Plastify copy of my passaport and visa

[Ermanno]

I went to a shop yesterday and they made me a plastify copy of my passport photo page on front and my visa on back and reduced to a size as a driver license. When this lockdown will end i will travel for work by bus or car. In case of a police or military control on the road, this copy i made will be enough for them or i have to bring my passport, even i no like to carry it with me?

[problemfarang]

Im not very sure it is going to work or not BUT i know some people around me doing it. Though so far no police stopped them and saw the result. 

 

BUT my question is, what are you going to do if police says he THINKS it can be fake, its a copy at the end of the day, right? You need to go to police station with them, then call someone to bring your original passport and so on... 

I also personally think its a funny idea. Seriously how can someone be sure its real? its a printed piece of paper... You know what magics you can do with photoshop these days. 15 years in Thailand and I will be very honest, never stopped by a police in any kind of public transportation and asked for my passport (doesnt mean i wont be asked) But yes when im driving my car thats the first thing they ask, interesting.

 

My suggestion is, just do like thais. Buy a small waist bag and put things in it. 

Edited April 25, 2020 by problemfarang

[Peterw42]

Not sure where you get the idea that there will be military roadblocks during or after the lockdown. After the lockdown and its business as usual, you may encounter a police traffic stop where a license is required. 

The whole "must carry passport" is a bit of a myth, 99% of people living here have never been asked to show a passport at a police stop or otherwise

In the rare occasion , if at all, you get asked to show a passport, a copy will most likely be fine.

 

[problemfarang]

2 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Not sure where you get the idea that there will be military roadblocks during or after the lockdown. After the lockdown and its business as usual, you may encounter a police traffic stop where a license is required. 

The whole "must carry passport" is a bit of a myth, 99% of people living here have never been asked to show a passport at a police stop or otherwise

In the rare occasion , if at all, you get asked to show a passport, a copy will most likely be fine.

 

 

well im always being asked when its a traffic stop. 1st my driving license and 2nd my passport. Although once i heard from someone saying normal police cannot ask your passport, must be an immigration officer for that around.

Edited April 25, 2020 by problemfarang

[Ermanno]

2 minutes ago, problemfarang said:

 

well im always being asked when its a traffic stop. 1st my driving license and 2nd my passport. Although once i heard from someone saying normal police cannot ask your passport, must be an immigration officer for that around.

I no have driving license and for small journey i use a taxi or minivan. For long journey bus or minivan. About the fake idea of problemfarang i was thinking the same, but the " shop" where i done it its also a visa agent and there is a little desk where they do it for 150 thb.

[Ermanno]

11 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Not sure where you get the idea that there will be military roadblocks during or after the lockdown.

 

Just my idea, maybe near border expecially with Myanmar or Cambodia.

[EricTh]

Do banks and police accept plastify passports rather than the genuine passports?

 

 

[Ermanno]

2 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Do banks and police accept plastify passports rather than the genuine passports?

 

 

 

Yesterday i done a report at local police station: i tried show them this kind of copy i done yesterday and they accepted it as they told me all details where clear.

Edited April 25, 2020 by Ermanno

[ripstanley]

2 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Do banks and police accept plastify passports rather than the genuine passports?

 

 

My Bangkok Bank will only accept genuine passport

[Peterw42]

11 minutes ago, problemfarang said:

 

well im always being asked when its a traffic stop. 1st my driving license and 2nd my passport. Although once i heard from someone saying normal police cannot ask your passport, must be an immigration officer for that around.

Can I ask where you live, where are police asking for a passport at traffic stops ? I have never heard of a passport being asked for at a traffic stop, most people would be concerned if that is starting to happen.

[EricTh]

2 minutes ago, Ermanno said:

Yesterday i done a report at local police station: i tried show them this kind of copy i done yesterday and they accepted it as they told me all details where clear.

What type of report is that? 

 

 

Some government office will only accept genuine passport.

[Ermanno]

Just now, EricTh said:

What type of report is that? 

Book bank and atm loss

[Peterw42]

6 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Do banks and police accept plastify passports rather than the genuine passports?

 

 

Police dont usually ask for a passport.

[EricTh]

11 minutes ago, Ermanno said:

Book bank and atm loss

That's not really important for the police.

