Metropolitan police chief tells foreigners to carry passports or copies at all times

[Fairynuff]

Bet that made all the tourist feel welcome.........

Tourists?? you mean "guests".

No he means tourists...guests are invited and likely treated with respect.

[juice777]

“The reason I decided to do the mission tonight is because many entertainment venues which attract foreign tourists are located in these areas. And since many foreigners visit these areas I’m afraid some of them might have ill-intentions to be involved in dark business, or even crimes, especially trans-national crime.

Wheres the logic there am I missing something

Also are we ment to believe they raided 15 clubs and found no one who didn't have there passport on them or a copy of it, yeah alright I wonder how much money they made

“I also

[DaveinAsia]

Nice to know that nothing illegal was going on near Grace hotel.

There is illegal stuff going on these days at Disgrace Hotel? Can't believe it.

[louse1953]

So if a criminal walks by with his passport & valid visa on his way to one of these illegal entertainment zones that many high ranking police own or take brown envelopes to allow operate how they going distinguish his ill intent !

Seems to me 2 scenarios likely on this, it either a response to the tighter immigration rules & way of trying grab & pressure those without visas or they have some details on potential suspects for the area . Not going be good for the working girls in these lovely entertainment zones (aka whore dens) as trade going take a hit from this lol ...

You must be joking.It takes more than burning buildings,floods,coups and pp checks to keep the hard core drinkers and mongers away.

[Basil B]

Metropolitan police chief tells foreigners to carry passports or copies at all times

This needs to be clarified and advertised as law, (show me the law)

i don't wear gold in public as i don't want to draw attention to myself

and be robbed, (or attacked and or killed) yet the government now

enforces the law that all foreigners must carry passports, i will now

be a target for robbery because as an Australian my passport will

be worth $15000 on the black market, how will a desperate thief

know if i have an original or copy, rob me, beat me, kill me only to

get a photocopy, wake up Thailand.

QUOTE;

Cost to Buy a Fake Passport and Degrees in Australia

in Counterfeit Goods

According to a news article, the price of a fake Australian Passport on the Internet is $806 (600 Euros). For an extra $268 (200 Euros), the website will include fake ID cards and fake driver licenses.

A fake diploma from a university in Australia can be bought online for $249.

(Fake Diploma Information and Costs.)

Source: Asher Moses, “Identities for sale: fake documentation on the rise,” Sydney Morning Herald, January 26, 2013.

But on the black market

http://www.havocscope.com/fake-id/

I most countries it is a legal requirement to carry ID

Seeing as most foreigners can not get Thai ID cards it is reasonable that one should carry some other form of ID as well as some proof that they are not over stayers.

Maybe they should have licenced kiosks at airports, ports, boarder crossings & immigration offices to issue temporary paper card ID cards valid for up to 3 months.

Not in the UK......We are free men (women).....

BUT, I think the UK should implement ID cards, why, cos so many non natives reside there now...

I recall in the UK being stopped for a minor traffic violation many years ago, just a friendly warning about my speed, but I had no ID on me, cop was a bit miffed about this, what he said made a lot of sense, nowadays they could have a nation database to check anyone's ID with a photo coming up on a phone display to confirm ones ID.

[louse1953]

Just a silly question:

How does a passport indicate whether a visitor to Thailand is involved in "transnational crime"?

Maybe that computer on the desk has a use.

[Scott]

This could spell trouble for a few people. I assume most people in Thailand are on the up-and-up, but I do know several people on extensive overstays. One is an older guy who was married to a Thai and has a daughter whom I believe has recently finished University. His UK passport expired 12 years ago and he was on overstay at 1 - 2 years before the passport expired.

Another is a very bright guy in his early 30's, but he is a hopeless alcoholic. He's been on overstay for a couple of years. Another is a 20 something year old teacher who has the bad habit of getting a bit drunk and wrecking his motorbike. He's been busted many times, but for some reason always avoids showing his passport.

I would guess that these are guys who will get caught up with eventually.

[Wilsonandson]

So if a criminal walks by with his passport & valid visa on his way to one of these illegal entertainment zones that many high ranking police own or take brown envelopes to allow operate how they going distinguish his ill intent !

Seems to me 2 scenarios likely on this, it either a response to the tighter immigration rules & way of trying grab & pressure those without visas or they have some details on potential suspects for the area . Not going be good for the working girls in these lovely entertainment zones (aka whore dens) as trade going take a hit from this lol ...

