Transcript of the above video:

For those who are unaware, the TM30, this is something that was a hot topic some years ago. It caused a lot of consternation in the expat community especially. Basically it is an address recording device here in Thailand. Now they have changed a number of the protocols associated with it, most notably the TM28 which was really onerous to deal with; that no longer exists. But the TM30 does. One still has to notify Immigration of one's address in Thailand and this has to be done fairly quickly after arriving in Thailand especially if the homeowner where one is staying does not report it. 

The reason I got to think of making this video is I was reading recent article in the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: All Immigration Offices closed on Monday December 12th. Yeah, good point, we are just coming off a holiday. Quoting further: "In an attempt to reduce stress, Pattaya Immigration office has now established in the car park a new base for newly arrived tourists to register their address on form TM30. This is a requirement where the hotel or condo doesn't do so, usually online and with an immigration receipt. The paperwork required with the TM30 is a copy passport (visa and ID page) and proof of residence which is typically a hotel receipt or condominium ownership certificate. Proof of TM 30 registration is needed to apply for Visa extensions or any other Immigration service during the stay in Thailand." 

A couple of things on there regarding requirements. That may be a Pattaya thing, a little bit nuanced. We have seen different offices ask for different things or not ask for certain things, so you will come in with one thing and they won’t want that, they will want something else. Again I am not going to get too deep into that because it is going to vary based on the office. But it is good to see Thai Immigration sort of pulling out all the stops if you will to go ahead and facilitate smooth TM30 filing. TM30 really caused a kerfuffle again in the expat community, probably in the tourism community as well or the long-term tourism community, the folks that come over and kind of tour around the region and they have to deal with various immigration things. TM30 was definitely not a favourite topic of many, many expats and tourists lo these past few years.

So the thing to remember, yes you still need to file one, you need to deal with it. It is not as onerous as it once was when it comes to “oh I spent one day in some other house”, it is not like that anymore. That being said, if you do move, you have got to do a new TM30. If you are really worried about TM30 honestly, it is probably not a bad idea to contact a legal professional, gain some insight and guidance into how best to proceed.