 

I think they only accept original passports for important events like withdrawing of money, application of residence cert, applying for Thai driving licence, applying for one year visa.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 25, 2020 by EricTh

[BigStar]

35 minutes ago, problemfarang said:

BUT my question is, what are you going to do if police says he THINKS it can be fake, its a copy at the end of the day, right? You need to go to police station with them, then call someone to bring your original passport and so on... 

What a nonsensical question. It cannot possibly be regarded as an original passport or a fake original passport. It's just a miniature laminated copy of a couple of pages that pretends to nothing more. And it's not a bad idea to have a copy with you in addition to whatever else you have, Thai driver's license, pink card, etc. Never had to show my copy, however.

 

And on the rare occasion a cop asks for ID, it or other valid, acceptable ID will do fine unless you're under suspicion. Police will say "passport" out of convenience but will normally accept a copy.

 

It's one of the ineradicable forum myths that Thai law says that foreigners must carry their original passports with them. Been argued ad nauseam. Now of course our TVF Passport Truthers will come out of the woodwork. Here we go again, thank you.

[AndyAndyAndy]

28 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Not sure where you get the idea that there will be military roadblocks during or after the lockdown. After the lockdown and its business as usual, you may encounter a police traffic stop where a license is required. 

The whole "must carry passport" is a bit of a myth, 99% of people living here have never been asked to show a passport at a police stop or otherwise

In the rare occasion , if at all, you get asked to show a passport, a copy will most likely be fine.

 

Happened to me twice, about 8 years ago.

 

My wife was driving, police stop, she showed her driving ID and I had no ID. They threatened to take me to station and pay 4000 Baht (which is supposed to be a official fee for not having documents). After some discussion in both cases I payed 400 baht on the spot. And each time I even got a bill. So it wasn't about them wanting bribe. It was all official. 

 

Ever since I have driving ID I was never bothered to show passport, no matter if police/army stop or who ever stops me. Driving ID is always enough.

[BigStar]

4 minutes ago, EricTh said:

That's not really important for the police.

 

I think they only accept original passports for important events like withdrawing of money, application of residence cert, applying for Thai driving licence, applying for one year visa.

 

 

 

 

My BBL bank branch accepts my pink ID card for withdrawing money.

[BigStar]

5 minutes ago, AndyAndyAndy said:

My wife was driving, police stop, she showed her driving ID and I had no ID. They threatened to take me to station and pay 4000 Baht (which is supposed to be a official fee for not having documents).

"No ID" doesn't mean "no passport." You ARE required to have some kind of valid acceptable ID and be able to produce your passport (from home) within a reasonable time. If under suspicion, you'll be held until it's produced. If you have no one to fetch it for you, police will escort you and charge a fee for doing so, as it's an extra police service.

[Matzzon]

49 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

The whole "must carry passport" is a bit of a myth

Nope! The thing about that you according to the immigration law must carry a passport is no myth at all. That´s the law. The myth might be in how much it is enforced. However, you will never know when, if or why it one day will be enforced. Therefore it´s always best to carry your original passport. (Please do refrain from repeating the standard answer regarding the risk of robbery, because that is a chance of 1 to 1M).

Edited April 25, 2020 by Matzzon

[Peterw42]

1 minute ago, Matzzon said:

Nope! The thing about that you according to the immigration law must carry a passport is no myth at all. That´s the law. The myth might be in how much it is enforced. However, you will never know when, if or why it one day will be enforced. Therefore it´s always best to carry your original passport. (Please do refrain from repeating the standard answer regarding the risk of robbery, because that is a chance of 1 to 1M).

Can you quote the section of the immigration act, police order etc ?

These threads about carrying a passport etc come up every couple of months and people say its the law etc but nobody can ever point to the reference in the law, act, police order etc.

Just once I would like to see where it is written.

[JAG]

Although I have carried such a laminated copy around with me in my wallet for years, the only document I have ever been asked for is (on a couple of occasions) my driving licence.

 

I also keep a picture on my phone.

 

As a matter of fact, some years ago when the subject was undergoing one of it's regular airings on this forum, and being in the immigration office, I asked. The officer I asked, who had just (literally) pocketed the fee for a letter confirming my address for the driving licence people said I had to, as "I was a foreigner". His younger colleague followed me outside, and said not to bother, a picture on my phone would suffice!