You must be joking.It takes more than burning buildings,floods,coups and pp checks to keep the hard core drinkers and mongers away.

Yes, even during the vietnam war you couldn't keep those dirty, US soldiers away from Pattaya. How dare they. Ban sex tourism, it's ruining the economy and Thai culture of concubines. My local brothel which serves Thai's won't let me in without my passport now. I wonder if the 95% of other brothels in Thailand are the same? The 5% designated to "tourists" require passports, why differentiate? Edited March 19, 2016 by Wilsonandson

[louse1953]

C'mon guys.!

Go to any Kodak shop with your passport.

For $3 they will colour copy your passport front page and Visa/Extension, reduce to wallet card size and laminate with one on the front and the other on the obverse.

In less time than it takes you to enjoy a cold frothy.

Do it on the way home from your annual Immi visit - you'll need a coldie by then.

You miss the point entirely! Thailand police are doing this under the assumption that foreigners are guilty or criminals without reason. They are harassing tourists causing undue stress and given their history perhaps even causing fears of being bribed. Nobody goes somewhere on vacation expecting to be confronted by the police demanding to see their passports unless they are in a communist country. As much as I like Thailand I think the BIB are wrong in this and I hope they lose tourists for their actions.

You must be a newbie.

It has been a RTP Police directive for decades.

Only in "communist countries" - codswallop!

It has not been a police directive to go check the public to see if they have a passport in their possession.

What you are saying is that while in London or Sydney I can expect a task force to hold me from leaving the club until I produce my passport. Methinks you are the newbie

If you had a beard and your name was Mohamed,things might be different.Even the 1st Australians are harassed on a regular basis.

[Jimbo2014]

I usually carry mine encased in a yellow star. I have also had my passport number tattoed on my wrist. Thank you thailand for making me feel welcome once in country. ???

[louse1953]

Motorbike license does the same thing, right?

No.

[Jimbo2014]

I usually carry mine encased in a yellow star. I have also had my passport number tattoed on my wrist. Thank you thailand for making me feel welcome once in country. ???

[sandrew33]

I think you have not been out of your house before. I traveled frequently and had been to countries in most of the continents of the world. As an alien (as some countries called us), you have to have your original passport with you if the police or immigration officer checks you. Even a copy is not recognize. Otherwise you would be escorted back to the station (until someone brings your passport to the station) or escorted back to the hotel.

In some countries, you may get away if you can offer the officer or police some cash in exchange for not having your passport with you. And these are not communist countries.

Over 50 countries. Never taken my passport out with me anywhere.

You wanna list the countries where you've been required to produce it in the streets?

Perhaps also a photo - you must be the dodgiest looking bloke on earth

I give you 2 nearby examples. Whether you carry it with you is your choice and as I stated earlier, the inconvenience is yours. At certain times, you can pay your way through if you are stopped.

Indonesia law requires all foreigners, other than those with short stay permits (KITAS), or residency permits (KITAP), to carry their passports at all times. KITAS and KITAP holders must carry that, or an SKLD, or a KTP (WNA) instead.

Malaysia requires that all foreigners carry their passport at all times.

Cmon man try harder.

I lived in KL for 2 years and am in Indonesia 6-12 times a year for over a decade.

I do recall once in Malaysia being in a nightclub in Desa Sri Hartamas which was raided by police and shut down and everyone had to present ID's. The policeman asked me for mine and I said I was an expat and only had my overseas DL on me. He said well you should have passport but it's ok. I talked to him for a bit and he said that the requirement is to have your passport but that if they had reason to detain you that you wouldn't be charged with an offence if the passport was provided within a reasonable period of time.

Again, this is the same issue in Thailand. Except Thailand doesn't even have a specific legal requirement for a passport (see my prior post responding to Big Mango)

Further, the law requiring proof of ID is one thing, the way police use ID laws is another.

The Thai police are acting like police state goons in this matter. None of the countries you've named act in that manner AND they have specific laws.

FWIW in both the countries you mention the Australian and British governments advise against carrying original passports. Are they advising their citizens to break the law? Or are people reading the laws incorrectly?

I'm not sure whether you are just being devils advocate or whether you are one of those suck up types who actually goes out of his way to be a stickler for the absolutely most conservative approach to every possible law. But either way, your aren't right...

Good on you. Maybe you can direct us to the advisory on not carrying original passport. At least I am not one of those BS type.

You are the classic pedant deflector. I've called you on every BS statement you've made, you've declined to provide ANY personal experiences despite your "extensive experience" and instead you go for diversions like this.

