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Is it possible for an expat to live in a house on a Thai army base and successfully file a TM30?

TM30 registrationThai military baseVisa regulationsImmigration issuesLiving arrangements for expatsForeigners in Thailand
Dec 17, 2024
3 months ago
Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have TM30 scenario and don’t know where else to ask.

I’ve been asked to move into a house that is inside a Thai army base.

My concerns are:

Is that even plausible? I can see a farang going into immigration with a military address on a TM47 and it being a problem.

The TM30 itself can be created by the resident of that home? No lease, family if you will. I’ve had to create my TM30s in my current location, so I suspect that might not be a problem other than being located on military grounds.

Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses concerns about moving into a house on a Thai military base regarding the plausibility of living there as a foreigner and the implications for TM30 registration. Comments indicate that such housing is typically restricted, even for Thais without military ties, and emphasize that a TM30 must be filed by the property owner. Many suggest finding alternative accommodations like a hotel to avoid complications, reflecting the challenge of navigating immigration regulations in Thailand.
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Philip *******
Ask your local immigration office. I mean it's a relatively specific Question you'll be asking them I doubt anyone here will know a correct answer
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Philip ******
 that was my first consideration but that immigration office is not local to me presently and there aren’t too many situations this group hasn’t seen. So, figured I’d give it a shot.

I’m trying to work with the home owners now to help our mutual understanding. Best effort to avoid any problems. 👍

Thanks for chiming in.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
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Michael ********
Very much doubt it is officially allowed but this is Thailand. We stay sometimes at brother in laws place at a Naval base, big sign saying foriegners not allowed to enter but never been an issue. But if there is a paper trail it maybe become an issue
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
 these are exactly the sorts of concerns I have. I have the chance to ask some questions today, will see? 🤷‍♂️
3 months ago
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Brian *********
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Ray ********
It would appear to me that you are not getting the answer you are wanting and not likely to,so would it not be best to not ask in the first place, keep quiet and take a risk for once in your life.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ray *******
 WTF does that even mean?

So, just don't ask questions, really? Don't use this thing, you are using, to ask questions, it's entire reason to exist, really?

How about we try, If you don't have anything useful to contribute, don't?
3 months ago
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Ray ********
@Brian ********
 I'm saying a number of people have gone out of their way to offer suggestions but it's not what you want to hear... Ask 10 people get 10 different answers..try make a decision in your life
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ray *******
 I appreciate people attempting to help. However, the vast majority of suggestions did not answer the question asked. They gave suggestions that mostly were not an appropriate solution, they were (as already stated by someone else) attempting to cheat the system. Not interested.

Please go back to the hole you came from.
3 months ago
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Ray ********
@Brian ********
 ok, will do, but how long does it take you to realise that there was no appropriate answer for you.At some time in your life you have to make a decision or go and ask at immigration...then if they say it's ok ,then it's ok.then if they say not ok, you are back to square 1.. what do you do then? You have to make a decision..I have various dilemmas myself over immigration. The first thing I do is ask at immigration,then at least you can make a considered decision
3 months ago
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Ray ********
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Radost **************************
Why you not just shut up and don't post when you don't know the situation? Sending people to a hotel? This is cheating the system! As if he live in a house with someone then anyway he has to register his address.

The person who are invited you to live in the house should do the tm30 as this is no p⁶roblem at all.

And for sure the person would not ask you if it wouldn't be allowed.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Radost *************************
 thank you for your objectivity.

However, I’m afraid the people in question don’t fully understand all implications either and why I’m asking. Maybe this scenario has been seen before. 🤷‍♂️
3 months ago
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Brian *********
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Pygo ********
Nothing makes any sense in Thailand, especially when you're dealing with the immigration service, just do what the others say and book into a cheap hotel for the first night or two.
3 months ago
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Marianne ********
What visa are here you under?

