samtam

You can obtain an affidavit of residence from your embassy, at their prevailing rates; I'm British, and just did mine for the same purpose (to obtain a Thai DL), and it cost THB2,500 (so you have a bargain!) and I had to make an appointment online to obtain it. You can apparently go to IMM at Chaengwattana and apply for the same document, which they will then mail to you within about 2-3 weeks. I figured the THB2,500 was acceptable in those circumstances.

Here's my experience ID #19 29 June 2016. Hope this helps.

Fire under control.

Sterling contribution from The Sukhothai

Aftermath - working through the debris

I was awoken this morning by the noise of a burning house close by and next to the Sukhothai Hotel/Residences:

Luckily everything seems to be under control within 30 minutes, aided by fire hoses from the Sukhothai Hotel from the left, which could not be reached from the small soi on the right.

20160907_0729401[1].mp4

20160907_0734151[1].mp4

Whilst I have sympathy for the OP's inability to understand the huge gap between new and older properties, the response given by lkn makes a great deal of sense. Whether the differential of THB60k versus THB300k (+400%) is justified is a moot point. Personally I think that is too wide; either older properties need to rise in price, or newer ones need to fall.

On 23/08/2016 at 2:31 AM, lkn said:

In addition to freehold/leasehold the materials also affect the price.

 

I know some think that all Thai condos are just concrete blocks, but windows are not just windows (double/triple glazed), floors are not just floors (tiles, engineered wood, real wood), kitchens are not just kitchens (IKEA or a kitchen design shop in Thonglor with big induction stove instead of two small electrical rings), cabling is not just cabling (enough conduits in the walls so you have power/internet near whatever appliance need it), air condition is not just air condition (silent and hidden above the ceiling or just mounted on the wall), a bathroom is not just a bathroom (wall mounted toilets, head shower coming down from the ceiling, nicely designed fixtures, water heater that has enough power to provide warm water at a constant temperature and which is not split between the sink so when your partner washes their hands, you get a cold shower), etc.

 

Some of the things being built are definitely worth more than 60k per sqm. in materials alone then you have the cost of the land, labour, and the developer’s profit.

As worldchild has said, there is a quick and dirty way of calculating the "true" value of properties, as below. But unfortunately, until there is general public access to property transaction prices*, no proper analysis of the Bangkok property market can be made, and even the papers on the subject produced by respected property companies, such as CBRE are meaningless without this vital statistic. (*As I understand it, this information is strictly private.)

On 24/08/2016 at 3:53 PM, wordchild said:

an interesting way of considering the value of a freehold condo is to work out what the underlying land value is psm and what percentage that would be of the sale price. ie try to get a reasonable estimate of the  current market value of land in the area you are interested in, (CBRE will help if you ask nicely) work out the land area of the condo  and then you can estimate  the value of the land the condo sits on and which all the owners have a share in.  Then divide that by the total sqm of all the condo units in the condo. You can then derive what % of the condo asking price reflects the underlying value of the land. This is not by any means an exact science because of issues such as build restrictions but it is an interesting reality check.

I have done this in the past, when looking to buy, and it does also throw up some interesting results eg it clearly makes new highrise condos esp further out from central Bangkok past say Ekhami look expensive, ie the land value psm is a small percentage of the asking price.  And because older condos in central BKK, eg in the Ploenchit  area have not appreciated at anything like the price of land in that area, it makes some of these, in particular the low rise, low density projects look very good value.ie the value of the land on which the condo sits is a very high percentage of the condo value. In fact when I last  looked at this a couple of years ago I estimated that for a couple of centrally located condos the underlying land value was pretty close to 100% of the (then) asking prices for those condos.    

  

 

I notice they are in the process of demolishing the old showroom which was purpose built for the launch of Sukhothai Residences 6 (?) years ago. Does anyone have the inside scoop as to what is planned in replacement? I've always thought that a Sukhothai Residences II was conceivable on this land, as it stretches all the way to the hotel's pool, currently with 3 (or 4) flat green roofed houses on it, the former residences of HSBC senior staff.

When I try and "like this" I get a message:  

"You are not allowed to give reputation [sic] to this user." 

Pourquoi?

