Answered8 years ago
What are the implications of the TM30 reporting requirement for foreigners returning to Thailand on a tourist visa?
a Nice discussion got deleted by the original poster. She just wanted to know about reporting her TM 30 after coming back from abroad with her tourist Visa, because she wanted to be legal in Thailand.
As we like to give advice to be legal, some people just looked at her Facebook page and came to the surprise that she was working inside Thailand.
So the comment came: To stay inside Thailand you need a Work Permit and the Non Immigrant B Visa.
This is NOT to attack you, stalk you or judge you.
I had the experience that Immigration Officer checked my Facebook when I applied for an Extension of Stay. And I know that almost every person in Thailand has a smart phone and lots of them have a profile on Facebook. Strangely enough, even when we foreigners think it is, Facebook and internet is not limited for foreigners, even Police, Immigration and Ministry of Labor staff have profiles and use Facebook on daily basis. People go in jail for selling drugs, guns, gems or other scams using Facebook profiles, just because Police is checking profiles. Be careful what you write down on your own profile specially if you decide that Thai labor and Immigration laws are not for you. If you get an answer get the Work Permit and correct Visa it is not judging your lifestyle, but a warning, because: If we can read it, Thai officials will read it.
As we like to give advice to be legal, some people just looked at her Facebook page and came to the surprise that she was working inside Thailand.
So the comment came: To stay inside Thailand you need a Work Permit and the Non Immigrant B Visa.
This is NOT to attack you, stalk you or judge you.
I had the experience that Immigration Officer checked my Facebook when I applied for an Extension of Stay. And I know that almost every person in Thailand has a smart phone and lots of them have a profile on Facebook. Strangely enough, even when we foreigners think it is, Facebook and internet is not limited for foreigners, even Police, Immigration and Ministry of Labor staff have profiles and use Facebook on daily basis. People go in jail for selling drugs, guns, gems or other scams using Facebook profiles, just because Police is checking profiles. Be careful what you write down on your own profile specially if you decide that Thai labor and Immigration laws are not for you. If you get an answer get the Work Permit and correct Visa it is not judging your lifestyle, but a warning, because: If we can read it, Thai officials will read it.
Answer summary
The discussion highlights the importance of properly handling the TM30 reporting requirement when returning to Thailand on a tourist visa. A participant emphasized the need for foreigners to remain compliant with immigration laws, advising caution regarding social media activity that may attract scrutiny from Thai authorities. The conversation touches on the legal obligations of foreigners, including the necessity of acquiring a work permit for employment and the implications of sharing personal information openly online.
60 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Tod *********
and I think on that note we have learned all we need to about the privacy setting on your f/b account ESPECIALLY if you live here on tourist visas but work illegally here :O
Dario **********
I love the quote "If you decide Thai Labor laws are not for you..." Honestly, if you fall into that category, you may get what you deserve for working in the kingdom illegally.
Liss ********
Foreigners working in Thailand without work permit is same as foreigners working in our own home country without work permit! It's illegal and causes each country worlwide huge problems. I'm retired and got my retirement visa but it was not easy to get. I never gave up. Each farang can do the way he wants to stay in this country but we are guests here and in my opinion should respect the laws of Thailand.
David ************
Tighten up your security settings so only friends can view your stuff.
Jonn *********
Can appreciate and understand too.
Some times people have a genuine question, but also a genuine fear of the sometimes vitriolic rhetoric that some respondents use.
Especially on one of the Visa forums.
You put yourselves up for ridicule or reams of off topic responses.
They chose to say, "my friend ", or "just wanted to know ", instead of saying that it's themselves asking.
Yes Facebook is one nasty little place too.
Especially if you have an open profile.
Mine is, but then I have nothing to hide..
Keep up the good work!!!
Some times people have a genuine question, but also a genuine fear of the sometimes vitriolic rhetoric that some respondents use.
Especially on one of the Visa forums.
You put yourselves up for ridicule or reams of off topic responses.
They chose to say, "my friend ", or "just wanted to know ", instead of saying that it's themselves asking.
Yes Facebook is one nasty little place too.
Especially if you have an open profile.
Mine is, but then I have nothing to hide..
Keep up the good work!!!
Dario **********
Robert and Tod keep it very civil here.
