5 year driving license

[nedkellylives]

In the quetions and answersf the phuket gazzette a senior givt official states that they have been issuing

5 year licenses by mistake to people with non o visa's and they are only entittled to a 1 year one

Only people with work permits can get a 5 year license

What type of country treats people who invest and live their this way, third world comes to mind

[Roel]

I just reported in another post as I have been extending my 5-year license last Friday. The lady who introduced the video told us: everyone with a 1-year extension (regardless of visa type) receives a 5-year. All others receive 1-year. Guy next to me had 1-year extension retirement and got a 5-year license.

[nedkellylives]

I just reported in another post as I have been extending my 5-year license last Friday. The lady who introduced the video told us: everyone with a 1-year extension (regardless of visa type) receives a 5-year. All others receive 1-year. Guy next to me had 1-year extension retirement and got a 5-year license.

I recently renewed my 5 year license, If they will not give me a 5 year next time i will drive without

a Thai driving license like 50% of people already do including Thai's

I notice a medical certificate is now required as well, not so 3 months ago

[GreasyFingers]

Got a five year license earlier last month even though my 1 year temporary license had expired 3 weeks earlier. No medical, only new Residency Certificate and normal colour & reaction tests.

[RawaiPlaBoyz]

Good follow up thread.. I think that are not on it as of yet. I have contact will a long standing business person who's family goes back 200 years.. " Just trying to get more money and me being due in Aug 2016 should have no problem as it will be reverted.

[personchester]

That is not a general practicality, because license applications procedures are different in regional license offices, some have a short and easy procedure, others have long and difficult procedure taking 2 to 3 hours

Thus the license application outcome depends on the region where people are living, by mentioning your application procedure please state where your license application toke place.

[Gonsalviz]

I just reported in another post as I have been extending my 5-year license last Friday. The lady who introduced the video told us: everyone with a 1-year extension (regardless of visa type) receives a 5-year. All others receive 1-year. Guy next to me had 1-year extension retirement and got a 5-year license.

I recently renewed my 5 year license, If they will not give me a 5 year next time i will drive without

a Thai driving license like 50% of people already do including Thai's

I notice a medical certificate is now required as well, not so 3 months ago

Med cert has always been a requirement. It is a formality only and not asked for in all places.

[nedkellylives]

I just reported in another post as I have been extending my 5-year license last Friday. The lady who introduced the video told us: everyone with a 1-year extension (regardless of visa type) receives a 5-year. All others receive 1-year. Guy next to me had 1-year extension retirement and got a 5-year license.

I recently renewed my 5 year license, If they will not give me a 5 year next time i will drive without

a Thai driving license like 50% of people already do including Thai's

I notice a medical certificate is now required as well, not so 3 months ago

Med cert has always been a requirement. It is a formality only and not asked for in all places.

They handed the 2 i supplied back to me and said not required, although you are probably right

the staff dont seem to know what they are doing most of the time, but they insisted on a letter

confirming address from immagration which is not required by their web site information

[Roel]

So the senior official interviewed in the Phuket Gazette says: 5-year licenses only y for work permit holders. All others get a 1-year.

Then I go there (I have a work permit by the way) and they inform us: all with 1-year extension get a 5-year. All others get a 1-year.

I had a Thai person phone them to ask about the latest requirements a few days before I went to extend and they tell her medical certificate required.

Then I go there: no medical certificate required.

So it could all be different next week. That is why I thought it to be useful to report the latest personal experience on here.

[NamKangMan]

@ nedkellylives

This discussion came up on TV recently.

I agree with you, it is ridiculous that someone who has bought a property and/or a business here, employs Thai's, supports a family, pays taxes etc etc has no more rights than someone like myself, living here on tourist visas, and we both have no more rights than someone here on a 30 day visa exemption stamp for a holiday.

There is no real advantage to the long term visa over a tourist visa for anyone in Thailand. Sure, you don't have to leave the country every 90 days, but you have to "report" every 90 days and you have to get a re-entry permit should you want to leave and come back, and you have to show financials etc etc.

