USA Passport Card

[Guest Astrrro]

Passport Card is meant to be used in lieu of passport for travel to Canada, Carribean, etc.

 

But it seems to me it might be a nice thing to carry around since we're really supposed to carry our passport with us, though I've never encountered anyone who does.

 

It might also come in handy in case of a lost passport in that it "might" speed up an emergency replacement.

 

Only 20 bucks.

 

And with a chip that "could" trace which Sunee bars you frequent?

 

Anyone have one?

 

Passport Card

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Anyone have one?

 

Passport Card

I don't see any need for one while living here. I carry a photo copy of my passport in my wallet.

[Guest fountainhall]

Although not from the US, I also carry with me a laminated photocopy of the personal details page of my passport and the visa and re-entry permits. This keeps me on the right side of the law here and gives me instant information in case the passport is lost.

[Guest Geezer]

I was “fined” 500 bt. For not carrying my passport. When told I had a copy the nice officer didn’t care to see it.

[Gaybutton]

I've never encountered anyone who does.

Actually, yes you have. You've met me and I always carry my passport with me. That's mainly because I drive. If I'm ever in an accident and I'm without it, that could spell real trouble. However, with only a few exceptions, whenever I have been stopped by highway police for their routine checks, they always ask to see my driving license, but only very rarely ask to see my passport.

 

Geezer is correct. By Thai law, a foreigner is required to have his passport on his person at all times, just as the Thais are required to have their ID cards with them at all times. In most cases, if a farang is asked to produce his passport, but has only a copy with him, the police usually accept that without any problems, but technically they don't have to accept a copy at all.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

if a farang is asked to produce his passport, but has only a copy with him, the police usually accept that without any problems, but technically they don't have to accept a copy at all.

I have never been asked for a passport or any ID for that matter.

[Gaybutton]

I have never been asked for a passport or any ID for that matter.

I don't understand what point you are making. The fact that you have never been asked doesn't mean that you won't ever be asked or that others won't be asked. The point I'm making is that no matter what, Thai law still requires a farang to have his passport on his person at all times, regardless of whether you're carrying a photocopy or this passport card. Until Thai law is changed to say that the passport card is an acceptable substitute, then the police are under no obligation to honor it.

 

The same holds true for an international driving permit. Despite the fact that the permit is valid for a year, in Thailand it will be honored for only 90 days after entering the country. That's the way things work here.

 

I fail to see any reason in the world to spend $20 or $45, or whatever it is, to buy this passport card when it will be no more or less acceptable than a 1 baht photocopy. As I said, the police usually do accept photocopies. If you are unfortunate enough to end up with a police officer who wants your real passport, then this passport card will be of no more use to you than a photocopy would have been.

[Guest laurence]

Being a frequent visitor to both Canada and Mexico, the Passport Card sounds like a good idea. Especially in Mexico where I am wary of carrying my Passport with me.

[Gaybutton]

There is another little problem about the passport card. It isn't enough. When the police do check passports, they also invariably want to check your visa to make sure you're haven't overstayed. If you do opt for the passport card, I suggest at least also carrying a photocopy of your visa.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I don't understand what point you are making.

My only point was that I have been lucky not to have had police encounters. In a previous post I said that I carry a copy of my passport in my wallet.

[Gaybutton]

In a previous post I said that I carry a copy of my passport in my wallet.

Since you now drive a car, I suggest carrying your passport with you whenever you drive. If the police stop you and want to see your passport, they usually want to see the real passport, not a copy. In case of an accident, the first thing the insurance adjuster wants to see is your passport. At least that's the way it's been for me.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Since you now drive a car

I have a car, but my bf drives. I never drive here.

[Guest Geezer]

Am I unique?

 

When I check into a hotel I am usually asked for my passport. I have been refused registration when I had only a copy.

[Gaybutton]

Am I unique?

No, you're not unique at all. Every hotel in Thailand, even the smaller, out-of-the-way accommodations always require my actual passport whenever I check in.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Am I unique?

99% of the time my passport has been required for a hotel booking, but one time I had forgotten it and they accepted my copy.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I have a car, but my bf drives. I never drive here.

 

If the car you are riding in is stopped, they may want to see identification of some type, up to and including a passport.

 

I don't carry my passport when staying local in the Ubon area, but my bf drives most of the time. I have a copy of my passport and visa, and a driver's license. I have been asked for the driver's license at several road checks (donation centers), but never the passport.

 

When ever I travel outside the Ubon area, I carry my real passport.

[mahjongguy]

On to practical matters: is it possible to obtain the passport card while overseas? My reading of the State Dept. website says no, because you must mail in your passport in order to get the card.

[Gaybutton]

is it possible to obtain the passport card while overseas?

The telephone number for the USA embassy in Bangkok is 02-205-4000. Why not call them and ask?

[Guest]

I normally carry my passport when on holiday.

 

I do try to wear reasonably closely fitting jeans or looser trousers with zip up pockets, so stealing my passport would require at least some dexterity.

 

 

[mahjongguy]

The telephone number for the USA embassy in Bangkok is 02-205-4000. Why not call them and ask?

Because it was 5:08pm.

 

So now I just checked with them and was told that the process is similar to getting a passport renewed: you appear in person, fill out the form, pay the fee, and walk out with your current passport still in hand.

 

As discussed, the passport card is of minimal value to an American living in Thailand, of less value than a photocopy of the essential pages of your passport, and of less value than a recent Thai driver's license with your address on the back.

 

Still, it's kinda cool and if it's ever reasonably convenient for me I will get one.

[Gaybutton]

you appear in person, fill out the form, pay the fee, and walk out with your current passport still in hand.

Immediately or do you have to return to pick it up?

 

I can't figure out a practical use for it in Thailand that would make paying the fee for it worthwhile. I don't see how having one would do anything more for anyone than a photocopy of one's passport.

[mahjongguy]

Immediately or do you have to return to pick it up?

Same as a passport: go back and pick it up in 2 weeks or so.

 

I agree that it is not particularly useful for an American visiting or living in Thailand. I just said it looked cool and maybe next time I'm in The City I'll apply for one. I've spent $20 on worse things.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Same as a passport: go back and pick it up in 2 weeks or so.

This is another reason why I wouldn't get one. I wouldn't want to be without my passport for two weeks or so.

[Gaybutton]

I wouldn't want to be without my passport for two weeks or so.

I think you may have misunderstood. Mahjongguy said you walk out with your passport still in hand when you apply for the card, so you wouldn't have to be without your passport at all.

 

But again I see absolutely no practical use for it at all. I don't see anything it could possibly do that simply carrying a photocopy of one's passport would do anyway.

 

Perhaps some would prefer to make a trip to the embassy, wait to be served, pay the fee, wait to be served again, and then return two weeks later to pick it up. Of course, if you somehow manage to lose it, then you're back on photocopies or you'll have to go through the process again.

 

If there was a true practical use for it, I'd be one of the first ones in line to get one, but since there seems to be no practical use for it I see it as a waste of time, waste of money, and a rip-off.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I think you may have misunderstood.

"Same as a passport: go back and pick it up in 2 weeks or so." This is what confused me.

 

As for the card, I can only see it beneficial for people who live in US and only travel to Canada, Mexico and maybe, the Caribbean.