Who Wants Your Passport?

[Aitch 2]

For those of you who have stayed in any of the View Talay condos in Pattaya or Jomtien: Did they ask for your passport when you arrived? (I personally do not feel comfortable relinquishing my passport for any reason.) Further, did they request for you to prepay - in cash -for your entire stay? What happens should an emergency require one to return home early? Is the amount prorated and refunded?

[NorCalKid 1]

I haven’t stayed in View Talay. But they are condos and have many different owners and I wouldn’t expect them all to be the same. Perhaps you can tell us who you are planning on renting from. Most places I have stayed have asked for my PP and made a copy or copied down the numbers. I haven’t ever had anywhere condo or hotel ask to keep my PP. And if they did I would be out of there. As for the prepay part. I guess once again it will depend how long you are staying and who you are renting from. I rented from Thais(not in VT) and pre paid monthly with a one month security deposit same as at home.

[lovedog100 1,372]

For those of you who have stayed in any of the View Talay condos in Pattaya or Jomtien: Did they ask for your passport when you arrived? (I personally do not feel comfortable relinquishing my passport for any reason.) Further, did they request for you to prepay - in cash -for your entire stay? What happens should an emergency require one to return home early? Is the amount prorated and refunded?

You are rquired to carry your passport with you in Thailand. Few do, most just carry a copy. However, if they ask to keep your passport, give them a simple "NO, I am required to carry it while in Thailand."

 

As for paying in advance, well that is up to you. I would do a turn around and go someplace else. With the lack of tourist in Pattaya right now, there are lots of deals to be found, and those that want your business. You have the power, you have he money,you are the customer.

 

One true statement about any business in Pattaya, there i another just like it, within a shot walk. You can do whole lot better with out them, an they can with out you. Want to see a Thai wince? Just say, "I'll take my money some where else and spend it"

[joekicker 53]

For those of you who have stayed in any of the View Talay condos in Pattaya or Jomtien: Did they ask for your passport when you arrived? (I personally do not feel comfortable relinquishing my passport for any reason.) Further, did they request for you to prepay - in cash -for your entire stay? What happens should an emergency require one to return home early? Is the amount prorated and refunded?

 

They have to record your passport when you register, and because of increasing police pressureon this, lots of places want to photocopy it. They are not allowed to take it from you or keep it - that's the law.

 

.

[mmaaarrrkkk 41]

You didnt say if they kept it or just want to copy or photocopy the details? I always give it to them but never allow them to keep it. Like the above post said , you MUST have it with you.

 

Payment wise , I always pay 100% upfront but insist on a reciept. This way , I dont overspend.

[Aitch 2]

Thanks for your replies, fellow mongers. I will be arriving in LOS next week, having made reservations in a VT condo, and they have asked both for my PP and cash in baht up front. I have made a copy of my PP, but I am uncomfortable fronting out multiple months of cash (or even carrying it). Of course I will demand a receipt, but as I have family back home in ill health it is always possible that an emergency may demand an early return and I suspect the act of handing a Thai (or anyone) money is not quite as easy as getting them to hand a portion back, no matter the reason.

[som nam na 0]

Thanks for your replies, fellow mongers. I will be arriving in LOS next week, having made reservations in a VT condo, and they have asked both for my PP and cash in baht up front. I have made a copy of my PP, but I am uncomfortable fronting out multiple months of cash (or even carrying it). Of course I will demand a receipt, but as I have family back home in ill health it is always possible that an emergency may demand an early return and I suspect the act of handing a Thai (or anyone) money is not quite as easy as getting them to hand a portion back, no matter the reason.

 

Aitch, from a landlords perspective it is reasonable to have some security so the tenant doesn't just do a runner when it comes time to pay. On the other hand it is not reasonable for long lets for the tenant to pay all up front. Hotels have the comfort of swiping the credit card, condo renters mostly don't. So perhaps suggest a compromise, if a short rental sayof up to one month then pay up front, if longer agree monthly in advance. If it is really a problem consider weekly in advance. For the passport the LL is obliged to have a copy by law. Hope this helps.

Edited October 9, 2010 by som nam na

[Aitch 2]

Aitch, from a landlords perspective it is reasonable to have some security so the tenant doesn't just do a runner when it comes time to pay. On the other hand it is not reasonable for long lets for the tenant to pay all up front. Hotels have the comfort of swiping the credit card, condo renters mostly don't. So perhaps suggest a compromise, if a short rental sayof up to one month then pay up front, if longer agree monthly in advance. If it is really a problem consider weekly in advance. For the passport the LL is obliged to have a copy by law. Hope this helps.

 

It does indeed! Thank you very much. I have had a copy of my PP made now for just that purpose. I will be there for 60 days, so I will suggest a compromise. Again, thanks for your (and everyone's) input.

[stevoman 2]

I see you will be staying for 60 days, and therefore your "Rate" will be considerably discounted. If for any reason you have to cut short your rental and you are lucky enough to obtain a refund (not a word known to Thais), then it will probably be pro-rated to a daily rate, which is a lot more per month!

[GlynRhedyn 32]

I see you will be staying for 60 days, and therefore your "Rate" will be considerably discounted. If for any reason you have to cut short your rental and you are lucky enough to obtain a refund (not a word known to Thais), then it will probably be pro-rated to a daily rate, which is a lot more per month!

That is true which is why they ask for payment up front so you don't get the discounted rate and leave after a few weeks. The compromise may be that you pay the regular weekly rate in advance until you have paid the total discounted rate in full. That way if you do exit early at least you have been paying the weekly rate up to that point.

Glyn.

[Greg_B 306]

Section 37 (3) Thailand Immigration Act

http://www.thailawforum.com/database1/immi...-mejesty-5.html

 

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.

 

 

Hotels usually make a copy of your passport page and check the entry date slip to verify you are not an "over-stayer"

 

Most will not keep your passport, it is property of the government who issued it

 

As usual, it's a law that Thailand never gave much thought to, as there is not a spreadsheet/e-mail contact to send this information to in Pattaya.

So, you make the copy and keep it on hand in a binder, if asked to produce, you can

 

Just trying to CYA (cover your ass)

[Aitch 2]

Section 37 (3) Thailand Immigration Act

http://www.thailawforum.com/database1/immi...-mejesty-5.html

 

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.

 

 

Hotels usually make a copy of your passport page and check the entry date slip to verify you are not an "over-stayer"

 

Most will not keep your passport, it is property of the government who issued it

 

As usual, it's a law that Thailand never gave much thought to, as there is not a spreadsheet/e-mail contact to send this information to in Pattaya.

So, you make the copy and keep it on hand in a binder, if asked to produce, you can

 

Just trying to CYA (cover your ass)

 

Thanks, Greg. Not many people make an effort to cover someone else's ass.

[Greg_B 306]

Thanks, Greg. Not many people make an effort to cover someone else's ass.

 

Section 38 requires us to notify them, but no one has ever setup a notification process (TIT)

 

Section 38 : The house – master , the owner or the possessor of the residence , or the hotel manager where the alien , receiving permission to stay temporary in the Kingdom has stayed , must notify the competent official of the Immigration Office located in the same area with that hours , dwelling place or hotel, within 24 hours from the time of arrival of the alien concerned. If there is no Immigration Office located in that area , the local police official for that area must be notified.

[GlynRhedyn 32]

Thanks, Greg. Not many people make an effort to cover someone else's ass.

Villa's covered a few in his time.

Glyn.

[villayouth 37]

Villa's covered a few in his time.

Glyn.

 

I sure have