Username Taken wrote:

More than 100 officers raided nightclubs along Pattaya’s famed Walking Street early Friday morning and took dozens of foreigners in for interrogation because they were not holding passports.

. . . . which ended up finding at least 30 foreigners without their passports.

. . . . and were reportedly released after they were able to show their passports to police.

Since when was it compulsory to carry your passport in Thailand?

phuketrichard wrote:NO it is not the law[

7-31-2014

BANGKOK:-- [thaivisa.com] After the confusion surrounding the news that all foreigners in Thailand are required to carry their passport with them at all times, Thaivisa.com has today obtained official clarification on this matter.
Earlier this afternoon, Thaivisa.com spoke to Deputy Commander and Police Colonel Voravat Amornvivat, a senior official at Immigration headquarters in Bangkok.
Deputy Commander Voravat wanted to reassure the expat community in Thailand about the current situation.
He told Thaivsia.com that information in an article published by The Nation on 31 July 2014, was incorrect.
Deputy Commander Voravat confirmed that foreign tourists and expats do not need to carry their passports with them at all times.

He said that tourists can of course leave their passports locked in their hotel safe and enjoy their holiday in Thailand without worrying about the need to carry their original passport.

Deputy Commander Voravat also said that for expats living here, a Thai driving license or photocopy of your passport can be used as a form of identification.
However, if Immigration Police suspect an individual to be overstaying in Thailand or being involved in illegal activity, then the individual would be required to produce their original passport promptly.

what is accepted is a copy of your passport and your current visa, which is what they are really looking for now
if your picked up without it they allow you to contact someone to bring it in.

New laws go into effect next month regarding overstays and blacklisting
http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2016/01 ... z40csweWp3

Carrying Your Passport: It is required by Thai law that Thai citizens AND all visitors MUST carry proper identification at all times. This must be presented upon demand by a Police Officer or other legitimate Government Official.

kiwiincambodia wrote:

Username Taken wrote:

More than 100 officers raided nightclubs along Pattaya’s famed Walking Street early Friday morning and took dozens of foreigners in for interrogation because they were not holding passports.

. . . . which ended up finding at least 30 foreigners without their passports.

. . . . and were reportedly released after they were able to show their passports to police.

Since when was it compulsory to carry your passport in Thailand?

It always has been.

Normally they don't inspect them like this.

phuketrichard wrote:SO ur taking the word from some clueless posters on ta vs the deputy commander in Thailand
Next u will be quoting Lonely Planet guide

its all about the overstays and the new policy starting next month
plus they just busted the biggest forger /supplier of passports recently in Bangkok.

Thailand along with many other countries in Asia requires you to carry your passport everywhere you travel, and photocopies are not acceptable, although very few people carry their travel documents all the time.

"By law, you must carry your passport with you at all times in Thailand. Tourists have been arrested because they were unable to produce their passport upon request. Ensure you complete the next of kin details section in the back of your passport. "

Link :
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand