Busted For Not Carrying Passport

[dogleg]

Quote/removing used visa stickers so they don't have to spend money on a new one. /

Can you do that? I'm horribly tempted to try now you mentioned it.

[dogleg]

Can't we just get immigration to tattoo the visa on us... Solve a lotta problems for a lot of people. No plastic bags, save the world.

Immigration, are you reading this.

Be careful what you wish for...a stamp on the forehead would do it. No hats or hoodies allowed of course when in range of police/immigration cameras!!

[unomi]

Quote/removing used visa stickers so they don't have to spend money on a new one. /

Can you do that? I'm horribly tempted to try now you mentioned it.

No, you cannot.

I honestly don't know why as I would deem my passport to be MY property. 

I have done it a few times with no ill effect, but then last time the glue was set too well and it got pretty messy, and not something that was easy to miss. The Immigration office in Laos refused to issue a visa in the passport as they claimed it was 'full' and that the pages I had removed stickers from were already 'used'. They were also generally unhappy that I would go and do such a dastardly thing. 

Getting a new passport is an inconvenience, and I do tend to fill them up pretty quickly.

[Moonrakers]

Quote/removing used visa stickers so they don't have to spend money on a new one. /

Can you do that? I'm horribly tempted to try now you mentioned it.

No, you cannot.

I honestly don't know why as I would deem my passport to be MY property.

I have done it a few times with no ill effect, but then last time the glue was set too well and it got pretty messy, and not something that was easy to miss. The Immigration office in Laos refused to issue a visa in the passport as they claimed it was 'full' and that the pages I had removed stickers from were already 'used'. They were also generally unhappy that I would go and do such a dastardly thing.

Getting a new passport is an inconvenience, and I do tend to fill them up pretty quickly.

I don't know what nationality you are, but for us Brits our passports remain the property of Her Majesty, we are just the passport holder, not the owner.

[phutoie2]

In eight years I have never carried my passport with me and I never will. It's not worth the hassle and overall cost (including time and effort) to me of getting a new replacement passport if I lost it.

I carry a copy of the two most important pages and I also have my Thai driving licence with me most times.

If I encounter a cop that I can't sweet talk, I'll just pay the 500-1,000 baht. To me a fine is a small amout compared to the ovrall cost of replacing it ,not to mention the inconvenience and worry about carrying it around all the time.

That's about the worst advice I have read on this topic. What did you folk do when the coup was on and martial law was imposed Sep 06 onwards, carry photo copies etc ?. You could not drive on any major routes without encountering a Police/Army check point. Even with my Thai wife sat next to me I had to produce original ID, ie Passport and answer questions on where you are going etc.

Second point - never assume that BIB are going to accept your Tea money, they are getting wise to long term ex pat farangs flaunting the law, I know of one who was caught with no road tax and the highway cop refused to accept the money and ordered him to report to the main Police station in the Amphur with all his vehicle documents/Passport/Licence.

Edited August 31, 2008 by phutoie2

[phutoie2]

I don't know what nationality you are, but for us Brits our passports remain the property of Her Majesty, we are just the passport holder, not the owner.

Yes and pay a nice sum for the privilege too, and lets see what happens when the UK's identity card comes into force.

[dotcom]

Are you sure a photo copy will suffice? Can a UK Drivers Licence be proof of ID? If not, i'd sooner risk a 500baht fine, than the hassles that go with losing a Passport, when slightly intoxicated

Never ever carry your passport. Lock it in the hotel safe.

If you're feeling paranoid carry a photocopy.

If you want to rent a motorcycle. Let them SEE it & then take it back. Or don't rent the motorcycle.

Yeah I feel like my Thai driving license is enough.

A UK driving license probably won't work. This is not one of your former "colonies".

Edited August 31, 2008 by dotcom

[Kerryd]

I don't know what nationality you are, but for us Brits our passports remain the property of Her Majesty, we are just the passport holder, not the owner.

Same same (but different) for Canadian passports (remaining the property of the Government).

My last passport was the standard 24 page version, which I filled in a titch over 2 years. When I went to the embassy to get a new one, I asked for a "business" passport. No different except it has 48 pages (and is over half full already in not quite 3 years).

[dotcom]

US passport is the property of the Dept of State.

[sabaijai]

I carry my Thai driver's licence and it has worked on fine on all ID request occasions in Thailand, including flying domestically.

[PeaceBlondie]

If you have a Thai driver's license issued in recent years, it includes your passport number and country code.

