pj123

Ok I just worked it out. When you apply for your permit in Thailand you need to choose under which convention it will be issued. 1968 or 1949. Thai language page on this: https://safedrivedlt.com/ทำใบขับขี่/ใบขับขี่สากล/

I just went to collect my rental car from Toyota Kyoto and they informed me my International Driving Permit issued in Thailand is not valid. The Thai permit is issued under the 1968 Convention. Japan only recognises permits issued under the 1949 Convention. So only licenses issued by signaturies to the 1949 Convention will be accepted in Japan. List of countries here: https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsV.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XI-B-1&chapter=11&Temp=mtdsg5&clang=_en UK is signed up to 1949 so next time I will bring my UK license and permit

I used a certificate of residence issued by Immigration to purchase a car last year. Do I need a new one to sell it, that is transfer ownership at the land Transport Office?

I recently purchased an item shipped by the seller from Belgium by DHL. DHL have said I had to register with Thai customs in order to allow them to clear the item. I had a delivery from Amazon USA by DHL two weeks ago and other items have been shipped from the UK and USA. never had any requirement to register. Maybe this is due to the value of the goods from Belgium? Significantly higher than anything else I have imported? 1546 Euros. DHL were very helpful and a staff member met me at Suvarnabhumi customs office to manage the registration for me. The staff member said this was something she did occasionally. Registration lasts one year.

Any recommendations for roof boxes apart from Thule which are double the UK price here. Looked at KK roof racks: https://www.facebook.com/@kkroofrack/ Prices reasonable but the volumes they quote appear to be very inaccurate. Eg 740 litre box (11,690 THB), dimensions, 190 x 85 x 36 which as a simple rectangular box = 580 litres, so I cannot see how they can promise 740 litres

Good wading depth too: 815mm.

Some UK financial institutions are now monitoring the IP address used to make transactions. My online brokers called me to ask why I was doing transactions on my account while located in Thailand. They reminded me that the account is for UK residents only. I had to explain I am resident in the UK but spend 4-5 months a year in Thailand. They also said that using a VPN raised a warning on their system.

Service for the x1 diesel is every 12,000 km so just get the work done by BMW until 2026. After that go independent. But even then you are still paying inflated prices for OEM parts. OEM parts are far more expensive then in the UK even though VAT is 7% here compared to 20%. We just purchased a X1 F48 used brake servo in the UK, cost GBP45. New one from BMW Thailand would be 26,500 THB (GBP600). BMW UK price is GBP473.

Service for the x1 diesel is every 12,000 km so just get the work done by BMW until 2026. After that go independent. But even then you are still paying inflated prices for OEM parts. OEM parts are far more expensive then in the UK even though VAT is 7% here compared to 20%. We just purchased a X1 F48 used brake servo in the UK, cost GBP45. New one from BMW Thailand would be 26,500 THB (GBP600). BMW UK price is GBP388.

Prepare to get the paintwork heavily scratched as paths are often overgrown and become unpassable with standard 4x4 so you have to do a 15 point turn to get out. Its fun but not with a car you cherish.

Thank you both for your comments. Grip in the wet is the most important for me.

They may be called tyres-thailand but they dont ship to Thailand, only to Germany, Luxembourg and Cyprus. Thai online stores, Tyreplus, Bquik, mmsbosch, cockpit, auto1 do not stock this size.

No. Only option in Thailand are Kumho HP71s. https://www.kumhothailand.net/product/ยางรถยนต์hp71/ They are a decent tire but I would prefer a premium brand. About 5 years ago I could not find a space saver wheel/tyre in Thailand for my wife's X1 so bought one in the UK and paid import duty/VAt at Suvarnabhumi

As the size I need is limited to one choice in Thailand (245/55/18) I am looking at bringing a set of tires back from the UK in September (our baggage allowance will cover the shipping cost). Not sure whether to go with All Seasons or Summer. I think All Seasons will be better for heavy rain. Some risk involved as you need a licence to import tires but I am hoping that as they are for personal use I will just have to pay import duty and VAT at Suvarnabhumi.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/swiss-man-cuts-off-arm-to-escape-bear-attack-in-chiang-mai