Ok, point 1, try ssmarttraveller.gov.au/Thailand - under passport it states to keep your passport in a safe place AT ALL Times. This has been supported by statements from Consuls not to take passports out with you - which right now I can't be arsed looking for.

Again though I've provided actual real information as opposed to your uninformed nonsense obtained off expat flogs while sitting in front of the computer in your undies in Bolton or some other shit hole bearing off to Pattaya Girls forums... ok, I.think I've passed the "drinking and posting drinks limit" I'm off.

Please don't respond unless you've got some actual substance to add.

[Wilsonandson]

I think you have not been out of your house before. I traveled frequently and had been to countries in most of the continents of the world. As an alien (as some countries called us), you have to have your original passport with you if the police or immigration officer checks you. Even a copy is not recognize. Otherwise you would be escorted back to the station (until someone brings your passport to the station) or escorted back to the hotel.

In some countries, you may get away if you can offer the officer or police some cash in exchange for not having your passport with you. And these are not communist countries.

Over 50 countries. Never taken my passport out with me anywhere.

You wanna list the countries where you've been required to produce it in the streets?

Perhaps also a photo - you must be the dodgiest looking bloke on earth

I give you 2 nearby examples. Whether you carry it with you is your choice and as I stated earlier, the inconvenience is yours. At certain times, you can pay your way through if you are stopped.

Indonesia law requires all foreigners, other than those with short stay permits (KITAS), or residency permits (KITAP), to carry their passports at all times. KITAS and KITAP holders must carry that, or an SKLD, or a KTP (WNA) instead.

Malaysia requires that all foreigners carry their passport at all times.

Cmon man try harder.

I lived in KL for 2 years and am in Indonesia 6-12 times a year for over a decade.

I do recall once in Malaysia being in a nightclub in Desa Sri Hartamas which was raided by police and shut down and everyone had to present ID's. The policeman asked me for mine and I said I was an expat and only had my overseas DL on me. He said well you should have passport but it's ok. I talked to him for a bit and he said that the requirement is to have your passport but that if they had reason to detain you that you wouldn't be charged with an offence if the passport was provided within a reasonable period of time.

Again, this is the same issue in Thailand. Except Thailand doesn't even have a specific legal requirement for a passport (see my prior post responding to Big Mango)

Further, the law requiring proof of ID is one thing, the way police use ID laws is another.

The Thai police are acting like police state goons in this matter. None of the countries you've named act in that manner AND they have specific laws.

FWIW in both the countries you mention the Australian and British governments advise against carrying original passports. Are they advising their citizens to break the law? Or are people reading the laws incorrectly?

I'm not sure whether you are just being devils advocate or whether you are one of those suck up types who actually goes out of his way to be a stickler for the absolutely most conservative approach to every possible law. But either way, your aren't right...

Good on you. Maybe you can direct us to the advisory on not carrying original passport. At least I am not one of those BS type.

You are the classic pedant deflector. I've called you on every BS statement you've made, you've declined to provide ANY personal experiences despite your "extensive experience" and instead you go for diversions like this.

Ok, point 1, try ssmarttraveller.gov.au/Thailand - under passport it states to keep your passport in a safe place AT ALL Times. This has been supported by statements from Consuls not to take passports out with you - which right now I can't be arsed looking for.

Again though I've provided actual real information as opposed to your uninformed nonsense obtained off expat flogs while sitting in front of the computer in your undies in Bolton or some other shit hole bearing off to Pattaya Girls forums... ok, I.think I've passed the "drinking and posting drinks limit" I'm off.

Please don't respond unless you've got some actual substance to add.

I'll add two cans of chang and a bottle of hong tong.

[imaderbyfan]

Or a photocopy. You need to change that headline.

I will not carry my passport when I am out....I have copies of the relevant pages on my phone....If they want to see the original I can produce it ....no worries............

[imaderbyfan]

Or a photocopy. You need to change that headline.

I will not carry my passport when I am out....I have copies of the relevant pages on my phone....If they want to see the original I can produce it ....no worries............

And I have to add hahahahaahahahah. Bye bye Forest......

[Time Traveller]

You know you are in the 3rd world when you are required to carry ID papers with you all the time for random stop and search!

[RawboneFunksta]

I tried presenting my drivers license by showing the cop my iPhone copy. He looked at me as if he was some kind of jungle dweller being shown electricity for the first time. I gave him 400 baht and drove away. I am sure there will be no problem with a passport copy though.