I carry a color photocopy. Only time I was ever asked to present my passport in a foreign country, besides the airport or land crossing, was while travelling near the Burmese border or working in a conflict zone.

[astral]

I and several other foreigners waiting for passengers at the Chiang Mai Airport last night were approached by an Immigration Officer........

The officer stated that foreigners in all countries must carry their original passports and Thailand is no exception.

Clearly this officer has not travelled a great deal.

In my job I sometimes discuss with students that fact that as a Brit I do NOT have an ID card.

Most of them cannot imagine how any one survive without an ID card.

I am in the 20+ years and never had a problem category, but I do have a Thai Driving licence.

On another level it is a good idea to have a reduced size/laminated copy of your passport in you wallet/purse.

I was discussing this with a UK Consular official in relation to emergency re-pariation plans.

She told me that the photocopy would be sufficient to allow my details to be checked on the FCO computer

to establish my identity.

[junkofdavid2]

I avoid carrying my passport because it has a 1 year multiple entry visa which would be a complete pain in the arse to lose... I even hate the way banks make me carry it just to make a counter withdrawal; even if I have a Thai driver's license.

[astral]

I'm sure he probably meant that all foreigners from all countries (not "in all countries") are required to have their passports on them at all times.

Does that include residents of adjacent countries who can visit Thailand

using their National ID card only????

[astral]

Quote/removing used visa stickers so they don't have to spend money on a new one. /

Can you do that? I'm horribly tempted to try now you mentioned it.

NO

Removing a visa constitutes "tampering" with your passport which is illegal

and can result in you being turned away when you try to enter a country.

BTW your passport is not your property, it is the property of the issuing authority. !!

[Heng]

Most of these checks are probably just cops with too much spare time on their hands (kinda like... "hey, just reminding you that you're just visiting"), I'm sure the boys and girls standing around doing nothing at Central/Homeworks/HomePro/etc. would do the same if it were within their power.

[GaiYaang]

Long Story, one of my mom's friend son was mistaken for Burmese, obvious they want tea money.

[PeaceBlondie]

T Dog, I trust your sister arrived safely and is enjoying Thailand.

[T_Dog]

T Dog, I trust your sister arrived safely and is enjoying Thailand.

Yep. Ambulance rides included!

[JSixpack]

In previous threads on this topic, posters have claimed that Thai law doesn't literally say that an actual passport must be carried on you at all times as proof of ID; rather, just some form of ID. Of course this may be re-interpreted on the spot, but if that's true then a Thai driving license and/or passport photocopy should be sufficient. I wonder if you'd be jailed if you did produce a photocopy, offered to show the passport at home or in office, and then refused to pay the B500-1000 fine? Guess nobody's willing to find out.

[WAERTH]

Although normally in the 10 years I have stayed here I have never carried my passport. I think it would be a smart move to carry it during the State Of Emergency

Waerth

[tig28]

A laminated copy of one's passport and copy of current immi stock keeping in/out stamp sounds like a good idea until you realize that if some BIB suddenly and arbitrarily decides to move the goal posts, then it's no longer a good idea!

Nothing is "de facto" here in TH!

bloody hel_l! move the goal posts? you are required to carry the original at all times. which part confuses you?

[Bagwan]

I was stopped at a road block at Kabin Buri at 0500 one morning. Unable to find anything amiss Mr. Plod tried the passport routine. I produced my Thai driving licence. Not good enough. I produced photcopies of the relevant pages of my passport. Not good enough. I then produced a photocopy of a speech by Pattaya's Immigration head honcho to the main ex-pat organisation in Pattaya which had been reported in one of the Pattaya rags (aka police PR sheets) in which the Colonel had stated categorically that passport did not have to be carried but positive ID should. Still not good enough. I then pointed to the paragraph that stated that if a police officer was not satisfied he could escort the passport holder to recover the passport. I said that mine was at home in Pattaya so he could hop in the back of the truck and I would willingly take him there. I added that there was no mention of making a return journey so that he might well find himself greatly inconvenienced. Pass.

I have found that most Thai cops are scared of incurring his Colonel's displeasure and I play on this. Asking for the Colonel's name can sometimes induce panic. Pointing out that they have been directed to collect big bucks and just by arguing the toss with me has meant the pot will be a few thou light grabs their attention too.

