Do I need to print out my TM-47 form for the 90-day report in Thailand or can I keep a digital version?

December 25, 2021
3 years ago
Barbara ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My experience with the new online system for 90-day reports: A couple of weeks ago I registered and immediately got an email saying I was accepted and providing me with a password. Earlier this week I logged in and filled out the TM-47 form. Again I received an immediate email saying the form was accepted and the website showed my status as pending.

It took about 8 hours, but late that same afternoon I received a second email saying that my TM-47 report had been approved. The stamped, approved form was attached. However, the form still says I should keep it in my passport. It seems ridiculous to have an online service and then require the form to be printed out (I know, I know, things dont always make sense here). I recently read that a new law requires some government departments to go digital and prohibits any requirement to print out documents, though I don’t believe that it applies to Immigration…yet.

Does anyone know if I really need to print out the form and put it in my passport or can I just keep the digital document in my phone?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user shared their recent experience with the new online system for 90-day reports in Thailand, detailing a quick approval process after submitting the TM-47 form electronically. However, they expressed frustration regarding the requirement to print the approved form and keep it in their passport, questioning the necessity of printing when the service is digital. The conversation includes multiple comments from other users, advising that it is indeed a legal requirement to have the printed form in the passport and recommending to avoid potential issues by printing it out. Some users mentioned the importance of being obedient to local regulations, regardless of their perceived logic.
Nick ************
How long has there been a new system in place? I gave up trying to do this on line a long time ago.
Barbara ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
just announced a few weeks ago Nick. It crashed at first but I went back a week later and it was working fine.
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Barbara ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It didn’t find you with your passport number? I think I read (a long time ago) that you need to do the first report in person or the online service won’t work. I assume you’ve done that?
Nick ************
Barbara ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ***********
you’re welcome. Hope it works for you too.
Nick ************
@Barbara *******
I just registered but it has no record of me.
Nick ************
The only time my 90 day report has been requested has been at the time of renewing my 90 day report. Last time I reported I did not have my passport, only a copy. No problem.
David *******
This is so stupid like seriously if you got your approval you would always print it out for safe keeps and easy access when needed dont be one of those people that’s Infront of you waisting other peoples time searching for approvals on your phone holding up the queue like seriously if you are bitching about printing of a form you should just stay at home ! Is there anywhere I can report stupid people that travel !
Barbara ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
how very kind of you. Things change David, just like the law that requires departments to go digital and now prohibits them from requiring people to produce reams of paperwork. That law, BTW, has been published in the Royal Gazette. The problem is not “stupid” people, it’s “rude” people like you, who seem to think being online gives them permission to be bullies. If you can’t offer any constructive help, you don’t belong as a member on this forum.
David *******
@Barbara *******
Do you not print off a copy of your passport for safe keeps in case you loose it every time you travel ?
Barbara ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
of course I do. And I keep a copy on my phone. But recently, the TM-47 slip in my passport got lost and I had to get a replacement. I didn’t even know it was gone until I went in to get my Thai driver’s license. We’re always handing over our passports - Doctor, hospital, hotel, etc. it could have gotten lost at any one of those places and I don’t think to check it every time they hand back my passport. So being able to show the form digitally would be better. And faster than fumbling through my very thick passport looking for the form, so I’m not holding up any queues.
Terary **********
On occasion people look at that paper. They maybe could look in a computer or maybe not. My experience here in Thailand has been pretty good. My secret - don't be a pain in the arse. My advice to you, print it out, smile.
Peter *********
Yes print and attach to passport
Grant *******
One should always have a digital copy on your phone anyway. If it gets lost or is 'not present', so long as you have the code from the document, they can reference it but might not do further process without the original.

It depends on which way the wind is blowing at the time
Chris **********
Please can you give me a link where I can make the 90 day report online?
Barbara ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *********
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Benjamin ******
Immigration web-portal [best option];

tm47.immigration.go.th

Android eServices application;

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iPhone eServices application;

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Bobby ********
It's actually a legal requirement to have the 90-day report form in your passport. Personally, I cannot see why it's such a big problem to print it and staple it into your passport.
John *******
@Bobby *******
I agree. This is Thailand, not Japan. Just get it done and get on with life. And yeah sure, use a paper clip. 😆
Nick ************
@Bobby *******
stapling is defacing your passport and could mean trouble. Always use a paperclip.
Hans *********
A Copy from both first Side full Passport to see!! Last stemp from com to Thailand, Immigration Card and valid Visa and actuel 90 Day Report on Your Phone and in Cloud want be normal.

In 7 Years I never need my Passport without on Airport or Border.
Hans *********
Nick Cartwright

And why the immigratin clip all in the Passport?

ItsA Pssport not any more.
Nick ************
@Hans ********
sorry but I dont understand what you mean.
John ******************
I know, I know things don't always make sense here.......Does it always make sense where you come from??? ,Asking for a friend.
Benjamin ******
> It seems ridiculous to have an online service and then require the form to be printed out (I know, I know, things dont always make sense here).

There are 70+ immigration offices, and not all the immigration offices are technology advanced.

>I recently read that a new law requires some government departments to go digital and prohibits any requirement to print out documents

Ignore the laws that you read online, and do *NOT* try to "hang them by a comma". In Thailand, if a Thai police officer wants to, they can dig through the books and find SOMETHING you done illegal.

A few years ago the police busted the Pattaya Bridge Club for gambling. The president of the Bridge Association of Thailand visited the Thai police in Pattaya, and taught them that bridge is a sport and is legal. The police then dug through the law books, and discovered that the playing cards that were being used didn't meet some type of standard that was made into a law back in the mid 1940's 😮

(Source
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2/pattaya-cops-bust-32-foreigners-for-playing-bridge)

My advice: Don't argue, print out your report, keep it in your passport (or some other easy-to-access location).
Sammy *******
@Benjamin *****
exactly. If printing out a form really seems to get to you, then Thailand is definitely not the place for you to live.
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