Last evening I was tod that if a farang lives with a thai long term, i.e., defacto relationship, that the thai must inform the authorities that this is happening (name, Passport number of the farang, length of stay). If the Thai does not inform the authorities he/she is liable for a 10,000 baht fine. I was shocked to say the least.

Is this true?

How is this policed as I have made numerous 90 day reports using my partners address and nothing has happened to date.

Who does the Thai report to?

Has this happened to anyone here?

This came up as I am about to apply for a Retirement Visa.

Moved to Visa Forum

The requirement is for home owner/provider of residence to report any foreigner using TM.30 within 24 hours. Normally this is only an issue for hotels but by law all should be doing. Believe fine would be 1,000 baht or less for individuals and normally there would be none if a report is made without request. Some immigration offices have requested from owners of accommodations for those making extensions of stay recently. They would fill out TM.30 and provide to immigration office in there area or go there with home register and ID card to fill out.

I think info you got is total rubbish. There is no such requirement other than what Lop posted.

Max fine for that is 2000 baht.

Thank-you guys for the replies. Maybe I mis-heard my partner as to the level of the fine. Lopburi, your advice meshes in well with the advice you gave me on the former thread concerning documentation for a Retirement Extension. I sincerely appreciate your time to answer to what seems trivial Q's however I have no wish to land my partner in any trouble. She is a good woman.

I thank-you once again for the excellent advice you folks continue to dispense in this sub-forum. I am certain that many people benefit from your precise yet comprehensive answer.

I have been renting the same house for seven years and have always used the address I am at for my visa plus 90 days reports. My Thai wife is living with me in the same house but it is not in her name. Recently, my landlady helped me to get a yellow house book so that I could get if I ever needed treatment at the local hospital. Is my ladylady possiblibly going to get into trouble for this?

The requirement is for home owner/provider of residence to report any foreigner using TM.30 within 24 hours. Normally this is only an issue for hotels but by law all should be doing. Believe fine would be 1,000 baht or less for individuals and normally there would be none if a report is made without request. Some immigration offices have requested from owners of accommodations for those making extensions of stay recently. They would fill out TM.30 and provide to immigration office in there area or go there with home register and ID card to fill out.

There is Thailand and Thai law and sometimes the application of it.

I understand that indeed the owner/provider of residence should report any foreigner in residence. I have lived with my Thai 'wife' in a Thai apartment block for 4 years. The manageress is, err, cohabiting, with one of BIB's finest, and if my residence there is reported I am unaware, and doubt very much it is. As the only farang in the block it it obviously widespread and common knowledge and everyone is always friendly and welcoming.

In my experience, the majority of Thais do not legally marry.

My Thai 'wife' always accompanies me to Immigration when I renew my Retirement Extension (yes Lop3, I got it right today - extension) but has never had to contribute more than light-hearted chat. I always take a confirmation of residence from the British Embassy.

I never know whether to call her my Thai wife or girlfriend - a Buddhist ceremony but no legalities. The Thais don't seem to care.

OP relax, you have no problem and do not need to report your personal cohabitation arrangements to anyone. In fact it will only help if your Thai lady accompanies you to Immigration when you apply for your retirement Visa (or Extension).

I have removed an off-topic discussion about the word farang.

I have been renting the same house for seven years and have always used the address I am at for my visa plus 90 days reports. My Thai wife is living with me in the same house but it is not in her name. Recently, my landlady helped me to get a yellow house book so that I could get if I ever needed treatment at the local hospital. Is my ladylady possiblibly going to get into trouble for this?

No she won't.

And congratulations on having a landlady AND a local Amphur that was happy to issue the yellow book.

But don't count on it as a guarantee of discounted medical treatment. You can get treatment at the local hospital without it.

However, if you do hit the trifekta of getting treatment under the government health scheme with the yellow book, I suggest you immediately buy some lottery tickets.

Edited August 17, 201312 yr by NanLaew