3 minutes ago, pgrahmm said:

Naah - they are targeting the flakey expat areas.....

I wonder if a significant number of TDL holders are getting rung up on vehicular charges after traveling back to their home country using the TDL for their license....

 

The DLT offices in Rayong and Banglamung have long appeared to take a more rigid, literal approach to regulatory interpretation.

 

A prime example is their stance on the Yellow House Book as proof of address. While this document is widely accepted at many other DLT branches - such as DLT Area 3 in Bangchak, Bangkok - for reasons that remain unclear, Rayong and Banglamung steadfastly refuse to recognise it.

 

This suggests they adhere strictly to their own interpretation of the rules, regardless of broader, more flexible practices elsewhere.

 

Is this rooted in some form of hostility toward the local expat community? I don't believe so. In my view, it's more likely a case of someone in authority at these particular offices being especially officious. Nothing more sinister than that.

3 hours ago, transam said:

A rather silly comment, in your home country, how long does a driving licence last for...? 🤔

5 years & if you are over a certain age you can be renewed without an office visit if your record is clean....You pay the fees & it's posted to you....

25 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

The agents go to the Transport Offices every day so will have the latest info, the old farang on here won't know anything, just head in the sand usually 

So let it remain a Pattaya rule please.

In the evening I will try to find news from sources I trust more 

4 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

But who has such a visa that is valid minimum 1 year on the date they renew their driving license?

They ain't talking about time left, only length of validity.

I've been on 1 year extensions forever.

 

90 day non o no good

1 year oa good

1 year extensions good

2 minutes ago, pgrahmm said:

5 years & if you are over a certain age you can be renewed without an office visit if your record is clean....You pay the fees & it's posted to you....

In the UK it's 10 years, all done by post.........🤗

36 minutes ago, transam said:

Probably off-topic, but might be worth reading....

 

About 6 years back I had an operation in a hospital up country. Plenty of money in the BKK Bank, my card kept getting rejected trying to pay my bill, luckily there was a BKK Bank on site.

Same thing, could not withdraw the amount I wanted. Asked to see the manager, understood a bit of English, I explained my problem, she took my card, came back and said it was because you are on your BKK Bank branch as on a tourist or similar visa, which has a daily limit of 50Kbht, anyhooo, she did a bit of magic at the ATM, punching in stuff with her card and eventually had the money to pay the bill, then told to go to my branch and show a long term visa so they can amend their/my records...🤗

 

A good reason to have a credit card with a high limit... 

 

Even though I can't get a card here (because I don't work here) my Wife can... I am an additional Card Holder and regularly use the cards to get points (air-miles etc)...   The limit is good enough to cover most emergencies....

 

I recently opted to pay for an operation myself on credit-card, and then claim from insurance afterwards - a good points haul.

 

 

 

29 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

I have [had] the face scan, but they made it redundant...

 

I brought up the topic as a feel there is a climate now where Thailand tries to  make life difficult for foreigners in all aspects of everyday life. And we are clearly singled out with both the banking and driver licence changes. We could also debate about the income tax.

 

Back to my earlier point... 

 

Some folk are in denial, but that's a river in Egypt (with the source in Uganda).

2 minutes ago, transam said:

4 minutes ago, pgrahmm said:

5 years & if you are over a certain age you can be renewed without an office visit if your record is clean....You pay the fees & it's posted to you....

In the UK it's 10 years, all done by post.........🤗

 

This one is on topic !!!!...    And refers to IDP's.

 

For those unable to get more than 2 Year Driving License here (for whatever reasons, even if the regs do change), then they are unable to get an IDP....    I recently scored a work-around (just incase).

 

We cannot get an IDP (UK) from overseas - it has to be done by person.

I claimed my UK Driving License was lost and Applied online for a new one, delivered parents UK Address.

I posted Passport Photo's to them.

They Applied in Person for an IDP for me - then posted the IDP and new UK license out to me in Thailand. 

 

Thus; As a work around this is an option for that situation where an IDP to drive in other countries (such as Japan) is needed but someone only holds a 2 Year Thai License.

 

The reason I opted for this 'back-up' plan was that even though I held a 1949 IDP from Thailand based on my Thai % year Driving License, I was uncertain if Japan would accept a non-UK Driving Licenses, with a UK Passport and thus ensured I had my bases covered (ended up with Both Thai and UK IDP's just incase - and they did accept the Thai issued IDP with my UK Passport).

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Further evidence

Yes, further evidence that it is only that one office applying its own internal policy.

16 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

They ain't talking about time left, only length of validity.

I've been on 1 year extensions forever.

