Pib

On 5/1/2024 at 10:30 AM, Pib said:

 

When reviewing the DLT data for Jan-Mar 2024 (2567) (I downloaded it again today....it only shows 28 CIaz's being registered in March 2024 vs the 592 shown in above article.   I wonder which data is out in left field/incorrect.   I know Suzuki had a promotion for the Ciaz (just like many brands has big promotions going on), but going from 6 sold in Feb to 592 sold in Mar sounds dubious to me

 

 

 

 

@ExpatOilWorker

  And here is the Apr 2024 DLT registration data for the Suzuki Ciaz you asked about. 547 total Suzuki models registered in April with 147 of that total being their Ciaz model (predominately the Ciaz GL CVT model which is probably the model that had the BIG price cut/promotion a month or so ago).

1 hour ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Autolife are sales numbers, right?

What matters are the registrations numbers you pull from the DLT site.

With 592 Ciaz sales in March, we could see 3-400 registration in April.

When are the previous month's data usually available? 2nd or 3rd day of the month?

Normally most of the updated vehicle registration data is posted a couple of "business/working days" into the new month.  The more detailed data like by specific model number is one of the last ones being posted/updated.   Now I noticed the DLT has posted new registrations for "all" categories of ICEV/EV vehicles for Apr 2024....and it's lower than Jan, Feb, or Mar.  See snapshot below.   My mark on the left hand side is pointing to the RY1 vehicle category which is for Passenger Cars of 7 or less people." A downward trend in vehicles registrations is continuing probably due to high individual debt, tightening loan requirements, people gun-shy to buy right now due to cut-throat price cuts, etc.   

https://web.dlt.go.th/statistics/index.php

1 minute ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

The autolife February article is for EVs only, so naturally no Ciazs would be listed, since it is an ICEV.

Yeap...you're right...Whoops...my bad.

38 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Autolife are sales numbers, right?

What matters are the registrations numbers you pull from the DLT site.

With 592 Ciaz sales in March, we could see 3-400 registration in April.

When are the previous month's data usually available? 2nd or 3rd day of the month?

If must be some type of "sales/bookings" numbers that AutoLife collects (dreams up) somehow vs actual govt DLT "registrations" (i.e, sale done with blue book issued). 

 I looked back thru some older Autolife articles and apparently they issue articles based on "sales" numbers (lord know how they come up with those numbers and if maybe it includes just bookings vs actual completed sales)...and articles based on DLT registrations where it's clear in the article its based on DLT "registrations."    Like below Feb 2024 article based on registration ...notice not even "one" Suzuki Ciaz is reflected for Jan or Feb 2024 although actual DLT registration data does reflect a couple dozen being registered for each of those months. 

Any "sales" data from AutoLife I would take with a planet size grain of salt since they have never explained what constitutes a sale and where they get the sales data.  Now their articles based on registrations which come from the DLT and represent an actual completed sale with blue book issued seem to be at least in the ballpark.   

https://autolifethailand.tv/register-ev-bev-thailand-Feb-2024/

1 hour ago, Bandersnatch said:

 

 

March figures for B segment No EVs listed so maybe a market segment opportunity.

 

 

ECO / B-Seg Sedan sales summary Q1 2024 (Jan-Mar 67) : Toyota Yaris ATIV dominates 11,248 cars, market share 54.0% followed by Honda City - MG 5.

Car sales ECO Car / B-Segment Sedan January - March 67 total 20,840 cars.

- Number 1 Toyota Yaris ATIV : 11,248 cars
Market share 54.0%

- 2nd Honda City : 4,892 cars
Market share 23.5%

- Rank 3 MG 5 : 1,289 cars
Market share 6.2%

- Rank 4 Nissan Almera : 1,076 cars
Market share 5.2%

- Rank 4 Mitsubishi Attrage : 1,076 cars

Market share 5.2%

- Rank 6 Mazda 2 Sedan : 641 cars
Market share 3.1%

- Rank 7 Suzuki Ciaz : 618 cars
Market share 3.0%

Read information. Summary of sales ECO / B-Seg Sedan for March 67 here. https://autolifethailand.tv/sales-report-eco-b-seg-sedan-mar-2024/

 

 

 

 

