Traveling Now to Ko Chang Without Passport?

[TravelTeach]

Hi all,

I looked at some old threads regarding this issue, but considering what's happening in Thailand at the moment I thought I'd ask for specifics. Hope that's OK.

I am flying in to Bangkok on a Sunday. On Monday I'm applying for an Indian visa which takes at least seven business days. So I'll need about 10 or so days before I can fly out of Thailand. I don't want to spend that time in Bangkok. I want to go to Ko Chang and possibly Pattaya beforehand.

My question is, if I have a copy of my passport and some other photo ID, will hotels/guesthouses let me book a room? I know by the letter of the law they shouldn't, but in practice will they?

Do I have any other cheap-ish options? I was thinking AirBnB since that's a private situation.

Thanks!

TT

[wprime]

They usually don't mind, if you have a Thai companion she can show her ID card in place.

[craigt3365]

We just got back from Koh Chang and the hotel was pretty adamant they get either a passport or a Thai drivers license. I'm am sure a photocopy would be fine.

I had my passport, but they were trying to find my entry stamp. As it would show how long I'm able to stay in the country. As I've got many, after 10 minutes they gave up and just took a copy of the main retirement visa. My friends who used Thai DLs had no problems at all.

So....make sure you have copies of your passport and visas. Then you should be fine. Hopefully.....LOL.

[JLCrab]

I would also make a copy of your TM6 Departure card that is stapled in your passport.

[bino]

Don't come

You're about as helpful as an ashtray on a motorcycle.

In addition to all of the copies suggested above, I would also suggest to have the receipt from the Indian Embassy. It would help to explain why you are not in possession of your passport.

[maswov]

Hotels are required to report guests to their respective embassies every 3 days I believe it is. The small guest houses may not be as concerned with this as are the larger hotels. A copy should be enough to meet this however it is up to the hotel if they will accept a copy or not. As stated make copies of all other possibly relevant pages as well, and it wouldn't hurt to ask the hotel in Koh Chang if they accept copies before you go.

[devaram]

The indian embasssy does not keep your passport untill the visa is ready. You submit the application and then come back with your passport to have the visa attached a week later so you can continue travelling.

[lexmarine]

My wife and i did 3 weeks on the Mae Hong Son loop and checked into every hotel with a photocopy of my passport. No dramas at all. The bike company kept the original.

[brit1984]

Most places will be ok (especially smaller places where the owner/manager is around to decide/approve) but keep interests/incentives aligned by not paying in advance until after they have agreed to check you in with the copy.

[glassdude007]

The indian embasssy does not keep your passport untill the visa is ready. You submit the application and then come back with your passport to have the visa attached a week later so you can continue travelling.

This was not my expieriance for Indian (Buissness) visa a couple time about 3 years ago...

The Indian visa forms have to be filled out online,

no hand written forms accepted.

and they issue a number to corispond to your application.

You do not get the visa at indian embassey you use or go to and outsource service office located not to far from soi cowboy..

Before even getting in the door of the application office they check all my paperwork to see if in order and if application form and number are entered on line correctly.

I did submit my passport with all other paperwork coppies etc...4 days i think all said and done...

YES they took my passport but they give you a signed and dated reciept stating that passport is being used for visa pupose....

So with that paper and a copy of my passport I never had an issue checking into hotels around Bangkok..Never tried to fly like that?

[easybullet3]

you should be FINE!

also: MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RECEIPT FROM THE INDIAN EMBASSY TO PROVE THAT YOUR PASSPORT WIS WITH THEM!

a COPY of the Photo page AND your Thai Visa (if you have one) AND your THAI ENTRANCE STAMP... and your THAI ARRIVAL CARD is fine.

usually police are happy to just see your Photo ID Driving License.

in 8 years,, I have been asked for my passport by police (on the street) about 8 times. and I ALWAYS show my UK Driving License. they never had a problem.

BUT: sometimes you drive on the road and there is a Police Barricade.

(especially if it is near to the border of another country).

and the police ask EVERYONE inside to see their ID.

but this is an ID check.

they should be ok with your Driving License.

they say the word: Passport... but Photo ID is fine because the THAI PEOPLE on the same bus also show their ID Card (not passport). (so from this you can see they only need Photo ID).

checking into a hotel should be ok too..

actually: I usually just have many clear photos of my passport (on my Phone).. (its easier than paper).

[yimlitnoy]

The indian embasssy does not keep your passport untill the visa is ready. You submit the application and then come back with your passport to have the visa attached a week later so you can continue travelling.

The Indian embassy kept my passport for 7 days, in fact they sent it to India via courier service and I received it the following still in the original courier envelope, along the receipt for 2 entries valid for 6 months. I have a Canadian passport.

[mortenaa]

I never bring my passport anywhere, unless I am flying. I've been to Koh Chang numerous times, just used my Thai DL.

[craigt3365]

My wife and i did 3 weeks on the Mae Hong Son loop and checked into every hotel with a photocopy of my passport. No dramas at all. The bike company kept the original.

I would never leave my passport with a rental company. If they won't take a copy, find another one. It's also illegal for them to do this as it's property of your country.

We did several weeks up there, but via public buses. Got stopped a few times by the border police. Passport was definitely needed then! 5555

[craigt3365]

I never bring my passport anywhere, unless I am flying. I've been to Koh Chang numerous times, just used my Thai DL.

I don't want to get into a big debate here, but having your passport on you at all times is the law here. For purposes of making sure you are in the country legally (i.e. valid visa). 99.999% of the time you'll never have a problem, but people have been arrested for not having their passport on their person. And had to pay fines and/or get stuck in jail until the passport arrives.

[Igor]

My wife and i did 3 weeks on the Mae Hong Son loop and checked into every hotel with a photocopy of my passport. No dramas at all. The bike company kept the original.

The bike company is the LAST on my list to trust with my original passport!

[flynn]

i always get a credit card sized laminated copy of my photo & visa page, available in photo shops,100 baht

[TravelTeach]

Thanks all for your very informative answers. I think my decision is clear: traveling without your passport is very likely not a problem and smaller hotels will likely let you in. I understand there is a very small risk of roadblocks, but even then a driver's license or copy of passport will be enough.

Thanks again!

[DP25]

Big hotels are likely to care. Small guesthouses likely won't. Last guesthouse I stayed at in Ko Chang didn't ask to look at my passport or even a copy of it, I just filled out my name in their guestbook myself