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What are the regulations and requirements for filing a TM30 in Thailand, particularly when traveling to different provinces?
TM30Visa regulationsO-A visaThai immigrationTravel regulationsPower of attorneyHotel staysExpat experienceImmigration enforcement
Feb 10, 2019
7 years ago
Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTERRobert Lagas and Tod Daniels, just a bit of info for future reference for you guys regarding TM30’s.
I’m on an OA visa and live in Lopburi. The immigration here in Lopburi insist you file a new TM30 every time you stay in a hotel overnight outside the province. They also require ‘power of attorney’ unless you want to drag your landlord down to immigration each and every time. Luckily, this has been given to my Thai GF, which at least takes a little of the aggro out of this ridiculous procedure.
I’m on an OA visa and live in Lopburi. The immigration here in Lopburi insist you file a new TM30 every time you stay in a hotel overnight outside the province. They also require ‘power of attorney’ unless you want to drag your landlord down to immigration each and every time. Luckily, this has been given to my Thai GF, which at least takes a little of the aggro out of this ridiculous procedure.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The TM30 registration process in Thailand requires foreigners to report their address to immigration when staying in hotels outside their registered province. This often necessitates filing a new TM30 form each time one travels outside the province, and some immigration offices demand a power of attorney if the landlord cannot be present. The enforcement of these rules can vary significantly between different regions, with some offices being strict while others are more lenient. Many expats find the regulations cumbersome, especially when they were previously used to less stringent requirements in their home countries.
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Robert *******
And with this it is time to close down this topic. By law you need to register your address within 24 hours after arrival, this must be done by land owner, processor, house owner, manager of hotel or by yourself. And I agree, enforcement is getting stricter and at more Immigration Offices. As I mentioned this a long time ago, Immigration like their computers and database, it's more and more easy to check if you reported your address, it used to be searching for the last hard copies in a room full of files.
David *********
It is an honor system in certain aspects but if you are caught you can be fined and eventually a record will be created as they get better about this reporting thing the power of attorney requirement is questionable , get your own attorney and get them to write a letter to the IO office getting that knocked down.
Robert *******
Power of Attorney can be printed of the www, 10 Thb tax stamp at every stationary shop. I guess getting a lawyer and let him write a letter will cost a little bit more.
Reply to
Robert *******
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Henry *********
How do they know you've stayed in another province?
Vladimir ********
@Henry ********
maybe require next day. My TM30 by mail perfectly accepted and slip returned. I now at hotel in province and manager asked me for passport, but I not take it with me to travel upcountry. Will try to re register later online or by mailHenry *********
@Glen ********
Right. It must be a nightmare if you travel regularly. Thank goodness it's not required in Bangkok.Glen *********
@Phil *****
yes hotels file TM30 online to immigration - very easy for themPhil ******
Well hotel always ask for my passport so they do know you have stayed at another province.
Glen *********
@Henry ********
the property owner/manager (hotel etc) in any province you stay will notify Immigration you stayed...thus they know.Reply to
Glen *********
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Robert *********
when I book into a hotel somewhere, we book in under my gf's name, I didn't go anywhere officially .
Forbes *******
What if you arrive at a new province on Friday night and leave Saturday or even Sunday? Do you have to go back on Monday to register ? Seems like a stupid question but many do it.
Tod *********
If you arrive on a day immigrations is closed you register the first day that immigrations is open
Reply to
Tod *********
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Sshane ***********
I worked in Bangkok in 2014-2015 travelled on my days off all over the place and never reported to anyone. Now I travel back many times a year on visa exempts for between 10 to 28 days a time. I'm thinking to apply for an METV.. Is all this reporting still required? Or is it only if you rent a house or condo on a long term lease and live in it.
Liam *****
@Sshane **********
yeah Bangkok doesn't care and if you're only in and out on short trips there's no practical need to do itNeo ************
@Sshane **********
yes very much but in bkk they not care about it yetReply to
Neo ************
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Darren ********
Immigration in Jomtien told me
I only have to re-register if i leave the province
However
My friend was fined for staying a few days in a hotel within the province...
