Is this true? Report within 24 hours to immigration after arrival

[Lovethailandelite]

7 minutes ago, dentonian said:

Nonsense.

 

My son visited on a Visa exempt a few weeks ago and received no such instruction at the airport.

He filed my address on his TM6.

I filed a TM30 (as the occupier) with Immigration informing of his presence at my address.

 

No fines or problems whatsoever.

How do you know what is and what isn't today's policy at the airport? The only nonsense here is the fact that everybody knows better than immigration of what is and what isn't required. 

[jonwilly]

From Cheng Peuk Magazine.

But as folk say different Offices play by different rules.

 

john

[craigt3365]

27 minutes ago, dentonian said:

Nonsense.

 

My son visited on a Visa exempt a few weeks ago and received no such instruction at the airport.

He filed my address on his TM6.

I filed a TM30 (as the occupier) with Immigration informing of his presence at my address.

 

No fines or problems whatsoever.

It appears the instruction came from the Jomtien office, not the airport.  I met this guy yesterday.  His English is not perfect and I didn't ask every single detail about this.  Only told him I'd try to find out some more details.  I hope members here give me a bit of leeway rather than going after my lack of all the details.  It would be appreciated.  I'm just trying to help a friend out.

[craigt3365]

20 minutes ago, jonwilly said:

From Cheng Peuk Magazine.

But as folk say different Offices play by different rules.

 

john

So this means that even if you've put the proper address in your arrival card, you still need to do this at immigration?  What a mess.  They must be desperate for money.

[dentonian]

20 minutes ago, jonwilly said:

From Cheng Peuk Magazine.

But as folk say different Offices play by different rules.

 

john

The fine craigs friend received does not match for not filing a TM30.

 

It matches the fine for not filing a TM28 (Change of Address)

[uptheos]

1 hour ago, craigt3365 said:

This is a real tourist.  Hasn't been here in several years, and is only here for less than 30 days.  I'd call that a "real" tourist.  Great way to attract new tourists.

 

I guess the Norwegian consulate is aware of this and told me friend it's an old law that is now being reactivated.  Apparently due to the bombs at Erawan Shrine.

An old law being reactivated by one immigration officer on one person more likely, who all the facts are not known (even friends have secrets). I've had loads of people come over during the winter, no problems or anything even mentioned to them. 

[dentonian]

3 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

So this means that even if you've put the proper address in your arrival card, you still need to do this at immigration?  What a mess.  They must be desperate for money.

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.

“ House Master ” means any persons who is the chief possessor of a house , whether in the capacity of owner , tenant , or in any other capacity whatsoever , in accordance with the law on people act.

 

If your friend had been fined for not filing a TM30 (as above) the fine would be;

 

Section 77 : Whoever fails to comply with the provision of Section 38, shall be punished with a fine not exceeding 2,000 Baht. If said person is a hotel manager, he shall be punished with a fine from 2,000 Baht to 10,000 Baht.
 

A fine of 4,000 even if they regarded him as the housemaster in the capacity of the tenant does not match this criteria.

Most reported fines under this section have varied between 1,600 - 1,800 baht.

[uptheos]

1 minute ago, dentonian said:

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.

“ House Master ” means any persons who is the chief possessor of a house , whether in the capacity of owner , tenant , or in any other capacity whatsoever , in accordance with the law on people act.

 

If your friend had been fined for not filing a TM30 (as above) the fine would be;

 

Section 77 : Whoever fails to comply with the provision of Section 38, shall be punished with a fine not exceeding 2,000 Baht. If said person is a hotel manager, he shall be punished with a fine from 2,000 Baht to 10,000 Baht.
 

A fine of 4,000 even if they regarded him as the housemaster in the capacity of the tenant does not match this criteria.

Most reported fines under this section have varied between 1,600 - 1,800 baht.

Probably didn't pay a fine for something a few years ago and it's flagged..

[dentonian]

It appears your friend was fined under section 37.

 

Quote

Section 37 : An alien having received a temporary entry permit into the Kingdom must comply with the following : 1. Shall not engage in the occupation or temporary or employment unless authorized by the Director General. or competent official deputized by the Director General . If , in any case , there is a law concerning alien employment provided hereafter , the granting of work privileges must comply with the law concerned. 2. Shall stay at the place as indicated to the competent official. Where there is proper reason that he cannot stay at the place as indicated to the competent official, he shall notify the competent official of the change in residence , within 24 hours from the time of removing to said place. 3. Shall notify the police official of the local police station where such alien resides, within twenty – four hours from the time of arrival. In the case of change in residence in which new residence is not located the same area with the former police stations , such alien must notify the police official of the police station for that area within twenty – four hours from the time of arrival. 4. If the alien travels to any province and will stay there longer than twenty – four hours , such alien must notify the police official of the police station for that area within forty – eight hours from the time of arrival. 5. If the alien stays in the Kingdom longer than ninety days, such alien must notify the competent official at the Immigration Division , in writing , concerning his place of stay , as soon as possible upon expiration of ninety days. The alien is required to do so every ninety days. Where there is an Immigration Office , the alien may notify a competent Immigration Official of that office. The provision of ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) shall not apply to any cases under Section 34 by any conditions as prescribed by the Director General. In making notification under this Section , the alien may make notification in person or send a letter of notification to the competent official , in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Director General .
 

