Qman

I purchased a used bike from a reputable shop that does service and repairs and sells used bikes. In that case you can take same day unless they need to do service or make some changes on your behalf. You do need the immigration letter for green book transfer and registration. Note you can drive the bike while the paperwork is being done as it can take a while depending on the original registration of the bike as many come from out of this area. Since the bike has plates, current tax and registration it is not an issue to drive while the paperwork is being processed by the selling dealer.

Renting first is the best solution as selling used condos can be difficult and time consuming if you want a fair price. After a few months in a building you will have a sense about neighbors, noise levels, maintennce practices, parking, etc. which may not seem evident when viewing property for purchase. If you decide to leave after six months you will not have to go through the property disposal process.

As your wife and you are both giving the house and land to charity in your wills then she seemingly shares your views about her family and wants to cut them out of the inheritance. Another option would be to sell out now and use the funds to live elsewhere either through purchase or rentals. As noted in the more legal commentary everything depends on the land office paperwork so probably worth checking all those documents to determine who specifically owns the land and house which would be necessary for stating clearly in a will.

I use Kasikorn and they closed the branch where I first opened the account so I just went to another branch and had no issues. Since the bank letter and transaction details should be on the same day as your immigration application you might inquire at the branch you intend to use to make sure ahead of time.

I had the same process last year when renewing licenses after expiring during Covid. Was surprised that two tests were required which are drawn from the same pool of 200 or so questions. I passed both the first time but did study/practice with the online tests which will show you what was incorrect. I made notes and focused on what is the correct answer to the question as both can be confusing due to translation quality. Again it is important to focus on and know what is the correct answer even if it does not seem logical. Good luck going forward.

I went through this last year as my licenses expired during covid while I was not in Thailand. Was surprised to learn that you have to take the online test TWICE if you are getting a car and motorbike licenses. I studied a lot to prepare for the online tests as there are versions online from which the 50 questions are drawn. While general understanding is not that hard, the English translation of the questions and answers can be misleading so taking the practice tests provides you with the "correct" answer to the questions so you can memorize the acceptable answer. Getting a waiver on the online test is a great outcome.

While massage fee splits may vary a little it does seem to be common practice in larger massage shops in Pattaya to charge 500 baht/day when staff take a day off. I expect not having a penalty for not coming to work would lead to a disruptive work environment where people just work when they did not have something else more enjoyable to do. Staff tend to get one day off each ten days so three days a month. There tends to be exceptions for serious family issues when you have to travel away for a bit longer.

I read a lot of his inputs and he provided valuable advice to me in the past. RIP Ubon Joe and thanks for your help in the past.

Expect it relates to the issue with drinking and driving in Thailand. Reduces spur of the moment temptation.

Having hunted and shot many wild hogs this one looks to be no more than 100 kgs. They are substantial beasts with thick hides and perhaps the darts do not have sufficient needles to get past the hide. Tranquilizers should work if injected into the body of the hog where the hide is less thick. They can create havoc if angry or feel trapped.

I entered visa exempt and did the conversion to Non-O and then retirement extension. I recall it took a bit over two weeks at the Jomtien immigration and this was in June while things were quiet with few visitors in town. Your two week stay may be insufficient to do the Non-O conversion and the retirement extension will take some additional time although maybe only a day or two. If your immigration office is busy things may take longer at present.

A foreigner friend died while playing golf in Thailand and although there were a number of witnesses the doctor at the receiving hospital said an autopsy was required as he was dead on arrival and he could not sign off as to the cause with certainty. Absent passing in a hospital or other certain circumstances an autopsy is mandated along with a police report. Both are necessary prior to the body being released to relatives.

People say one original residency letter and one medical with a second set of copies should be fine. I always go with two sets of originals as renewal or obtaining licenses tends to take most of the day and I don't want to do it twice. Worth it to me to just have the two sets of originals.

If taking as excess baggage on a business class ticket then 33kg/70 lbs per piece subject to excess baggage charges. Would take 3 to reach your 200 lbs needs. I believe it is $200 per item from the US so should be similar when translated to local currencies. Worth checking to see if excess bag pieces are allowed at business class limits of 33/70 or if they revert back to 22/50 like economy weight limits. If your excess weight is not packable into suitcases there are other potential fees if size or weight exceed the normal checked baggage limits based on suitcases.

I was in the same situation as you and entered on a 30 day visa exemption and then converted to a Non-O and then extended based on retirement. The conversion to Non-O takes a couple of weeks and people are advised to apply as soon as possible after entry to avoid your entry visa expiring before the Non-O is approved. If you intended to convert I would suggest doing it as quickly as possible. I was told that conversion to Non-O were being sent from the local Jomtien office to Bangkok for approval before the local office could stamp your passport. I don't know if that was true but was the reason given to me for why it takes a long time.

I went a few months ago with licenses expired for about 15 months and was allowed to renew for five years but had to take the written exam but not physical driving element. Maybe some allowance due to covid restrictions the last few years. This was in Pattaya where they look at your papers prior to giving an appointment.

I was in a similar situation with licenses expired for about a year and three months. Went to Land Transport office and was able to renew for five years but had to watch the videos and take the exam twice, once for each license, but they waived the actual driving test. I considered using an agent but their role is mainly to transport you back and forth and within the transport offices. You still need to take the exam, color blindness, reaction test, etc. Was told there was a VIP option which was quite expensive. Did not inquire about the details of what additional services were provided.

Sun screen lotion tends to be expensive in Thailand so would bring some if you plan to use it. Also certain over the counter vitamins are pricey here.

I returned in Pattaya area with my licenses expired for over 12 months and was allowed to renew for 5 years rather than just starting over. I had to take the written exam and watch videos but did not have to do the physical driving test in a vehicle. As others mentioned just go to Land Transport and ask what options are available. If you license have been expired for a much longer period they may want you to start over. There are some good online exam tests to help you know the correct answer to certain questions. As the translations and answers can be a bit confusing it is good to practice online to know what they deem the correct answer.

The reaction test is you sit and push on a gas pedal. A light comes on and you have a short time to move your foot and step on the brake pedal on the device. It is 1-2 seconds max. A couple of people did poorly but eventually passed. Actually can be hard for some people.

Renewal requires the color and reaction tests which could potentially fail some people.

UPDATE Went to my appointment on the 8th for my license renewals which were over the one year grace period. We had to watch two hours of videos and were called out by groups to do the color and reaction tests. After the videos were over about 11:15 we had to review the paperwork they completed, check details and then sign a few times. Were told to come back at 1:00pm for the written test. Waited about until 1:00pm then we were brought in one at a time for them to register in the computer system and take a thumbprint. After we took the computerized exam which randomly picks questions. Answered the 50 questions and check them again as I had a lot of time remaining. Hit send button and it flashed back I passed. Called over the exam monitor and he signed the page in the data set that I passed. Was then told I needed to take the test again as two licenses requires two tests. What??? Not happy but no choice so he starts setting the second exam. Just as he started the power went down in the entire building about 1:45. Some people left but most foreigners stayed and waited. About 4:00pm they said go home and come back another day. I picked Wednesday and they said can do 9:30am or 1:00pm so I chose the morning session. Went today a bit early and had to explain to exam monitor why I was there. They found my paperwork and I pointed out I had passed one exam and was there for number 2. He set it up and checked my fingerprint so I could the start. Did exam and reviewed answers. Pushed submit and got back passed with 49/50. Monitor got wide eyed and gave me a fist pump LOL. Signed off and then to pay window. They give you a number and you go outside and wait for picture to be taken while you stand outside and they take from inside. Was confusing and hard to hear your number called. After picture they come out again with licenses about 10 minutes later and call name again.. I actually went back in to see if they had called my name and she said wait here while she finished mine. Out of there about 10:30 with both licenses. A big thanks to all who provided links to old exams and information sources. While I studies and practiced all the old exams the most current and useful based on the tests I took this week was this one. https://thaidriveexam.com/ It does have some translation issues and some show up as missed when the correct answer was not one of the choices. Just review what was missed and you will get the correct answer which should be on the real test. i took multiple tests for each section as it takes multiple ones to see all or most of the questions. I also read the attached English translation of the Land Transport Act which is helpful. Overall it was not that difficult if you study and practice the one line tests. Takes time and due to power outage it was two days for me. I was surprised with having to take two tests which does not make sense to me. They do count the color and reaction for both so only one testing for those. Good luck to those who are going through the process. Thai Driving Regulations Summarized.pdf

In Pattaya I went with all the paperwork to renew my license which expired over a year ago. You get a number and talk with their representative outside in a tented area. They looked and said I needed one other thing and then gave me an appointment to watch videos and take test. Note this is for expired over one year. Not sure if I had been just doing a normal renewal if they would have given me a number for that day rather than an appointment. All seems "organized" and I hope it makes the process easier on the day of the appointment. Thai citizens can book online but as I understand it expats need to go and get an appointment. Not sure how all the foreign language applicants will be handled and I will report back after my appointment as to how the process worked.

I was away from Thailand for two years and my drivers licenses expired. I went to renew and was told that as they expired over one year ago I will need to do two hours training at the license office and take the license exam in about 10 days. The exam concerns me as I have seen some old ones online and due to translation into English and Thai driving rules it is not very straightforward and it might be easy to fail the exam. Does anyone have recent experience with taking the licensing exam? If so, can you provide guidance regarding sources to study and the best way to prepare for the exam. Any other thoughts would also be appreciated.