Lost Nomad

To close the loop on my previous question as a data poiint for anyone interested: I found my International Drivers Permit so that changed the scenario. I decided to head to Bangkok and try my luck at the Chatachuk DLT (Building 4) rather than go to Chonburi 2x. The Foreigner information desk (level 1) examined my paperwork and all was in order. Head up to level 2 where the DLT person entered my data into the computer. Go to level 3 where I waited maybe 10-15 minutes while watching a repeating video that explains the physical tests. (1) color blindness test (just tell the DLT rep what color the lights are as she changes them (2) depth perception test - move 1 stick to line it up next to a stationary stick (3) brake test. Step on gas pedal until red light shows then quickly step on brake (4) peripheral vision test - button press to indicate right or left side as a white light illuminates. Once completed, go back to level 2 to have picture taken/pay fee/receive licenses. I'd estimate I was in the building 1.5 hours. All in all, not too painful and I do not think an agent fee of 5000-6000 baht is warranted.

Posting my trip report in case it's helpful to anyone. Sometime last week: Stopped by Jomtien Immigration to determine paperwork requirements to obtain Residence Certificate needed for Thai license. 1st stop: Building on left as you come in from Soi 5. Ignore IO at photocopy machine and get in queue for Information Desk. Information IO looked at my passport (LTR-P) and gave a 1-page form "Application For A Letter of Residence Information in Thailand". Attached was a small sheet of paper stating I would need: Copy of Passport (Data Page, Entry Stamp, Categories of Visa and Visa) Evidence of Address (House Book, Lease Agreement, or TM-30) Photos (2) Fast forward to today 8-21-24: Stopped by Information Desk to reverify requirements. IO examined passport and gave me a 2-page form "Notification Form for House Master, Owner, or the Possessor of the Residence Where Alien has stayed" and the previously mentioned 1-page form. The IO also stated I'd need 2 copies of pretty much everything. My lease is 20+ pages. Required paperwork for Reporting Address: Passport (Data Page), Arrival Stamp Page, Visa Page Rental Contract House Registration (Blue Book) ID Card of Owner I went to the Yai Visa office next to immigration to print out my TM-30 and Passport pages which I had tried to consolidate. Cost 20bt/pp black & white or 30bt/pp color. Seemed expensive to me, but maybe it's the normal rate. In any case, docs printed and back to the Information desk for review. I decided to just go with just the 1-page application document, 1 copy of passport details and 1 copy of TM-30 and take my chances. Luckily I didn't get the same IO and a different IO reviewed my paperwork and gave me a queue ticket for Desk 10. Proceed to building on the Right as you enter Immigration. Desk 10 is the Notification of Address Desk. The IO compained that my TM-30 wasn't dated the same as my Entry Stamp. I told her I was in a Hotel before moving into my condo and that seemed to suffice. She stapled the Receipt of Notification in my passport (technically not needed for 1 year since I'm on a LTR) and sent me back to the Information desk in the other building. Information Desk said I needed a copy of the Receipt of Notification (3 baht from copier next to Information Desk) and once copied I was given a queue ticket for Desk 9. Back to other building. Desk 9 (Residence Certificate). Reviewed packet and asked for 300 baht and 2 photos. Was told to come back this afternoon so I asked if tomorrow was acceptable. Was told it would be no problem.

It's 5 years from my last colonoscopy in the US and I'm now in Pattaya. This should be routine and no issues, but who knows. That's why we do these things. Hoping Sheryl can chime in on recommendations for the Doctor I should use. I have US insurance which should cover this 100% so I'm more than willing to let them pay for Bangkok Pattaya Hospital if that's the recommendation.

