Thailand tightens the screws on TM30 reporting, petition ongoing

By Tim Newton

 

 

Nearly 5,000 Thai expats have now signed a petition pleading for modification or abolition of the TM30 immigration form. The well-organised petition calling for changes to the form is an unusual step for expats who, most of the time, keep their head down and out of the daily operations of the Land of Smiles.

 

For its part, Thai Immigration says it is simply robustly applying Sections 37 and 38 of the Thai immigration act to “strengthen security” and keep tabs on foreigners whilst in the country.

 

But the ‘robust application’ is causing headlines the Immigration Department would rather not see and is prompting panel discussions, YouTube interviews and online pleads from well-known bloggers and long-termers. There is one discussion planned for the Foreign Correspondents Club this Thursday.

 

The petition, whilst politely written, is not likely to succeed. The inconveniences to some locals needing to report their whereabouts when changing their reported address, will be outweighed by the need for national security.

 

That a group of foreigners could possibly change Thai laws to make things more convenient and useful, is also inconceivable. Even if there was some minor adjustment to the laws it could take years.

 

Bottomline, don’t get your hopes up.

 

In the meantime, the inconvenience of Section 37 will remain a clear and present annoyance. There has been no shortage of people spraying the internet with their individual problems and examples and the 24 hour reporting will certainly affect some expats more than others, especially travelling business-people whose movement around Thailand is just part of their work.

 

Tourists are not affected as the onus of reporting locations whilst on holiday is the responsibility of hotels and landlords.

 

The issue is being presented in the international media as a nail in the coffin for long-term living in Thailand. The reality is that expat numbers continue to rise although the demographic is evolving to the chagrin of many European, Australian and American expats who seem particularly aggrieved by the enforcement and have made their voices heard – through signing the petition and sharing their strongly-held feelings on various forums online.

 

The other issue angering or confusing expats is that, like many other immigration laws, the enforcement of the clauses continues to be patchy around the Kingdom – they really don’t know how, or if, it’s going to be enforced in their case. For the short-term we would recommend you play by the rules to avoid any unpleasant fines or surprises. If you have any queries it is best to visit an Immigration Office and ask questions to find out how it applies to your visa and situation.

 

Don Ross from ttrweekly.com shares some thoughts on how the laws could be changed…

 

“The director-general (usually the chief of police) can make changes to clauses 3 and 4. The DG can also through the Immigration Commission recommend a new ministerial regulation that updates the two clauses to make them more in tune with today’s online realities.

 

One possible change would be to stipulate that clause 4 reporting only kicks in after 72 hours away from home, rather than 24 hours. It would allow thousands of expatriates who are long-stay or retirees to visit other provinces for up to three days without triggering a clause 4 reporting hassle.”

If you want to read and sign the petition click HERE.

 

 

Source: https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thailand-tightens-the-screws-on-tm30-reporting-petition-ongoing

 

 

-- © Copyright The Thaiger 2019-08-13

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I would like to know how many criminals they've caught, because the criminal made a TM30 report. Any at all?

Read a couple of reports online of landlords not wanting to rent out to foreigners because of all of this. I can't blame the landlords. I wouldn't want the hassle either. But I think a good way is to highlight every time a foreigner can't rent a place to live because of this rule and landlords not wanting to rent to them. If foreigners find it hard to rent here, that just exposes this silly law even more for what it is and the unnecessary trouble it's causing. 

 

 

Any news in this story? Seems to me to be a rehash of everything we've seen over the past few weeks.

National Security.

 

What exactly does this mean? It seems to me to be a bogus term that officials like to throw around which allows them to enact any and all stifling policies (no matter how ridiculous) to apparently protect citizens of a certain nation.

 

In short it is a load of BS!

I’m so fed up reading about tm30 on this forum ......I just did mine this morning in and out in 8 minuits ,immigration were happy,smiling,friendly and helpful seriously what is all the fuss about ....moaners will be moaners where ever they are in the world.

"The inconveniences... will be outweighed by the need for national security."

 

Oh please! I love Thailand and I love the Thai people, so it pains me to think that anyone is dumb enough to think the TM30 keeps Thailand safe.

4 minutes ago, taninthai said:

I’m so fed up reading about tm30 on this forum ......I just did mine this morning in and out in 8 minuits ,immigration were happy,smiling,friendly and helpful seriously what is all the fuss about ....moaners will be moaners where ever they are in the world.

So you must live next door to an immigration office if it took 8 minutes from your front door to report and get back to your place?

5 minutes ago, taninthai said:

I’m so fed up reading about tm30 on this forum ......I just did mine this morning in and out in 8 minuits ,immigration were happy,smiling,friendly and helpful seriously what is all the fuss about ....moaners will be moaners where ever they are in the world.

Try doing it in Bangkok. Spend half the day in immigration on a Monday because you wanted to go away for a weekend. Then come back and tell us how easy it all is. 

9 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Read a couple of reports online of landlords not wanting to rent out to foreigners because of all of this. I can't blame the landlords. I wouldn't want the hassle either. But I think a good way is to highlight every time a foreigner can't rent a place to live because of this rule and landlords not wanting to rent to them. If foreigners find it hard to rent here, that just exposes this silly law even more for what it is and the unnecessary trouble it's causing. 

