hawker9000

19 hours ago, IMA_FARANG said:

-----------------------------

But yes they may, though the statement above is correct.

Depends on the airline and the airline boarding  policy they go by.

It is an IATA regulation that if you do not have a Thai visa in your passport they must ask you that question.

For some airlines that question depends on how you are dressed, 

"Backpackers" and younger people are asked more often than  middle aged and elderly people.

"It is an IATA regulation that if you do not have a Thai visa in your passport they must ask you that question."

'Just don't think this is a true statement as written.  They only have to ask if you do not have a return or onward ticket within 30d, and even then some airlines may overlook it. I've even read accounts from a few saying they were allowed to sign some kind of affidavit or waiver accepting financial responsibility in lieu of having to show the onward ticket.

To much Reliance on electronics and not enough looking out the windows, by both ships.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

10 hours ago, jeab1980 said:

Never used uber and never will. Meter taxi is fine for me

LOL.   Yeah, and be sure and let us know when you actually FIND one using the meter in Pattaya...

The idea of remaining in Thailand indefinitely on tourist visas, even if broken up with some periods out of the country, just isn't any longer a viable plan.  IOs have "discretion", which makes extended discussion of laws & regulations pretty much just so much hot air.   If you're doing this, you're rolling the dice on each attempted entry, and there's not a thing any expert here on the forums can do about it.

I'm not by any means a defender of this "discretion" IOs have. It's exercised capriciously and contributes to inconsistency and unpredictability.  Nor am I a supporter of the idea that staying more than X days/weeks/months automatically means you're not a "tourist" (though I can EASILY see how telling some IO that you're "staying with a GF" might be construed to mean JUST  EXACTLY  that!). 

But, (a) I DO believe those who abuse tourist visas make life more difficult for those who play by the rules. 

And, (b) I'm calling the practice of using tourist visas for remaining in Thailand indefinitely now a bad idea.  

And (c) I AM somewhat critical of those who come here looking for ways to skate past that fact (go back to (a) ).

5 hours ago, pumpjack said:

why dont you just apply for a double entry visa now in  london ?????????????

Maybe because there is no such thing?  He can get a sgl-entry visa, or a multi-entry visa (which requires significantly more documentation and costs more).

If he gets the SE tourist visa (good for 60d), he could get a re-entry permit when leaving for PP, come back to BKK with it, and then get a 30d extension to carry him thru to his ultimate departure in SEP.

If he's willing to deal with the multi-entry visa application reqts & expense, that's all he needs as far as Thailand is concerned, as it's good for six months.  Personally, I'd go the SETV, re-entry permit, 30d ext route.  Either way, nothing to have to do in PP.

'Not sure what any particular embassy in one's home country specifically might be requiring for supporting docs for the METV, but maybe they want an itinerary which would include the details & flight confirmations for the Cambo travel as well as the London-BKK flts.

On 6/10/2017 at 6:37 AM, KittenKong said:

 

The OP said online payment.

 But he also said the "merchant" provided him with photo.

Anyway, it amounts to an "insider job" since the perpetrator was a "friend " and had access to your wallet inside your own home.  Insider thefts & frauds & intrusions are the most difficult to prevent and sometimes later to prosecute because they involve individuals you've "trusted" in some way to some significant degree.  You need to take a valuable lesson from this, and it's NOT how to go about getting the law involved.  BE more careful!

16 hours ago, Maestro said:

 

A condominium is not a hotel and the condominium management has no legal obligation to submit the TM.30 for foreigners arriving to stay in the condominium building.

Since they're contracted to act as legal agent for the owner, they in fact do if they're actually renting out the unit, collecting the rents, etc.  But if having nothing to do with the rental(s), and someone else is doing that on the owner's behalf, then you are correct and it is the "someone else" who is responsible.

However, it's absurd to put the hapless renter in the middle of this regardless, which is why tourists should be avoiding condo rentals period unless they both have an understanding of the situation and are willing to deal with it.

12 hours ago, skatewash said:

I guess the rigor of the compliance on the part of condo management differs from place to place.  If you were to look at the form that gets mailed into report your stay you would see why they might be asking for the information.  For example, there is a question of Visa Type on the form.  Don't know if this is a mandatory field on the form or not, but it's there.  Some places are able to do the report online.  Some people have reported that they are able to use a Thai driver's license in lieu of presenting their passport when they stay at a hotel.  So it's seems likely to me there's not much consistency in how (or even whether) your stay is reported from place to place.

However, I don't think I would be concerned about any errors made.  You are responsible for providing the correct information, but condo management is responsible for any mistakes they have made in doing the report, not you.  This wouldn't cause me a lot of worry if you are here on 30 day visa exempt entries or even on tourist visas.  If you don't conduct any business at local Thai Immigration offices, for example apply for extensions of stay, I don't see how it would ever be a problem for you.  If you are not here on a long stay visa or a long term extension of stay and have to report your address to immigration every 90 days, then I don't think any mistakes made on a TM 30 submitted by your condo management would cause any problems for you.