There has been so much misinformation on this subject - applicable to tourists, then applicable to foreigners living in Thailand, the latter not confirmed by yesterday's in-principle decision.

However, what I do not understand is how, if the latter were implemented, (that it might apply to foreigners living Thailand), how it is any different to that which already happens; my Thai SIM is only operable because I have provided a copy of my passport to Dtac, who photographed it, and sent it to a database. In other words, my SIM is already registered, and in theory no one can obtain a SIM in Thailand without going through this procedure.  Isn't a phone number traceable with or without GPS switched on? How can you change a SIM to not being able to switch GPS on/off? do we all need to get one of these new locked GPS "on" SIMs? 

Whilst they're at it, could they sterilise cats too? We have many in our soi, and the female keeps on reproducing.

Report them on DLT Check-in or Android DLT Check-in

do you have experience using this app and does it work properly? Is there a full English version? Did you make a complaint so far and did you follow up what actually happened then ?

I have reported one case of a car unfit for purpose, (serious engine problems). Yes, it is in English. There was no response from DLT, but there is another thread on TV which seems to suggest it works - albeit after writing about it online first. As others suggest, Uber is a good alternative to taxis, although it is not without its problems, (lack of knowledge by some drivers of GPS or no SAT NAV). But if you get a new Toyota which is more spacious, or All Thai Taxi, these too are good alternatives. I understand they are not always options. Certainly I try to choose those if I'm picking up from the street, or when my concierge calls a taxi for me. Today I took a large Toyota (as aforementioned) @ THB71 (I gave him THB80), and returned in Uber @ THB157. Both drivers were good, which I would expect with Uber, but mostly which I find with run of the mill taxis. (I'm in central BKK, and I realise it's quite a different story in the burbs and in Samui/Phuket/Chiang Mai etc.)

Report them on DLT Check-in or Android DLT Check-in

Just want to provide anyone who needs information regarding applying for a Thai Driver's Licence, based on my experience yesterday.

I have a UK DL and live in Thailand on an Extension of Stay based on Retirement.

Having obtained my Certificate of Residency from the British Embassy yesterday morning, I took a taxi to the Dept of Land Transport in Chatuchak. Quite congested within the area, and I was not sure which building I needed to enter for the operation; there are several. Went to Building 3, but was told it should be Building 5, (I think - all signage is in Thai). 2nd Floor. Queued at "Information", and handed over:

Passport (and copies of info page, Extension of Stay page, TM. Arrival card)

UK Driving Licence (and copies of front and back)

Medical Certificate

Certificate of Residency

(Required to sign and provide Tel No)

Given receipt and Q number and told to go to counter 18.

Waited less than 5 minutes

Documents processed within 10 minutes and given another receipt plus my passport

and told to go to 3/F for physical test, obtaining Q number and waiting for about 5 minutes in the hall with a Thai & then barely audible English version on TV loop of what the test would entail:

1) calling out colours of traffic lights from a distance of about 10 metres

2) co-ordination test - aligning a mechanised stick

3) acceleration/brake test

4) peripheral vision test

1)-4) all with very antiquated machinery akin to an ancient tractor, but doable once I understood the instruction.

Passed, and was told to report back to first Information desk on 2/F with pass slip. Given another Q number and was told to return to counter 18.

It was 11.45. Two people in front of me.

Seen around 11.50-55. Photographed, and paid fee THB305. Handed new (Temporary) Licence valid for 2 years.

All at DLT completed with the hour. (Lunch hour is 12.00-13.00 and it closes, so it was a JIT operation).

No forms need to be completed (Thai Application Form), or photos provided, as previously, and the licence is, as I say now valid for 2 rather than 1 year.

Dept Land Transport is a bit of a dump, but it certainly worked quite effectively.

One wonders whether he will seek re-election (given that even his own party want to cast him adrift).

...in the "water to drain" presumably.

Kawasaki - if you're referring to me as the OP - I like to restrict my visit to IMM to once a year, and I think it takes 2-3 weeks to be mailed out once the application form is completed. It was a consideration, however, but my medical cert is valid for a month for the DL application.

