Right on time: Phuket Immigration explain TM30 and TM28 requirements for reporting foreigners

[Max69xl]

3 hours ago, seajae said:

we went to Phuket yesterday to pick up some things and stayed overnight due to the heavy rain and too many idiots on the road then returning this morning, as we didnt stay away from our house for 24 hours we should not have to submit either forms going by the law as it is written, guess I will find out next week when I do my 90 day report.

If the place you stayed at asked for your passport, they probably reported you. If they did and your local Immigration office has the last address in the database, good luck trying to convince them that you didn't go away for >24 hours. But,as you say,you will find out next week.

[Max69xl]

25 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

I agree that's what the TM 28 says it's for. I just find it safer to believe no one in immigration and take as much paperwork as I possibly can to avoid a wasted trip.

I posted on another topic that two IO's in the same immigration office gave three different answers to one question on two separate days.

They probably didn't attend same 1 day workshop. ????

[JetsetBkk]

1 hour ago, Max69xl said:

If the place you stayed at asked for your passport, they probably reported you. If they did and your local Immigration office has the last address in the database, good luck trying to convince them that you didn't go away for >24 hours. But,as you say,you will find out next week.

I have to go twice to Bangkok and each time stay for just one night to get a passport renewed, unless I use a "dodgy" service. So I started enquiring about the need for TM30s because I don't like to keep hassling my landlord. This was before this recent TM28 issue began.

 

A friend of mine told me he showed only his Thai driving license when booking into a Bangkok hotel, because then they don't report him as staying there. He said when he returned to his province the IO showed him his information on the computer screen and there was no report from the hotel.

 

So recently I asked a "Foreign Volunteer" at Phuket Immigration about making a TM30 report after a one-night trip to Bangkok. I was told that you can stay in a hotel overnight and show them your Thai driving license instead of your passport. Then they "don't report you". This is the "Smart way", I was told.

 

So even though I didn't mention showing the driving license as ID, the volunteer confirmed what my friend had told me.

 

But I don't see why the hotel can't report you because your driving license has your passport number on it. But it doesn't have your Immigration number on it - the 8 digit number on the TM30 "Receipt of Notification" in your passport that starts with your postcode's first two digits, then the letter "B", then 5 numbers. So maybe the hotel uses that number to report you.

 

So I may now have blown wide open this method of avoiding being reported by a hotel as I am sure there are Immigration personnel reading Thaivisa. But I don't care - you have to break eggs to make an omelette - the "omelette" in this case being a reporting system that is clear, easy and sensible.

 

[Max69xl]

6 minutes ago, JetsetBkk said:

I have to go twice to Bangkok and each time stay for just one night to get a passport renewed, unless I use a "dodgy" service. So I started enquiring about the need for TM30s because I don't like to keep hassling my landlord. This was before this recent TM28 issue began.

 

A friend of mine told me he showed only his Thai driving license when booking into a Bangkok hotel, because then they don't report him as staying there. He said when he returned to his province the IO showed him his information on the computer screen and there was no report from the hotel.

 

So recently I asked a "Foreign Volunteer" at Phuket Immigration about making a TM30 report after a one-night trip to Bangkok. I was told that you can stay in a hotel overnight and show them your Thai driving license instead of your passport. Then they "don't report you". This is the "Smart way", I was told.

 

So even though I didn't mention showing the driving license as ID, the volunteer confirmed what my friend had told me.

 

But I don't see why the hotel can't report you because your driving license has your passport number on it. But it doesn't have your Immigration number on it - the 8 digit number on the TM30 "Receipt of Notification" in your passport that starts with your postcode's first two digits, then the letter "B", then 5 numbers. So maybe the hotel uses that number to report you.

 

So I may now have blown wide open this method of avoiding being reported by a hotel as I am sure there are Immigration personnel reading Thaivisa. But I don't care - you have to break eggs to make an omelette - the "omelette" in this case being a reporting system that is clear, easy and sensible.

