Carrying Passport

[Stantheman]

Question for long time Udon residents, do you carry your country's passport whenever you are out and about town, or only when you know will be needed. My first day out went with wife to get a Sim card for phone and had forgot it. Fortunately they accepted wife's Thai Id.

[can123]

I carry photocopies of my passport and car insurance in the glove compartment of my pickup. Photocopies of my biometric details page and visa page in my wallet together with my Thai driving licence. My passport is usually kept in a concealed safe at home.

[FrazeeDK]

I keep a photo copy of my PPT and Extension in my car and also have both my PPT face page and Extension on my phone...

[Doodoo]

At your own risk

Article #1
"Yes, there is a requirement for all tourists to carry their passports in Thailand at all times. Thai authorities might request to show a passport during raids on nightclubs, at roadblocks, and on other occasions. It is possible to get around Thailand without carrying a passport, but there is a risk of 2000 Baht fine for not having a passport with you"
Note it says "TOURISTS" this one article
https://thailandtravelessentials.com/do ... -thailand/

Article #2
Do I have to carry my passport in Thailand?
Thailand coast with cliffs and a boat
Thailand, like many other Asian countries, requires international travelers to carry their passports wherever they travel, and photocopies are not acceptable; however, not many people carry their passports all the time.
https://travelonthefly.com/do-i-have-to ... -thailand/

Article #3

Do You Have to Carry Your Passport in Thailand?
Different countries follow different passport requirements. As a result, many tourists are often unsure whether to carry their passports or leave them behind. So, should you carry your passport with you in Thailand?

Thai laws state that everyone, including its residents and citizens, must always have a valid ID when leaving their homes. Since U.S. tourists do not have locally issued identification documents, they should have their passports as proof of identification. However, the requirements are flexible. In cases where the original passport is unavailable, you can use a copy of the passport, a driver’s license, or any other acceptable ID. The passport is only a necessity in the following cases:

When you have to produce identification at a police check: If police officers stop you on suspicion of criminal activity, they will request your original passport to identify you. They may also ask for legal status, e.g., a visa.
When you have committed a traffic offense, e.g., overspeeding or jumping a light.
When you want to access government services: Suppose you want to get married, start a business, or do anything that requires government approval. You will need to present your original passport.
When checking into a hotel or rental, renting a car, getting on a boat, or taking a domestic flight: Thai law requires flight operators, hotels, and business proprietors to take copies of travelers’ passports for identification reasons. Moreover, having your passport during flights and boat rides helps you comply with the random police checks.
Where the actual passport is necessary, it should be valid and in good condition. Aside from the cases above, carrying your passport is unnecessary, and you can instead use copies of the passport in digital or hard copies.
https://www.travelvisapro.com/blog/pass ... n-thailand

So as you can see, different OPINIONS are presented here in the world of the Internet. SO, you want an answer GO TO THE SOURCE, IMMIGRATION and ask

[tamada]

Your passport is required for business at government offices, the bank, the post office, getting or re-registering a SIM card, checking into a hotel, buying a plane ticket, checking-in and boarding the plane. Any others?

Some people manage to achieve some of the above WITHOUT their passport. Over the years, I have managed several of the above tasks without my passport too but it's nothing to crow about.

I don't carry a copy of it or the visa or extension pages either but it's probably a good idea to have a picture of it on your phone. That way, when something untoward happens, the cops or rescue people will be able to plaster it all over the internet without your permission.

PS: You DO have lock screen or PIN or password protection on your phone, don't you?

[Doodoo]

Other countries have the same rule , example Kazakhstan you had to have a Passport on person.
I had a friend who was on a bus with me escorted off to the Police Station

[can123]

The question related to whenever and not specific instances. It is very simple to carry photocopies.

[glalt]

I keep a picture of my passport on my phone and also a reduced size copy in my wallet. I very rarely get checked but it satisfies them. I also have pictures of my latest extension stamp.

[newtovillagelife]

Never carry my passport, unless I need it for some banking, or a visit to Immigration. I've been stopped by the Police several times in the past, and my Thai drivers license is all they required. When flying domestically my Thai drivers license has also been accepted in lieu of my passport.

[tamada]

The question related to whenever and not specific instances. It is very simple to carry photocopies.

Whenever I KNOW that it will be needed, I carry it. I have no idea of when a cop or someone else may specifically ask to see it and in those circumstances, it's just too bad.

It's as simple to forget to carry photocopies (or destroy them in the laundry) as it is for the cop or someone else to refuse to accept them.

[Potamoi]

Question for long time Udon residents, do you carry your country's passport whenever you are out and about town, or only when you know will be needed.

I carry mine for only a few rare reasons:
- Banking in person
- Visa extension or other IMM office visits
- Work permit extension annually
- Post office EMS or Kerry Express shipping (even then generally a photo will work)
- If I were to change my phone or internet fibre plan in person but I would need to bring one or two old passports too
- Getting the Wing 23 gate pass the first time (I think)

I too keep a pic on my phone of all relevant pages but find my DL or Pink card work for all other queries including domestic flights.

Even surprise visits from IMM to my place of work are handled with showing them a photo on my office PC. The way I look at it is I have managed to wash three out of my last four passports from carrying it around unnecessarily so in the safe it goes until actually needed. I can't be trusted 55

I don't bother with photocopies any longer.

[sometimewoodworker]

I almost always have my passport with me, but there are extremely few occasions that it is the only acceptable document.
The only occasions in the last year were for international travel, a few times, for SWMBO’s visa but a colour copy was enough and. SCB bank, other banks use the pink card.

So domestically the pink card or Thai DL are the only documents needed, apart from the one bank

[Laan Yaa Mo]

I just carry my passport when I travel and stay overnight (Phanna Nikom, Sukhothai, Lopburi, Udon, Nan or visit the SCB bank). Prior to the past year, I carried it everywhere I went when I was on a tourist or a student visa.

[JamesMichael]

Over twenty years never packed passport with me. Now i take drivers licence and pink card, seem to work everywhere.

[maaka]

I carry mine, as I get stopped alot on my big motorbike, and even the post office, where they know me, still want to see it as proof of ID when picking up a parcel..most of the time it is not needed my me, but then a curved ball from out field pops up out of nowhere, and there it is onhand...each to his own, but it is a legal requirement..

[jackspratt]

...... but then a curved ball from out field pops up out of nowhere, and there it is onhand...

Lovely mixed metaphor there, maaka.

Pitchers throw curve(ed) balls - if outfielders start throwing them, the infielder receiving them is going to be in all sorts of trouble.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

Wait until the outfielders start tossing knuckleballs from deep centre field.