Thailand keeping track of foreigners – the TM30 reporting form

[Phuketshrew]

I have been doing the Non O multiple for the last 10 years (UK, Savannakhet and HCMC) as I frequently travel in and out. It's far less hassle and I don't have to deal with the numpties at Phuket immigration office. Each time I re-enter Thailand the same address, phone number and now email address has been recorded. Never done a TM30 in my 29 years here. What's the point of my landlord giving them the same information after my arrival?

 

However, I went to the immigration office last week for letters for driving license renewal. I was told I could not get these until the TM30 was sorted with the landlord, who will be reluctant to comply.

 

Just as well I have a plan B. What a crock of <deleted>.

[Lupusthai]

It was already explained on other threads:
If you own a house:

• Make the TM30-report within 3 minutes on your mobile (App: "section38" for Android/IoS)

(You have to register by supplying a Scan/Photo of your yellow/blue housebook and a password)

If you own a condo or rent a habitation longterm:

• ask your landlord for his password (he can change it after you move out) or
• scan/copy his blue housebook and apply as before mentioned

Really no hassle nor a "straw on (TV's decade-old famous) camel's back"!

Have a nice Sunday!

 

[ramr]

38 minutes ago, Searat7 said:

This stupid regulation along with mandatory health insurance (if implemented) might be the straws which broke the camel’s back.

Though you must admit this requirement is way more stupid and arbitrary than mandatory health insurance... What they have in common are that both are prone to abuse.

 

The TM30 is just another type of "security theater," as it's been rightly termed in the USA, post 9-11.  It's a public performance to score political points with certain people without actually increasing safety.  Much like 90% of the USA's TSA airport restrictions.

[alien365]

When is this ridiculous regulation going be scrapped? Does any Thai care enough to do so? It's way over the top and unnecessary. If my immigration office strictly enforce this I'm going back to my home country. Good guys won't accept this level of harassment for long and it will be Thailand's loss, not ours.

[boonrawdcnx]

First of all they should inform Thai landlords of this - most of them have no clue what to do and don’t care either - I mean this law only exists since the 70’s so why should anybody have heard about it ? In the end it is mostly the foreigner who pays the fine for them.
And it’s all very nice but of course they have not thought this through again.
Even if the report is done and the TM30 issued it does not mean that the person actually stays at the location reported - so the whole system is useless!



Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[Beggar]

How about short time hotels? After how many hours do you need a TM30? 

[apalink_thailand]

3 hours ago, Oxx said:

Has anyone had any recent success using online registration for Bangkok? I submitted my application six weeks ago and have had zero response.

Nope

[IraqRon]

39 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

They don't have to do 90 day reports.

yes, l misstated, they leave the country every 90 days , or thereabout, don't they? they tell me that serves or negates the 90 day report. so anyway, the video says that they must do a tm 30.  correct?

[owl sees all]

39 minutes ago, Phuketshrew said:

Just as well I have a plan B.

We all need a 'plan B'. 

 

I spend most of my time planning for the big day. Will not be long now. Once the tanks start rolling again, it will be time.

[Pedrogaz]

Nice concise and clear explanation. Thank you. I agree with posters that it is one of the most absurd regulations ever put in place by a nation. You pass thought immigration at the airport....then next day they want you to go to local immigration. The immigration at the airport are part of the same organisation for goodness' sake. Why don't the airport immigration put your address on a central computer instead of messing about with farangs' lives. 

 

Corruption, bribery and lack of enforcement are the root causes that the odd foreigner comes here, not a lack of knowledge of where people live. If it is so important to have foreigners tracked, why not have them register at a local locate station instead of driving for 1 1/2 hours each way to 'local' immigration? Or have an internet access that actually works....instaed of one that you spend the time to fill in, but then it will not accept right at the end of the form. 

 

What a place Thailand is becoming. At forty the pointlessness of the bureaucracy was somewhat funny, now it is downright idiotic. And it is the same in every government institutional initiative. I could cut road deaths easily as could any other faring here....I could design a decent education system.....but ever solution proposed by the bureaucracy never analyses the causes of the problem it is 'designed' to solve. The system should be.....gather data on the problem, analyse the data to find out the causes of the problem, design a solution that solves the problem, implement nationally then track whether the solution is helping to solve the problem. Thai politician seem absolutely incapable of grasping this simple method of problem solving.

[Oxx]

6 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

Thank you. I agree with posters that it is one of the most absurd regulations ever put in place by a nation. You pass thought immigration at the airport....then next day they want you to go to local immigration. The immigration at the airport are part of the same organisation for goodness' sake. Why don't the airport immigration put your address on a central computer instead of messing about with farangs' lives. 