Edited April 25, 2020 by JAG

[Andy from Kent]

44 minutes ago, Ermanno said:

Book bank and atm loss

 

You lost an ATM?     555

[Tropicalevo]

22 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

Nope! The thing about that you according to the immigration law must carry a passport is no myth at all. That´s the law. The myth might be in how much it is enforced. However, you will never know when, if or why it one day will be enforced. Therefore it´s always best to carry your original passport. (Please do refrain from repeating the standard answer regarding the risk of robbery, because that is a chance of 1 to 1M).

Yes it is the law, BUT and a BIG but, the head of immigration, some years ago (and it was posted in TV and other papers etc) said that whilst the law states that passport should be with foreigners at all times. This was also unrealistic. Therefore, copy of the passport or valid photo id would be acceptable in the first instance. Original passport must be produced upon demand.

[Peterw42]

3 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Yes it is the law, BUT and a BIG but, the head of immigration, some years ago (and it was posted in TV and other papers etc) said that whilst the law states that passport should be with foreigners at all times. This was also unrealistic. Therefore, copy of the passport or valid photo id would be acceptable in the first instance. Original passport must be produced upon demand.

Can you quote the relevant section of immigration law where it is written ????

 

Its one of those thing that keeps perpetuating, but its not written in any law. Yes, even immigration perpetuate the same and think its written down somewhere.

 

I must have read 20-30 of these "its the law" threads but to date nobody , including immigration, can show where this law is written.

[ubonjoe]

Some off topic and baiting posts have been removed.

[mickyr55]

7 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

At present time, yes! Can it change tomorrow? YES!

A passport is the property of the nation that issued it not the user, the British government advice is you do not carry your passport with you, however at the moment during the lockdown they have issued temporary advice saying that it's best to carry it with you.

I have a plastic card type copy and apart from official business with banks or government I have had no problem whatsoever using it for ID as long as the info page is clear and readable also on page is your signature which you can provide as further evidence of your identity. 

[Jip99]

48 minutes ago, Peterw42 said:

Can you quote the relevant section of immigration law where it is written ????

 

Its one of those thing that keeps perpetuating, but its not written in any law. Yes, even immigration perpetuate the same and think its written down somewhere.

 

I must have read 20-30 of these "its the law" threads but to date nobody , including immigration, can show where this law is written.

 

 

13 years I have been looking for it.................................... it does not exist in Thai law.

[Peterw42]

7 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

I am not spreading misinformation. It´s just you that lacks real information.
 

Can´t just bother with that now. There are numerous articles about this that states that there is a law which says foreigner need to carry their original passports. UK gov have been informing of the same. Irish Gov have done same. Immigration officers have confirmed the law. However, everybody also states that it´s not enforced. That´s what I also say, but you will never know when it will be. As I remember it, there is also a possible fine of up to 2 000 baht that can be given if enforced.

 

Here is what Pol Col Thanasak Vongluekiat said: "Google: Passports: Better safe than sorry"

 

"He said that by law, all tourists and expats nationwide are required to carry their original passports with them at all times. There is no exception. Failure to carry your original passport may result in a 2,000-baht fine."

Yes, you are correct, many articles incorrectly say its the law (many also say the opposite) and even immigration officials will perpetuate the misinformation that its a law and written down somewhere. 

 

Immigration can, and do, give incorrect information. In the case of a law to carry passport, posters and immigration have been giving the same misinformation for years, based on an belief that a law exists. 

 

Again, can you quote the section in the immigration act ??????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Matzzon]

14 minutes ago, mickyr55 said:

A passport is the property of the nation that issued it not the user, the British government advice is you do not carry your passport with you, however at the moment during the lockdown they have issued temporary advice saying that it's best to carry it with you.

I have a plastic card type copy and apart from official business with banks or government I have had no problem whatsoever using it for ID as long as the info page is clear and readable also on page is your signature which you can provide as further evidence of your identity. 

A government advice, can never override a law in the country you reside.

[watthong]

It depends on the individual who wants to look at it. A decade or so ago, I was travelling on long-distance bus around Thailand. One place we arrived before dawn. There was one policeman who wanted to see my passport. I showed him my plastified copy. No, no he wanted to see the real thing. Remember this is not the country where your passport comes from, so they have their "preferred" way of looking at your document. Best is prepare for the worst ie play safe.

 

With banks all mine all branches want the real thing, always.