 

 

Happened today to my Wife, she rents  condos, the Thai  Wife  looked at the room paid  the deposit , Wife spoke with the owner who said  ok, then the owner found out her husband was farang and said NO, dont want any farang due to TM30 and this is  not the only case shes  dealt with now.

The cowards that won't sign and living in fear grow a pair and just do it. 

6 minutes ago, taninthai said:

I’m so fed up reading about tm30 on this forum ......I just did mine this morning in and out in 8 minuits ,immigration were happy,smiling,friendly and helpful seriously what is all the fuss about ....moaners will be moaners where ever they are in the world.

I can understand you do enjoy visiting immigration but for me that's 1.5h drive. Not that it affect me since the online system works fine for me. However it doesn't seems so straight forward for everyone. 

Just now, FarFlungFalang said:

So you must live next door to an immigration office if it took 8 minutes from your front door to report and get back to your place?

Not really 30 minuits ride on the bike but I like getting out and about and riding the bike so it’s no big deal.

7 minutes ago, taninthai said:

I’m so fed up reading about tm30 on this forum ......I just did mine this morning in and out in 8 minuits ,immigration were happy,smiling,friendly and helpful seriously what is all the fuss about ....moaners will be moaners where ever they are in the world.

Lady Roadrunner makes the same complaint.... In and out in 8 minutes.... My guess is that was NOT at Chaengwattana.

1 minute ago, taninthai said:

Not really 30 minuits ride on the bike but I like getting out and about and riding the bike so it’s no big deal.

OK So  now go in and  out of Thailand or away 3  times a  week (every  week) and let us  know how it is?

2 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

Try doing it in Bangkok. Spend half the day in immigration on a Monday because you wanted to go away for a weekend. Then come back and tell us how easy it all is. 

If you choose to live in an over crowded city that’s what you have to put up with ......that is the reason I left London.....lol

7 minutes ago, taninthai said:

I’m so fed up reading about tm30 on this forum ......I just did mine this morning in and out in 8 minuits ,immigration were happy,smiling,friendly and helpful seriously what is all the fuss about ....moaners will be moaners where ever they are in the world.

 

1 minute ago, gunderhill said:

OK So  now go in and  out of Thailand or away 3  times a  week (every  week) and let us  know how it is?

So you do that do you 3 times a week leave and return?

4 minutes ago, taninthai said:

Not really 30 minuits ride on the bike but I like getting out and about and riding the bike so it’s no big deal.

30 minute ride there or 30 minutes there and back?38 minutes or 68 minutes?Riding a bike in Thailand is life threatening!

1 minute ago, taninthai said:

If you choose to live in an over crowded city that’s what you have to put up with ......that is the reason I left London.....lol

so you had to report in  London did you?

Just now, taninthai said:

So you do that do you 3 times a week leave and return?

Nope, i dont even do one at all............unfortunately though my friend in BKk who works for PLAN International has to go in and out 3  times a  week, often Malaysia then Indonesia Vietnam etc EVERY WEEK.

1 minute ago, taninthai said:

If you choose to live in an over crowded city that’s what you have to put up with ......that is the reason I left London.....lol

Right. I'll move to Nakon Nowhere. Sure my boss in Bkk and my missus won't mind. And of course, living in a place with very few people around. How exciting for someone in their 30s. 

 

 

12 minutes ago, taninthai said:

I’m so fed up reading about tm30 on this forum ......I just did mine this morning in and out in 8 minuits ,immigration were happy,smiling,friendly and helpful seriously what is all the fuss about ....moaners will be moaners where ever they are in the world.

I have to drive 60 km to my IO. Online reporting not possible.

I can't understand why they are so paranoid about national security? What's the problem? What is the true purpose of the TM30?

 

None of us are interested in taking over the country. Someone should tell them we only came here for the pussy.

Just now, SoilSpoil said:

I have to drive 60 km to my IO. Online reporting not possible.

Stop making a  fuss, honestly its "only 60km" just ask tanin thai its easy as abc

3 minutes ago, taninthai said:

If you choose to live in an over crowded city that’s what you have to put up with ......that is the reason I left London.....lol

So do you recommend people organise their lives,families and employment around the TM30? 

6 minutes ago, madmen said:

The cowards that won't sign and living in fear grow a pair and just do it. 

 

38 minutes ago, webfact said:

The petition, whilst politely written, is not likely to succeed.

 

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

That a group of foreigners could possibly change Thai laws to make things more convenient and useful, is also inconceivable.

I rest my case.

2 minutes ago, gunderhill said:

so you had to report in  London did you?

No but I have to buy a license to watch tv or have a dog or go fishing ,have to fill in a census form every now and the have to pay extortionate council tax every month ....now that’s stuff to moan about.

 

you didn’t answer my question so you travel and return 3 times every week?..

Just now, DaRoadrunner said:

paranoid about national security?

Its a  joke is BS 100% its about control its about you do what we say  johhny folleigner, Thailands  borders are more porous than a Swiss  Cheese, the biggest criminals are the govt and authorities

Just now, SoilSpoil said:

I have to drive 60 km to my IO. Online reporting not possible.

Mail it in.The 24 hour window is obviously not relevant. I have mailed Tm30 for tenants 10 day's late and never fined