff reported.
Changing your nationality will prevent your details from being sent. Everone staying in a hotel regardless of nationality is required to produce identification and aliens details are forwarded to immigration/police.
Maybe this will become apparent to you if you stay in a real hotel.
Info not from bars but from experience. A certain guest house in Salekem takes details but does not submit them to the police. In Khon Kaen they dont even ask you for a passport when checking into certain hotels.
I have stayed in dozens of hotels of varying standards all over Thailand and most do want ID. If you check in as a Mr and Mrs it is only the girl that need to provide ID.
Classic case recently in HH where a farang and his Thai girl checked in and he did a runner and left her with the bill. no trace of him was found
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
Richard is right. I've experienced checking into loads of smaller hotels and guest houses where they often either do not ask for my passport, or if they ask and I say it's back in Hua Hin or with Immigration for new visa they still let you check in. Just think they do not want to turn away the business. Bigger hotels not the case though from my experience, they do insist on ID.
Also registered in loads of hotels with the Thai persons ID card, never ask me for my passport, sometimes ask me for my name, sometimes not. You could be round the corner sitting up a tree, then they will not ask you to write your name down when a Thai is checking in.
Maybe this will become apparent to you if you stay in a real hotel.
All of these hotels were 'real' (made of concrete, metal and brick), well they were still standing the next day anyway