The pros and cons have been debated before, but someone on a tourist visa can do everything that someone on a long term retirement visa can do here. They can buy property, buy a business, open a bank account, own a vehicle, have utility bills in their name, register a phone number etc etc.

To compare the difference between the way Thailand treats it's retired expats, and Malaysia, have a look at the below link. 10 year muti-entry visas that are renewable, plus a lot of other advantages, particularly in relation to property ownership.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

The competition for the expat dollar is increasing in this region, yet Thailand can't even issue a 5 year driving licence to someone on a 1 year visa that has been living here for years.

As another member stated, I can only view it as another money making exercise from farang.

I would encourage you to maintain your licence for insurance purposes, but I take your point, why invest in a country that treats foreign expats so poorly.

Edited May 27, 2014 by NamKangMan

[nedkellylives]

@ nedkellylives

This discussion came up on TV recently.

I agree with you, it is ridiculous that someone who has bought a property and/or a business here, employs Thai's, supports a family, pays taxes etc etc has no more rights than someone like myself, living here on tourist visas, and we both have no more rights than someone here on a 30 day visa exemption stamp for a holiday.

There is no real advantage to the long term visa over a tourist visa for anyone in Thailand. Sure, you don't have to leave the country every 90 days, but you have to "report" every 90 days and you have to get a re-entry permit should you want to leave and come back, and you have to show financials etc etc.

The pros and cons have been debated before, but someone on a tourist visa can do everything that someone on a long term retirement visa can do here. They can buy property, buy a business, open a bank account, own a vehicle, have utility bills in their name, register a phone number etc etc.

To compare the difference between the way Thailand treats it's retired expats, and Malaysia, have a look at the below link. 10 year muti-entry visas that are renewable, plus a lot of other advantages, particularly in relation to property ownership.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

The competition for the expat dollar is increasing in this region, yet Thailand can't even issue a 5 year driving licence to someone on a 1 year visa that has been living here for years.

As another member stated, I can only view it as another money making exercise from farang.

I would encourage you to maintain your licence for insurance purposes, but I take your point, why invest in a country that treats foreign expats so poorly.

I have a current Australian heavy vehicle license( it covers driving all types of vehicles from trucks down) and a open M/C license that allows me to ride any size M/C

If they want to stuff me around here i will use that license for insurance purposes and do not try to tell me i cannot

I know the rules here and how to get around them if needed

I do not need to renew my license here for another 5 years and anything can happen before then

Edited May 27, 2014 by nedkellylives

[NamKangMan]

@ nedkellylives

This discussion came up on TV recently.

I agree with you, it is ridiculous that someone who has bought a property and/or a business here, employs Thai's, supports a family, pays taxes etc etc has no more rights than someone like myself, living here on tourist visas, and we both have no more rights than someone here on a 30 day visa exemption stamp for a holiday.

There is no real advantage to the long term visa over a tourist visa for anyone in Thailand. Sure, you don't have to leave the country every 90 days, but you have to "report" every 90 days and you have to get a re-entry permit should you want to leave and come back, and you have to show financials etc etc.

The pros and cons have been debated before, but someone on a tourist visa can do everything that someone on a long term retirement visa can do here. They can buy property, buy a business, open a bank account, own a vehicle, have utility bills in their name, register a phone number etc etc.

To compare the difference between the way Thailand treats it's retired expats, and Malaysia, have a look at the below link. 10 year muti-entry visas that are renewable, plus a lot of other advantages, particularly in relation to property ownership.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

The competition for the expat dollar is increasing in this region, yet Thailand can't even issue a 5 year driving licence to someone on a 1 year visa that has been living here for years.

As another member stated, I can only view it as another money making exercise from farang.

I would encourage you to maintain your licence for insurance purposes, but I take your point, why invest in a country that treats foreign expats so poorly.

