Settle a pub "discussion"

[VocalNeal]

Is it mandatory to carry passport at all times or do we get 24hrs to produce passport or maybe a 2000 baht fine.

 

Not my discussion. Asking for a friend!

[scubascuba3]

Not enforced otherwise traffic cops would be raking in it in, they wouldn't miss an opportunity 

[ThailandRyan]

Here's an old article from Richard Barrow read into it what you may:

 

https://www.richardbarrow.com/2013/08/always-carry-your-passport-or-a-copy-while-in-thailand/

 

TIPS ON CARRYING YOUR PASSPORT
Although the law says you need to carry your passport at all times, this isn’t actually very practical. It’s not really a good size to fit in your wallet. Plus, if you lose it or it gets wet, then it can get very expensive and time consuming to get it replaced. So, I have been told by Immigration officers that it is perfectly acceptable to carry a photocopy.

Edited February 18, 2023 by ThailandRyan

[dddave]

Passport or an "approved" copy.  Problem is, they never fully defined what constituted an approved copy.  I still don't know if they can be laminated, reduced, be in black & white, 

Also, from what I hear, passport main page is not enough, needs to include visa page.

[DrJack54]

 Your question has been asked many times.

 

Carrying pp at all times is receipt for disaster.

If someone is the conservative type then carry a photocopy of identity page and last permission of stay stamp. 

 

I've lived here 10 years and have never been asked for passport apart from road block when the curfew was in place when gov removed and I was on route from airport to HH.

 

It's just a boring topic. 

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by DrJack54

[VocalNeal]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

 It's just a boring topic. 

So far most of the same responses as the boring "discussion"

[DrJack54]

Just now, VocalNeal said:

So far most of the same responses as the boring "discussion"

Because it's asked over and over and the short answer is "don't carry your passport" 

Point me to a report of someone stating they were fined. 

[Doctor Tom]

Photo on your phone of:  pp pic page, original visa, latest extension and, if you are a pedant, your last TM30 and last 90 day report receipt .  End of discussion.

Oh,  and lock away your passport in a secure dry place.  

Edited February 18, 2023 by Doctor Tom

[VocalNeal]

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Because it's asked over and over and the short answer is "don't carry your passport" 

OK that's your advice but "the law says"? Maybe you were in the pub. 

 

Maybe i'll give up helping people when they ask questions and join the masses with opinions.

 

If it is a worn out thread subject then someone knows the actual answer? 

Edited February 18, 2023 by VocalNeal

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

Photo on your phone of:  pp pic page, original visa, latest extension and, if you are a pedant, your last TM30 and last 90 day report receipt .  End of discussion.

Oh,  and lock away your passport in a secure dry place.  

It's what I have on my phone, and I also carry my Pink ID card and have my DL in my wallet. Been using the Pink card to register at hotels the last year as we traveled around.  Been stopped in many chekkpoints over the years, never asked for my PP just my license..

[4MyEgo]

55 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Is it mandatory to carry passport at all times or do we get 24hrs to produce passport

Never been asked, however with today's age and technology, I like most carry a mobile and in my album section of my photos, I have created a file named passport, I have a photo of my front page, extension stamp and 90 days, and update the extension and 90 days as I go along.

 

I find it convenient and if ever asked for my passport, they can look at the photos or come back to my place where they can view the passport.

 

Don't think anyone in their right mind will carry a passport unless going to immigration or a bank or other government department that would require the original.

 

Tell your friend to take the above photos, that should cover it.

[Ralf001]

I thought the requirement was to carry identification......................not specifically ones passport.

[Mark Nothing]

I have only heard of this one time.  One of my single friends, while on foot walking in town had police request his passport.  He didn't have it so they put him in the bed of the police pickuo truck and drove to his condo where he presented it to them.  No fine.  Case closed.  

[Bday Prang]

57 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

OK that's your advice but "the law says"? Maybe you were in the pub. 

 

Maybe i'll give up helping people when they ask questions and join the masses with opinions.

 

If it is a worn out thread subject then someone knows the actual answer? 

