What are the recent updates on 90-day reporting and TM30 notifications for expats in Phuket?

October 4, 2017
7 years ago
Reiner *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
just as an update for people living on phuket.....

I have now confirmation of some long stay foreigners try doing their 90 day report and have been out of the country for a trip, have to register in 24 hours after that trip !. If not you have to pay a fine 1600 thb! and do a new register before the 90 days report.

All this happened in Patong immigration office!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent updates from the Patong Immigration Office in Phuket indicate that long-stay foreigners must complete their 90-day report within 24 hours of re-entering the country after a trip. Failure to comply results in a fine of 1600 THB, along with having to register anew before the next 90-day report. Discussions reveal confusion between the 90-day reporting and TM30 notification requirements, with many emphasizing that these rules, although longstanding, are now being enforced more strictly.
Reiner *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes and krabi and many other offices as well ...
Han ********
So it is also in Phuket beside Chiangmai?
Terry **********
ahaaaaaa nice one you deserve a Chang ,,,,,,
Joe ***********
It is not a matter of explaining or education - it is a matter that immigration has not done what they should have done long ago - that is merged the two reports in a common sense manner. It is not reasonable in any shape manner or form to assume that a person on a long Extension of Stay having to do a 90 day report is not going to return to the exact same address they left upon leaving the country when overlapping a report date. I bet money a survey of Expats who are on Annual Extensions of Stay would reveal that 95% return to the same address they had upon exiting Thailand. And that when those Expats reenter and do a 90 day report they will post an unchanged address to the tune of 95%. People are not stupid and easily see the illogic of it all. It seems that Thai Immigration is assuming that 95% change their address upon returning to Thailand AND it is illogical to believe that. Yes both reporting requirements are different rules and they are the law - but just because it is the law does not remove the illogical nature of the way immigration in Phuket / Paytong wants to enforce it. Pushing illogical rules with threats of big fines only breeds contempt. Most Long Stay Expats are stable in their residence - most have invested time, trouble, money and effort. Immigration should not enforce a redundant rule just because they can - just because they have the unquestioned power and authority to do it. Yes - in the end - we will do it - we will comply but at the expense of creating disrespect. There is no history - none of over age 50 Expats doing any bombing anywhere in Thailand. The culprit was here on after bribing a I/O at a Cambodian border checkpoint. Double tracking older Expats will do nothing to keep Thailand safe. And Yes - much of this kind of over reaction by immigration is due to the Erawan bomber successfully evading proper reporting as a guest at a Bkk Guesthouse. / End of Rant...
Joe ***********
Duncan _ I have replied once already ,,, but I don't know how you missed it - I was purposely talking only about the age 50 and over Expats as they / we are a very low risk group security wise and why pull strings and make people dance around when there is little risk? Unless it is just Sport for some Thai Immigration officials ... AND I KNOW Thai Immigration is not going to do anything about it ... That was not my point ... even though Thai Immigration will stick with their stuck in the mud ways and never change... I do not have to like it and will make my thoughts known ...

By the way ... I spent 15 months here on a Multi-Entry O in 2014 / 15 and not one place reported my presence. I got a Residency Certificate in Krabi by providing my own chronological record of where I had stayed - some 10 different places. Plus I have lived in the same place now since for 2.5 years and no one has ever turned in a TM.30 ...so much for the bullet proof system..
Robert *******
Over 30 million visitors a year, most of them moving address several times, that's why they called tourists. It is a load of paperwork if must be done by hand and a notebook, now with computer systems it is easy. I agree that it seems not logic to report every 90 days or report if I go on short holiday inside or outside the country. Thats why I can only say: Waste some time if not needed or safe money on fines when needed. Be careful out there.
Joe ***********
I fully understand that it is not just Expats but Expats constitute a large number of the total... AND prefaced my entire comment by limiting the impact only to Expats - not to some others
Duncan *******
you're missing the point of the TM30 though - it's for EVERYONE entering the country not just expats and people here for long term stays, essentially so the government knows where every farang is. As for Phuket doing it LOL - grab a ticket, Chiang Mai has been enforcing it for over a year and since then places like Pattaya and others have as well :) Is it stupid, particularly given it cant be done online - hell yes, but it is what it is. TiT.
Robert *******
Questions keep on coming. I tried to explain in a longer text.
@Tod ********
if you think this is not okay you can remove without asking.
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Duncan *******
People seem to be getting confused here - TM30 and 90 day reports are two completely different things. Yes, your 90 day reporting resets if youve been out of the country, the TM30 is a notification of alien staying at residence and must be done within 24 hours of returning. It's not new, the law dates to the 70s, it's only now being enforced. In theory the landlord/ building manager is supposed to do it but many don't.
Terry **********
i have to do new TM 30 every 90 days after coming back from Mae Sai, even though been at same address for 7 yrs and i go with my wife,,but its only 10 mins from the house in Phayao,its a new immigration office, and are helpful if you have any queries,you want to ask,,
Robert *******
Neo, sounds strange maybe, but I regular talk with my landlord. And I inform them when I leave the house for several days.
Robert *******
Neo, it starts with this: According to section 38 of the 1979 immigration act, "House owners, heads of household, landlords or managers of hotels. If the house owner or landlord does not do it for you, you as tenant are the head of household and have to make the report.
Duncan *******
They're supposed to but in reality a lot of the times you end up doing it - my building manager does the paperwork and I lodge it. Without the TM30 confirmation immigration can (and does in Chiang Mai) refuse services such as extensions.
Noel *************
A couple of years ago I didn't know about the TM30 and they mentioned it when I went to do my 90 day report 90 days after I came back. Had to go home to get all the details and back again. A whole day wasted. There was no fine though and the next time I left the country my wife called them when we got back and they said we did not have to come to the office and just bring the form when we do the next 90 day report. Nonthaburi Immigration.
Robert *******
Lady in charge in Krabi of long term Visa and Extensions was very hard on it here, she moved to Phuket few months ago. So no surprise she enforce it in Phuket.
Johan ****
Mrs Wanlee :)....
Tod *********
Evidently they started to get hard core about the TM.30 form.

That's the one with the oh-so long name of:Notification From For House-Master, Owner Or The Possessor Of The Residence Where Alien Has Stayed :O

You can down load the TM.30 form here;

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