Jump to content

Do you need to have your passport with you when staying at hotels in Bangkok?


theboogeyman

Recommended Posts

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Compared to my trouser pocket, bag and jacket in a hotel room, (or worse the drawer in hotel reception) it's definitely approaching fort Knox.

Never misunderestimate the power of the inside job.  MIL is usually prime suspect in most instances. 

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, theboogeyman said:

Wait a minute is that actually a risk these days of them mistakenly re-registering your address to a hotel?  We’re only going to be there two nights tops.  I certainly hope not.  

I don't know if it's actually a risk but this is what I did in March this year:

 

Staying at a hotel in Pattaya - I know they HAD copied my PP and TM6 and told immigration of my presence because they kindly give me a copy of the entry on the immigration Database for when I extend my SETV.  I kept my room at the Pattaya hotel and went to Kanchanaburi with a friend for 3 days. The hotel in Kanchanaburi copied my PP and TM6.

 

So as far as hotels go, I was in 2 places at once, which is clearly impossible!

 

Then I went back to Pattaya to the same hotel room (which I'd never checked out of) so for them it was if I never left. 10 days later, went to Jomtien Immigration to extend my SETV, taking the copy of the entry on the immigration Database with me along with the other required paperwork.

 

SETV was extended no problem. 

So whether it matters or not or whether the 2 Immigration Offices (Kanchanaburi and Jomtien) are not exchanging information, I really don't know...but that was what happened.

 

And FYI @theboogeyman if you want to cease interruptions, either reset your "Follow" options or completely Unfollow the thread when you have all you need from it

 

This is on a PC but I'm sure the App has the functionality somewhere ????

 

image.png.de90a4ff68d81454ca643a1c03c03ef8.png

Edited by VBF
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, OneEyedPie said:

And for short term visitors make sure you have your passport and the stamped departure chit.  I staple it in my passport as can quite easily lose it otherwise.

I scan my passport into my pc but I always take it with me if I go outside of the province.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, billd766 said:

I scan my passport into my pc but I always take it with me if I go outside of the province.

Yup!  I scan or photograph my PP, TM6 and Visa and all entry and extension stamps into my laptop, copy the scans to my phone and still take the PP with me if I go outside of the province! Oh and they're all backed up to my Cloud Server ????

Edited by VBF
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, VBF said:

I don't know if it's actually a risk but this is what I did in March this year:

 

Staying at a hotel in Pattaya - I know they HAD copied my PP and TM6 and told immigration of my presence because they kindly give me a copy of the entry on the immigration Database for when I extend my SETV.  I kept my room at the Pattaya hotel and went to Kanchanaburi with a friend for 3 days. The hotel in Kanchanaburi copied my PP and TM6.

 

So as far as hotels go, I was in 2 places at once, which is clearly impossible!

 

Then I went back to Pattaya to the same hotel room (which I'd never checked out of) so for them it was if I never left. 10 days later, went to Jomtien Immigration to extend my SETV, taking the copy of the entry on the immigration Database with me along with the other required paperwork.

 

SETV was extended no problem. 

So whether it matters or not or whether the 2 Immigration Offices (Kanchanaburi and Jomtien) are not exchanging information, I really don't know...but that was what happened.

 

And FYI @theboogeyman if you want to cease interruptions, either reset your "Follow" options or completely Unfollow the thread when you have all you need from it

 

This is on a PC but I'm sure the App has the functionality somewhere ????

 

image.png.de90a4ff68d81454ca643a1c03c03ef8.png

Well I don’t know if it makes a difference but I’m on a long stay extension not an SETV.  So I actually do have a permanent address registered in Thailand where I have been living for the past 5 years.  So I don’t think this effects me.  It’s alright I’m not concerned about it.  

 

I’m actually more concerned about whether or not Bangkok is going to be packed next week because of the new king ceremony.  Does anyone know if that’s going to be a big thing next week as well?  If so next week might not be the best time to plan a trip down there.  I’ve heard stories that there might be thousands of people in the streets watching the king travel the streets of Bangkok.  If so maybe I should plan it for the following week.  I don’t want to because I already have plans in Bangkok on the 8th.  But if roads are gonna be closed and stuff it’ll take forever to get around town.  Bangkok is already busy enough as it is.  Last time I was there I remember one night it took over an hour just to drive 2K that was slower traffic then I ever saw in Tokyo, Japan.  

Edited by theboogeyman
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well I don’t know if it makes a difference but I’m on a long stay extension not an SETV.  So I actually do have a permanent address registered in Thailand where I have been living for the past 5 years.  So I don’t think this effects me.  It’s alright I’m not concerned about it.  
 
