paddlinsteve

Your concern is appreciated. However, five years ago when I converted my two-year licence to a five-year one, I was told by my local Immigration Office to get a letter from my local police station and bring it to them to issue a certificate of residence. This time, due to the nature of the Non-O visa, I'm not considered a long-term resident of the country. Thus, they won't issue a TM.30 or a CoR. I'll wait a few more days and hope that when I go again I'll be talking to a different officer who will listen to reason.

I went to our local police office here in Bang Yai (Nonthaburi) a couple of days ago and they brushed me off, saying that they don't issue certificates of residence for the purpose of driving licence renewal. It seems that either getting a "normal" Non-O or paying an agent are the only avenues open for me now.

Nonthaburi.

I tried contacting American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy and they were kind enough to reply promptly but unhelpfully: Thank you for contacting ACS Bangkok, Unfortunately, ACS doesn’t provide certificate of residence. Regards, American Citizens Services Unit U.S. Embassy Bangkok (PP)

First, last July I was given a Non-O visa (marriage) at the Consulate in Savannakhet. Do I understand rightly that if I depart the country before that visa expires in a few weeks and then return while it is still valid that I’ll be granted a further stay of 90 days? If so, does it matter whether that return is done by land or by air? Second question: when my 5-year driving licence was due to expire, I went to my local IO to get a certificate of residence. However, this was refused as, the agent explained, my visa allowed me to stay only 90 days at a time in Thailand. Is there any other route to obtain a residence doc so I can renew the licence?

Having lurked in these parts since 2006 myself, the least I can do to recognize Joe's value to the community in general and to me specifically is to make an effort to tap out a tribute to him and his wisdom and clarity of perception -- qualities that lit up an area that can be daunting at best and threatening to people unable to see through smokescreens as easily as he. Requiescat in pace, Ubon Joe.