[eddz]

I have experience of Thailand and Japan so can chime in.

Thailand does not require registration, but authorities prevent travelers from re-entering shortly after their stay (cracking down on "visa runs") which has caught some tourists/nomads off guard. The strictest punishment is banishment for a maximum of 10 (IIRC) years.

Like China, Japan requires registration with the local city office if you are staying with a long-term visa. Although it should be noted that China applies this to all visa types whereas Japan allows tourists to stay without registration. Failing to register with the local Japanese city office can result in banishment.

As with registration in China, you are not told this information upon entry of these countries. If you blindly travel you will be caught out (and usually punished). However, asking around and doing the research before you travel can prevent that from happening.

[abc-xyz]

Why would they want to crack down on visa runs? Those people doesn't take any jobs from the locals, and I'd assume they spend as much as any other foreigners.. seems like a win-win?

I've spent about 10 years living in various Asian countries, including China, and I have never met anyone who would bother to register whenever they changed apartment. I'm also certain if I asked all my contacts in China, then none of them would know anything about it.. and I'm talking about hundreds of people, including students/professors at their best universities. You greatly overestimate the amount of info you can get by doing research/asking around when you go abroad.