Protecting your Passport

[bucknaway]

I admit that I never carry my passport with me when I am in Thailand. I keep it locked-up in my room safe. On my last trip I went to a copy shop in Pattaya and they made a laminated copy of my Passport & visa to carry in my wallet. I plan to do that again when I return. The thing is that I must soon renew my passport and I now find that they offer a passport card. I am wondering if the passport card would be of use when walking around Thailand?
[attachment=0:1f8b7lx2]passport.jpg[/attachment:1f8b7lx2]

[Beachlover]

Will the passport card contain the visa stamp?

[Thai Dyed]

No! The passport card will not contain a visa stamp. Thai law mandates that you carry your passport with you at all times. If you decide to "wing it" then you better have a photocopy of the visa page as well. But be aware you are technically breaking the law if you are not in possession of your actual passport.

This is copied from the American government site and is explicit about what the passport card is used for:

The passport card is the wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea.

The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international travel by air.

Thai Dyed is correct, you are meant to carry your passport around with you in Thailand. This question has cropped up so many times in various posts, I have never heard of or come across anyone who was arrested for not having their passport on them. Normally a photocopy of both the main page and the visa page will surfice if requested to show it, so I should think that the passport card along with a photocopy of the relevant visa page would be more than adequate. If you go off the main tourist track then I would recommend that you have the original with you.

[stkyricesf]

The only major problem I have with carrying my passport is during songram (Thai New Year). Even wrapped in plastic, it got damp and of course going through thai immigration going back home I got stopped. Like most I leave my passport in the room safe during this time now. :headbang:

[bucknaway]

The reason I ask is because as things become new, situations change. What was the norm for yesterday may be outdated today.

In asking this question today someone may have a bit of information that we all can use. :hello2:

[fedssocr]

you can get protective covers for your passport. I got one that's leather and it helps to keep the passport from getting sweaty in tropical climates which tends to make the thing start to curl. But they also make plastic ones.

[Geezer]

I am a born loser, tending to lose anything not attached to me. Consequently I have devised ways to insure I do not lose things.

The number of people wringing their hands at the challenge of carrying a passport without danger of loosing it is mystifying. There are many ways of carrying them safely.

A short time ago a poster mentioned having a pocket on the inside of his shirt. My shirts have zippered pockets inside the breast pockets. They have the additional advantage of being deep enough to hold airline tickets. Having such things done in Thailand is easily accomplished.

Just stop by one of the many sweatshops which do the actual work of the numerous avaricious, mendacious, untrustworthy Indian тАЬtailorsтАЭ blighting the sidewalks of Pattaya.

Stop by a pharmacy and they will have sturdy plastic bags which precisely fit your passport. If you see me, ask and IтАЩll give you a couple.

[allieb]

You are breaking the law each time you take a prostitute away with you. You are breaking the law by using viagara or cialis without a prescription. You are breaking the law at after hours drinking dens, And goodness knows what else.

I will never carry my passport with me for fear of loosing it damaging it or being mugged. I don't give a shit what the Thai law says about it,it stays in my room safe. If they want to make an issue about it, which I doubt, then so be it. I would advise every body to do the same as me and carry a copy. A lost passport ore even a damaged passport is a major fucking issue to put right. Been there done that.

I will never carry my passport with me for fear of loosing it damaging it or being mugged. I don't give a shit what the Thai law says about it,it stays in my room safe. If they want to make an issue about it, which I doubt, then so be it. I would advise every body to do the same as me and carry a copy. A lost passport ore even a damaged passport is a major fucking issue to put right. Been there done that.

I couldn't agree more allieb. If a poster is that concerned then carry it, why bother asking if your going to do it anyway?

[cdnmatt]

I will never carry my passport with me for fear of loosing it damaging it or being mugged. I don't give a shit what the Thai law says about it,it stays in my room safe. If they want to make an issue about it, which I doubt, then so be it. I would advise every body to do the same as me and carry a copy. A lost passport ore even a damaged passport is a major fucking issue to put right. Been there done that.

Same here. Doesn't matter what the police or government say, I'm not packing my passport everywhere I go. I don't even take my bank / credit cards with me, and if it's late at night, won't even take my wallet. Just a bit of cash for what I need. I'm hardly about to carry my passport about everywhere.

For example, every night I goto the local market (gotta get going actually -- dogs are hungry), and there's hundreds of people there at the same time. Everyone gets off work, and goes to the market to get their shit for dinner. I'm hardly about to wander around there with my passport in my back pocket.

Everyone ..goes to the market to get their shit for dinner....

Au contraire - I think that's a VERY specialised meal choice - only for connoissewers.

And I hear you can have it posted to you these days, absolutely no need to go out at all!


