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March 21, 2015
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Thailand Apartment | Condo | House Rental Checklist

Thailand Apartment | Condo | House Rental Checklist https://i0.wp.com/chiangmaibuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Thailand-Condo-Property-Checklist.jpg?fit=538%2C218&ssl=1 538 218 cmbadmin cmbadmin https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a0e7ec04d65a021865830fe3e536350b?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 21, 2015 March 21, 2015

This article is aimed mostly at renting and leasing a condo or house in the Chiang Mai area, but can equally be used for other cities in Thailand. If you are looking for information on How to Lease or Rent a Condo or House read this article first.

Renting an Apartment (called Condo here in Thailand, as an apartment tends to be a daily, weekly or monthly complex), it means you are committing to probably a 6 month lease … maybe a year. You want to ensure that before you sign the lease you have checked the little things that over time will make a difference.

Following is a list of things to look for, in no particular ranking of importance, and at the end of the article you can download and print a property checklist that will allow you to compare a couple of different places to each other. If you are considering leasing a house in Thailand the list will also be helpful, as many of the more practical aspects of long term living will be the same.

thumbs up Chiang Mai Buddy Advantage
Our Online Concierge Service includes connecting with Thai Properties owners and arranging for visits to the properties, lease and contract negotiation and negotiating price vs lease time terms. We use the form and details provided in this article, when connecting customers with landlords who do not speak English. This service is 200 baht per hour for the phone work and 350 per hour to take one of our Thai speaking staff with you to ask these things in Thai language on your behalf.

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Apartment | Condo | House | Property Rental Checklist in Thailand

Location

Many people make the mistake of finding a condo close to the hotel or backpackers they booked for the first few days without first getting to know the area. Make sure you are familiar with the area you first moved to, and other parts of the city. Digital Nomads like certain areas to socialize and work together, Expats prefer areas with other retirees. Do not make the mistake of signing a lease only to later find out you are alone in a non English speaking area which requires long travel times to get to where you want to be.

Contract Period

How long is the Contract? 3 month leases for condos are rare, 6 month and 12 months more available. You want to ensure that the written contract lease time is the same as you where told verbally. There may be security deposit return problems if you did not read the contract period stated in the rental agreement.

Monthly Rent

What is the monthly rent? Is there a discount for 6 months or 12 months? Most places have a sliding price scale with a longer period of time. If they do not .. why? Have a look on the notice boards in the building and compare the price being asked with other units available in the complex advertised there.

Security Deposit

What is the security deposit? Typically it is 2 months rent. Sometimes they will ask for 3 months but you would be foolish to commit this much when there are so many other condos or houses available to rent. Make sure the amount of the security deposit you pay is also put into the contract. If paying a deposit to pre-book the accommodation, get a receipt that says “Part payment of security deposit for xxx property at xxx address”.

Termination Period

Many places will require you to give 30 days notice of your intention to move out of the accommodation. Failure to do this may result in your security deposit being withheld for 30 days. If you are leaving the country or moving cities this means you will loose your deposit because you will not be there to collect it.

Staff Speak English

Do the staff in the lobby speak English? This is essential if you want to organize cleaning, or collect mail or use the Concierge services. Much of the work we do at Chiang Mai Buddy is call the Lobby staff of customers condo’s to explain what the client requires in Thai.

Free Parking

You want to make sure you have a place to park your motorcycle or car without having to pay extra

Restaurant/Coffee Shop/Convenience Store

Are they located on premises? How far away is your nearest food/essentials supply? If you run out of toothpaste or decide your meal requires a beer – how easily are you able to get them? Long term living comfort for many people will require the ability to easily and quickly find things they need without having to plan a big weekly shopping trip. Remember in Thailand a 7/11 sells items for a fraction more than a supermarket. This store will become easily the most relied upon place for essential items and supplies.

