24 hours to report to immigration?

[MJKT2014]

I thought whenever the TM30 was required, the house owner just wrote in the date of submission irrespective of actual aliens arrival date to avoid the over 24 hour fine? That's what I've always seen as there is no other evidence asked of to prove the aliens location on a daily basis?

[Ganador]

 

And what if your landlord is a farang living overseas... and difficult to contact him to do the TM30 for you...?

[FARANG KIWI]

A good experience at Korat office ( Dan Kwian )

 

This week was awarded my 1st Extension of Stay based on Retirement, all went well 1st time.

 

Took my Thai wife with me and we expected maybe trouble about the TM30 as she had never submitted the form before.

 

Anyway the Royal Thai officer bought the subject up and explained there is a fine, however because it was out 1st interaction with Korat Immigration they would not fine us.

 

Then she went on to say as we have registered our Overseas marriage in Thailand, that we would NEVER have to complete the TM30 form, as my home address is now registered in their computer system. 

 

I understand each persons interaction is different, however I was expecting the worse and we got a fabulous encounter and outcome.

 

 

 

 

[JackThompson]

3 hours ago, Ganador said:

And what if your landlord is a farang living overseas... and difficult to contact him to do the TM30 for you...?

For starters, require, as a condition of signing a rental/lease contract, that they provide a signed-copy of both their passport front-page and the tabien-bahn / blue-book of the place you are renting from them.  If you want to be extra-thorough, check with the local immigration office you would use for that location, before signing your lease, to to see if you presenting those, plus a copy of a lease, will be sufficient for whatever TM-30 requirements they have.

[PhuketSarah]

3 hours ago, Ganador said:

 

And what if your landlord is a farang living overseas... and difficult to contact him to do the TM30 for you...?

That is my situation and so as " housemaster" you do it yourself. Be aware at Phuket  2 weeks ago was asked for  an original company stamp  on  the  copies of house registration,   landlord's  passport ,  and  the lease as the home is owned by a Thai company (with landlord as director.) I was lucky I had  all  original  docs  stamped, and notarized  which the officer at first wanted,  but  I refused, " My originals that  I need to keep "  and so he accepted a copy. 

He spent about 20 minutes  pouring over everything completely missing the lease expired some time ago . The owner and I just have  a verbal agreement.

He also informed me; " each time travel  outside the country is undertaken, a new TM 30 must be filed within 24 hours"  I take that to mean upon return to residence as any hotels should be doing this.

Also informed 1000 baht a day fine, up to 5000 baht. 

 

  After that I went to the retirement extension  office  where the young lad helping to get papers together told me he his opinion is  the  TM-30 law is being enforced incorrectly " I don't know why he is doing that.."

 

Upshot- all offices will have different rules,  and quite possibly individual  officers within offices might have different rules. Be prepared for hassle. 

 

 

[Roger Lee]

I was recently advised at the Chon Buri Immigration in Jomtien that if I was out of country for 30 days or less there is no need to file a new TM30.  Since then I've read reports that it is required there within 24hrs of arriving to my residence.  I pretty sure that no one knows what exactly is required and I'll continue to file TM30's just in case, unless of course they offer me a signed letter stating the 30 day or less requirement. 

[Wake Up]

I live in Bangkok and my condo lease expired May 6 and I did not renew the lease. I am on over 50 year age extension of stay one year. I have been traveling to Europe and USA to work and living in Bangkok hotels when i return to Bangkok. In October I will lease another condo for a year and in November renew my extension of stay. 

 

Does anyone know if Bangkok expects this change of address form from me?  I am sure the hotels report my presence because I give them my USA passport (not Thai DL) when I check into the hotel. Many thanks.

[Tanoshi]

7 hours ago, Ganador said:

 

And what if your landlord is a farang living overseas... and difficult to contact him to do the TM30 for you...?

You can file it yourself.

“ 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.
 

[Tanoshi]

1 hour ago, Wake Up said:

I live in Bangkok and my condo lease expired May 6 and I did not renew the lease. I am on over 50 year age extension of stay one year. I have been traveling to Europe and USA to work and living in Bangkok hotels when i return to Bangkok. In October I will lease another condo for a year and in November renew my extension of stay. 

 

Does anyone know if Bangkok expects this change of address form from me?  I am sure the hotels report my presence because I give them my USA passport (not Thai DL) when I check into the hotel. Many thanks.

Yes, when you lease a Condo, which is a private residence, you should file a TM28 to notify your new permanent address.

Your extension will then be issued with details entered at that address.

Bangkok do not request TM30's.