:occasion9:

No, i do not carry my passport around when i am out in the town. I just keep it in the hotel room safe and carry my ID in my wallet. As far as the new passport card, I think it is not valid in Thailand and most part of the world, it was meant to use for traveling neighbor country to the US like Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

[Beachlover]

The only major problem I have with carrying my passport is during songram (Thai New Year). Even wrapped in plastic, it got damp...
It shouldn't get damp if you put it in a proper zip-lock bag.

Just don't do what I did and spill a high DDT-content insect repellent on it (DDT melts through plastic). It melted through the plastic cover over my passport and part of my passport too (luckily not the important parts). If I hadn't had plastic over it to take part of the hit my passport would've been a complete gonner.


you can get protective covers for your passport. I got one that's leather and it helps to keep the passport from getting sweaty in tropical climates which tends to make the thing start to curl. But they also make plastic ones.
Hmmm... leather ones are a good idea. I have a plastic cover, which came with the passport but I don't use it when it's in my pocket because it's got sharp edges and digs into me so my passport's getting a bit tatty. A nice slim leather case would be useful. Might go hunting for one or just get someone to make one for me.


My shirts have zippered pockets inside the breast pockets. They have the additional advantage of being deep enough to hold airline tickets. Having such things done in Thailand is easily accomplished.
Nice idea... but wouldn't it be a pain to get it done for ALL your shirt pockets? Still, I'm thinking of getting some sewn on the inside of my jeans (only need 1-2 pairs) to protect against pickpockets when I'm in places where they're a serious threat.


Au contraire - I think that's [shit] a VERY specialised meal choice - only for connoissewers.
Seems to be popular on Gaybutton's board... they dedicated a 30+ page thread to it LOL.


And I hear you can have it posted to you these days, absolutely no need to go out at all!
Scottish... what did I say about posting your turds to people? It's unbecoming! :occasion9:

[bing]

I tend to leave the passport in the safe located in the hotel, but when I do carry it, I use a plastic sandwich bag from Walmart. The bag has a press to close type zipper on top of the bag so it is water proof. The reason one may not like the sandwich bag is that the passport is much smaller than the bag and the bag needs to be folded around the passport. This is an effective way to carry the passport in water proof pouch at almost no cost.

[Thor69]

The best place to store your passport in in your hotel room safe. Although illegal not to carry on your person, a good copy with the visa page will suffice unless you run into an officer that needs a few extra baht. He may ask for a 100-200 baht bribe or as one did accompany me to my hotel to actually view the passport. With all the trouble it is to get a replacement passport, should you lose yours, I wouldn't bother carrying mine around. Just take what you need, some local currency, your driver's license and maybe one credit card. Leave the rest safely stored away.

Has anyone ever personally known someone who was either arrested or made to pay a bribe for not having their passport on them? I most certainly have not, and that's in nearly 30 years.

Au contraire - I think that's [shit] a VERY specialised meal choice - only for connoissewers.
Seems to be popular on Gaybutton's board... they dedicated a 30+ page thread to it LOL.

Funny how you keep bringing up not only Gaybutton but his poo thread as well.
Of course we all know about your Gaybutton obsession but I think it's safe to say that you are a bit of a coprophiliac as well since you are always bringing it up.

[netrix]

Thai law mandates that you carry your passport with you at all times.

Thai law also dictates that prostitution is illegal. meh. :tongue3:

I tend to leave the passport in the safe located in the hotel,

End of story. I have three or four so just toss in one that I could miss, think its the Caymens at least its common wealth.

Walmart, please dont say or for one minute imply that Walmart has reached Thailand I've just spent three years on a campaign trying to get Tescos thrown out, Walmart are you sure????? You 're going to get dear Teepee up from the grave with this reckless use of the English language.:tard:

[Geezer]

Has anyone ever personally known someone who was either arrested or made to pay a bribe for not having their passport on them? I most certainly have not, and that's in nearly 30 years.
A car I was in was stopped at road block on the way to Khorat. An officer asked for my passport, and I offered him a copy. He smiled with delight, and the issue was resolved with 500 bt.

[cdnmatt]

Thai law mandates that you carry your passport with you at all times.

Thai law also dictates that prostitution is illegal. meh. :tongue3:

heh, that does give a funny visualization of some guy walking into a go-go bar in Sunee plaza with passport in his pocket, eh?

Has anyone ever personally known someone who was either arrested or made to pay a bribe for not having their passport on them? I most certainly have not, and that's in nearly 30 years.
A car I was in was stopped at road block on the way to Khorat. An officer asked for my passport, and I offered him a copy. He smiled with delight, and the issue was resolved with 500 bt.

Geezer if you read my original post in answer to the OP I advised:


combat wrote:
If you go off the main tourist track then I would recommend that you have the original with you.

If i was driving up country etc.. I always had it with me, but in cases when I was stopped I only showed my Thai Drivers licence which was sufficient.

