Went to get a re entry permit earlier this week, handed in the paperwork and was told I needed to update my TM30, even though the same TM30 was used as part of my yearly extension a few months back (which I told the IO), and I hadn't left the country since. The IO said 'you must report every time you re enter the province', which I did on my return into Thailand before my extension, and the updated TM30 was accepted as part of the successful application.

 

I had to walk up to the drive thro window and tell the IO I needed to update it, which he did along with my 90 day report which was also due. There were many cars waiting but luckily I got seen straight away after explaining the situation.

 

Phuket has a new building now for re entry permits and it appears that the computers are not talking to each other, as the original IO pointed to the last stamp on my TM30 slip that was dated 2024. I always go to the drive thru each time I come back into the country, and my info is updated on their computer, but do not always get a stamp, so although my TM30 was up to date on the computer at the building where I do my yearly extensions and at the drive thru, it was clearly not updated on the new buildings system. The buildings are opposite each other.

 

Not a huge deal and the IO was very polite, but just a heads up for anyone using the same office. On a busier day it could have been a lot worse. The same TM30 was also used to get a previous re entry permit at the original building with no issues a few months back.

 

Has anyone else updated their TM30 on return to Thailand at Phuket, but not actually received a stamp on the slip?

 

PST.

8 minutes ago, PST said:

The IO said 'you must report every time you re enter the province',

 

Out of curiosity, had you stayed in a hotel in another province that may have filed a TM30 on you?

 

1 minute ago, impulse said:

 

Out of curiosity, had you stayed in a hotel in another province that may have filed a TM30 on you?

 

Nope, not left Phuket since receiving my yearly extension a few months back, and the same TM30 was used for the application and accepted.

6 minutes ago, PST said:

Nope, not left Phuket since receiving my yearly extension a few months back, and the same TM30 was used for the application and accepted.

Ridiculous from immigration office. 

 

Note to others... If dealing with Phuket immigration obtain your reentry permit at airport on day of departure. 

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Ridiculous from immigration office. 

 

Note to others... If dealing with Phuket immigration obtain your reentry permit at airport on day of departure. 

It was not a big problem to be honest, but thought it may be worth mentioning, maybe I was just unlucky. I'd say it was down to the two computers in separate buildings just not talking to each other for whatever reason.

27 minutes ago, PST said:

Went to get a re entry permit earlier this week, handed in the paperwork and was told I needed to update my TM30, even though the same TM30 was used as part of my yearly extension a few months back (which I told the IO), and I hadn't left the country since. The IO said 'you must report every time you re enter the province', which I did on my return into Thailand before my extension, and the updated TM30 was accepted as part of the successful application.

 

I had to walk up to the drive thro window and tell the IO I needed to update it, which he did along with my 90 day report which was also due. There were many cars waiting but luckily I got seen straight away after explaining the situation.

 

Phuket has a new building now for re entry permits and it appears that the computers are not talking to each other, as the original IO pointed to the last stamp on my TM30 slip that was dated 2024. I always go to the drive thru each time I come back into the country, and my info is updated on their computer, but do not always get a stamp, so although my TM30 was up to date on the computer at the building where I do my yearly extensions and at the drive thru, it was clearly not updated on the new buildings system. The buildings are opposite each other.

 

Not a huge deal and the IO was very polite, but just a heads up for anyone using the same office. On a busier day it could have been a lot worse. The same TM30 was also used to get a previous re entry permit at the original building with no issues a few months back.

 

Has anyone else updated their TM30 on return to Thailand at Phuket, but not actually received a stamp on the slip?

 

PST.

I don't think their computers are synced at all. I returned to Phuket from abroad went to the drive thru a few days later asked to update my address I've returned to the same residence here. I did not see a date stamp on my TM30 slip but was given another 90 day report slip. He also mentioned my extension was expiring in 6 weeks which I was aware of. At extension time I had to update address again, the IO had a paper in front of him and he said he's got me staying at Siriroj Hospital Phuket, where I was in fact in March for Hernia surgery lol. I think you have to just roll with the different hiccups that occur every year, hopefully they are not too painful.......

