Farang ID while cycling

[2old4fixies]

8 hours ago, Russell17au said:

Look at it this way. Even a Thai citizen must produce their original Thai ID card on request. They cannot produce a copy. If anyone of authority request your ID documents (passport) then you must be able to show them the original document and not a copy, but saying that it is up to the person of authority if they will accept a photo copy or not. Many foreigners take the risk by copying their passport information page, plus their visa, extension, entry stamp, departure card and either laminate the copy or some of them even reduce the size down to a credit card size for ease of carrying. But at the end of the day it is up to the authority on what they will accept. It is up to you if you want to take the risk but everyone in Thailand including Thai citizens must carry their original ID documents.

That was the dilemma that sparked my question.  There are official rules and relaxed allowances.  Whatever the solution I came up with, it will probably include some sort of laminated document along with plastic card(s) to back it up.  Thanks for your input.

[boonnoon]

An absurd question!  Don't you carry ID with you at home?  Always have some form of ID on you at all times abroad ????in case of accident. ????‍♀️

[ericthai]

 

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The carry is not the issue... 

 

... The potential loss, it getting wet with sweat, rain etc is... 

 

There is great need to carry your passport around, the potential hassle of replacement by far outweighs any perceived risk of not carrying it and being stopped by that 1 police officer in Thailand who doesn’t accept an alternative. 

 

Question: Has anyone ever been stopped and an ID alternative to a passport (such as Driving licence, photocopy, Pink ID, Photo on Phone) not been accepted ?

In 20+ years in Thailand I have only been asked for my passport twice (My driver license plenty of times) once was near a Cambodian boarder and when I told him I didn't have my passport with me but had my driver license he was good with that. 

 

The other time was in 2014 during the coup, I got on a bus to bangkok and at two check points army guys bordered the bus and checked ID's. I was only asked for my passort the first time, which I was leaving Thailand so actually had on me. The second check stop the army boarded the bus again but this time they just looked at me and asked the Thai guy next to me for his ID. (I figured the guy couldn't speak English that's why he didn't ask) 

 

As anything in Thailand it's hit or miss, but the realty is you're not going to jail for not having our passport on you. You might be inconvenienced and detained until you can produce your passport, but you're not going to jail over it.

Now if you're illegally in Thailand it's a different story!

 

[2old4fixies]

7 hours ago, Red Forever said:

Ok, so the deputy commander of the Tourist Police Division says that foreigners are "expected" to carry a passport. Note, not legally obliged to.

So that takes care of tourists, numbers of whom are sparse.

What about the 10s of thousands of foreigners who aren't tourists?

Nah...we don't need to carry anything.

 

Maybe I'm being overly cautious and just want to get off to a good start as a newbie-expat, but the snark in me may want to tempt fate and see what happens should I be stopped without legally-excepted ID.  Thanks for your response.

[ericthai]

6 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

The law is clear. Foreigners are required to carry their passport at all times. Most of us don't and have never had any problems. However, be aware that failure to do so could be used against you.

used against me how??

Please tell me what is the sentence the court gives on this crime of not having your passport with you? Deportation? Jail? 

[2old4fixies]

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

You've mentioned ‘Risk’ twice... 

 

What exactly is the Risk you perceive and the probability of the Risk ???

 

 

I think the risk might be:

A police officer not accepting a driving licence (or whatever else it is and you are forced to go with the Police officer to your home and collect your Passport).

 

Probability of that happening. Very very little (<1% - i.e. IF stopped 100 time, 1 officer may be awkward).

 

In Bangkok I've been asked for my ID on 3 occasions in 20 years by the BiB (on those occasions my Thai DL was fine).

 

Conclusion: We’re over thinking it !

 

 

Once I arrive and learn how things work in Thailand, I'll probably realize I was over-thinking it.  I'll be so happy not having to deal with snow, ice, and a lifetime of work obligations that I'll probably tip any cop that would fine me.

[2old4fixies]

6 hours ago, hotchilli said:

I always carry in my wallet a copy of my passport photo/visa page and 90 check, [one A4 sht]

If they want to see my passport they can follow me home to view it.

Agreed, plus now days there's those slimline wallets that will never be confused with George Castanza's wallet.

[Presto]

16 minutes ago, 2old4fixies said:

Thank you for your opinion, very helpful.  Most of the roads west and south of Hua Hin look very appealing.  I road several thousands of miles throughout NYC, Phila, DC, always with a bar-end mirror, in all kinds of traffic.  Prefer not to be on multi-use paths and love the road.  Thailand and Malaysia's road surfaces for the most part look excellent - no freakin' snow plows to screw things up.  Maybe see you out pounding the pavement someday, so happy trails to you.