Quote

Section 76 : Any alien, alien, who fails to comply with the provisions of Section 37(2),(3),(4)or(5) shall be punished with a fine not exceeding 5,000 Baht and with and additional fine not exceeding 200 Baht for each day which passes until the law is complied with.
 

 

Edited February 14, 2017 by dentonian

[uptheos]

4 hours ago, Caps said:

If its true, what great way to invite more tourists to the country....Welcome to Thailand and by the way your first day of your holidays is going to be spent sat at Chang Wattanna 

Do people actually think because they have a gripe with Thailand, the whole world is going to read their post and boycott Thailand. It's doing quite nicely tourist wise, it's not Iraq, Yemen or Somalia. Tourists actually can move around and see lots of things, places in relative safety. The story of someone being fined putting a dent in the tourist industry is just laughable.

 

 

[craigt3365]

25 minutes ago, uptheos said:

An old law being reactivated by one immigration officer on one person more likely, who all the facts are not known (even friends have secrets). I've had loads of people come over during the winter, no problems or anything even mentioned to them. 

You did read Joe's post?  Or not?

[craigt3365]

18 minutes ago, uptheos said:

Probably didn't pay a fine for something a few years ago and it's flagged..

Is that speculation? LOL

[tgeezer]

From Cheng Peuk Magazine.
But as folk say different Offices play by different rules.
 
john

What is Cheng Peuk Magazine? I Googled it and the first few hits were this forum and the next was Facebook of a gym.


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[uptheos]

2 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

Is that speculation? LOL

Of course it's speculation that's why I added 'or something' You really didn't need to ask, the same as yours is speculation that what he told you might not be exactly what the immigration officer said.

[craigt3365]

10 minutes ago, uptheos said:

Of course it's speculation that's why I added 'or something' You really didn't need to ask, the same as yours is speculation that what he told you might not be exactly what the immigration officer said.

I could have been told to my face and still not be able to say here "exactly" what the immigration officer said. LOL

 

Very helpful...

[dentonian]

I have a feeling the scenario came about as follows;

 

Friends is told something at the airport which is misunderstood.

Friends visits Immigration to check it out a few days after arrival.

A misunderstanding then follows and the IO thinks he has newly moved into the area.

Friend doesn't point to his Visa exempt stamp and TM6 card.

IO files TM28 and TM30 on his behalf, but fines for not reporting change of address within 24 hours.

 

Pure speculation, language barriers, misunderstandings, but conceivable.

 

If you enter on a Visa exempt or Tourist Visa and have no reason to visit an Immigration office, then stay clear.

No misunderstandings, language communication problems or fines.

[craigt3365]

2 minutes ago, dentonian said:

I have a feeling the scenario came about as follows;

 

Friends is told something at the airport which is misunderstood.

Friends visits Immigration to check it out a few days after arrival.

A misunderstanding then follows and the IO thinks he has newly moved into the area.

Friend doesn't point to his Visa exempt stamp and TM6 card.

IO files TM28 and TM30 on his behalf, but fines for not reporting change of address within 24 hours.

 

Pure speculation, language barriers, misunderstandings, but conceivable.

 

If you enter on a Visa exempt or Tourist Visa and have no reason to visit an Immigration office, then stay clear.

No misunderstandings, language communication problems or fines.

I was in immigration a few months ago renewing my mother's retirement visa.  Next to me was a guy with his Thai wife.  Doing an extension based on marriage.  My wife overheard the officer ask where he was living.  He said with his wife.  Then they asked her if she had reported him living with her.  She said no.  They were escorted away to another room.  I'm guessing for the shake down.

 

I saw this first hand with my wife.

[dentonian]

3 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

I could have been told to my face and still not be able to say here "exactly" what the immigration officer said. LOL

Could be the IO recognised the address as a Condo.

Thinks the Condo belongs to your friend.

Reminds him to file a TM30 as the owner.

Friends is confused so visits Immigration where there is more confusion.

[dentonian]

9 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

I was in immigration a few months ago renewing my mother's retirement visa.  Next to me was a guy with his Thai wife.  Doing an extension based on marriage.  My wife overheard the officer ask where he was living.  He said with his wife.  Then they asked her if she had reported him living with her.  She said no.  They were escorted away to another room.  I'm guessing for the shake down.

 

I saw this first hand with my wife.

 

Reported many times on TV.

No doubt his wife is now aware of the requirements.

I'd guess 1,600 baht fine with receipt, or 500 baht without a receipt.

Depends if the IO or the office practices corruption.

 

I've never personally been exposed to a corruption attempt, but I have been exposed to an IO getting it wrong, but when challenged checking with a superior officer, then apologising for his mistake.

