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Posted

Yes I know this has been discussed before many times, when theTM6 was in force a TM30 was never required at Jomtien providing you were returning to the same address and on a Retirement Visa. When they temporarily stopped it, it was. 
With the introduction of the Digital Arrival Card is a TM30  still required ?

in my current rental property the owner for some reason has never added her name to the Tabien Baan, the name is of the previous owner who died.

Posted

When returning to same address after trip abroad a TM30 (should Not) be required. 

You mention Jomtien...in the past they have flipped flopped on this. 

Most recent report I've seen was Jomtien not require TM30 if returning to same address. 

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Posted

I was in Jomtien yesterday for a CoR. I had a TM30 from my second to last entry but not the most recent entry. 

 

I was told I must do a TM30 every time I enter even if it was the same address. I had to waste 2 hours getting a new TM30 before they would allow me to apply for the CoR and I also had to pay a fine of 1600 Baht because I had entered Thailand more than 3 days previous and thus the TM30 was 'late'.

 

So, in answer to the OP's question, if you plan to do anything with Jomthien Immigration, expect them to insist upon a TM30 from your most recent entry to Thailand. They won't allow you to go on and do the task you actually went there for until the TM30 refers to the most recent entry.

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Posted
1 hour ago, Briggsy said:

I was in Jomtien yesterday for a CoR. I had a TM30 from my second to last entry but not the most recent entry. 

 

I was told I must do a TM30 every time I enter even if it was the same address. I had to waste 2 hours getting a new TM30 before they would allow me to apply for the CoR and I also had to pay a fine of 1600 Baht because I had entered Thailand more than 3 days previous and thus the TM30 was 'late'.

 

So, in answer to the OP's question, if you plan to do anything with Jomthien Immigration, expect them to insist upon a TM30 from your most recent entry to Thailand. They won't allow you to go on and do the task you actually went there for until the TM30 refers to the most recent entry.

Each Imm. place makes up rules as they go along.  Wish there was a furious emoticon.   Are they incapable of being consistent throughout Thailand? This is a rhetorical question.

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Posted
3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

When returning to same address after trip abroad a TM30 (should Not) be required. 

Few months ago in CW IO stated a new TM30 record is required, even returning to same address, after each new entry stamp in passport.

I then assume the last entry stamp should always be linked to the most up-to-date residential address/TM30.

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Posted
6 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

Few months ago in CW IO stated a new TM30 record is required, even returning to same address, after each new entry stamp in passport.

I then assume the last entry stamp should always be linked to the most up-to-date residential address/TM30.

 

I suggest you download the official regulation (in my previous reply) and bring it with you next time.

 

CW is the Imm Office I go to, and I've always found them to be sticklers for following the rules. 

 

When an IO once told me what you've been told, I shared a highlighted copy of the regulation (in Thai) and that resolved the issue.

 

Of course the government is always free to change the law and it's possible they've recently done so.  But then they'll have something in black and white that documents the new regulation which they can refer to.  I'm not going to argue with them if they have a basis for their requirement, but I will most definitely stand my ground if it's clear they have no basis.

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Posted
1 hour ago, asiacurious said:

A particular IO might make up their own arbitrary rules, but when presented with the actual regulation on a sheet of paper, in Thai, directly from the Thai Government website, my experience has been that they back down.

 

My general rule of thumb in life is that knowledge is power.  When someone thinks that you don't know... they'll insist and you'll comply. But when they find out you do know... you can insist and they'll comply.

You are spending your day teaching them how to do it however. Is that really a win?

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Posted
4 minutes ago, Mark1969 said:

You are spending your day teaching them how to do it however. Is that really a win?

 

I'm spending a few seconds giving them a sheet of paper so that I don't need to get an unnecessary and not required TM30 filed, which WILL certainly cost me much more time, and possibly a bunch of money.

 

And if it helps the next person avoid the issue because the IO now understands the regulations, so much the better.

 

Or were you asking if it's really a win that I'm spending quite a bit more than a few seconds helping other expats by providing the information here?  To that question I'll remain mute. 

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Posted
2 minutes ago, asiacurious said:

I'm spending a few seconds giving them a sheet of paper so that I don't need to get an unnecessary and not required TM30 filed, which WILL certainly cost me much more time, and possibly a bunch of money.

 

And if it helps the next person avoid the issue because the IO now understands the regulations, so much the better.

 

Or were you asking if it's really a win that I'm spending quite a bit more than a few seconds helping other expats by providing the information here?  To that question I'll remain mute. 

I hope your efforts are not in vain and they make it easier for everyone.

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Posted
55 minutes ago, asiacurious said:

I suggest you download the official regulation (in my previous reply) and bring it with you next time.

 

CW is the Imm Office I go to, and I've always found them to be sticklers for following the rules. 