 

The volunteer are not allowed to tell you to use the drivers license.

It's against the law not reporting you and using the drivers license when checking in, is not allowed.

Probably they are not licensed or just lazy. The reason for asking for the passport is that they need name, nationality,passport number and the TM6-card number,maybe even entry stamp date to fill in the TM30 form. That's why they normally takes a few copies. This is just an explanation how the hotels/guesthouses are supposed to do it. I don't personally care a bit if they don't report me, and there are many small nice hotels and guesthouses all over Thailand that never report foreigners. But they have to do it by law. If you're staying at proper hotels and licensed guesthouses they will ask for your passport,and they will submit the TM30 report. 

[Max69xl]

4 hours ago, Wongkitlo said:

Yes. You obviously have not read the other person's posts.He seems to think that immigration has a central database which will be able to keep track of everyone but I do not think that is the case. Every province is independent. I was saying even if they did have a central database it would not work because it would rely on human input. There does seem to be alot of confusion in this thread about whether people need to submit after a short stay in another province,even if less than 24 hours. Naturally anybody posting in this thread would not be a tourist staying in a hotel.

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Of course they have a central database. That's the whole idea. How do you think the local Immigration office in a province would know that someone has been staying in a BKK hotel? When I say they don't care about tracking tourists,I mean it's impossible because of the many hotels and guesthouses which are not submitting the TM30. But tourists normally leaves Thailand before the visa expires,so they know they have left when they go through Immigration at the airport. That's why you return the TM6-card to the IO,and he scans your passport. 

[JetsetBkk]

52 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Probably they are not licensed or just lazy.

if, by "they", you mean the hotel, it is a four star hotel in Sukhumvit area. Sorry, no numbers, no names. 

[Max69xl]

26 minutes ago, JetsetBkk said:

if, by "they", you mean the hotel, it is a four star hotel in Sukhumvit area. Sorry, no numbers, no names. 

In that case a 4 thai star hotel. Not same rating system here as they use in international hotel chains. They rate themselves. It's not very often you find a "proper" hotel in Sukhumvith area who accepts a drivers license and not submit the TM30. But there are loads of hotels in that area, so anything can happen. 

[spermwhale]

This fiasco just keeps getting worse and worse. "Oh don't worry about the TM30 you won't be punished, but by the way YOU have to file the TM 28 every time you come back from abroad or another province."

Thailand has become a sick joke. Can't wait to leave this joke of a country...  a few more months. 

 

[aledale]

I think the point is that the foreign have to fill in TM28 in case the owner will not deposit the TM30 by 24 hour in order to declare the address. After that all the problems and the fine will be on the owner.

[martinhp]

On 8/31/2019 at 11:59 AM, BigBadGeordie said:

So as I understand this, I did a 90 day report yesterday (TM47), and I have gone to stay at my friends for the weekend I have to complete a TM28 and my friend has to complete a TM30 within 24 hours. 

On returning home on Monday I have to complete another TM28 and my wife has to complete another TM30 within 24 hours to say I have returned?

 

Madness!!

yes sure this is another rule there have no point 

but i dont understand why the goverment think all the landlords need to do there job for free and even get a fine if they dont

nothing is free here not even to own a hotel

they must pay an amount for every single report

a hotel from 30 rooms up need to hire a person to do this job 

why the think free it does not help others anything only work why should that be free

or if free the immigration officers must conduct the work for the government ,they pay them salary how they do up to them

but dont ask working people to do it and for free.

as for the tourist they are acutely geast here invited by the government on the behalf of the thais 

its the same as you going to a restaurant and before you finished your meal you have to fill out a form where you stay and so on.

who like that this is about respect which they are rather harsh on when inflict others but when its within it seams not to matter equally 

reremind of the sim card registration it is with no point it have not help as "intended" like tm30 never will pure dictatorship 

[DannyCarlton]

On 8/31/2019 at 6:02 AM, ThaiBunny said:

You're living in a xenophobic, authoritarian country. That's the reality

Am I bovvered? Does it affect me? No. That's the reality.