Living in Pattaya and trying to decide if I want to get car/moto licenses at Chonburi DLT or possibly travel to Bangkok if those DLT locations are easier to use without resorting to an agent. I have a valid US car/moto license, but do not have an IDP. I have taken the 1-hour DLT e-training, although this may only be helpful for renewals. I've looked at the Chonburi requirements as shown on the PCEC website. Am I forced to get my license validated by the US embassy (not sure if they still do this) or attend a 5-hour training session and also take a written test and driving test? If I have to do all those things then I'm inclined to just pay an agent the 6k baht (haven't shopped this around yet) and be done with it. I don't really need either of these licenses, but figure it's good to have one as a form of ID and if I ever do decide to rent/buy a moto then at least I'll be covered. I've seen various YT videos of people breezing through the process w/o the IDP but I realize it's very location dependent (as well as DLT officer dependent). Has anyone on this forum gotten a 1st time 2-year license w/o an IDP and w/o using an agent?

I recently opened my BB acccount and had requested ibanking & mbanking access. ibanking is working as expected. I'm having an issue where mbanking can't verify my phone number (never proceeds beyond step where I should receive SMS after I enter passport & DOB and accept the very long agreement verbiage), but I'm in communication with mbanking help desk so hopefully I'll eventually have mbanking capability. I'm hoping to pay rent to landlord (Kbank account), PEA utility bill, and PWA utility bill. I setup my landlord as a 3rd party payee in ibanking (so I received SMS to verify it was me adding a 3rd party). I did see the PWA listed as a bill that can be paid, but I did not see PEA listed. I also went to a BB ATM machine to see what capabilities it had. I could pay a 3rd party, but I'd need to bring my landlord's account information to the ATM since it didn't seem to see that I had saved it on my ibanking. I also saw the PWA listed, but wasn't sure if I needed to enter the bill account number or if the ATM could scan/read the bill somehow. I also didn't see the PEA listed anywhere (which I the main reason I wanted to examine the ATM options). At this point it looks like I'll pay my rent and PWA bill with ibanking. PEA will be paid at 7/11 since I don't want to setup any sort of direct debit arrangement which would require adding the PEA app and getting PEA paperwork to take to BB (or so I've read). I like to keep my payments off autopilot. It's unfortunate that without mbanking I have no pay by QR capability so those businesses that no longer accept cash will lose me as a customer.

My Android 11 phone is not jailbroken and the first thing I checked was the minimum requirements (Android 8). I'm undecided if I want to deal with Chonburi DLT which requires a trip out there to schedule an appointment and then come back days or weeks later to actually process through the DLT. If I can get to the BOI early, pay 500 to get same day RC, then I can head to Area 3 DLT which is just off the BTS route. I would also like to schedule a doctor visit in BKK so it would be a long but productive day.

I would like to get it working, but am at a loss of what more I can do if it doesn't start to work in a few days. I sent an email to the BB mobile banking help desk, but just got back a form letter that didn't address my issue. If it's a phone issue, it's the only app that I've installed for Thailand that is not working. I don't want to buy a new phone just to have BB mbanking. As far as security is concerned, IF the ATM allows Transfers to 3rd parties and I can enter the bank/account number of my landlord then that seems a pretty safe option. I have no idea if the ATM allows this, but I'll see what I can find when at an ATM with no queue behind me. To keep this somewhat LTR related, my next possible use for the BOI office is the BOI assistance in getting a Residency Certificate to get a DL. I'm not in BKK so if I need to report in person (seems like it) the only way I'd do that is if I can also go to the DLT in BKK to get my license, even though I live several hours away. Probably easier to just go to my local IO and get the RC.

I'll take your word on that, I'm not a cybersecurity expert. However, my thoughts are if I am using a VPN to access the BB site and keeping minimal funds in the account then my risk is not that great. The plan is to pull cash from US bank using the Schwab ATM, depositing those funds into BB, and soon afterwards transferring funds to the landlord. The BB account is just a passthrough so I have some sort of electronic trail proving rent was paid and on time.