Resident certificate (I'm Malaysian getting it was easy at our embassy)

Lucky you! I naïvely thought I could just turn up at the British Embassy yesterday afternoon, having attained all my other documentary requirements, but alas no. Wet from rain and humidity, I was informed that I had to make an appointment online. Silly me for not reading the website correctly, I will admit. But I thought it might be quite nice if they could justify their THB2650 fee by allowing me to make a booking at the gate office. The Malaysian Embassy seems to be the same as the Japanese Embassy, (and perhaps others) - treating its citizens with a little more respect and dignity. Anyway, I have managed to get an appointment to get my Residency Certificate 1 week hence for my 15 minute slot.

Caution to Brits - ALL services require an appointment ONLINE. It's in the multitudinous blurb on their website. In my 13 years of living in Thailand I have only been to the embassy once, and next week will be my second visit. Whoopee.

Do not use 'Auto Fill'.

You must use make selections from the drop down boxes (where applicable) for the system to recognise it.

Having read of many failed attempts on TV and from local expats to do reports online, I'm convinced that many of the problems are self inflicted operator errors. Not firstly reading the instructions clearly, using the wrong browser, or not using the drop down boxes in the relevant sections.

Only yesterday, I once again successfully completed an online TM47 form for a local expat who said the system didn't work.

No problems entering, or the system accepting his details and he is now in the pending status.

A few days ago I also successfully completed the very first online report for another expat who previously could not use the system because he last entered Thailand 7 years ago. 3 months ago he crossed the Lao border and completed a new TM6 arrival/departure card.

His first report was accepted without any issues..........that's a 'Heads Up' for Joe.

I use IE, Windows 8.1 for 90 day online reports. Never failed.

Having read of many failed attempts on TV and from local expats to do reports online, I'm convinced that many of the problems are self inflicted operator errors.

My impression too.

More than half of the problems described are technical issues.

It's indeed some challenge starting with the suspicious security certificate, the need to use IE (or a compatibility plugin) and the need to select entries from a drop down list/menu (no free text entry).

To be absolutely clear - I used "autofill" and I tried without it too, on another computer without autofill.

I have had 4 successful attempts in the last few months since the online reporting was introduced, including spending a great deal of time redoing when the system was performing slowly.

I am merely reporting that after spending more than two hours in a number of ways at trying to complete yesterday, the system did not work for me.

I tried Google Chrome extranet, IE, Firefox.

But thanks for your comments which I'm sure you didn't intend to be so derogatory, and I am delighted you have always had success.

Just tried to do my 4th online report today several times, and whilst the first page could be completed (even with autofill from previous applications) after "verified" I received the "Please report to your nearest Imm office", so I have abandoned the process and will send by mail in, (to Chaengwattana). Obviously recently reported glitches are still unresolved.

Jus got my car and motorcycle license in 30mins at chatujak DLT.no question asked.

I am on 30days tourist visa.

Documents provided :

Resident certificate (I'm Malaysian getting it was easy at our embassy)

Passport (+ 2photocopy for car and motorcycle)

Original driving license (+ 2photocopy for car and motorcycle)

Photo copy of immigration arrival card and arrival stamp on passport (2 copies)

Medical cert (2photocopy for car and motorcycle)

I arrive at 3pm. Got my queue number on level 2 and proceed to another counter which the lady verify the documents and nag non stop why I came so late. Then proceed to level 3 for color test. Then back to level 2 same old lady paid 510baht and got both my car n motorcycle license in about 30mins before they closed at 330pm.

Easier than I thought.

Thanks! (I have an Extension of Stay for a B Visa, based on retirement), but I was curious about the requisite documents and centre, which you have answered.

Advice anyone about where to apply for a Thai Driving Licence in Bangkok.

I understand that if one has a UK DL it's a simple procedure obtaining a Thai one, just need the certificate of residence, medical certificate, passport with Extension of Stay visas, and that's it.

Thanks ubonjoe. Yes, doing 90 day reports and all up-to-date. Need the certificate for Driving Licence. Thanks for the form. You don't mention any other documents required, so that sounds easy enough, assuming one doesn't have to wait endlessly at CW.

I checked the British Embassy site and the cost is THB2650, so although it might be easier, (in Ploenchit rather than CW), there's obviously a bit of a saving.

What documentation is required for Certificate of Residency (TM.18)? I'm in Bangkok - is a visit to Chaengwattana the only option? Can it be mailed in?

