What is TM30 form?
According to Bangkok Post, the TM30 is a form that landlords which provide accommodation to foreigners must submit to the authorities within 24 hours of the arrival of their tenants. By law, landlords must submit the form to authorities every time their tenants return to the country. Landlords and tenants who fail to comply face fines of between 800 to 2,000 baht, although the sum seems to differ across different immigration offices.
Due to confusing and alarming reports on the reinforcement of TM30, I decided to do my 90 Days Report earlier than scheduled. I went to Chaengwattana Immigration Office on Monday afternoon for my 90 Days Report. For facts, I arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on May 12, 2019 after a three-week holiday in the Philippines. I didn’t notify my address and this was the first time I reported. I was told by other Filipinos who were also there that I would be fined 800 baht for not notifying my address within 24 hours (48 hours at most) upon arrival but thank God it didn’t happen. The immigration officer just went on processing my 90 Days Report without asking any questions. Same thing happened to another Filipina I met at the immigration. This Filipina, who has been working in Bangkok for 15 years, arrived last May 5 and never reported. Both our 90 Days Report were smoothly processed.
Just FYI, I moved to my current place (a serviced hotel/apartment) on January 31 this year before the strict reinforcement of regulations regarding the so-called TM30 form as outlined in the 1979 Immigration Act. Meanwhile, the Filipina I met has been living at the same place since 2012.
When I got back to my hotel, I talked to the receptionist and explained what happened. She said I didn’t have to notify my address because I have a work permit. She further explained that the hotel has been sending daily report to the immigration.
Meanwhile, my colleague who came back from China last April processed his 90 Days Report online and got approved the following day. He also didn’t pay anything despite not reporting to any immigration office. He has been living in the same place since 2017.
On the other hand, some Filipinos who also went to Chaengwattana Immigration on Monday were fined 800 baht. They were also asked to notify their addresses first before they can process their 90 Days. Two of them just moved in to a new place.
My one cent: Check with your landlords whether they are submitting their reports (TM30) to the Immigration to avoid paying penalties.
