Who is required to report to Immigration within 24 hours?

[giddyup]

My friend has just returned to Thailand on his O (retirement) visa and was told by the condo owner he had to report to immigration (Pattaya) within 24 hours, which he did, and had a slip stapled into his passport to show it. He was totally unaware that this is a requirement, and I don't understand why Thai Immigration doesn't advise people of this when they arrive, because there is a hefty fine if you fail to report. Is reporting required of everybody who enters Thailand, or just those on certain visas?

[ubonjoe]

It responsibility of the owner, house master and etc to do a report within 24 hours of a foreigner  arriving at a residence.

Not all immigration offices enforce the rule the same way though. Some correctly interpret the rule and only want a new report if a person moves to another residence.

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

It responsibility of the owner, house master and etc to do a report within 24 hours of a foreigner  arriving at a residence.

Not all immigration offices enforce the rule the same way though. Some correctly interpret the rule and only want a new report if a person moves to another residence.

He had a slip stapled to his passport proving that he'd reported. What would have been the outcome if he hadn't reported?

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, giddyup said:

He had a slip stapled to his passport proving that he'd reported. What would have been the outcome if he hadn't reported?

He could be fined up to 2000 baht for not doing the TM30 report.

[giddyup]

Just now, ubonjoe said:

He could be fined up to 2000 baht for not doing the TM30 report.

OK, so I get back to my question, why doesn't immigration advise people of this on arrival? I'm sure they won't accept ignorance as an excuse.

[ubonjoe]

16 minutes ago, giddyup said:

OK, so I get back to my question, why doesn't immigration advise people of this on arrival? I'm sure they won't accept ignorance as an excuse.

Probably because most people arriving in the country would not need to do the report because they are tourists who would be staying in hotels and etc that would do the reporting and/or would have no reason to do anything at an immigration office. Another reason is that it is not the residents responsibility to do a report.

[manarak]

next question is, will they fine anybody 2000 on their way out if they don't have the slip ?

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, manarak said:

next question is, will they fine anybody 2000 on their way out if they don't have the slip ?

Of course not. How would a person staying in hotels get the slip.

[giddyup]

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Of course not. How would a person staying in hotels get the slip.

Why bother to put the slip in his passport at all then? If he'd left it to the condo owner to report on his behalf what proof would there be?

[ubonjoe]

Just now, giddyup said:

If he'd left it to the condo owner to report on his behalf what proof would there be?

Since some immigration offices look for the slip it would wise to get a copy of the receipt from the owner to prove it was done.

[giddyup]

21 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Since some immigration offices look for the slip it would wise to get a copy of the receipt from the owner to prove it was done.

It all seems pretty iffy to me. A condo owner who rents his condo out to a friend while he's away may not even be aware of his obligation, any more than his tenant is to make a report, let alone knowing to take a copy. Like many things here, open to interpretation, or the whim of immigration officers.

Edited May 6, 2017 by giddyup

[oldhippy]

If the condo owner does not report the renter, the renter has to report or risk a fine.

So.

If the hotel does not report the hotel guest, the guest has to report or risk a fine?

And in both cases one can not plead ignorance?

 

 

Edited May 6, 2017 by oldhippy
edit

[giddyup]

6 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

If the condo owner does not report the renter, the renter has to report or risk a fine.

So.

If the hotel does not report the hotel guest, the guest has to report or risk a fine?

And in both cases one can not plead ignorance?

 

 

Like I said, it's all as clear as mud. My friend has been coming here twice a year for about 5 years on an O visa and this is the first time he's been aware of the fact that he needed to report. Wouldn't it make more sense to give you this info along with your arrival card at the airport? Or is there more revenue to be collected in the way of fines by keeping people in the dark ?

Edited May 6, 2017 by giddyup

[oldhippy]

Exactly my situation too (5 years of non imm o visas) - except that I stay at my wife's house (that I paid for, same as I would have to pay her or my fine for not reporting).

 

[dannywla]

I returned under the same circumstances on April 3, I live in Pattaya.  I didn't go to Jomtein Immigration until 3 weeks after and had no issues getting my verification and receipt stapled into my US Passport.  I didn't realize I needed it, as they make it very difficult for everyone. The Immigration officer upon my arrival at BKK or when I purchased my Exit Visa from the Immigration Office should of informed me of that new requirement;as last year never required my address verification !  Go figure, standards always changing and interpretation is often up to the Officiers mindset.

 

[DPKANKAN]

The stupid things is you get a new landing card at the airport, on which you have confirmed your address anyway and that is then stapled in your passport!!   

[klauskunkel]

My brother comes to visit. He is a tourist, but not staying in a hotel. He stays in a condo owned by a friend who is in Australia. He will notify his Thai address on the arrival card and give to immigration at the airport. That should be really all a tourist has to do for their 10 day holiday.

