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]

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[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?