Jump to content

Do you carry your passport?


Bluetongue

Recommended Posts

I know its been covered before, but I don't carry mine except when going on longer trips. In ten years I've never been asked for it at any place on the road or even country resort hotels. I travel a lot on Highway 317, between Chantaburi and Sa Kaeo, literally hundreds of times. There is a 24 hour checkpoint near Pong Nam Ron always with an armed soldier on the southbound way and occasionally police on either way. Usually its just a wave through, perhaps half a dozen times I've been asked for a license or where I'm going.  I should say a lot of Cambodians seem to get arrested here, I think its because they are going beyond where their permit allows. These are people without passports.

 

2 weeks ago I got asked by the soldier for my license, duly shown and waved through. Today with wife, sisters in law and child, the soldier asked me to pull over to the left. Another 3 soldiers came out, one started taking photos, and one came to the window and asked for my passport. I said it was at home and I showed him my license. He lost interest and sauntered away, vaguely waving me through, however the last chap was right at the window straight away also asking for the passport. The wife answered that it was at home and we were going on a innocent expedition. There was  a further conversation during which he basically said that if his boss was there I wouldn't get through. All this was in Thai. Off we then went.

 

Then there was an argument with the wife where I said I didn't have to carry it, and I wasn't in a hurry to listen to a boy with a gun, and she said just carry a copy. Which I will probably do. I think its probably just the Army flexing its muscles in the run-up to the election. But I did wonder if anybody has had similar recently, and what is the exact position?

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

ok. I only carry my passport when I travel within Thailand. In other words, I am spending the night away from home.

 

I have a copy of my passport in my scooter and photos on phone. Thailand drivers license and motorcycle license with me all the time. 

and 40 condoms, 20 hits of Viagra, cut in half of course, 10 gold coins, a .45 automatic and a bar of chocolate. 

 

 

me too

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have always carried a copy my passport it's something that's recommended or sometimes a requirement.

A driving licence in Thailand usually gets by as ID that's what I have found since i've been here.

Edited by Kwasaki
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I tried carrying it until it went through the washing machine, now I only carry if I leave Bangkok. Have laminated photocopy I got at the copy shop near Soi 33 for 20 baht.  Have never been asked to show my passport by a policeman during the 15 years i’ve lived in Thailand, not even at Pong Nam Ron.

Edited by camble
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, xylophone said:

I got a photocopy of mine, reduced it in size, then had it laminated and it now sits in my wallet which goes everywhere with me.

Ditto, along with a copy of my current 90 day report.

 

if I go off island I will take my PPort, sealed in a separate part of my bum bag from the rest of my stuff so there's no chance of pulling it out by mistake. Losing a Pport once was enough.

 

I've only once ever had my Thai driving licence refused as ID by a hotel (Hop Inn Chumphon- a DREADFUL place)  but at least i had the passport with me.

Edited by Psimbo
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Within Bangkok I never carry my Passport...  

But, I do have a Photo of it on my phone (saved to DropBox) and a photo of my latest Visa stamp and TM6.

 

I do carry my passport whenever I travel out of Bangkok for a holiday etc... it stays in the hotel if I go out at night. 

 

I've only ever been asked for my passport once and that was by the corrupt charlatans on the corner of Asoke a few year back.... 'Phone a friend' made that situation go away... 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know a handful of immigration officers in BKK... some are junior, some are more senior (and have appeared on these hallowed Thai Visa pages)...

 

They all agree... a photocopy or a photo on your phone of your passport is sufficient under normal 'stop & check' circumstances, be polite, show the Photograph / photocopy of the ID and there is no issue.

 

But it depends on attitude. If a foreigner starts acting up and giving it the 'Big I AM' and 'you can't do that, I have rights etc'... life is going to get difficult.... 

 

Just politely play along and a photocopy or photo is fine...

 

Unless of course you are dealing with a particularly corrupt piece of scum in which case you can go back to the station, they can check your details there. You should be able to produce your Passport within a 'reasonable' time frame (which would generally mean having a friend pick it up and bringing it to the station for you !)...  All a bit silly, all a bit of a faff, and an issue the immigration officer doesn't want to have to deal with unless you are being such a tool he has decided that its worth his time to make your life difficult.....

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mine lives in my work bag along with my work permit and PC. This means it's either with me in the office or in the car when I'm driving.

 

It does not come to the pub, for that there's a copy on my phone, never been asked for it.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, xylophone said:

I got a photocopy of mine, reduced it in size, then had it laminated and it now sits in my wallet which goes everywhere with me.

This can be done ( copied in color )at any Kodak store for under 100bt

Mine has a copy of my Ladies Thai ID on the other side - the reason being that the authorities will know who to contact in a emergency.  About a year ago I had to take my Lady to a hospital ( she rarely caries ID ) and the hospital accepted the copy, and a 500bt deposit - returned upon presenting her original ID.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

19 hours ago, NCC1701A said:

understatement of the year award! :cheesy:

 

ok. I only carry my passport when I travel within Thailand. In other words, I am spending the night away from home.

 

I have a copy of my passport in my scooter and photos on phone. Thailand drivers license and motorcycle license with me all the time. 

and 40 condoms, 20 hits of Viagra, cut in half of course, 10 gold coins, a .45 automatic and a bar of chocolate. 

 

and in five years never asked except at hotels. and my drivers license was OK except in big Bangkok hotels and resorts. 

 

*Favorite read of the day*

 

Especially the bar of chocolate.

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.





×
×
  • Create New...