I have a current Australian heavy vehicle license( it covers driving all types of vehicles from trucks down) and a open M/C license that allows me to ride any size M/C

If they want to stuff me around here i will use that license for insurance purposes and do not try to tell me i cannot

I know the rules here and how to get around them if needed

I do not need to renew my license here for another 5 years and anything can happen before then

If you are not due to renew your Thai licence for another 5 years, I wouldn't worry about it, but wouldn't that mean your Australian licence will expire before your Thai licence?

This country doesn't know what it is doing next week, let alone 5 years from now, so anything is possible.

I have been told that if you are residing here for more than 3 months, then you need a Thai licence. Whether you can get around it, or not, I believe that is the law, but others may know more about it.

[madmitch]

@ nedkellylives

This discussion came up on TV recently.

I agree with you, it is ridiculous that someone who has bought a property and/or a business here, employs Thai's, supports a family, pays taxes etc etc has no more rights than someone like myself, living here on tourist visas, and we both have no more rights than someone here on a 30 day visa exemption stamp for a holiday.

There is no real advantage to the long term visa over a tourist visa for anyone in Thailand. Sure, you don't have to leave the country every 90 days, but you have to "report" every 90 days and you have to get a re-entry permit should you want to leave and come back, and you have to show financials etc etc.

The pros and cons have been debated before, but someone on a tourist visa can do everything that someone on a long term retirement visa can do here. They can buy property, buy a business, open a bank account, own a vehicle, have utility bills in their name, register a phone number etc etc.

To compare the difference between the way Thailand treats it's retired expats, and Malaysia, have a look at the below link. 10 year muti-entry visas that are renewable, plus a lot of other advantages, particularly in relation to property ownership.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

The competition for the expat dollar is increasing in this region, yet Thailand can't even issue a 5 year driving licence to someone on a 1 year visa that has been living here for years.

As another member stated, I can only view it as another money making exercise from farang.

I would encourage you to maintain your licence for insurance purposes, but I take your point, why invest in a country that treats foreign expats so poorly.

I have a current Australian heavy vehicle license( it covers driving all types of vehicles from trucks down) and a open M/C license that allows me to ride any size M/C

If they want to stuff me around here i will use that license for insurance purposes and do not try to tell me i cannot

I know the rules here and how to get around them if needed

I do not need to renew my license here for another 5 years and anything can happen before then

In theory you are not allowed to hold current driving licences from more than one country. This is to avoid showing different licences for motoring offences or even driving on a different licence whilst disqualified.

I know many expats do hold two but you are not supposed to. I'm renewing my Thai licence before the end of May and my UK one in July!

[stevenl]

So the senior official interviewed in the Phuket Gazette says: 5-year licenses only y for work permit holders. All others get a 1-year.

Then I go there (I have a work permit by the way) and they inform us: all with 1-year extension get a 5-year. All others get a 1-year.

I had a Thai person phone them to ask about the latest requirements a few days before I went to extend and they tell her medical certificate required.

Then I go there: no medical certificate required.

So it could all be different next week. That is why I thought it to be useful to report the latest personal experience on here.

In the article he said: persons on visa get 1 year. Persons on B-visa are an exception they get 5 year. Now it seems that, as I said earlier already, people on a visa do get 1 year but people on extensions plus people on B-visa get 5 year. Which all makes sense, since these people are obviously longer term residents.

[merijn]

In theory you are not allowed to hold current driving licences from more than one country. This is to avoid showing different licences for motoring offences or even driving on a different licence whilst disqualified.

I know many expats do hold two but you are not supposed to. I'm renewing my Thai licence before the end of May and my UK one in July!

Where does it say that you are not allowed to have two different DL from separate countries ?

I hold a valid DL from The Netherlands and one from Thailand.

Both are valid DL but i can understand that it is assumed that while i'm in Thailand i would use the Thai DL.

As i would like to use the Dutch one in Thailand this should be combined with a International DL.

[nedkellylives]

In theory you are not allowed to hold current driving licences from more than one country. This is to avoid showing different licences for motoring offences or even driving on a different licence whilst disqualified.

I know many expats do hold two but you are not supposed to. I'm renewing my Thai licence before the end of May and my UK one in July!