[marquess]

I was stopped at a road block at Kabin Buri at 0500 one morning. Unable to find anything amiss Mr. Plod tried the passport routine. I produced my Thai driving licence. Not good enough. I produced photcopies of the relevant pages of my passport. Not good enough. I then produced a photocopy of a speech by Pattaya's Immigration head honcho to the main ex-pat organisation in Pattaya which had been reported in one of the Pattaya rags (aka police PR sheets) in which the Colonel had stated categorically that passport did not have to be carried but positive ID should. Still not good enough. I then pointed to the paragraph that stated that if a police officer was not satisfied he could escort the passport holder to recover the passport. I said that mine was at home in Pattaya so he could hop in the back of the truck and I would willingly take him there. I added that there was no mention of making a return journey so that he might well find himself greatly inconvenienced. Pass.

I have found that most Thai cops are scared of incurring his Colonel's displeasure and I play on this. Asking for the Colonel's name can sometimes induce panic. Pointing out that they have been directed to collect big bucks and just by arguing the toss with me has meant the pot will be a few thou light grabs their attention too.

Good one!

[Heng]

Makes for an untidy glove box with all those docs... although I suppose you could just laminate them and tape them to your car's interior and just use a laser pointer to do the whole "routine."

[Eureka]

Another hypothetical situation to ponder for those who worry about strolling down to the local som tam stand without their passport: suppose you want to go to India (or wherever) and your passport is sitting safely tucked away at the Indian embassy during the four-day visa application turnaround period.  Do you not leave your apartment during this time for fear of being thrown in jail?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Apparently some would. Hunker down, my friend, som tam stand people will report you as an illegal alien in a heartbeat! Don't they ask for your passport before you order?

I, personally, now have my passport sewn into my skin (inside a plastic zip lock baggy first, of course). That way I will always have my passport handy just in case the sky falls or the world ends. My James Bond lifestyle as an international man of mystery necessitates this paranoia on my part. Never know when the home office wants me in Timbuktoo on a moments notice!

<<humming James Bond theme song as I buy my som tam>>

I prefer the biochip (same as pets) under the skin.

You will always have your ID with you and when you are to drunk to tell the taxi driver where to go he can scan you for your current address.

[raro]

I had a bizarre police encounter yesterday. At about 11 pm on Sukhumvit police stopped the taxi I was in. With me was a lady friend of mine, all above board, nothing fishy other than that she was a bit tipsy and leaning on me for a moment - again, all above board.

Police asked us to get out of the cab and identify ourselves, (in my case my PADI diver cert worked!) and thoroughly searched her handbag and the taxi for drugs.

I asked why they stopped us and they said that we were "making love in the taxi" and that this is against Thai culture and blablabla.

[JSixpack]

I then produced a photocopy of a speech by Pattaya's Immigration head honcho to the main ex-pat organisation in Pattaya which had been reported in one of the Pattaya rags (aka police PR sheets) in which the Colonel had stated categorically that passport did not have to be carried but positive ID should.

Excellent! Is that online anywhere? If not, please scan and post.

Another question is whether a stamped certified copy of a passport would be sufficient.

[yumidesign]

Mrs Yeelee points out the suspected illegal immigrant, and then a short time later, the same Mrs Yeelee shows up at the police station with the guy's passport ?

yep. I picked up on that too. Mrs Yeelee has two faces perhaps.

[t.s]

Busted for not carrying passport

PATTAYA: -- Korean is mistaken for an illegal immigrant after tip off and taken to the Police Station to be fined 500 Baht for not having an ID on him

On October 12th at 10.00 pm at the Red Ant Restaurant, Police received a tip off that an illegal immigrant was on the premises. They arrived at the restaurant and spoke to the owner of the Korean owned business, Mrs. Tae Yeelee (41), and a relative of hers, Mr. Kim Sung (47).

Officers asked the man to produce his passport, which he explained he didn't have on him, so he was taken to Banglamung Police Station. A short time later Mrs. Yeelee arrived with his passport which was in order, indicating that his status was legal.

However, and this may be of some interest to foreigners, he was fined 500 Baht for not carrying sufficient ID. So although many people are reluctant to carry their passports with them, it is a good idea to get a copy made of it, with your current visa stamps on the back, perhaps miniaturised into a wallet sized laminate, which can be done for 150 Baht at any film processing shop. It could save you time, embarrassment and money.

-Pattaya People

14 Oct 2005

ill pay the 500 baht. losing my passport would cost me alot more in time and money