DodgerRodger

I'm following this thread with interest after having my visa application rejected in February last year.

I initially registered with thaievisa in 2019.  My registration was acknowledged by email from [email protected] and asked me to click on a link to activate the account.  No problem experienced.  Two points that maybe of interest.  Firstly I was addressed as "Dear Applicant" and secondly my inbox labelled this incoming message as being from a mailing list with a link where I was directed to if I wanted to unsubscribe (I didn't).

Fast forward to last year.  I applied for a METV in 2022 through the visa portal.  About 3 days later I received an email from the same source as above (also indicating it was from a mailing list) as per attached 

I was massively unimpressed at the ridiculous requests but also at the same time being told my application is "cancel" so didn't follow up (I eventually arrived in Thailand visa exempt and vowed to apply for Thai Elite).  

I got a second email the next day; note that this time my full name appeared in the first line (not dear applicant) but also the same "this is from a mailing list" message was present.

Is it possible that this "mailing list" is one and the same as @BritTim's Taximail?

I was away from HKG for 3.5 years for similar reasons and recently returned for a visit and to get my permanent ID card replaced.  Without any effort on my part, they gave me a permanent ID card!!!

As for the OP's travel advice, next time pay a little extra and fly Emirates First Class.  You won't regret...

Also consider KV Mansion near On Nut BTS http://www.kvmansion.com. One month = 15K

On 7/5/2023 at 6:39 AM, Yodarapper said:

Hi,

we rented for a year at 16k for a ford ecosport.

 

 

 

May I ask the age of the car when you started the rental?  Any mileage restriction?  Also, where did you source the car?  Interested.

29 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Golden Earring - Radar Love.

 

 

Good choice (as indeed they all are).  Went to see them live in the early 1970s back when I rode a Honda C50 ????

Some useful advice, especially @Liquorice @BritTim and @DrJack54 above.  But if you would like further local advice, there's a helpful Facebook group under the name Expats in Roi-et/Thailand that may help further.

They are definitely using the traffic lights at Bangkok DLT (Chatujak).  I was there in April doing the test.  Clear, bright colours.  You won't get far using the IDP unless you travel bak to UK every year to renew it.  Can only be done in person.

Here's the text from the Thai Elite application declaration, several of the points are of relevance to the OP.  The declaration goes on (later paragraph) to say that if you are later found out to have made a false declaration, TE membership will be cancelled with no refund.

It seems DLT prefer IDPs for the simple reason they are all in the same format and easy to read and understand.  I earlier posted a screen cap from DLT website.  A non-English driving licence can be translated and attested by one's Embassy.  Don't know of anyone using this method, but might be preferable to undertaking the 2-day test process.

2 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

To be honest, I doubt they'd even know.  When I obtained my first Thai licence, I didn't even have an IDP, just my UK licence.

Using IDP is an option, your local licence is also accepted.  They do not ask for both.  My agent didn't insist on the IDP but preferred to use that instead of my UK licence.

23 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

And yet the UK government says Thailand requires an IDP to be based on the 1968 convention:

 

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit

And yet the agent for the UK Government, i.e. The Post Office, issue the 1949 version for travel to Thailand (mine did at least...)

I understand Thailand are recent signatories to the UN's 1968 Convention meaning they currently are signatories to both 1949 and 1968.  There's no doubting DLT's requirements at the moment.

2 hours ago, Melpomene said:

It is indeed. I can't even get a reply to my emails. I just get an automated response telling me they won't be responding. Someone should make a sitcom about their incompetence...

You could try emailing them here

[email protected]

11 hours ago, Sigma6 said:

Last October I got a cert of residence from the UK embassy.

I called and explained that I have a vehicle - i need a drivers license (it had long expired during covid), but I wouldnt be able to get one from bkk immigration as I'm not staying 90 days each time.

 

Basically they were my only option.  So they issued one

So, there are a couple of us in this predicament, i.e. cannot do 90-day report and cannot get residency proof from the Embassy and relying on IDP being potentially unlawful.  Both the Embassy and DLT say you can get from the other.  I got mine last November and I understand the British Embassy ceased issuing them in December.  I told them by email that it was a mistake for the reasons outlined in this thread but obviously to no avail.  Although it may still be possible to get it done on an exceptional basis.  To even get to contact them you have to email, which goes to a "civil servant" in London who tries to fob you off with quotes from the gov.uk website.  I was insistent that my question was Thailand specific and eventually got referred.

When I was at DLT last week I spoke to a new arrival from Singapore who had his brand new Embassy certificate.  Not fair doesn't even come close to describe this cluster****

Sorry for the delay, but I think clarification on a couple of points may help.

Firstly, I used an agent for speed of process because when I was last in Bangkok in November last year even an agent could  not get me an appointment within the 5 week time I had to get the job done.  This time around all went very quickly.  I don't actually live in Thailand full time yet.

Secondly the use of the IDP is as per DLT requirements, please refer to DLT website (here's a quick screen cap 

I was intrigued to read the above posts but when I checked BTS website it says

Eligibility for use of Senior Rabbit cards

          Senior Rabbit card Senior Rabbit card may only be used by Thai Senior Citizens aged 60 years and over, according to date of birth as shown on Citizen ID, which must be presented upon request be BTS Staff.

You could use the snail mail option

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1149714/br19-interactive-application-for-a-state-pension-statement.pdf

43 minutes ago, Sandboxer said:

I assume you mean actually visiting an immi office for ____reason, not going through immi at airport(s) leaving the country, right?

If you are staying in Thailand for more than 90 days you will need to do a 90-day report (all handled by TE if you are in one of the areas where 90-day reporting service is provided by TE - which includes Phuket) and a TM30 will be needed at that time.

I was thinking that, if no source of income documentation is asked for, would it not be possible to recycle the same 65K every month into and out of Thailand at the cost of the FX transfer fees?

45 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

International roaming is not the same as data roaming. 

Yes, you are correct.  My AIS account was obviously set up with International Roaming activated.  I just didn't know it ????

If you need to activate this function click on "More" at bottom right of AIS home page, then you'll see "International Service". Click that for access to the option.  However, this may be a moot point if you can't receive the OTP to log in in the first place ????  I hope the OP is like me and has this option already activated.

You should not need to activate roaming.   I have the same set up as yourself (AIS and Bangkok Bank mobile apps).  Turn on your phone with the AIS sim inserted.  Connect to wifi.  Your phone should by default connect with Vodaphone UK.  Make sure data roaming is off or you may get charged for some data being consumed by apps working in the background.  You can log onto AIS app easily, they send you the stupid OTP to your phone by SMS.  There's no charge for receiving the OTP.  But sending one SMS to Thailand costs 13 Baht.

3 hours ago, DPGumbypgh said:

I have used tm30.io a couple of times for condos may wife owns. Much easier than the immigration app as all you need is photo of the passport information page of the guest. 
Only allowed to use four times a month for free. 

Useful info, thanks.  May I ask what you get in return as proof of TM30 registration?  It'll be needed for 90-day reporting and applying for certificate of residence in future.  Thanks.