This is wrong. Please let me share my current experience.
Yesterday, I tried to do the 90 days reporting online for the First time (Previously done in person at immigration). After 12 hours of submitting the online form, I received a response:
"Your application for "STAYING LONGER THAN 90 DAYS" has been rejected.
Contact immigration to update the (TM30) accommodation notification to date. The last declaration of accommodation at Andakira Hotel Phuket not Chiang Mai."
I stayed in my current permanent resident in Chiang Mai for over 6 months and the First ever TM30 was filled when I signed the lease agreement. In the passed 6 months, I did a LOT of short term travelling within Thailand (Bangkok, Pattaya, Pai, Phuket, Lampang) and stayed in different hotels. BUT, I have never left Thailand.
About 2 months ago, I went to Phuket for a short 1 week holiday and I didn't know that particular hotel filled another TM30 for me and the hotel didn't even inform me nor gave me any slip related to TM30. Within the last 2 months, I went to Bangkok and Pattaya, those hotels didn't file TM30. It seems to me that only one particular hotel in Phuket filed the TM30.
So, the first TM30 (Chiang Mai) is invalid now and has been replaced by TM30 in Phuket. I just communicated with the landlord on this and told him to fill POA (Power of Attorney) to me. So that, I can go to Immigration centre to fill the TM30 myself. Afterwards, then only I can fill the TM47 (90 days reporting). I might even get fined when I am there. I will report back.
Honestly, I can understand the requirement to file for TM30 when returning from oversea. But, it is stupid to file TM30 for short term travelling within Thailand.
I guess its main purpose is to encourage me staying in the same place and discourage me to travel within Thailand and spend money?