Furnished

Usually renting or leasing a house or a condo in Thailand means it will come with furniture. Make sure the furniture when viewing the property stays on site. Check for any damage and scratches and take photographs. Print them out and have the landlord or agent sign and confirm this.

Maintenance Fee

Most lease agreements include the condo fees – but some do not. Be sure to ask and find out what your real monthly total is going to be

Availability Phone / Internet

Some older places are not equip to provide phone or your own private internet connection. If you rely on the internet, and you are staying long term, it is much better to have your own personal internet connection put in and provide your own WiFi. Many complexes offer WiFi, sometimes exclusive to one provider or from the complex itself (via floor WiFi hotspots). The standard WiFi connections will be slower than getting your own service connected. If this is important to you – check for phone plugs or LAN plugs.

Electric/Unit Price

The variation in the per unit cost is huge. Getting your own house and being connected and pay the electric department directly in your own name, the rate is often several baht cheaper than what a complex will charge. This can make a big difference in your electricity bills. Now at the Chiang Mai Buddy headquarters a 4 bedroom house that is maybe 250 sq.m – I am paying the same in electricity bills as I used to in a 45 sq.m condo. Ask to see a previous bill to get an idea.

Water/Unit Price

Same applies for the water (although this bill is indecently affordable in Thailand). Just ask and check.

Elevator wait time

Hardly ever considered, but often an annoying inconvenience after you move in. How many elevators are there? how quickly do they move and how long are you waiting. Most complexes have the lifts return to the ground floor, so that your entry is usually pretty quick. But how long will you wait on the 15th floor to get out?

Regulated AC Units

After your rent, (and food) the biggest expense will be the electricity. If possible get a condo or house that has new AC Units. Not only are they more reliable and economical, they have a temperature thermostat that shuts the unit off. Often you will only need to cool your accommodation down for 20-30 minutes – but falling asleep and having the AC on all night is paying 20 times more than you need to if it had a thermostat. Long term having an AC that shuts itself off when the preset temperature is reached is very useful.

Night Noise & Surroundings

Check the location at Night. Is it close to a bar or nightclub? If it is, you will hear the dull thump thump thump until the early hours of the morning. This is often not as bad as tourist singing karaoke if there is a large restaurant close by, or roosters waking you up at 5am in the morning. The quiet and peace of a condo in a rural area might also come with dogs and noise from animals. The birds in Thailand are loud and noisy and unlike popular media portrays, roosters are crowing all day and night – not just in the early hours of the morning.

Shower Pressure/Temp/Height

Another often over looked aspect when checking a condo before leasing it trying the shower. Often the shower heads are too low, the water heater depending on the wattage will heat the water 20-30 degrees above it’s base water supply temps. This is no problem in the summer but a luke warm shower in the winter can bother some people. Does the temperature gauge work? I myself spent 6 months in one place where my two heat options where … none and boiling. The landlord did not want to replace the unit and the repair man said it worked fine (none of them actually got in naked, they felt with their hand and concluded I was over reacting). I spent 6 months turning the heat off and on and stepping under the water for 20 seconds at a time when the temperature was OK, then backing away as the water started to boil me. Over night guests were not impressed when I forgot to warn them about this in advance.

Check the pressure. You may find a small tinkle of water is fine for you, but if you want a decent shower – you need pressure. If there is a bathtub, see how long it takes to fill. Nothing worse than waiting 20-30 minutes for a bath. Just a tip here while on the subject. Thai people think most westerners smell. They are well aware that in our own countries we spent a life time of washing just once a day. You sweat more in the heat, and you do not notice how badly you smell. Shower twice a day 🙂