 

I suspect part of the problem is that Immigration is fragmented.  I am supposed to make 90 day reports to Bangkok's Immigration Division 1, but TM.30 reports to Immigration Division 2.  Goodness knows which division gets my address when I arrive in the country.

[holy cow cm]

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

If you’re an expat living permanently in Thailand and travel to other places within the country – any other address other than your usual home address – you need to inform immigration once you’ve returned.

And the racism gets even bigger. This seems a violation of human rights and in all honesty it should not be any of their right or concern where I go or what I do as long as I am law abiding. Don't check in but accept paying the fine when the time comes will probably be looked at as a reason for them to not renew your extension of stay. I travel a lot inside Thailand and find this is absurd as I own my own house with my wife. I certainly hope the USA turns around and does the same to all of the Green card Thai holders. Let them feel the pain too! Oh, to add, Green Card holders can work, so let's add all of the Thai who go to the USA. And let's add they check in every week or get fined.

[Vacuum]

4 hours ago, rooster59 said:

If you’re an expat living permanently in Thailand and travel to other places within the country – any other address other than your usual home address – you need to inform immigration once you’ve returned.

Depends on which office you have to report to.

[Emdog]

I use a simple rule of thumb: whatever you do (or don't do) is wrong.

[holy cow cm]

5 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Depends on which office you have to report to.

Doesn't look that way anymore. They could data base you at the airport and fine you for not complying.

[Eligius]

4 hours ago, z42 said:

An absolutely ridiculous regulation. Completely unnecessary and rife for abuse by those in a uniform who aren't so well intentioned.

I would guess that reporting and movement restrictions for Thai nationals on bail (after conviction) for crimes up to and including murder don't have to adhere to such anal regulations.

Quite agree with you Z42: this 'monitoring' and 'tracking' of foreigners, as though we were criminals on parole, is utterly DISGUSTING. 

It is an affront to all human dignity. Really, this place is becoming almost unbearable - and it will not stop here.

It is not the ordinary, helpful Thais who treat us like miscreants and potential murderers: it is the criminals in high places! 

Sickening!

[ThaiBunny]

4 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Doesn't look that way anymore. They could data base you at the airport and fine you for not complying.

Being "databased" at the airport?! Does that include a digital examination?

[Vacuum]

4 minutes ago, holy cow cm said:

Doesn't look that way anymore. They could data base you at the airport and fine you for not complying.

Some offices don't need a TM30 if you travel within the country, and return to your normal address.

[wgdanson]

3 hours ago, overherebc said:

Well, sometimes you do and sometimes you don't after going away for a weekend/week.

Depends on your local Imm' office

Lived with the gf in Phitsanulok for seven years. Go every 90 days and anually for extension and for re-entry permits.

Did a TM30 earlier this year for first time simply for my own peace of mind, the IO were not bothered if I did or didn't have one

[owl sees all]

12 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

Being "databased" at the airport?! Does that include a digital examination?

And an internal.

[holy cow cm]

16 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

Being "databased" at the airport?! Does that include a digital examination?

And maybe a bend over with a smile.

[holy cow cm]

16 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Some offices don't need a TM30 if you travel within the country, and return to your normal address.

My bet is that all have to become compliant for face discipline. 

[metisdead]

I submitted mine online 6 days ago and it is still "Waiting for Approval".

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies about personal debt in other countries have been removed. 

[vadid]

"If you’re an expat living permanently in Thailand and travel to other places within the country – any other address other than your usual home address – you need to inform immigration once you’ve returned."

 

In that case, I will cut down my trips around Thailand.  Stay at home, save my money rather than boosting Thai tourism.

 

 

 

[Puccini]

4 hours ago, smutcakes said:

I thought it waa reported in the news the other day if you owned and lived in your own property you did not have to report.

Not everything you read in the news is correct.

[NoshowJones]

4 hours ago, Beggar said:

This was my understanding too if you live in your own property with a retirement extension. 

I live permanently in my house which is of course in the wifes name, and have a retirement extension, I am going to the UK soon for a holiday, there is no way I am traveling 60 Ks just to report that I am home.

[hotchilli]

Another reason expats are getting fed up of this country... domestic travel should be allowed for either married or retired expats without the hassle of a TM 30 when you return to your own home inside Thailand.

Isn't the 90 days reporting enough ?

[NoshowJones]

5 hours ago, smutcakes said:

I thought it waa reported in the news the other day if you owned and lived in your own property you did not have to report.

That would have to be a condo then.

[mike787]

5 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

Look next for mandatory GPS tracking device implanted at the base of the neck for all visas more than 30 days...the usual options will apply...accept the device or be gone!

 

Actually, look for many governments to begin implementing GPS tracking starting with illegal aliens...just a matter of time...for "national security" don't ya know...????