Just moved. Agent could not do TM30 on-line, Had to go down to phuket town office. She wanted my passport (not just a copy).  I told her it is not necessary.  I relented and went to meet her down there. She already had spoken to an I.O. and had a queue #. (Thai citizens can speak directly with IO's and skip the volunteers??).  She insisted officer told her original passport was required.  She had a small stack of other tm30s to do, all with passports of various countries.  Is this a new requirement?  Or a case of getting a bum steer from a difficult or otherwise insufficiently trained IO ? 

You normally need your original passport for anything you do at immigration. 

Oh that's a first. Guess I've been lucky in the past. Thx for quick reply.