davevi

Thank you to everyone who posted replies to this topic. Your information was very helpful.

When my Thai friend told me about the year in the Green Book I suspected that the date listed was the date sold, and not the model year, but I needed to be sure. And based on the responses and information shared here to my original post it appears that this is the case. Additionally, since the bike was purchased in late October 2011 this matches information posted here that the model was 2012, though the bike was purchased in October 2011.

My concern about the model year was based on being honest and ethical.

The bike is for sale and I have an interested buyer. When I started to collect the paperwork to prepare for the sale (which isn't yet final in case anyone is interested in a really nice 2012 Kawasaki Ninja) I asked about the "11" in the top right corner of the book (just after some Thai characters) -- because I thought maybe this was the model year. I'd been ripped off badly on a motorbike that I purchased after moving here so I've learned over time to be careful with paperwork.

I don't have contact with the original owner, and cannot ask him any questions about the bike, but I do know he kept the bike in top condition, always, and that he never told me anything about the bike or the many, many expensive options he added, that wasn't confirmed as true.

But you never know, and for my own benefit and that of the next owner, I needed to be sure that the Ninja I was selling as a 2012 was indeed a Model Year 2012, especially if there was anything in the Green Book that would cause confusion or questions.

I think now I am comfortable that I was sold a 2012 Ninja just as my contract stated, and just as the original owner told me.

I bought a Kawasaki Ninja from a local guy. Recently my Thai friend looked at the Green Book and told me it said the model was listed as 2011. This is a potentially big problem. I bought, and have a contract for, a 2012 250r Ninja.

I've looked on Kawasaki's website but their VIN search does not cover bikes made for the Asian market.

I've looked at several web sites that claim to tell you how to decipher the 10th character of the VIN to get the model year but they don't seem to be correct for the Asian market.

So, how can I tell the model year I own for sure?

The story I was told by the guy who sold it to me is that the bike was purchased "as one of the first "2012" models in Thailand". That story seems to check out because the green book in the back pages shows an October 2011 initial purchase.

The VIN's 10th character is "K".

So do I have a 2012 or 2011 model of Ninja?

Is there some official place I can go to put in the VIN (I can't read Thai) to confirm the model year as 2012.

Can someone tell me where tis is taking place in CM? Thanks

Here's the location of the event (based on the description in the video). I am not sure if the evening event will take place at this location.

http://goo.gl/maps/hjLVt

I am selling a motorbike to a buyer who lives several hours outside Chiang Mai. The plan is to meet here, pay for the bike, and truck it back to their home.

My question is about the paperwork that I need to prepare and have ready to give to the buyer since they live several hours away.

I remember that when I bought the bike from the original owner (private party, not a dealer) there was a form in Thai that the owner filled out and I submitted to change the Green Book name to my own. There were several attachments to this form including a copy of the original owner's passport and some other forms I don't recall.

Does anyone know what that form is called and if I can download a copy?

What personal documents do I need to copy and sign to attach to the form?

What else do I need?

Thanks everyone.

Last year I took my US license down to the licensing offices near the airport and got myself a motorcycle and car driving license. Not difficult since I had a valid US license -- just had to take the written test and a quick motorbike driving test.

I was told at their offices last year, and it was confirmed in Thai between my friend and the person behind the counter, that when my initial 1 year license expired I could renew for 5 years.

So I went to the same office last week with all my paperwork in hand to renew both of my driving licenses I spoke with a rep whose English was quite good. She looked at my paperwork and at my passport and told me I could only get a 1 year renewal because of my Visa. She said that if I had a Work Permit (and appropriate Visa) that a 5 year renewal is possible, but not on the Visa I have. I am currently 1.5 months into a double-entry tourist Visa. I cannot recall the type of Visa I was on last year at this time.

Did she tell me the correct information?

I don't mind getting only a 1 year renewal this time around, -- but if I can push and get a 5 year renewal then it is one less thing to hassle with next year.

There is no scientific proof that HIV causes AIDS . this is not based my personal belief. it is based on available scientific data.

please click on the following link so what i am saying becomes more clear.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/07/11/aids-part-one.aspx

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2011/12/19/hiv-myth-hiv-causes-aids/

Dear "docinbangkok"...

You are a doctor? What kind of doctor are you? Perhaps your short name is "doc" and you live in Bangkok?

Please do not attempt to hold as scientific evidence a fervently denounced opinion that is attempted to be passed off as science in an effort to discredit HIV.

It frightens me the number of HIV/AIDS deniers I come across who live in Thailand. They are a vocal bunch, and I respect the right to their opinion, but I draw the line when this group attempts to quote articles in the hope that they appear to be scientific truths.

The usual mechanism of the HIV/AIDS denier is to create a disbelief in themselves by accepting discredited opinion, thus making themselves feel better about HIV and the risks in their own behavior that has either elevated the possibility they will be exposed to HIV, or lessens their stress over having been exposed to HIV.

The science on this issue is 100% resolute. There is no question. There is no doubt. There is no vague area of this science.

I need to renew my Thai motorbike and car license.

What is the cost and how much of a lengthy or detailed process is it?

Both of my licenses (motorbike and car) expired in mid-September (2013), -- but I've read here that if I bring my expired licenses when I renew the process is quick and easy. Is this the case? They were 1-year licenses.

I got my license at the facility near the Big C and across from the airport's landing strip. Do I go to the same place to renew it?

Thanks!

All bikes over 150cc charged the same, less than 1000B inc compulsory insurance.

Can all be done at the office in Nong Hoi at the junction of the lights near Holiday Inn/ Rajavej Hospital.

Alternatively, at the LTD office between Tesco Lotus and Big C on the road heading to Hang Dong from Airport Plaza.

Thank you.

What docs do I need to bring other than the green book?

Will I need my passport? My Thai driving license?

Also, when I originally registered this bike most of the docs were in Thai. Is the renewal easier or will I need to bring a Thai friend to interpret?

Thank you.

I bought a motorcycle last year and the owner had already renewed the tax tag one month prior to us transferring the green book to my name.

I have two issues and one question:

1) The green book expired on November 3 and I need to renew that.

2) The tax tag expired in early October of last month and I renew that.

My question is how to renew both and where? Can they be done at the same place?

Any idea of approximate costs on a 250cc bike?

Thanks.

Much thanks to the OP. I'll be there next week and didn't know of the changes. Overall sounds like a much needed improvement. I'll be after a second double entry as well, and my hopes are a bit higher given the OP's luck. I take it there was no asking for bank account info ?

There was no conversation with the employee at the window regarding bank accounts, purpose of my long stay, nothing. He fixed several small issues on my paperwork, re-glued my second photo (they need to be two photos side by side and glued on), and confirmed that I wanted to double entry visa. I was ready just in case they grilled me on income or other topics, but I believe I was overthinking the potential for trouble.

If you have a choice of agents to submit your paperwork to -- choose the male agents. The female agent I've dealt with in the past can be quite difficult.

I have two smartphones, a tablet and a computer motherboard/cpu/memory set that I want to sell online, but I'm not sure what the best site is to sell these items.

I can't read or write Thai so the sale sites need to be in English.

I have tried Craigslist but there seems to be too few eyes on that site in Thailand for selling electronics.

BahtSold and ThaiVisa I am aware of, but as I look at those sites and their designs it seems it might be difficult for buyers to find items for sale on these sites.

What would you suggest?

Is there any visa needed to cross the boarder via bus? I am American and will be doing this visa run shortly...

Some tips on this part of Laos visa process...

If you take the bus from Udon Thani to the Laos border be aware that they absolutely will not allow you to buy bus tickets without a Laos visa in hand and shown to them. They will tell you to go the Laos consulate (somewhere in town) and get one before you buy your bus ticket. You can bypass this time waster by getting your visa at the Laos border -- but be aware that the bus will only wait for a certain amount of time and then they will leave you behind (even if you have bags stored inside the bus). This is what happened to us the first time we crossed at the Thai-Laos Friendship crossing using the bus (prior to them changing the rule on already having a visa). If you're traveling with just a backpack you can take a calculated risk and try to get your visa before the bus leaves, and if it does you have your stuff with you and can just get transportation into town after you pass through the border crossing on the Laos side.

There is a money exchange company ten feet from the Laos border paperwork submission window. Change baht to dollars and pay $35 US rather than the 1,500 baht they request. They do not care which currency you use to pay their visa fee.

Get the Laos Visa document before you arrive -- download and fill it out to save some hassle and time. Google it for the DOC or PDF version.

You will need one photo for your Laos Visa paperwork.

Submit your paperwork at window #1 and then wait for a few minutes at window #3 (just to the right around the corner from windows #1 and #2) for your passport to be returned.

Laos visas will take an entire page of your passport.

Thanks for that. My US Passport is pretty clean, not too much vagueness or strangeness in there so I think I will likely be good to go.

If I default to getting only a single entry Visa I can still likely work with that.

On a related note... In looking at threads here on this topic and the Thai embassy in Laos there are several references to a "lady" at the Laos immigration booth. She's very difficult to deal with and appears to look for any reason to deny anything presented to her. I'm going to try to avoid her this time around. Last time I was handing my paperwork to the nice man behind the window when she intercepted it after an employee entered the room just at that moment and asked the man a question. That's when I got to see her not nice side.

Some things are all luck of the draw.

Red stamped can mean a few things, but in general (Or so I am led to believe) it is a warning to both the visitor/tourist and immigration. In this particular case, I think it was a warning to the individual that immigration are seriously looking at his 'extended' stay in Thailand. Immigration may be suspicious that he is not abiding by the purpose of his visit i.e A tourist does not normally stay for years and years, therefore they presume that he may be working illegally.

