Hi There,
I read somewhere recently that Police (I believe in Bangkok) were stopping visitors and asking for their Passport details and, if you did not produce the info immediately there was a on-the-spot fine.
Is there any specfic need to carry your passport around with you or is this a Scam of sorts? The article went on to say that a copy of the document was not acceptable !!
Regards peter-pan
--Do you need to carry your Passport for Identification?--
I have been told quite a long time ago that everybody regardless of Nationality must at all times carry an original photo bearing document as proof of ID. This law is similar to that in many countries.
This could be an ID card, drivers licence or passport.
This could be an ID card, drivers licence or passport.
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The law definitely is that you should carry your passport at all times, although I believe that the authorities will temporarily accept a photocopy if they're in the mood.
It's a bit of a bind and I never carry mine unless it's for a visa run obviously.
In all the time I've been in HH, I've only ever been asked for it once when the Tourist Police were checking on all forigners they knew had stayed here for some time. It was simply a case of them seeing me sitting in a bar in the afternoon. When I asked them if they wanted me to go home to get the passport, they said yes and I was back in 5 mins. No problem.
You're really not going to get much hassle in HH. Just make sure you're not on overstay if you're unlucky enough to be asked to produce. That's a deportable offence if you're not at the airport or border crossing and so attempting to exit the country.
It's a bit of a bind and I never carry mine unless it's for a visa run obviously.
In all the time I've been in HH, I've only ever been asked for it once when the Tourist Police were checking on all forigners they knew had stayed here for some time. It was simply a case of them seeing me sitting in a bar in the afternoon. When I asked them if they wanted me to go home to get the passport, they said yes and I was back in 5 mins. No problem.
You're really not going to get much hassle in HH. Just make sure you're not on overstay if you're unlucky enough to be asked to produce. That's a deportable offence if you're not at the airport or border crossing and so attempting to exit the country.
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Guess
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Well they must of been very quick to see you sitting in a bar.lomuamart wrote: It was simply a case of them seeing me sitting in a bar in the afternoon.
What I need to point out here is that the recommendation of most embassies is that when travelling do not keep your passport with you unless absolutely necessary.
Keep it in a safe place.
I also still believe that it is photo ID that the authorities want. That is not necessarily a passport.
Lomu might know better. I have only once been asked in eleven years in SE Asia to show any ID. I did not have any. About one hour of conversation convinced the Thai policeman that I was genuine.
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Passport
In my 20 years of traveling to Thailand, I have never carried my passport. It IS a good idea to make a photocopy and carry that with you.
The only time I needed passpart was cashing travelers checks. Now, I just use the ATM.
I always - always- take a business card from hotel with me at all times. Just in case I get lost - to show taxi driver where to take me - back to hotel. And now, I am so forgetful, I have to write the hotel room number on the card. Ouch!
The only time I needed passpart was cashing travelers checks. Now, I just use the ATM.
I always - always- take a business card from hotel with me at all times. Just in case I get lost - to show taxi driver where to take me - back to hotel. And now, I am so forgetful, I have to write the hotel room number on the card. Ouch!
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I certainly agree with Guess and Songkurai that it's extremely unlikely that you'll be asked for your passport, as I said. Even if you are, they'll almost certainly give you time to get it if it's not on your person.
Nevertheless, the law states that you should have it. There were some cases earlier in the year where police raided nightspots in BKK and urine tested everyone for drugs. Any forigners there were also asked to show their passports and taken to the local nick and fined if they didn't have them.
In my view, it's going to be a lot more hassle if you lose your passport or get it nicked, than having grief from the local police for not carrying it. Again, chances are virtually nil in HH and anywhere else for that matter unless your're hanging out at some druggie nightclub in BKK. I've also heard that the regular police don't have the right to demand your passport without reasonable cause. Only the tourist Police can do this as they're part of Immigration. Don't know how true that is and I
wouldn't suggest questioning the polices' authority anyway. That's only likely to cause more trouble. I'm sure they can find a reason if they want one.
Nevertheless, the law states that you should have it. There were some cases earlier in the year where police raided nightspots in BKK and urine tested everyone for drugs. Any forigners there were also asked to show their passports and taken to the local nick and fined if they didn't have them.
In my view, it's going to be a lot more hassle if you lose your passport or get it nicked, than having grief from the local police for not carrying it. Again, chances are virtually nil in HH and anywhere else for that matter unless your're hanging out at some druggie nightclub in BKK. I've also heard that the regular police don't have the right to demand your passport without reasonable cause. Only the tourist Police can do this as they're part of Immigration. Don't know how true that is and I
wouldn't suggest questioning the polices' authority anyway. That's only likely to cause more trouble. I'm sure they can find a reason if they want one.