[chillnorth]

At the risk of cross-posting, what about putting your passport in a condom for Songkran?

I've yet to have a non-tourist or immigration situation other than opening a bank account in which a photocopy of the passport with visa stamps did not suffice. Which proably assures I'll be shaken down tomorrow morning for not carrying the real thing.

[quiet1]

Regarding the police requiring foreigners to carry their passport, keep in mind two different types of "police:" The "B.I.B." commonly seen around town valiantly and bravely fighting crime at every turn (like the citizenry not wearing a moto-sai helmet), and another type, the Immigrations Police who one normally sees in the Immigrations Offices around the country and at the airport Immigrations counters.

The "B.I.B." (surely there's a better way to describe them?) usually don't care so much about your immigration status, but the Immigrations Police surely do. The latter, if for any reason are interested in you or your actions, will insist on seeing your actual passport. The B.I.B., however are usually just concerned with identification, and a Thai drivers license or a photocopy of your passport's picture page will suffice for them.

So, in general, you can feel "safe" not carrying your passport on your person. After all, how many times do the Immigrations Police have the occasion to cross your path? Except, have you noticed, they often accompany the "B.I.B" to bar raids?

I do carry my passport at all times. I got used to that when I lived in Japan. Twice, I was hauled to the local "kooban" (police box) for not having my passport with me. No, I wasn't arrested, but didn't want to push my luck with a third time. (They made entries into some police log each time.)

[gra46]

I also never carry my paasport with me in thailand ,i carry a copy and my drivers license
I take 2 dry bags with me especially in the Songkran 1 small one made from a waterproof fabric which is so small ,i use this just for my phone and wallet
the 2nd one is a medium size for the songkran i use this for camera ,phone ,wallet,towel ,spare shirt and my bf personal stuff also
A dry bag can be bought from ebay or a camping or a boating store it especially used for water sports example kayaking ,camping,fishing and boating
the larger one has shoulder straps so ideal for when out on the motor bike,both these bags can be folder down and pack in your luggage easily

[attachment=1:3knmdam8]8litre fabric.jpg[/attachment:3knmdam8]

[attachment=0:3knmdam8]10 litre viniyl.jpg[/attachment:3knmdam8]

[Beachlover]

Dry bags are handy, but unless you're about to start crossing rivers or jumping in the sea, a zip lock bag should really suffice for small stuff and a shopping bag for larger stuff. Use two if need be. Even for Songkran.

[Surfcrest]

Walmart, please dont say or for one minute imply that Walmart has reached Thailand I've just spent three years on a campaign trying to get Tescos thrown out, Walmart are you sure?????

Take a deep breath of that Hong Kong smog you live in. That's Walmart, courtesy of all the $ 1.99 crap they make up in Guangzhou. You might want to spend 3 years focusing on what matters more to you and little Lawrence.

By the way, how's that ESL thing working out for you? I couldn't imagine living in Hong Kong with a small baby, 4 passports and on those kind of wages. I still think you would have been much better off as a Go Go boy, with all those stories about your amazing dick size.

[gra46]

Dry bags are the way to go especially in thailand instead of a back pack use the dry bag it more cheaper than a back back and it enviroment safe not like the plastic bags you talking about BL.
you look around and these dry bags you can get a bargain on .
Like you say in the songkran if you have been in the middle of one it like crossing a river or jumping in the sea ,
The bigger dry bag is basically a back pack and again on a motor bike or just walking around it is very handy
BL everything i suguest you go the other way on ,like the airport bts
All im trying to say everyone has there way off doing things and all im doing is saying what i do ,that the ideaa of this board to tell others about what we do in Thailand and how we can help each other
like the thai saying UP TO YOU what you use dry bag or plastic bag
same same but it not a dry bag can be used every where as like a normal bag but waterproof ,i want to keep my things dry and a plastic bag is not good enough

[Thor69]

Funny how you keep bringing up not only Gaybutton but his poo thread as well.
Of course we all know about your Gaybutton obsession but I think it's safe to say that you are a bit of a coprophiliac as well since you are always bringing it up.

It's not funny, it's sad. Why would someone would dedicate that much space about such a disgusting subject. Anyone in their right mind would have deleted the thread in the first place. He claims to have an iron fist but in this case he has it, along with his head, shoved up his ass! :violent1:

[colmx]

Dry bags are handy, but unless you're about to start crossing rivers or jumping in the sea, a zip lock bag should really suffice for small stuff and a shopping bag for larger stuff. Use two if need be. Even for Songkran.

Nothing is safe enough for valuables during songkran in pattaya!

The ziplock back is fine for an occasional splash.... but certainly not sufficemt for teh drenching that everyone gets on April 18-19th..
Just 8 weeks to go till teh mayhem begins!

