Today together with my Thai wife on the way to Sakon Nakhon, a two and a half hour drive for us so quite a bit. We go there to obtain the necessary papers to become a resident of Thailand. This is not the intention, because I live in Thailand for 4 months and 8 in the Netherlands, but I want to have the papers to obtain a Thai driver's license and apply for the yellow book next year.
After a ride through the mountains also a ticket of 400 Baht because I drove 90 where you are only allowed 70 (sign not seen). Finally arrived at Immigration. We were helped quickly while there were quite a few Thai people, but that didn't bother us.
The official was very friendly and looked at the papers. He asked us if we also wanted documents for the driver's license? We wholeheartedly yes of course, well that will cost 500 baht according to him. And if we wanted the driver's license for the motorbike, another 500 baht was added.
We as laymen of course said that we wanted both and that it was good. The official asked if we had 2 passport photos with us? No, we didn't have that, then you can have it made here in the street near the Big C, he said kindly. So we quickly go to Big C and have pictures taken and back quickly before they have their lunch break and we have to wait at least an hour and a half as usual with all civil servants.
Arrived at a quarter to twelve and we were immediately helped again. Again the man was very nice and quickly helped us with the necessary papers and after checking his probably superior it was quickly done. Together 1000 baht on the table and go these went in the pocket. I thought what nice people. Arrived outside my wife says "something is not right here, we have not received a receipt".
They quickly looked on the internet and found the answer: the documents are free. She quickly returned and asked in a somewhat louder voice if she could get the receipt? She also hinted that she had looked it up and that the provision of these documents was free! The official (no longer cheerful and in a soft voice) asked her to sit down and stated that the 1000 baht was for the maintenance of the office but if she did not want to pay she would get the money back. Of course took the money back and quickly left. We are both still a bit overwhelmed because the man was so nice and helped us quickly, but now we know why. most likely for a lavish lunch with colleagues
We would like to warn everyone that you should check everything carefully whether there are costs involved and do not be overwhelmed. You must also ask for a ticket for a speeding ticket. If they don't, you don't have to pay.
Submitted by Frank
“We were helped quickly even though there were quite a few Thai people, but that didn't bother us”
In fact, you have abused the situation and if it costs money to get things arranged quickly, then suddenly there is a problem, because the official did not say so in advance.
On a subsequent visit, it may become a lot more difficult if they still recognize you. I estimate that the papers are not correct or you just have to wait 😉
1000 baht… vulture, what are we talking about with such a service?
I don't call that corruption but paying for the excellent service!
Then you are just as corrupt as that official. This is how you maintain a corrupt system.
That's how I feel about Frans Nico. If you keep paying, nothing will change. If there is no more corruption, the country will also be better economically
Apparently this is about the 'certificate of residence'. No official price has indeed been set for that document, but at most (all?) offices you have to pay something. In Chiang Rai they charge 300 baht, and one copy is enough to apply for two driver's licenses at the Department of Land Transportation. I hear / read stories about amounts as high as 1000 baht in some offices, and about cases where, if it is stated that it is provided free of charge, you can only collect the document 4.- 6 weeks later.
You can also look on the internet in advance, so that you know in advance that something is free.
Going to make Stennis in an emigration office in Thailand is something I personally never like.
Dear Frank, I do not understand why you want to obtain a Thai driver's license. I have never had any problems with my international driver's license and when I show my Belgian driver's license, no one has ever crowed about it. So why do you want to have this driver's license if necessary.
Well Bruno, I would like to have that driver's license because I am regularly checked for it, and it was quite a hassle this year to get my international driver's license from the ANWB. I have an Austrian driver's license (which remains valid for the rest of your life), so every year you have to request a form from the municipality stating that you live in the Netherlands (again, 10 euros). So that's why I got a Thai driver's license so that I can get rid of it from now on and not have to worry about it. cost more.
With an international driver's license you can only drive in a foreign country for 3 consecutive months.
That is not entirely correct: you are only allowed to drive for 3 months in ONE foreign country. A short border hop, eg to Cambodia after 3 months, and the clock starts counting down again from the beginning.
What some counselors don't pull out of the closet to save only 250THB and to circumvent or abuse a legislation: making a border hop to a neighboring country after three months and the counter is running again. That's right, but that border hop will cost more than simply getting a Thai driver's license. I don't see myself making a border hop to escape obtaining a Thai driver's license because getting a Thai driver's license is not exactly that difficult, at least if your name is not Frank, because then you will already have problems at immigration.
