Walking Street Sweep Nets 30 Foreigners Without Proper Papers in Pattaya

[Don Mega]

Having a British passport and living in Chiang Mai would mean 2 trips to Bangkok to replace it if my passport got lost, damaged or stolen.

I carry my Thai driving license and a copy of my passport. I prefer to take my chances that this will suffice because the consequences of anything happening to my original passport are too high. It`s not rocket science to understand that most foreigners are afraid to carry their passports for the same reasons, but on the other hand most tourists will not hold Thai driving licenses and the police are within their rights to demand a show of passports.

You cannot get a replacement from the British Consulate in Chiang Mai ?

[KimSamui]

"All of them were taken in for criminal record checks and were reportedly released after they were able to show their passports to police."

Take your passport with you on a night out on walking street?

I wouldn't.

So Big headline again Foreigners caught in walking street sweep.

But they all turned out to be legal...What heavy handed buffoons run this place.

[zackattack]

This country is worse than Afghanistan

[NoshowJones]

Perhaps their passport was safe at home, where every good passport should be.

And before any one goes there, there is no law that says passports must be carried on the person at all times, they must instead be easily accessible within reasonable timescales, aka, in a hotel safe within 24 hours etc.

Quite. And did not the RTP say just that after the incidents at Asoke?

Never mind about laws and rules in this country, just apply common sense, a trait that most Thais do not have.

The people who are administering these laws and rules at the time just make up their own.

My common sense tells me that my Thai driving licence is enough for ID as the passport number is on it, and can

easily be assessed in a very short space of time.

[zackattack]

That's why I'm selling ZZ INDUSTRIES and going back to a more civilized society with people who want to speak English language and learn the ways of the world

[Nomyai]

Good! If they don't have a passport you got to wonder why!

Hoodlums! good riddance.

[zackattack]

I not required to show anything to these corrupt police and everyone else here that want my American dollars.

So sorry that this country is dirt poor and their is only the real rich and real poor.

[SOTIRIOS]

...being unable to comply with arbitrary and unclear rules....hardly 'a transnational crime'....

...besides....at least half of them were probably steered wrong by someone that profited off of them ....

[NoshowJones]

but when Deputy Commander Voravat said expats living here a Thai driving licensecan be used as identification or ( i.e not AND ) photocopy of your passport he knew that didn't he?so why say it?

Why do you make a drama from carrying a copy of your passport? Is it so difficult?

Nobody's making a drama of it, but if you carry a copy of your passport, they may say you need to have the original one on you.

We all know that ALL law enforcers in Thailand make up their own new laws as they go

If they have a reason they will demand to see the original passport. But don't worry, they will follow you to your home.

"But don't worry, they will follow you to your home".

Change that to they "can" follow you to your home, but whether they want to or not, they decide what the law is at that time.

If they do the same check up for identity reasons the following day, which of course is their right, they may want to apply a different law. TiT.

[farcanell]

I'm going tattoo my passport number on my wrist with a small American flag so they know which camp to put me in.

Oh SNAP!....lol... Now I have to read the whole thread to see if the PC correct members are out and about

[Nomyai]

Nothing ever changes for the better... thats the real sad part of this place

if things improved pattaya wouldnt be so popular. indians like it just the way it is, cheap nasty bargirls!

we all know how thailand is run yet we still come. thank god , allah, buddha, for thai drinkie girls..............hahahaha.

[Tywais]

Having a British passport and living in Chiang Mai would mean 2 trips to Bangkok to replace it if my passport got lost, damaged or stolen.

I carry my Thai driving license and a copy of my passport. I prefer to take my chances that this will suffice because the consequences of anything happening to my original passport are too high. It`s not rocket science to understand that most foreigners are afraid to carry their passports for the same reasons, but on the other hand most tourists will not hold Thai driving licenses and the police are within their rights to demand a show of passports.

You cannot get a replacement from the British Consulate in Chiang Mai ?

Not anymore since they decided to be more 'efficient'.