Bathroom Ass Spray CleanrIn Thailand the plumbing pipes are small and toilet paper easily forms blocks, clogging the toilet. Every bathroom comes with a water spray to ‘refresh’ yourself after using the bathroom. How is the pressure? is it adjustable? In some higher buildings the water pressure can be weak and the spray cleaner does little more than sprinkle you. Try it out! Every bathroom has tile floors with drainage – give the toilet a once over with the bum spray device. Using this is much easier than cleaning your toilet from urine stains. Kitchen Hot Water Thais generally wash their dishes in cold water. Westerners like to use hot. If this is important to you, check to see if the kitchen has hot water. Most of the more modern and expensive places will, as will the refitted condos. But if is another thing we tend to forget about and assume it will be there the first time we rent. Washing Machine/ Laundry If the unit has one fantastic, if not where is the closest laundry facility? How much are they charging? Often some condo complexes will be twice as expensive than the place 50 meters down the road. Just check and make sure. You can of course also use the laundry service if there is one provided, and have your cloths washed ironed and smelling much nicer than if you attempted to do it yourself. Digital TV/English Channels If you like TV, know that it costs more to have English channels added to the Television package. There is no point having 100 channels if they are all in Thai and you do not understand them. Every TV made in the last 5 years or so will have an HDMI and USB slots for you to plug in devices and your computer. Check them. I once took a place solely on the huge flat-screen television that was there fantasizing about my huge new second laptop monitor, only to find the computer resolution was 800×600 (very bad) and the USB only played music and not videos. Swimming Pool Title speaks for itself really. Do you want one? ask before you even leave to see a place. Bugs Bugs and insects are everywhere in Thailand. Even on the 15th floor you might have to use some bug spray. Is the place near water? then you will have mosquitoes While it is something you eventually get used to, when you first arrive if insects bug you – have a look at what is flying and crawling around when you visit. Plates and Glasses provided Does the Condo you are about to lease have cups, plates and spoons? While not a big deal to pop off to a Tesco Lotus and buy some, for the short time renter it is nice if they are already provided. Have a look, if there is nothing there ask. Often the landlord will bring you something in from home to get the place rented. 24 Hr Desk Is there one? What happens if you you take advantage of all the cheap booze in Thailand (or just forget) your key-card and keys? Having a 24 hour desk (which is pretty common in the bigger complexes) is a great convenience. Nothing worse than having no one to help you until the morning. Security Type Does the place have a guard (or guards) and/or CCTV cameras. Can anybody walk in or is a key-card required? Is this important to you? Just a tip, not many westerner bother to befriend the security people – DO IT! Get to know their names, bring them a can of beer or an ice cream on a hot day. The dividends of having the staff of the complex know you and like you will pay off for you in the long run, especially if you are losing your keys all the time. Room Cleaning Price Is this included once a week in the price or something that you have to do yourself or pay extra for? Do you want to do it yourself? Maybe the landlord will insist that you hire the complex staff because they want the cleaning to be done properly. Ask if there is any cleaning included, or required. Some of the nicer units the owners will want to maintain the value of their properties and insist that you pay extra to have someone clean the condo you are leasing. Refrigerator If you want to cook yourself, you will need a decent sized fridge. Usually they are new and economical, but an old one that does not run well will end up costing you in electricity. Does it have a freezer? Don’t assume, open it up and have a look, many fridge freezers here are small. Soft Bed Mattress Thai people like firm beds. And firm beds are cheaper. If you like a firm bed that’s great, if you like a soft one, do not forget to lie on the bed. You might want to rattle and shake a little (OK, I mean simulate sex) to see if the bed moves, or makes a noise. Sometimes condo walls are thin, sometimes the beds support is lacking. Is there a ceiling fan above the bed? I have been struck in the eye standing up on a bed before. Does the bed have a change of sheets provided? And if you are single, one of those body length pillows is a fantastic thing to hug at night Building Maintenance How well is the condo complex maintained? Can you see cleaners working all the time? are there bricks or broken pieces of tile around? The care the management take to maintain the complex is going to directly reflect how quickly repairs will be done and your concerns met. The maintenance is a function of the monthly association fees. Sometimes complexes are half empty or have condo owners who visit for one month out of the year. They tend to not pay on time which can affect the quality of the building being maintained. [hr] <h2 style="text-align: center;">Download and Print Apartment | Condo | House | Property Rental Checklist Form</h2> <a href="https://chiangmaibuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Apartment-Checking-Sheet.docx"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3887 size-full" src="https://chiangmaibuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Property-Checklist.jpg" alt="Thailand Aprtment Condo Property Checklist" width="550" height="782" /></a>