As long as it remains within the three-month period, you can drive around with your Belgian and international driving license. No problem.
Even afterwards, the police may not pay attention to it.
Otherwise, I think you will be involved in an accident after those three months.
I wonder if the insurance company thinks the same as you…
But let's hope you are spared from accidents of course and you don't have to learn it that way.
A “NL” international driving license is only valid for 1 year.
The Belgians have done their homework better because the international driving license is valid longer.
Apparently the Anwb is also in no hurry to change this, now cashing out every year for this piece of paper.
https://www.anwb.nl/auto/rijbewijs/het-rijbewijs/internationaal-rijbewijs
In Belgium it is valid for 3 years.
https://www.antwerpen.be/nl/info/52d5052439d8a6ec798b4aa3/rijbewijs-internationaal
Dear Pieter,
that a Belgian international driving license is valid for 3 years. However, the Thai Transport and Land Office, where you have to obtain the Thai driver's license, only accepts 1 year of it. If it is older than 1 year, they will refuse it as the basis for a Thai driver's license. I know, it's different everywhere, but it's my personal experience here in Chumphon where they don't really give a damn because there are only a handful of Farangs here.
Why this Thai driver's license if necessary?
If you are staying in Thailand for a longer period of time, you are required to have a Thai driver's license in order to comply with insurance and legislation.
It's not about whether or not you've never had a problem with anything illegal. Officially, you are only allowed to drive in Thailand with an international driver's license for 3 consecutive months.
Having a Thai driver's license has already benefited me a lot. It is generally accepted as proof of identity. For example during my last 2 hospital visits. They preferred my Thai driver's license to my Dutch passport.
Whether or not a Thai driver's license is necessary has been written here many times. You can drive for 3 months with a European driver's license, after which you need a Thai driver's license. The problem is not whether a cock crows if you don't comply with this. The problem is that the rooster doesn't crow until you're in the shit. It's that simple. Likewise for driving without a license and the like. The Thai police will hardly ever say anything about it (except perhaps a ticket) but if you get into a collision with serious damage or injury. There is a high risk that the insurance will not pay.
Keith, not true. Recently hit by a pickup resulting in a broken leg. Me and my wife both don't have a motorcycle license and insurance just paid out the Baht 30000- because that's an accident insurance. I agree with you that private insurance does not pay out.
Don't make this a general rule. What insurance did you pay out? In your response you mention an accident insurance policy. I do not know of any insurance company that insures and pays for accidents to people who do not have a valid driver's license, which is the case in the Netherlands, Belgium and Thailand. Please state the name of the insurance company.
I'm actually also curious what would happen if you caused the wrong and the other party got hurt...
Uneven = bad luck of course
Well Dear Bruno, that man wants to have a Thai driver's license because he wants to comply with the law. You can only drive in Thailand with an international driver's license for three months. That a cock has never crowed that you don't will be fine until as long as you get involved in an accident, then the cock will crow and you can come here and complain that the Farangs are always to blame. Then certainly don't tell them that you were driving without a valid driver's license because that is not necessary, there is no point anyway.
In several offices you can get a “coupon” for everything.
What value/authenticity that voucher has remains the question.
Who will have this checked and where.
So in Sakon Nakhon they still have a lot to learn.
Another sensational story about corruption. If you had looked up in advance you would have been prepared. You were also excellently helped out of turn. Thank you for making trouble. Just thanked the guy for his service. And had given him 300 thb with a smile if necessary.
The next time you will be recognized there and it will cause you a lot of misery.
The costs are indeed nil and we experienced that very nicely in Sisaket. Also all the friendliest people and after a short coffee time they were back on the street with the desired 90 days report papers for the driver's license. when I asked what it cost she told me that everything was Free.
Unfortunately they have officials everywhere who don't take it so closely, just look at our customs 😉
"90 days report papers for the driver's license". This doesn't exist.
A 90-day address report does exist and it is free everywhere, but that has nothing to do with a driver's license, but everything to do with your place of residence.
However, you must have completed a 90-day notification in Bangkok at least once during your stay before you can apply for a “Certificate of Residence”, ie you must have been in Thailand for at least 90 consecutive days.
After three weeks you will receive it at home via EMS.
A COR costs 200 Baht (if I'm not mistaken) in Bangkok and that also depends on immigration.
