Europe trade body wants end to TM30

The European Association for Business and Commerce has proposed an immediate end to the TM30 24-hour reporting and TM28 change-of-permanent-address immigration forms.

The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) has proposed an immediate end to the TM30 24-hour reporting and TM28 change-of-permanent-address immigration forms.

The EABC represents the interests of the European business community in the kingdom.

It submitted the request to Thai officials including Kobsak Pootrakool, deputy secretary-general for political affairs to the prime minister; Gen Anupong Paojinda, the Minister of the Interior; and Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang, the Immigration Bureau chief.

Jan Eriksson, President of the EABC, said, "The immigration form TM30, or 24-hour reporting, requires property owners and lessors to report the movements of foreigners using such properties.

Both Thai citizens and foreigners have found the situation difficult and unnecessary, and the situation has caused some unfortunately negative views about Thailand, both as an investment and a 'doing-business' location, and as a tourism destination. This is surely not good."

A completed TM30 form is now a prerequisite to using normal visa services. "We commend the government for taking positive steps to make it easier to do business. Currently, we feel that the TM30 is undoing those good achievements," he said.

"It is hard to see how security which relies on self-disclosure can be a useful solution," he added.