90 Days W/ Proof Of Address

[mahjongguy]

Today my 90-day cert had a small notice stapled to it advising me that next time I must bring proof of address.

Just in case, I had brought a copy of my new housebook, showing my name as part-owner. The officer took that, entered the fact that my proof had been presented, and said thanks.

[mahjongguy]

here's the scan

[Maestro]

At what immigration office?

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Maestro

[mahjongguy]

At what immigration office?

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Maestro

Jomtien. It's at the end of the thread title (but I realize you can't always see the full title).

[wpcoe]

When I went to the Jomtien office to get the residency verification document (the name of that document escapes me at the moment) to get my Thai drivers license, I forgot to bring proof of address, and the lady there was nice enough to run through a list of acceptable things for me to bring, and ended her explanation with "or anything that has your address spelled out in Thai, so we know what to put in the letter."

At the time, I thought that the problem they were trying to avoid is a farang improperly writing the address (let's face it, how many of us know what tambon or amphur we live in...), so they want an official, printed-in-Thai document with the address.

I wonder if that is now going to be the same plan/same reason for 90-day address reports?

[Maestro]

Jomtien. It's at the end of the thread title (but I realize you can't always see the full title).

My mistake. At that point, I didn’t scroll up to read the topic title and subtitle, just read the title in the browser’s title bar. Your titling of the topic was exemplary.

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Maestro

[JAS21]

(let's face it, how many of us know what tambon or amphur we live in...),

Now that comment surprises me, T.Bangtalad, A.Pakkret,C.Nonthaburi, is on every letter that I write. Also I put it on the back of the envelope. my understanding is that your address must be put somewhere on the envelope...seems a bit silly but there you are.

[Guderian]

For what it's worth, our favourite source in the Extreme City confirms this. See the latest edition of Pattaya Today (the second article, not the child sex stuff ):

http://www.pattayatoday.net/index.php?acti...ews&id=3153

here's the text:

Pattaya immigration 90 day rule change

PATTAYA immigration, Jomtien soi 5, has announced with immediate effect that long stay foreigners needing to report their address every 90 days must now bring written proof of their address. In the past, they have simply filled in a form confirming their present address and this was acceptable to the immigration officer.

In the rule change, foreigners must now bring a paper or document which illustrates that they are living at a specific address. Evidence could include a Thai driving licence, a utility or similar bill (if it names the foreigner), a rental agreement, proof of ownership of a condo, vehicle ownership document etc.

Only one such paper or document is required to show the immigration officer. The new rule has been brought in because, in some cases, foreigners at the 90 days check-in have apparently been giving an address at which they were no longer resident. "It is important that foreigners give us their up-to-date address where they are actually living," said one officer. The main people affected are one year visa holders and those possessing a work permit, but the ruling applies to anyone who is still in Thailand 90 days after their previous registration. The fine for failing to register on time is up to 2,000 baht.

[mahjongguy]

So, now the question is, having provided evidence of my address this time, do I need to do it again next time?

[Dave the Dude]

For what it's worth, our favourite source in the Extreme City confirms this. See the latest edition of Pattaya Today (the second article, not the child sex stuff ):

http://www.pattayatoday.net/index.php?acti...ews&id=3153

here's the text:

Pattaya immigration 90 day rule change

PATTAYA immigration, Jomtien soi 5, has announced with immediate effect that long stay foreigners needing to report their address every 90 days must now bring written proof of their address. In the past, they have simply filled in a form confirming their present address and this was acceptable to the immigration officer.

In the rule change, foreigners must now bring a paper or document which illustrates that they are living at a specific address. Evidence could include a Thai driving licence, a utility or similar bill (if it names the foreigner), a rental agreement, proof of ownership of a condo, vehicle ownership document etc.

Only one such paper or document is required to show the immigration officer. The new rule has been brought in because, in some cases, foreigners at the 90 days check-in have apparently been giving an address at which they were no longer resident. "It is important that foreigners give us their up-to-date address where they are actually living," said one officer. The main people affected are one year visa holders and those possessing a work permit, but the ruling applies to anyone who is still in Thailand 90 days after their previous registration. The fine for failing to register on time is up to 2,000 baht.

And how would a Driving Licence up to 5 years old prove this?? Typical Pattaya immigration B@LLOCKS to make your life difficult IMHO.