The notification was before I stay in Kantharalak TM30 this notification is valid for 90 days. Has nothing to do with the visa. But is my abode.
At the same time I received the necessary papers to apply for a driver's license, so all this cost me nothing.
Excuse me for possible ambiguity. For example, at a clinic for an examination for gout, I also received a doctor's certificate for less than 370 baht.
TM30 means that you have arrived at a certain address and is valid as long as you stay at that address. In your case maybe 90 days, but that can be any period.
TM30 is always free.
It is possible that an amount is sometimes charged for a Certificate of Residence. Depends on the immigration office.
It is not unusual that they also issue a doctor's certificate if you go for something else.
If you only come for the driver's license, it is 150 Baht I thought, but that will also vary from place to place.
A bit of a generalizing headline. I lived in Ubon and before that in Phi Bun and before that in the vicinity of Surin. Never paid for something that is free. In Ubon there has recently been a sign in the office “no tips please”. If you download the extension visa form from the IMMI website, it says at the end “costs 2000 THBt”. Last week in Ubon they did not want to use that form and the fee was 1900 THBt. So nothing to complain about.
Each extension costs 1900 Baht and that is the same everywhere. Any extension.
The new form of immigration no longer shows a price (TM7)
https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486547929418.pdf Nr 14
The former form (TM7) stated 1900 Baht
http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/base.php?page=download
Converting Tourist status to a Non-immigrant status costs 2000 Baht (TM87)
https://www.immigration.go.th/download/ Nr 31
Dear Frank, This is Thailand and that's how things often go here. I don't condone them, but don't lose sight of reality. What you can't change here, you shouldn't want to change. You were right and received your 1000 thb back. Go in a while, when the time is right, extend your visa, can you really smile, perhaps like a farmer with a toothache. Or not, if you're lucky. You have been helped with your 1000 thb, with priority, and you don't mind that Thai people have to wait much longer, double standards in my humble opinion…. In your case you do not have an annual visa, but remember that Thai people have excellent memories in matters such as this and loss of face is not easily forgiven by them. You may need that same immigration man in the future, it is not worth 1000 thb to me to renounce it. …
Your experience at the immigration office in Sakon Nakhon does not justify the subjective title 'Our experience with immigration, corruption everywhere'. There are also plenty of stories to read on Thailand Blog from visitors to an immigration office with positive experiences and where there is no corruption. Furthermore, the view that a speeding ticket does not have to be paid without receiving a receipt is not entirely in line with reality. If you do not accept the proposal to pay the requested 400 Baht (the amount of the amount can possibly be negotiated), your driver's license will most likely be confiscated and you can pick it up at the local police station after payment of the official fine amount, always higher than the previously proposed amount. You will receive a receipt, but that does not outweigh the lost time and the higher amount, right? Of course a personal decision but I would like to know.
It does not say in the article that he has not received proof of payment for the 400 Baht of the ticket.
It just says he got a ticket for speeding.
Dear Ruud, the last 2 paragraphs in Frank's story state that if you receive a speeding ticket, you must ask for a ticket and if you do not receive one, you do not have to pay. Strictly speaking, you are right that I may have prematurely concluded that he did not receive a receipt for the payment of the 400 Baht, but I cannot imagine that he did indeed receive one. Because in fact he will not have received a fine in which his details were recorded, but the 'proposal' to pay off the observed speeding violation with the 400 Baht in order to avoid a fine. And if you go along with this, you will not receive any proof of payment. As Lung addie writes below, a fine is sent to your home address, but this only applies to a Thai or a 'farang' with an officially registered home address in Thailand. Frank did not have that, after all, he was on his way to Immigration in Sakon Nakhon to arrange the papers. You may wonder whether registering in Thailand is not in conflict with remaining registered in the Netherlands, but that is beside the point. And if Frank had not accepted the 'proposal' at that time, his driver's license would have been confiscated, which he would only have received back after payment of the (higher) fine at the police station. Now of course I don't know how long Frank had been in Thailand, but if it had been longer than three months and they had found out at the police station, he might also have received a fine for driving without a valid driver's license.
I don't think there is corruption everywhere. Look at the modest income tax rates in Thailand and you can even get documents for free or for a small fee. Compare that with the Netherlands where you quickly lose an average of 40% of your income to tax and also have a series of other semi-taxes such as water board charges, garbage collection and more for which you can pay a lot. And if you need documents from the government or civil registry at the municipality, for example, you can tap again. No, then it is nice to live in Thailand where you pay very little. So to call something corruption in Thailand where you only pay little compared to the Netherlands I think is unjustified.