Terry **********
agreed
Scott *******
Robert Lagas. I agree totally with what you are saying . We are guest in Thailand and I think we should abide by the rules . In doing that we show respect for our host country
Maxim ***********
Most foreigner in Thailand for 6 months+ without a work permit are indeed working illegally, mostly online. But common sense is always to put work stuff private in ur profile and to never admit on social media that u indeed work. The only people i've seen busted are those who expose too much online like OP deleted post, or if u are part of something big like been the owner of a online casino.
About TM30, they never ask for it in Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen. Rules and application of those rules are two different thing in Thailand. Always use common sense... if a officer ask u the question tell them u have a thai GF or that u still have a lot of saving. They will give u the benefit of the doubt even if u are here for 10 years. Exception are people from africa, middle east and-or muslim countries, they will likely at one point assume that u are working (based on discriminatory criteria).
But if u are from USA, Australia or most of Europe (especially west Europe), u are fine, just don't say too much to anyone that can outed u if u angry them.
About TM30, they never ask for it in Chiang Mai or Khon Kaen. Rules and application of those rules are two different thing in Thailand. Always use common sense... if a officer ask u the question tell them u have a thai GF or that u still have a lot of saving. They will give u the benefit of the doubt even if u are here for 10 years. Exception are people from africa, middle east and-or muslim countries, they will likely at one point assume that u are working (based on discriminatory criteria).
But if u are from USA, Australia or most of Europe (especially west Europe), u are fine, just don't say too much to anyone that can outed u if u angry them.
Maxim ***********
Now I know that one day everything might change, but every crackdown attempt seem to be targeting specific nationality, or certain undesirable individual (crackdown in club in search of overstayer), for ex. I have yet to see police trying to find *criminal* at popular market while buying vegetable. I will start to get worry if I ever go see a movie one day and I see cops in the lobby screening foreigner id, or if someone from north america or west europe get rejected entry in Thailand with proof of funds.
Darren ********
The TM30 is very annoying, it would be nice if the rules were the same all over the country.
Some Immigration offices care, some do not!!
The government should make an official statement about this form to say when we have to re register
It’s all a grey area depending on the province!!
Some Immigration offices care, some do not!!
The government should make an official statement about this form to say when we have to re register
It’s all a grey area depending on the province!!
Liam *****
@Tony *******
people don't do it in Bangkok because it's not necessary and presumably they don't want to waste a day of their lives at Chaeng Wattana just to push unnecessary paperDarren ********
Tony ********
@Darren *******
right! there are enough ways to go wrong without deliberately creating othersTony ********
@Darren *******
Just because some ignorant low level doesnt know its not needed doesnt mean its not needed by someone that I might run into down the road. So, in spite of his opinion, I say it IS needed and he is gonna fill it out or i'll just go to the police station to do itDarren ********
I do everything correctly here
I don’t want things to go wrong for me
I don’t want things to go wrong for me
Darren ********
@Tony *******
I never refusedI have been to immigration to re register before
And been told its not needed
Its annoying to queue up and be told that I don’t need to go there
Tony ********
@Darren *******
I just get a kick outta the guys that refuse to do the TM 30 because their local office hasn't been enforcing it up to now. It's almost as if they get a feeling of power by refusing to do what they know is required. Perhaps a passive aggressive way of getting back at the Thai system that they feel deliberately makes their life difficult?? lolDarren ********
Thank you for your comments
Darren ********
I am covered too
It was only a question about irregularity
I am not arguing with you
It was only a question about irregularity
I am not arguing with you
Tony ********
@Darren *******
not gray to me or the ministry of immigration and thats all that concerns me as i'm covered no matter what happensDarren ********
I know this!
But many do not care
Too busy maybe!
Its still a grey area depending on where you live
But many do not care
Too busy maybe!
Its still a grey area depending on where you live
Tony ********
@Darren *******
so tell them what you need signed. thats what i do. they sign it, give me the bottom receipt portion and i'm good to go. what do i care if they dont understand what its for?Darren ********
I understand the regulations
It would be nice if
The Officials understood it too!!
It would be nice if
The Officials understood it too!!
Darren ********
Before, i waited in a police station for half hour
Only to be told
They don’t know what to do with this form!!
(There was no immigration office there)
Only to be told
They don’t know what to do with this form!!
