Jen65

Are British subjects living/retired in Thailand required to register with the British Embassy , even on a voluntary basis ???

Surprised nobody has thought about water taxi business -   mmmm baht boat instead baht bus !!!

There is NO online application for appoinment for IDP   !!!!  read my post on getting my IDP  !!!!  

Am I supposed to be surprised?? Has Thailand really got any idea to deal with these shocking statistics? So far - NOT 

My IDP expired in May so decided to renew (just before the Covid pandemic shut down )  .I obtained the Residence Certificate and had all the documents but when I went to Chonburi they informed me they had just stopped issuing licenses and to come back when they resumed !!   I did so today but because a)my residence certificate date had passed the 1 month validity they said I needed a new one !!  I said I had already paid for that and had all the correct documents when I attended before and it was not my fault that they were unable to issue the new IDP !! Also they said I would have to make an appointment/reservation online via DLT website or App .

I will now have to spent the best part of a morning or afternoon going to immigration , applying and paying again for another residence certificate then wait the normal 2 or 3 hours and come back to obtain same .   I just tried to find out where I book an appointment / reservation online but there is NIL / NOTHING /ZILCH about booking an appoinment on the DLT Chonburi Website (only booking for car inspection !!)  . I can find NOTHING when doing a search for IDP / License booking for DLT !!!   

Is Thailand really in the 21st Century ???   Can't believe that Thailand can not intitute all this licence / plate / insurance / tax in to a government online portal where you enter your details / application and get the necessary documents by email or post !!!  They just love wasting people's time !!

Anybody know where to find the online booking / reservation system for DLT IDP application ????   ( Even in this forum it is still saying that DLT are not issuing licenses due to Covid - but that is NOT the case as the issue of licenses has resumed although by appointment )      

just had my valves/tappets checked on my Vigo D4D 3lt at 200,000 km and they were spot on . A good indication that valve/tappets need adjustment is the colour or your exhaust !!    As for a recommendation - try James at Car Tech ! 

seems you got a really good deal on the Toyota ,especially for the year and mileage and a 4 door  !   was is bought private or dealer?

AT models go for more and of course any urgrade versions ie leather seats . 2 door models are much cheaper .

I have a 2005 "elegance" 4 door model AT , top model ,  paid a bit over the odds but these vehicles are much sought after and hold their value   

Thank you all for the informative information and sometimes controversial and conflicting !!    I have a really good agent arranging everything door to door and was recommended to me ( Intermover -Chaing Rai )   Very good to deal with and have provided excellent communications, information and quote .   It seems I will have to have a quiet word with them about the possibity of paying "backsheesh "in order to get the container in smoothly and quickly !!  If that is what it takes - no problem - it' what makes the world go round !! 

On 11/8/2019 at 8:41 PM, Hoppyone said:

Good advice

I don't want to buy junk AND I am not importing junk ! some things I have collected over the years - antiques etc and have good quality furniture ( can't buy here !! )   so that thread is not applicable ! Oh , I also don't want to live a frugal life in my retirement !!!

I just changed mine front and rear and the suspension was a bit spongy and I think the shocks were old - maybe as old as the vehicle 2005 !   Researched and bought new ones on Lazada during New Year sales - they are superior to what anything you will get at BQuick or other instant fit place and those places will not fit your own purchases - thay only fit what they supply ( not the best )

My garage fitted the new ones and definite improvement in suspension and recoil over rough terrain .  Much better dampening effect .

You get what you pay for !    

This topic has certainly provoked some controversy and yet no clear cut answer !!   Most of the items I will bring in are 2nd hand but some hardly used !   Rather than give my stuff away in France at silly prices or have to throw it out (it is all good quality ) , I decided to ship it here because when we build our new house I would have to buy again here so I would loose double !   I brought a yacht in from USA and only paid 7% vat tax so surely on used personal  effects it can not be much more than that ?? 

Can anyone advise on or give me the customs regulations on importing my personal effects on a Retirement Visa .   I was of the understanding that one is allowed one free shipment? 

I have permanent residence in Jomtien but we have a second home near Chaing Ria ( 40 km to immigration)

Rules say you can report to local Police Station which was what my partner and I did last time there as it is really here responsibility to notify as she is registered owner of the house .  The local Police station is hut on the side of the main road and when presented with the form gave way to bewilderment and after discussion with my Thai partner the Police Officer declined to sign and said we must first visit the local mayor and advise him plus get approval with his signature on the form and then the Police will sign !!!

This sounded like a real hassle every time we go to our 2nd home AND as the local mayor was away we could not do what the Immigration require within 24hrs !!!!  Ridiculous bureaucracy !!   

just did my 90 day report ( O/A visa and 1 yr renewal also just completed )  and was pleasantly surprised how straightforward it was today !  Fill in the form ,  no photocopies required ,  get ticket and straight away to the desk . Very nice lady , all polite and smiles on both sides - completed and out within 5 minutes !!    Have to congratulate / give praise when deserved !!

done my "retirement "extension,  as stated all easy with the correct paperwork however I noted my 90 day reporting was due April 30th so I crossed over and asked if I still had to do this as I was there and just reported/done my new visa !  Answer was that these are separate and would have to go back and report 30th April !     Can't understand why all this is not linked in the computer so that whenever I complete / do documentation in person at an immigration office that the 90 day is not automatically updated to 90 days from that visit ???  would make life a lot easier !! just shows how one part of immigration is not inter-connected to another !

Interesting topic .  I have a sterling deposit account with Bangkok Bank to keep a little more than the equivalent of 800,000 baht in just for my retirement visa - with a bank book but it pays no interest .   I am resigned to forgetting about this and just leave there for the annual visa renewal .   Are we talking about the same FCD account or can I put my sterling in another recognised account and get interest ? 

one can also do 90 report at the local police station if not near an immigration office !!   I did in Chaingkien  ( 40 km to nearest immigration in Chaing Rai ) .Just make sure you get acknowledgement in writing !!

It is correct that you need to show "why you need a residence certificate " ,  even selling a vehicle as I have just done so and you need copy of Bill of Sale .   As far as I am concerned it's good news that they are tightening up the system and giving appropriate documents out for appropriate purposes !!  

I am pretty pissed off with all this free visa / fast entry process being given to tourists !   I am resident here and have to keep minimum 800,000 baht in the bank to keep my residency visa valid but I still have to queue with all the rest - no special treatment for residents !!

Seems like I'm a third class citizen here . 

so next time I am at our "other" home in Chaing Rai I will use that address ???    I never did get any reply from Bangkok Immigration department inspite of forwarding all the documents there by registered mail - waste of time !    Chonburi Immigration says I must do 90 day report at the same place I obtained my residence visa !    Unbelievable that one must drive all the 1000 km back to Jomtien just to a 90 day report and then drive the 1000km back again !!!     

Government website says you can report at "any immigration office"   !!!!!!    However it seems some immigration offices either don't know that or don't follow it as I tried to mine from Chaing Rai and was told to do it where I first applied for residence visa.

Since then , if away from home in another province , I do it by registered mail - full info on the government website .   Doing by email / online ? not tried this yet as have heard conflicting reports .