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March 17, 2015
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How to Lease a Condo or Rent a House in Chiang Mai

How to Lease a Condo or Rent a House in Chiang Mai https://i0.wp.com/chiangmaibuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Rent-or-Lease-Condo-House-Chiang-Mai.jpg?fit=538%2C218&ssl=1 538 218 cmbadmin cmbadmin https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a0e7ec04d65a021865830fe3e536350b?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 17, 2015 March 17, 2015

If you are coming to Thailand to live for six months or more – chances are you will want to lease or rent a condo or house and get greater value over living in monthly accommodation. Condos and houses are more luxurious than the standard apartment, usually fully furnished and come with all the mod cons of your home country – only much much cheaper. Assuming you have decided you want to rent or lease your own condo or house – lets look at how to go about this.

OK. first let’s make a distinction in what is an Apartment VS what is a Condo. (I assume you know what a house is)

Apartment: In Thailand this refers to a monthly accommodation complex that you rent on a monthly basis. All the units in the complex are usually owned by the same person or company and standardized to look the same. Most can be rented on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Apartments generally come equip with a bed, a TV, a writing desk and a closet. Some will have basic kitchens and the more elaborate have separate bedrooms and kitchens.

Condo: In Thailand this refers to a unit that is individually owned within a condominium complex. Condos usually have larger areas, and are fully furnished including a bathroom and kitchen. While it is possible to rent a Condo for 3 months, more typical is a minimum 6 month lease, with a discount in price for longer term rentals.

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In a Nutshell

Condo for single people and inner city life
House for couples and families or the quiet peaceful in nature living
Prices range from 6000-25,000 baht (see below for examples)
Leasing provides cheaper and better than Serviced Apartments (6 months+)
Plenty of both Houses and Condos available
Location is Important for lifestyle
Real Estate Agents are free for you to use
Best deals come from Thai owners who do not speak English
Read the Lease contract and understand the ‘odd’ bits

Availability of Condo’s and Houses for Rent and Lease in Chiang Mai

Over the last 5 years there has been an increasing number of newly constructed buildings aimed at foreigners. This includes both luxury condos and gated communities of houses. These complexes more and more are being constructed with gyms, swimming pools, community areas, convenience stores and a few restaurants located within the facility or close by. Many of the newer communities fill the 49% foreigner owned quota (everything must be 51% Thai owned) and while Thais own the majority they are able to rent to westerners. One of the benefits of living among other westerners is the formation of housing associations that ‘motivate’ owners and property managers into taking action on maintenance.

There are of course older places, that are available for cheaper rent. These places (both homes and condo’s) usually lack the western kitchens and features that you are used too, and have fewer westerners living there. . While these cheaper places are available this article will assume you can afford the US$250 to get the basic luxury accommodation option.

With the massive amount of building taking place over the last few years, and older places being remodeled, there is an abundance of both Condominiums and Houses available

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Location, Location, Location

accommodation locations chiang mai
There are 3 areas in Chiang Mai where the majority of new arrivals tend to populate, depending on their specific requirements, but mostly because of the number of other expats living in the local community. Obviously there are Expats spread around the city, many choosing to live in the more remote areas, (because they like solitary living or moved in with a Thai person); and sometimes because they want the peace and quiet.

Nimman Area
The Nimman area is located to the east of the old city, and is a thriving and more upmarket area of town. This is the prime location chosen by the digital nomad community and has many better quality condos occupied by expats. Close to everything, including 3 shopping malls and many supermarkets the Nimmanhemin (Nimman) area and it’s surroundings is an inner city type vibe. Mostly Condo’s in this part of town, many new developments finishing each month waiting and ready for lease or purchase.

