This could be an important bit of news for those of you on one-year visas, etc and need to report your home address to Thai immigration every 90 days - otherwise known as the '90-day reporting'

Today, I did the 90-day reporting in person at my local Samut Prakarn immigration office. It seems that the rules have changed at least in terms of the number of documents you need to photocopy and submit.

I normally either do my 90-day reporting by post or I leave the country for a holiday (which sets the clock back to zero) However, today I needed to do my one-year visa extension and obtain a multiple re-entry permit. So why not do the 90-day reporting as well while I was at the office - and effectively kill three birds with one stone? 

Before I left home, I took a quick look at the Samut Prakarn Immigration website, which is now maintained and updated by Mr Richard Barrow (so at least we know the man behind it is someone who actually cares about the info being correct)

According to the website this is the current list of requirements (whether you are applying in person or by post) The list is as follows;

Photocopy of passport pages with following pages

1 - page showing name / surname / passport number
2 - page showing current visa stamp
3 - last entry stamp of immigration (when you last entered Thailand)
4 - last extension of visa (in my case a retirement extension issued one year ago)

And also

5 - Photocopy of house registration or rental contract (may be needed to show proof of your address even though the property is not in your name)
6 - Photocopy of departure card TM.6
7 - Previous notifications of staying over 90 days (if any)
8 - Completely filled in and signed notification form TM.47

In past years, I have only ever submitted number 8 on the above list (the TM.47 form) and that's really been it. Job done in five minutes or less. 

Last year was the first time I have ever been asked for another document. As well as number 8, I was asked for a photocopy of my passport photo page (number 1 on the list)

This year, I was asked for EVERY single document from 1-8 on the list above.

Fortunately, I had checked the list on the Samut Prakarn website before I left home and remembered to take photocopies of the house registration book (as well as the original book itself). The house registration is NOT in my name but that doesn't matter. You are simply showing the officer where you currently live.

In conclusion, the 90-day reporting is not quite the walk in the park it once was. Not at Samut Prakarn immigration office anyway.  However, as always when it comes to Thai immigration offices, much depends on the mood of the officer and which way the wind is blowing. But this was my experience at immigration today. So be prepared to have all your ducks in a row.

In addition, this is why no-one can ever write the definitive guide to Thai immigration procedures. There is often a difference in the interpretation of the rules from one office to another.