Update to my requesting BOI bank assistance: On Friday the BOI responded to my request for an appointment @ Bangkok Bank on Saturday. BOI staff had forwarded my packet to BB and was waiting on confirmation of the appointment. Later on Friday I received an email saying all was approved and my appointment was scheduled. The next morning I went to BB and had to take a queue ticket even though I had an appointment. After waiting for 45 minutes my turn in the queue was up. When I sat down with the accounts person she checked my passport and then pulled out the packet from the BOI. I had to sign countless forms, have a picture taken, select 2 seperate PIN codes, pay THB 400 for the debit card, and make an initial deposit. I'm not sure what the minimum deposit would have been because I was deposting enough money to cover the 2 month security deposit I will be paying the owner of the condo I have selected. I also indicated that I would need online banking on both a computer and my phone. The accounts person attempted to setup my BB app but I was receiving a "unable to verify mobile number" error and she said it was due to poor cell signal and to try again at home. I am still unable to receive the SMS code needed to verify my account on the app and I even went to the AIS store to confirm they had assigned that simcard number to me in their system. They had. I have no idea why I cannot receive the SMS and do not think using the app is in my future. I am able to logon to the BB site using my laptop, so as long as I can send money from BB to the condo owner I really have no need for the app. The BB website lists at least 2 tabs for payments but I think one of them is only for paying certain companies that BB accepts. Hopefully the other one will allow me to send funds to whatever banking instructions I receive. I have also heard you can pay rent via the ATM or I would imagine actually going inside and talking to a bank person that they could do it.

Has anyone used the BOI assistance in opening a bank account? I sent them an email last weekend with a request to open the account here in Pattaya tomorrow (Saturday). I know there are holidays on 20/22/28/29 so I'm assuming that's part of why I haven't heard back from the BOI. I've got my Thai simcard and the bank app installed. Anything else I need? Is there a fee to get the card/open the account? Monthly fees or required minimums? I really only plan on using this account to pay rent since I don't mind the old school way of using cash. The plan is use the Schwab ATM to pull out cash every month, deposit the rent into the bank for the transer to landlord, and use the rest for daily expenses.

Thanks to everyone that has helped by paving the trail and providing guidance to people following in your footsteps. I made it to Chamchuri Square and got finished just before the lunch break yesterday. I met another LTR WP applicant who had a harder time with the process but was also getting approved. I asked if he frequented this forum, but he wasn't familiar with it. Add me to the list of success stories.

Thanks! Once I scheduled the appointment the magical buttons appeared. Forms are printed and I found a photo shop in the HiSo mall down the street. I'm sure I overpaid, but at least I saw the Thai Justin Beeber walking through the mall. The girls were lined up by the hundreds all with their phones snapping photos. I have no idea who he is, but he was somebody famous to Thai people.

Need some quick guidance. I'm hoping to schedule appt tomorrow morning but am confused by the email. I can't find a couple of the forms and need quick photos. Staying in Phrom Phong area so hope to get everything prepped tonight. I'm using a laptop and not sure if these missing forms are already filled in and I just can't find them or do I need to find blank forms and fill them in. Then please download, print out and bring the following documents together with other required documents in order to present to the immigration officer on the appointment date. 1. the Notification of qualification endorsement for Long-Term Resident Visa - Do I print the English version/Thai version/ or both? 2. TM.94 form (double-sided) - Can't find this on my LTR page 3. STM.8 form (double-sided) - Can't find this on my LTR page 4. One passport size photo (4 cm x 6 cm) white background, dressed in business attire (t-shirt is not allowed) without wearing glasses or headgear, taken within 6 months (a photocopy or poor quality - Is that the right size? photos will not be accepted) - Is there a photo center in Chamchuri Square building? 5. the appointment confirmation document / processing fee payment form from the system.

I arrived in BKK just before midnight on 7/15. By the time I got to Immigration it was 7/16. Stamped in as arriving 7/16 good until 9/13. US passport.

Thanks to Pib and Sabaiguy for the info. That puts my mind at ease a bit. I was hoping to have the appointment scheduled before arriving in BKK, but I guess that's not to be since I'm opting for BOI payment while in the US. Sabaiguy: Since your situation was similar to mine, did you wait to update/select BOI location until you were in BKK? I'm not sure if I should submit it now and indicate on the step 5 "update" that my BKK hotel address will be xxx and that I will be arriving visa exempt on 7-15-24. Once I'm boots on the ground I can email the visa exempt page and schedule.