Hang Dong Area
The Hang Dong area is located just a 10 minute drive from the Old City and the Nimman area. This area is popular with retiring expats because of the many Moo Baans (gated community developments) and rural vibe. Beautiful housing developments with lakes, club houses and gyms are located here, along with many large home improvement stores.

Chang Kang Area
The Chang Kang area is located close to the Ping River, which has long been a favorite location for western styled restaurants and night life. It is also close to the red light district, and the tourist oriented Night Bizzare market. This area of town is populated by many single men, and has a much larger local population that speaks English.

Obviously there are many other places where you can choose to live, The areas above are just a guide, but it is suggested that before you commit to a long term lease, you spend a month or so in a monthly apartment closer to the main city and then explore the various areas.

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How much does it cost to Lease a Condo in Chiang Mai?

A 30 sq.m Condo with kitchen and modern amenities will start at around 6000 baht (US$180), increasing in size to 45 sq.m you are looking in the 9000-12000 baht range. (US$270-360) per month. Larger 80-120 sq.m 2 bedrooms places are around 18000-25000 baht (US$549-760). One of the first things many new arrivals notice (especially from America) is how small the condos are here compared to where they are from. You very quickly adapt and begin to enjoy the smaller units, with less cleaning required, ease of getting around from kitchen to bathroom etc. Price will often depend on the extra facilities of the condo, Gyms, Pools, Massage and location will all add to the price.

A 2 bedroom 100 sq.m Condo with style will cost about 20,000 per month

45 sq.m modern unit will cost between 10,000-12,000 baht per month

A Condo like this will be about 8000 baht per month

The Advantages of Renting a Condo

Renting a condo or an apartment in Chiang Mai will provide you with greater access to amenities and better security. Most complexes will have electronic key cards, security guards and CCTV monitoring, it can be difficult for visitors to reach you without arranging to meet them in the lobby. Condo’s will often also have gyms, shops, pools either inside the complex or located close by to service the people living there.

Living in a condo provides a greater social life, with the opportunity to bump into and get to know the other 50-500 tenets living there (depending on the size). Staff at Condominiums will often help you with bills or letters that you do not understand in Thai, and are used to dealing with westerners and any of the little and niggling complaints we might have.

Condos can be leased for shorter periods of time (3 months plus) with the price in rent going down the longer you stay. For example a 12,000 baht a month place for 3 months, might be 11,000 for 6 months and 10,000 for the year. Condos are usually located in the heart of the action, just a short walk to your local community and the activities you will spend the majority of your day doing.

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How much does it cost to Rent a House in Chiang Mai?

Houses are available in the inner suburbs and city itself, and these tend to be older (often Thai style) and can start from as low as 5000 baht maybe 8000 baht for a two bedroom. The further out you go the bigger and newer the houses become with more western features. Many expats decide that they want to rent a house in a Moo Baan (gated community) which are usually located in the Hang Dong and surrounding areas. Older styled houses are found closer to the city areas (and also outside the city) which are smaller and basic sometimes with a yard, but usually close to the neighbors.

A newer 3-4 bedroom house can be found as low as 9,000 baht but generally 15,000 plus

Older styled houses, 1-2 bedrooms can be found from 8000 baht

The Advantages of Renting a House

Renting houses in Chiang Mai is a better value for money often for the same price as an inner city condo you can get a 3 bedroom house with gardens, patios, and if located in a Moo Baan, community pools, gyms and club rooms. The city is only 10-15 minutes away and usually you have tropical scenery around to view.

The house offers you space!, either for yourself and your family or if you decide to get a live in maid or home help. Many come fully furnished, others do not, and you will be expected to take out a longer term lease (most are yearly).