Edited February 14, 2017 by dentonian

[dentonian]

You state your friend is now in Isaan.

 

Is he staying in a hotel or at a private residence?

 

By the letter of the law someone should be filing a TM30.

In practice if staying in a private residence, do nothing.

Immigration won't know any difference when he returns to his Condo.

[LivinLOS]

3 hours ago, dentonian said:

As long as you stay at the address stated on a TM6 arrival card, there is no requirement for a foreigner to complete a TM28, which is notification of a change of address.

Thats not according to the law.. the TM6 does not negate the TM28 and also either or both does not negate the TM30. 

 

By law they ALL need to be done, not one or the other.. In practice ?? 

[dentonian]

22 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

Thats not according to the law.. the TM6 does not negate the TM28 and also either or both does not negate the TM30. 

 

By law they ALL need to be done, not one or the other.. In practice ?? 

According to the law;

Section 37 : An alien having received a temporary entry permit into the Kingdom must comply with the following :

2. Shall stay at the place as indicated to the competent official. Where there is proper reason that he cannot stay at the place as indicated to the competent official, he shall notify the competent official of the change in residence , within 24 hours from the time of removing to said place.

 

Shall stay at the place as indicated.........that is as indicated on the TM6 arrival card.

There is no further requirement for a foreigner to notify Immigration of his registered address, unless he moves to a different residence (TM28).

 

The TM30 is a different requirement, under section 38.

 

From what the OP posted regarding a friend, it appears he was fined for not filing a TM28.

Edited February 14, 2017 by dentonian

[thedemon]

The TM6 is meaningless concerning address notification.

 

No one reads them. No one enters the address into a database. They are simply bundled up in batches according to arrival flight number and put in a box.

[tgeezer]

According to the law;
Section 37 : An alien having received a temporary entry permit into the Kingdom must comply with the following :
2. Shall stay at the place as indicated to the competent official. Where there is proper reason that he cannot stay at the place as indicated to the competent official, he shall notify the competent official of the change in residence , within 24 hours from the time of removing to said place.
 
Shall stay at the place as indicated.........that is as indicated on the TM6 arrival card.
There is no further requirement for a foreigner to notify Immigration of his registered address, unless he moves to a different residence (TM28).
 
The TM30 is a different requirement, under section 38.
 
From what the OP posted regarding a friend, it appears he was fined for not filing a TM28.

Just to support this very reasonable assumption. The Act states that section 37 (alien's duty) and section 38 (householder's duty) shall be accomplished by a system laid down by the Director of the Police Dept. The existence of forms TM 28 and TM 30 and probably TM6 would seem to indicate that such a system has been established.
In fact only the bad translation which says something like "am at " instead of "now moved to" makes transgression possible.



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[Roger Lee]

Listen to ubonjoe, he knows what he's talking about.

 

I've never had to pay a fine at the Chon Buri (Jomtien) Immigration and just present a new TM-30 every time I have to go there.  This TM-30 thing started there over a year ago, previously they never asked for one.

 

If I was staying just 30 days or less on a visa exemption stamp I wouldn't even think or worry about it, but that's me.  Your best resource of information on this forum is ubonjoe.

[jerome2]

I think it is only for 6m and 1 year visa extensions .The tourist can say i change every day

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[franckpattaya]

Yes,it's compulsory in Jomtien. I did it 14 days ago, I am on retirement visa, married from 22 years, living in the house of my wife.

Fill the T.M 30 and you will get a receipt of notification to staple in your passport,

If you don't do and one day you have to go to immigration for 90 days, re-entry,extension  of stay,etc,  immigration will check if you did the T.M 30.

If not, fine from 800 baht to 4000 baht

[thai006]

i never  report     and i arrived in november lol 

[Roger Lee]

4 minutes ago, franckpattaya said:

Yes,it's compulsory in Jomtien. I did it 14 days ago, I am on retirement visa, married from 22 years, living in the house of my wife.

Fill the T.M 30 and you will get a receipt of notification to staple in your passport,

If you don't do and one day you have to go to immigration for 90 days, re-entry,extension  of stay,etc,  immigration will check if you did the T.M 30.

If not, fine from 800 baht to 4000 baht

Last time I was there I didn't receive a receipt, I also lost my previous one.  Not a problem apparently at the Chon Buri office.

[eisfeld]

The "house master" has to report any foreigner to immigration within 24h of arrival. This house master can in some cases be the foreigner himself.

 

Additionally, any foreigner has to report himself to police within 48h if staying anywhere in Thailand for at least two days. So after arrival, any tourist has to go to the nearest police station and report themselves. And if they travel to Bangkok for 3 days, they have to go there again. And if going to Chiang Mai for a week, again there.

 

 

These are not new laws. But Immigration has found out they can use these to fine people whenever they want because noone followed these rules. And for good reason, if everyone would follow them, Immigration and Police would be completely swamped and overloaded with these reports. Maybe Police will also join the party and fine foreigners on the street once they learn about this money making opportunity.