davhend25

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

You mentioned that you haven't driven a car in over a year. Does this mean that you have a driving licence from another country? if so, which one?

 

If you have a licence from another country, where the licence text is in English you may be able to simply obtain a Temporary Thai Licence (2 years validity) but just taking a couple of simple tests (colour blindness, proximity, reaction tests) and watch a video. 

 

Otherwise, if you have to take the full test the written part is a little tricky as the questions asked seem silly... (there is a weblink somewhere on this forum to these questions). 

 

With regards to taking lessons: I suspect the facility which suggests you needed to be officially married etc is just making rubbish up. It's probable that they don't know what to do with a foreigner and thus pass off any rubbish in the hope that your wife will fob you off on their behalf. 

 

Best option IMO: Take the truck out on a quiet road for some practice.... and then go and take the full test - the practical will be simple. Practice the written part (multiple choice questions) before you go. 

Yes, I "had" a valid U.S. driver's license (valid until 2021) from the state of Florida, but the evening before my embassy appointment to get my affidavit of residence (the only doc that the DLT in Chanthaburi would accept) I lost my entire wallet to a pickpocket on the BTS sky train at the "Siam" stop. I lost my current DL, credit cards, debit card, Health insurance card, and 10,000 baht in cash. I'm about to the end of my rope with country. I should have had this Thai license 3 weeks ago w/o taking the practical and theory tests, but my DLT would not accept a certificate of residence from the "Chanthaburi" immigration office where I had just complete my third "90-Day" report based on my wife's Tabien Baan book of 10 years.

Thanks for your kind suggestions. My concern over the practical driving test stems from my watching several youtube videos where people are being failed for really minor things like being a few centimeters over a line here or there and things like that. It look difficult to pass.  So, I'm worried about the driving test, especially with a larger truck. 

Thanks again, for your kind suggestions. I really appreciate them.

DH

2 hours ago, davhend25 said:

Thanks for the good advice!  Do you know if there is a list somewhere online with the approved driving schools? Thanks!!   

 

DH

 

I just had my Thai wife (marriage not registered yet) call an approved LTO driving school in Chanthaburi City, K&W Driving School, and they told her that I had to have a registered Thai marriage and a work permit to attend their school. And, as usual, they don't speak a word of English. I see my home country getting closer and closer....

2 hours ago, transam said:

They took their test a few years back when it was just the "car park" thing and stuff in the office which l don't know what the did. Vigo is a full size pickup, mine has automatic gearbox which is an absolute doddle to drive..

When I watched folk with their pickups with a manual trans they were getting in a real state. I taught Mrs.Trans to use both feet, one for stop and one for go, at the test it paid off...

If you know how to drive l cannot see that you will have a ploblem...

Yes, I definitely want to do the test with an automatic...I'll have enough on my mind just doing the test without having to worry about clutch and shifting.

Thanks for the helpful reply..

DH

2 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

Check at the local DLT as there are usually people that hire cars out to do the test in, a couple of hundred baht an hour. Also check for local schools were you can do the tests at the school and you get a certificate to take to DLT.

My wife did her license the other day and did the tests etc at a driving school, they are authorised to do the tests (driving and written), supply a car and have a test area etc. They give you a pass document and the rest is done at DLT.

 

 

Thanks for the good advice!  Do you know if there is a list somewhere online with the approved driving schools? Thanks!!   

DH

32 minutes ago, transam said:

Think the only prob maybe the written test, well my chum said he didn't understand some questions because of the "English"..

If you are used to an auto I would hire an auto for a couple of days..

 

Mrs.Trans and her daughter took their test on the same day in my auto Vigo truck, they both passed even though the girl had never driven my truck..

Thanks for your kind reply.

When you say "auto" do you mean automatic transmission?  And how big is your truck?  Full size pick-up or a smaller more compact version?  Not sure what a "Vigo" truck model is.  

Also, did they do the electronic "E - Driving Test" where they stop at stations and wave a card at the screen to commence each of the individual tests?

Thanks again, for your helpful reply.  There is no where to rent a car where I am currently living.

DH

Am trying to get a Thai driver's license and will need to take the "practical driving test."  Does anyone know how difficult it is to get a "PASS" on this test?  I haven't driven a car in over a year, and I've never driven a car with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle.  I watched some YouTube videos of the test and it's "so many cm here, and so many cm there" kind of thing.  Looks really nitpicky.  Also, I don't have my own car, so not sure how that is going to work?  My sister-in-law has a big Izuzu pick up truck, but I think that would make the test even more difficult. The one video I watched says you only get one attempt at the test course, and if you fail any of the 3 parts, you have to come back another day.  I live 30 miles from the test facility, so that may be difficult to do.