If they're even doing the TM30 (as they're required to do), I think you're ahead of the game, and shouldn't have anything to worry about, even if you're on a visa exempt or tourist visa entry and will be wanting a 30d extension.  In that latter case, you'll probably want the TM30 receipt  - or at least a photocopy - they will have received.

The trick is having an awareness that the whole TM30 business was in fact accomplished at all if staying in a rented condo.  Jomtien has been known to enforce the reqt to report within 24hrs of arrival with a fine, even against renters themselves when the owners don't do it..  Not a big fine, and shouldn't come up at all if not applying for the 30d extension or conducting some other business at that Imm. Office.  Last I heard, Bangkok/Chaeng Wattana NOT concerning themselves with it, but if you're staying anywhere in Chonburi, you have to use the office in Jomtien.

My cc provider used FEDEX overnight.  'Course it didn't arrive overnight (it took 5 days, incl a weekend), but it cost me nothing and I was able to track it, even incl its progress within Thailand.  The delivery service used was the cc provider's choice and not my option.

21 hours ago, evadgib said:

Having seen reports about TM30s I carried a completed one in my bag last week as a failsafe but am pleased to confirm that it wasn't needed. Re pers data; 2x diagonal lines with a handwritten phrase in the middle across anything useful to a fraudster was accepted too although I had spares incase they werent!☺

 

(I was sent home like a naughty schoolboy last year for daring to redact as per western SOPs!)

 

 

It was absolutely  the first thing they asked me for.  Yes, if you're in a private rental, you need it.  You should actually already have it done, and have the "receipt" portion of it in your passport.   Since it's supposed to be done within 24 hrs of arrival, if you're showing up for an extension with the TM30 form in hand having already been in the place for some period of time, you're actually delinquent and could be fined even tho' you're just a renter because Jomtien will consider you a "possessor".

9 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

Tell your friends it's a good idea to have some idea where they might stay before arriving in Thailand. Wandering the streets of Bangkok, or wherever they end up, looking for a hotel is probably not a good plan. If they took the trouble to worry about what questions they were going to be asked on an arrival card, apparently before arriving, a few minutes spent on the Internet picking a few likely places to stay when they first arrive would be time well spent. 

"Wandering the streets of Bangkok, or wherever they end up, looking for a hotel is probably not a good plan."

Maybe not, but I'm not sure this isn't exactly what much of the backpacker crowd does...  It's not an unreasonable thing to have on the arrival card, but I doubt it's all that uncommon to just fill in crap there.  I actually don't remember a space for a phone no., although once a couple of years back an attendant in the arrivals hall who was checking cards did pen it in for me to provide.

On 5/6/2017 at 9:27 PM, Lovethailandelite said:

The Law has been in place since around 1974. People chose to ignore it as did immigration. Now it's not being ignored anymore, it needs to be complied with at those offices that require it.

You quoted, but obviously didn't even bother to read, the specific points that I raised.  Typical mindlessness that helps no one and contributes nothing.

25 minutes ago, dentonian said:

I would guess at least 80% of (real) tourists would stay at a registered hotel or guest house, who report their presence, so other than completing their arrival card have nothing more to do with Immigration.

 

If your brother chooses to stay at a Condo (private residence) and the owner isn't available, then he'll have to accept the responsibility of filing the TM30. Alternatively find somewhere else to stay, but that's his choice.

Absurd.  Totally off the wall absurd.  Condos can be rented with online reservations just like any hotel or guest house.  They're listed on Agoda and all the other online sites just like hotels.  How the heck is a tourist supposed to know that there's this critical difference and about any of this!!  "Their choice" my aching back!!!  How do they even know, genius??  Stop posting nonsense.

Furthermore, just try and complete a TM30 as a mere guest without the active cooperation of the owner!  And most owners will either claim ignorance - and may even actually BE ignorant -  themselves or simply leave the whole matter in your hands.  Some owners may not be that anxious to have evidence of rental income being placed in govt hands.  And Jomtien will happily apply the fine to you instead of the owner, since you're the "possessor".

Glad to see this discussion finally taking place.  Not even UJ able to address the ridiculousness of this or the impossible situation it can put a hapless tourist in.  But labelling this a "tourist choice" wins the award for ignorance.

'A classic example of fire-aim-ready and a real gotcha' for totally unsuspecting and unaware tourists, or even partially aware tourists who're unable to navigate the strange TM30 business which is set up for owners, not renters.

15 minutes ago, DerekMarshall said:

A foreigner on overstay! Oh my god! lets slaughter him! throw book at him ..full weight of the law! 

 

 

....All while pretty much letting a rather well of high so that killed and dragged a policeman dozens of meters down the road flaunt the law and get away pretty much scott free for years! 

