hansnl

Requirements for obtaining a Thai International Vehicle Permit (Purple book)

I obtained mine from the Chonburi Provincial Land Transport Office, Banglamung...First turning after the Regents School on Highway 36 towards Pattaya

The requirements for the LTO are:

1 Vehicle Blue book

2 Certificate of insurance

3 Yellow Tambien Baan or

Certificate of residence from Immigration or

Certificate of residence from your own Embassy (translated and legalised)

4 Thai driving license (they do not like International driving Permit)

4 Form to be filled in in the LTO, indeed Thai only

5 Fee 50 Baht for book and 2 stickers (renewal is 30 baht)

Ask for official receipt, looks the same as the payment slip for road tax.

Renewal can only be done in the LTO and payment of the road tax needs to be done there too.

If the car is older as 7 years it must be tested in a testing station.

With the certificate you can renew your road tax in the LTO and renew the Purple book.

Mind: if you enter Lao you MUST buy Lao insurance.

First entry for your car will be only 7 days.

Next one 14 days

Cost of insurance in Lao for Lao is 240 baht.

1. Vehicle Blue Book YES

2. Up to Date Insurance YES

3. Certificate of Residence from immigration (Took 1 day at Jomtien Immigration Soi 5).

OR Yellow Tambien Baan and Thai Driving license

OR Certificate from your own embassy where your address is!

- Copy of Current Passport and Visa or extension of stay YES

- Current Utility Bill showing address or

Rental Agreement or

copy of Blue House/Condo Book

- Passport Photo NO

- Fee of 200 Baht

4. You will be given a form (in THAI ONLY) in which you are to enter your Name and Address and a brief description/purpose of your trip. Just entering 'Holiday by Car to Laos' worked for me.

5. Fee 285 BahtAsk for an official receipt!!!!! (the official price is 50 baht for a new book and 30 baht for a renewal!!!!!

You will be issued a 'Purple Book' valid for 1 year plus 2 (T) Stickers to affix to your vehicle indicating you are coming from THAILAND. Mine was issued on the same day as applying provided you have the correct documentation and arrive early enough.

Hope this is helpful

Thanks

Van

Have no idea if those curtains are available for the Pajero or the MU7

Had the same problem with my CRV, remembered the bl**dy thing in an estatecar I had in Holland.

Proceeded to one of those firms that are specialised in installing after-market accessories, sound systems, airco's.

Asked them if they might have a solution.

They had, piece of plate material they use in coachbuilding, a steel strip for strenghtening and a piece of "colour-keyed" carpet glued and stapled onto the top side of the wood.

Quite strong so putting something "on the back shelve" is not resulting of ripping your very expensive curtain style coveribng, and the whole thing can be taken out and stored, in my case, between the backrests of the seat and the LPG-tank.

Total cost was around 1200 baht.

I charge nothing for this wonderful idea.

See the attached picture, please waggle your head to see the pictures in the right way.

So sorry for the inconvenience

It also doesn't help when your universities suck too (although big improvements from Mahidol). Even my grade school decades ago had better facilities and bigger libraries.

The only way out is to send your kids to overpriced private schools. And even those don't guarantee a good education.

Kids should be learning Chinese, then English, then true diplomacy (non Thai) and international cultures.

Why, oh why should Thai children learn Chinese first?

To better be able to help China?

The English language is more or less the world language, even in China this is recognised.

Knowing Chinese gives one the possibility to do things with China and Chinese

With English it is possible to do business with nearly the whole world.

It's all about competition, market demands and education.. Thai's think "no need" so they'd rather pay less for a vehicle they can afford therefore the manufacturers don't put in such safety features and only provide basement packages on the whole.. It's only very recently that rear seat belts have even been offered as standard in most vehicles...

Ever since I got here there is numerous examples of this in everything from tooth paste to toilet paper where they make the package look big and plentiful but pack and price it for the market in smaller affordable portions it takes time to educate and hook the consumer..

It is all about competition, demand, education?

Poppycock!

It is all about profit maximalisation, legal demands and PR-bullshit.

Also called "communication".

The adagio there is, repeat a lie many times and it will become the truth.

As long as the laws in Thailand are so lenient towards safety and consumer protection, there will be more room for profit.

And face it, even Toyota has thrown away its good name for durability and safety for a few pennies more profit per car.

Check you Toyota, ever called back in Thailand?

Same pedal.

Out go the VM-Motori diesel Engines.

In come the VanMan 2.2 and 3.2 Puma Diesel Engines

Good engines.

The 3.2 is fantastic!

Ah, it looks like the Totoya?

Same same design program!

The Hilux years ahead?

Wahahaha

The Baht is strong, nothing in the short run wil stop the appreciation.