We have been coming to Huahin for 3 months for years. A few years ago, my husband got his Thai driver's license through a driving school in Huahin. Now he had to extend it for 5 years. Everyone said, also on Thailandbloq, that he would not succeed because of course we are not in possession of the yellow book.
We then went to the same driving school and received papers and had to go to Pranburi. There he had to take a brake test and designate the colors of the traffic lights. Then watch a movie of one and a half hours, where the Thai were sleeping and 2 passport photos were taken and he got his Thai motorcycle license. I don't remember the cost, but it was very little.
You don't have to have a "yellow book" either.
But you do have to prove an address and that can be done via a “Certificate of Residence”.
It is better to inform in advance and check what you need and what costs are involved, making a fuss afterwards is of no benefit to anyone.
Dear Frank,
If it concerns a certificate from Immigration for obtaining / applying for / renewing a Thai driving license, this will be a "Certificate of Residence" (proof that you live at this address)
You also always need such a document when buying / selling a moped or car.
This officially costs 300 baht per document and is certainly not 100% free.
At Immigration there are only 2 things for free: 1) the 90 days reporting obligation 2) transferring your visa stamp from your old to your new passport.
Greetings, Gino
and a TM30 report 😉
Well,
Gino, I can't agree with that, in 2014 it costs nothing at the Chiang Watthana Road (Bangkok).
Maybe now, but not then.
200 baht.
Will be sent to your address via EMS after 3 weeks.
You must also have submitted at least one 90-day notice or your application will not be accepted.
Have also had fines for 'supposedly' driving too fast, while we were usually overtaken by everything with wheels. Wonder how they determined that (no photo no flash no chase ?? So no evidence or determination.
There you are…..200 BHT and of course they just disappear in the back pocket.
Well, to be honest, I'm not going to argue with those cops usually in the middle of nowhere at that point. I don't feel like going to jail for 5 euros because anyway there is a chance that if you start being difficult they will find some of their suspicious pills in your car. We also don't ask for a receipt or proof because they don't have it anyway.
On the other hand, we can live with paying a fine of 5 euros every other year.
So in our humble opinion… never make it difficult to keep smiling and pay those 5 or 10 euros. We do not have the ambition to change anything about Thai society.
You talk about 1000 bath as if it were € 1000, for around € 27 you will be helped quickly.
And then that fine of 400 baht because you drove 20 kilometers too fast, you hadn't seen the sign.
All in all, not a bad day in NL, you will soon lose € 200 if you drive 20 kilometers too fast.
Dear Frank,
Soon, when you have your yellow book, apply for a motorcycle and car driver's license.
Health certificate, costs 65 Bth. Take event theory / practical exam and you will lose approx 250 Bth per driver's license. That's how it was with me in Ubon R. The first time was temporary for 2 years, but now they have been extended for 5 years.
Succes
You have one bad experience and then you write 'Our experience with immigration, corruption everywhere'
It seems to me that you will have to substantiate that “everywhere” better.
We were helped quickly while there were quite a few Thai people, but that didn't bother us.
Those Thai were probably okay with it, but what can you do as a Thai?
An ordinary Thai does not come to Immigration at all unless he is accompanying a foreigner or is employed there. I think that the writer of the article is mistaken in, for example, guest workers from the surrounding countries who do use the Immigration. for example in Korat many workers from Cambodian factories ( do speak to them when I visit Immigration) or many Japanese in managerial positions of Japanese companies accompanied by Thai employees or Thai personnel of companies who are commissioned by the papers for residence and work for the staff comes to arrange.
We regularly visit the Immigration office of Sakon Nakhon and have only good experiences with it. Because I have a Marriage Visa extension, they have already been to our house 4 times. In the meantime I have also had to get a “proof of address” several times, driver's license and yellow house book and I have paid 300 THB, the normal price, each time. Because fruit is sometimes eaten together at the Immigration office, we always take some fruit with us during our visit after the New Year. I am convinced that, partly because of this, we are always helped quickly and well. Those who do good, meet well !!!
Of course they kindly help you because they steal 300 bath ban from you every time. You should ask for a bill sometime!!! They shouldn't charge for a proof of address. 300 bath is a day's salary for a Thai!!!
