What are the implications of not filing a TM30 within 24 hours of arrival in Thailand?

The TM30 is a form required by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau as part of its tracking of foreign nationals’ movements within the country. It’s essentially a system for reporting a foreigner’s location to local immigration offices, mainly to monitor and manage the stay of expats, tourists, and other visitors. Here’s how it works and why it matters:

Key Points of the TM30

1. Who Files the TM30? Usually, property owners, landlords, or hotel managers are responsible for filing the TM30 on behalf of the foreign national staying at their property. However, expats who own their own residence or have a lease without a proactive landlord often find themselves handling this obligation.

2. When Is It Filed? Every time a foreign national changes their location in Thailand — even temporarily, like staying in a new province — a TM30 must be submitted within 24 hours. This includes coming back from trips abroad or relocating within the country.

3. How to File the TM30? It can be filed in person at the nearest immigration office, by mail, or, in some cases, online through Thailand’s immigration website (although the online system has had reliability issues). A copy of the TM30 receipt is often needed for other immigration services, like visa extensions and re-entry permits.

4. Consequences of Not Filing: If a TM30 report isn’t filed, penalties can be issued to the responsible party (typically the property owner). In practice, foreigners may face issues with renewing visas, securing work permits, or other immigration-related tasks if their TM30 isn’t in order.

5. Purpose of the TM30: The form helps Thai authorities monitor the locations of foreigners in the country, which they argue enhances security and ensures compliance with immigration rules.

If you’re an expat in Thailand, it’s good to know how TM30 reporting affects your living situation, especially if you travel frequently.

I stay at my GF house when I arrive . Register TM30 online . Done it a few times . Her house details are already in the system now so I just log in and renew when I arrive in Thailand.

Tell the Thai IO to try checking the Hotel first lol

Does the TM30 apply for staying at family place for 60 days?

Strange story.

Makes no sense.

How long have you been in Thailand before they "dragged you off"? Just curious.

Each place should be registering you. If you "disappear" for a bit, they will start looking for you.

You are not supposed to fill in that form!

Me looking at all this like 👀👀 Wow! 😮 😂

The property owner gets fined

Thai immigration laws are sooo confusing

It's inconceivable that the authorities detained you over such a minor matter, which begs the question, who did the dragging? Regardless, the solution is obvious and easy - pay the fine and it's done. It surely wasn't even necessary to come here to figure that out, but now you're here, please explain more about this bizarre story.

Lots of *I'll*hi* misleading comments as usual on FB. 🤔

Best thing to do is everyone should stop going to Thailand.

Boycott Thailand!

There are many other places on this planet.

Previously, I have had my tm30 filed by owner 3-7 days after I arrived. I forgot how many day but it was for sure after 24hrs of my arrival. Went to apply for an extension a week later and I was fine. However you are supposed to have your tm30 filed within 24hrs of arrival but I feel that in Thailand lots of things are situational and the immigration officer you get. Some are nice and some are not.

It is the landlords responsibility they should pay the fine. Good luck immigration follow their own rules

This gets very confusing. When I return to Thailand from another country do I have to complete a TM30? I live with my Thai wife in a rental property in her name.

Just pay

It's only $58 !!!!

Last year I stayed in the old city I asked for TM 30 it took 3 days to provide it and consequently the hotel was fined $bht.

Something fishy going on there

No dog in this fight, but I always pay the fines wherever I am. Sad but money makes the world go around.

BTW, is there a way in which one can check whether a TM has been register under one's name and passport?

Just pay 1600 baht and get on with your life (and visa extension); a lesson learned for the future.

Never overstay as they will fine you not worth the hassle go to immigration if you want an extension

What immigration office is this? The hotel is responsible for providing the information NOT YOU. Something is not right here.

I did not do tm30 for the first 5 months in Thailand. Nor did I do 90 day report. I knew nothing about them. On going to immigration I just got a ticking off and they did both for me. The IO must have been in a god mood.

Welcome to Thailand, where if someone local neglects their responsibility, it often becomes your problem.

I personally haven’t had any issues with this. My immigration office is pretty relaxed. As long as I have the correct visa and submit my TM47 form, they don’t seem to mind much about anything else.

This story lacks Information.

I don't believe he is being "hauled"

Away by immigration but rather somebody for the building taking him to get his TM30 registered at immigration.

Possibly warning him of potential fines.

An agent likely, who will charge him for their service.

Kinda scammy it sounds.

In my experience he will not get fined or possibly an 800-1600b at worst.

But lets see how it plays out.

Dragged off by who?

It's completely the hotels responsibility to register you and they get fined, not you. Sounds like a set up. there are lots of scams atm with fake police etc.

Please keep us updated. I'm due to arrive within the next few weeks ..

Here in Jomtien immigration , they give you up to one week to register the address then the fine is 1600 baht. You can register online your address when you arrive in Thailand, you only need to go to immigration to get a TM30 for an extension and that's how you could get fined. If they ask you so much money , just do a border run(60 days) instead of an extension(30 days).

When you checked in at your hotel , you gave them your passport , correct ? . They then register you .. it’s their responsibility.. and how did immigration contact you anyway ?

This is certainly an unnerving situation.

Please keep us updated.

Why would immigration even look for you?

Sounds like they need money to buy lanterns...it's on the hotel, not you, don't go there, go to some hostel rent a bed and make sure they've registered you.

No matter what country you are in

"You can't fight city hall"

Pay and move on

It's 1600 baht fine for late TM30.

Go to hotel to sort it out

What is the purpose of your visit to Immigration?

Yes that fine amount is correct I was told

This before they didn’t actually fine me tho I suppose she was having a good day 🤣🤣 now I go within 24 hours unless it’s a weekend

This begs the question....how did they find you?

Boeing? Immigration? Tight?

Whaaaaat?

And how did you "pay" for "proof of residency" upon arrival?

@Rolf ********

head back to the hotel and ask them for the TM30 receipt. Then go back to immigration

Wait it out!

The TM30 is not your responsibility to file, it is the hotel or home owner. They are the ones who get fined, not you.

Airport has nothing to do with it.

If they mentioned 24 hours then that's TM30. It must be filed within 24 hours of arrival at any address. The property owner is required to do it but if they don't then it's you that gets into trouble.