 

90 day non o no good

1 year oa good

1 year extensions good

 

I think thats part of the confusion.

 

A Resident Visa such as a Non-Immigrant Visa (any variant and duration) has always been accepted for a 5 year Driving license...  (if following on from an initial 2 year license)

 

I think the announcement may be misleading...   though thats yet to be determined.

 

But - as a Non-Immigrant O (for example) is 90 days, but can be extended (indefinitely) I believe this is accepted as it is a 'resident visa'....    

 

Yet to be determined, specifically at Rayong and Banglamung DLT of course, but I believe the announcement has missed important clarity and instead muddied the waters.

 

 

Thus: IF someone already holding a 5 year Driving license, returns to Thailand on a new Non-Immigrant Type O Visa (based on Marriage or Retirement) which has a validity of 90 days - I do wonder if they would receive a 5 year renewal or 2 year Temp License....   at Rayong and Banglamung DLT...  

... elsewhere: i.e. DLT Area 3 in BKK - they'd get a 5 Year Renewal. 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, novacova said:

Just looked on the dlt website, no mention. May only apply to this office and pandering agents, we’ll see.

"May only apply to this office..."

Obviously, as that is what the notice says!

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Can't get an IDP with a 2 year license.

Can't get an IDP with a 2-year temporary licence, the renewed licences referenced in this thread are, presumably, full licences, not temporary, same applies to the reduced BAC limits.

4 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

Don't they know it's called the "Land Transport DEPARTMENT" not 'Agency' 

Don't you know that it is a government agency?

3 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

According to the posts it's now 2 to 2 and 5 to 2, spot the difference? 

...in that one office.

25 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

Back to my earlier point... 

 

Some folk are in denial, but that's a river in Egypt (with the source in Uganda).

Or a bad book written by my former boss...

 

3 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

You have some affront on here...

Affront?

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

There’s actually a clause tucked away somewhere in the Thai Land Traffic Act which states that holders of a Resident Visa must have a Thai driving licence.

Not if they do not intend to be driving, it doesn't.

9 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Can't get an IDP with a 2 year license.

Can't get an IDP with a 2-year temporary licence, the renewed licences referenced in this thread are, presumably, full licences, not temporary, same applies to the reduced BAC limits.

 

LL - that implies that for 'our purposes' of Private Licences there are three licence types....  and that a license renewed to 2 Year Licence is not a Temporary Licence but a full licence (but just limited to 2 years)...    I don't believe this exists (outlined in red below).

 

 

1a) Private Car Driving Licence (Temporary) [2 Years]

1c) Private Motorcycle Driving Licence (Temporary) [2 Years]

 

2a) Private Car Driving Licence  [2 Years]

2c) Private Motorcycle Driving Licence [2 Years]

 

3a) Private Car Driving Licence [5 Years]

3c) Private Motorcycle Driving Licence [5 Years]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

More to it than that as explained here:

 

4 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

- Reasons other than the obvious not wanting to renew every 2 years.

- Can't get an IDP with a 2 year license.

- DUI Limit varies (0.02% vs 0.05%) which means having a beer with lunch might put someone over.

 

"More to it" as inaccurately "explained" there!

1 minute ago, richard_smith237 said:

LL - that implies that for 'our purposes' of Private Licences there are three licence types....  and that a license renewed to 2 Year Licence is not a Temporary Licence but a full licence (but just limited to 2 years)...    I don't believe this exists (outlined in red below).

"I don't believe this exists..."

It does at that particular office, hence the thread.

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

There’s actually a clause tucked away somewhere in the Thai Land Traffic Act which states that holders of a Resident Visa must have a Thai driving licence.

Not if they do not intend to be driving, it doesn't.

 

Astounding.....  Even by your standards, that's a masterclass in petty pedantry....

32 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Yes, further evidence that it is only that one office applying its own internal policy.

Read it again, two offices mentioned 

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Affront?

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"I don't believe this exists..."

It does at that particular office, hence the thread.

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"More to it" as inaccurately "explained" there!

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

"I don't believe this exists..."

It does at that particular office, hence the thread.

 

Was it a prescription overdose, or are you just freebasing your pedantry-pills now ?

 

 

20 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

...in that one office.

No, two mentioned, put your glasses on

17 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Was it a prescription overdose, or are you just freebasing your pedantry-pills now ?

 

 

I only looked at this topic and noticed LL replies, he certainly didn't disappoint me with his pedantic nonsense! 

1 hour ago, Peter Crow said:

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

That said: contrary to Peter's comment (quoted below) I don't believe this has anything to do with 'targeting foreigners' - its simply the Banks Protecting themsleves and as we account for so little of their business, we are not really a concern.