Living in a house allows you to potter around in the gardens, and not sacrifice having to live in a minimalist style (you can fit more ‘stuff’ in a bigger house compared to a Condo).
 [hr] <h1>How to Rent/Lease a Condo or House in Chiang Mai</h1> Finding a Condo to lease or a House to rent is easy. There are flyers on lampposts, websites with English-speaking agents and they good news is their services are free. Real estate agents are paid a percentage of your lease in commission (which can sometimes mean they do not have an interest in negotiating the price on your behalf). There are also Facebook groups for buying and selling property that each and everyday have fantastic places on offer. Here are a few links that we at Chiang Mai Buddy have found to be reliable over time. <a title="second hand and real estate chiang mai" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/149726448524351/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Second Hand and Real Estate</a> – Second hand furniture and real estate properties for rent lease and purchase <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/cnxre/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chiang Mai Real Estate</a> – In this group anyone can post their classifieds or general information about real estate in Chiang Mai. It is a way to get people to find each other. Buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants. Everyone is welcome. Agents, buyers, seller, tenants, landlords, you name it. <a title="Chiang Mai Properties" href="http://chiangmaiproperties.co.th/EN/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Chiang Mai Properties</a> – a local business that provides a variety of searchable locations, price ranges and types of properties <h2>Hints and Tips for leasing property in Chiang Mai</h2> Finding Cheaper Prices Many of the cheaper properties are owned by Thai people who do not speak English well. The better your English, the more you can sell to westerners and the higher the price. This is not a great concern for most people as in reality we are only talking about an extra $50-200 a month. For short-term leasing of up to 6 months this is your best option. Dealing with another westerner who has investment properties or a company that speaks English means that you know what you are getting. Websites such as <a title="DD Properties" href="http://www.ddproperty.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DD Properties</a> tend not to have agents, rather they are the property owners who are selling direct. The prices and properties on this website are generally much cheaper and if you can speak Thai you can find amazing deals. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-2345" src="https://chiangmaibuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/thumbs-up1.jpg" alt="thumbs up" width="121" height="120" />Chiang Mai Buddy Advantage Our <a title="Online Concierge Service" href="https://chiangmaibuddy.com/shop/online-concierge-service/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Online Concierge Service</a> includes connecting with Thai Properties owners and arranging for visits to the properties, lease and contract negotiation and negotiating price vs lease time terms. We are charging you 200 baht an hour to work on your behalf, so we tend to get better deals than an agent working on commission   Get a Lease in English or read by someone if in Thai Many of the standard lease agreements have some rather odd terms and conditions. One of which is to notify within 30 days of leaving the property in order to get your security deposit back. While most of us assume that a 3 or 6 month lease implies termination of the lease, this is sometimes used to withhold your deposit for a month for your personal collection. If you have left the country – you never see your deposit. There are many other odd clauses that can be placed in a rental agreement – so get it checked! Don’t set your heart on just one website listed property Often the place you really love, has been leased already or the landlord has not asked if the tenant is going to renew the lease. If dealing with a property agent, often someone in one of their other offices has rented the place but not removed it from the website listings. So get a selection of reference numbers, and arrange for the agent to take you to have a look at the properties in a morning or afternoon. If you are using DD Properties website and the owner does not speak English, we can call and find out if the property is available, a viewing and sort out a security deposit to ensure you have a lease agreement. Get the Electric and/or Water in your name if staying longer than 6 months This little detail can be used to open <a title="How to get a Thai Bank Account on a Tourist Visa" href="https://chiangmaibuddy.com/how-to-get-a-thai-bank-account/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">bank accounts</a> and provide you with evidence for numerous other handy little bits of paper and services not available to the average tourist. Location = Lifestyle and Price The closer to the city you are, the more expensive the property. Usually inner city life is done in Condo’s and if you want a house (while they are available close to town) the bigger and more modern are on the outskirts of town about 10 minutes away. A house further away will require planning for shopping and social activates, and a car. Living closer to the city means you can walk or get public transport whenever you wish to do just about anything you want. You can easily live in town and not need a car. For the same price as an inner city condo you can find a 3 bedroom home. Property Checklist – check before you sign the Lease Experience shows that many people will view a condo or property and take it based on visual appeal and price (and sometimes limited time). If renting or leasing a property for the first time we often assume things are the same as back home. Often they are not. You can read and print out a <a title="Property Checklist for leasing or renting in Thailand" href="https://chiangmaibuddy.com/thailand-apartment-condo-rental-checklist/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">property check list here</a> and make sure you do not get caught out by little surprises after you move in.