Where does it say that you are not allowed to have two different DL from separate countries ?

I hold a valid DL from The Netherlands and one from Thailand.

Both are valid DL but i can understand that it is assumed that while i'm in Thailand i would use the Thai DL.

As i would like to use the Dutch one in Thailand this should be combined with a International DL.

No problem with IDP in Thailand

IDP are only issued for one year but there is a business near big C that will sell you a 10 year fake one

Its not a booklet like IDP issued in other countries, its plastic like the drivers license issued here

I have met a bloke from Norway who uses one and its the only license he has ever had

I have been told of people using a library card as a license here and its not hard to beleive

[RawaiPlaBoyz]

I just reported in another post as I have been extending my 5-year license last Friday. The lady who introduced the video told us: everyone with a 1-year extension (regardless of visa type) receives a 5-year. All others receive 1-year. Guy next to me had 1-year extension retirement and got a 5-year license.

Good Report. Nice stuff and what this board SHOULD be all about. MY only concern is to an implementation date. Are we going to see a change in the near future.. All keep their eyes out!

CPC

[Felt 35]

So the senior official interviewed in the Phuket Gazette says: 5-year licenses only y for work permit holders. All others get a 1-year.

Then I go there (I have a work permit by the way) and they inform us: all with 1-year extension get a 5-year. All others get a 1-year.

I had a Thai person phone them to ask about the latest requirements a few days before I went to extend and they tell her medical certificate required.

Then I go there: no medical certificate required.

So it could all be different next week. That is why I thought it to be useful to report the latest personal experience on here.

In the article he said: persons on visa get 1 year. Persons on B-visa are an exception they get 5 year. Now it seems that, as I said earlier already, people on a visa do get 1 year but people on extensions plus people on B-visa get 5 year. Which all makes sense, since these people are obviously longer term residents.

Did the official say "people on extensions" or is it more a assumption! Most of the extensions is likely based on a non immigrant visa either because of marriage or retirement!

[stevenl]

So the senior official interviewed in the Phuket Gazette says: 5-year licenses only y for work permit holders. All others get a 1-year.

Then I go there (I have a work permit by the way) and they inform us: all with 1-year extension get a 5-year. All others get a 1-year.

I had a Thai person phone them to ask about the latest requirements a few days before I went to extend and they tell her medical certificate required.

Then I go there: no medical certificate required.

So it could all be different next week. That is why I thought it to be useful to report the latest personal experience on here.

In the article he said: persons on visa get 1 year. Persons on B-visa are an exception they get 5 year. Now it seems that, as I said earlier already, people on a visa do get 1 year but people on extensions plus people on B-visa get 5 year. Which all makes sense, since these people are obviously longer term residents.

Did the official say "people on extensions" or is it more a assumption! Most of the extensions is likely based on a non immigrant visa either because of marriage or retirement!

Read the article, see link here in the thread.

[PattayaPhom]

@ nedkellylives

This discussion came up on TV recently.

I agree with you, it is ridiculous that someone who has bought a property and/or a business here, employs Thai's, supports a family, pays taxes etc etc has no more rights than someone like myself, living here on tourist visas, and we both have no more rights than someone here on a 30 day visa exemption stamp for a holiday.

There is no real advantage to the long term visa over a tourist visa for anyone in Thailand. Sure, you don't have to leave the country every 90 days, but you have to "report" every 90 days and you have to get a re-entry permit should you want to leave and come back, and you have to show financials etc etc.

The pros and cons have been debated before, but someone on a tourist visa can do everything that someone on a long term retirement visa can do here. They can buy property, buy a business, open a bank account, own a vehicle, have utility bills in their name, register a phone number etc etc.

To compare the difference between the way Thailand treats it's retired expats, and Malaysia, have a look at the below link. 10 year muti-entry visas that are renewable, plus a lot of other advantages, particularly in relation to property ownership.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

The competition for the expat dollar is increasing in this region, yet Thailand can't even issue a 5 year driving licence to someone on a 1 year visa that has been living here for years.