It's worth adding that in practice there is a very relaxed attitude amongst the Police and the car rental agencies on which license a person holds. I have a UK license which I managed to renew whilst living in Thailand, via the UK government gateway (I know, I know) and also a full Thai drivers license. Whenever I rent a car in the UK I offer up both licenses to Enterprise and tell them to take their pick, they always take the UK license but also record details of the Thai license.

But my annual car insurance policy from White Horse allows me to avoid paying car rental insurance and this cannot be used by UK residents. Two years ago somebody hit my rental car whilst parked and when I reported the incident to the Police they did the same as Enterprise, took details of both licenses and never uttered a word about it. When I went to claim on the insurance White Horse was very straight forward and paid the claim without question.

I suspect the key to the above is that both licenses point to the same person and neither has been cancelled or suspended, dunno.

Ok, this straight from the horses mouth and up to date. Last year I had to change my old UK paper license to a plastic style one, I did it through an agency in the uk I found online. And yes, if you are not resident in the uk, you do need to supply a uk address, it is this address that the license is delivered to. I used my sisters address.

On the 7th of this month, I hired a car at Heathrow, when collecting the car, I used my new uk license, but as stated, the car firm had to call the DVLA to check for points against or even that the license was valid. It took five minutes. I was informed that the next time I rented a car in the uk, I would need to go online to the DVLA website and get a code number which I would need to give to the car hire firm.

My Chinese wife was nominated as the second driver, her Chinese license was accepted, but only after her Thai 5 year license was rejected. Read of that what you will.

When you guys have renewed, do you not put your NI number in? What is the registered address for that? UK or Thailand?

Various websites seem to suggest that as I live in Sathorn I need to apply for a Thai Driver's Licence at

Bangkok Area 1
9/99 Bangkunthian Chaithalay Road, Kwang Thakarm, Bangkhunthien district, Bangkok 10150
Tel: 02-415-73378
Covers the districts: Bangkhunthian, Bang Bon, Jomthong, Thonburi, Klongsarn, Radburana, Bangkolaem, Tungkru, Yannawa and Sathorn.

or

Soi Wat Hua Krabu at km 4.5, Bangkunthian Thaithalae, Thakarm, Bangkhunthien, Bangkok 10150

Google maps say this place doesn't exist. Is it possible to apply at the Land Transport Office in Chatuchak?

How do you get a certificate of residency - viz what documents do the (British) embassy require or the Immigration Department? Is it better to go the embassy route or the IMM.

Is a UK Driving Licence OK, or do I have to apply for an International DL first?

Anyone recommend an agent to facilitate all of this?

Many thanks.

The problem with Uber is that you can't schedule a car to pick you up in advance - you just summon one when you're ready, and then hope the driver can make it through the Bangkok traffic to get to you in a reasonable amount of time.

A very serious shortcoming. Just the other night, I had an Uber driver accept my pickup request for Lotus/Tesco at Fortune Town, but then ring me to say she couldn't make it because she was stuck in a traffic jam and couldn't make her way down the exit ramp from the tollway. When I asked her why she accepted my Uber hail if she was stuck in traffic, she replied, "I have to, I'm given no choice."

My experiences with Uber in Bangkok have been good, when they can show up within a reasonable amount of time to pick me up. That's maybe 50% of the time.

Yeah, that's my only real complaint too - oh and drivers that are completely unable to read a google map or follow a gps. Then, I've had that in Singapore (twice this week), New Zealand and London too.

Although I love Uber, (as stated in an earlier post in this topic), I have found the unreliable GPS a problem, and I thought it was just me. 50% of the time the car goes to an address in Suan Phlu instead of mine, a soi off Sathorn Tai. The last time I used the service, it picked me up correctly at Central Chidlom, and the driver's destination was incorrect compared to mine, (she showed me her phone and I showed her mine). There is a discrepancy in the GPS co-ordinates, or in English it shows a different address to that in Thai. I think I have overcome the problem by keying in my address, (a soi number, 27/2 - which is the non-sensical Thai postal address), rather than the condo name, (which is correct in English, but completely different in Thai). I don't know who does their GPS co-ordinates, but it is certainly an issue, and the driver admitted as much. When I have given the feedback to Uber Support it gets answered in the USA I think, so has no local knowledge input. When it all works I love it, but I'm still tweaking with the service, for the reasons aforementioned.