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance for any replies.

DH

13 hours ago, jacko45k said:

And a night out on Cowboy?

Expensive tally on something that used to be covered by a yellow book or utility bill!

Ah yes...very expensive and time consuming at best....and no "Cowboy."  My lovely Thai wife was with me...5555.

18 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

It's indeed a form developed by the "Thai Medical Council" (TMC) and is from August 2008(!).

I used a quick Google translate of the TMC site and it really sounds that the added part is just a "self certification". The rest is the usual "five diseases".

A link to a PDF version from TMC:

http://tmc.or.th/file_download/doctor161209.pdf

Of course in Thai and B/W only.

DLT site links to this TMC site.

Thank you so much!

My understanding is that effective March 1 a new medical certificate form is being required for the application for a Thai DL.

Does anyone know if this new form has been widely distributed to doctors clinics and hospitals? Or if there might be a grace period for the submission of the new form at the DLT offices?

Thanks for any replies.

DH

My IO in Chanthaburi does not issue C of R either.  DLT in Chanthaburi will only accept affidavit from my embassy in Bangkok.  Just got back from a lovely 4 hour bus ride to get it. Also cost $50.00 USD and an overnight hotel stay.

DH

2 hours ago, Pib said:

Around every other day for the last month I visited a Thai in-law in large govt hospital in Nakorn Pathom (just outside of Bangkok) who had an accident in his home and had to be rushed to the hospital emergency room.   Head trauma from falling off a ladder...most unconscious and bleeding all the way to the emergency room.

 

How he get to the hospital was the same way most folks in his village get to the hospital--someone took him in their vehicle.  In his case the next door neighbor who just happen to be home.   If an ambulance had been available from the hospital it would have taken around an hour to get to his home and back to the hospital.

 

During those every other day visits I had clear view of the emergency room arrival area...people arriving that were in serious need of emergency care. Lots of old folks who were mostly unconscious and lots of young men who just had motorcycle accidents.  While several ambulances were always being dispatched to pickup patients the great majority (way over 90%) of arrivals to the emergency room were by personal vehicle or taxi with a few rescue trucks thrown in.  Whether the person was conscious or unconscious, bleeding or not, breathing or not, etc.   

 

When it comes to getting to the emergency room in Thailand a person must assume there will be no ambulance available and plan accordingly.  Hopefully you have family/friends/neighbors who can take you to the emergency room. 

 

Do not assume an ambulance will be available like in the home country.   

Thank you for relating your experiences with large government hospitals, and their emergency rooms. I pretty much assumed that personal transport would be the best, if not the only, way to a hospital for us here in this small town.  As I just posted to "Sheryl," we will probably try to move closer to a city with better medical facilities. But that may be awhile.

Thanks, again, for your kind reply to my question.

DH

3 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Yes, you are closer to Chantaburi -  though I think the English speaking at Bkk Hospital Rayong is generally better (more expat clientele). The difference is about an hour so in a time sensitive emergency you'd best head to Chantaburi.

 

Private hospital will gladly, for a fee, come and get you. But do remember that they will be leaving from the hospital so travel time before you arrive there is doubled. Unless your condition is such as to make it impossible or unsafe to move you, you are generally better off having someone drive you to the hospital.

 

Where you went before was probably the Nai Yam Hospital, it is a tiny (really tiny, as in 10 beds) co0mmunity "hospital", really more of a health center and these places are typically staffed by just 1 doctor who is fresh out of school.

 

Plan on getting all your health care in Chantaburi town unless it is something really minor.

 

 

 

Once again, Thank you, Sheryl.  You are truly a godsend for this forum and the expats who've made Thailand their home.

I agree, Chantaburi city is probably our best option if we remain here in Na Yai Am.  I'm working on getting a Thai driver's license and eventually a car of some kind. So far, my wife's sister has been taking us where we need to go, but she is 30 minutes away.  So that time would need to be added in to the total transit time to the hospital.  Not a great situation.  At some point I would like to relocate closer to Rayong or Pattaya, where an ambulance ride to a hospital would be a better possibility.  

Thank you, again, for your always valuable input, especially on health related matters.

DH

18 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Moving this to the correct forum.

 

It sounds like you are living somewhere between Rayong and Chantaburi, would help if you could specify the name of the district.