(There was no immigration office there)
Tony ********
@Darren *******
its clear they want me to register when i enter the country, so i do.Thailand Immigration Act 2522 Section 37:"An alien having received a temporary entry permit into the Kingdom must comply with the following:
...3. Shall notify the police official of the local police station where such alien resides, within twenty–four hours from the time of arrival. In the case of change in residence in which new residence is not located the same area with the former police stations, such alien must notify the police official of the police station for that area within twenty-four hours from the time of arrival.
4. If the alien travels to any province and will stay there longer than twenty-four hours, such alien must notify the police official of the police station for that area within forty-eight hours from the time of arrival...."
Form TM. 30 deals with number 3, which Chiang Mai Immigration began enforcing more strictly around late September 2016
Form number TM.28 (“FORM FOR ALIENS TO NOTIFY THEIR CHANGE OF ADDRESS
OR THEIR STAY IN THE PROVINCE FOR OVER 24 HOURS”)
Darren ********
@Tony *******
I doBut my point is,
Do I re register when I go out of the province or can I travel around Thailand if I come back to the same address. Nothing is clear here!
They do not make it clear!
Tony ********
why not just register then? there is an official statement. the thai government has officially said it must be done. whether some local offices require it or not shouldnt affect your ability to just do what the government has said you should do.no local office will refuse you registering.
Zack ******
Does this law apply (the tm30) when I stay with my in laws for a few months a year? Our family is very good friends with the police. In fact a police officer drives me from the ubon airport to the house. They've never said a word about this to me.
Tony ********
@Steve ******
to register
Steve *******
@Tony *******
"Too late" for what?Tony ********
@Steve ******
well someday they will and then it may be too late. but if ignoring a law that hasn't been seriously enforced in the past but is beginning to be more and more feels good, go for it.Steve *******
@Tony *******
That's not what I said. Re: BangkokTony ********
@Steve ******
and that means they wont next time?Steve *******
@Tony *******
Basic answer is because they never questioned me when I applied for an extention of stayTony ********
@Steve ******
and I DID need it in Sisaket. So , as it takes about 10 minutes to get it done, why not do it?Tony ********
@Zack ****
such as ANY foreigner visting.Steve *******
@Tony *******
I didnt need it in Sisaket and it's not needed in BangkokTony ********
@Zack ****
I guarantee the local police wont know what you are talking about. but they WILL sign off on the form if you ask them and then you have proof that you reported if immigration should ask for any reason.Tony ********
@Steve ******
if its a law it will apply if immigration needs to use it against you for any reason. I needed it to get an extension in sisakeSteve *******
@Za**
. Dont spend too much on that house. It's dead money!Zack ******
I'll walk across the street and give them a bottle of laocao and ask them.
Steve *******
@Tony *******
It does apply and is a law and has been for many moons but even in Bangkok it doesnt apply, nor does it in Ubon or Sisaket, from what Ive heardZack ******
@Tony *******
such as my family visiting?Zack ******
@Tony *******
thank you sir.Tony ********
@Zack ****
and then your wife becomes your landlord. dont forget to register your foreign guestsZack ******
@Tony *******
we will we are waiting for the deed for the land. There's about 100 rai to divided up between 8 families.Tony ********
@Zack ****
will your wife have her own housebook? if not, i would imagine your in laws continue to be your landlord and do the tm30Zack ******
ok, that's right across the street. I'm also building a house on the land behind the families house so I guess there will be more paperwork then too!
Tony ********
yes it does apply. but if you dont live near an immigration office you can register your tm 30 at the local police station
Terary **********
The point is - never use your real identity on the interweb
Dario **********
Apellido... of course. Spanish for "surname". Clever.
Liam *****
@Terary *********
makes a good point. I had my entire identity stolen (including credit cards, passport and everything) because it was saved on a website (Not fb). Hiding your identity is nothing to do with following the rules in Thailand (Or anywhere else), it's about protecting your privacy.
Michael ********
Glenn Styles you should probably know what your talking about if your gunna comment.
Steve *******
@Terary *********
That isnt the point. In fact it's the complete opposite of the point.Terary **********
As a guest in this country i make a sincere effort to follow the cultural norms and laws (you see how they drive -- laws and norm not the same). I avoid my real name on FB because prefer my privacy. But you're right - people should follow the rules - or drive like a local
Robert *******
OPI use the same name as in my passport, I respect the rules in Thailand so nothing to fear. But I agree, using your real name and disrespect the rules can bite you in the a...
Terary **********
And also avoid using your real name on internet?
Robert *******
OPNope, You're a guest in Thailand, respect there rules regulations and laws.
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