Friend got arrested and had to pay a fine of 5000 THB

[JohnnyBKK]

Hello,

 

My friend who is staying in Asoke got arrested yesterday because he didn't report his address.

 

Full story :

 

When he wanted to go out of his condo he found many immigration officers in his condominium checking everyone, when he tried to leave they stopped him and asked for his passport that he didn't have on him, so they went with him to his apartment to pick it up. When they realized he didn't have the paper of the address report they asked for 5000 THB. They even mention to him that he was reported at some hotel in Krabi (where he actually went for 1 night holiday). They said "if you don't pay we take you with us".

 

His visa is THAI Elite, nobody is off the hook.

 

The law states we have to report every time we stay at another address... is it possible to report online ? Because going to the immigration each time just for this is just not worth it.

 

 

[Briggsy]

I wonder if Thong Lor Police Station were involved as opposed to purely the Immigration Dept. This sounds like an adaptation of their (Thong Lor) street round-ups of foreigners not carrying their passports which they have done on and off over the last couple of decades only stopping when the outcry from the embassies reaches the right ears.

[Vacuum]

7 minutes ago, JohnnyBKK said:

When they realized he didn't have the paper of the address report they asked for 5000 THB.

Isn't the maximum fine 2000baht for neglecting to file the TM30 report?

[Briggsy]

Just now, Vacuum said:

Isn't the maximum fine 2000baht for neglecting to file the TM30 report?

I suspect the 5000 Baht was not receipted.

[ubonjoe]

Did he get receipt for the fine. I think not.

The 5,000 baht is the maximum fine is for not reporting a change of address or staying in another province for more than 24 hours (TM28 form). That report cannot be done online.

The max fine for an individual not doing a TM30 report is 2000 baht. It is possible to do online after registering for the reporting.

 

[JohnnyBKK]

He got a receipt he told me. He stayed in Krabi for 1 night and came back to Bangkok, so in the system he changed his address without reporting.

[Psimbo]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Did he get receipt for the fine. I think not.

The 5,000 baht is the maximum fine is for not reporting a change of address or staying in another province for more than 24 hours (TM28 form). That report cannot be done online.

The max fine for an individual not doing a TM30 report is 2000 baht. It is possible to do online after registering for the reporting.

 

Why not- I am able to do it (in place of my landlord) and do so on a regular basis when I return from other parts of the country. Phuket Imm has never queried it.

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, Psimbo said:

Why not- I am able to do it (in place of my landlord) and do so on a regular basis when I return from other parts of the country. Phuket Imm has never queried it.

You are confusing a change of address report using a TM28 form and a TM30 report. 

As I wrote the TM30 report can be done on online.

[Golden Triangle]

I have lived in this house for 5 years or more, I have been to many places within Thailand during that period and have also been to Singapore and back by train through Malaysia and have never ever reported back to immigration on my return to my registered address, never been a problem when renewing my extension or 90 day reporting.

[AlexRich]

They are doing a very good job of driving foreigners out of the country. When I visit Thailand, on my return home I usually book a room at the airport the night before flying, do I need to report that to immigration?

 

if the answer is yes I’ll give Thailand a miss in the future.

[JohnnyBKK]

6 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

I have lived in this house for 5 years or more, I have been to many places within Thailand during that period and have also been to Singapore and back by train through Malaysia and have never ever reported back to immigration on my return to my registered address, never been a problem when renewing my extension or 90 day reporting.

Well, if checked by an officer you will be arrested and if you don't pay the fine you will be taken.

[overherebc]

4 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

I have lived in this house for 5 years or more, I have been to many places within Thailand during that period and have also been to Singapore and back by train through Malaysia and have never ever reported back to immigration on my return to my registered address, never been a problem when renewing my extension or 90 day reporting.

It seems, as is usual, it all depends on the Imm' office in your area.

Some go by the book, some don't and some have written their own version of the book.

And stay awake because tomorrow it all might change.

[LongTang]

36 minutes ago, JohnnyBKK said:

so they went with him to his apartment

 

Is he renting or is it his own condo? If he is renting, then shouldn't the owner be fined?

 

In any case, this just goes to show that we are probably the last generation of foreigners in this country.. No sane man will come to a place where reporting on every move is required by law..

[Jan Dietz]

5 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

They are doing a very good job of driving foreigners out of the country. When I visit Thailand, on my return home I usually book a room at the airport the night before flying, do I need to report that to immigration?

 

if the answer is yes I’ll give Thailand a miss in the future.

 

The answer is 'yes' but the hotel has to do it.

They usually have an automated system for that.

 

[Golden Triangle]

3 minutes ago, JohnnyBKK said:

Well, if checked by an officer you will be arrested and if you don't pay the fine you will be taken.

I report to immigration in Jomtien, I have done for the last 8 years of living here, I did my 90 days last month and report again in August, I have the piece of paper in my passport that says I need to report my address again on such & such a date in August, how am I going to be arrested ??

[mtls2005]

There was a raid yesterday a C Ekkamai Condos, Chinese-operated AirBnB knock-off. Not sure which news sources are acceptable to link. Easily found.

 

No mention of arrests.

 

"Seven people, including one foreigner and several room owners, were fined for various code and immigration offenses."

 

50 minutes ago, JohnnyBKK said:

My friend who is staying in Asoke got arrested yesterday because he didn't report his address.

 

So was he really arrested? Or did he pay the baksheesh?

