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Is it illegal for a motorcycle rental shop in Thailand to keep my passport as a deposit?

Motorcycle RentalPassport SafetyLegal AdviceTravel TipsThailand ImmigrationExpat AdviceVisa Regulations
Mar 6, 2024
9 months ago
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Not a visa question, but a motorcycle rental guy by cnx train station wanted to keep my passport for duration of rental. This...IS illegal, right?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The general consensus among expats is that it is not illegal for a motorcycle rental shop in Thailand to ask for your passport, but it is not advisable to surrender it. Many commenters suggest providing a cash deposit instead of handing over your passport, as retaining it could lead to scams or extortion scenarios. It's recommended to keep a photocopy of your passport and to ensure you have your original passport on you at all times while in Thailand.
Chris ******
I don’t care what country your in!!

Photocopy of your passport that you provide for id is the only thing you provide!

You keep the original! If a rental agency or hotel!

If they refuse!! CYA!

Folks a Canadian or USA passport can fetch up to 25 and 30 thousand dollars! In the world of identification papers!

Wake up !!
9 months ago
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Hovvard ******
Always insist that they can only have a copy.
9 months ago
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Ronny **********
I never give away my passport. Ask them to make a copy or take a photo with their smartphone and give them a cash deposit. Dont forget to take photo everywhere around the motorcycle and read the contract with the cash deposit on and Ofcourse take a copy of it with you. Never trust anyone in Thailand or anywhere abroad Good luck ! 👍💪🙏
9 months ago
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Robert *****
Always make copies to hand out.
9 months ago
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Robert **********
Never, ever give you a Passport to anyone. Reason is they can make copy of it and use it to make duplicate and put somebody else's face on it and sell them. I know this because my ex. From Brasil had one done for her. She Made it though custom at kennedy airport New York
9 months ago
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John ********
Never leave your passport. It is the property of your countries government.

Illegal to leave it with unauthorised people.
9 months ago
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Cliff **************
It's an attempt to extort you to get your passport back. They will find many things wrong with the motorbike and charge you ridiculous amounts to get your passport back!
9 months ago
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Brad **********
Don’t do it! Get a photocopy!

If he doesn’t except that, walk away! There’s lots a bike rentals 👍
9 months ago
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Steven ***************
I have 2 passports always give over the one I did not enter on .
9 months ago
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Alan ******
No. By rights you should never lose sight of ur passport. Tell that to the Thai embassy Canberra, where everything is by mail from WA for visas.
9 months ago
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Bill *********
No never give your passport just a copy .
9 months ago
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Steve *********
I leave my passport. But I have two. I give them the one that not have entry stamp in
9 months ago
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Andy ******
During Covid there was a hotel in Jakarta I did the 7 day quarantine and they took your passport at the airport and never got it back until you complete the 7 day quarantine,I complained to general manager and he wasn't interested,so contacted the British Embassy in Indonesia and they said it was the rules of the government
9 months ago
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Carsten **********
there are other rental places.
9 months ago
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Baz ******
Never give up your passport. EVER
9 months ago
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Susan *********
I refuse. Hotels also sometimes ask. I just ask them to make a photocopy
9 months ago
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Jim ********
No
9 months ago
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Paul *******
Copy only

Never never give up your passport.
9 months ago
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JD *******
NEVER GIVE UP YOUR PASSPORT ! IF BIKE RENTALS AREN'T SATISFIED WITH A COPY IT'S A DEFINITE "RED-FLAG" WALK !
9 months ago
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Taz **********
Never leave your passport with anyone, especially a bike rental place
9 months ago
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Paolo *******
Give them a copy
9 months ago
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Rok ********
10,000 baht deposit? Usually 500 or 1000 baht and never passport kept in my experience … are you renting a Rolls Royce of motorbikes (whatever that may be).
9 months ago
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Jason *******
It’s illegal to surrender your passport in most circumstances

Get a photo copy and sign the contract
9 months ago
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Ian *************
or 3k cash
9 months ago
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Emile ********
Hell no lol
9 months ago
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Anna *********
Never give your passport to motorcycle rental guy.
9 months ago
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Paul *******
@Anna ********
 Or to anyone else.
9 months ago
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Paul *******
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Carlos *********
Pay a deposit. (You must look shifty,555)
9 months ago
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Richard ******
Never EVER give your passport!
9 months ago
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James **************
They take a photocopy and you pay a deposit. If they want the PP just go another place.
9 months ago
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Chrisna **********
Not "illegal" technically, but if they don't accept a copy and a cash deposit, find a different rental agency as you need to have your passport on you at all times.
9 months ago
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Matthew ********
They will hold your passport hostage when you return the bike claiming that you did damage and will want extra money to "repair" the bike. Only give a copy of your passport!
9 months ago
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Xr ***
it's illegal for anyone to take your passport except border/customs and your own country government... you can leave them a photo of your passport or a reasonable cash deposit.
9 months ago
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Ian *****
Many places ask for this or a large deposit . Just leave the cash deposit instead
9 months ago
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Rick ***********
Always do cash deposit
9 months ago
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Kevin ***********
No, don’t do it. If he won’t take up cash deposit, find another person to rent from
9 months ago
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David *********
Rented bike in Khao lak they ask to see passport and write down passport # have you sign a document stating any damage must be paid for paid for the 12 days but didn’t have to leave a deposit,go on Trip Advisor to find a good rental place
9 months ago
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Neil ********
They can take a copy.
9 months ago
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Joe ******
Not illegal to ask for your passport as deposit

