Do You Actually Carry Your Passport/visa In Bangkok

[phetaroi]

Here on a 90-day non-immigrant visa that will convert to retirement visa in August.

If traveling through country, or driving, or conducting business, I carry my passport/visa.

What do you all do for everyday living in Bangkok?

Carry your passport/visa?

Carry Xerox copy of passport/visa and keep passport/visa in safe in condo?

Other?

Thanks

[mmushr00m]

a half sized photocopy that can fit into my wallet

[pdavids]

I've lived here for 10 years and never carried my passport unless travelling upcountry. As you are probably aware, we are supposed to have it on us at all times, but in those 10 years I've never been stopped by any police and asked for it.

[Moonrakers]

I carry my Thai driving licence, that'll do.

[BigSnake]

Carry copy embold in plastic for safe keeping/little wear or tear as with paper copy. Works for me.

[Robert44]

Me too, just carry my driving licence before that I just used to carry copy.

Too risky to carry actual passport in Bangkok, as too easy to go astray.

[akarmaka]

driver's license, you can get it done at sukhumvit 62, takes a whole day though. otherwise, passport copy works just fine. i don't think people expect you to carry your passports all the time.

[paulh1978]

i never carry mine with me i dont want to lose it costs to much for a new 1

[Crossy]

As others note, a Thai driving licence works well as official ID, I never carry anything else. That said, I don't often get asked for ID.

[thaihome]

Here on a 90-day non-immigrant visa that will convert to retirement visa in August.

...

Just a bit of semantics correction here, but I think what you meant was that in August, you will apply for a 1 year extension to your 90 day Non-Imm permission to stay stamp based on retirement.

Actually, there is no such thing as a retirement visa.

TH

[cuddleypete]

photocopy that can fit into my wallet

[soundman]

Usually Thai D/L only.

[PatinBKk]

Photocopy.......I was stopped and showed my Thai licence but still the police wanted to take me to the station.....after a good 20 minutes they let me go with the advice of carrying a photo copy

[bkkjames]

Photocopy.......I was stopped and showed my Thai licence but still the police wanted to take me to the station.....after a good 20 minutes they let me go with the advice of carrying a photo copy

Let me guess, this happened in Thonglor District?

[norwayeagle]

Here on a 90-day non-immigrant visa that will convert to retirement visa in August.

...

Just a bit of semantics correction here, but I think what you meant was that in August, you will apply for a 1 year extension to your 90 day Non-Imm permission to stay stamp based on retirement.

Actually, there is no such thing as a retirement visa.

TH

Hola.I have Stamps in my passport who say Retirement..What are those stamps 4? did i miss something?

[PatinBKk]

Photocopy.......I was stopped and showed my Thai licence but still the police wanted to take me to the station.....after a good 20 minutes they let me go with the advice of carrying a photo copy

Let me guess, this happened in Thonglor District?

Were you there?????yes it was..I dont and never have been interested in drugs, the police checked my arms for needle marks and a full search including private parts.....they were very polite talking about Man U all the time.....they wanted to go to the station to 'take blood' which I agreed to and at that point they let me go....anyway since then I have always carried a photcopy showing passport as they suggested.

[nidge]

Only driving licence. If i lost my passport i'd be a bit miffed.

[phetaroi]

Here on a 90-day non-immigrant visa that will convert to retirement visa in August.

...

Just a bit of semantics correction here, but I think what you meant was that in August, you will apply for a 1 year extension to your 90 day Non-Imm permission to stay stamp based on retirement.

Actually, there is no such thing as a retirement visa.

TH

Okay. Now shall I correct your punctuation?

[DP25]

Were you there?????yes it was..I dont and never have been interested in drugs, the police checked my arms for needle marks and a full search including private parts.....they were very polite talking about Man U all the time.....they wanted to go to the station to 'take blood' which I agreed to and at that point they let me go....anyway since then I have always carried a photcopy showing passport as they suggested.

