Can I Avoid a TM30 Fine While Traveling Before Arriving in Pattaya?

Pattaya immigration wont care less where you have been prior to arriving in pattaya, or whether a TM30 was done. If you go to phuket next week, they wont care that you have been in pattaya or if a TM30 has been filled..

The rule is you have to be registered within 24 hours after arriving at an address in Thailand.

I guess you do not sleep under an unidentified bridge during the 10 days travel towards Pattaya.

Just file the TM30 at Pattaya Jomtien Immigration within 3 days of arrival at your Pattaya residence. Note...Jomtien Immigration allows 3.days to file the TM 30....whereas other immigration offices may only allow 1 day...

Check with your immigration to find out their requirements.

BTW...I did just as you ...with a Mae Sai border crossing...along with two weeks travel inside Thailand. Filed the TM30 upon my return to Pattaya/ Jomtien Immigration.

And Jomtien/Pattaya does not require a TM30 filing for travel inside Thailand.

Next to that if you are traveling and are staying in hotels or guesthouses the tm 30 has to be done by the owner of the hotel or guesthouse.

when we had visitors in our apartment they never registered - no issue at airport (all on 30 days visa exception)