This is all pure conjecture.... should he return to Vientiane and apply for another visa he MAY be denied one.

He showed me the stamp and its all rather vague but I took it as a warning. If it was me Id go to another country for a few months or return to my home country and let the dust settle before returning to the Land of Smiles.

As for your situation, I dont believe a second double entry visa will be a problem. My last visa run was my second double entry visa... no problems at all.

Thanks.

Two follow-up questions to the board...

What does "red stamped" mean?

I applied for an received a double-entry in Vientiane six months ago. I trust that another double-entry won't be a problem?

Any insight anyone?

Thank you.

I just returned from a visa run on Friday, actually left Chiang Mai on Wednesday and crossed over to Vientiane on Thursday. We (GF and I) drove all the way to Nong Khai and hit Typhoon Nagi (I think thats what it was called) about 3 hours out of CM.

Had no problems or any sightings re flooding. On the way back my GF wanted to go a different route via Korat (Her home town) and we did see a bit of flooding in some parts of the town but nothing serious.

As for the Thai Consulate, its open Mon-Fri 0830-1130 for visa application. All applications take not less than one day to process so you have to overnight in Vientiane. Collection time is from 1330-1530 the following day. I applied for a double entry visa (2000 baht) and recieved it the following day with no problems. A friend we knew was there the same day but they would not give him a double entry...not sure why, but he was also red stamped and advised to leave Thailand after his visa has done its dash. Perhaps he's been doing the double entry too many times?

We were lucky (Dependant on your point of view) as there was some festival happening down in the main tourist area near the Mekong River. Very much a party atmosphere with stalls set up either side of the street. Some good bargains to be had if you can put up with the over-agressive style of marketing!

Cant comment re the internet as I tend to stay away from it when on these little 'jaunts' across the border.

Have a great trip and good luck

I have four questions about a Visa run I am making this week to Vientiane.

Is it possible to get a triple entry tourist visa in Vientiane?

How early does the embassy in Vientiane open?

Internet is super-slow everywhere I have been in Vientiane, is there benefit to buying a SIM from 7-11 in Vientiane for data access on my mobile?

I will be driving my car from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani. Should I have concerns about major road access due to flooding between CM and UT?

Thank you!

Thanks everyone. I stopped by Forabee and their prices and selection of products were quite good. They are a bit out of the way, but worth it for the cost savings.

I am looking for a source where I can buy bee pollen.

I found a single source so far, a restaurant that sells the bee pollen as a side business (they add it to their smoothies). This place has to be sourcing it from somewhere else in town -- so I'm wondering where that might be and what other options I have to find and purchase it.

Thanks everyone.

I need to add extra pages to my US Passport.

I made an appointment at the US Embassy in Chiang Mai to get this done and downloaded and filled in the electronic form for this function.

My question is...will they put the pages in while I wait during my appointment or will I need to return -- and how many days before I pick up the newly filled passport?

Thanks!

I am looking for recommendations for online job search services for a Westerner looking to work in Thailand.

I looked at Monster's Thai web site, but found few jobs and many positions posted were a month or more old.

I am looking for employment in either IT or in the field of clinical psychology and health care.

I'd like to work either in Bangkok or Chiang Mai -- in case this makes a difference to search engine recommendations.

Thanks!

.... I took a ride up there early eve and they were on their way down. Absolutely disgusting mess of rubbish littered in their wake. Some workers were cleaning up thestreets after them. .. but why not teach them to be responsible? !! Teaching instead to believe there is always someone around to clean up their shit. Im sick of witnessing disregard for littering. Even if a bin nearby, the ground is easier...!

Agreed. I was going to mention in my original post, but I didn't want the topic to stray. It was really awful, trash was thrown everywhere, and the smallest amounts of trash were in the litter bins put up by the Oishi tea vendor. Most of it was just thrown into the side of the road and into the forest. Sad.

Went biking up Doi Suthep late this afternoon (Saturday) and saw 100s and 100s of college students in different groups of matching uniforms in what looked like troops, some carrying a group flag, some groups chanting and singing or playing a drum.

I saw signs along the way that had been put up but they were 100% in Thai so I cannot tell what the event was...

Does anyone know what it was?

I am looking for recommendations for a native Thai speaker who wants to improve their English skills in the area of analytical writing.

I'm not sure if there is such a school, course, or private tutor available and I am opening the question to the forum.

This is for Chiang Mai and for a native Thai speaker with advanced English skills.

Thank you.

THANKS... -- EVERYONE --

These answers are awesome and informative. I'll be looking at many of these suggested options especially Chaitawat and Top Gear and Jacky.

My first option will be to purchase a higher-end pre-owned bike, with a new bike as my fallback plan.

Excellent help from all.