What are the requirements for the TM30 when applying for a 30-day extension in Samui?

TM30 Thailand Visa Extension Samui Immigration Exempt Visa TM30 Requirements Immigration Procedures in Thailand Hotel Certificate Travel Tips in Thailand

Jan 9, 2018

7 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Fun with TM30 on a short notice

Question first: Can anyone report the situation at Samui Immigration regarding the TM30 for a 30d extension?

Hi guys, always nice to be back to Thailand after a couple of months and learning what Immigration has come up with in the meantime.

Long story slightly less long:

- My 30 days exempt is valid till Jan 12.

- I'm staying at a hotel in Pattaya till Jan 11, then planned to fly to Samui (not booked yet)

- It appears Jomtien now wants "hotel certificate AND receipt from hotel AND business card", but one of the guys at the copy shop said they actually only want the receipt AND (certificate OR business card). So, confusion with basic boolean logic right from the start.

- I worry a bit that they could complain as to why I want this extension if I stay at the current hotel only until the 11th, or that I'll be referred to do the extension in Samui, or denied due to any other random nuisance.

I'm considering ditching the extension in Jomtien, fly to Samui on the 11th, and do it on the 12th there (last day of exempt...). I have heard immigration offices have different policies regarding the enforcement of this TM30 mess. How is it in Samui, and do you have alternative recommendations?

Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the confusion surrounding the TM30 requirements for a 30-day extension in Thailand, particularly in Samui and Jomtien. The user is concerned whether to apply for an extension in Jomtien before flying to Samui, or to handle it directly in Samui. Comments provide insights suggesting that TM30 documentation may not be strictly enforced in Samui and that having a hotel receipt and possible business card may suffice for a successful extension.

Davide ***********

yes in Samui immigration is not required, I just hope nobody will be fined in airport immigration in Bangkok when they leave the country

7 years ago

Tod *********

@John ********

the law about the TM.30 form has been on the books for a LONG time but they only recently started enforcing it at some immigration offices.

7 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok, that's really news to me! When did they come up with this? Because from mid '15 to mid '17 I did a lot of extensions (some with TM30) but never had any such receipts.

7 years ago

Davide ***********

not really because you should have tm-30 receipt notification with your passport

7 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for the info! I don't think there are gonna be any problems. Their computer systems would have to be interconnected (let alone all the hand-written data entered in the first place), that's only been scheduled for Thailand 7.0. Details following "soon" 😜

7 years ago

Reply to

John *********

YeDo ***********

So the hotel has not reported correctly? That should not be your problem, but ends up being so when you have to apply for an extension...

Had problems getting the TM-30 in twice now, visiting my girlfriend and staying at their plac(es). In the end I had to take what papers we had alongside with a note from her to immigration, and get the receipt myself - no real problem, and I could have gotten an extension the same day.

Seems like they are OK as long as some TM-30 is delivered at some point before extending, they are well aware of how complicated it can be for ordinary thais to get this in on behalf of their visitors...

7 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I wonder if and how many of the hotels actually report guests. It must be an administrative nightmare.

What you're saying at the end is kind of true, or at least it still was about a year ago. I rented an apartment for 6 months, and when I was presented with the TM30 for the first time ever, they just told me to fill it out myself! Did that twice and had no problems... haha

7 years ago

Reply to

John *********

Ricky *****

I read on another post that the "and" should be taken as "or" (Translation issues??). So just hotel receipt with card (as back up) should be enough.

7 years ago

John *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks Ricky, I'd normally have no problem just trying, Thailand has improved my patience quite a lot over the years ;) But since it's a timely issue, I don't wanna risk any complications.

7 years ago

Reply to

John *********

Gwydion *******

Not required to do a TM30 in Samui. Only on long-term extension is it required.

7 years ago

Reply to

Gwydion *******

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