What is my responsibility in change of address reporting

[jmd8800]

I would like to know what my responsibility is in reporting my address changes. I am in Chiang Mai and have a Non-immigrant O-A visa. The enter before date is March 17, 2016.

I exited Thailand in December 2015 and came back in January 2016. I paid rent while I was gone so there was no change of address. I filed this address on my arrival card when I returned. February 2 I move into a new address. Landlord reassures me they file the necessary paperwork. I believe them as it is a fairly large condo place catering to foreigners.

In order to extend my permission to stay I go to Mae Sai March 12-13 and exit Thailand and re-enter obtaining permission to stay until March 12, 2017. Now I have a new TM 6. I am staying at the same address that I moved to on Feb 2. I did not tell the landlord I was leaving Thailand so I doubt they filed anything upon my return.

My questions are:

1) should I tell the landlord I exited and came back so they can file a new TM 30?

2) should I file a TM 28 for myself?

I am due for 90 day reporting in June and want to be sure all is in order before I go. Anything else I need to do?

[JLT]

I changed my address last year and on the 2 occasions since then when I've completed the TM47 ("Form for Alien to Notify of Staying Longer than 90 days") I entered my new address in the appropriate space. The immigration officer didn't give it a second glance and completed the procedure as usual.

[CMBob]

My advice regarding the TM28 is to simply ignore it. The only recent report on this forum about that form was that the Immigration Officer handed it back to the person who attempted to file it (i.e., Immigration didn't want it).

Concerning the TM30 form, perhaps read the thread titled "TM30 Experience" and decide for yourself whether to bother with it; however, I don't believe you'll have any problem at all doing your 90-day reports regardless if a TM30 is or isn't filed.

[uptheos]

I've never ever told immigration of a change of address in 25 years.

The last 12 have been static anyway, but before that never and no

one has ever asked the question. I believe silence until asked is

often the way to go, but up to each individual.

[Thorgal]

It's all in section 38 of Thai Immigration laws. An unfamous loophole...

My wife had to pay -a one time - 1.600 THB because she didn't notify to Thai immigration that me, the alien, was residing in her house.

The laws requiring her to do so within first 24 hours of arrival, or entry into the Kingdom.

Immigration provided a login and password so that we could do online in the future if I'm leaving/entering Thailand.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/doc/Immigration_Act.pdf

Section 38 : The house – master , the owner or the possessor of the residence , or the hotel manager where the alien , receiving permission to stay temporary in the Kingdom has stayed , must notify the competent official of the Immigration Office located in the same area with that hours , dwelling place or hotel, within 24 hours from the time of arrival of the alien concerned. If there is no Immigration Office located in that area , the local police official for that area must be notified.In case the house , dwelling place , or hotel where the alien has stayed under provision of Para.1 is located within the Bangkok area , such notification must be reported to the competent official at the Immigration Division.Making notification , in reference to the Para 1 and 2 of this Section , must comply with regulations prescribed by the Director General.

No problem of course if you rent a property. If it's your wife's house, just notify...depending on the region you live...mine was in Chiang Mai...a few weeks ago...

Edited March 24, 2016 by Thorgal

[HullyGully]

Its safer to IMM Prom and complete a TM28 and if you have not complete a TM30, I would do that also

Each time you return from overseas / leaving Thailand you need to complete a TM30

The TM 28 is for change of address

A few months ago I went to IMM Prom and filed my forms...NO FINES

I understand if you go to IMM A/P you may get fined

[dotpoom]

I can't imagine why you might think it could be a Landord's resonsibility to notify Immigration of a change of address on your behalf, your dealings with Imigration have surely nothing to do with him...apart from his usual obligation to notify them of any foreigners staying under his roof.

[Tywais]

I can't imagine why you might think it could be a Landord's resonsibility to notify Immigration of a change of address on your behalf, your dealings with Imigration have surely nothing to do with him...apart from his usual obligation to notify them of any foreigners staying under his roof.

It's in the immigration act as previously posted and has been for a long time. Only recently became more heavily enforced. Lots of discussion on this in the Visa forum and we have our very own CM topic - TM30 experience

Section 38 : The house – master , the owner or the possessor of the residence , or the hotel manager where the alien ...

[Sparkles]

I've never ever told immigration of a change of address in 25 years.

The last 12 have been static anyway, but before that never and no

one has ever asked the question. I believe silence until asked is

often the way to go, but up to each individual.

I tried to do it at Promenda.On seeing my yellow book the answer was "no need' you are in the "system," like they have one ????

You are right don't make waves

[cyberfarang]

Don`t ignore it. The rules are that a Farlang with extensions to stay in Thailand must report a change of permanent address within 7 days. It just means that those who haven`t bothered have been lucky so far.

[jmd8800]

I can't imagine why you might think it could be a Landord's resonsibility to notify Immigration of a change of address on your behalf, your dealings with Imigration have surely nothing to do with him...apart from his usual obligation to notify them of any foreigners staying under his roof.

I'm not asking the landlord to file a change of address. I would file the change of address. The only thing I would do with the landlord is to mention that I was out of the country and came back. If she wants to file a TM 30 that is her decision. If I am correct she must report this upon my return (but..how was she to know?)

[jmd8800]

@ All... thanks for the replies.

[naboo]

Forget it. The hassle of complying with every detail of the law vs the fine, I'll take the fine.

edit to add: 7 years, 9 changes of address (including 5 long stay gueshouses in the first year), only ever done extensions and 90 day reports at immigration, never been fined for non-compliance.

Edited March 24, 2016 by naboo

[Thorgal]

I can't imagine why you might think it could be a Landord's resonsibility to notify Immigration of a change of address on your behalf, your dealings with Imigration have surely nothing to do with him...apart from his usual obligation to notify them of any foreigners staying under his roof.

It's in the immigration act as previously posted and has been for a long time. Only recently became more heavily enforced. Lots of discussion on this in the Visa forum and we have our very own CM topic - TM30 experience

Section 38 : The house – master , the owner or the possessor of the residence , or the hotel manager where the alien ...

I didn't encounter the issue of article 38 when I was on a Non-immigrant O for 3 months with extensions of stay for marriage. I've used it mainly when I had to travel in those short periods.

Apparently, 'article 38' was activated when I've applied for the one year Non-immigrant O.

Moreover, while waiting for the administration process, visa agents went to comply for their customers for the same issue.

[LivinLOS]

I've never ever told immigration of a change of address in 25 years.

The last 12 have been static anyway, but before that never and no

one has ever asked the question. I believe silence until asked is

often the way to go, but up to each individual.

I tried to do it at Promenda.On seeing my yellow book the answer was "no need' you are in the "system," like they have one ????

You are right don't make waves

And Captain Passorn at the airport say a yellow book makes zero difference..

Left hand.. Right hand..

[MadMac]

Guess I try to throw them completely out of their scripts next time, presenting my yellow house book with Bangkok address ... not