 

I'd probably try to negotiate the "tip" down from 5,000, maybe offer 1,500-ish?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AlexRich]

3 minutes ago, Golden Triangle said:

I report to immigration in Jomtien, I have done for the last 8 years of living here, I did my 90 days last month and report again in August, I have the piece of paper in my passport that says I need to report my address again on such & such a date in August, how am I going to be arrested ??

Maybe if you take a break somewhere else but don’t inform them?

[Mavideol]

40 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Isn't the maximum fine 2000baht for neglecting to file the TM30 report?

there isn't a fixed fee, it all depends on the officer in charge and also the time of the day, dinner time always more expensive 555

[yokat]

90 day : report your address

tm28 : report a change in your address

tm30 : get someone to report your address

 

What if I work in Bangkok and travel 2 times a month within thailand ? What do I have to report ? Coming back to my everyday condo ? Staying at a hotel over the weekend ?

 

It's hard to play by the rules :/

[Mavideol]

1 minute ago, AlexRich said:

Maybe if you take a break somewhere else but don’t inform them?

they are completely controlling us, better be careful when taking a leak at a different place than usual

[overherebc]

4 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

Maybe if you take a break somewhere else but don’t inform them?

If everything was consistent then the answer would be easy.

[mtls2005]

5 minutes ago, yokat said:

90 day : report your address

tm28 : report a change in your address

tm30 : get someone to report your address

 

What if I work in Bangkok and travel 2 times a month within thailand ? What do I have to report ? Coming back to my everyday condo ? Staying at a hotel over the weekend ?

 

It's hard to play by the rules ????

 

TM-7, includes address.

TM-8, includes address.

 

Amazed the country hasn't collapsed from the weight of all that paper?

 

You often see floor-to ceiling stacks of paper in cubicles at CW. Could easily fall over and crush Immigration officers, someone finds Somchai buried under a mountain of paper in 15 years - I wondered what happened to him said co-workers.

 

 

 

 

[cerox]

From what I understand this happened now and in the past only in Bangkok or has anybody information about that happening in other provinces?

 

When I moved into my condo in Chiang Mai about three years ago I reported my address with the staff and with their receipt at immigration. I got a receipt attached in my passport. Every time I return from abroad I go to update this small receipt which has so many date stamps on it now.

I have been curious whether I have to update my address with the condo staff too after a new visa and leaving the country, but the staff always told me once was enough.  Not sure whether that is correct, but I never had a problem with extensions/90 days.

 

Updating the date-stamp on the receipt in my passport, I understand this has to be done within 24hours which is impractical on a weekend or when I come back after a very long flight. The ED visa school told me within one week in CM province is accepted, mostly I do it within 3-7 days after arrival and it was always fine.

[Mavideol]

3 minutes ago, yokat said:

90 day : report your address

tm28 : report a change in your address

tm30 : get someone to report your address

 

What if I work in Bangkok and travel 2 times a month within thailand ? What do I have to report ? Coming back to my everyday condo ? Staying at a hotel over the weekend ?

 

It's hard to play by the rules ????

and that's why they created the ""non sense"" rules to piss us off or kick us out, they don't need/want us, putting it in better words, we are UNDESIRABLE and Unwelcome

[mtls2005]

1 minute ago, Mavideol said:

and that's why they created the ""non sense"" rules to piss us off or kick us out, they don't need/want us, putting it in better words, we are UNDESIRABLE and Unwelcome

 

There are easier ways to accomplish this, but maybe without the inherent full-employment, and fee generation income, aspects?

[Badrabbit]

I couple of friends have never reported there address after leaving the country or staying within Thailand, never a problem! country is a joke with every immigration office different!!

Sent from my SM-G610F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[worgeordie]

I thought it was a TM28 for reporting while travelling in Thailand,

TM30 for when you enter Thailand, yes I know the don't seem to

bother with TM28's,5000 THB fine !!, it is supposed to be 1900 THB,

less in other areas,this is what happens when Big Joke gets the sack,

at least you had a face to make a complaint to

regards worgeordie

[Briggsy]

2 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

I thought it was a TM28 for reporting while travelling in Thailand,

TM30 for when you enter Thailand, yes I know the don't seem to

bother with TM28's,5000 THB fine !!, it is supposed to be 1900 THB,

less in other areas,this is what happens when Big Joke gets the sack,

at least you had a face to make a complaint to

regards worgeordie

Your posts are usually witty and accurate. What went wrong with this one?

[overherebc]

7 minutes ago, cerox said:

From what I understand this happened now and in the past only in Bangkok or has anybody information about that happening in other provinces?

 

When I moved into my condo in Chiang Mai about three years ago I reported my address with the staff and with their receipt at immigration. I got a receipt attached in my passport. Every time I return from abroad I go to update this small receipt which has so many date stamps on it now.

I have been curious whether I have to update my address with the condo staff too after a new visa and leaving the country, but the staff always told me once was enough.  Not sure whether that is correct, but I never had a problem with extensions/90 days.

 

Updating the date-stamp on the receipt in my passport, I understand this has to be done within 24hours which is impractical on a weekend or when I come back after a very long flight. The ED visa school told me within one week in CM province is accepted, mostly I do it within 3-7 days after arrival and it was always fine.

The answer to all the above is sort of maybe, but some conditions may apply.

[mtls2005]

5 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Your posts are usually witty and accurate.

 

"Big Joke in a sack" seemed to cover both bases? OK, maybe not witty per se, but accurate nonetheless.