The British embassy in Bangkok has announced that its sole remaining provincial consulate, located in Chiang Mai, is ceasing to offer notarial and documentary services from February 1, 2015. This means that pension letters, affirmations and certificates of affirmation are now being handled only by the British embassy main site in Bangkok.

http://pattayatoday.net/news/latest-edition/the-british-embassy-restricts-services/

[Weblo]

It wasnt long ago when they said a photcopy was sufficient.

Only an idiot carrys around his passport.

probably they same idiots that carry their wallets and creit cards

[Tywais]

Ideally, and it has been bandied about by members, is anyone on 1 year extension of stay be issued a photo ID card with all the pertinent passport details on it. Solves a lot of these issues and questions.

[Linden]

As a tourist destination relying on overseas cash they have no idea how to treat the people who hey are supposed to be hosting

Clueless...

Why come here and get hassle on a night out at a Tourist Attraction

Escorted back to your Hotel safe by police

I hope its all over the news overseas.

[UTH001]

but when Deputy Commander Voravat said expats living here a Thai driving licensecan be used as identification or ( i.e not AND ) photocopy of your passport he knew that didn't he?so why say it?

Why do you make a drama from carrying a copy of your passport? Is it so difficult?

Nobody is making any drama. The rules are clear (as mud...), passports do not have to be carried but a suitable piece of identification should (i.e. drivers license or passport to be produced within 24 hours etc.). All fine for temporary residents (as most of us are...) but I am more concerned about tourists and their reaction to these rais. And so should TAT be! Are tourists informed about the passport carrying rule? If I were a tourist in a big tourist city like Pattaya or Phuket, having a good time and suddenly, 100 cops turn up and I spend a few hours at the cop shop, just because I left my passport at the hotel, I would not be too thrilled, to put it mildly. And this particular raid did not seem to have resulted in nabbing any foreigners for any particular crimes? If Thailand is that worried about so many criminal elements living here, maybe Immigration should try to stop such 'unsavory' elements from entering the Kingdom in the first place?

[DrTuner]

500b passed as the passport for the 1500 others. A good day for the BiB.

[Jimbo2014]

More amazing thailand. Will this be part of the next tot campaign. Are we required to carry our one lifeline document at all times. How about we all just go get barcode tatooes and wear a yellow star of Thai tourism. ..Oh wait that was tried once before and didn't work out too well...???

[Bluespunk]

This country is worse than Afghanistan

Methinks you have never been to Afghanistan or, if you have, are being a tad overdramatic.

[LannaGuy]

Ideally, and it has been bandied about by members, is anyone on 1 year extension of stay be issued a photo ID card with all the pertinent passport details on it. Solves a lot of these issues and questions.

this would be heaven

[Pimay1]

This country is worse than Afghanistan

Methinks you have never been to Afghanistan or, if you have, are being a tad overdramatic.

Bluespunk you hit that nail squarely on the head.There is no comparison.

[Bench499d]

Great news story about arresting 30 foreigners for not having passports while turning a blind eye to the rest of the illegal activity on the same street!

[UTH001]

so when was this assurance revoked?

" Deputy Commander Voravat confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/747736-no-need-to-worry-says-bangkok-immigration-commander/

"Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification."

I think that everybody must be able to proof his identity in some kind. I have a copy of my passport and visa all the time. Just a photo on my smartphone.

yes I also carry my Thai drivers license at all times.

But in the Pattaya section someone has started a thread today saying the " road was blocked and are checking all drivers paperwork. Also asking farangs for passports. ".

when a police officer stops a motorist the first thing they usually ask for is a drivers license which shows the passport number. I would also reckon that 90% of farangs in Thailand driving a car would have a Thai drivers license. So why were they also asking for passports?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/896379-bib-clampdown-cars-pattaya/

What happens if you have a five year Thai Drivers Lic. and you renew your passport. Which happened to me. New passport doesn't match anymore. Also your can have a Thai Drivers Lic. but still be on overstay, on your passport.

The raid was part of the 'crackdown on transnational crime', according to the article. And you jump to the conclusion that the cops were only after foreigners on overstay? Foreigners on overstay = involved in transnational crime? Really? I personally believe that people on overstay are fairly unlikely to risk attention, and you don't have to be on overstay to be involved in "transnational crime", do you! But for many foreigners living here, people on overstay seem to be that huge problem, I honestly do not know why!