When reviewing the DLT data for Jan-Mar 2024 (2567) (I downloaded it again today....it only shows 28 CIaz's being registered in March 2024 vs the 592 shown in above article.   I wonder which data is out in left field/incorrect.   I know Suzuki had a promotion for the Ciaz (just like many brands has big promotions going on), but going from 6 sold in Feb to 592 sold in Mar sounds dubious to me

Vehicle "Segments"....just what are they?    See weblink below for full details.

https://www.carsome.co.th/news/item/car-tips-car-segment

Just saw a new Notice in red text when first going to the LTR Visa website.  See link/snapshot at bottom.   Some cryptic talk in how you could lose you current LTR visa...such as switching to visa OR failing to maintain your LTR visa period.   

Personally, I'm not sure what the second reason of "failing to maintain your LTR visa period" really means.  Maybe, repeat, maybe that means not maintaining LTR income/health coverage/etc., requirement during the LTR visa...or maybe failing to renew your passport.  Yeap, that part is cryptic to me.

And even the first reason of switching visas to enter Thailand leaves me scratching my head.....why would someone want to change visas if they have an LTR visa.   But I'm sure some weird situations arise with some folks which might explain what is really meant.  

https://ltr.boi.go.th/index.html#what

12 hours ago, Schorsch0815 said:

 

I entered Thailand with a  Non-O Retiree visa (60 days I think) two years ago and I have had two annual extension of stay since. 
 

It’s my understanding that the extension of stay doesn’t affect the visa. So the visa itself is expired, it is just the basis on which the extension of stay was/is granted. Hence there is no visa that can be cancelled. 
 

My LTR got approved today. In the email BOI informs:

 

: If you are currently on a Thai visa category which needs to be cancelled before receiving LTR such as Non-B, Non-IB, Non-F, Smart Visa, Non-O (except for Non-O Retirement visa, Thai Spouse, Guardian), please terminate the current visa while asking the immigration officer to allow extra days of permission to stay after the cancellation or arrange for the visa cancellation on the same day as the appointment date at the immigration office where you got your current visa from. 
 

 

So it’s my understanding that Non-O retirement and / or extension of stay don’t need cancellation. 
 

If anyone here has different information please let me know. I would hate to make the trip to Bangkok twice …

 

 

BOI Immigration will be able to cancel the Non O Extension of Stay you are on....or at least they would in late Dec 2022 when I got my LTR issued.   I was on a Non OA Marriage Extension of Stay at the time....I had got the original Non OA in 2008 and had done Extensions of Stay for 2009 thru 2022 (14 Extensions of Stay....12 of them Retirement and the last 2 Marriage).  BOI cancelled the Non OA Marriage Extension of Stay I was on (but required wife's Thai ID and a fresh Kor Ror 2) and then a few minutes later issued the LTR Pension visa.

3 hours ago, Richard007 said:

I just applied this week for the LTR WP visa.  I assume that all of my documents look good to BOI, since my status changed from “Pending” to “Consideration by Government Agencies” less than two days after submitting my application and I did not receive any requests for more documents / information.

 

Going from Pending to Review by Govt Agencies just means the application was received, registered and "got thru the BOI front door".....it really does not mean that your key docs like income, health coverage, etc., have been closely looked at. But now that the application has moved to the Consideration by Govt Agencies your application and associated docs will be closely reviewed.   Good luck.

Looks like it will rise half a baht according to the Bangchak website as of 7:31pm/19 Apr

5 minutes ago, mistral53 said:

 

Affirmative - it is sort of a single purpose wallet. See payment methods below........ not sure how common Alipay is in Thailand?

 

 

Awesome....thanks.   Although Spark has very few chargers right now...like only 5 locations Thailand-wide showing on their charging app with 4 of those 5 coded as "Coming Soon" (only active one is in Hua Hin) I may just sign up since I can pay for charging via PromptPay.   Just for others listening in the other 4 charging locations (all coded as Coming Soon) are: 3 in Bangkok and 1 in Saraburi.

While my Bangkok Bank Mastercard debit card would probably be accepted as a payment option (and maybe one of my foreign credit cards) I don't want to put my credit/debit card info on any site that I really don't need/would rarely use due to hacking concerns.