The map information comes from Google. I've had to fix the Google maps entry for my house (and much else around here, but that's beside the point) and now it works perfectly. I gave my address a name of Home on my Google map and now Uber recognises that on my devices (I'm signed into maps).

The most unreliable GPS I encounter is Singapore. It can put you miles away.

OK, thanks for enlightening me on source of GPS co-ordinates, but I'm not sure why the English version of my condo name comes out as a completely different one in Thai. Is that Google maps too, or Uber? Can you provide this Google map neanderthal (moi) with instructions on how to fix the Google map entry?

Today my pick up was OK because I used the Thai version of my condo name. The return journey I did the same, but the driver didn't know where it was, which wasn't such a big problem because I was travelling with him, so could tell him; obviously slightly defeats the point of GPS, and it would be an issue if I didn't know the route to my destination.

This might help. http://www.tomsguide.com/faq/id-2379966/edit-maps-make-corrections-add-businesses-google-maps.html

OK, I'll try. The more I think about it, the more I think it's a translation issue between an English name for a condo and the Thai translation, (which is of a different condo), albeit nearby, but a different road (Suan Phlu, rather than my road, a soi off Sathorn).

How does it work? I need an account for Thailand, another for Euros, one for Australia, another for USA? Why can't they have one multi currency system? It's too confusing.

Use your credit card (registered on your Uber account) and pay any currency; forex conversion done by your bank wnen your credit card is debited.

The problem with Uber is that you can't schedule a car to pick you up in advance - you just summon one when you're ready, and then hope the driver can make it through the Bangkok traffic to get to you in a reasonable amount of time.

A very serious shortcoming. Just the other night, I had an Uber driver accept my pickup request for Lotus/Tesco at Fortune Town, but then ring me to say she couldn't make it because she was stuck in a traffic jam and couldn't make her way down the exit ramp from the tollway. When I asked her why she accepted my Uber hail if she was stuck in traffic, she replied, "I have to, I'm given no choice."

My experiences with Uber in Bangkok have been good, when they can show up within a reasonable amount of time to pick me up. That's maybe 50% of the time.

Yeah, that's my only real complaint too - oh and drivers that are completely unable to read a google map or follow a gps. Then, I've had that in Singapore (twice this week), New Zealand and London too.

Although I love Uber, (as stated in an earlier post in this topic), I have found the unreliable GPS a problem, and I thought it was just me. 50% of the time the car goes to an address in Suan Phlu instead of mine, a soi off Sathorn Tai. The last time I used the service, it picked me up correctly at Central Chidlom, and the driver's destination was incorrect compared to mine, (she showed me her phone and I showed her mine). There is a discrepancy in the GPS co-ordinates, or in English it shows a different address to that in Thai. I think I have overcome the problem by keying in my address, (a soi number, 27/2 - which is the non-sensical Thai postal address), rather than the condo name, (which is correct in English, but completely different in Thai). I don't know who does their GPS co-ordinates, but it is certainly an issue, and the driver admitted as much. When I have given the feedback to Uber Support it gets answered in the USA I think, so has no local knowledge input. When it all works I love it, but I'm still tweaking with the service, for the reasons aforementioned.

The map information comes from Google. I've had to fix the Google maps entry for my house (and much else around here, but that's beside the point) and now it works perfectly. I gave my address a name of Home on my Google map and now Uber recognises that on my devices (I'm signed into maps).

The most unreliable GPS I encounter is Singapore. It can put you miles away.

OK, thanks for enlightening me on source of GPS co-ordinates, but I'm not sure why the English version of my condo name comes out as a completely different one in Thai. Is that Google maps too, or Uber? Can you provide this Google map neanderthal (moi) with instructions on how to fix the Google map entry?

Today my pick up was OK because I used the Thai version of my condo name. The return journey I did the same, but the driver didn't know where it was, which wasn't such a big problem because I was travelling with him, so could tell him; obviously slightly defeats the point of GPS, and it would be an issue if I didn't know the route to my destination.