Dave

[rishi]

In the rule change, foreigners must now bring a paper or document which illustrates that they are living at a specific address. Evidence could include a Thai driving licence, a utility or similar bill (if it names the foreigner), a rental agreement, proof of ownership of a condo, vehicle ownership document etc.

Hmm - although living on the same address for more than 4 years, and properly done my 90 days reporting those 15-16 times required to actually make that residency proper, I can't produce any of those papers mentioned. Wonder if they'd accept a letter of residency issued by themselves?

Never mind, I don't frequent that particular immigration office.

[Guderian]

Personally I don't have any problem with this, it's just a case of remembering to take a copy of my lease along.

But then I got to wondering where this is heading? My thoughts on reading the Pattaya Today article were that the next step in the tightening process will be to demand proof of where they will be staying from ALL visitors when they arrive in Thailand, before they will stamp the TM6. Hotel reservation confirmations or confirmed condo bookings, that sort of thing. Why not? I believe that they are insisting on seeing air tickets out of the Kingdom before they will issue a 30 day permit to stay, so this is just the next logical step.

[lopburi3]

I believe that they are insisting on seeing air tickets out of the Kingdom before they will issue a 30 day permit to stay

Not sure why you believe that - most people are not asked to show such tickets by Immigration.

[Nowhereman60]

I just did my 90 day report yesterday and Suan Plu has not said anything about this. Why only in Pattaya?

[astral]

But then I got to wondering where this is heading? My thoughts on reading the Pattaya Today article were that the next step in the tightening process will be to demand proof of where they will be staying from ALL visitors when they arrive in Thailand, before they will stamp the TM6. Hotel reservation confirmations or confirmed condo bookings, that sort of thing. Why not? I believe that they are insisting on seeing air tickets out of the Kingdom before they will issue a 30 day permit to stay, so this is just the next logical step.

Quite unworkable.

How do I show a booking to stay in my own house,

or with friends??

[Guderian]

Quite unworkable.

So is the UK ID card scheme, but it's coming nonetheless! Just about all governments, rightly or wrongly, now seem to believe that they have to keep a much closer check on who is in their country. What I suggested was posted tongue in cheek, but it's far from unworkable. If you as a house owner (which strictly speaking is illegal for a faranag by the way ) want to enter the Kingdom, then you carry a copy of your house papers. Staying with friends? You must have a letter from them authorised by the local Immigration office before you will get stamped into the Kingdom. Etc., etc. The imagination of bureaucrats, whether Thai or farang, is endless when it comes to trying to run our lives for us. Who would have believed just 3 years ago that almost all the farangs living here on 30 day visa runs would soon have been driven out by the Thais actually making rules and implementing them? Enjoy living in Thailand while we can, but I wouldn't count on the present ease with which we do so lasting forever. As I said, it was posted tongue in cheek, but who knows how things will change?

[Jingthing]

Whatever Lola (immigration) wants, Lola gets ...

[gmac]

I just did my 90 day report yesterday and Suan Plu has not said anything about this. Why only in Pattaya?

I suspect because there are some less than honest individuals living in our fair city who feel more comfortable providing a false address rather than letting immigration know where they really live!

[dsfbrit]

Everything is in my wife's name - except my Thai driving licence. I know it may seem a stupid question - as its on the list as acceptable proof of address - but are they really accepting a Thai driving licence that is 3 years old???

I go to Jomtien on the 10th August for my 90 day report and will put something else in my name before then if this is NOT acceptable.

So has anyone out there used the Thai driving licence as proof yet???

[mahjongguy]

So has anyone out there used the Thai driving licence as proof yet???

What is odd is that the new plastic licenses do not display your address. The older paper ones have the address, but that address is obviously pretty old. So, old or new style license, it's a poor document for this purpose.

If you are living in your wife's house, it might be useful for you to get a yellow book.

[phutoie2]

If you are living in your wife's house, it might be useful for you to get a yellow book.

How do you go about that please, a trip to Amphur or Tessabahn I presume?

[dsfbrit]

If you are living in your wife's house, it might be useful for you to get a yellow book.

Thanks for the feedback mahjongguy, it may be because its first thing Sunday morning, but that sounds like a just too much effort . I was thinking more of a water bill or something!!

My driving licence has my address on it so I can take that down AND I do have some letters from the car insurance company (the car is in my name). I must have something around here I can use.

