Is A Passport Required To Travel By Train?

[IanPower]

Hi folks,

Kind of a complicated situation going on here, involving my passport...

I'm in Thailand doing an English TEFL course, and I'm trying to organize a vacation to Koh Samui before I have to head back to Korea for my new job. I'm also in the process of applying for my Korean work visa. To make a long story short, my passport will be ready to be stamped with the Visa at some point during the week that I am out of Bangkok. Since it takes 2 days to process, I plan to leave my passport with the Korean Embassy in Bangkok so they can process and stamp the visa as soon as it's ready. I'll then pick it up the day before my flight, when I return to Bangkok.

The problem is, I'm not sure if I'll need the visa when traveling. I'm taking a sleeper train to Koh Samui, and will be taking taking about 7 days vacation in the same area (not moving around much), and then taking the train back.

How often are you asked for your passport when in Thailand? Do you think the hotel, train station, etc. will ask to see my passport? Will a photocopy do?

Thanks,

Ian

[raylo]

Hi Ian

May be I am lucky?? I have never been asked for my passport while within Thailand in the last 10 years. I have been asked for ID of some sort

but only at certain startegic & isolated police check points.

May I suggest you do like some of the Pattaya Warriors and get a photcopy with the ID page and visa and have it laminated to give yourself

peace of mind.

[knocka]

A photo copy of your passport details page and of any visas and your TM card would suffice.

You would only be required to show your passport to a policeman or immigration official.

So the photocopies and an explanation of where your passport was will be sufficient.

[IanPower]

A photo copy of your passport details page and of any visas and your TM card would suffice.

You would only be required to show your passport to a policeman or immigration official.

So the photocopies and an explanation of where your passport was will be sufficient.

Thanks. Both of you are definitely putting me at ease. In Korea, you sometimes have to show your passport to use the internet at a coffee shop (I shit you not). Should I bother getting a letter from the Korean embassy? If not, then I'll just make due with the photocopies.

If anyone thinks it's a bad idea to travel around Thailand without my original passport, I'd be happy to hear any arguments to the contrary!

Thanks again!

[sbk]

Actually your hotel may ask for details as well since Immigration requires (and in some areas yes it has to be done) TM card number, arrival date and passport number, so best to photocopy the front id page and the TM card.

[MrRed]

Every time i have been on the Nong Kai train from the border you get the rail police and usually 2 navy policw walk the train asking everyone for there ID,these guys are mainly looking for Laotion people without paperwork of which there are many, i have been asked to show my passport a few times but they would be happy with a photocopy i am sure.

Samui should be ok as it is not so near a border crossing,but i should imagine the line from Bangkok to the south will have the same rail police and navy boys doing the rounds.

The argument for carrying your passport is valid because it could save you a lot of trouble if they wanted to make a problem for you,so just keep smiling and be courteous and you should be fine.

[thrilled]

I usually get by with just A copy just about everywhere I go.I have had 1 or 4 hotels ask for it to make A copy.

[QED]

As a few others have mentioned, the hotel will need your passport details to meet the immigration law, but I am sure a photocopy will suffice.

I have travelled all over Thailand in the last 5 years, and never carry my passport. My Thai driving license is acceptable at hotels as it has my passport number on it, even though that passport expired nearly 3 years ago, as long as they have some numbers to write in the box and a photocopy to back it up they are always happy.

[SantiSuk]

As a few others have mentioned, the hotel will need your passport details to meet the immigration law, but I am sure a photocopy will suffice.

I have travelled all over Thailand in the last 5 years, and never carry my passport. My Thai driving license is acceptable at hotels as it has my passport number on it, even though that passport expired nearly 3 years ago, as long as they have some numbers to write in the box and a photocopy to back it up they are always happy.

Probably not relevant to the Op but if you are married and traveling together (or probably even if you are only traveling with a Thai girlfriend) just get her to sign in at the hotel reception. That's always worked for me

[Bakseedaa]

Actually your hotel may ask for details as well since Immigration requires (and in some areas yes it has to be done) TM card number, arrival date and passport number, so best to photocopy the front id page and the TM card.

It is illegal to travel in Thailand without your passport, photocopies will do , but you get a nasty cop or immigration official and you are gonna get locked up .. but as someone said already, very seldom anyone asks for ID here from a Farang.. just the hotel and motor bike rental (motor bike rental will want the real passport as they keep it in exchange for their bike)

[moe666]

I have stayed at 4 different hotels since arriving in Thailand in Nov. and have been asked by them all to see passport and they copy it as well.