Let's obscure the discussion with some totally irrelevant hyperbole followed by a wild deflection.  At least until we can think of something on topic to contribute...

8 hours ago, dbrenn said:

There but for the grace of God my friend. I've known great guys - decent and honest by nature - who married wrongly, hit the booze, drugs, ran out of money and then lived hand to mouth teaching on overstay - unable to get themselves out of the hole that they'd drifted into.

 

It would make you sound a lot more human if you knew the facts surrounding each case before rushing to condemn one of your fellow expatriates.

You mean the hole they dug for themselves, shovelfull by shovelfull.  "Drifted into....".  Lol.  Yeah,  a strong breeze came up all of a sudden and kind of blew them in.  Blame prevailing wind patterns.   

Rewrite the narrative with a cute euphemism.

The non-euphemized truth is that long overstayers like this, wanting to know if they can hide like little girls by throwing their passports away, just add to the increased scrutiny everyone else playing by the rules must endure.

I don't know if an unidentified individual would take up prison residence until identified or not, but the idea gets my vote.

11 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

Vientiane being the capital, it would be the Thai embassy, not a consulate.

 

If he's only had one tourist visa and extension, it would be highly unlikely that he would have a problem.  He asked for recent experiences, not an ironclad guarantee.

Incorrect.  The Thai Embassy in Vientiane is NOT where you go for the visa.  And you actually DO go to the Consular Section.  And the two are NOT co-located. 'And it's quite a walk from one to the other.

if you don't know what you're talking about, don't post.  Your post constitutes misinformation and will hopefully get deleted.

On 5/2/2017 at 9:00 AM, Berkshire said:

The OP's observations are a classic example of western sensitivities and his own ethnocentrism.  When I first got here, I thought it a bit odd as you wouldn't see such in thing in the USA.  But it never bothered me much and today, it's such a non-issue that I can't believe anyone would be bothered.  These women are just cleaning the restroom, not sizing you up.  The OP's got a little paranoia thing going on.

The OP is asking a reasonable question for someone seeing this for the first time.  It's hardly "ethnocentrism" nor paranoia.  Your reaction to his post is what's a little OTT.  Relax.

On 4/25/2017 at 2:49 PM, Pdaz said:

Yes asking for a " drink kit " and assembling your own is often the only way.

I've been watched with open curiosity by the bar staff who have then attempted to copy my recipe on my second order.. priceless

But you probably need a work permit for making one yourself...    Lol

Those of you reporting your own experiences, or those of others, WRT "extensions" need to SPECIFY what kind of extensions you're talking about. Some who're trying to follow this discussion are just anticipating 30d extensions on their SETVs and are trying to figure out whether they need to be concerned or not.

Most on tourist visas who happen to be renting condos simply aren't even going to be aware of this.  It's just preposterous.  Condo rentals can be arranged online just like hotel reservations, one checks in just as they would at a hotel or guest house, and there's never any clue whatsoever of this additional reporting reqt.  If you talk to the condo rental managers, or even the owners, most of them know nothing about it either:  all they know about are the 90d reporting reqts that apply to the other visa types.  The few that do just think the whole thing too silly to even bring up with a guest.  And of course the typical guy on a tourist visa only knows about his arrival card.

Epic foolishness and classic "Thainess".

I think it's time to read the writing on the wall (like I already did a few years back) -- dancing the perma-tourist, visa shuffle in Thailand is not going to be possible much longer without a lot of hassle and expense. It was great fun while it lasted, but now, sadly, a losing strategy.

Time to pack it in and return to your home country and go back to work, until you can qualify for something more longer-term.

And trying to cut corners by arranging a quick marriage or starting a biz might lead to more grief than you expect...

3 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

Annual extensions or renewals, e.g. based on retirement or marriage,  are usually permitted 30 days before the current permission to stay or extension of stay expires and in some office they can be done up to 45 days before.

 

For tourist visa entries most offices would only accept an application for an extension a week or so before the current permission expires unless you had some compelling reason ... and I doubt personal convenience qualifies as compelling.

Sorry, but that sounds like a guess and supposition to me. Can anyone offer something more substantial WRT how far ahead of expiration an SETV can be extended?  Anyone who can report being denied an extension solely for that reason (or anyone who's received one, say, 3 weeks or more in advance)?

4 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

I rather suspect the comment was addressing your comment on proof of citizenship, not the advisability of traveling on a damaged passport

If that's the question, I, as I originally did, would refer him to the online guidance.  It's quite detailed.  What he read from an online member forum somewhere probably doesn't carry much weight with the consular folks, do you think?

3 hours ago, lopburi3 said:

He has a current passport - do you believe he needs something else?  

Up to him.  He put his passport through the wash, damaged it, and now has to decide if he wants to risk traveling with it and having it possibly refused somewhere due to it having been damaged and being turned back.  Did you not read the OP's post?