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Why are different Thai immigration offices requesting varying accommodation documentation for visa extensions?

Thai ImmigrationVisa ExtensionsDocumentation RequirementsTM30Visa ExemptionAccommodation PaperworkImmigration Office ProceduresExpatriate ExperiencesRegional Differences in Immigration
Feb 10, 2023
2 years ago
Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Went to Si Racha immigration for the first time today to extend my 45 day visa exemption. I used to live in Bangkok, and the extension process there, although lengthy due to the volume of people, is extremely simple, as per the Thai immigration guidelines. I have also done it in Hua Hin and it took a matter of minutes.

I have also used the immigration office in Jomtien, and they insist on a letter from whichever hotel I am residing at for some peculiar reason.

I was told at Si Racha that I needed the rental agreement and copy of the landlady's id card for the condo I am staying at now.

I really don't understand why some immigration offices are making unilateral demands regarding accommodation paperwork, when it is not required nor stipulated by the main office in Bangkok and elsewhere.

Edit:

For those who seem to think they know more the Thai immigration in Bangkok, see below.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user recounts their experience extending a 45-day visa exemption at Si Racha immigration, noting inconsistencies in documentation requirements compared to other locations in Thailand. Some immigration offices, like the one in Jomtien, request letters from hotels, while Si Racha required a rental agreement and the landlady's ID. The discussion reveals a pattern of differing requirements across offices, raising concern about whether these demands are officially stipulated or arbitrary. Comments from other users suggest experiences of corruption and the need for more consistent regulations, alongside references to the TM30 form law that impacts residency status.
Paul *******
Tm6 can't be requested since it's not being issued at airports anymore.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pa**
 they haven’t updated the list.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
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Tommy ********
Is this parody
2 years ago
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Hovvard ******
Pick me up some hot sauce.
2 years ago
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Jim ********
Simon, Alvin, Theodore!
2 years ago
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Adrian ******
Good luck telling the immigration officer asking for it he is wrong.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adr***
 walked out and drove to Jomtien. You don’t need luck, but a modicum of intelligence goes a long way.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
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Kevin *********
Went Cambodia. Immigration. Easy p easy. Just give a tip for help fill forms. And duty free as well cheap whiskey and cigarette s. No hassle 2700 baht
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ke***
 Cambodia isn’t in Thailand as far as I know. 1900baht in Thailand.
2 years ago
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Steve **********
@Simon *********
 Some immigration ( ? ) farang in Khon Kaen swears its 1800

and balance a scam
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@St***
 what are you attempting to say? It’s 1900 baht, and that’s irrefutable.
2 years ago
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Steve **********
I know cost, am quoting a con from Isaan
2 years ago
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Steve **********
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John **********
Not just every office that's different but the requirements of any one office can also change from time to time. Particularly when there are staff changes which happen reasonably frequently.
2 years ago
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Twentee *****
Its required!

I am now here in Laksi Immigration and some other foreigners application declined by the immigration officer due to tm30
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Twe****
 if someone is here on holiday, how will they know if hotels, guest houses or resorts are actually submitting TM30 forms? Most smaller hotels and motels etc certainly don’t bother.

And for the umpteenth time, immigration never got that far with the conversation with me in Si Racha.
2 years ago
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Twentee *****
@Simon *********
 If just holiday then ask the hotel where you been check in to sign your tm30( tell them for visa extension).

