Phuket immigration warns of drive on foreign stay reports

PHUKET: The Immigration Police have urged all hotels, resorts, and other accommodation providers, including owners of villas for rent, must begin reporting details of foreigners staying with them by the end of April, or face prosecution.



By Nattha Thepbamrung

Friday 29 March 2013, 06:05PM

Capt Angkhan Yasanop (foreground) and colleagues visit a small hotel to explain the system – and the law – to front desk staff.

Capt Angkhan Yasanop confirmed that this includes owners of private homes when they have foreign friends or relatives staying with them, whether they pay for accommodation or not.

“It is the law that the owner of a residence or a hotel manager who has foreign guests staying must report to the local Immigration Office within 24 hours. It is also Royal Thai Police policy to enforce this,” Capt Angkhan said.

“We are trying to publicise this before we begin doing random checks.

“This campaign will help in locating foreigners in Phuket. At the moment, whenever we have to contact them [for example missing person cases] it is hard to find them, so this will be useful.

“Also, it is convenient for everyone – the owner or manager, the Immigration Police and other relevant departments – to check the basic information on each foreigner visiting the island. If someone is living here illegally or has a criminal record, we can find out more easily.”

The random-check team, led by Pol Col Sanchai Chokkayaikij, Superintendent of Phuket Immigration, will start checking accommodation from the end of next month. If they find owners or managers breaking the law, “they will prosecute strictly”, Capt Angkhan said.

Owners or managers can report in three ways: By going to the Phuket Immigration Office on Phuket Rd, Phuket Town (near Saphan Hin), by mail to the Immigration office at 482 Phuket Rd, Tambon Talad Yai, Muang, Phuket 83000; or by making an online (for businesses only).

Note that for online reports, the owner or manager, must first register by going to the Immigration Office. Only then will a user name and password be issued for making online reports. Details of this process may be seen by visiting the Immigration website and clicking on “Notification of residence for foreigners”.

The penalty for failing to report is B8,000 per guest per day.