As another member stated, I can only view it as another money making exercise from farang.

I would encourage you to maintain your licence for insurance purposes, but I take your point, why invest in a country that treats foreign expats so poorly.

The Malay 2nd home has been around for years and was previously named silver something or other. The terms state RM350,000 which is about 3-3.5 Mil Baht and a pension of RM10,000 per month...where is that even on a comparison of the criteria for Thailand of 800K or 65K per month.

[madmitch]

Just back from renewing my licence. 4 hours of boredom but that's the way it goes.

Anyway the lady who spoke before the video stated that any new applicants would get a one year licence, anybody on a tourist or a three month visa would only get a one year renewal and those on retirement visas and annual non-immigrant visas (I reckon she meant extension of stay) would be eligible for 5 years. Being a week after my birthday and hence a licence expired by one week, I received a licence for 5 years and 51 weeks.

Please note that medical certificates ARE currently required.

[madmitch]

In theory you are not allowed to hold current driving licences from more than one country. This is to avoid showing different licences for motoring offences or even driving on a different licence whilst disqualified.

I know many expats do hold two but you are not supposed to. I'm renewing my Thai licence before the end of May and my UK one in July!

Where does it say that you are not allowed to have two different DL from separate countries ?

I hold a valid DL from The Netherlands and one from Thailand.

Both are valid DL but i can understand that it is assumed that while i'm in Thailand i would use the Thai DL.

As i would like to use the Dutch one in Thailand this should be combined with a International DL.

It is the case in the UK and seems to be the case for EU countries in general. In the US and Australia you can only have a licence issued in one state. so I would presume you aren't supposed to hold a valid overseas licence at the same time either.

But realistically no one is really going to bother about it unless you drive on a different licence whilst disqualified.

[RawaiPlaBoyz]

In theory you are not allowed to hold current driving licences from more than one country. This is to avoid showing different licences for motoring offences or even driving on a different licence whilst disqualified.

I know many expats do hold two but you are not supposed to. I'm renewing my Thai licence before the end of May and my UK one in July!

Where does it say that you are not allowed to have two different DL from separate countries ?

I hold a valid DL from The Netherlands and one from Thailand.

Both are valid DL but i can understand that it is assumed that while i'm in Thailand i would use the Thai DL.

As i would like to use the Dutch one in Thailand this should be combined with a International DL.

The OP: posted with the qualifier "in theory" I have three DL One Thai , one from Vanatu which is fodr life and one from a state in America that allows renewal buy mail for certain drivers.

[stevenl]

@ nedkellylives

This discussion came up on TV recently.

I agree with you, it is ridiculous that someone who has bought a property and/or a business here, employs Thai's, supports a family, pays taxes etc etc has no more rights than someone like myself, living here on tourist visas, and we both have no more rights than someone here on a 30 day visa exemption stamp for a holiday.

There is no real advantage to the long term visa over a tourist visa for anyone in Thailand. Sure, you don't have to leave the country every 90 days, but you have to "report" every 90 days and you have to get a re-entry permit should you want to leave and come back, and you have to show financials etc etc.

The pros and cons have been debated before, but someone on a tourist visa can do everything that someone on a long term retirement visa can do here. They can buy property, buy a business, open a bank account, own a vehicle, have utility bills in their name, register a phone number etc etc.

To compare the difference between the way Thailand treats it's retired expats, and Malaysia, have a look at the below link. 10 year muti-entry visas that are renewable, plus a lot of other advantages, particularly in relation to property ownership.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

The competition for the expat dollar is increasing in this region, yet Thailand can't even issue a 5 year driving licence to someone on a 1 year visa that has been living here for years.

As another member stated, I can only view it as another money making exercise from farang.

I would encourage you to maintain your licence for insurance purposes, but I take your point, why invest in a country that treats foreign expats so poorly.

