Procedure for placing security bond Phuket

Created by doina. Last modified on 2004-07-13 13:47:59
Countries: Thailand

This is a straightforward process.

1: Go to The Kasikorn Bank Phuket Town and request to arrange a security. They have a desk and staff for that purpose. Address is: Kasikorn Bank, 14 Phang-nga Road, Phuket Town

2: You will have to pay a fee of around 500 Baht to lodge the security.

3: The amount is 20,000 Baht and it will be placed in a bank account under your name with the bank holding the book.

4: You will need your passport. They will make photocopies for their file

5: You will be handed a completed form stating your name and the security amount. Please advise them that you require it for 12 months which I believe is the maximum period. The extended time may come in handy if you need to sign on and off again in that period. You can reuse the document many times inside of the twelve months without any additional fee. The document is in triplicate one for the bank – one for Immigration – one for yourself.

6: Take the document with you to Immigration Phuket Town and request to sign off your boat. Take your boat papers. You will have to advise them of when you will be leaving, and where you will be departing Thailand as they have to do a document to support the exact date and place you will leave. If by air they will ask for the air ticket. If by minibus they will not require to see documentation. They will give you an exit card and staple a document in your passport confirming you have bonded off and can leave from the exit point you have indicated. This can be by air or road. Don’t lose this document. It needs to handed in at the immigration where you depart. The fee at Immigration is stamp duty only of 10 Baht.

7: Once back in Thailand you can go in and retrieve your Security copy from Immigration take it to the bank and get your money back. Or collect it and keep it for future use. Once you have checked into Thailand you are now considered a tourist and can come and go under that regulation. If you have obtained a proper visa then you can stay to its allowed date otherwise without a visa you continue to get one month renewable by leaving and returning to Thailand. You can obtain a 10/14 day extension for 1900 Baht plus a photo.

8: There are quite a few operators doing minibus runs to Myanmar that take just one day at around 1000 Baht plus immigration fees. This is the simplest way to get a new stamp. Do not under any circumstances pay someone to do it for you, as it is illegal. Many have been caught.

Please note the above security is for you and nothing to do with the boat which is given 6 months with the opportunity to extend for a further 6 months if you are at a marina. The security is purely an amount you put up to say you will leave the country and not stay illegally.

Gerard Kennedy.

Additional Information

Take care, the immigration officers look friendly BUT never explain anything about the procedure! Be careful about bank working hours. Banks in Thailand open at 8.30 AM usually and close at 3.30 PM. There are also many non working days. Check before you go. Airlines issue more and more "e-tickets", but for immigration officers, this is NOT A VALID TICKET. If you are going by plane, be sure to get a "paper ticket" from your travel agency. Immigration officers will do always what they want, and only what they want. Be very calm. If you know a Thai Friend who speaks good English, bring him (or her) with you so that you will be able to understand what they say. Robert Carvaillo.