Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing TM 30, kind of a bane of many expats’ existence this TM30. That said, something we have to deal with nonetheless. 

I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Pattaya Mail, pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Summary of Thai visas available: January 2024. Quoting directly: "Visa exempt arrivals with a 30-day stamp can obtain a further 30 days on application at Immigration with a fee of 1,900 baht. They must fill in an extension form, provide a passport photo and - crucially - provide evidence of their local address on a separate form known as TM30. Evidence would normally be a receipt from the hotel or a property lease, or proof of ownership of a condominium or residence. This proof of address is required as soon as possible after arrival and must be renewed every time the tourist re-enters Thailand." We have done videos discussing that in detail and at length. Quoting further: "Many hotels in condominiums automatically register their guests online with Immigration. If so, they will have an official confirmation from Immigration which the tourist will need if requiring a service from Immigration such as extending their stay, or as part of the bureaucracy to open a bank account."

As we have discussed in other videos, yeah TM30 is just increasingly required. I personally think it is kind of fallout from the phase out of the so-called TM6 at airports, we no longer have that so TM30 has kind of been brought in by Thai Immigration to fill the gap. It just kind of is what it is. I have discussed this with a lot of expats who have their own ideas about how things could be done better. I get it but at the end of the day the Immigration system just sort of is what it is and it looks to me like we are going to be dealing with TM30 at least until the relatively far end of the foreseeable future.