 

When an IO once told me what you've been told, I shared a highlighted copy of the regulation (in Thai) and that resolved the issue.

 

Of course the government is always free to change the law and it's possible they've recently done so.  But then they'll have something in black and white that documents the new regulation which they can refer to.  I'm not going to argue with them if they have a basis for their requirement, but I will most definitely stand my ground if it's clear they have no basis.

Well bringing Thai regulation and law was helpless, IO insisted I had to get a new TM30 record matching my last entry stamp (which I did wasting extra half an hour or so) in order to get my yearly extension be renewed.

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Posted
2 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

Well bringing Thai regulation and law was helpless, IO insisted I had to get a new TM30 record matching my last entry stamp (which I did wasting extra half an hour or so) in order to get my yearly extension be renewed.

 

So you actually brought a copy of the regulation with you?  That's all too rare a thing.  When I did my last extension 4 months ago, I had no issues.  Didn't even show them a copy of the regulation.  I guess I'll find out in about 8 months what happens.

 

Posted
2 hours ago, asiacurious said:

 

A particular IO might make up their own arbitrary rules, but when presented with the actual regulation on a sheet of paper, in Thai, directly from the Thai Government website, my experience has been that they back down.

 

My general rule of thumb in life is that knowledge is power.  When someone thinks that you don't know... they'll insist and you'll comply. But when they find out you do know... you can insist and they'll comply.

 

 

Agreed.

I also find they show more respect in future dealings.

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Posted
2 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Agreed.

I also find they show more respect in future dealings.


Yeah, I think that's the case.

 

And it goes a long way to come in prepared and well organized, with all forms (correctly) filled, and all documents updated and copied.  The only thing I don't give them is the hand drawn map, which they would always discard and ask me to draw again in their presence, like it was some kind of knowledge test.  I've also started to bring a complete copy of every passport page that I hold back, just in case there's an extra page in my passport that they might want a copy of.  Nothing worse than having to run out to get a random page copied.

 

If I've missed something (rare these days) or given them something that they didn't want/need that gets handed back to me, I make a note of those for the next year's extension application.

 

 

 

 

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Posted
2 hours ago, asiacurious said:

So you actually brought a copy of the regulation with you?

No, I reminded her the rules orally but she was very firm with a "take it or leave" attitude. I didn't want challenging her further as it's more than often unproductive.

 

As usual in Thailand each official can bring and apply his own interpretation of the regulations.

Posted
11 minutes ago, Yumthai said:

No, I reminded her the rules orally but she was very firm with a "take it or leave" attitude. I didn't want challenging her further as it's more than often unproductive.

 

As usual in Thailand each official can bring and apply his own interpretation of the regulations.

 

Oh, ok.  So a totally different situation.  When it's your word against hers, she can interpret the regulation any way she wants because....

 

"You don't know the regulation."

"Oh, you misunderstand the regulation."

"I'm the IO and I know the regulation."


It simply doesn't matter and the IO will always - always! - win when it's a verbal disagreement like that.  And I agree with you that challenging her further like that would not have been productive.  But when you pull out a hard copy of the Thai government's regulation in Thai - with the section in question highlighted no less - there's really no interpretation left to be had.

 

This is exactly what happened to me.  They insisted I needed a TM30.  I handed them the official regulation (in Thai and highlighted) and they stopped insisting and processed my extension.

 

Dealing with IO can be intimidating.  It's built into the process - they have something that you want, and you don't want to get on their wrong side.  Arguing certainly isn't productive.  Never argue.

 

But if you're respectful and can offer clear documentation in support of the law, they'll generally accept it.

 

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Posted
On 7/22/2025 at 12:35 PM, Briggsy said:

I was in Jomtien yesterday for a CoR. I had a TM30 from my second to last entry but not the most recent entry. 

 

I was told I must do a TM30 every time I enter even if it was the same address. I had to waste 2 hours getting a new TM30 before they would allow me to apply for the CoR and I also had to pay a fine of 1600 Baht because I had entered Thailand more than 3 days previous and thus the TM30 was 'late'.

 

So, in answer to the OP's question, if you plan to do anything with Jomthien Immigration, expect them to insist upon a TM30 from your most recent entry to Thailand. They won't allow you to go on and do the task you actually went there for until the TM30 refers to the most recent entry.

speaking about CM immigration...I have read the instructions about the TM.30 reporting, especially I note that it says if one goes to a temporary address in Thailand, a TM.30 is done by the owner of the establishment at the temporary address, and then the expat returns to his previous permanent address then a TM.30 is not required.  But, since my temporary was 2 years almost, I thought that to be safe I would check with the CM immigration office(TM.30 office) and they told me that I needed to do an update so glad that I did it within 24 hours of returning to CM.    Even the TM.30 for the temporary address noted that I would only be there until my return to CM date.  @0 minutes of my time just to be sure is fine with me, but one really never knows what their IO might decide on an issue it seems.