BUT

as the passport is not your property but belongs to your government, is illegal for you to use your passport as collateral.
9 months ago
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Rob **********
Do never leave your passport with anyone if you are renting or hiring something.
9 months ago
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Nick ************
How much would you be prepared to pay to get your passport back?
9 months ago
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Neil *******
Not taking sides here but how would a Thai retrieve any money for damages caused by someone who just dumps the bike at the airport possibly damaged and gets on a plane. You think 5-10k would cover that ?
9 months ago
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Marc ********
@Neil ******
 Depends on the bike. Some bikes cost less than 10k
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neil ******
 well you can't get in an international flight without your passport.
9 months ago
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Joe ******
@Christopher ******
 If someone is holding your passport and doesn't want to give it back for whatever, then just go to your embassy and report it lost or stolen. You get emergency documents and the one who has your passport has a document that's of no use to him.

That's why it makes more sense to keep a copy of your passport and cash as a deposit and if you don't pay up it's easy to stop you at the border when you leave the country.
9 months ago
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Neil *******
@Christopher ******
 personally Ive never had a problem leaving my passport with a motorcycle rental company after 10 years of coming here. Or have I ever been asked to present a passport at any police checkpoint usually after they see my license and helmet. I’m on my way
9 months ago
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Neil *******
@Christopher ******
 is it legal to do many things that tourists do in Thailand? I understand the question
9 months ago
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Neil *******
@Christopher ******
 Thats probably why Thais insist on people leaving there passports as security
9 months ago
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Cliff **************
@Neil ******
 so they don't insure the bikes? Pretty stupid business model!
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Neil ******
 but that doesn't change the root question. Is it legal? I would think, as many others have suggested, that you can't be without your passport at any time. And a farang driving is a pretty easy target for cops.
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
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Ross *******
Never ever give your passport to anyone, it belongs to your countries government, take copies of the front page to give…
9 months ago
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Ben ******
Give them a copy of your passport ID page and maybe some extra deposit. They will accept that every time. Anyone leaving their actual passport is just plain stupid.
9 months ago
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Patrick *******
No one, not even a cop can ask to keep your passport , they can see it, copy the pages , but never keep it.
9 months ago
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David ********
They used to do this in phuket, when you took the bike back they'd say you damaged or scratch it,pay to fix or no passport.
9 months ago
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David ******
A known scam when you give up your passport to the cycle rental shop: They will claim that the cycle you returned is damaged or this or that and won't give your passport back until you pay a "ransom" repair cost. Or they follow you, steal the cycle back and you return to the shop to report the loss and forced to pay a high cost to settle the bill and you passport will be released to you. Please no trolling on my comment
9 months ago
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Frank *************
@David *****
 bullshith
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David *****
 sounds completely reasonable for anyone who would give up their only documentation of being legal in the country
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
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Giorgio ******
make a cash deposit.( not 1 thousand baths of course ) and give them copy of passport and thai driver license .

then maybe he has

have enough reasons to trust you

I know a bike renter who has a collection of driver's licence , because people never came back.
9 months ago
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Sue **********
@Giorgio *****
 well mostly the sum of a cash deposit is way over 1000 baht
9 months ago
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Giorgio ******
@Sue *********
 of course who would want 1000 b for a
*****
b bike
9 months ago
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Giorgio ******
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Kal *********
Don't do it

Your passport is more valuable/important than your credit card ... you wouldn't hand over your credit card to anyone to keep for deposit.:.
9 months ago
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Tony *********
"Never ever hand your passport to anyone"" except immigration for stamping purposes
9 months ago
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Kris ********
And when a cop pulls you over and asks for your passport???
9 months ago
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Robert *******
@Kris *******
 don’t give shit tell them suck 1
9 months ago
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Kris ********
@Robert ******
 THAT is the Ugly Western World Traveler response. I resent when foreigners who are disrespectful in my Country...and in particular to our law enforcement. I'm on my best behavior and very polite when traveling abroad.
9 months ago
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Kris ********
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Sue **********
@Kris *******
 never carry the passport with you outside! (unless you have to go to immigration). Nowadays one hs a photo of it on the phone you can show for any occasions. Of you don‘t have a phone then just carry a paper copy with you
9 months ago
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Kris ********
@Sue *********
 I got both the regular book passport AND the passport ID card….which I carry with me. I also have photos of ALL my IDs on my phone and photo copies in two pieces of luggage. Lol. Covering all the bases.
9 months ago
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Jason *******
@Sue *********
 in Thailand if you can’t produce the original passport they can if wanted to issue a fine