 

The Bangkok Hospital chain has private hospitals in both Rayong and Chantabauri, English speaking will certainly be better at these - more so at Rayong

 

http://www.bangkokrayong.com/en

 

http://www.chanthaburihospital.com/

 

I would suggest you try these and if satisfied get their ambulance phone number  and make sure you wife knows it.  The medical emergency number in Thailand is 1669 but you may not  be bale to control where they take you so if time is nto of the essence calling ambulance from the hospital of your choice (or having someone drive oyu there) is preferrable - provided of course you can afford treatment there, which for a catastrophic illness or accident can run to several million baht. Also see if your US insurance would cover emergency care abroad.

 

For anything very complex/specialized, your best recourse is the main government hospital in Chantaburi, it is a large regional level hospital and has most specialtities (the private hospitals referenced are fairly small, just the main specialties). Most of the doctors will speak some English but the admin and nursing staff will not so need a Thai speaker to accompany, but you will find the care and communication with doctors a noticeable cut above what you have encountered locally. Unless an emergency waits will be long, though, going there is an all day affair and need to arrive very early.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Sheryl, as always for your expert information. I am living in Tambon Na Yai Am, Amphoe Na Yai Am. Probably closer to Chanthaburi City than Rayong, but not sure. I know it takes us about 35 or 40 minutes to drive to Chanthaburi City from where we are living. I am familiar with both the private and government hospitals that you reference in your reply. Thank you for the Thailand emergency number. I had previously asked my Thai wife about that, but I don't think she understood my question. She said she would call the local police.

My insurance would cover any hospitalization, both inpatient and outpatient, as long as the treatment was considered medically necessary. Any diagnosis like cancer, and I'm on the next plane back to the U.S. and medicare.

I didn't know that we could call an ambulance from this distance. My insurance direct bills/pays with the hospitals in the "Bangkok Hospital" group, including the one in Chanthaburi. I already checked on that.

I'm sorry this was posted in the wrong forum. I don't know how to post it in the "Health and Medicine" forum.   I think I'm in H &M, but when I click on the only "start new topic" button I can see on the page, my post always winds up in the "I drink too much" sub-forum. Could you please tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Thanks again, Sheryl, for your helpful reply to my questions.

DH

11 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Of course, my advice doesn't really help if you have a heart attack etc and need immediate assistance. Perhaps you could teach your wife how to do CPR?

Years ago, when I ran a small hotel in Phuket, I had a defibrilator. I bought it second hand off Ebay - it was relatively cheap, came with a new battery and had voice commands (in English) how to operate it in an emergency.

Two more solid ideas...thanks, again!!

10 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Although I'm not in Thailand - I live in Myanmar, I am also concerned abput what might happen if I have a serious accident or sudden illness - there being no decent hospital in the ... er ... whole country!

I have medical insurance which includes evacuation insurance to a private hospital in Bangkok.

I have a printed copy of my medical insurance in my passport, which I carry at all times.

I have 'dog-tags' around my neck with my name, insurance number, blood group details and 'Evacuate to Bangkok' in bold letters.

I also have a sticker on my motorcycle with similar details.

But all of this won't do me much good if I crash my dirt-bike and am hours from even the most basic of clinics. For this reason, I ride my bike VERY carefully....

Update : Why is this post in the 'I drink too much forum'? That's not why I crash my bike :)

Thanks for the reply.  I thought I was posting in the "Health and Medicine" forum."  I clicked on the only "start new topic" button that I could find and my post ended up in this/wrong forum. I obviously don't understand the format of this forum. Any suggestions would be helpful. 

Sounds like we have similar issues, except my insurance doesn't cover any evacuations. Carrying your insurance information with you is a great idea which I haven't been doing, but am going to start after reading your post. And yes, ride your dirt-bike very carefully!  My son was into that when in high school. Nothing but broken bones and torn up knees. Years later he still has aches and pains from those bike riding years!

Thanks again, for your reply. You post some good ideas!.

DH

Hello all,

At the risk of posing a question without any good or reasonable answers, I'm going to ask it anyway...

I'm an American staying here on a Non-immigrant visa, using "Retirement" as the basis for my annual extensions. I live in a small town/village about 3 driving hours south of Bangkok, 2 hours south of Pattaya, and about 45 driving minutes north of Chanthaburi City. 