[gra46]

Dry bags are handy, but unless you're about to start crossing rivers or jumping in the sea, a zip lock bag should really suffice for small stuff and a shopping bag for larger stuff. Use two if need be. Even for Songkran.

Nothing is safe enough for valuables during songkran in pattaya!

The ziplock back is fine for an occasional splash.... but certainly not sufficemt for teh drenching that everyone gets on April 18-19th..
Just 8 weeks to go till teh mayhem begins!
Yes well said that why i recommend the dry bag as the last 3 years i been the songkran and i like to get involved with the thais in this wonderful time ,I will be once again up far north and to see the young children faces when they drown a white man is just awesome .My BF dosent understand why i want to get so wet ,I just confuse him more and say im An Aussie not a POMMIE,sorry to you nice englishmen but had to throw that in .

[Beachlover]

Nothing is safe enough for valuables during songkran in pattaya!

The ziplock back is fine for an occasional splash.... but certainly not sufficemt for teh drenching that everyone gets on April 18-19th..
Just 8 weeks to go till teh mayhem begins!
I don't know how you guys close your zip lock bags, but I've used zip locks to keep cameras and such safe while crossing rivers, kayaking in the ocean and such.

I agree dry bags are the best but it seems a bit of an overkill for an urban environment (water drenching or not) to me. Whatever works for you...

I agree with gra45 that a dry bag is good for bigger stuff like towels and other things for the beach and such... but I wouldn't bother if I was just carrying a wallet and phone.

If you are dressed in a singlet and shorts, soaking wet with a water pistol/gun in your hand it's highly unlikely that anyone (the BIB are always made prime targets during Songkran) is going to stop you and politely ask to see identity. So why all this worry about something that just isn't worth worrying about, leave it in your hotel where it's safe and dry?

... why all this worry about something that just isn't worth worrying about, leave it in your hotel where it's safe and dry?

If sex-tourists paid as much attention to the various legalities of prostitution as they seem to pay to those of passport-carrying, there would be MORE people chilled and many FEWER in the cooler.


:occasion9:

If sex-tourists paid as much attention to the various legalities of prostitution as they seem to pay to those of passport-carrying, there would be MORE people chilled and many FEWER in the cooler. :occasion9:

You have it in one Scotty.

leave it in your hotel where it's safe and dry?

Perhaps a better question is has anyone actually been asked for their passport before? If I were to attract that sort of police attention then I'm sure I'd need bribe money from the hotel safe, anyway. heh.

[cdnmatt]

If you are dressed in a singlet and shorts, soaking wet with a water pistol/gun in your hand it's highly unlikely that anyone (the BIB are always made prime targets during Songkran) is going to stop you and politely ask to see identity. So why all this worry about something that just isn't worth worrying about, leave it in your hotel where it's safe and dry?

Agreed. Why would anyone in their right mind pack their passport around during Songkran? Especially when you're hauling your new 18yo boyfriend around who you're paying 1500/day, which in itself, is far more illegal than not carrying a passport. It's Songkran. The streets are wall-to-wall with people, and nobody cares about anything. All the cops care about are scraping the dead bodies off the street, after trucks plow into the motorcycle of a drunken driver.

[gra46]

If you are dressed in a singlet and shorts, soaking wet with a water pistol/gun in your hand it's highly unlikely that anyone (the BIB are always made prime targets during Songkran) is going to stop you and politely ask to see identity. So why all this worry about something that just isn't worth worrying about, leave it in your hotel where it's safe and dry?

Agreed. Why would anyone in their right mind pack their passport around during Songkran? Especially when you're hauling your new 18yo boyfriend around who you're paying 1500/day, which in itself, is far more illegal than not carrying a passport. It's Songkran. The streets are wall-to-wall with people, and nobody cares about anything. All the cops care about are scraping the dead bodies off the street, after trucks plow into the motorcycle of a drunken driver.
The topic is protecting your passport
like i stated i copy mine and never take the original outside ever
the copy one with camera phone ciggarettes towel spare shirt and vaulables are to be protected so i use a dry bag ,i hav like i said before 2 different types a smaller one and a medium one
depends on the day .
cdnmatt when you say something like an 18 yo at 1500/a day direct it at the right people ,you make it sound like that all on this board are doing just this ,the last 3 songkrans i been i have been with 1 boy
the same boy who is NOT 18 and is NOT 1500 a day he the one boy i share my life with in thailand .
Your getting attacked in another post so that coment here is basically baiting and attacking the trolls over there

Why would anyone in their right mind pack their passport around during Songkran? Especially when you're hauling your new 18yo boyfriend around who you're paying 1500/day, which in itself, is far more illegal than not carrying a passport. It's Songkran. The streets are wall-to-wall with people, and nobody cares about anything. All the cops care about are scraping the dead bodies off the street, after trucks plow into the motorcycle of a drunken driver.

From what I've seen many tourists aren't in their right mind! :bounce: