pontious

It is certainly the case with SWIFT transfers from a UK bank that if transferred in Sterling, the rate is always a lot lower than the TT rate. Whether, as they say, the UK pensions people get a better rate by buying in bulk, I don't know, but it is very near to the current TT rate.

Last month, the TT rate on the day I received my pension was 54.98. Using the gross amount, before the bank took it's commision, the rate was 55.07, and the rate on the net amount that I received was 54.95.

DB -thanks for the reply - I transfer my main pension to Thailand in (GBP) and always get the TT rate -less the 0.25%

min 200 max 500 Baht. Your reply said the opposite so I think that was incorrect.

I wonder if they send GBP to Citibank Thailand and they then send it in Baht to your account.?

I am obviously missing something - most people agree that you get a better exchange rate if you send GBP to Thailand-

That is why I pay mine into my UK account.

How are they sending Baht and getting a better exchange rate than the TT rate.?

Well I have always been interested in who pays the charges as my pension always appears to be on a favourable exchange rate!

My pension is normally paid every fourth Thursday and it arrives in my Bangkok Bank on a Friday, this month it did not arrive until today, I guess it is because Citibank is an American Bank and they had a holiday on Friday for some reason.

However, out of interest I did some comparisons on today's exchange rates:

Superrich Bank: 55.40

Bangkok Bank: 54.72

I received 55.18

Superrich has the highest rates so not sure where I fit in and where any charges sit but at 55.18 I am quite happy, no swift charges, no ATM fees , I have noticed however when another smaller pension is transferred there is a lower exchange rate!

John, are they sending GPB to Thailand ? I was under the impression they sent Thai Baht?

P

But from Malaysia you have to send your current passport - how do you intend to re-enter Thailand and back again to pick up your new passport?

Went to DLT in Chiang Rai province and was able to renew my 5-yr license using my yellowbook, along with the stated photocopies of my key pages from my passport. The office took my photo and digitally printed it onto a plastic ID card with a magnetic stripe along the back... all very professionally done. I did need to take a physical test for seeing colors (red/ amber / green) and a test for reflex speed in applying brakes. My wife and step-daughter both came along, which was helpful in completing the forms since I neither read nor write Thai.

Sorry Pattaya, there may be a rational reason demanding paperwork from immigration. It could be that some foreigners do not update the yellowbooks upon change of address. Some might even acquire a second book. If long term residents were required to simply be listed in the blue-books for where-ever they live, then that problem would be lessened. Ex-pats are maybe too mobile for that solution. Maybe having ex-pats have a yellowbook, but shifting the emphasis from one book per building to one book to record each seceding long-term residence for the ex-pat. (???)

Not likely anyone will heed any of our ideas. Merely reporting back as I said I would.

Thanks for reporting back. In 5 years maybe I will holiday in CR and renew mine.

Unfortunately the rules for all offices will have changed a zillion times by then.

Let us know how you get on (Yellow Book ) and what office you use - Pattaya used to accept the yellow book but when my wife asked why they had changed that, the Supervisor said they had recieved a letter saying not to accept them.

They accept Work Permits so I can only think they want something with your photo on. But I am just guessing.

I suppose they except a work permit and not the Yellow Book because the work permit has a photo.

A bit of a pain as the main reason for me to get a Yellow Book was to avoid the 'free' residence certificates from Jomtien immigration.

I just had my visa extension photos done, and have copies in the 1" x 1" size needed for the driver's licenses.

Does anyone know if those can be used?

I've a pair of 5-yr licenses to renew and am living at the same address as shown on my current licenses... which include my photo.

I have a yellow book for the same address, and am on an extension of a retirement visa.

As often my issue - getting to the immigration office is an all day affair, and not in the same direction at all as either the 40 minute each way trip to the closest office for driver's licenses, or a 50 Km motorcycle trip to the nearest office in our province. (I'll insist upon wife or step-daughter driving me there precisely because the license will have expired, and they know the way to the new and closest office.)

So addresses and photos and a Thai family member to help "connect-the-dots"

I'm going to try to use the yellow book with copies - since I can renew the driver's license after it expires, and my visa extension papers are scheduled to be extended again 10-days later. ... during which I can get the residence certificate based upon the yellow book ... if that is what is insisted upon.

As always, the variations within each office, or from office to office make for endless stories of permutations. We try what seems reasonable,and if needed we then get to go with the flow.

Wish me luck, I'll report back next month when the process is done, in one way or another.

If you are using Pattaya DLT they will not accept the Yellow Book.

Slightly off topic but the Pattaya DLT Office no longer accepts the Yellow Book.

Are the overnight long haul coaches still running?

Why are you all surprised? They said the 'free Thai TV Channels would be restored - no others.

Posted 35 minutes ago on Thai Visa on another thread.

RT@Saksith: There you go, people! RT @bangkokpastor: @Saksith all TrueVisions channels jus came back including news and sports.

Mine came back for a short period of time - I expect they had to turn ALL back on and then turn off the ones they were not allowed to broadcast. I admit it is a real pain in the ass.

Why are you all surprised? They said the 'free Thai TV Channels would be restored - no others.

Try the Gov. Licensing office out by the Regents - they will do for you.

Unless the procedure has changed they will tell you to go to Chonburi Transport Office - took me 3 x weekly visits to complete.

The OP wants someone local to do it for him.

I suppose they except a work permit and not the Yellow Book because the work permit has a photo.

A bit of a pain as the main reason for me to get a Yellow Book was to avoid the 'free' residence certificates from Jomtien immigration.

Need driver's license renewal 5 years

Has a new passport

Number different from the number that appears on driver's license

What is the procedure

No difference - they will put the new passport number on the new licence.

OK after reading all of that here's my little bit if anybody's interested if not then I wont loose any sleep over it! First of all in Jomtien you will not get a free residency certificate, if you can somewhere else then go there because in Jomtien it will cost you 300 Baht, or 500 Baht for two. There is nothing further to say on that one take it or leave it!

I'm just in the door after returning from the DLT, just outside Pattaya. If anybody plans on a short visit think again. OK on the documents required I think I saw this earlier but what the hell -

Residency certificate - original.

Passport - original , with photocopies of the photo page & your entry stamp showing your date of departure.

expired driving license(s) - original, with photocopies of both sides of your expired license(s)

If you have more than one license then all must be accompanied with the above.

I also took a medical certificate just to be on the safe side, better safe than sorry but in this case you do not require it!

So that's the documents you need. Then get a no from the machine at the bottom of the stairs, and wait until your number is called, go up the stairs usually to desk 12 and hand in all of your documents. If everything is good they will issue you with a numbered red card, if not you will have to go away and get whats required (not a good idea). We waited about 90 minutes before being herded into test booth 1 for your perception eye test, very simple as long as you understand what is required as they don't explain well in any other language. At this stage your red card is collected. Next after an unspecified amount of time your name will be called and you have to watch a video on the ins and out of driving, I wouldn't normally mind but come on, after 8 years in Thailand I have yet to see any Thais obeying the rules of the road and being subject to that is just wrong. Next lady will collect you from the video room, give back your passport and then you sign for your driving license application etc. You will then be directed to the payment counter, It cost me 1060 Baht for two licenses. You will then be given a blue numbered card and told to wait an unspecified amount of time to get your photo taken and license issued ( For me that was about 2 hours)

Conclusion it is going to take time, go there with that in mind and the right attitude and it wont be so bad. In all it took me approximately 4 hours. Get your documents right the first time saves you having to go and look for the photocopy room downstairs. And I hope the next 5 years go by slowly . . . :-)

Good luck!!

A good report - I did my renewal last week . I think they use the video rooms to herd people into different sections as it is so busy. Why do people with numbers 121 and on stand right in front of the photo booth when they are on number 16!

You can report in person 15 days before and upto 7 days after the report date.

By mail 15 days before only.

And Pattaya I think.

Just been to renew my 5 year DL at Pattaya DLT.

They no longer accept the 'Yellow Book'

Wife asked to see Supervisor and he confirmed they will no longer accept the book.

Off to immigration to get the Residence Certificate - proof of address - yes you guessed it - The Yellow Book.

Amazing Thailand

20th April

Jomtien require proof of address - although they usually let you off first time.

There has been a report of the UK passport office accepting a Thai drivers license as proof of address.

The tourist visa you mention is no longer valid.

You could get a 7 day extension at immigration which perhaps would give you enough time.

Others have done border runs while they were waiting for their new passport. You could get a e-visa for Cambodia that requires nothing more than entry/departure stamps ( http://evisa.mfaic.gov.kh/ ). Or do a run to Myanmar for Malaysia.

That shows the absurdity of this procedure - the address on the Thai Driving License is in Thai - maybe they have a Thai working in Liverpool !!

Even the 65 or over with nothing but a pension to get a multiple entry non-o is apparently no longer available since the embassy now has to approve the application. The Hull consulate had that info on their website in the past but it is no longer there.

Still there UJ (in additional info downloads) 0ver 65 pension statement - no minimum required. valid 14-1- 14

A Thai could.

Reading the article I think it means any Consulate that will accept it. Barry Kenyon obviously knows so why not say which Consul will do it. Why keep it so secret.