LiamEuujin Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Ive readon on many website that you have to carry a passport everwhere you go in Thailand. If stopped by the police and you dont show passport they can arrest you. Is this true? Does everyone carry with them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneyboy Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I never carry mine,although I always carry a photo copy of my visa page and the picture information page as well as carrying UK photo ID. There is a previous thread covering this topic here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wellred Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I always keep the passport in the hotel safe but carry a laminated photocopy of the passport picture page. I get it sized down to a credit card size so it fits in my wallet. Nevet been asked to produce my passport mind you except for when renting a moped. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamEuujin Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 I never carry mine,although I always carry a photo copy of my visa page and the picture information page as well as carrying UK photo ID. There is a previous thread covering this topic here. Sorry for the post. Didnt see the original topic. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 A somewhat contentious topic: As I understand it the law states that you must provide ID with a photo within a ‘reasonable’ time frame. This reasonable time frame is obviously open to interpretation by the police. The Photo ID is often interpreted as being a passport by the police, who being flexible generally accept any ID with a Photo (so long as its not a fake ID). Carrying your passport at all times is impractical. For most, a Thai Driving license is the ideal solution. For many, a laminated photo copy of their passport is the best option. In 99% of situations the intention to comply with any sort of Photo ID would be more than sufficient in the event of a spot check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GooEng Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 you are "supposed" to but in practice in any situation you will be given time to retrive it if it is in your hotel or elsewhere (with a bike rental bloke for example). in some cases a drivers licence is sufficient and i agree that the laminated copy of the picture page sized to wallet is a good idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP25 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Technically you have to carry id, which for foreigners means a passport. In reality no one is ever likely to ask, and at worst you'd pay an on the spot fine or take him back to your hotel or home where you keep it. I've been randomly stopped and searched by the police on the street before, and never were they interested in me not having my passport, only if I had drugs or not. In the unlikely event they want to see your passport they are either going to want to go back to your place to check it (unlikely) or are looking for a bribe. You can make a photocopy and carry that, it should be enough for anyone not looking for cash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satcommlee Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 It's not really enforced, unless you are already a bad boy in their eyes such as being a suspected over-stayer. Technically you can be taken back to the police station and have to pay a small fine, but there's no tea money in it for them so they don't really care or bother. In six years of living in Pattaya, I have never once been asked for it by the police, even when stopped many many times driving my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garro Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 I hardly ever take my passport out of the house. Even when I go to stay in hotels I just use my Thai driving license. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwinchester Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 My local immigration office told me that I do not need to carry my passport as my Thai driving license is sufficient to id me. Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wana Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 My local immigration office told me that I do not need to carry my passport as my Thai driving license is sufficient to id me. Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com thats because the numbers on your licence is your passport number i keep my passport in a safe deposit box in the bank with some other important documents i use my driving licence to rent things ,make bank transcations ,stay in hotels and for identification to the police never had a problem ,although in kao san rd you may be asked for your passport because overstayers congreate there amidst the cheap beer and accomodation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 My local immigration office told me that I do not need to carry my passport as my Thai driving license is sufficient to id me. Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com thats because the numbers on your licence is your passport number i keep my passport in a safe deposit box in the bank with some other important documents i use my driving licence to rent things ,make bank transcations ,stay in hotels and for identification to the police never had a problem ,although in kao san rd you may be asked for your passport because overstayers congreate there amidst the cheap beer and accomodation SCB would not accept my Thai DL (with passport number on it) as ID to let me do a wire transfer from my account with the bank book and ATM card in hand. They forced me to go home a retrieve my passport stating it was the "bank's" policy. Other than that, my Thai DL has worked for me all over Thailand even when flying domestic and checking into hotels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookMan Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I carry a laminated copy with me wherever I go. Seems to be accepted. I have never been stopped by the police and asked to show ID. When I hire motorcycles I now leave my laminated copy of passport and security deposit with the business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wana Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 My local immigration office told me that I do not need to carry my passport as my Thai driving license is sufficient to id me. Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com thats because the numbers on your licence is your passport number i keep my passport in a safe deposit box in the bank with some other important documents i use my driving licence to rent things ,make bank transcations ,stay in hotels and for identification to the police never had a problem ,although in kao san rd you may be asked for your passport because overstayers congreate there amidst the cheap beer and accomodation SCB would not accept my Thai DL (with passport number on it) as ID to let me do a wire transfer from my account with the bank book and ATM card in hand. They forced me to go home a retrieve my passport stating it was the "bank's" policy. Other than that, my Thai DL has worked for me all over Thailand even when flying domestic and checking into hotels. there is two branches of bkk bank in fortune tower one on the third floor and a mini sized booth at ground floor LOTUS The mini one does not accept my thai licence and the old lady gets very stroppy when i tell her it is acceptable identification she tried to tel me only thais can use a licence ,farangs must have passport I got so fcuked off with her antics once i went upstairs and borrowed a staff member to come down and explain the rules to her major loss of face for her im sure not knowing her own job and being embarrassed in front of the other staff and now i take pleasure in handing her my licence ,making her photocopy it and process my transactions like she is getting paid to do instead of sitting at the counter with a smug look and an attitude problem ......... som num na 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bendix Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 (edited) Never carried my passport. Instead, I usually have one of my Thai drivers licence, HK ID card or something similar on me. Never been asked for it. Edited March 16, 2012 by bendix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heimdallr Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 A copy will suffice. Never carry the real one if you don't have to, because there are too many people out there that'd love to steal it from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakeman Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I have an account at BKK Bank and will have to try my license as WANA mentioned. I also know the staff upstairs. Good on you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 All l carry is my Thai driving license which has my passport number on it. Never a prob with the BiB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss1960 Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I always carry my Swiss ID card with me which has credit card format and is an official government document and can be hidden fairly well from being stolen (much more difficult for passports). Passport stays in the room safe. Why? I think it is always a good idea (even in my own country) to have an official ID with you in case you get into trouble, whether self inflicted or inflicted by somebody else... and also in case I would have an accident (i.e. run over by a car), at least I can be identified and the Embassy can be notified immediately. There was a huge story here in Switzerland about a citizen who died in the Phillipines and because of lack of documents, he was in a morgue for three months (!!) until he was incidently found and identified by his parents... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elwood Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 All l carry is my Thai driving license which has my passport number on it. Never a prob with the BiB. My licence has my House Book number, but still works just the same for ID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryLH Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 "thats because the numbers on your licence is your passport number" At least until you get a new passport with a different number. I carry a Thai DL plus a US Passport Card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wana Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 "thats because the numbers on your licence is your passport number" At least until you get a new passport with a different number. I carry a Thai DL plus a US Passport Card. my lost passport was replaced with a new passport with the exact same number anyway ,a licence is only valid for 5 years ,then theyle want to see your passport to make another one also just because your new passport may have a differnt number ,your old number can still be traced back to you should you do anything illegal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoneyboy Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 (edited) Once again it's turned into the Farang has Thai driving licence appreciation thread. I knew it would. Edited March 16, 2012 by stoneyboy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokie36 Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 No I don't have a passport. I just tell them my Nigerian citizenship will be approved any day now...and then I will be leaving immediately. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ObsessiveAddict Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 You can carry a photo copy of your passport or an ID will work aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wana Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Once again it's turned into the Farang has Thai driving licence appreciation thread. I knew it would. the what thread ? do u have a link ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transam Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Once again it's turned into the Farang has Thai driving licence appreciation thread. I knew it would. You mean you haven't got one . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connda Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Carry my Thai Driver's License. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellodolly Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Yes they can legally arrest you. But as has been said many times here they do not always enforce it and when they do you have a reasonable amount of time to produce it. I myself carry a laminated copy of my passport and entry card. ,But when I am flying in country I use my passport at the check in counters. No one seems to have said munch about when flying say from here in Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Will your drivers license work there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayman Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 I have used my TDL just fine when flying domestically in Thailand. All airlines and hotels accepted it without hassle or question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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