Renew Thai DL on METV (Now that Embassy no longer gives POR)

[NDRugby99]

Hello,

Thanks in advance for advice. I have been living in thailand for 4 months every year (47yo) on a Multi-Entry TV (obtained through E visa process by providing letter of invitation from thai family and financial statements). we come in Dec and leave in March. We usually do a trip to another Asian country while there to fulfill my requirement to leave every 60 days. I spend rest of year back in USA. I live near Bangkok with Girlfriend in her family house.

 

2 years ago I got Thai DL for moto/car by jumping through all the hoops. My DLs are expiring mid Dec. I was just doing the initial research on how to renew it (also buying a motorcycle so need to register and deal with DLT for that at same time. was going to let dealer do it but doubt he can handle this renew part as well) and it seems I have to do the whole thing over (clinic, residence, etc). Last time I got the POR from notary at US Embassy. I am reading on forums that they dont do that any longer. So I guess I need to go to immigration at Chaeng Wattana (I will also be in CNX for January so could do there is there is a workaround there that does not exist in BKK)

 

My question is, has anybody renewed a DL that is on a METV or any TV by going through immigration? I keep seeing that they wont provide POR unless I have 90 day stamp and obviously I dont get 90day stamps on my METV. I can provide house book and stuff and take Thai GF to immigration and her mom (house in her name) but I dont know if that gets me the POF in the end.

 

I mean, I guess I dont need to DL and can roll around with my International Permit with Cycle endorsement, just thought it created less friction. But when it comes to buying the motorcycle I feel like I might need the POR to register in my name. On the scooter I bought 3 years ago I just put it in my thai GF name (we have been together 10 years so not worried about the response I get for that move 😉 but I want the motorcycle in my name because I read the green book needs to be in my name to ride over to Laos and such at border crossings)

Thank you for your time.

Darren

Edited yesterday at 10:53 PM by NDRugby99

[NDRugby99]

I guess I could have her create a TM30 with some sort of lease as well if that help with immigration to get the POR?

[Upnotover]

3 minutes ago, NDRugby99 said:

I guess I could have her create a TM30 with some sort of lease as well if that help with immigration to get the POR?

CW will issue a certificate of residence if you have a valid TM30.  They no longer insist on a 90 days report.  If you are staying in her house then she is supposed to do one in any case every time you stay there.  There seems no point in a fake lease.

[Caldera]

As said, nowadays you can get a certificate of residence in Bangkok as a tourist without problems, as long as you have a TM30 receipt for an address IN Bangkok (OP wrote "near Bangkok", which is ambiguous) and can receive mail at that address, as the certificate of residence will be mailed to the address they confirm without exception.

[edwardflory]

Just a quick note of confirmation.

ALL foreigners, regardless of visa or extension of stay are REQUIRED to have a TM-30 ON FILE per sections 4 & 38 of the IMMIGRATION ACT.

 

( Usually done by a landlord for rented property or ""sometimes"" by a HOME OWNER )

 

Section 38 : The house – master, the owner or the possessor of the residence, or the hotel manager where the alien , receiving permission to stay temporary in the Kingdom has stayed , must notify the competent official of the Immigration Office located in the same area with that hours, dwelling place or hotel, within 24 hours from the time of arrival of the alien concerned.

Edited 16 hours ago by edwardflory
spelling

[NDRugby99]

Hi,

Thanks for replies. Seems reasonable. When we first started going to thailand to stay there for winter we were going to have GF do TM30 for me in her house (her name is on book), but when we asked at local police station (we have house in Prawet district of BKK) they said it really was not a big deal so we never did it.

I only mentioned the "lease" cause I thought that was needed to get the TM30, like there needed to be some sort of contract to show I am staying at their house, but if that just be placed on the TM30 form itself and no supporting documentation needed that would be even better.

 

So just fill out attached at take to immigration along with GF and all the usual passport and visa junk and should be able to get the TM30? Or have her fill TM30 online and get it in the mail and take that to immigration? 

 

Appreciate it

Darren

Edited 2 hours ago by NDRugby99

[NDRugby99]

Edit: so fill out TM30 online, the print proof and take that with me...I think I got it now 😉