Just now, CANSIAM said:

I don't think their computers are synced at all. I returned to Phuket from abroad went to the drive thru a few days later asked to update my address I've returned to the same residence here. I did not see a date stamp on my TM30 slip but was given another 90 day report slip. He also mentioned my extension was expiring in 6 weeks which I was aware of. At extension time I had to update address again, the IO had a paper in front of him and he said he's got me staying at Siriroj Hospital Phuket, where I was in fact in March for Hernia surgery lol. I think you have to just roll with the different hiccups that occur every year, hopefully they are not too painful.......

This is the first time this has happened in 15 years, never been an issue before. It was just because it was the first time i'd done a re entry at the new building that made me think things maybe aren't synced properly yet. As I pointed out, my last re entry with the same TM30 at the old building was accepted. TIT.

Whenever I read these sorts of things - and there are a lot all over the country - I get motivated to get that LTR Visa application sorted. When oh when is Thailand going to get this all sorted and stop operating like it is the 1970s/80s.  90 days and TM30s are a totally unnecessary imposition on Expats living in Thailand. Other countries do not do these draconian things, and they dont stop the criminals and over-stayers anyway.  

3 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

90 days and TM30s are a totally unnecessary imposition on Expats living in Thailand.

Never a truer statement has been made. 

25 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

I don't think their computers are synced at all. I returned to Phuket from abroad went to the drive thru a few days later asked to update my address I've returned to the same residence here. I did not see a date stamp on my TM30 slip but was given another 90 day report slip. He also mentioned my extension was expiring in 6 weeks which I was aware of. At extension time I had to update address again, the IO had a paper in front of him and he said he's got me staying at Siriroj Hospital Phuket, where I was in fact in March for Hernia surgery lol. I think you have to just roll with the different hiccups that occur every year, hopefully they are not too painful.......

Thats just crazy as you never even left the province??!!!

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Ridiculous from immigration office. 

 

Note to others... If dealing with Phuket immigration obtain your reentry permit at airport on day of departure. 

The issue is if you want a multiple re-entry permit.  The HKT airport only offers single re-entry.

2 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

The issue is if you want a multiple re-entry permit.  The HKT airport only offers single re-entry.

Was not aware of that. 

So not only dubious immigration office but also immigration at airport play own game. 

So what do they do re TM8 form. 

Just liquid paper out the Multi option. 

I believe they just tell people it's not available.  I've seen multiple reports of people with the same feedback, single entry only available at that airport.

I live in Phuket and used to visit Phuket immigration for my regular permission to stay details/extensions/reports.  

 

When I was on a type-OA and later a type-O visa, I don't ever recall having an issue obtaining a re-entry permit with Phuket Immigration. Typically I would apply for it on the same day in which I applied for the 1-year extension, or apply for it on the same day in which I picked up an approved 1 year extension.  Getting the re-entry permit was pretty painless.

 

I also recall when I deliberately left Phuket without a re-entry permit (so to invalidate my type-OA as I wanted to switch to a type-O), the Phuket airport IO when I was leaving noted to me that I did not have a re-entry permit for my type-OA and asked, was it my intent to invalidate my visa? I explained my plan (to switch from OA to O ) and he just nodded. I suspect he had seen such before.

 

Having typed the above experience with re-entry permits and extension renewals, I always had a fairly recent TM30 screen print  with me when I visited Phuket immigration office.  Each time I returned to my condo (which I own) from being 'out of province' my Thai wife would quickly fill in the online TM-30 form (and give me a screen print of the entry) - which, given she did the work, made it painless for me. 

 

Even now, being on an LTR visa, my wife continues filling in a TM30 for me when I return to our condo from being out of province.

 

Speaking of the LTR visa, I still wake up on the odd occasion thinking ... did I miss my 90-day report? and when do I need to do the 90-day report next?  ... and then I fully wake up and remember, I am on a LTR visa, no 90-day report required ! 😄 lol !