That begins to make some sense now: a contact in Thailand for the foreigner, for record purposes, unrelated to the legal requirement of submitting the form TM.30. Nonetheless, if an immigration officer insists on getting the details (copy of ID card and house registration book) of a Thai owner living, for example, in the United States, it begs the question of how useful a contact this is. In such case, if it is a rented condo, the Juristic Person Manager would certainly be a better candidate for a useful contact person.

I can only speak from my own experience, how they may use these details.

My landlady doesn't live overseas but does live in a different area of Thailand.

She tells me that each time I renew my extension they telephone her to confirm I'm still living there.

Aha! Weeding out "ghost" leases, in case a foreigner rents a place but in fact lives somewhere else to build his bombs.

If I understand the latest information correctly, in 2013 immigration set up a system that is programmed to require unnecessary information in connection with the form TM.30, which is all about the house master, ie possessor, of the residence, not its owner.

If a foreigner throws a bomb and the police cannot catch him at his rented apartment, do the intend to arrest and jail the apartment owner instead?

There are two distinct different types of documentation Immigration are now requesting more and more.

1. The TM30 filed by the house master, not necessarily the owner to report an aliens residence at a given address.

The TM30 form is stuffed in your paper documents file at your Immigration office.

I saw no mention on the computerised database to suggest a TM30 had or hadn't been received.

2. Copies of the house owners ID card and Tabian Baan.

In the case of rented properties the owner who is renting the house (landlord)

In the case of privately owned property the wife or girlfriend who may or may not own the property.

On the computerised database there is a section to enter these details. I read it as a Thai contact for the foreigner.

They are not connected in my opinion. The TM30 is as required by the Immigration Act.

The copies of landlords, wife's, girlfriend ID is a requirement of Immigration stored on their local database.

I totally agree and they are not connected.

However, it seems that when asking for the landlords ID/Tabien baan at extension time they (more often) are asking for a new TM30 too. The TM30 is superfluous in my opinion if it has already been submitted once to comply with section 38.

I have only ever filed two TM30's. One for each of the residences I have rented.

I am asked for copies of my landlords ID card and house book every time I do an extension AND if doing a 90 day report in person or by post.

Ironically I don't need anything doing it online.

I can understand supplying a TM30 and copies of your landlords ID, house book when first registering with Immigration, but provided their are no changes to your address why the continual request for more of the same documents.

This is what I don't understand and what they're making me do for a TOURIST visa ..... I have never even heard of having the landlord do it for me? It all seems to be expected I know it all and do it get it all and hand it in myself upon dojng the extension???? If the landlord sent one in they'd never be able to link it to me ? Is if possible to do online for TV? (Even then I don't see how they could link that with me. Do they even use PCs for this stuff ......)

Aha! Weeding out "ghost" leases, in case a foreigner rents a place but in fact lives somewhere else to build his bombs.

Let's face it too , how hard would it be to rent a place for as little as 2k a month and live somewhere else ...... Entire system is so backwards.

Aha! Weeding out "ghost" leases, in case a foreigner rents a place but in fact lives somewhere else to build his bombs.

I wish you'd stop using that word 'bombs' Maestro, your making me nervous.

I'm shortly going on a trip to Betong in Yala and those things can and do go off down there.

It seems that it was after the Erawan Shrine bombing that immigration officers started to fall over each other rushing to get these details of foreigners updated and completed, but as with many other rules not all officers go about it the same way. Anyway, that's the reason why I am trying to figure out how this is supposed to help locate and arrest future foreign criminals (not the b-word this time ☺)

It seems that it was after the Erawan Shrine bombing that immigration officers started to fall over each other rushing to get these details of foreigners updated and completed, but as with many other rules not all officers go about it the same way. Anyway, that's the reason why I am trying to figure out how this is supposed to help locate and arrest future foreign criminals (not the b-word this time ☺)

To be fair.

Immigration started updating their database long before any Bangkok bangs.

To my certain knowledge Phuket were requiring TM30's as long ago as last February.

It seems that it was after the Erawan Shrine bombing that immigration officers started to fall over each other rushing to get these details of foreigners updated and completed, but as with many other rules not all officers go about it the same way. Anyway, that's the reason why I am trying to figure out how this is supposed to help locate and arrest future foreign criminals (not the b-word this time ☺)

To be fair.

Immigration started updating their database long before any Bangkok bangs.

To my certain knowledge Phuket were requiring TM30's as long ago as last February.

I'd say it was from the end of last year that Immigration started to enforce the rules and update information on foreigners by order of the Gen.

The aim was to flush out and remove certain 'undesirables' as he referred to them.

The load has increased on Immigration to update their records, more paperwork, more home visits and more confusion.

I have only ever filed two TM30's. One for each of the residences I have rented.

The TM30 has 2 sections, one for the person doing the reporting and one for the person being reported. Did you put your own name in both sections?

I have 2 TM30 slips in my passport and I did not do either. When they put in the second, they did not remove the first, just stapled it closed.

The TM30 has 2 sections, one for the person doing the reporting and one for the person being reported. Did you put your own name in both sections?

I have 2 TM30 slips in my passport and I did not do either. When they put in the second, they did not remove the first, just stapled it closed.

I don't see these two sections in the TM.30. Of course, it does not matter who writes or types the various pieces of information on the form, but it is only one person, the House Master, who signs the form and with his signature takes responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

I have only ever filed two TM30's. One for each of the residences I have rented.

The TM30 has 2 sections, one for the person doing the reporting and one for the person being reported. Did you put your own name in both sections?

I have 2 TM30 slips in my passport and I did not do either. When they put in the second, they did not remove the first, just stapled it closed.

When I took up my first residence I only filed a TM30 (as the tenant).

I had already reporting my address by advising on the TM6 Entry/Departure Card.

When I moved to new rented accommodation, I completed a TM28 (change of address) and stapled the tear off strip of the notification in my passport.

At the same time I completed a TM30 (notification of aliens residence) and stapled the tear off strip of the notification in my passport, replacing the previous older notification slip.

I think those may be the forms you are referring to Sandy.

Aah! I think I know what your referring to Sandy.

The top section is your details, the bottom section are the landlords details.

No, both sections can be completed by the same person, but you must have your landlords details, just as the landlord would need yours if they were completing it.

It can be completed and signed by the House master, owner, or possessor of residence.

In the case of more than one foreigner at the residence, man and wife for example, then you would enter 2 in the Totals (just above the signature) then list both foreigners details on the Names List of the second page of the TM30.

Where you see the word 'LINE' it means telephone number.

Aah! I think I know what your referring to Sandy.

The top section is your details, the bottom section are the landlords details.

No, both sections can be completed by the same person, but you must have your landlords details, just as the landlord would need yours if they were completing it.

It can be completed and signed by the House master, owner, or possessor of residence.

In the case of more than one foreigner at the residence, man and wife for example, then you would enter 2 in the Totals (just above the signature) then list both foreigners details on the Names List of the second page of the TM30.

Where you see the word 'LINE' it means telephone number.

If it works , it works.

Seems strange that an entity that can be so particular in certain respects will accept a signature on the TM30 of the alien being reported to be in residence.

Thanks to all the informative posts so far.

As a fix for the short term, this comes to you from Cambodia. The wife and I took this hiccup to mean it was time to see Anchor Wat. Got here 2 days before my 90 days was up and we go back tomorrow. Gives me another 89 days to get everything straight and try for another report in late January. No telling what hoops may be in place by then!

Thanks for all the great info

Michael