It seems like it’s pot luck😳
I only have to re-register if i leave the province
However
My friend was fined for staying a few days in a hotel within the province...
It seems like it’s pot luck😳
Glen *********
@Darren *******
2 weeks ago neatly ebery foreigner reporting/extending were paying fines for no TM30 on their return from stays in Bangkok and other provinces.Joe ***********
Other methods of tracking need to be devised and implemented. Thailand is now offering a online driver license. The description contained some element of interactivity. Just allow non driver ID cards in that system... add reporting feature with GPS. If you don't want to use - then you do it the hard way
Darren ********
Neo ************
@Darren *******
Indeed I ask the 3 ladies every time at counter 10 they tell me same thing no need to report only leave country.Darren ********
@Anders ************
Every officer you speak with has a different storyNothing is black and white here
Everything is grey
It’s annoying😳
Neo ************
@Darren *******
told me travel all over Thailand 🇹🇭 no issue only aboard 😉Reply to
Neo ************
Reply
Neo ************
In Pattaya they said four times no you do not need to but things change all the time every immigration is different so keep asking them next time you down at your immigration.
Glen *********
Anders Guldenskold the 3 directly in front of me were fined for no new TM30 filed after they had visited other provinces- 2 had stayed in Bangkok (hotel & backpackers) and the 3rd in Chiang Mai but didn't here what type of accommodation. All 3 refused to pay saying they had been told they didn't need new TM30 for travel to other provinces, but Jomtien would not accept it and refused to process their extensions/90 day reports without paying first.
This was only the 3 directly in front of me...i was number 29 and had to wait and watch most of them be fined...
I doubt any of them were fined staying at friends house, as immigrarion would not know unless the friend reported their stay - so staying at friends should not get you caught 🙂
This was only the 3 directly in front of me...i was number 29 and had to wait and watch most of them be fined...
I doubt any of them were fined staying at friends house, as immigrarion would not know unless the friend reported their stay - so staying at friends should not get you caught 🙂
Neo ************
@Glen ********
fined for what? If you travel to bkk to stay with a friend? Staying in hotell? Coming from airport?Glen *********
Anders Guldenskold everytime I'm there they are - I have to listen to the foreigners begging and pleading saying but I was told I didn't have too...and eventually pay...as I have to wait for them so I can file mine. 3 out of 3 times I've been fines dished out 🙂
Neo ************
@Glen ********
I was there as well nobody finedGlen *********
@Anders ************
over the past few months Jomtien Immigration have fined many people for [owners] failing to lodge TM30 on their return from Bangkok and other provinces. The foreigners paid as they were not allowed to extend their visas or do 90 day reports unless fine paid. Jomtien is enforcing it consistently now - I was there 2 weeks ago and about 80% of foreigners fined. Same as October last year.Reply to
Glen *********
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Keith *******
ORIGINAL POSTERI personally feel as if it shouldn’t really be necessary if you have filed a 12 month property contract with immigration. It almost makes you feel (not from personal experience) as if you’ve been given an Asbo and an electronic tag, or maybe it’s just me and not being use to it coming from a country (UK) were immigration control is none existent 😂
ถนอมศรี **********************
It has nothing to do with where you usually live, as the registration for change of address you do in Europe. They want to know where you currently stay every day. It is similar to the electronic tag. They claim it is to prevent terrorism.
Reply to
ถนอมศรี **********************
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ถนอมศรี **********************
Not new. The Hotel report you as staying there, hence you need to file a new TM30 when you arrive back. I was forced to do it in Prachin Buri the last time I stayed one night in a Bangkok hotel.
The requirement is there to be able track where you are all time. Not only where you arrived initially.
The requirement is there to be able track where you are all time. Not only where you arrived initially.
Dominik **********
It is still ridiculous
Robert *******
It is the law, nothing ridiculous about it. The law is made in 1979, nothing new.
Dominik **********
Ridiculous
Reply to
Dominik **********
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