Posted
On 7/22/2025 at 2:37 PM, asiacurious said:

 

A particular IO might make up their own arbitrary rules, but when presented with the actual regulation on a sheet of paper, in Thai, directly from the Thai Government website, my experience has been that they back down.

 

My general rule of thumb in life is that knowledge is power.  When someone thinks that you don't know... they'll insist and you'll comply. But when they find out you do know... you can insist and they'll comply.

 

 

Nope.

I tried that approach in the Hat Yai Immigration Office, I was told very plainly "this is Songkhla".

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Posted
On 7/22/2025 at 12:35 PM, Briggsy said:

I was in Jomtien yesterday for a CoR. I had a TM30 from my second to last entry but not the most recent entry. 

 

I was told I must do a TM30 every time I enter even if it was the same address. I had to waste 2 hours getting a new TM30 before they would allow me to apply for the CoR and I also had to pay a fine of 1600 Baht because I had entered Thailand more than 3 days previous and thus the TM30 was 'late'.

 

 

I had exactly the same problem when I obtained a new passport.

The TM30 data includes your passport details,

Posted
On 7/22/2025 at 3:33 PM, asiacurious said:

 

I suggest you download the official regulation (in my previous reply) and bring it with you next time.

 

CW is the Imm Office I go to, and I've always found them to be sticklers for following the rules. 

 

When an IO once told me what you've been told, I shared a highlighted copy of the regulation (in Thai) and that resolved the issue.

 

Of course the government is always free to change the law and it's possible they've recently done so.  But then they'll have something in black and white that documents the new regulation which they can refer to.  I'm not going to argue with them if they have a basis for their requirement, but I will most definitely stand my ground if it's clear they have no basis.

 

I suggest you download the official regulation (in my previous reply) and bring it with you next time........brave....555

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Posted
42 minutes ago, fulhamster said:

I had exactly the same problem when I obtained a new passport.

The TM30 data includes your passport details,

The TM30 form does not request your passport number, only the secondary attachment form which only hotels and guest houses are required to complete requests a passport number.
When you apply to transfer stamps to a new passport, your new passport number is recorded and updated in the system.

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Posted
53 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

I suggest you download the official regulation (in my previous reply) and bring it with you next time........brave....555

It's not 'brave' at all. Half of these IO's are incompetent, poorly trained and advised.

I submit extension applications on behalf of some disabled expats and had some disagreements with an IO on the regulations.

 

When certain Embassies stopped issuing Income letters and Thai Immigration issued new orders accepting overseas monthly transfers to a Thai bank as an alternative to meeting the financial requirements, I came across an IO who insisted only 800K in a Thai bank, or an Embassy letter was acceptable.

Even though the new order had been issued 8 months previously, he was oblivious to the change until I produced their order in Thai and English.

After consulting with the senior IO, he apologised and stated he'd never been informed or previously seen that order.

 

Same with the new TM30 regulations, until I gave them a copy.

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Posted
Just now, Liquorice said:

It's not 'brave' at all. Half of these IO's are incompetent, poorly trained and advised.

I submit extension applications on behalf of some disabled expats and had some disagreements with an IO on the regulations.

 

When certain Embassies stopped issuing Income letters and Thai Immigration issued new orders accepting overseas monthly transfers to a Thai bank as an alternative to meeting the financial requirements, I came across an IO who insisted only 800K in a Thai bank, or an Embassy letter was acceptable.

Even though the new order had been issued 8 months previously, he was oblivious to the change until I produced their order in Thai and English.

After consulting with the senior IO, he apologised and stated he'd never been informed or previously seen that order.

 

 

Calm down dear.....it is what we Brits call humour.....you might try it sometime.

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Posted
32 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

Calm down dear.....it is what we Brits call humour.....you might try it sometime.

British humour flies over the heads of Thais, especially Immigration officials.

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Posted
1 minute ago, Liquorice said:

British humour flies over the heads of Thais, especially Immigration officials.

 

 

I got one to smile a few weeks ago......can't remember for the life of me what was said....

 

Oh I know....he asked,

 

'how long have you been married?'........

 

I hung my head and said....."Forever"....

 

he really did smile.

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Posted
5 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

I got one to smile a few weeks ago......can't remember for the life of me what was said....

 

Oh I know....he asked,

 

'how long have you been married?'........

 

I hung my head and said....."Forever"....

 

he really did smile.

Recall being asked a similar question.
I answered too long. 10 years ago before being married, I had brown hair and was slim.
It brought a rye smile.
You always get a beaming face when you hand them money though, ever noticed?

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Posted
1 minute ago, oldestswinger said:

Wry, Liquorice.

Apologies for the typo, I didn't realise it was an English grammar correction forum.

Psssst. Oldest and swinger has a space between. Capital O.    😉

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