Do I Have to Carry My Passport

[NickyLouie]

What is the actual law on this ?

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

Just carry a copy or other form of ID.

[fredwiggy]

Like he said, make a few copies of the passport face page and visa page, trimmed,and carry in your wallet just in case anything happens or you're asked by police, which sometimes happens, especially at road stops.

[Tropicalevo]

11 minutes ago, NickyLouie said:

What is the actual law on this ?

The law states that all foreigners must carry their passport at all times.

However, it has been stated by various senior policemen that a copy of the relevant pages or an official photo id (DL etc) are acceptable but you must be able to produce your passport at the relevant police station within 24 hours when requested.

[sandyf]

8 minutes ago, NickyLouie said:

What is the actual law on this ?

 

 

By law Thai nationals are required to carry their ID card, so the carry over for foreigners is the passport.

A copy is usually sufficient, before getting the pink card I used to get a copy reduced down and laminated.

In some circumstances the original may be required and I believe you get a few days to do so.

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

The law states that all foreigners must carry their passport at all times.

However, it has been stated by various senior policemen that a copy of the relevant pages or an official photo id (DL etc) are acceptable but you must be able to produce your passport at the relevant police station within 24 hours when requested.

 

This is exactly as I understand it... though instead of 24 hours, the translation I saw quoted 'within a reasonable time frame'..... 

 

Many people have different attitudes towards this and it has been subject to long debate, there are two main camps: 

 

1) A Passport is too much of a valuable document to risk loss when carrying it around, so the never carry it about and will always leave the passport at home.

- They make copies of their Passport and laminate and carry it in their wallet.

- They take photos of their Passport (ID and Visa stamp) and carry that.

- They use their Driving license (which is often sufficient)

- They have a pink ID.

 

2) They carry their passport to remove all ambiguity and are always careful not to lose it (i.e in a money belt etc).

 

 

----------------

 

I've been asked for my passport 3x in over 20 years.

Twice I just said no, and they accepted that and then asked me where I was going, I answered and that was that. 

Another time (about 7pm) my taxi was pulled over and they asked for my Passport, I showed my driving licence, they asked me to get out of the car. I said no, I could read the way this was going and knew this was going to be a shake down and they were going to try and charge me for not carrying a passport....  I just called a mate (RTP) and they waved me on.

 

I now have a Pink ID card, I'm not sure if that would make any difference in the above situation - but sometimes (and its been well known) that the BiB are out to 'sting' and profit from any foreigner they can... there used to be a lot of this in the media about 10 years ago (particularly from the Thonglor Police - area up to Asoke Junction) - news was sufficiently wide spread that they were forced to 'calm things down'.

 

 

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Ultimately - the law is somewhat grey... It states 'government issued ID' but many Police Chief's recognise that no one wants to carry their passport around with them and they are human about this.

Very rarely is anyone ever asked for their passport in the first place - its not something I worry about. 

Most commonly people will carry a copy on their phone (and their entry stamps etc).

 

Legally - Only an Immigration officer, or a Commissioned Police Officer can ask for your 'immigration status' so when asked for ID by a non-commissioned officer a driving license with your hame and Date of Birth on it will suffice....   

.... the issue here is telling the Police what their own laws are, as they often don't know themselves and have only learned from 'legacy' with the some laws being assumed and passed down to the new guys... 

[Sierra Tango]

I have, over the last 30 or so years that I have lived and worked here, never been asked for my passport. I have been pulled over in more traffic stops than I care to remember but never once asked for my passport. My Thai drivers license is all the police have ever wanted to see. 

However, I would consider carrying a photo copy or photo of my passport in my phone if I didn't have any other Thai photo ID.

[dinsdale]

Just keep a pic of your info page and your visa page on your phone. If it's official business, travelling or staying somewhere then you'll need your passport.

[Crossy]

When I'm actually working, my PP and WP are in my work bag with my laptop etc. They stay safely at home at other times.

 

I have a pink ID and keep recent scans of the PP and immigration stamps on my phone.

 

In over 20 years here I've never actually been asked. Of course, this is famous last words and I'll run afoul over the weekend

[DrJack54]

Ignore it. 

[KhunLA]

Legally yes, but a photo on your phone works, and your entry / visa stamp, or snap of TM47 date, if applicable. 

 

I carry with me all the time, if we're out of the house, as my most important document, and is safest with me.   And, never stolen or loss, in ~40 yrs of having PPs.