300 Baht salary is indeed scandalously low, because in practice you cannot support a family unless you live in a slum.
You could have tipped.
I wonder if Thailand is such a suitable country for you to live in.
I think it's bad for your blood pressure.
Dear Frank,
I read with surprise that you rated the Immigration office in Sakhon Nakon so poorly in handling your paperwork. I don't know how often you have been there, but in recent years that we have been there, even after a car ride of at least two and a half hours, I know the officials there to be very correct and helpful. Never had one nasty comment and always with a smile but never had to pay. You only have to pay the statutory costs of 1900 baht for extending the Retirement visa. I hope for your sake that there is no cross behind your name, because they don't forget being made a joker in front of others. The moral of the story: be prepared if you have to go to a government institution for papers.
You may never have had to pay anything, but we did as you could read. 1000 bath is salary for 3 days for a Thai!!!
Frank you're wrong here too, but you're not alone in that. 1000 Baht is a salary for an UNSkilled Thai worker. Not every Thai earns so little and certainly not a civil servant. I agree with you that he should have done that for nothing, but that's the way things are. Paying 1000 baht may have gotten you preferential treatment and you probably wouldn't have minded that much either, but you didn't know that I guess and hence the outrage afterwards.
If an officer told me that for 1000 baht I come before everyone else and I was really in a hurry, maybe I would pay that. But since I usually have a lot of time, I can also wait and save that money.
By the way, that's how I could get excited (and I think it's typical): two months ago I had documents legalized: at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it cost me 400 Baht. These were checked for errors and stamped. The same papers, for the same action (except checking for errors) cost about 1600 Baht at the Dutch embassy. So four times as much and I had to wait two weeks…. it may not be corruption, but the costs to get something done in Thailand are still nice and low.
Driving license in the Netherlands? About the most expensive in the whole world, around 2005 Euro. In Thailand? Just between 200 and 5000 Baht (when you go to a driving school) and if you don't make it, there is another official who will also give you that paper for 500 Baht. Corruption? Maybe, but it does work.
Dear Frank, be happy with that Thai daily wage of 320 bath. After all, many farang are able to live in Thailand on an AOW plus small pension. Imagine that a Thai earns (but does not receive) 1000 baths per day. Immediately life and living in Thailand is all the more expensive for many farang. What are you talking about? You wanted a juicy story, but you used the wrong subject. You wanted to blame the Thai, but it came back like a boomerang. Appreciate a little more how things are arranged in TH!
You are helped very quickly for 2 times 500 baht. You could also have waited for hours and been sent from pillar to post and even back home because a certain document is missing. I'd like to have the money for it. Have you ever needed something at the municipality or the embassy in Bkk in the Netherlands? Then soon pay a lot more than 1000 baht. Afterwards, after the excellent service, start arguing because it might be free. Shameless and little understood about Thailand is my only conclusion.
YES
It's not about whether or not you've never had a problem with anything illegal. Officially, you are only allowed to drive in Thailand with an international driver's license for 3 consecutive months.
Having a Thai driver's license has already benefited me a lot. It is generally accepted as proof of identity. For example during my last 2 hospital visits. They preferred my Thai driver's license to my Dutch passport.
A Thai driver's license is not an official ID and never has been.
That you don't understand how things work here is one thing, but your Thai wife should know better.
Never to old to learn.
I think this is such a complete misconception. Surely the Thai wife of the falang should know everything about how things work in IM offices, about corruption, etc. Most Thai women who marry a falang also experience this for the first time in their lives .
Oh, this story rattles on all sides….” we were helped quickly despite there being quite a few Thais” …. There are hardly any Thais at immigration, they need immigration for practically nothing. How does he know they were Thai people…. ??? It must have been people from Laos or Myanmar who come for a work permit. They are served at another desk, which is why you were so lucky that you were allowed to go ahead.
A speeding ticket with immediate collection??? The bill arrives at home after it has been determined and is almost never paid immediately.
'Immigration corruption everywhere'…. what do you call 'everywhere' if you've never been anywhere else but in SN region? I have been going to immigration here in Chumphon for years and have not experienced any corruption here. Always served neat and friendly. Should I then write “Immigration NO corruption”? Most who deal with 'corruption' are those who have a 'little problem' somewhere that needs to be 'fixed' for them and then they pay for the 'extra service'.