 That's the Whole point, there is no "actual answer"  Its Thailand and that's just how things work here,  Like many here you seem to feel a little insecure once removed from your nanny state environment .  You would be better advised to keep your eyes open and see how it all works here, and also  listen to what you are told by people with long term experience.. 

  There is little to no point in trying to establish  "what the law actually says"   as in most instances, this will be decided by whichever police officer is dealing with you at the time, and he certainly won't be the slightest bit interested in your interpretation of the law,  

It is a boring topic and about as much use as "Should I wear a helmet" ?

[freedomnow]

I just kept a colour laminated copy and a separate copy of last extension or entry stamp under seat on motorbike anyway just in case.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

A few years ago, when the Immigration Department was starting to enforce the TM30 rule (I think that's what it was), they set up camp with a couple of tables and two or three officers in the lobby of the condo building where we own a unit.

 

I think this was the only time in over thirty years I have been asked to produce my passport by a police officer while simply out and about.

[CharlieKo]

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Not enforced otherwise traffic cops would be raking in it in, they wouldn't miss an opportunity 

If you have a Thai drivers license, the cops will accept that as ID. Never been asked to show my passport ever. 

[bokningar]

I might be wrong I don't read Thai so I can't read Thai law.

But the way I have it is that the law state that you need to bring your passport. 

Bit TIT so that is not really enforced. If they ever ( and I have never been asked) ask for it, a photo copy or a drivers license would be OK .

Carrying a passport in the rain could ruin it. 

No point in argue about it. Just separate law from what is reality.

 

[zzaa09]

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Not enforced otherwise traffic cops would be raking in it in, they wouldn't miss an opportunity 

Yeah. Not enforced and even ignored, for the most part. 

Greatly dependent on local and the company one keeps. 

 

I've never bothered to carry my passport around, less any type of ID - all activities within the confinements of the province. Never asked or never checked. 

 

Carry my papers when traveling elsewhere, of course. 

 

This type of mindset [the ever dreaded mandate to having ID at all times] usually associates itself with newbies or folks that don't keep Thai circles. Unbridled paranoia....

 

[DrJack54]

4 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

 

If it is a worn out thread subject then someone knows the actual answer

Yes everyone does know the answer to irrelevant question.

 

Law or not it's not checked or enforced as all the replies have indicated.

 

More a question a newbie may post. 

[3NUMBAS]

maybe yes maybe no it depends on the cops if in a bad mood to turn you over

[FriendlyFarang]

4 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Is it mandatory to carry passport at all times or do we get 24hrs to produce passport or maybe a 2000 baht fine.

No, it's not.

There is a requirement to carry ID though, but doesn't matter if it's a Thai driving license, pink ID card or passport. Don't know the fine if you have neither with you.

[BigStar]

5 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

Is it mandatory to carry passport at all times or do we get 24hrs to produce passport or maybe a 2000 baht fine.

 

It is not mandatory and never has been. Yes, you must produce your passport within 24 hours if asked. If you're detained, you may ask someone to bring it to you or the police will, for a service charge, escort you to pick up your passport. There's no B2000 fine for anything. If your passport/visa's expired, then you'll have a lot more to worry about than B2000.

 

You must carry official identification of some (unspecified) sort on you at all times, however. If you don't, and you come under suspicion, you may be asked for your passport, which you must produce w/i 24 hours one way or the other. If you're under suspicion, you may be detained.

 

Some random officer asking for "passport" doesn't mean anything unless he's bent. That's just the easiest known ID in English to ask for. You may show your official whatever however you're carrying it. You also can't believe news articles claiming people were "arrested" for carrying "no passport." Nobody's ever arrested for that offence (it's not a crime), and "no passport" just means "no ID"--and so it's quite likely they'll need to produce their passports. After all, carrying no ID is a violation.

 

These threads are always full of the ignorant misinformation. Now 100 posters will have to relate what they carry.  

 

 

Edited February 18, 2023 by BigStar

[1FinickyOne]

17 hours ago, VocalNeal said:

So far most of the same responses as the boring "discussion"

where do you think your boring friends got their information - - now, they can just update here

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post and the replies to it.

[zzaa09]

9 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

where do you think your boring friends got their information - - now, they can just update here

Consider the source and the company that too many keep.