This is rare however, $$$$$
9 months ago
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Jason *******
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Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kris *******
 but officer! Your countryman assured me this is what EVERYBODY does!
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
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Wally *****************************
Never ever leave your passport anywhere.
9 months ago
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Steve *******
@Wally ****************************
 even your government tells you that but some people, well what can I say
9 months ago
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Steve *******
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Nup ******
I used my US driving license. Sometimes they accept it, of course, depending on the person.
9 months ago
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Frank *************
@Nup *****
 very smart and what do you show the police when they stop you? your membership card from the video club?
9 months ago
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Nup ******
@Frank ************
 your mom’s photo… then they run away screaming.
9 months ago
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Frank *************
@Nup *****
 I'm looking forward to meeting you too! It's really interesting because so far I've only had to deal with German-speaking idiots, but there are brain amputees like you all over the world
9 months ago
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Nup ******
@Frank ************
 its nice you find dealing with idiots interesting, they are probably the only ones of your level. I understand your dunning-kruger complex made it irresistible for you to try to jump in uninvited and try to bully others (or perhaps you just thought you are mighty white so you were doing others a favor with your nasty hillbilly comment????) so i forgive you. I understand, not everyone is blessed with intelligence.
9 months ago
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Frank *************
@Nup *****
 At least I have intelligence, which cannot be said about you.
9 months ago
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Nup ******
@Frank ************
 your comprehension of the above comment proves otherwise.
9 months ago
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Frank *************
@Nup *****
 🖕
9 months ago
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Frank *************
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Stephenie **********
Get a different rental, simple
9 months ago
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Phil ******
@Christopher ******
 not illegal but asked many times just ask for them to take photocopy orpicture
9 months ago
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Cary ******
Make a copy and leave that and your cash deposit. Never leave your passport except at immigration as Brandon mentioned.
9 months ago
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Rini *********
Never give your passport neverrrrrrr
9 months ago
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Ticha *****************
I am a thai and once I randomly said to immigration 'what if someone wanna keep my ex passport'

Immigration said 'if they are not responsible officer that work under govt. They have no right to keep. And inform me if anybody gonna keep his passport. It's not right'
9 months ago
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Edgar ************
@Ticha ****************
 Of course they have no right to keep it, they are not the law. But they will refuse motorbike rental if you don't give it, it's part of the contract.
9 months ago
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Edgar ************
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Bart **************
Don't do it. Always cash deposit.
9 months ago
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Rob *******
Be wary of any rental place that insists on keeping your passport without giving you the option to to put down a cash deposit.

Why take the risk of somebody keeping your passport ?
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
It's not illegal for him.

Technically you're required to have your passport on you at all times, but tell that to Jomtien immigration who keep your passport minimum 1 night for even simple extensions.

I've never rented from a shop that doesn't offer the option to do a cash deposit instead of holding your passport though.
9 months ago
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Kevin *********
@Brandon ***********
 don’t give your passport to anyone. The passport you’re holding belongs to the country of issue.

If lost or stolen, it’s a bitch to replace.

Give them a cash deposit, or move on.
9 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@Brandon ***********
 Phuket immigration also keep the passport for one night for retirement extension, but at least you have the receipt. So you can show the police where your passport is.
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 that's what I was thinking. He wanted 10k baht deposit, and to keep the passport. I was already out at this point knowing I'd get a random inspiration. But then he said I couldn't take outside of city and I was trying to get to chiang rai. It took a surprising amount of searching to find an available car to do this
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Christopher ******
 10k for a motorcycle??
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 yep. I'm assuming tourist trap. Literally the parking lot at train station
9 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@Christopher ******
 Something like a Harley or just a normal Scooter? If scooter then stay away from that guy... rent elsewhere.
9 months ago
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Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephan **********
 powerful moped. Like I said, I ended up getting a proper car from remote agent. As soon as i heard leave passport, I saw there was too much liability. He said he wouldn't accept a copy of the passport, in fact, he wanted ME to travel with the copy
9 months ago
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Stephan ***********
@Christopher ******
 Well... then the 10k could be okay... but only if he accept a copy of your passport, never ever leave the original.
9 months ago
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Stephan ***********
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