The immigration officer allow it and You're the one who is responsible to notify it to the Immigration.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Twe****
 I am losing the will to live now. My issue was not anything to do with the TM30, that’s for the landlords or hotels to deal with. The immigration officer never even looked me up on his system, he just looked at my entry stamp and said I needed rental agreement and my landlady’s id card.
2 years ago
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Twentee *****
@Simon *********
If you stayed in Thailand for about 1 year or more they will ask a House contract along with house master I'ds and sign on it.
2 years ago
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Twentee *****
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Kyong ****
Power trip 😢
2 years ago
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Stefan ************
TiT. Get used to it or get out. 🤣
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Stefan ***********
 Yep
2 years ago
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Michael ********
@Stefan ***********
2 years ago
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Michael ********
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Joe *******
Si Racha immigration are a nightmare to deal with. Never had any problems elsewhere.
2 years ago
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Joe *******
I've also just seen you went to the same secondary school as I did in Southampton 🤣
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@J**
 I assume you went a long time after me! 😂😂😂
2 years ago
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Joe *******
@Simon *********
 for sure! 🤣
2 years ago
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Joe *******
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@J**
 it was my first time, a friend recommended them. Won’t be going back again.
2 years ago
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Joe *******
@Simon *********
 Had nothing but problems the year I had to deal with them. BKK was busy but fine, now in Sisaket and they are so friendly and helpful.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@J**
 the best I have ever encountered was in Hua Hin. Was in and out in five minutes.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
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Duncan *******
The unilateral demand you refer to is having a TM30 on file, a law that has existed since 1979. If you been here as long as you say, surely you would have had experience with it previously or at the very least read about it.

And as for "not required elsewhere," it has been in Chiang Mai for years - in fact, Ive just filed a 90 day report and it was the first thing they looked for, as with any transaction.
2 years ago
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Duncan *******
@Simon *********
 as I said, CM immigration requires a TM30 on file to do any transaction including visa extensions. You say you have been here 7 years and yet seemingly you've never heard of a TM30? Have you been living in a cave?

As for Bangkok check previous reports, they do sometimes require it
2 years ago
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Duncan *******
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Incognia **********
But good thing they are still not asking onward ticket for extension
2 years ago
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John ********
@Stelar ******
 don't speak to soon 😅🤣😂
2 years ago
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John ********
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Steve **********
Every office different.

Disregard regulations, it depends on officer, mood, ego.....and your attitude to them........mai pen rai
2 years ago
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Christopher ***********
Immigration Officer's seem to be 'tightening up' in general, requesting photocopies of forms and documents they hadn't previously asked for. What they are asking from you sounds normal.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris******
 it’s not “normal”. How many people here on holiday have rental agreements????
2 years ago
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Duncan *******
@Simon *********
 your landlord should have filed a TM30 - it's law. They asked you for the copies because your landlord didnt file the paperwork.
2 years ago
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Duncan *******
@Simon *********
 which is required to file a TM30. You also cant extend a visa at an immigration office that you are not registered (via TM30) as residing in.

*****************************************
*****
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Simon *********
 You can also pay the fine because your landlord failed to register you.

Then you don't need to bring any paper regarding this matter.

At least in Jomtien you can.
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Simon *********
 As a matter of a fact Duncan is right.

And you got your explaination. But if you don't want to believe... it's a different story
2 years ago
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Marc ********
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Frank **********
Banks, Immigration and who knows what else. They are like their own little kingdom.
2 years ago
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Jesse *******
Nothing in Thailand is same or logical. If you live Thailand you just accept lol. That's more in line with the legal requirements. They just let it slide the other offices.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Je***
 I have lived here for 7 years. The other offices are not letting anything slide, in contrast it’s Jomtien and Si Racha who are adding additional requirements.
2 years ago
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Jesse *******
@Simon *********
 read the government requirements. Rental contract required
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Je***
 not for a tourist! How many tourists stay in apartments. The government website says nothing about proof of residency, and the main immigration office in Bangkok and elsewhere do not ask for it.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
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Otto *********
You could get lengthy explanations. But the simple truth is: Because they can.

And because they are corrupt: Go through an agent and things are smooth, as agent and officer split your "fee".
2 years ago
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Steve **********
@Otto ********
 but agent charges 10 fold....just get used to patience
2 years ago
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Leroy ******
@Steve *********
Mate I totally agree. Tight ass Tuesdays keep saying this. But worth every cent 🙏👍
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@St***
 ten fold?? The fee saves me hours of running around getting pointless paperwork, or driving to Bangkok and spending the best part of a day waiting in line. So the fee is the lesser of the three evils.
2 years ago
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Simon **********
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Braulio *********
@Otto ********
 This is Thailand
2 years ago
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Simon **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ot**
 I know, I went to Jomtien and used an agent I have used many times before.
2 years ago
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Albert *******
@Otto ********
 pure truth
2 years ago
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Albert *******
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