I have a current Australian heavy vehicle license( it covers driving all types of vehicles from trucks down) and a open M/C license that allows me to ride any size M/C

If they want to stuff me around here i will use that license for insurance purposes and do not try to tell me i cannot

I know the rules here and how to get around them if needed

I do not need to renew my license here for another 5 years and anything can happen before then

In theory you are not allowed to hold current driving licences from more than one country. This is to avoid showing different licences for motoring offences or even driving on a different licence whilst disqualified.

I know many expats do hold two but you are not supposed to. I'm renewing my Thai licence before the end of May and my UK one in July!

Says who?

In Thailand you obviously are allowed to have 2, since they will allow and give you a Thai license if you show your valid foreign DL (certain conditions met). The thing is though, that while living in Thailand your home license is not valid for driving in Thailand.

[starkey_rich]

Just back from renewing my licence. 4 hours of boredom but that's the way it goes.

Anyway the lady who spoke before the video stated that any new applicants would get a one year licence, anybody on a tourist or a three month visa would only get a one year renewal and those on retirement visas and annual non-immigrant visas (I reckon she meant extension of stay) would be eligible for 5 years. Being a week after my birthday and hence a licence expired by one week, I received a licence for 5 years and 51 weeks.

Please note that medical certificates ARE currently required.

It must vary day by day then as I renewed mine on Tuesday and no medical cert required.

Even though this was my third renewal of a Thai license I still had to sit through an hour of Mr Bean Drives in Thailand mind you most of it was quite amusing . I was wondering if the Thais that watch this video understand anything that is being said .Obviously not.

As far as holding more than one license. I have never heard that before I currently hold 4 UK,NZ,Aus and Thai.

Edited May 29, 2014 by starkey_rich

[nedkellylives]

Interesting thing about the driving license vidoe that woke me up is the give way rules

When driving on the road you give way to people entering from roads on your left

But not to people entering the road from driveways or private roads and parking areas

At roundabouts you give way to people on your right

That explains why people on side streets on the left hand side pull out without checking

for any oncoming traffic, especially bikes

Edited May 29, 2014 by nedkellylives

[madmitch]

@ nedkellylives

This discussion came up on TV recently.

I agree with you, it is ridiculous that someone who has bought a property and/or a business here, employs Thai's, supports a family, pays taxes etc etc has no more rights than someone like myself, living here on tourist visas, and we both have no more rights than someone here on a 30 day visa exemption stamp for a holiday.

There is no real advantage to the long term visa over a tourist visa for anyone in Thailand. Sure, you don't have to leave the country every 90 days, but you have to "report" every 90 days and you have to get a re-entry permit should you want to leave and come back, and you have to show financials etc etc.

The pros and cons have been debated before, but someone on a tourist visa can do everything that someone on a long term retirement visa can do here. They can buy property, buy a business, open a bank account, own a vehicle, have utility bills in their name, register a phone number etc etc.

To compare the difference between the way Thailand treats it's retired expats, and Malaysia, have a look at the below link. 10 year muti-entry visas that are renewable, plus a lot of other advantages, particularly in relation to property ownership.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

The competition for the expat dollar is increasing in this region, yet Thailand can't even issue a 5 year driving licence to someone on a 1 year visa that has been living here for years.

As another member stated, I can only view it as another money making exercise from farang.

I would encourage you to maintain your licence for insurance purposes, but I take your point, why invest in a country that treats foreign expats so poorly.

I have a current Australian heavy vehicle license( it covers driving all types of vehicles from trucks down) and a open M/C license that allows me to ride any size M/C

If they want to stuff me around here i will use that license for insurance purposes and do not try to tell me i cannot

I know the rules here and how to get around them if needed

I do not need to renew my license here for another 5 years and anything can happen before then

In theory you are not allowed to hold current driving licences from more than one country. This is to avoid showing different licences for motoring offences or even driving on a different licence whilst disqualified.

I know many expats do hold two but you are not supposed to. I'm renewing my Thai licence before the end of May and my UK one in July!

Says who?

In Thailand you obviously are allowed to have 2, since they will allow and give you a Thai license if you show your valid foreign DL (certain conditions met). The thing is though, that while living in Thailand your home license is not valid for driving in Thailand.

