Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing what has been described as the "most unpopular" requirement of Thai Immigration for foreigners here in the Kingdom.

This actually comes from a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: The Future of Thai Immigration Policy Somewhat Clearer. "Chayotid, (and that is an official noted earlier in the article and I urge those who are watching this video check this out, it is pattayamail.com, The Future of Thai Immigration Policy Somewhat Clearer. "Chayotid has raised the issue of abolishing the 90 days check-in for foreigners residing here longer than 3 months. This requirement is the most unpopular of all Immigration requirements although it is not required for Permanent Residents with a Red Police Book." Quoting further: "It was first introduced in the 1970s long before computerization contributed to border security or illegal immigration checks." Quoting further: "The most likely alternative to the 90-day check-in is a variant on Cambodia's computerized Foreigner Residence in Cambodia System (FPCS). This requires landlords and hotels or foreigners with a Cambodian property stake to register just once. Updates are necessary only if the individual changes address. The catch is that no foreigner may have a visa extension or renewal without registration on the national database." 

Now, a couple of interesting things. I definitely like the analysis in here. I definitely think, yeah it is possible we could see something akin to that system in Cambodia. That said, in a way we kind of already have that. Ever since they effectively abolished the address change reporting requirements associated with the TM 30, effectively now in a way TM 30 is kind of just a one-time thing and they backed off in a way of having to report every day you are out of this one particular address and you move over to another address. Again, that is a little bit of a gray area but the TM 30 is still paper based; it is kind of a pain. I know a lot of people really dislike dealing with TM 30 and yeah having a more online or a streamlined system associated with that would definitely be a boon to a lot of folks. 

That said, I do know folks, clients and friends, who are in Cambodia, and they have said that this Foreigner Residence in Cambodia System is kind of problematic system. Now again, this is just anecdotal. I am not trying to say anything about Cambodian Immigration out of school here but this is just what I have heard that it is not the most perfect thing in the world. “Whatever is?” might be the retort to.

90 day reporting may go away but I think in order to do that, the Immigration Act of '79 would actually have to be amended so we would presumably have to see some sort of act of Parliament to amend that particular law. I don't think it can be done regulatorily. Again, one man's opinion; I could be wrong on that. There were changes effectively as a practical matter made to the TM 30 system recently that basically happened in a regulatory framework, so it is possible, especially with an online system. I think an online system would probably meet the legal requirements under the Act without having to actually change the Act. It remains to be seen exactly how this would proceed but it would be nice to see at least a more streamlined system associated with 90-day reporting here in the Kingdom of Thailand.