unit731 Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 why not try the source http://www.royalthaipolice.go.th/ get the info and print it out Thanks. But I will have to definitely brush up on my Thai script. Is there a translated to English version? Or French? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 Actually, almost every country in the world requires non-resident foreigners to carry a passport or some form of official ID that shows their entry status. Consider the complications when a foreigner with no passport (or at least a copy) has an incapacitating medical emergency or accident. If that person has no ID, days or more can go by before some hotel notices that a guest is missing who hasn't checked out. John Does aren't particularly well cared for: you don't want to be one. Even if you have a drivers license from your home country, it can take your embassy a long time going through agencies to locate family members or next of kin. We bitch about it but the passport law is there for a good reason. Yes, a B10,000 fine seems outrageous but then again, what's the fine and penalty for the same offense in your home country? BTW, if you are carrying a copy, make sure you also have a up to date copy of the active visa page or stamp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelseafan Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 The fine in the UK is £0 because at present we do not need to carry around ID. The bloody Government are doing their best to rectify this though.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 ....Yes, a B10,000 fine seems outrageous but then again,.... I don't believe for a minute that Baht 10K is the legal fine for not carrying your passport in LOS. A fraction of that I would expect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 >...Even if you have a drivers license from your home country, it can take your embassy a long time going through agencies to locate family members or next of kin... It took the US Embassy about 1 hour to come up with next of kin, etc. They had immediate access to my friend's passport application (5+ years old?) and came back with his details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 I've always tried to get a color copy of the relative page and the visa stamp. I also try and get a local (usually the hotel clerk if they are proficient enough but sometimes the embassy if I'm getting a visa ahead of time) to write: in case of emergency contact blah blah blah, also where I'm staying locally and someone to contact in america in case of medical or legal emergency. If I can remember, my blood type as well. A seasoned traveler once told me some horror stories long ago and I usually try and remember them. I wouldn't pay a fine on the spot if that were me. 10k baht is a lot of money. At least to me. In Pattaya I'd ask for the aid of the volunteer police if that happened to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurinBum Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 RESIST THE REPRESSIVE ESTABLISHMENT!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CreatureOfNight Posted August 27, 2009 Report Share Posted August 27, 2009 I was stopped by the police for the first time in my 10 years of travel to Bangkok in July 2008. I was walking back to the hotel with a friend after Soi Cowboy had closed. The police came up the road on their motorcycle and asked where we were going. I said in Thai that we were headed to our hotel on Soi 22. He kept speaking English and asked for our passports. I had a copy of mine and my friend did not have his with him. They patted us down, then told us we were free to go and said tell your friend to carry a copy of his passport in the future. I told some Thai friends and they were convinced that the police were looking to get money out of us but I'm not sure. As we walked on, I did see them stopping others that were walking around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldFun Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 thanks for reporting. sounds like you got off lucky or maybe they don't really care? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickfarang Posted August 28, 2009 Report Share Posted August 28, 2009 A few years ago, when the Chaing Miaw immigration office had a website that included form in which Thai Immigration officials answered questions about visas, etc. they mentioned that only immigration officers are empowered to ask to see a foreigner's passport. That was a number of governments ago, but a member of the Royal Thai Police, while empowered to ask for identification, does not (according to that now defunct site) have anything to do with your immigration status. Having said that, as jack_schist points out, the policeman who stopped you to pick up a little cash doesn't care and doesn't want to hear it. He just wants the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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