I have a Thai wife who owns her own townhouse. There is a small hospital here offering only rudimentary medical care. The one doctor I have seen here, to get a prescription for baby aspirin, while very nice, does not seem anywhere close to a western trained physician.  And no one here speaks even basic English, including the doctors and pharmacists. I literally have to draw pictures for everything that I need. The language thing is not a complaint...the Thai people here shouldn't be obligated to speak a foreign language (English) just for my benefit.  I do speak a little Thai, but not nearly enough to make life easier.  I take my Thai wife everywhere I go for this reason.

Back to subject; I would like to stay here long term if possible. I'm on the wrong side of 65 with a multitude of medical issues which I currently have under control, but as we all know, "things happen."  I do have major medical insurance from a retirement program back, in the U.S. that I can keep, regardless of age, as long as I continue to fund the policy.  But my concern is making it to a credible hospital in time, from where I am currently living, in a medical emergency.  I asked my wife who she would call in an emergency, and she had no idea...actually, I think she initially said "the police."  You can see my concern.  I also neglected to mention that we don't currently have a car. I'm working on that, however, at the moment.

Short of moving closer to either Chanthaburi City or Pattaya, does anyone have any ideas or strategies that might be employed for getting medical care in an emergency situation, i.e., stroke, heart attack, appendix rupture, etc.?

One of the problems with language, is that you can't ask anyone about anything. I can't go to the local hospital/clinic and ask what would happen if I showed up there some night with crushing chest pain. What would they do?  

Any advice or thoughts about my situation here would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance for any replies.

DH

Na Yai Am, Chanthaburi Province

5 hours ago, Saltire said:

Hi No Thai translation needed for the transport office. Mine was in English and the two samples she gave me were in English/French for the Canadian one and French for the French one.

 

NB For the CoR at the UK embassy they would not take my Thai-only rental agreement (land is in g/f brother's name) but thankfully they accepted half a dozen delivery notes from Lazada which had the home address identical to the blue book. When i gave them the house contract they astutely pointed out ' this is in Thai'.

 

Glad to help. I think being in the sticks has advantages sometimes, but not always, as you soon find out!

Thank you so much for this valuable information!  This verification of residence seems to be the roadblock for everything that I want/need to do to live here in Thailand.  My Thai wife, who owns her own townhouse, and who fills out document after document to the effect that I live here with her; wants to buy a home in Pattaya where she and her family are originally from.  Good luck with that when I can't even get a drivers license...Lol.  And why, if the Chanthaburi IO accepts my address for my 90-day reports, would the Chanthaburi DLT not accept my address for the DL?????  

Interesting that you bring up "Lazada."  I have probably purchased over a hundred items from them since I arrived here about a year ago.  I've often thought about carrying some of the delivery receipts around for the same purpose that you used them for.  Now, maybe I will.  

Thanks, again, friend for your kind and helpful information.

DH

3 minutes ago, stud858 said:

I've tried. I don't recommend it.

Unfortunately, I now kind of feel the same way....I've heard so many inconsistent accounts of DLT office experiences from people walking in and practically being handed a Thai DL, to people like me who can't seem to get it done without a 4 hour bus rides to Bangkok.  And still with no guarantee that even that will do it. Stay tuned!! 

45 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

To do the affidavits one appointment will be enough.

Two would be needed if you were doing a 2 different services. For example a affidavit and a passport application.
 

Thanks, ubonjoe. I wasn't sure about that. Do you think that I have to get my American driver's license translated too? It's in English, of course.

27 minutes ago, retiredusn said:

My reply too all is "Do not read into anything just go by yourself and ask, I am married to a yank and only rent a vec. from my landlord."

When you say you showed them your "90 day report" what exactly did you show them?  Was it the little receipt stub they give you at the Immigration Office, or something a little more detailed?  And was this "report" from the Chanthaburi City Immigration Office, the one in the funny looking building just about a mile down the road from the DLT motor vehicle office?  Did you have a current International Driving Permit?   Answers to these questions would really help me.  I talked to my wife again tonight about our visit to the DLT, and she said the woman at the entry desk told her that the Chanthaburi Immigration Office would not be able to give me any document that would result in my getting a Thai Drivers License. Only a document from my embassy would suffice. I was totally denied the process of getting a Thai Drivers License. Let me know these answers if you can, and thanks for the post.

2 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

I assume you specifically want the vehicle registered in your name, otherwise there is no reason why you couldn't purchase one now in your wife's name. A US state licence is perfectly legal to use here.

 

I presume you've already done a little research, but just in case;

If I understand correctly your making two affidavits. One for Income, one for a certificate of residence, so you'll need to book a double appointment. You can make your appointments here:

https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=BNK&appcode=1 

 

You can complete and print the income affidavit here;

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/income-affidavit/ 

 

You can complete and print the Licence affidavit here:

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/vehicle-license-affidavit/ 

 

DO NOT sign these until requested to do so at the Embassy.