[Max69xl]

10 hours ago, aledale said:

I think the point is that the foreign have to fill in TM28 in case the owner will not deposit the TM30 by 24 hour in order to declare the address. After that all the problems and the fine will be on the owner.

Even if this works in Phuket,it will never work in others provinces. They will still always demand a TM30 to be reported by "someone".

[Wongkitlo]

Of course they have a central database. That's the whole idea. How do you think the local Immigration office in a province would know that someone has been staying in a BKK hotel? When I say they don't care about tracking tourists,I mean it's impossible because of the many hotels and guesthouses which are not submitting the TM30. But tourists normally leaves Thailand before the visa expires,so they know they have left when they go through Immigration at the airport. That's why you return the TM6-card to the IO,and he scans your passport. 

Went today to Chonburi for tm30. On serial tourist visas. One trip to Bangkok, one to Trat. Asked each time if they reported to immigration. Back from border run. In and out in 5 minutes. No fine. Either they don't know or they don't care.

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[Max69xl]

7 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

Went today to Chonburi for tm30. On serial tourist visas. One trip to Bangkok, one to Trat. Asked each time if they reported to immigration. Back from border run. In and out in 5 minutes. No fine. Either they don't know or they don't care.

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Jomtien Immigration does not require a new TM30 report if, let's say an expat goes somewhere within in Thailand,and comes back to the same address. He just does his next 90 days report as usual. Jomtien Immigration do understand the problems with TM30 reporting for expats. But, if a Pattaya-expat leaves the country on a re-entry permit,then he is supposed to submit the TM30 at Jomtien Immigration when he comes back. That's because he now has a new Departure Card = TM6 with a new number. The old number is connected to the latest TM30 report. If Immigration police were smarter, the IO behind the TM30-desk or the IO behind the 90 days report desk could just change TM6-card number and entry date in the computer. So easy, really. 

[Fred white]

On 8/31/2019 at 12:52 PM, billsmart said:

You need to limit your friends to those who live within your own province... ????

Or don't say anything. Unless you stay in a hotel they'll never know

[Fred white]

3 hours ago, Max69xl said:

Jomtien Immigration does not require a new TM30 report if, let's say an expat goes somewhere within in Thailand,and comes back to the same address. He just does his next 90 days report as usual. Jomtien Immigration do understand the problems with TM30 reporting for expats. But, if a Pattaya-expat leaves the country on a re-entry permit,then he is supposed to submit the TM30 at Jomtien Immigration when he comes back. That's because he now has a new Departure Card = TM6 with a new number. The old number is connected to the latest TM30 report. If Immigration police were smarter, the IO behind the TM30-desk or the IO behind the 90 days report desk could just change TM6-card number and entry date in the computer. So easy, really. 

The tm30 might make a little sense if you leave the country but for travel within the borders of Thailand it's stupid

[Artisi]

On 8/31/2019 at 12:52 PM, billsmart said:

You need to limit your friends to those who live within your own province... ????

Or report nothing, don't think Imm. have the man-power to visit every house in Thailand everyday to asertain if a potential criminal farang happens to be staying there. 

 

If visiting a friend - report nothing to anyone - how will they know you are visiting - only if you tell them. 

[Max69xl]

5 minutes ago, Fred white said:

The tm30 might make a little sense if you leave the country but for travel within the borders of Thailand it's stupid

You're right. I'm happy I don't need to report when I come back from another province.

[Peter Denis]

On 9/1/2019 at 9:06 AM, seajae said:

we went to Phuket yesterday to pick up some things and stayed overnight due to the heavy rain and too many idiots on the road then returning this morning, as we didnt stay away from our house for 24 hours we should not have to submit either forms going by the law as it is written, guess I will find out next week when I do my 90 day report.

I doubt you will get away with this, because if the Hotel has filed a TM30 that Hotel will turn up as your latest place of stay in the IO database.  Even if you stay only 1 hour after the TM30 has been filed by the Hotel, a new TM30 has to be filed to document your 'next stay'.

