24 hour reporting imposed

[Jockey]

I imagine that if every farang that goes in there does this they will soon get fed up and drop this little operation, especially if you ask to speak to the boss if they resist. Don't forget we all look alike...

The "nice guy at immigration" told me this "ruling" was pointed out by his boss who instructed him to fine people. It's probably being enforced only for the people who need the letter of proof of address for various stuff (such as in my case registering my car). I doubt they will fine everyone who just want to renew their visa's, but presumably they could if they put their mind to it. I agree with a previous post - its a funding scam for immigrations new year party. I'll get a hold of the photo copy of the booklet that explains the rule and type it out word for word for you on this forum - but someone else has borrowed it from me, so if anyones down there...

[STEVE G]

Is this what they are using?:

Immigration Act, B.E. 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.

[Jockey]

It probably is referring to this ruling Steve - but the edict was taken from an explanatory booklet which specifically mentioned visiting a different country or province.

[lomuamart]

I can't be sure about this, but I reckon that proclamation was on the back of an old entry/departure card. Not now, they've been changed.
When Jockey explained the situation, I knew it had rung a bell - I just couldn't remember where from. But the wording that steve g has given above is about what I recall.
There was also a clause on the old TM card that if an alien had stayed for more than 90 days in Thailand, they had to obtain a tax clearance certificate, or the alien would not be allowed to leave the country.
That's gone off the TM card now, but I bet it's still in effect.
I know I'm rambling on, but the wording steve g put up has been printed before. Definitely.
I've lived here for almost 10 years and I don't recall seeing those words for ages.
However, it certainly is a requirement that hotels/guesthouses/landlords must report a guest to the local police within 24 hours of their arrival. Whether they do so or not is a separate issue.
Personally, I always put my address down as it is, on the arrival card. After years here, I assumed that was my "reporting". As has been said, HH Imm seem to have dug some obscure regulation up and are enforcing it.
More power to the people who have been fined already. Get in touch with your Embassy and complain. If there enough of those, BKK will have to intervene.
Power to the People - Tooting Popular Front. (Or whatever Wolfie called his political party)

[Big Boy]

lomu,

You are correct. When I saw Steve's posting yesterday, I thought that I recognised it. I knew we had some old style cards stored somewhere, and I checked it,

[niggle]

This is copy of email from UK Embassy Will await their repsone with baited breath !
Thank you for your e-mail.

All guidance we receive about Thai immigration regulations come from the Thai authorities. I would advise that you speak to Thai Immigration in Bangkok to find out whether this is indeed standard practice. Their numbers are 02 287 3111 or 02 287 3101-10.

Although we cannot intervene in Thai immigration practices we will also follow this up to get clarification on present policy.

Kind regards


Paul Lawrence
Vice Consul

[VincentD]

Do note that in Steve's post it says to report to the local police station, not the immigration people.

As a permanent resident, I have three books to carry around with me on my travels.
1. passport, issued in my country
2. certificate of residence, issued by the immigration
3. alien registration certificate, registered at my local police station.

The work permit is a seperate issue.

As far as I am concerned, the immigration only have jurisdiction over items 1. and 2. as they regulate people coming into and out of the country.

The police, on the other hand, have jurisdiction over the inter-provincial travel. I very much doubt the immigration people are going to set up a checkpoint on some obscure road just to check to see if you registered.
I don't think there is a requirement for people on long-term visas to get the alien registration certificate either.

I think you're being taken for a ride.

As for the tax clearance certificate, that went out the door when Anand Panyarachun took over as acting Prime Minister all those years ago. He did all of us a big favour.

[scrim]

Re Steve G's comment -
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.'

Steve G. If indeed you are correct with the above as the source of the HH Imm demands, then as somebody pointed out - the requirement is to report to police, not immigration officials (one and the same ?) I would also like to highlight that the regulation specifically refers to 'resides and .... new residence...' Reside = have one's home, dwell permanently according to Oxford dictionary. Thus, they can get us under this (HH imposed) 24hr rule if we leave the country and return to HH without reporting to HH Imm, but not, as per some concerned readers, if we do a trip within country - eg long weekend in BKK, as we would not be taking up residence or residing (home, dwelling permanently) there.
Still - we are left with this b stupid 24 hr requirement on returning to our 'residence' after a trip out of country.
But then, who knows.. maybe they (Imm) wouldn't see it that way !

[Perente]

Just been out to do my 90 day report. Basic outline;
Non-imm B visa issued August,
Due for report end November,
Trip to Australia on re-entry permit mid October, No report to Hua Hin when I got back,
Normal report today, fill in the form, smile at the nice lady, stamp the form, staple a bit of the form in the back of the passport, report again end Feb.
No problem, no fines, no hassle.
The only problem is the continuing poor state of the road. Some work has been done, but it's still not fun trying to use the poor old Phantom as a dirt bike

[nightstalker]

would be good to know how many people have paid black money here in HH , every time I go I see people paying way over the odds for visa,s, a lot of them with Thai lawyers, who say" This is the price of retirement etc, 4k plus" makes me cringe to see people cheated.

I have been asked a few times for money to "makes things smoother" documents signed etc, I politely refuse and tell them "it can wait till i am next in bangkok"

sometimes they smile, I walk away, other times its done but with hate in there eyes.

maybe a boycott of immigration here, cheaper to get the minivan and waste a day in bkk.

[lomuamart]

The only problem with doing things in BKK is that they're becoming increasingly reluctant to do the visa stuff if you've got a local Imm office where you live. Quite often, people are referred back.
I'm not saying it can't be done, but it's not as easy as it was.
EDIT: Apologies, the above might not be totally correct. A new rule telling people to report or apply for visas locally was due to be brought in on October 1st. It was never signed off. Whilst Imm prefer you to use your local office, they apparantly will still process matters in BKK if you've got a problem locally.

[pfotoguy369]

Ok just came back from the Hua Hin Office. you have to report in when you move and you have to report in when you come back in country on your return within 24 hours. Even though you came through immigration and customs at the air port.

I told them I would be going to the PI in Jan. they gave me these 2 forms and said to bring it back on my return.






They ask when I got here and my little TG jumped up and said 4 o'clock this morning. which is true I did pick her up at 4am from the bus from Karat.

I've been here a couple of months but said I was on holiday and just moved here permanently. Had to pay no fines.

So there's my update.

[Perente]

Foto, I guess it depends on who you talk to at Imm. and what visa you already have. I had to fill in one form to get a re-entry permit for my Non-Imm B, permit in passport stamped as "USED" when I returned from Aus, but I didn't report to HH Imm. until 6 weeks later. The date of my trip was noted when I did report, but no comment or problem.
One thing to note; leaving the country and returning does not alter the reporting date for the 90 day report that was issued from HH Imm. ie. visa renewed in Aug, report in Nov, trip to Aus in Oct, still report in Nov, not 90 days from Oct. No idea how they work that one out ???
BTW, Nightstalker, I have never been asked to provide more that the listed paperwork, or pay more than the listed fees. Again I guess it depends on who you talk to.

[STEVE G]

I notice that on the Thai immigration website they have a facility to E-mail the re-entry notification using the following form, but this is only valid if you are resident in the Bangkok area. If anyone has any connections with Hua Hin immigration perhaps they could suggest that they start a similar service.http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/download/tm8.doc

[andy778]

anyone know if i`ll get fined when i go in for an extension on a tourist-visa? (if they ask how long i`ve been in hua hin)

cheers