After a while of living here and riding here in Hua Hin, you will recognize and remember the roads you like, and thr oads with obvious issues. For instance soi 112 going west, out of town. In the late afternoon rush hour, too many workers getting out of town in a souped up pick up, belching black smoke, going pretty fast usually. No need for a mirrir, you can hear them coming. Soft shoulders of roads, and bicuycle paths at the side of a road like Petchkasem, can easily be used for parking. So be aware of that.  Quality of main roads is good, but the smaller roads that I prefer have those bumpy patches, and potholes sometimes, that can catch you off guard. As I have experienced. The drain grates in some roads can be a problem because of the width of the openings in relation to your tires. I know people that have had quite a big crash because of that. I'll attach some pictures. Btw, I've rode my bike in Manhattan, Harlem, California, Arizona .... 

[2old4fixies]

5 hours ago, thailand49 said:

In my cycling days in Pattaya, I have a laminated passport copy with entry stamp on back downsize at a photo shop to the size of a credit card.  On my bike I have a small waterproof pouch with tools and a extra tube for flats, Also with the Passport I.D. I have another laminated credit card size indicating if I'm in an accident to give a call to and indicate where to take me hospital.  I put all this stuff in a another small plastic pouch to keep it all dry.

I also use this method whenever I went out at night to the clubs particularly GoGo's and Happy ending places!????

Thanks for your reply, and yes, I carry everything I need to take care of business (tube, easy patches, just enough tools, and beer money).  I'm wondering if I'll need the tubes and tools for the bars and massage joints?

[2old4fixies]

6 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

The law is clear. Foreigners are required to carry their passport at all times. Most of us don't and have never had any problems. However, be aware that failure to do so could be used against you.

Thanks, your response is kind of how I'm interpreting it.  I'm the kind of schlep that would become the use case for this law.  

[2old4fixies]

5 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

When I'm cycling I take my Pacific Cross card which has most details including my passport number 

Thanks, as I was not aware of this feature on the Pacific Cross card.  That's the health care system I'm researching.

[2old4fixies]

4 hours ago, DefaultName said:

When cycling, you'll be carrying water, is a passport so hard to carry as well?

Good point, but I'm thinking anything made of paper is vulnerable to sweat or rain.  From most of the responses I've read it looks like the combination of a laminated paper copy of passport, something called a "Pink Card" (which I'll now look into), and that Pacific Cross medical card (with passport number, something else I look to acquire) will be the answer.

[2old4fixies]

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

The carry is not the issue... 

 

... The potential loss, it getting wet with sweat, rain etc is... 

 

There is great need to carry your passport around, the potential hassle of replacement by far outweighs any perceived risk of not carrying it and being stopped by that 1 police officer in Thailand who doesn’t accept an alternative. 

 

Question: Has anyone ever been stopped and an ID alternative to a passport (such as Driving licence, photocopy, Pink ID, Photo on Phone) not been accepted ?

Yes, I just want to preserve my passport for Immigration and banking issues.

[2old4fixies]

4 hours ago, khunPer said:

Copy of you passport will normally do; i.e. the name & ID-page, and the page with your valid entry-stamp or extension of stay. You can have the photocopy laminated, or just use one of the water tight bags to hang around the neck. 

 

If you have Thai drivers license then that is also a valid ID, it includes either your passport number or your Thai ID-number, if you are registered...????

I agree, except for anything hanging around my neck????.  

[2old4fixies]

2 hours ago, bbabythai said:

Carry a copy of your private health insurance. You will need it. Crazy drivers are everywhere. Quite dangerous to be on a bike. 

I'm quite comfortable and capable in all the big NE US cities.  Experienced many left hooks and right crosses by box trucks, phone-addled soccer moms, and <deleted> off dudes in 3/4-ton pickups.  But those are no match for many Thai drivers.  My MO is rural roads at sun up and be sitting by the pool with cold bev in hand by mid-AM.  I'm hoping this keeps me out of most bad situations.

[2old4fixies]

2 hours ago, DJ54 said:

US has a Passport Card (see example picture) the size of a drivers license. Can not be used for 

travel outside N. America but has all the pertinent information as on passport and for ID purposes 

generally should be accepted for identification purposes. Costs an additional @ $30 USD when applying for regular passport...

Thank you for your response, I'm currently in the process of acquiring one of these.

[2old4fixies]

48 minutes ago, boonnoon said:

An absurd question!  Don't you carry ID with you at home?  Always have some form of ID on you at all times abroad ????in case of accident. ????‍♀️

I guess it was an absurd question.  TBH, I generally don't carry any ID in my current (last in the USA) rides on a multi-use off-road lane with suburban roads mixed.  I just don't see the need unless it's big city riding, which I no longer do.  But overseas, certainly I would always want to comply with local laws regarding legally-accepted ID.  My only concern regarded carrying a passport, and thanks to many of the responses on this thread, I now believe there's a solution that will preserve my original document passport.  I do appreciate your comment and maybe I should carry some ID with me even in the safe confines of my soon-to-be-former locale.