Documents you need to bring: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/ 

 

Your Income affidavit is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.

You will require a certificate of residence to purchase a vehicle (if you want it in your name) and to obtain a Thai driving licence.

They may want original only, not copies. If you cannot get a C of R from your Immigration office this could pose further problems in the future.

 

For that reason I would first download and complete the form supplied by Joe and try your IO again.

Unless you live in Bangkok or Chiang Mai you really need some form of transport here.

That's great information! Thank you for reminding me that I will need two appointments and not just one. Am not yet to the point of buying a vehicle at this point.  Want a Thai DL first.  That is turning out to be hard enough!!  Yeah, not sure what is up with my IO. Another forum member just posted that he walked into the Chanthaburi DLT with just his 90 day report and home DL/Passport, and walked out 20 minutes later with a Thai DL. I posted some questions to him which he hasn't replied yet, but I think there is only one DLT office in Chanthaburi. If is post is accurate then it looks like I just ran into the wrong person last week at the entry desk. Although I must admit, the woman we dealt with seemed like someone in charge, like a manager or supervisor. My Thai wife said this woman was adamant about me needing a doc from my embassy in order to get a DL.  She said that the local IO, down the road, would not be able to give me anything that would substitute for the embassy doc she wanted.  Anyway, waiting to here back from this other forum member on just what it was that he gave them to get his license, and if it was, in fact, the same DLT I was turned away from. Thanks for your very informative post, and yes, I agree fully...we need a car for sure!  

7 minutes ago, retiredusn said:

Walked into the Chanthaburi motor VEC. office and showed them my 90 day report along with passport/US drivers lic. and they were more than helpful just took the reaction test and vision was issued Thai lic. in about 20min. could not understand what they wanted me too do on the reaction test so the lady sat down and showed me, so I started to sit down and do it again but she said why you do I just did for you. Had a good laugh on the way home........

When you say you showed them your "90 day report" what exactly did you show them?  Was it the little receipt stub they give you at the Immigration Office, or something a little more detailed?  And was this "report" from the Chanthaburi City Immigration Office, the one in the funny looking building just about a mile down the road from the DLT motor vehicle office?  Answers to these questions would really help me.  I talked to my wife again tonight about our visit to the DLT, and she said the woman at the entry desk told her that the Chanthaburi IO would not be able to give me any document that would result in my getting a Thai Drivers License. Only a document from my embassy would suffice. Let me know these answers if you can, and thanks for the post.

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes they can do it.

I have never done the MFA part myself or wait for it to be done.

Thanks, ubonjoe! This is very helpful information. Could make things a whole lot simpler for us. Thank you!

DH    

7 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

After doing the affidavit you could walk to a nearby translation service for the translation and have them do the certification at the MFA for a small additional fee including having it sent to you by EMS.

List of  translators near the embassy (I have used the 4th one down on the list). 

https://photos.state.gov/libraries/thailand/231771/acs/translators_internet_service_photographers.pdf

You could do the income affidavit in the same trip to embassy since immigration will accept them that are up to 6 months old.

 

ubonjoe..this is great information!...Thank you so much. You mean that the translation company could also take care of the MFA certification, and then send it on to us in Chanthaburi? (for a fee, of course)  

1 hour ago, electric said:

OP .... I really feel sympathy for your problems. I went through a similiar farce between Immi and my local DLT when trying to register a car in my name a few years ago.

 

Anyway, for what it's worth, Mueang Buriram DLT will accept a Police Cert of Residence for new/renew, driver licence, and apparently there are numerous places in the Province that will do it .... not just the main DLT.

 

Perhaps ask your wife to find out if licences can be obtained in some other location in Chanthaburi. If yes, then a remote office might possibly accept a Police Cert of Residence. They are so much simpler to get than Immi issue.

 

Worth a try at least, but your wife might be pissed off at having to confront officialdom yet again. Mine would be. 555

 

Best of luck, and hang in there. It'll all come together eventually.

 

 

Thanks for your kind and helpful suggestions...I think that the province only has a DLT office in Chanthaburi City where I've already visited. I checked the DLT website and can't determine whether or not there are other offices in the province. I'll ask my wife to check online also, as she might have better luck. This whole problem could probably be solved if I could just speak to someone in English...Lol.

Thanks again, for your nice reply.

DH