30 minutes ago, mistral53 said:

 

Just for giggles, I went downtown to check on a new 'Spark' EV charging installation advertised as 200 kW. 8 stalls, very user friendly due to the pre-paid function: plug-in, QR scan - charging starts. The battery was at 48%, max charging was 80 kW. This got to be a joke, and a bad one at that!

 

 Can you expand on how the "...pre-paid function...." in the Spark app works....specifically how it works?   

That is, do you mean the Spark app has a Wallet you need to top-up first and then the charging cost is deduct from the app Wallet.    If so, what payment options are offered to top-up?...such as QR Payment, credit/debit card, etc?    If a Thai credit/debit card "only" is allowed to pay/top-up/etc., then that can many times be problematic if a person can get their credit/debit card accepted by the charging app.  Thanks.

12 minutes ago, UWEB said:

Next week I will get my EV, and in preparation for I have started to download same Charger Apps. I find it very annoying how difficult some Apps are making it to register. EA Anywhere was very easy and has taken some few minutes only, but like PEA Volta, Elexa or EV Station Pluz I can't complete for now. Most likely it comes always to a stop when it comes to payment options. PEA I can't top up, Elexa want to have pictures of my Passport and myself and EV Station Pluz requires pre booking. What a joke.

In late 2023 I "registered" with all charging apps you mentioned above and I never had to provide a photo copy of my farang passport or Pink Thai ID card for those apps that may have required entry of your ID/passport number during the registration process.  As you mentioned some charging apps require entry of a ID/passport number during registration and some do not.  For those apps that did require entry of some kind of identification document during the registration process I always used my Thai Pink ID card 13 digit number....and never had to provide a photo copy.   

As said I did my registrations in late 2023 so maybe registrations now are a little different...OR, maybe it the same and if I had used my  farang passport instead of my Pink Thai ID card I would have been asked to provide a copy/photo.   

Now once "registered" setting up a "payment option" is a different animal.  Setting up a "payment" option can definitely be a chokepoint in some cases.  If a person can't setup a payment option then they can use the app to charge.   By payment option I mean getting setting up a way to pay for your charging....that is, entry of a credit/debit card, use of QR Payment (PromptPay), topping up your app wallet if the app uses the wallet approach vs just billing your credit/debit card each time.  Each app will offer different options to pay.   For some apps the only payment option is use of a debit/credit card and most likely it will only accept a Thai credit/debit card vs foreign credit/debit card (if I remember right PTT only accepts "Thai" credit/debit cards...farang cards a no-go).  And while setting up the credit/debit card option a card verification process will occur where the app bills and then refunds a small amount (something under Bt30)....how this verification process will go will also depend on whether the charging app accepts what bank issued the card AND what verification process the bank may use to confirm it really you entering the card information like your bank sending you a OTP/security code which you enter during the app payment verification process.     

And some charging apps offer the QR payment to top-up your app wallet like the PEA and EA Anywhere apps....no credit/debit card needed.  if using a Thai bank mobile app paying via QR payment is an absolute piece of cake and fast.   For those charging apps that only accept a credit/debit card as a payment option I used my Bangkok Bank Mastercard "debit" card.   I have that debt card loaded in the PTT Pluz, Elexa, and Altervim charging apps.  For the PEA and Altervim charging apps I do not have a card loaded and use QR payment instead since those apps offer payment via card or QR payment.

Now I also registered for ReverSharger which which is the Rever (BYD) and Shell charging network...if only offers a payment option of credit/debit card and would not accept my Bangkok Bank debit card although the PTT, Elexa, and Altervim accepted the Bangkok bank debit card no problem.   Someone in this or similar thread said they used their "foreign" credit/debit card in the ReverSharger app....I haven't tried that with one of my farang credit cards as I doubt I would ever have a need to use ReverSharger charging stations due to their location and since I can use other company chargers like PTT, PEA, Elexa, Altervim, etc., which are numerous AND I don't want to load a credit/debit card anywhere I don't have to.

 And PTT Pluz does "not" require booking to use....in fact, sometimes if you do try to book it will not even let you if PTT has that particular charging station coded for walk-in only...that is, first come, first serve.    You can click the booking button for that charging station but nothing will happen and then for other PTT chargers a booking menu will pop-up to select a booking time.