Depending on your visa and potential extensions of stay, the solution might de different.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marianne *******
 no, my visa has no relevance. It’s a standard 90 day checkin, it’s the situation that’s different.
3 months ago
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Marianne ********
@Brian ********
 It will matter when you are due for an extension where you need to supply a rental contract or proof of long term accomodation.

TM30 and rental contract ( or whatever paper you submit for proof of long term accomodation ) will need to match in this case.

So the suggestions recommending a hotel might work for your 90 day reports going forward, but will not be sufficient for a one year extension.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marianne *******
 my present visa can’t be extended and ends in 4ish months wherein by that time an array of possibilities are in play. So I’m only trying to answer one specific concern. Can I do this and not induce potential problems. I have no interest in doing anything but what I’m supposed to do, legally. 👌
3 months ago
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Brian *********
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Ian **********
It is the property owners responsibility to file a TM30 within 24 hours of you arriving. They need the blue house registration book, ID card and your passport. The location of the property will not interest the Immigration officer. As has already been suggested it would be easier to check into a cheap hotel for a couple of nights.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian *********
 I’m just not seeing the hotel thing? If it’s wrong that I stay there, then I won’t. Not interested in breaking rules or cheating.

So the key is if they have a blue book it should be fine?
3 months ago
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Ian **********
@Brian ********
 The blue book registered holder is the owner of the building and responsible for the TM30. They must report a foreigner staying within 24 hours of arrival. It is possible to do it online like the hotels but most people just go to immigration office.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian *********
 thank you for this very clear answer. 👍
3 months ago
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Brian *********
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Sasi ************
If you mean the housing projects military provided? If yes, even a Thai with non-military background/relation is not allowed. My father was a military personnel, I know for the facts.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sasi ***********
 no it’s a house on a base but the house is not provided by the military. It’s owned (I think) by two enlisted officers.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
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Brett *********
You can avoid the problem by going to a hotel the night before. They will file a TM30 in the system. Grab a printout or screenshot.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brett ********
 going to a hotel every 90 day seems a bit fraudulent.

I don’t even know IF it’s a problem, that’s why I’m asking. 👍
3 months ago
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Kim *********
@Brian ********
 no need to go every 90 days
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kim ********
 why? I need to check in every 90 days like have done for a couple of years. 🤷‍♂️
3 months ago
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Kim *********
@Brian ********
 I talk about the tm30. The tm47 can easily be done online
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kim ********
 I know ‘how’ it works, the problem is ‘if’ it works.

I’ve never used online reporting, I shouldn’t ‘need’ to use it due to cheating. I’m not a rule breaker.

I appreciate your input none the less. 🤗
3 months ago
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Kim *********
@Brian ********
 well I do both with no problems. Tried the tm47 online for the 1st time yesterday - no problems at all - and when I came regularly to visit my wife I did the tm30 for her with no problems at all. Now I live with her permanently so only tm47 now
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kim ********
 your situation sounds quite normal. Why I am asking is my situ is not normal. Some technicalities I am unclear would be a problem or not. Doing something to go around the problem is not a good solution. 👍
3 months ago
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Kim *********
@Brian ********
 sorry I can't see "going around the problem". But never mind
3 months ago
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Brett *********
@Brian ********
 it is not cheating. TM30 system uses your last address. Hotels are required to submit. It is just the system. Living in a military facility is cheating.
3 months ago
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Brian *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brett ********
 is living within a military compound cheating? This is what I’m trying to evidence! Is this a problem?!?

Besides its physical location it’s a family home, not barracks or enlisted quarters, a house paid for my the occupants. 🤷‍♂️

Generally there is supposed to be a tm30 submitted for every place we stay. So staying in a hotel and reusing that when not there is fraud.

I am a strong believer in anything that can go wrong, will go wrong so I never play the edge. Simple as that. 👍
3 months ago
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Brett *********
@Brian ********
 hotel is for one night. You have to be physically present. A TM30 is a snapshot in time only. Not a 90 day address. It is a very common and accepted practice to get around TM30 issues.
3 months ago
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Brett *********
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