Kasikorn clients of Thai nationality keep their 4000000 limit. So how can you say foreigners aren't singled out? Neither are Thais concerned by the drivers license change.

 

That obviouly depends on your optics of the situation and whether someone is of a 'victim mentality' or just sees the bigger picture.

 

The NDID system is tied to the Thai National ID cards and is simply banks protecting themselves. 

 

The Banks have not set up a system to 'single out foreigners'... the Banks have set up a system to protect themselves under new regulations that fits < 99% of their customer base.

 

IF this 50,000 baht 'daily' limit applies to all foreigners on all Bank Accounts - I'll be as annoyed with it as you are, I'll have to actually visit a Branch to make a larger transfer and that will be annoying - nevertheless, I still will not see this as a 'singling out foreigners' in any malicious manner - rather its simply the clumsiness of not accounting for the full 100% of its customer base - thats all.... 

 

 

Its the same with the DLT - though I don't think the announcement is quite as litteral as it reads - I *believe anyone with a Non-Imm Visa (resident Visa) will still be able to get their full 5 year License (at Rayong and Banglamung DLT)...   I think the announcement is a clumsy translation thats all...  No specific or malicious targeting of foreigners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

They ain't talking about time left, only length of validity.

I've been on 1 year extensions forever.

 

90 day non o no good

1 year oa good

1 year extensions good

 

The picture in the OP says, visa with more than 1 year remaining

47 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

The picture in the OP says, visa with more than 1 year remaining

 

The picture in the First Post on this thread is not from an official source - rather it is an announcement from a company run by a lady called 'Mot'...   who initially rented motorcycles, then realised she could make money assisting foreigners with 'other services'...  and opened MOT's Services... 

...  Her / Her company's services involve: assisting foreigners with Driving Licenses, TM30, Visa Services, Border Runs, TDAC cards, Opening Bank Accounts....  

 

The service doesn't appear to do anything that can't be executed by ourselves with relative ease.

 

The announcement on the MOTS Services webpage cannot be considered official. We should be cautious about taking everything at face value - especially from a privately run website like this, which has no verified connection to any government department or official authority.

 

I very much doubt their interpretation of this information perfectly accurate....  the use of the term 'more than 1 year remaining on the visa' is more than likely (IMO) to be an inaccuracy.... 

 

I suspect the original source written in Thai would involve the Thai term for resident... 'Resident Visa' - which itself often causes some confusion, but in thailand references Non-Immigrant Visa's... additionally there has been agreements with the DLT to allow other Visas which are longer than one year to be included... such as the Elite Visa, DTV and LTR... 

 

Of-course, not confirmed - but I suspect if there is any official announcement it was more a clarification of existing regulations, rather than the announcement of any 'fresh' restrictions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Which 'endless conversation' are you trying to end.

 

Its been shown that: 

a) 4x 49,999 Baht transactions in one day can be made from SCB M-Banking APP.

b) Even though my SCB Daily limit on the APP is 300,000 baht - (it appears my daily SCB Limit is 200,000 baht

c) Last month I made 6x 49,999 Baht transactions in one day from BKK M-Banking APP.

d) I've just tried to make more than 1x 49,999 Baht transaction on K-Bank APP and was rejected.

 

Conclusion: (from a Personal Perspective)

 

a) Transfer restrictions for all foreigners apply: Less than 50,000 Baht per Transaction

b) SCB Limits: Regardless of what we set in the App - Not more than 200,000 per day.

c) BKK Bank Limits: 300,000 per day (proven) - not sure what the Max is now (regardless of what we set in the app)

d) KT Limits: Less than 50,000 Baht per Transaction per day

 

If you want proof @Dutchjohn of a more than 50,000 baht transaction in one day from an Online Banking APP - it there in the post you replied to.... (4x 49,999 baht trx in one day from SCB).

 

Given my Daily Limit appears to be set below my APP settings with SCB it appears there are limits on foreigners

SCB: < 200,000 baht 

BKK Bank: < 300,000 baht (possibly - not tested above this)

KTB: < 50,000 baht 

 

Its also not confirmed if going into a Branch and registering our faces and applying to increase the limits is possible.

 

Thats as honest and balanced as I can be to any response on this - and I believe that even though its off-topic, its still important info.

 

That said: contrary to Peter's comment (quoted below) I don't believe this has anything to do with 'targeting foreigners' - its simply the Banks Protecting themsleves and as we account for so little of their business, we are not really a concern.

 

 

 

 

I was just kidding, Richard.

13 minutes ago, Dutchjohn said:

I was just kidding, Richard.

 

Ok... Can I have my 500k back then please...