Yes...registering for a charging app is one thing and then setting up a payment option within that app is another thing and can be a potential checkpoint depending on what cards a person has.  But if the app also offers the QR payment method then that pretty much wipes away the payment chokepoint assuming the person uses QR payment (Promptpay) as many folks still don't use it or even use mobile banking (mbanking) which makes QR payment so, so easy although the persom may use internet banking (ibanking).  If still only using ibanking...a person also needs to start using mbanking also...and in some cases a bank may completely do away with ibankingn and only offer mbanking.   Yeap, if the app offers the QR payment method just go that route.......OR use that QR method & also see if the app will accept your particular credit/debit card then you will have two payment methods.   

And one last thing, for those charging apps that use the "Wallet" approach you can just top-up that Wallet for X-amount to where the payment process for each charge session is just deducted from the wallet vs trying to pay via credit/debit card and a QR payment just before beginning the charge session.   I like the Wallet approach BUT don't load too much into the wallet until you are sure you will be periodically using the chargers....you wouldn't want to load say Bt1000 to your wallet right after registering with the app and then later on find out you really won't be using that charging network at all for some reason you didn't realize when first topping up the wallet.  Just initially top up the walled to the "minimum" amount require to start a charging session...and don't do that initial topup until you want to do your first "test" run with a particular charger.  Once you top-up a charging app wallet you can't  withdraw the funds...you can only use the funds to pay for charging session.

Just now, KhunLA said:

I was searching for, payment method, but didn't see anything for choosing, unless it's something you do at the charger, which would be strange.   Strange no info on the app, telling you how.

 

I did Google how to use, and saw the 'choose payment on app'  but .. is that set up before using, or after charging.   Would suck if you didn't research, topped up, then realized you had to have a CC.   As wife & myself didn't have one when we bought the MG.  Got one just to use CS.

 

Have only had debit cards for as long as I can remember, since no need not to pay cash for anything.  Only used them/CC for investing anyway.

My understanding is you need a payment method loaded/approved in your app profile before you can start charging.  A debit card still might work even when an app might say credit card vs credit/debit card.  Some of the Thai charging apps say credit card but a debit card might still be accepted--you won't know until trying to load a card in the payment area. 

20 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't think we'll be using T CS, as registering you car seems way to involved for us to bother...

 

 

I think above only applies when you own a Tesla EV and want to be able to use all the app's capability like controlling, monitoring, etc., your Tesla EV.

But if "not" owning a Tesla EV.....like maybe my LoSo BYD Atto....and only wanting to charge then below is how to use the app...you'll only use the charging capability (IF, repeat, IF a non-Telsa EV can use the Tesla Superchargers in Thailand).   See below Tesla Q&A weblink/partial quote

https://www.tesla.com/support/supercharging-other-evs#charge-if-not-tesla-vehicle

9 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Yes, noticed that, and the site seems to be updated better, as app not showing the CS at Garage Cafe @ Chumphon.   Does show Bluport/HH

The app only has a Google Play store rating of 3.6 out of 5...lots of reviewers giving it low ratings...have lots of issues with the app...but it seems most of the issues relates to how the app controls/monitors EV functions and not relating to being able to pay for charging which requires a credit card. 

Additionally it's a BIG app at 190Mb since apparently it can do a lot if you own a Tesla.

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Check that, I misspoke ... oops

Signed up/registered on their site, not app.

 

Although hard to download wrong app, as call Tesla, by Tesla

Thanks...that's the app I though would probably be the right one although from reading the Google Play store description the app's primary use is for most anything related to using the Tesla EV with charging being a small part of the app's overall capability.  

Whereas charging apps like PTT, PEA, EA Anywhere,etc.,  are solely dedicated to charging.

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Photos I posted are from the Tesla app, and would imagine current.  I registered just to peek at their network, and didn't need to have a Tesla to do so.  Did ask for email, but haven't received any Tesla junk mail.

 

It appears all chargers are for all makes.  At malls are the logical place, for now, and would serve more people, especially those buying & can't charge at home.

 

More than enough CS on the highways for at all, ATM.  We've seen plenty of Ts charging while O&A.

Do you use Android?  If so, what is the Google Play link to the app?    I want to ensure I download the Tesla app specifically used for their chargers vs another Tesla app that may only control Tesla EV functions. Thanks.

