carrying ID

[hacker 0]

Hi,

 

Quick question on what ID should be carried in pattaya/thailand

 

should i always carry my passport or would a new UK photo driving licence do ?

 

TIA

[Braveheart 0]

Carry a photocopy of your passport information page and one of the page with your Thailand entry stamp. Leave your passport and other ID locked in your room/hotel safe.

Edited October 16, 2006 by Braveheart

[Mackem Stu 0]

I never carry ID and have never had a problem, even when stopped riding a motorbike. Just slipped the copper 200 baht and off I went.

[davethailand 91]

I carry a copy of my passpost pic/ visa page along with a copy of my work permit, other than that i've always got my thai healthcare, thai driving license cards etc on me.

[farangkwaiyai 46]

It is a legal requirement to carry ID, so do as braveheart recommends. I do not personally carry any ID around with me, when I'm on holiday, i like to have a mobile and cash only. I like to at least act like i'm in dreamland and not worry about all the technical stuff. I leave that to the secretary of the day. Wink wink

[BigDUSA 71]

I carry my passport with me. Immigration agents don't have to accept a photo copy. I'd rather run the risk of carrying my passport then the possibility of going to immigration jail. I have a travel wallet that my belt goes thru. I do leave a copy of my passport and visa back in my in room safe.

[WelshFarang 0]

I had a photocopy of my passport laminated. A normal photocopy on paper would soon get covered in beer, food, sweat etc.

 

Always leave my original in the hotel safe box, unless required for some reason.

[Emil 0]

Carry only a photo copy of the info page with your photo and the page with your entry stamp or visa stamp.

I also carry my health insurance card. I don't think you need to carry the passport. Many times when I've been to immigration to get an extension, and this last time when I got my retirement visa, they have kept my passport over night or over the weekend, to process those requests. Also this past year when raylene was carrying his passport with him he lost it. He reported it to the police on Soi 9, then had to go to US embassy in Bangkok twice to get a replacement. He was without a passport for over a week and no one minded. That lost passport cost him I believe over $200 when you factor in that he then had to make monthly visa runs as his lost passport had the non immigrant "O" visa.

[nkped 1,208]

You are probably supposed to carry your passport. That subject has been beat to death many times on different boards. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I do always carry my U.S. driver's license and health insurance card. May not be able to speak for myself if the night ends in the hospital instead of my room, and no I.D. at all will put on you on the wrong side of the police just about anywhere in the world.

[farangkwaiyai 46]

May not be able to speak for myself if the night ends in the hospital instead of my room

 

Very good point, it happened to me, i was carted off to hosipital, i was alone in pattaya last time, i had no one to call! Luckily i knew the bargirl that i was with so i trusted her with my hotel keys to get money and passport, the hospital halted treatment til she got back.

 

p.s has anyone else been taken into hospital to find that the staff laugh there heads off, the bar girl i was with said it is normal.

Edited October 16, 2006 by farangmaikwai

[Emil 0]

If your going to be spending alot of time in Pattaya it would be wise to get a medical card from the hospital that you would like to be taken to in an emergency and carry it on you.

[too_mutt 10]

If your going to be spending alot of time in Pattaya it would be wise to get a medical card from the hospital that you would like to be taken to in an emergency and carry it on you.

That is an excellent idea. I think that perhaps the Bangkok Pattaya hospital is still considered top notch.

 

Regards

Edited October 17, 2006 by SoCalGuy

[Eneukman 1]

I never carry my passport with me unless going to Immigration etc but I tend to have a photocopy showing the face page and the page showing my visa. It is far easier to replace a copy than your original passport.

 

In addition, I will usually have my Thai driving licence in my possession. When I flew to Udon Thani back in June, it was accepted as a form of ID. I did have my passport with me but never needed it.

 

When I was in Udon Thani, I took a day trip to Nongkhai and on the bus on the way back, a policeman boarded the bus at which point all the Thais started looking out their ID cards. The bus was packed so I think he changed his mind. . Anyone without any ID could have given themselves a load of unnecessary problems.

 

Alan

[Nakaleen 2]

I'll be traveling to Thailand at the start of Nov. Never been overseas before (this thread is useful) I have already photocopied my passport, driver license, Insurance, Itinerary. One copy to be left at home (with family) and one with me.

 

If I understand right I don't get a visa until I arrive. I'll be in Bangkok for 3 days before heading down to Pattaya. Where can I get a photocopy of the visa made? Hope there is a place I can do it at the airport, as I have NO idea about the area around where I am staying until I get there. I'm staying at Manhattan (13 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 15, still trying to find it on a map or Google earth).

[Emil 0]

I'll be traveling to Thailand at the start of Nov. Never been overseas before (this thread is useful) I have already photocopied my passport, driver license, Insurance, Itinerary. One copy to be left at home (with family) and one with me.

 

If I understand right I don't get a visa until I arrive. I'll be in Bangkok for 3 days before heading down to Pattaya. Where can I get a photocopy of the visa made? Hope there is a place I can do it at the airport, as I have NO idea about the area around where I am staying until I get there. I'm staying at Manhattan (13 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 15, still trying to find it on a map or Google earth).

 

What you receive when you arrive will be an entry stamp in your passport. It will show the date that you arrived and a date, 30 days later, that its good until. When you arrive at your hotel ask them to photo copy that page. If they don't have a copy machine, ask them if they know of one nearby. Most photo shops along Sukhumvit should have a copy machine.

[csm 4]

The only time I take my passport out of the safe is when I need to cash a travelers cheque, other than that I have a copy of the passport.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

I had a photocopy of my passport laminated. A normal photocopy on paper would soon get covered in beer, food, sweat etc.

 

Always leave my original in the hotel safe box, unless required for some reason.

 

 

I have been lurking on this thread because I have had personal experience from the wrong side of the bars and wanted to see the responses. I have said this before on other threads but I spent 2 weeks in the immigration prison in BKK several years ago. It was when a group of terrorists had taken over a hospital. For a very short time the police were checking everybody at random. I didn't have my passport with me and was lifted.

 

What would have happened if the coup wasn't bloodless? I only say this because ANYTHING can happen ANYWHERE.

 

 

IMHO, The above advice is the best. ( Although I don't do it!!!...yes I am that fucking stupid

[WeezinGeezer 2]

Legally the only valid ID for a foreigner is a passport. You just have to assess risk whether to carry it all the time.

 

You will need it to check into hotel. You will need it to cash travellers checks. You will need it if you are unlucky enough to be in a bar during a check by the BIB. You will need it if in an accident. You will need it if you happen to have to go to a hospital. You will need it to get back home. You take a risk of having it lost or stolen if you carry it or leave it unattended in your room.

 

If you live in Thailand full time, then yes, carry the copies and lock up the original. You probably have the language thing down a bit so you can get by. If your a tourist, than either carry the thing in a zip-lock bag (saves from rain or sweat) or lock it in the safe and carry whatever you use at home. The risk of needing it are no greater than your home base.