Please keep us informed

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, Fred white said:

The tm30 might make a little sense if you leave the country but for travel within the borders of Thailand it's stupid

Stupid - - 

fast becoming the "hub of stupid" 

it is unbelievable how stupid these latest enforcements are becoming - -  just shows a complete lack of anything approaching intelligence.

 

Ok, re-entering the country there maybe a need to ensure your details are correct  - but for a 24 hour local visit, stupid in the extreme

 

[Wongkitlo]

Jomtien Immigration does not require a new TM30 report if, let's say an expat goes somewhere within in Thailand,and comes back to the same address. He just does his next 90 days report as usual. Jomtien Immigration do understand the problems with TM30 reporting for expats. But, if a Pattaya-expat leaves the country on a re-entry permit,then he is supposed to submit the TM30 at Jomtien Immigration when he comes back. That's because he now has a new Departure Card = TM6 with a new number. The old number is connected to the latest TM30 report. If Immigration police were smarter, the IO behind the TM30-desk or the IO behind the 90 days report desk could just change TM6-card number and entry date in the computer. So easy, really. 

No. If you search tm30 and Chonburi immigration you will find an interview with immigration. For long stay visas they dont need a tm30 for travel within Thailand but for tourist visas they do. There are several articles and an audio file.

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[mngmn]

On 8/31/2019 at 1:47 PM, bearpolar said:

 

They prefer having people calling them monkeys not stayu in their country

 

they are trying to preserve thailand.

 

As much as the tm30 annoys me, i will never complain about it. I want Thailand to stay thais and i want whiny angry racist sexpats to go back home.  Immigrants have destroyed my country and i'd prefer if immigrants didnt destroy thailand.

Err you are an immigrant

[My 2 cents]

On 8/31/2019 at 1:01 PM, losername said:

According to the full article the TM28 only has to be done on returning to your home location and the TM30 is done by the person (hotel in my case) where you stay while away.

Read carefull and keep in mind, the moment that the landlord files for a TM30, your adres is changed and therefore you need to report a change of adres. Again, if you get back at home... merry around...

[lkv]

3 hours ago, mngmn said:

Err you are an immigrant

Most are not immigrants, perhaps himself also unless he has PR/citizenship. That's why they call them non-immigrant visas.

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎8‎/‎31‎/‎2019 at 3:49 PM, rooster59 said:

Foreigners just need to make sure that they fill in a TM28.

Then they need to explain what they are to immigration staff. I tried to do one in Chiang Mai and the officer didn't know what it was.

[thaibeachlovers]

On ‎8‎/‎31‎/‎2019 at 4:09 PM, Vacuum said:

TM28 vs TM30, They are the same! On top of that, a TM47 is also required every 90 days.

They are not the same.

[Hooliganzone]

I went to an island on Friday for 3 nights the hotel I had booked did not ask me for my passport or any ID and I didn't fill anything out, I just paid for the 3 nights and left a 500 baht deposit they gave me the key and that was that.

[Artisi]

1 hour ago, Hooliganzone said:

I went to an island on Friday for 3 nights the hotel I had booked did not ask me for my passport or any ID and I didn't fill anything out, I just paid for the 3 nights and left a 500 baht deposit they gave me the key and that was that.

the system is so full of holes it's a joke - but that's normal in LOS.

[Max69xl]

46 minutes ago, Artisi said:

the system is so full of holes it's a joke - but that's normal in LOS.

Yes,and many small hotels or guesthouses are not licensed even if you can book a room at, for example Agoda. Some small family hotels doesn't have a clue about TM30.

[LivinginKata]

42 minutes ago, Max69xl said:

Yes,and many small hotels or guesthouses are not licensed even if you can book a room at, for example Agoda. Some small family hotels doesn't have a clue about TM30.

 

So So true. The average Thai wants nothing to go with any form of Gov official. Small hotels worried that occupancy number shared with Tax Dept.