1 hour ago, hcvc said:

A plea for help from someone who has already been through the process of obtaining a BOI LTR Visa for Wealthy Pensioners - would you please explain to me what it means to show evidence your current visa has been canceled.

 

In case the applicant choses to have LTR visa issued at One Stop Center for Visa and Work Permit (OSS) in Bangkok, the applicant will be required to update latest travel information and upload passport pages with all Thai stamps (The file must be scanned both left and right pages per one sheet AND ALL SHEETS MERGED IN ONE PDF FILE), particularly biodata page, current visa which has been cancelled with the remaining permission to stay sufficient to receive LTR Visa*

 

For further information about current visa termination, please contact the immigration office where you got the current visa.

 

As per instructions from the BOI my wife contacted our local immigration office. The immigration office said they were not familiar with / had never done a LTR Visa for Wealthy Pensioners.

 

I would be grateful for your guidance

A LTR visa cannot be issued if you currently have a visa/extension of stay.   So, what must happen is your current visa must be cancelled and then the LTR visa can be issued.   

For an extension of stay the BOI immigration can cancel the extension (or at less they use to like when I got my LTR visa issued in late 2022) like say you are currently on a Non O or OA Retirement extension of stay the BOI Immigration office will/can cancel that extension and then they issue/stamp in the LTR visa.  If you are currently on say a Non O or OA "Marriage" extension of stay the BOI immigration office can also cancel that also "but will require a copy of your Thai spouse ID (signed by wife) can and a fresh KorRor 2 just like you would provide if you were renewing a Marriage Extension of Stay....basically the BOI immigration office wants to ensure the Thai spouse is aware you are switching visa types.  

Now regarding the cancellation of a visa (not an extension of say but a visa which has had no extensions) I'm not sure if the BOI immigration can cancel that....you would need to ask them.

When I got my LTR Pensioner visa issued in late 2022 I was on a Non OA Marriage Extension of Stay.  Before going to BOI to have the LTR issued/stamped into my passport I made copies of the wife's Thai ID, Thai passport, and got a fresh KorRor 2....had the spouse self-certify (i.e, sign) the Thai ID/passport.  The wife also went along since we live in Bangkok.  BOI Immigration cancelled my extension of stay and issued the LTR visa in a combo action...that is, Non O extension of stay cancelled....and then a few minutes later the LTR visa issued/stamped into my passport.

I expect BOI immigration prefers an current visa/extension of stay to be cancelled "before" you arrive to have the LTR visa issued....just less work for them.  And I expect there may be some types of visa (as there are many types of visas) they require the issuing IO to cancel.    

HOWEVER, BUT, maybe things have changed since late 2022 when I got my LTR visa issued in regards to if BOI immigration will cancel a visa/extension of stay issued by another immigration office.   Maybe BOI immigration now absolutely require the "issuing IO" to cancel the current visa/extension of stay but I expect it really just a preference and BOI immigration will still cancel a visa/extension of stay at their office and then a minute later issue the LTR visa.

What kind of visa/extension are you currently on?

Edit:  After posting above I found my LTR approval notification instructions from late 2022 and below is a partial quote regarding the cancellation of a visa I might currently be on.  You could arrange to have the BOI immigration office to cancel your current visa an issue the LTR visa same day/same time of LTR visa issuance.   As mentioned above I just had BOI immigration cancel my current visa extension of stay during my same visit to get the LTR visa issued.    I can't say for sure BOI immigration will still cancel a visa/extension issued by another immigration office....before they would prefer the issuing office did it but the BOI immigration office would still do it when required....my gut tells me they will still do it when you request in advance that's what you want to do.   

Partial Quote from my LTR Approval Notice

IMPORTANT:
If you are currently on a Thai visa category which needs to be cancelled before
receiving LTR such as Non-B, Non-O (spouse visa), Smart Visa, Non-O (except for
Non-O Retirement visa), please terminate the current visa while asking the
immigration officer to allow extra days of permission to stay after the cancellation or
arrange for the visa cancellation on the same day as the appointment date at the
immigration office where you got your current visa from.

For further information about current visa termination, please contact the immigration
office where you got the current visa from or contact the LTR Screen staff in-charge
for guidance if you wish to get the LTR visa and terminate the current visa on the
same day

End Quote.