However, the biggest importer in Laos is Thailand.

Prices of foodstuff and other products imported from Thailand are getting higher and higher.

A fact the Lao Government brought itself to suggest it would maybe become time to look elsewhere.

Lots of Thai products get more and more expensive, till a certain point will be reached.

Which effectively means that Thai exports will fall down.

And with it the Baht will drop.

Don't wait for it.

The OP article is not clear. It seems to dwell on logistics, rather than the basic premise of whether English should be Thailand's 2nd language. Of course it should! What other language comes close, in importance and validity?

And yes, there are logistical hurdles to overcome. Most English teachers in Thailand are Thai, and most of them have a poor handle on the language. To compensate, they burden their students with archaic and unnecessary semantics. Classrooms have too many students, therefore not enough conversational learning via student interaction.

The Imm Dept has been making visas for farang increasingly difficult, therefore thinning out the numbers of potential English teachers who are native speakers. It's grossly counter-productive in the big picture of things. If Thailand wants to be a player on the world stage, it needs lots more English speakers. I go in to large department stores, large business places (banks, hospitals, government buildings, etc) and if I'm lucky, perhaps one person out of dozens is able to speak an English sentence of more than 3 words.

Since Thais spend so much time watching TV (rather than reading books or doing outdoor activities), then how about more English speaking programs on Thai TV? Keep it simple and entertaining. Perhaps have a little quiz at the end of each program.

More English on TV?

Very many times I saw it happen, English on TV.

Within 10 seconds the attention wavers, within 30 seconds the viewers are going to do something else.

And that even if subtitled.

Translated:

I have to buy a car and my GF wants it.

Have a look here:

http://www.carrymoretrailers.com/Carry_More_Trailer_for%20car_and_pick-up_in_Thailand_catalogue.html

No problem, legally!

I only like to mention that wherever you take money out of an ATM in any EUROZONE country there is no fee asked or deducted. Also when you transfer money to any EUROZONE bancaccount there are no fees.

Thailand is still far away from a customer friendly banking policy.

True, true....very true.

However, if I put money in a savings account anywhere in Europe I will get maybe 1-1,5 % intrest on a yearly base.

I will, in several countries of the EU, pay nearly the same percentage in intrest on a loan.

That is, per month.

Bit better in the Thai banks.

Banks and Insurance companies are legalised criminal organisations.

Anywhere on the world!

The art of moneygrabbing is highly refined in those institutions.

The worldwide financial crisis was fabricated by the bank & insurance companies.

And they just go on.

Under International laws and conventions a visitor to any country should always be able to prove his/her identity.

The passport is the right thing for it.

If you live in Thailand you must still be able to prove your identity.

However, this can be any Thai recognised identity card, driving license for example.

If you forget any ID, the rule is that you must be able to show your passport within 24 hours.

This said, a fine can still be given for not carrying an ID-card.

Never saw it in Thailand.

But try to find in Tesco or Big C something similar.

Sweet soy Sauce from Healthy Boy Brand.

Nic and thick and sweet, like Ketjap Manis should be.

even in the french prison, his life will be extremely difficult

Unfortunately not . I'm french and I can tell you they put all the wicked rapists together in the same jails.

So, he will not have anyone to give him hard times (to be polite !)

Which is quite understandable.

Another court session for getting the murderes or whatever condemned, all the police work for finding out the killer or whatever.

Very practical people, the French, to put them all together, saves a lot of money and hassle.

Like a lot of other posters, I wonder what will be done about the ehhhhh,.....providers?

The mothers, I mean?

Can I also ask why so much attention s given to a foreigner?

What about "local" perps?

But of course, stupid question, only farang do this.

I do not want to spend any words about the perp.

If he has done it, of course.

There is no problem with correcting a problem, however, there is a problem with believing that the solution to one problem will cure another. In a country where seafood is readily available and cheap, it is unlikely that acute shortages of this element would be a major problem contributing to significant mental deficiencies.

The problem of lack of stimulation, too much time spent sitting, not enough play areas for a large segment of the youth is a factor in IQ.

The link between iodine deficiency in Thailand and the IQ level is tenuous at best. I hope this isn't the panacea they decide will cure the educational problems of Thailand.

With that said, by all means, correct the iodine deficiency. Iodize salt, and then, of course, tell people to use less salt because it causes high blood pressure!

You are right, of course.

But all the problems mentioned by you will take an awful amount of time to rectify, don't you think.

I think you might consider iodizing the salt a simple step helping to rectify part of the problem.

And it is not salt that causes high blood pressure.

A lower intake of salt helps to bring down blood presure, that is all.

KingPower is a particularly nasty company. Owned by the government that sets import duties for luxury goods at an impossible 200%.