[louse1953]

Motorbike license does the same thing, right?

Right!

Wrong,does it have your visa,visa extension,ect.

[Ulic]

C'mon guys.!

Go to any Kodak shop with your passport.

For $3 they will colour copy your passport front page and Visa/Extension, reduce to wallet card size and laminate with one on the front and the other on the obverse.

In less time than it takes you to enjoy a cold frothy.

Do it on the way home from your annual Immi visit - you'll need a coldie by then.

Photo copy the passport picture and the visa/stamp page. Total 4 baht. Trim the excess

paper of and put it in your wallet. I carry extra photo copies in my scooter. Total 8 baht

[Dumbastheycome]

During a home visit by Immigration I was told that it was advisable to carry a copy of passport at all times at the very least. When I asked if that was always acceptable he did get a bit shy about it and then said "usually".

He then added that it has been a looooong hard process to educate the standard RTP to actually know what they actually need to look for re' valid visas !

[Huayrat]

It's utter BS.. If your Asian they won't be stopped because they will think they are Thai.. It's Bordering on Racism as only white Skinned Foreigners are being stopped

[Asiantravel]

You know you are in the 3rd world when you are required to carry ID papers with you all the time for random stop and search!

Nazi Germany wasn't Third World

[Bender]

99.99% of the criminals are thai national. So if they want to do a crackdown on criminals, they should start with thai people!

[mikiea]

good god you would think they would get tired of being a horse's ass ............bada bada bing ,,,,,,,

[FredNL]

I got pulled over this evening on Asoke Montri Rd. I have a copy of my passport and original Thai driving license on me. Had to go to Thong Lor police station where they asked me 5,000 THB to go. I just called my wife and she showed up with my passport. I still had to pay 200 THB because I wasn't carrying my passport on me....

[AZBill]

Did they notice the 14 year olds working down there? Just asking.

[lkv]

I got pulled over this evening on Asoke Montri Rd. I have a copy of my passport and original Thai driving license on me. Had to go to Thong Lor police station where they asked me 5,000 THB to go. I just called my wife and she showed up with my passport. I still had to pay 200 THB because I wasn't carrying my passport on me....

Is there something that can be done about these clowns?

Last time in 2014 someone complained and they backed off the abuse. (with the urine checks on the street).

When they stopped me around Phrom Pong a week ago they were ok with the passport copy.

This is seriously getting ridiculous.

They cover I believe all Thonglo Ekkamai Phrom Pong Asok and Nana. Yes, Nana Plaza I understand is also covered by them.

So it's all about these clowns from Thonglo.

Edited March 19, 2016 by lkv

[Plutojames88]

Yes, have to respect the rules of any country that you visit or live in. I carry a photo of my passport on my phone to ensure I abide by the law.

At the end of the day if this catches only one illegal foreigner or only saves one life by arresting a potential threat then this initiative has worked.

I am sure the very same people that suggest this is too controlling of the govt will be the same ones that complain about the govt if someone that this initiative is targeting commits a violent crime.

Can't win if you do and can't win if you don't.

I don't agree.

It's a major imposition by a military government that quite frankly should be grateful some tourists don't altogether boycott the Nation while it dictates ( not just to the citizens of Thailand ) but visitors.

You miss a crucial point that these people and their draconian approach arrest people for this over sight.

And while you may get a "" little star"" for respecting a junta and its enforced laws.

Venues are being raided and tourists arrested and its hardly praise worthy.

One might say its not very clever if the economy is flat.

It's one thing to request this in order to make security tighter.

And another to make some income from xenophobic hatreds

Corruption on this matter is rife.

I recently paid 300 baht to a cop on walking street to exit before the hoop la of division and down town police station visit got underway.

I got a copy next day.

But could'nt help but feel sorry for the tourists humiliated and arrested.

It's disgusting to be honest.

And many stories online abound.

Suddenly other more welcoming less violent corrupt countries spring to mind.

Law abiding ?

Reality is different

Edited March 19, 2016 by Plutojames88

[Bender]

after the koh tao double murder, thai people understood one thing: you can harass/abuse westerner as much you want.

There are no consequences, nobody will complain. Foreigners are powerless.

Today, thailand get millions of chinese tourists. So now they can afford to show their true xenophobic face toward farang. In thailand, as a foreigner you are lower than a dog.

Thanks God, i left this country long time ago!

Edited March 19, 2016 by Bender