Google it. Not easy to find but there is information out there. I found out (re the UK) when looking at renewing my UK licence. You are supposed to surrender your old licence when obtaining a new one from a different territory. But I would guess very few people do and as I said before, I'll renew my UK one when I next visit.

And it wouldn't apply here, just in countries with proper points systems and licence suspensions.

[RawaiPlaBoyz]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Just back from renewing my licence. 4 hours of boredom but that's the way it goes.

Anyway the lady who spoke before the video stated that any new applicants would get a one year licence, anybody on a tourist or a three month visa would only get a one year renewal and those on retirement visas and annual non-immigrant visas (I reckon she meant extension of stay) would be eligible for 5 years. Being a week after my birthday and hence a licence expired by one week, I received a licence for 5 years and 51 weeks.

Please note that medical certificates ARE currently required.

It must vary day by day then as I renewed mine on Tuesday and no medical cert required.

Even though this was my third renewal of a Thai license I still had to sit through an hour of Mr Bean Drives in Thailand mind you most of it was quite amusing . I was wondering if the Thais that watch this video understand anything that is being said .Obviously not.

As far as holding more than one license. I have never heard that before I currently hold 4 UK,NZ,Aus and Thai.

Is the section on traffic circles still laugh table.. ROFLOL. It's been a while but I remember ti plan would keep you in the circle all day.

Hayek Veteran

[NamKangMan]

@ nedkellylives

This discussion came up on TV recently.

I agree with you, it is ridiculous that someone who has bought a property and/or a business here, employs Thai's, supports a family, pays taxes etc etc has no more rights than someone like myself, living here on tourist visas, and we both have no more rights than someone here on a 30 day visa exemption stamp for a holiday.

There is no real advantage to the long term visa over a tourist visa for anyone in Thailand. Sure, you don't have to leave the country every 90 days, but you have to "report" every 90 days and you have to get a re-entry permit should you want to leave and come back, and you have to show financials etc etc.

The pros and cons have been debated before, but someone on a tourist visa can do everything that someone on a long term retirement visa can do here. They can buy property, buy a business, open a bank account, own a vehicle, have utility bills in their name, register a phone number etc etc.

To compare the difference between the way Thailand treats it's retired expats, and Malaysia, have a look at the below link. 10 year muti-entry visas that are renewable, plus a lot of other advantages, particularly in relation to property ownership.

http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

The competition for the expat dollar is increasing in this region, yet Thailand can't even issue a 5 year driving licence to someone on a 1 year visa that has been living here for years.

As another member stated, I can only view it as another money making exercise from farang.

I would encourage you to maintain your licence for insurance purposes, but I take your point, why invest in a country that treats foreign expats so poorly.

The Malay 2nd home has been around for years and was previously named silver something or other. The terms state RM350,000 which is about 3-3.5 Mil Baht and a pension of RM10,000 per month...where is that even on a comparison of the criteria for Thailand of 800K or 65K per month.

Merely pointing out that many countries in the region are now competing with Thailand for the expat retiree dollar, and are making things easier, and offering incentives to the expat, in order to attract them, rather than making things harder, like Thailand. Eg. 10 year multi-entry visa under the MM2H scheme.

There are other incentives, like a foreigner can buy a tax free car, or import their own, duty free.

Also, Malaysia has one of the more liberal foreign ownership of land laws in the region.

Don't quote me on this, but I think the liquid RM350,500 (about $110,000US) only has to be shown once, for the 10 year visa, not every year.

You need to show 800,000 baht every year in Thailand.

RM10,000 is only 100,000 baht, so not that much difference.

I'm not sure about their driving/riding licences.

Anyway, at least they have a stable Government in Malaysia. Thailand hasn't had one in 10 years, and doesn't look like having one anytime soon.

Edited May 29, 2014 by NamKangMan

[KarenBravo]

I've got a one year Non-Imm multiple entry visa. Mid June, I have to renew my motorbike licence (1 year).

Will I get a five year, or, only a one year?