The curious thing is, I have to renew my annual visa (based on marriage to Thai wife) on August 20th and I think all I use to 'prove' my address then is a photo of me standing outside our house with the house number 'clearly displayed in the photo'.

[mahjongguy]

>> ..I do have some letters from the car insurance company (the car is in my name). I must have something around here I can use.

If you own the car then your name is in the car book. I think your address may be there too.

[dsfbrit]

>> ..I do have some letters from the car insurance company (the car is in my name). I must have something around here I can use.

If you own the car then your name is in the car book. I think your address may be there too.

Yes that has my name and address in it, but the car is actually older than my Thai driving licence (car is 4 years old). So what does it prove??

I suspect pretty soon we will see postings here that say the Jomtien Immigration want a 'recent document' less than a month/year old or some specified period of time, as they do with proof of bank savings etc... when renewing the annual visa.

I think I will just turn up this time with all the documents I currently have - and keep showing them until they accept one - or throw me out

[phutoie2]

How do you go about that please, a trip to Amphur or Tessabahn I presume?

Please ignore , I have found out all about the yellow book from the housing forum, lots of stuff there. It does not appear to have any advantages over the residency letter from your embassy and is not an essential 'must have' to set up and retire here, - from my experience anyway! OK its appears to be free despite one or two handing over tea- money etc but involves quite a bit of prep/paperwork. The worrying aspect is that some TV members are under the impression that it provides some form of proof of house ownership!!.

My country's consulate charge over 2000 baht now for the residency letter but it is a painless process and you can visit the consulate or do it all by post.

Dealing with the yellow shirted brigade in the local amphur is not my cup of tea any more, my Thai wife's brother was killed on a construction site in BKK early this year and my wife/elderly Mum & Dad had to go and wait grovel in front of these toe -rags for hours to register the death and apply for the cash that is doled out.

Off topic - but it still gets up my p**ser. Rant out.

[ZZZ]

Yes that has my name and address in it, but the car is actually older than my Thai driving licence (car is 4 years old). So what does it prove??

I suspect pretty soon we will see postings here that say the Jomtien Immigration want a 'recent document' less than a month/year old or some specified period of time, as they do with proof of bank savings etc... when renewing the annual visa.

I'm pretty sure you are supposed to inform the relative athorites when you change address to get the documents updated, the address should still be correct even if the car is a few years old.

I had the address changed on my drivers license when I changed address, not sure how this works with the new licenses without an address printed on them but would imagine you still have to inform them so the database can be updated.

[Naam]

And how would a Driving Licence up to 5 years old prove this?? Typical Pattaya immigration B@LLOCKS to make your life difficult IMHO.

Dave

even more interesting is the fact that some days ago i got my "Proof of Address" FROM immigration because i need the document tomorrow for my 5-year driver's license

[Jingthing]

They really don't trust us, do they? Oh, I forgot they are POLICE.

[dsfbrit]

Yes that has my name and address in it, but the car is actually older than my Thai driving licence (car is 4 years old). So what does it prove??

I suspect pretty soon we will see postings here that say the Jomtien Immigration want a 'recent document' less than a month/year old or some specified period of time, as they do with proof of bank savings etc... when renewing the annual visa.

I'm pretty sure you are supposed to inform the relative athorites when you change address to get the documents updated, the address should still be correct even if the car is a few years old.

I had the address changed on my drivers license when I changed address, not sure how this works with the new licenses without an address printed on them but would imagine you still have to inform them so the database can be updated.

Yes agreed, but isn't it likely that the type of person who would 'lie' about their address on the 90 day reporting, would also not comply with this change of address requirement as well. In fact, using the out of date licence is a really good way to 'prove' you still 'live' at an old address.

Don't you think that Naam's comment makes it even more interesting. I had forgotten that's how the system works!

Still I will comply as always - seems easier that way - I will continue to do that until it all gets too crazy.

[ZZZ]

Don't you think that Naam's comment makes it even more interesting. I had forgotten that's how the system works!

Still I will comply as always - seems easier that way - I will continue to do that until it all gets too crazy.

Naams comment don't really mean anything as he "forgot" to mention that he did have to supply a valid document to verify his address. It would maybe be interesting if he did use his old drivers license to get his "Proof of Address" to renew his license