That happens all the time there. They were trying to extract a bribe from you. They didn't actually care about your passport, 1000 baht would have gotten you outa there 20 minutes earlier.

And no, I don't carry it. Carrying your passport around in your pants would destroy it. In the worst case scenario I'd have to pay a small bribe, I would much rather do that than have my passport destroyed or lost.

[lazygourmet]

i never carry mine with me i dont want to lose it costs to much for a new 1

Cost is nothing regarding the waste of time to apply for a new one and the hassle to get a new visa stamp without TM6 card.

[richard_smith237]

For Thai's its the Law for them to carry a Thai ID card. A Thai driving license is not sufficient.

It is required by Law that aliens carry their passport at all times. A Thai driving license is not sufficient.

IF you want to ensure that you are following the Law to its fullest extent, you must carry your passport. However, most people, Police included recognize the potential issues and inconvenience involved with this and the potential loss of a passport.

For me, as photo ID a drivers license from my home country has always been fine, for many a Thai drivers license is fine, and for many others, a photocopy of their passport is fine.

Personally even though I don't do it, a photocopy of your passport is probably the best option. Also including your visa page...

With all thats being discussed the biggest impact anything will have when dealing with an situation that requires you to provide ID is your attitude...

[Briggsy]

No, never. The only time they ask is when they don't know the English words "driving licence". And that's in 12 years. No photocopy, but do carry an international driving licence.

Sod's law I'll be asked for it tomorrow.

[spysee]

I have never carried mine at all.

But im thinking of carrying a photocopy soon, maybe next year

[andy1308]

I seem to be in the minority in carrying my passport with me all the time, although in three years I have never been asked to show it other than when applying for a bank account, etc.

[JAS21]

Here on a 90-day non-immigrant visa that will convert to retirement visa in August.

If traveling through country, or driving, or conducting business, I carry my passport/visa.

What do you all do for everyday living in Bangkok?

Carry your passport/visa?

Carry Xerox copy of passport/visa and keep passport/visa in safe in condo?

Other?

Thanks

I always carry my Thai Driving License and a copy of the main page and visa page of my passport. Never been asked to show to the police but many times to hotel, phone company etc. Don’t forget if a company wants a copy and you to sign that copy, always write the reason why you have given this copy eg change of mobile phone plan. Now I seem to be able to get away with using my driving license as ID.

[tranquillize]

I just carry my drivers license but a photocopy of the pp would be a good idea too.

[Pash]

I've lived here for 10 years and never carried my passport unless travelling upcountry. As you are probably aware, we are supposed to have it on us at all times, but in those 10 years I've never been stopped by any police and asked for it.

Same. Visiting & living here 10 years. What a coincidence.

Don't carry it unless travelling far north. Another coincidence. Only time ever asked for it was during the unrest times - post coup..

[Theyreallrubbish]

16 years and carry photocopy of passport main page only but never asked for it in Bangkok. The only time I've been asked is at the check points they have on the roads around the Burmese border.

Once you get away from the border, even if they stop you they don't ask for the passport anymore

[pTh]

I've been coming to Thailand for 6 years, lived here the last 2 1/2 years & I only carry a XRX/fofocopy of my passport, including main, visa, entry pages & departure card (TM. 6). I've used it for many things, but not a serious altercation w/ BIB, no problems - banks, shops, hotels, etc..

Also, I have NOT signed any of my credit cards for over 10 years, in the Americas & around Asia - instead, I write " ASK FOR ID " in the signature block on the back of the card. I am very rarely asked for any ID! However, one time, in Thailand, a store would not accept my card until I actually signed the charge slip " ASK FOR ID " - I tried to explain (in my poor Thai/their poor English) but no go - "Sign like it say!" OK, signed it " ASK FOR ID ", no problem!

TIA(sia) - over-populated & under-liberated!

Edited July 4, 2009 by pTh

[webfact]

Copy of my passport and Visa extension page & Thai drivers license.

(sometimes only drivers license)

Was asked to show an ID 2 times in the past 20 years which does not

mean it couldn't happen anytime again.