To then set-up its own company selling designer goods cheaper than any one else can legally afford to.

While I certainly do not condone any act of terrorism one can understand the resentment.

The import duties in this country are painful. I would love to not have to drive a Japanese $hit box. However government officials are the only ones permitted to flaunt these laws.

This could be seen as stance against corruption.

Thailand is not a free market democracy but when the Government go into business and get special treatment it does take the wee wee a bit.

if governments back home did this non of you would stand for it. Perhaps certain people here have had enough.

Maybe it sounds strange to you, but the import tariffs are set up to protect the Thai.

Be it the Thai factories, the Thai investments, the Thai economy and ultimately the Thai workforce,.

Of course, Thai companies, investors, and workers are benefitting from this protectionism.

And why not?

Because you want something different, cheaper, European, American, the Thai Government should abolish the protection of the Thai?

lowering the tariffs wil automatically mean that Thai factories and trading companies must close, firing thousands of people.

You think that would be a good idea? (in any country?)

Yes, I agree, a lot of possibilities are generated, also the not so nice ones.

But generally speaking this policy means that a lot of people are having a job in the motor industry, for example.

Is that a bad thing?

Next question.

Why is it that so many groups and people claiming to battle for the benefit of the poor, always succeed in making the poor poorer.

Why is it that so many "terrorists" always succeed in killing and wounding the poor people who just try to earn a living, are just a passer-by?

And in the meantime never are able to really hit the big companies.

Like the bombs used after the red shirt protests.

The damage will be paid by the insurance companies resulting in higher premiums which will be claimed back by the customers and less staff, while in the meantime thousands of the workforce were laid off.

Who gets damaged?

If you use a truck as it should be used, as a goods carrier, the ride would be better.

The cheapest solution, and the safest, put some load between the two axles.

120-150 kilo would do.

Spacers, anywhere in a car, change the ride characteristics.

Strut spacers are meant to rise the height of a car, but on all four wheels, if possible.

You could change the shocks, but really, some load is the best and cheapest solution....and the safest.

Bangkok has the size and traffic making the need for twin airports an atrractive proposition.

Instead of investing another big chunk of tax money into the extension of Suvarnibhumi it might have been a better idea to connect Don Mueang and Suvarnibhumi by a raillink.

That raillink could be made by upgrading the existing lines and signalling

No extra outlay would be needed to raise the capacity from Bangkok from 45 million passengers a year to 80 million passengers a year.

An added bonus would be that a huge amount of capital would not be destroyed by neglecting Don Mueang

Watching the video - the Thai fighter had enormous courage against such a well built guy. Hat's off and he put him down many times but brute strength combined with a touch of insanity - hard combination to beat. Let's hope the BiB get their man and put this guy in shackles. I doubt he will see freedom in this life time once incarcerated as he will not be a model prisoner. Time will sort him out and also the diet inside will reduce his size substantially.

"a touch of insanity," So are you a psychiatrist?....

One might doubt the sanity of a person killing another human being

"Let's hope the BiB get their man and put this guy in shackles." Why? Have you judged him guilty before a trial?

It is deemed quite normal to put shackles on an alleged criminal if arrested for a certain crime

"I doubt he will see freedom in this life time" Why, again you seem to be prejudging, you know nothing about the circumstances.

Circumstances? If he murdered someone intentionally what have circumstances to do with this case?

"as he will not be a model prisoner." So you are a socioligist too!

It is a well known fact that violent behaviour outside the prison will be replicated inside the prison, willingly or unwillingly

"Time will sort him out" A Prophet as well!

Time has a tendency to sort most people out, partly or completely.

"the diet inside will reduce his size substantially." And even a Dietician!

It might be an educated guess that weight loss might be one of the extra's of the Thai prison system.

I love Thai Visa, we have so many experts,

Thank you on behalf of all the members, very friendly of you, we aim to please.

Should you wish him to be burned at the stake too?

Very enlightening way to see the light, maybe ask the Inquisition?

It was tried out nearly a million times, and it is said there were no complaints from the persons burned; they all saw the light, the inquisition was right.

You do not know whom to ask this, ahhh, burning question?

The current pope, being a dominican, is also the "great inquisitor".

Maybe he will give you some insight in this very well tried way of seeing the light.

Although I doubt he will do that.

You could do that, take a taxi from Don Mueang.

However, if you will continue to Hua Lampong, depending on where on Sukhumvit you have to be, there is always the underground and the BTS, which I would do.

Oh dear, how to improve the Thai Railway System.

There are a few points to mention which are restricting SRT to get better, fast.

- Single track

- Track width

- Organisation

- Rolling stock

The single track brings down the number of trains very much, any delay will be transferred to opposing trains and following trains.

