Improvements made to TM30 online as business leaders call for review of controversial reporting requirement
Immigration officials have said new measures already put in place should help to reduce the waiting time for applicants to receive a username and password in order to file a TM30 report online.
For months, expats have taken to Thaivisa to air their frustrations at the delays at being able to properly register for the TM30 online system, with scores of reports of people having to wait up to six weeks before they have been sent a username and password.
However, speaking to
Khaosod English, Col. Thatchapong Sarawanangkul from Immigration Division 1, said it should now take around one week to receive a username and password.
Col. Thatchapong, who also spoke on the matter of TM30 at the Foreign Correspondents Club earlier this month, reiterated that delays with online system are mainly due to applicants failing to submit the correct documentation.
“Someone even sent us a selfie of himself and his Thai wife, instead of a document,” Col. Thatchapong told Khaosod.
While some users are still reporting delays with the online system, recent weeks have seen a small but noticeable increase in reports on Thaivisa from people who have successfully been able to use the TM30 online system (
hereand
here).
The interview with Khaosod also touched on the strain the Immigration Bureau finds itself under having to cope with 35 million tourists who visit Thailand each year, millions of migrant workers from neighbouring countries and a significant expat community.
Read the article in full
here.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Post reported on Saturday that the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand have called for a “significant review” of the TM30 reporting requirement.
"Ease of doing business is a hallmark of any nation's attractiveness for trade, investment and tourism. We commend the government for positive steps in 'ease of doing business'. Currently TM30 is undoing those good achievements. Our neighbours do not have this continuous tracking requirement, Chairman of the JFCCT, Stanley Kang told the Bangkok Post.
Earlier this week, the controversial TM30 reporting requirement received international news coverage when it was reported by the
BBC.
The report highlighted the plight of a 25 year old English teacher from the US, who said that TM30 and other immigration related issues had made her feel not welcome in Thailand.
Earlier this month the issue of TM30 also featured in the
Nikkei Asia Review, where is was called “draconian”, “a Cold War relic” and “inhibits freedom of movement”.
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/11...eview-of-controversial-reporting-requirement/