[khomlong1]

And Vot are you doing in Pattaya?. I only carry my passport on long trips from home (Lopburi).

[Autonuaq]

Perhaps their passport was safe at home, where every good passport should be.

And before any one goes there, there is no law that says passports must be carried on the person at all times, they must instead be easily accessible within reasonable timescales, aka, in a hotel safe within 24 hours etc.

I do think people are a but confused and not understand what the passport infarct is.

As it say in the document itself it is is a document that request for you a safe passage on your journey and help if needed by the friendly nations. The passport (original) makes is possible to identify who you are. It shows tot the appropriate authorities nationality as well the formal request made by the government to help the assigned barrier of the passport.

in the passport are added pages to have easy an overview with the visa that was provided to the barrier to be able to go in the foreign country.

it has all kind of protection and securities to verify it is genuine and try to prevent counter fit.

A photocopy does not provide you anything and in fact no passport on the body or on hand one has no rights at all and can be treated like a stray cat..

That is the importance of always having your passport with you.

Regarding the drivers licence the number on it is linked to a passport number and the passport number are not unique in the world so there is a change that there are tow or more drivers license with the same number if there is used a papsspoer number of a foreign country.

Also there is no nationality on the driver license.

the home address at time of issuing is also not always printed on the back.

And there are many people who have a Thai drivers license with the number of an old passport on it.

So the advise is like always.

Have your original passport with you as well you health insurance accident insurance drivers licences and home address with ICE number as well around 5000 bath in cash and a credit card. These are the only documents that can help you directly and prevent problems.

Who they money you ask? Well there are some laws in some countries that say something like if you have no cash on hand then they can arrest you for you can be arrested for vagrancy.

Even in the western counties this law exists and is rarely used.

For all of you (including myself) that where lucky that the copies did work. They only work when the officials are in a good mood.

.

[smotherb]

Gee, are those still around who say immigration policies are not being tightened.

[donnybay]

I keep a copy of this on my phone

[realenglish1]

What a waist of resources why not check all the hookers on walking street for their passports or ids

You will find many girls from other countries

Edited February 20, 2016 by realenglish1

[mikosan]

I never carry my UK passport / Visa . . . I only carry my Thai driving license on which my ID number is also my UK passport number. To carry your passport at a place like Walking Street in Pattaya is just asking for problems !

I agree absolutely. My understanding of the law is that you don't have to carry your passport and although I have never had the pleasure of being stopped anywhere, other than when I am driving my car or riding my motorcycle, I always assumed that my Thai driving licence would suffice, given that it has my passport number on it. Well, at least enough to make sure I didn't get arrested and give me the opportunity to get my licence from wherever it was safely stashed. As a matter of interest, I often don't carry my passport if I go away for a few days, would this be likely to cause me a problem if stopped, even if I had my Thai driving licence? I guess so, if they wanted to check my immigration status. Worth bearing in mind.

[gemguy]

Perhaps their passport was safe at home, where every good passport should be.

And before any one goes there, there is no law that says passports must be carried on the person at all times, they must instead be easily accessible within reasonable timescales, aka, in a hotel safe within 24 hours etc.

Your Right and tell that to AZBill who thinks it is smart to carry your passport with you all the times so it can be stolen or lost ( while any which way it is lost or stolen ...it is gone ) or withheld from you by the police until they get some money from you while they hold your passport for ransom.

A photo copy is all that is needed and it seems if you are going to go to the trouble of photo copying your passport and or other relevant ID documents, to be used in any number of circumstances, then you might as well carry several copies of the Public Statements made by High Ranking Immigration Police administrators having stated, for the record and numerous times, saying you do not need to carry your passport on you at all times.

Best to have it written in Thai language so Somchai can understand exactly what it says and by who exactly said so....That being a higher ranking Police officer who supersedes Somchai's less important agenda.

Even then the police at street level just do what ever they want anyhow ..because they can do it with impunity.

Cheers