Passports

[smclaug]

I have read that tourists must carry their passports around with them at all time

If stopped you can be fined, (I've read that some mo.ths ago now) when the Thai police raided Q bar some months ago for drugs, they only found 2 offenders so to meet the required arrest numbers they checked everyone for carrying passports and jailed a fair number for the night.

I am not a tourist so what is the rule for ex-pats?? The Thais have national id cards, is there something similar we can get as carrying a passport around is not practical.

cheers.

[Oleg_Rus]

I am not a tourist so what is the rule for ex-pats??  The Thais have national id cards, is there something similar we can get as carrying a passport around is not practical.

cheers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well, for ex-pats rules are simple - instead of passport have to carry :

1. copy of passport

2. copy of work permit

3. copy of emplyment contract

4. copy of tax report

5. copy of house registration

6. copy of bank statement for last 6 month

after 9pm also have to carry copy of urine sample in 50ml plastic bottle.

but sometimes just xerox of visa page of passport will work - up to the officer.

[britmaveric]

Copy of passport will suffice...

[Ajarn]

I've never carried my passport except for a visa run, and I've never had occasion to wish I had carried it, otherwise.

Your experience may be different

[qwertyuiop]

I have never been asked to produce a passport, which is fortunate as i never carry mine but I do make sure that I keep my Thai drivers licence with me.

It is a photo ID and carrys the address.

Hopefully I will not have to put this to the test.

I would agree that it is up to the officer involved and the reason why the passport is being asked for as to whether the passport production is insisted upon.

i have heard of those when not being able to produce their passport/ any id whatsoever being escorted home to produce the relevant document

[smclaug]

thanks for the info, I'll make sure I carry the urine sample!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

thanks for the info, I'll make sure I carry the urine sample!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Carry someone else's if you've been up to no good

[huski]

thanks for the info, I'll make sure I carry the urine sample!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Carry someone else's if you've been up to no good

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what if all your friends are also up to no good?

[tuky]

I have been asked once to produce my passport whilst I was in Krung Thep, I didn't have it but my wife showed him her ID card with her family name being the sme as mine (funny about that). The wife nudged me in the ribs and told me to watch him as he was searching me, smelling my smokes etc, as she said it is common for a cop to slip a ya in my pocket and then ask us for money to get off the charge. I think you need to worry about that more than worrying about your passport.

Just my humble opinion.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

thanks for the info, I'll make sure I carry the urine sample!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Carry someone else's if you've been up to no good

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what if all your friends are also up to no good?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Buy a sample from a Bishop

[Crossy]

thanks for the info, I'll make sure I carry the urine sample!

Carry someone else's if you've been up to no good

what if all your friends are also up to no good?

Buy a sample from a Bishop

Now that is even more risky

Whatever, the use of a Thai drivers licence seems to be acceptable instead of your passport.

[Oleg_Rus]

but the best thing to carry is phone number of the right person. works miracles. or his name card, at least.

[Harmonica]

I have read that tourists must carry their passports around with them at all time

If stopped you can be fined, (I've read that some mo.ths ago now) when the Thai police raided Q bar some months ago for drugs, they only found 2 offenders so to meet the required arrest numbers they checked everyone for carrying passports and jailed a fair number for the night.

I am not a tourist so what is the rule for ex-pats??  The Thais have national id cards, is there something similar we can get as carrying a passport around is not practical.

cheers.

A stool sample guarantees a wave-thru'

[Oleg_Rus]

A stool sample guarantees a wave-thru'

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

superb!

in Zip-lock bag or fancy container? on the second tought - right from the pocket?

[Beachbunny]

So far the only time a copy of my passport hasn't worked for me has been at my bank. ---then again it depends on the branch too. Even if I show my thai drivers license with my thai husband standing right next to me and a last name known to millions, they want my original passport as the copy could be FAKE!!

Beachbunny

Edited April 17, 2005 by Beachbunny

[chuchok]

On a drive back from Chiang Saen today (Where Songkran is still be celebrated!), was stopped by the Boys in Brown and asked to produce my passport.

All he said when I handed it over was Hmmm New Zealand,thank you,bye!.

Mind you it is "the Golden Triangle" so you do expect to be stopped,but this was the first time I have been asked to produce...

[Rinrada]

Never ever been asked even when I try to look suspicious.

Just in case however I always now carry my new D.L.(Chaing Mai issue 2 hours no prob one)and a copy of the wifes I.D.

If they ever stop me they can say sorry to her.......