The track width restricts the speed to around the 100-105 km/h

The organisation of SRT makes the timetable something that can not be changed.

The rolling stock is old, the locomotives are underpowered and there are not enough.

What the SRT needs, obviously, is a huge infusion of money.

Double track, new loco's, new rolling stock and the possibility to reorganise.

If this could be done, the rail could become the most important people carrier on long distance lines, and commuter services.

But, it is also quite obvious that the bus companies will do anything to stop or hinder that.

Like the taxi companies are doing with the rail link to the airport.

Most of all needed, seen the state of the SRT, would be a political will to invest money.

I doubt if the SRT has any priority with the politico's.

However, on the existing platform it is very much possible to make the SRT a better proposition.

More trains, better use of motive power and carriages, better organisation of maintenance.

And the will to start, to design new ways.

For getting a better SRT in the longer run, for example, the connection between Don Mueang and Suvarnibhumi would be possible to realise within 2 years.

The rail connection in Don Mueang is there, all necessary points and switches are already there,the only thing needed is a branch line from the Eastern line to Suvarnibhumi.

Additional, some work on the signalling and quality of the track would be needed to raise the speed limit.

Investment in some rolling stock would also be necessary, diesel Emu's can be bought off the shelf.

The completion of this connection would connect the two airports nicely, the enlargement of Suvarnibhumi will not be necessary and the capital destruction of Don Mueang would be turned around.

The two airport could be run in tandem, like the airports in London.

Second example would be the NE-connection.

In the future the line from Nong Khai to Bangkok would be part of the Asian Rail plans.

Make it double track, and it would be possible to run a train every hour v.v.. or even more depending on also investing in signalling.

The number of buses running from Udon Thani, Khon Kaen and Korat to Bangkok is staggering.

Keep in mind there are, median, around 45 passengers in one bus.

A 10-carriage train would be able to convey around 1000-1200 passengers,

Just imagine the number of buses disappearing from the road.

I do not think the bus companies would be happy, see above.

Do I know something of railways?

Guess so.

Working for the Dutch Railways for quite a long time, the last 15 years in an advisory capacity.

Decide for yourself:

LPG

Proven concept, very safe tanks, pressure in the tank around 10 bar max.

10-15% extra fuel used, although the new systems deliver same power and use less extra

Gas is in liquid form in the tank.

CNG

Concept still underdeveloped, safe tanks, pressure in the tank around 200 bar.

10-15% extra fuel used, powerloss still 15%.

Gas is in the tank as gas.

CNG cheaper to buy.

Me......LPG, no 200 bar tank behind me.

Last time I was visiting friends in Pattaya a visit to walking street is one of the must do things.

I wonder, all those people speaking one of those Eastern-Europe languages, are they all, ehhhhhh.

Or.........

Thai society is based on taking advantage of the weak. This is just a mirror of the rich and powerful of a unjust social structure. It will not stop until Thailand transforms itself into a viable, democratic, uncorrupted country. Which is a long way coming.

Why only mention the Thai society?

I have no idea where you come from, but where in the world the richt don't take advantage of the poor?

Even in, as you call it, viable, democratic, uncorrupted countries?

Where in the world can you find a just social structure?

Where in the world there is, in one way or another, no trade in human.

Even labour-agencies, if you look up the UN-rules, can be classified as dealing in human trade.

One step furthe you might call "hire and fire" a disguised form of human trafficking.

The point is, the rich using poor people to get even richer is something of all times and places.

You can agree with it, or not agree with it, it will not change.

Mind, I do not condone things, but I realise that I do not have any power to fight it.

And I most certainly do not like the idea the country where I live in seems not to do much about it.

That said, even in my home country and the surrounding countries there seem to be a livily trade in human beings.

Be it for the sex industry, or "slave" labour in sweatshops.

Kicking the Thai in the collective balls is not the way to success.

And thinking that a "real" democracy, whatever that may be, will stop human trafficking is living in a kind of LaLaLand.

Even in viable, democratic, uncorrupted countries the poor are used.

Many thanks to Mr. Shinawatra.

You got that one wrong!

It should say: Many thanks to the traitors who staged an illegal coup against a legal government

I beg to differ.

One year after the coup there were elections.

Although a lot of vote-buying was proven, the Mr T followers did not get a majority.

There followed a coalition, lead by the Mr T followers party or parties.

There only business, it seems, was whitewashing Mr T, by all means.

Because of the vote-buying the party of Mr T followers was disbanded by the courts.

What followed was that the coalition fell apart and several of the parties formed a coalition with the party of Abhisit.

I have no idea what you mean by a coup.

Coalitions can be formed and disappear.

That is called politics.

If you call that a coup.welcome to it.