[2old4fixies]

55 minutes ago, ericthai said:

 

In 20+ years in Thailand I have only been asked for my passport twice (My driver license plenty of times) once was near a Cambodian boarder and when I told him I didn't have my passport with me but had my driver license he was good with that. 

 

The other time was in 2014 during the coup, I got on a bus to bangkok and at two check points army guys bordered the bus and checked ID's. I was only asked for my passort the first time, which I was leaving Thailand so actually had on me. The second check stop the army boarded the bus again but this time they just looked at me and asked the Thai guy next to me for his ID. (I figured the guy couldn't speak English that's why he didn't ask) 

 

As anything in Thailand it's hit or miss, but the realty is you're not going to jail for not having our passport on you. You might be inconvenienced and detained until you can produce your passport, but you're not going to jail over it.

Now if you're illegally in Thailand it's a different story!

 

Thanks, that's the vibe I'm getting.  Once I settle in (never been to Asia) I'm sure I realize it was no big whoop.

[2old4fixies]

45 minutes ago, Presto said:

After a while of living here and riding here in Hua Hin, you will recognize and remember the roads you like, and thr oads with obvious issues. For instance soi 112 going west, out of town. In the late afternoon rush hour, too many workers getting out of town in a souped up pick up, belching black smoke, going pretty fast usually. No need for a mirrir, you can hear them coming. Soft shoulders of roads, and bicuycle paths at the side of a road like Petchkasem, can easily be used for parking. So be aware of that.  Quality of main roads is good, but the smaller roads that I prefer have those bumpy patches, and potholes sometimes, that can catch you off guard. As I have experienced. The drain grates in some roads can be a problem because of the width of the openings in relation to your tires. I know people that have had quite a big crash because of that. I'll attach some pictures. Btw, I've rode my bike in Manhattan, Harlem, California, Arizona .... 

Valuable advice and love the images.  I've been looking into retiring in Thailand for a few years now, and one of the first things I learned was to watch for those unfriendly runoff grates and mini-sinkholes in what appears to be otherwise glass smooth pavement.  I will make a point learn the roads like a golf green or a hidden lake shoal.  btw, these days, NYC is a ghost town, but crimes against people are way up.  I used to drive from suburban Phila to Ft. Lee, and gleefully do centuries down to Coney Island, back up through Queens to Astoria and over to Central Park before heading back to NJ, hop in the car and head back.  Just for the hell of it.  Knew all the safe places to pee in public without getting caught???? Ahh, those days have passed.

[2old4fixies]

1 hour ago, ericthai said:

used against me how??

Please tell me what is the sentence the court gives on this crime of not having your passport with you? Deportation? Jail? 

I'd just rather avoid the hassle of dealing with anything legal.  It's not worth my time.  I'd prefer to pay off the cop and move along.

[Skypirate]

I have biked SE Asia much and have never been asked for documents in LOFS unless crossing a border.  However, I have made copies of my documents, soft laminated them, tightly rolled them up and stuff up my seat tube....sounds kinky.

 

If you quick release on seat tube (not recommended for theft issues) it is easy to retrieve them.   If not , a little more work required.

 

With that being said, the very best identification and protection would be the phone number of a friend, wife, Thai buddy, Lawyer or what ever.  When an issues arises, they can usually sort it out quickly.

[2old4fixies]

2 minutes ago, Skypirate said:

I have biked SE Asia much and have never been asked for documents in LOFS unless crossing a border.  However, I have made copies of my documents, soft laminated them, tightly rolled them up and stuff up my seat tube....sounds kinky.

 

If you quick release on seat tube (not recommended for theft issues) it is easy to retrieve them.   If not , a little more work required.

 

With that being said, the very best identification and protection would be the phone number of a friend, wife, Thai buddy, Lawyer or what ever.  When an issues arises, they can usually sort it out quickly.

Thanks, Skypirate.  In fact, instead of the seat tube I'd roll up the docs inside of the seat post itself so nothing might get pushed down further into the seat tube.  I like your idea, even for some spare cash.  Also, yes I have already decided to have a lawyer on retainer (for anything in general) plus that Thai Elite thingee has some features that would help.

[chickenslegs]

1 hour ago, 2old4fixies said:

I'd prefer to pay off the cop and move along.

You are coming to the right place.