 

It is always advisable to insist on a copy of your landlords Tabien Baan, ID card and a rental agreement (all signed by the LL).

[oceanyachting]

7 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

You can file it yourself.

“ 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.
 

That's intesting. My BF is the first name on our rental agreement so could he report that we've both come home from a trip?

[oceanyachting]

3 minutes ago, oceanyachting said:

That's intesting. My BF is the first name on our rental agreement so could he report that we've both come home from a trip?

Exxcept his Tibianbaan is from his village, not where we live so that probably won't work

 

[Tanoshi]

1 minute ago, oceanyachting said:

That's intesting. My BF is the first name on our rental agreement so could he report that we've both come home from a trip?

Yes.

When you download the TM30 it comes as two pages.

The second page records the name(s) of those staying at the address.

 

They may want a copy of your landlords Tabien Baan and ID card though, signed by the LL.

[Tanoshi]

1 minute ago, oceanyachting said:

Exxcept his Tibianbaan is from his village, not where we live so that probably won't work

 

That doesn't matter.

A Thai can only be registered in one Blue book, but there will be a blue book for your house as well.

Just take a copy of both Tabien Baans.

The IO's are Thai, they know your landlord cannot be registered in both books.

[Tanoshi]

4 hours ago, PhuketSarah said:

That is my situation and so as " housemaster" you do it yourself. Be aware at Phuket  2 weeks ago was asked for  an original company stamp  on  the  copies of house registration,   landlord's  passport ,  and  the lease as the home is owned by a Thai company (with landlord as director.) I was lucky I had  all  original  docs  stamped, and notarized  which the officer at first wanted,  but  I refused, " My originals that  I need to keep "  and so he accepted a copy. 

He spent about 20 minutes  pouring over everything completely missing the lease expired some time ago . The owner and I just have  a verbal agreement.

He also informed me; " each time travel  outside the country is undertaken, a new TM 30 must be filed within 24 hours"  I take that to mean upon return to residence as any hotels should be doing this.

Also informed 1000 baht a day fine, up to 5000 baht. 

 

  After that I went to the retirement extension  office  where the young lad helping to get papers together told me he his opinion is  the  TM-30 law is being enforced incorrectly " I don't know why he is doing that.."

Always only give copies of any original document.

Many offices are now requesting a new TM30 is filed when you leave and re-enter the Country and should be filed within 24 hours of return to your place of registered residence.

 

I think he plucked the fine figures from thin air.

Under the Immigration Act the fine is as follows;

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.
 

 

[PhuketSarah]

14 hours ago, oceanyachting said:

That's intesting. My BF is the first name on our rental agreement so could he report that we've both come home from a trip?

I would doubt that, in fact I think it could well be a point of later hassle  and expense for you to not do it yourself,  depending entirely  on what office  you go to. In Phuket you might well need a separate lease, from the owner,  and stamped copies of any properties owned by companies and ...and... and... and ...

[YetAnother]

perhaps someone can clarify this; say i come to thailand for the first time and i do not know anything substantial about immigration here, and , if i remember correctly, the arrival card requires thai address and phone; so i dont have one...the guy behind in line whispers 'make one up','they cant , wont check'; so i then travel around thailand for 30 days and want to leave; am i then liable for all the fines due to my hotels,guesthouses not reporting me and using the form ?

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

perhaps someone can clarify this; say i come to thailand for the first time and i do not know anything substantial about immigration here, and , if i remember correctly, the arrival card requires thai address and phone; so i dont have one...the guy behind in line whispers 'make one up','they cant , wont check'; so i then travel around thailand for 30 days and want to leave; am i then liable for all the fines due to my hotels,guesthouses not reporting me and using the form ?

Departure immigration does not care about anything but your your permit to stay date shown on your entry stamp to confirm you are not on an overstay.

[Ganador]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

Departure immigration does not care about anything but your your permit to stay date shown on your entry stamp to confirm you are not on an overstay.

 

So if you fill out the TM6 arrival card and get a visa exempt for 30days.... thats it right? No need to worry about any TM30 form? Just make sure you are out of the country before the 30 days are up?

[Tanoshi]

7 hours ago, YetAnother said:

perhaps someone can clarify this; say i come to thailand for the first time and i do not know anything substantial about immigration here, 

Then you'd be pretty stupid not to do a little research if visiting a foreign Country to stay on the right side of the law.

 

7 hours ago, YetAnother said:

and , if i remember correctly, the arrival card requires thai address and phone; so i dont have one

Mmmm! Your already having problems with your memory, because it doesn't ask for a phone number.

