How To Fill Out Tm.8?

[CaptHaddock]

I am about to apply for the first extension of my non-imm "O" and would like to get a multiple re-entry permit at the same time. However, I see that the TM.8 form calls for me to specify the dates of my exit from and return to Thailand. I don't have definite travel plans now. Can I leave those blank since I am checking off the multiple re-entry box?

[beano2274]

you can put any dates in there it does not matter at all. If using multi put some dates in January there, the re-entry permit only has the dates relating to issue date and when your current extension expires.

[gennisis]

Yes...just put a few dates in...it fills the form and keeps the immigrartion officer happy

[NancyL]

I've always just said "unknown" in that space on the form and had it accepted at the Chiang Mai Immigration office, even for a single re-entry permit. I can't imagine they expect people to plan three trips out of Thailand a year in advance.

[tutsiwarrior]

no documentation is required to support whatever you put in these 'travel' boxes on the TM8 so one can enter most anything so long as it's later than the date of the application...

as someone said, better to enter something so that the IO doesn't get nervous...

[Pib]

From other posts on this subject a person apparently don't need to put any dates; but I always put an approx two week period just before the extension of stay/visa expires just to fill up the blocks on the TM8. Ex: say th the extension of stay/visa expires on 31 Dec XX; I would use a date range of approx 15-30 Dec XX.

The issued exit/reentry permit does not have an use date on it (like that 15-30 Dec example above) other than the permit expiration date which is in-sync with the expiration date on your extension of stay/visa.

[NancyL]

OK, so are we saying it's better to lie, i.e. make up some dates, rather than telling the truth by putting "unknown" on the form for the dates of travel?

Sorry -- I don't been to seem argumentative, but I've always thought that honesty was the best policy.

[Maestro]

Good. You want to be honest. Write "not later than <date>", where date is the expiration date of your current permission to stay. That should do it.

Sent from my Nexus S

[Pib]

I expect years ago when immigration was designing the TM8 form a working group was setting around the lunch table with their 100 Pipers and someone asked "Should we ask for the estimated exit and re-entry dates because we really don't need or care about such information plus the farang probably don't have any set travel dates yet" and then someone responded while topping off everyone's drink with some more 100 Pipers by saying "We might as well ask for travel dates as the info might be needed some day plus it will help fill-up the page."

There you have it....the history behind the TM8 design.

[Jingthing]

I think putting in any dates that are before the end of the permission to stay for single entry permits is a well tested proven strategy. Why argue with success? In my case, I only get them when I need them so I put in actual or estimated dates anyway, but what newbies don't know, which they need to know, is that it makes absolutely no difference if your dates are accurate or not. The dates are not written on the permit and the officers at the borders only care that you have a valid permit. There is no potential negative consequence at all to making up fictional dates, so I think any ethical concerns about "lying" in this case are pretty much nonexistent. Of course, if you do know the dates, there is no reason not to put in the real dates ... but again it simply doesn't matter.

If you want to be a little more "ethical" if you are getting a single entry just in case for emergency future purposes or you are thinking you just might take a trip next spring, well pick a month during next spring, and then in your own mind you can always know at least you kind of sort of tried to be accurate.

(Attempt at humor follows): Then when grilled under the bright lights in the barren prison cell by torture guards for writing the wrong dates, you'll at least have a defensible story.

[mca]

Apologies for the off-topic but a slightly amusing story from when I got my re-entry permit at Khon Kaen a while back.

The bloke in front of me came in with his Thai wife and wanted a marriage extension. He proceeded to offer the immi bod his passport. That's it. No Tm form, no bank balance, no photos, no wife's ID card. Nothing. He was under the impression they were just going to stamp his passport.

" If only....." I thought.

[cardholder]

OK, so are we saying it's better to lie, i.e. make up some dates, rather than telling the truth by putting "unknown" on the form for the dates of travel?

Sorry -- I don't been to seem argumentative, but I've always thought that honesty was the best policy.

In Thailand!