[Skypirate]

5 hours ago, 2old4fixies said:

Thanks, Skypirate.  In fact, instead of the seat tube I'd roll up the docs inside of the seat post itself so nothing might get pushed down further into the seat tube.  I like your idea, even for some spare cash.  Also, yes I have already decided to have a lawyer on retainer (for anything in general) plus that Thai Elite thingee has some features that would help.

I also carry extra spokes in a 5/8s vinyl tube with the docs wrapped around them. Think seriously about some of the newer carbon lined tires.   Many of the local lorrie transports will not change their tire until they literally disintegrate….really.  Consequently, the roads are littered with small wires ( the shredded reinforcement bands in sidewalls) about the size of a stick Pin.  After numerous reoccurring flats that you end up changing on a dark morning near ditches and field populated by creature that can hurt you, I went with Schwalbe marathon pros.  Never a flat.   But there are many good brands out their. 
 

also, drivers and dogs are real issues.   There is an area south of Hua Hin and Pran Buri where an extremely large tribe of soi dogs hang out.  Be cautious there, if one starts to chase you all the rest with follow.

 

ive tried spray, sticks, ping pong balls, dog food, whistles and yelling.   The best trick for me is to just stop peddling and then go away.   However, no guarantees.

[jomtienisgood]

23 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

You dont need to carry ID with you all the time. 

 

The biggest threat when cycling are the roads and soi dogs!

 

Luckily, south of Hua Hin there are lots of cycle lanes so it is pretty safe. The routes are excellent and it is probably one of the best spots in Thailand for cyclists. 

In 22 years living here I've never been checked for ID or WP..... 

[jomtienisgood]

7 hours ago, 2old4fixies said:

I guess it was an absurd question.  TBH, I generally don't carry any ID in my current (last in the USA) rides on a multi-use off-road lane with suburban roads mixed.  I just don't see the need unless it's big city riding, which I no longer do.  But overseas, certainly I would always want to comply with local laws regarding legally-accepted ID.  My only concern regarded carrying a passport, and thanks to many of the responses on this thread, I now believe there's a solution that will preserve my original document passport.  I do appreciate your comment and maybe I should carry some ID with me even in the safe confines of my soon-to-be-former locale.

As I said previously, in 22 years here I've never been checked, except along the road checks for DL a few times a year.. And as mentioned by other posters you need to be a bit careful about dogs and wholes in the road when it rains... 

[NoshowJones]

If you are going to start obeying all the rules. you may as well just join the "scared of your own shadow brigade". As a newly retired expat, there are so many different interpretations of all the rules it depends on whoever you are dealing with.

I have been here in Thailand for 15 Years now and apart from the very odd time I have had to show my driving licence, I have never been asked for any ID, and that's me walking and driving all round Bangkok and Pattaya etc.

[NoshowJones]

19 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

This has changed from region to region and from time to time with announcements that ‘we’ (foreigners) do not need to carry our passports, but need to be able to present it within a ‘reasonable’ time frame if requested to do so. 

Usually, within a year another senior police officer of another province makes a contradictory announcement. 

 

 

There are a couple key facets to this issue: What the law actually says, and what happens. 

 

The Law:

'A person must carry government issued photo ID or have it presentable within a ‘reasonable’ time frame'

 

What happens:

While a Thai driving licence is not actually ID (its just a licence), it is accepted as ID by pretty much every policeman if you are stopped. 

IF a person does not have a Thai Driving Licence, a Photo Copy of his passport is accepted as ID by pretty much every policeman if you are stopped. 

Many guys laminate a copy of their passport (shrunk to Credit card size)

A Photo of your Passport / Entry Stamp / Visa Page on your phone is usually sufficient. 

 

IF an officer decides to be difficult, they can ask you to present your passport as a form of ID, in which case you may need someone who can collect it for you quickly. 

 

The Pink ID card (after getting a Yellow Tabien Baan house book) is probably one of the best forms of Government ID to use in Thailand as an alternative to carrying a passport. 

 

Note: Only Police officers of commissioned rank and Immigration Police are allowed to ask for your passport. 

(real world, try telling that to a non-commissioned officer if they are on a power-trip !)

 

 

 

"real world, try telling that to a non-commissioned officer if they are on a power-trip !)"

I will, you can be sure of that.

[NoshowJones]

15 hours ago, DefaultName said:

When cycling, you'll be carrying water, is a passport so hard to carry as well?

Yes!

[1FinickyOne]

I am here a long time... never been asked once for my passport... DL - yes, on a rare occasion... just keep a copy on your phone...

 

I have also been contacted for advice from people who have never been here but want to retire here... they have a million questions, but never make it here... I always tell them best to visit first... they don't - 

 

so, good luck.. I guess covid changes things...