 

7 hours ago, YetAnother said:

...the guy behind in line whispers 'make one up','they cant , wont check'; so i then travel around thailand for 30 days and want to leave; am i then liable for all the fines due to my hotels,guesthouses not reporting me and using the form ?

Try it and let us know what happens.

For sure if you give a false or inaccurate address, they'll soon  find you accommodation with a registered address for a few days while you answer some questions.

No, the hotels and guesthouses are responsible to report your arrival and departure from their residence.

[Tanoshi]

6 hours ago, Ganador said:

 

So if you fill out the TM6 arrival card and get a visa exempt for 30days.... thats it right? No need to worry about any TM30 form? Just make sure you are out of the country before the 30 days are up?

The hotel, guesthouse, or housemaster of a private residence should file the TM30 where you stay.

No need for you to do anything more.

[OJAS]

9 hours ago, Ganador said:

 

So if you fill out the TM6 arrival card and get a visa exempt for 30days.... thats it right? No need to worry about any TM30 form? Just make sure you are out of the country before the 30 days are up?

 

3 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

The hotel, guesthouse, or housemaster of a private residence should file the TM30 where you stay.

No need for you to do anything more.

And even if they did not do this for whatever reason, it would still not be an issue for you except in the (highly unlikely) event of your needing to have any dealings with the local immigration office during the 30 days.

[superal]

10 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

The hotel, guesthouse, or housemaster of a private residence should file the TM30 where you stay.

No need for you to do anything more.

Not according to Ubonjoe ,   id : 26 in this post

[Tanoshi]

1 hour ago, superal said:

Not according to Ubonjoe ,   id : 26 in this post

My reply was specifically in answer to having a 30 day Visa exempt where the holder has no need or requirement to visit Immigration.

i.e. Mr Smith and family spend a week in Bangkok and 2 weeks in Pattaya, staying in hotels.

 

The Housemaster is the person responsible for reporting, With hotels and guesthouses that will be the owner or manager of a business establishment.

In a private residence, the housemaster could be anyone who occupies the house, including the tenant.

[Blue bruce]

When you return to Thailand you fill out the arrival card at Thai immigration.  On the arrival card you fill in your address. Isn't this enough. They already know where you are when you leave the airport.

[JackThompson]

39 minutes ago, Blue bruce said:

When you return to Thailand you fill out the arrival card at Thai immigration.  On the arrival card you fill in your address. Isn't this enough. They already know where you are when you leave the airport.

You would think so - but no.  The policy varies depending on what immigration office serves the area where you are staying.

[elviajero]

7 hours ago, Blue bruce said:

When you return to Thailand you fill out the arrival card at Thai immigration.  On the arrival card you fill in your address. Isn't this enough. They already know where you are when you leave the airport.

All they know is where you say you're going to be. It could be a fake address or the first of many.

 

The system tracks you when hotels/guest houses report that you have actually arrived/are staying at their property. The system has fallen down over the years because more visitors stay in private property, and that's why immigration have started enforcing the law and insisting someone in the private residence reports foreigners staying with them.

[ianh68]

As far as my local immigration office is concerned, I assume if they wanted me to do a 24 hour report they would have given me a form at the same time as my re-entry permit. I'll take a chance and let you all know. Thanks for all the comments.

[ianh68]

On 23/07/2017 at 9:34 AM, MJKT2014 said:

I thought whenever the TM30 was required, the house owner just wrote in the date of submission irrespective of actual aliens arrival date to avoid the over 24 hour fine? That's what I've always seen as there is no other evidence asked of to prove the aliens location on a daily basis?

When I extended my permission to stay on my retirement visa I was given a TM30. When I asked my wife to fill it in she left blank the dates we were not sure about and the immigration office filled them in for us thus ensuring smooth passage.

 

[elviajero]

On 7/23/2017 at 1:24 PM, Tanoshi said:

You can file it yourself.

“ 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.

Not as the house-master. The house-master of a property is the person named in the Blue Tabien Baan as the head of household. Always a Thai unless a foreigner has a residents permit (PR). A foreigner can, under the law, submit a TM.30 in the capacity of "possessor". 

 

Some offices insist on a new TM.30 when processing an extension application in which case they often won't accept the TM.30 completed by the applicant/foreigner and would almost certainly insist on it being filed by the owner or at the very least with the owners ID/TB.

[YetAnother]

On 7/24/2017 at 11:36 PM, OJAS said:

or housemaster of a private residence should file the TM30 where you stay.

ok i DO understand this; however it doesnt make practical sense; how would a thai know about immigration laws for us ? how would they know what to do , where to do it, when to do it ? to them we could easily just a be a large, white-skinned person, friend-of-a-friend that needs a place to stay for a couple days