However, since the condo owner is abroad, my brother will have to spend a day in Chaeng Watthana to again report his address, which he already did on arrival, just this time on a TM30 form? And if, god forbid, he intends to travel outside the province and stay at a friend's house, he would have to again do such a TM30 form and spend another day traveling to and waiting at the corresponding immigration office?

If the purpose of such bureaucracy is to impede tourism to Thailand, then they have succeeded and done a good job. If the purpose of such bureaucracy is to know the whereabouts of terrorists and criminals, then they should reexamine their thinking process.

Edited May 6, 2017 by klauskunkel

[Pepper1959]

I am on a Non Imm O Visa and was unaware of this condition. First time I went to Immigration, AFTER a 90 day trip out of Thailand for my visa to Laos, my partner, who had signed the contract for the house we rent was fined 800 baht for not reporting with 24 hours. Hence, I was ultimately the one who paid. We have no learnt the conditions and know that it is OUR responsibility to know the rules and regulations relating to visas and immigration as I am the visitor in this country. No use questioning, arguing or anything else, I broke the rules, so I paid the fine. End of story. Now, if I have any issues, I ask the staff at Immigration who are very friendly and approachable.

[giddyup]

5 minutes ago, Pepper1959 said:

I am on a Non Imm O Visa and was unaware of this condition. First time I went to Immigration, AFTER a 90 day trip out of Thailand for my visa to Laos, my partner, who had signed the contract for the house we rent was fined 800 baht for not reporting with 24 hours. Hence, I was ultimately the one who paid. We have no learnt the conditions and know that it is OUR responsibility to know the rules and regulations relating to visas and immigration as I am the visitor in this country. No use questioning, arguing or anything else, I broke the rules, so I paid the fine. End of story. Now, if I have any issues, I ask the staff at Immigration who are very friendly and approachable.

Deliberately not advising people in order to collect fines is totally immoral in my book. What would it cost to include information of your obligations to report along with your landing card when you arrive?

[chang50]

14 minutes ago, Pepper1959 said:

I am on a Non Imm O Visa and was unaware of this condition. First time I went to Immigration, AFTER a 90 day trip out of Thailand for my visa to Laos, my partner, who had signed the contract for the house we rent was fined 800 baht for not reporting with 24 hours. Hence, I was ultimately the one who paid. We have no learnt the conditions and know that it is OUR responsibility to know the rules and regulations relating to visas and immigration as I am the visitor in this country. No use questioning, arguing or anything else, I broke the rules, so I paid the fine. End of story. Now, if I have any issues, I ask the staff at Immigration who are very friendly and approachable.

If only asking was effective.In my experience friendly and approachable staff often don't know the rules themselves,or don't understand your query and don't want to lose face.

[CLW]

Writing your first or main address on the immigration card is all you have to do.
Hotels, Condo, etc have to report your stay to the immigration.
I've never seen or heard about this slip attached to your passport except the 90 days report

[dentonian]

2 hours ago, giddyup said:

Deliberately not advising people in order to collect fines is totally immoral in my book. What would it cost to include information of your obligations to report along with your landing card when you arrive?

Your the foreigner. It's your responsibility to find out before you enter a foreign Country.

I don't any Country in the world that hands out their Immigration Act to foreigners when entering.

 

How about if they made you read it, and sign you understand.

Could you imagine the queues!

[dentonian]

3 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

My brother comes to visit. He is a tourist, but not staying in a hotel. He stays in a condo owned by a friend who is in Australia. He will notify his Thai address on the arrival card and give to immigration at the airport. That should be really all a tourist has to do for their 10 day holiday.

However, since the condo owner is abroad, my brother will have to spend a day in Chaeng Watthana to again report his address, which he already did on arrival, just this time on a TM30 form? And if, god forbid, he intends to travel outside the province and stay at a friend's house, he would have to again do such a TM30 form and spend another day traveling to and waiting at the corresponding immigration office?

If the purpose of such bureaucracy is to impede tourism to Thailand, then they have succeeded and done a good job. If the purpose of such bureaucracy is to know the whereabouts of terrorists and criminals, then they should reexamine their thinking process.

I would guess at least 80% of (real) tourists would stay at a registered hotel or guest house, who report their presence, so other than completing their arrival card have nothing more to do with Immigration.

 

If your brother chooses to stay at a Condo (private residence) and the owner isn't available, then he'll have to accept the responsibility of filing the TM30. Alternatively find somewhere else to stay, but that's his choice.

[giddyup]

15 minutes ago, dentonian said:

Your the foreigner. It's your responsibility to find out before you enter a foreign Country.