[Thaicoon]

I never carry my passport around if i can help it, the only place i have been refused entry in Bangkok, is the Nightclub, under the Novatel Hotel in Siam Square, they will not let a ferang in without a passport, i showed them a drivers permit, they still refused me entry, i was telling kringle about this and he could not believe, the last time i went there i had my passport. so got in no problem.

[siamesekitty]

I'd strongly advise against carrying the actual passport instead of a copy, could get stolen.

[PeaceBlondie]

On a drive back from Chiang Saen today (Where Songkran is still be celebrated!), was stopped by the Boys in Brown and asked to produce my passport.

All he said when I handed it over was Hmmm New Zealand,thank you,bye!.

Mind you it is "the Golden Triangle" so you do expect to be stopped,but this was the first time I have been asked to produce...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Similarly, the only time in two years that I've been stopped on my motorbike was when I was coming back from Mae Sai. Many countries have additional checkpoints inside the border (USA, Mexico, etc.). They just looked at my registration sticker on the windscreen and let me go. That was ironic, because it was one of the rare times I had my passport as well as a fresh visa, but they weren't asking for that. Never been asked for my passport except when I tried to wire money by Western Union, and when I opened a checking account. In other words, never by a police (other than immigration) or military officer.

[chuchok]

On a drive back from Chiang Saen today (Where Songkran is still be celebrated!), was stopped by the Boys in Brown and asked to produce my passport.

All he said when I handed it over was Hmmm New Zealand,thank you,bye!.

Mind you it is "the Golden Triangle" so you do expect to be stopped,but this was the first time I have been asked to produce...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Similarly, the only time in two years that I've been stopped on my motorbike was when I was coming back from Mae Sai. Many countries have additional checkpoints inside the border (USA, Mexico, etc.). They just looked at my registration sticker on the windscreen and let me go. That was ironic, because it was one of the rare times I had my passport as well as a fresh visa, but they weren't asking for that. Never been asked for my passport except when I tried to wire money by Western Union, and when I opened a checking account. In other words, never by a police (other than immigration) or military officer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The two other check points we went through,we were waved through.On the one I was asked,every body in the van (I was the only farang) were asked for ID as well.

They were very polite though.

[bkk_mike]

but the best thing to carry is phone number of the right person. works miracles. or his name card, at least.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Only time I've been stopped was while driving home from Jatujak - I didn't have my IDP or UK driving licence on me (I now have a Thai D.L), so my wife called up a senior police officer who'd been at our wedding, who talked to the police officer who stopped us.

That was it, waved on...

Edited April 18, 2005 by bkk_mike

[sua yai]

I've only been asked to produce my passport once in seven years. Immigration were in town with the tourist police and they were checking on all the westerners they knew had lived here for some time.

When asked what i did here, the TP, who I knew, replied for me that I drank beer and played golf. Didn't have my passport with me, but went home to get it and returned 5 mins later. no problem.

An Australian friend was also in the bar. He got the same treatment, but got lippy and refused to have his photo taken and told them his passport was locked in a friend's safe. The "friend" had gone to Penang to do a visa run. In fact, his passport had been sent to the border the day before. He was rather lucky.

The police didn't give up on him though and a week later saw him in town and gave him 10 mins to produce. Again, luckily, his passport had returned by then.

Moral of the story - be polite and offer to get the passport immediately and you'll be OK - at least in this town.

[aletta]

If i travel out of the Province i like to take my passport with me as it's become a habit but never been stopped and asked for it.

[PeaceBlondie]

On the way home from the nearest 7-11 today, I was stopped by those boys in brown. First time in Chiang Mai, because I always wear my helmet. He asked for driver's license. Only 4 days ago, I got an IDL, but it was at my condo, around the corner. I showed him my Texas DL and he waved me on. The funniest coincidence is that, because I had just opened a savings account without a work permit, I had my passport on me - and the police didn't ask for that. Girl at the bank didn't even care about my visa, either

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Where did you get the IDL Blondie ?

[PeaceBlondie]

Houston, Texas. I used to work at the Federal Building across the street, which contains one of the few passport offices in the USA. So they do a brisk business, primarily in photos. The guy did a good job and asked me for a date! I had him write in English on the IDL that it covers motorcycle, which was verified on my Texas DL but you have to know the code "CM" stands for "Cars and Motosai."

[colinj]

Valentines Day 5 years ago my wife and I were returning home by Taxi from Bangkok to Bangkapi on the motor way when we were stopped by Police. They said that they were looking for illegal workers. I was asked for my passport which I did not have on me. It took my wife 30 minutes of arguing and pleading with this plain clothes cobber not to have me locked up until they could confirm that I had a legal visa.

I do not want this shit to happen again so I always carry my passport when in LOS.