I’m actually more concerned about whether or not Bangkok is going to be packed next week because of the new king ceremony.  Does anyone know if that’s going to be a big thing next week as well?  If so next week might not be the best time to plan a trip down there.  I’ve heard stories that there might be thousands of people in the streets watching the king travel the streets of Bangkok.  If so maybe I should plan it for the following week.  I don’t want to because I already have plans in Bangkok on the 8th.  But if roads are gonna be closed and stuff it’ll take forever to get around town.  Bangkok is already busy enough as it is.  Last time I was there I remember one night it took over an hour just to drive 2K that was slower traffic then I ever saw in Tokyo, Japan.  


The coronation festivities last untill 6th and on 7th is back to business as usual.


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The coronation festivities last untill 6th and on 7th is back to business as usual.

 

On that note I wish the King and Thailand all the very best and look forward to later today’s celebrations.

 

Quite an impressive spectacle, as always.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, thedemon said:

Personally I never carry my passport when travelling domestically in Thailand and have never had any issue with that. Since 2012 I have generally carried a pink ID card so used that. Prior to that I generally used any photo ID (licence, APEC card) for checking-in and boarding domestic flights. For hotels, their primary consideration is getting paid. Mostly I use a Thai credit card so they have some ID from that. Once in a while they ask for more (e.g. passport) but I never have it and have never been denied a room. 

Haven't needed to produce my passport for hotels in over 10 years now. Never travel with it 

The Pink Card and the Thai D/L is all that's needed. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would never carry my passport unless leaving the country, visiting immigration, or doing something with my bank. A color copy is best as they like to make a photocopy. It always satisfies them. And a thai drivers license should work too.

 

Why take the risk of carrying your original passport around?

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:
16 hours ago, thedemon said:

Personally I never carry my passport when travelling domestically in Thailand and have never had any issue with that. Since 2012 I have generally carried a pink ID card so used that. Prior to that I generally used any photo ID (licence, APEC card) for checking-in and boarding domestic flights. For hotels, their primary consideration is getting paid. Mostly I use a Thai credit card so they have some ID from that. Once in a while they ask for more (e.g. passport) but I never have it and have never been denied a room. 

Haven't needed to produce my passport for hotels in over 10 years now. Never travel with it 

The Pink Card and the Thai D/L is all that's needed. 

Wrong. The hotel must fill tm30. Also many are instructed to take copies of, even the stamps. They let you check in out of courtesy, but are braking the law doing so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I would never carry my passport unless leaving the country, visiting immigration, or doing something with my bank. A color copy is best as they like to make a photocopy. It always satisfies them. And a thai drivers license should work too.

 

Why take the risk of carrying your original passport around?

Because it must be presented if asked for. Police, hotels, comes to mind.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 hours ago, theboogeyman said:

So I actually do have a permanent address registered in Thailand where I have been living for the past 5 years.

You may want to consider getting a yellow tabien bahn and with that then getting a pink ID card. With that you should be able to do banking and hotel check-ins and domestic flights without need of your passport. I've been doing this for years in and outside of Bangkok. My passport only comes out of the safe for immigration stuff and international flights. For peace of mind I call the hotel/airline prior to make sure they accept it. Never had any problems.

Edited by klauskunkel
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I just carry  my Thai D/L for the bus.

Your wife can book the hotel room with her ID card.

I used to just use my DL or my credit card size photo of passport details and visa. Some hotels insist on passports now and I have watched them even check the visa renewal date in it!

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

Always carry and secure your passport when travelling...the hotel will likely make a copy to report you are staying with them to immigration...

a copy is enough, by law

if police stops you , you might have to go present the original

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, justin case said:

a copy is enough, by law

if police stops you , you might have to go present the original

Going to retrieve the original PP might then become problematic...being far from home...

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I carry a copy of my passport picture page and my TM card. For extra safety I also copy my last 90 report and my retirement Visa. I make them the size of a credit card. So only 2 cards are needed you can put the info on the front and back of the card. Carrying the info on your phone is a useful precaution but the hotel has difficulty copying your phone. They need to report your presence in the hotel to the police. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are many free programs, One Drive that comes with a Hotmail account is one of them. Scan your files in and you'll have access from any unit.

 

    Another easy way is to scan all important document sin, send them to your own e-mail address and you've got all in a few minutes. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The probability of the Hotel needing your passport to fill out their immigration report is high unless you are staying at an extremely low-key place. 

 

The probability of being stopped randomly by the Police and asking for your passport is extremely low (virtually nil), but it has happened. 

The inconvenience if stopped by the BiB and you don't have your passport within a reasonable time frame - extremely inconvenient (not wishing to scare monger - just being factual).

 

On any visit outside of my home (i.e. travel outside of Bangkok to another city) I always take my passport. I can keep it in the safe with my iPad and backup (emergency) Cards. 

 

Its much better to have your passport with you and not need it, than not have it and need it. 

Great post Richard. I book hotels under my Thai wife's name and ask her to do the talking when we check-in. Last September in Phuket the hotel desk staff looked all through my passport, studied the 'used' Visa and then discussed my extension stamp between themselves. They took photocopies before handing my passport back. You certainly do need to take your passport!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.










×
×
  • Create New...