I don't any Country in the world that hands out their Immigration Act to foreigners when entering.

 

How about if they made you read it, and sign you understand.

Could you imagine the queues!

Don't be ridiculous, no one is talking about the Immigration Act, but a requirement to report to immigration that could be in the form of a notice attached to your passport at the airport. What is a visitor supposed to do, go to immigration on their first day in Thailand and ask them if there is anything they are required to do? Absurd.

Edited May 6, 2017 by giddyup

[hawker9000]

25 minutes ago, dentonian said:

I would guess at least 80% of (real) tourists would stay at a registered hotel or guest house, who report their presence, so other than completing their arrival card have nothing more to do with Immigration.

 

If your brother chooses to stay at a Condo (private residence) and the owner isn't available, then he'll have to accept the responsibility of filing the TM30. Alternatively find somewhere else to stay, but that's his choice.

Absurd.  Totally off the wall absurd.  Condos can be rented with online reservations just like any hotel or guest house.  They're listed on Agoda and all the other online sites just like hotels.  How the heck is a tourist supposed to know that there's this critical difference and about any of this!!  "Their choice" my aching back!!!  How do they even know, genius??  Stop posting nonsense.

 

Furthermore, just try and complete a TM30 as a mere guest without the active cooperation of the owner!  And most owners will either claim ignorance - and may even actually BE ignorant -  themselves or simply leave the whole matter in your hands.  Some owners may not be that anxious to have evidence of rental income being placed in govt hands.  And Jomtien will happily apply the fine to you instead of the owner, since you're the "possessor".

 

Glad to see this discussion finally taking place.  Not even UJ able to address the ridiculousness of this or the impossible situation it can put a hapless tourist in.  But labelling this a "tourist choice" wins the award for ignorance.

 

'A classic example of fire-aim-ready and a real gotcha' for totally unsuspecting and unaware tourists, or even partially aware tourists who're unable to navigate the strange TM30 business which is set up for owners, not renters.

Edited May 6, 2017 by hawker9000

[Lovethailandelite]

25 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Don't be ridiculous, no one is talking about the Immigration Act, but a requirement to report to immigration that could be in the form of a notice attached to your passport at the airport. What is a visitor supposed to do, go to immigration on their first day in Thailand and ask them if there is anything they are required to do? Absurd.

Now you know about it, you neither have to go to immigration and ask...or moan about it. You can tell all your friends and they can do the same....No need to moan about it anymore.

[Lovethailandelite]

11 minutes ago, hawker9000 said:

Absurd.  Totally off the wall absurd.  Condos can be rented with online reservations just like any hotel or guest house.  They're listed on Agoda and all the other online sites just like hotels.  How the heck is a tourist supposed to know that there's this critical difference and about any of this!!  "Their choice" my aching back!!!  How do they even know, genius??  Stop posting nonsense.

 

Furthermore, just try and complete a TM30 as a mere guest without the active cooperation of the owner!  And most owners will either claim ignorance - and may even actually BE ignorant -  themselves or simply leave the whole matter in your hands.  Some owners may not be that anxious to have evidence of rental income being placed in govt hands.  And Jomtien will happily apply the fine to you instead of the owner, since you're the "possessor".

 

Glad to see this discussion finally taking place.  Not even UJ able to address the ridiculousness of this or the impossible situation it can put a hapless tourist in.  But labelling this a "tourist choice" wins the award for ignorance.

 

'A classic example of fire-aim-ready and a real gotcha' for totally unsuspecting and unaware tourists, or even partially aware tourists who're unable to navigate the strange TM30 business which is set up for owners, not renters.

The Law has been in place since around 1974. People chose to ignore it as did immigration. Now it's not being ignored anymore, it needs to be complied with at those offices that require it.

[dentonian]

49 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Don't be ridiculous, no one is talking about the Immigration Act, but a requirement to report to immigration that could be in the form of a notice attached to your passport at the airport. What is a visitor supposed to do, go to immigration on their first day in Thailand and ask them if there is anything they are required to do? Absurd.

Well it might surprise you but where do you think the law on address reporting is written?

[MaiChai]

5 hours ago, DPKANKAN said:

The stupid things is you get a new landing card at the airport, on which you have confirmed your address anyway and that is then stapled in your passport!!   

This is what the police said to us the other day when we went to report. Policeman said he thought it stupid and out of date and not very tourist friendly. Said to us tourists should be treated better. Suppose it makes it easy to track tourist movements around the country. This law has been around for a long time but only recently enforced. Suppose not all of us are honest good tourists :)

 

[chang50]

It's not even always possible to file a TM30 within 24 hours of arrival....your flight might arrive on a Friday evening or Saturday or early Sunday and immigration will not be open within 24 hours.