[cjinchiangrai]

1 hour ago, sandyf said:

By law Thai nationals are required to carry their ID card, so the carry over for foreigners is the passport.

A copy is usually sufficient, before getting the pink card I used to get a copy reduced down and laminated.

In some circumstances the original may be required and I believe you get a few days to do so.

Exactly. separate folder on the phone for ID and insurance papers.

[spidermike007]

I only time I carry my original passport if I am going to immigration, if I have a significant bank transaction or if I'm entering or leaving the country.

 

Otherwise I carry a color copy of my passport with a color copy of my current visa page on the back, in my wallet and that's always sufficient along with a Thai driver's license or a pink card for hotels and such. Never been an issue. 

[KhunLA]

3 hours ago, NickyLouie said:

What is the actual law on this ?

If you carry your PP, then no worries.  If prone to losing things ... oh well.

 

AI response when asked on Google ...

 

 

Another source ...

 

[Caldera]

I would never carry my original passport around at all times. It stays locked up either at home or at a hotel I'm staying at, unless I need it for something that specifically requires producing the original (bank,  immigration). I have my Thai DL in my wallet and pictures of the relevant passport pages on my phone.

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, Caldera said:

I would never carry my original passport around at all times. It stays locked up either at home or at a hotel I'm staying at, unless I need it for something that specifically requires producing the original (bank,  immigration). I have my Thai DL in my wallet and pictures of the relevant passport pages on my phone.

Finally a sensible post.

That's exactly what folk should do.

 

[Maestro]

11 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

The law states...

 

It would be helpful if you posted a link to the relevant law.

[Maestro]

Here's a link to a post I made on a research I did on this subject in 2014:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/719631-passport-check-on-the-road/page/5/#findComment-7711071

 

Those research results results are probably still valid today.

[rough diamond]

 https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/royal-thailand-police-spokesman-tourists-not-need-carry-passports/

 

It may be an old article (2014) but I have never seen a rebuttal since that was ptinted.

[henryford1958]

16 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

Like he said, make a few copies of the passport face page and visa page, trimmed,and carry in your wallet just in case anything happens or you're asked by police, which sometimes happens, especially at road stops.

 

I've lived here for 19 years but never once been asked to show my passport. But i keep a copy with me anyway. Would be crazy to carry your actual passport.

[fredwiggy]

Just now, henryford1958 said:

 

I've lived here for 19 years but never once been asked to show my passport. But i keep a copy with me anyway. Would be crazy to carry your actual passport.

Yes, it's not something you want to lose. That's why I suggested making copies and keeping them in various places, your wallet, car glove box, home. Along with the current visa page.

[Andre0720]

The holder of a passport is responsible for its safeguard.

Carrying it around is not safe.

Never did, and I refuse to show it even at the bank when they ask for it.

 

Always end up ok.

 

[newbee2022]

A copy will do.

My experience. But you have to remember where your passport is.😂

[PeterA]

I have my main passport page as my background on my phone. I also have a few pics kept on my phone, such as my visa page and 90 day  page from my passport. 

If I am stopped, I have recent pictures. I do not carry my passport. 

[Thingamabob]

Apart from visits to the authorities I never carry my passport anywhere, only my pink ID card (which has always been accepted). The pink card did not exist when the law requiring foreigners to always carry their passport was written. 

[steven100]

17 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Just carry a copy or other form of ID.

never carried a copy and never been asked to show it. 

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, Andre0720 said:

Never did, and I refuse to show it even at the bank when they ask for it.

And then what, the bank just proceed with whatever you are trying to do ignoring their own procedures?  Why, are you special in some way?

[couchpotato]

1 hour ago, Andre0720 said:

The holder of a passport is responsible for its safeguard.

Carrying it around is not safe.

Never did, and I refuse to show it even at the bank when they ask for it.

 

Always end up ok.

 

Not believable..  Passport is mandatory at banks for most transactions, no passport, no service.

[steven100]

1 hour ago, Andre0720 said:

Never did, and I refuse to show it even at the bank when they ask for it.

why would you refuse to show it to a bank official.   ?

are you the king of France ...  

[sandyf]

16 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Legally yes, but a photo on your phone works, and your entry / visa stamp, or snap of TM47 date, if applicable. 

Quite, but it should be borne in mind the law is in respect of identity, also applies to Thais, it is not an immigration requirement.