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February 7, 2015
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How to get a Thai Visa: Stay in Thailand

How to get a Thai Visa: Stay in Thailand https://i0.wp.com/chiangmaibuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/How-to-get-a-Tha-Visa.jpg?fit=538%2C218&ssl=1 538 218 cmbadmin cmbadmin https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a0e7ec04d65a021865830fe3e536350b?s=96&d=mm&r=g February 7, 2015 February 7, 2015

How to get a Thai Visa to Visit or Stay in Thailand

Types of Thai Visa’s & How to Visit or Stay in Thailand

The Visa situation for Thailand have started to change with the introduction of Military Rule, although mainly just with the boarder run extensions being clamped down on. Those who intend to visit or stay in Thailand will still find this an easy process – so long as you do it correctly with the proper Visa.

Following is mini Thai Visa Guide for the kinds of visas and visa exemptions, work permits, and immigration issues in Thailand. Please Note: Rules and procedures subject to change at any time (and do). This is a guide only, it is prudent to check to see if these rules still pertain to your application at the time of applying.

Visa Requirements for coming to Thailand

Foreigners coming to Thailand for more than one month will require a visa which they can get in their home country from the Thai Embassy or Consulate Office. Depending on the purpose of your visit (studying, seeking business opportunities, wanting to work or just for a holiday) should apply for the specific Visa for that purpose.

N.B.

1) Arriving by Airplane you can obtain a 30 day tourist Visa. To do this you will need to show you have an exit ticket before the 30 days have expired. In today’s climate, people without the exit Visa are being turned away on the spot or asked to obtain a Visa on Arrival (see below if your country is eligible)

2) If you are coming for extended touring, study, retiring or employment in Thailand, you must all apply for the correct tourist or non-immigrant visas. A non-immigrant is to highlight that your stay is a temporary one

3) To obtain Permanent Residency, you would have to have lived in Thailand for 5 years before being able to apply

The five main categories of Visa’s available to foreigners planning to visit Thailand. They are:

Tourist Visa (TR)
Education Visa (ED)
Business Visa (B)
Dependent Visa
Retirement Visa

If you wish to come to Thailand for 1 to 6 months the most suitable of these is a double entry Tourist Visa. This will allow you to enter the Kingdom of Thailand twice for a period of 60 days, and extend the visa for 30 days while you are here. A total of 6 months. For longer stays you can repeat this process but you might also like to chose an Education Visa (and take a course of study) or for the Expats a Retirement Visa.

You do not need a Visa when:

The Visa Exempt Permission to stay is granted to citizens of certain countries when arriving via an international airport (30 days) and Land boarders (15 days – 30 days for citizens of G7 Countries). Even then, once you arrive this decision for a visa exemption upon arrival is up to the immigration officer on duty. To increase your chances provide evidence of:

You intention to visit as that of a tourist (onward travel tickets, hotel and any tours booked)
Sufficient funds (10,000 THB per person or 20,000 THB per family)

You should also ensure that you dress in modest attire and be very respectful. If you turn up chewing gum, in a wife beater and dreadlocks, there is a good chance now days you will be turned away.

Countries available for the Exempt Permission to Stay

1. Australia : Commonwealth of Australia
2. Austria : Republic of Austria
3. Belgium : Kingdom of Belgium
4. Brazil : Federative Republic of Brazil (****)
5. Bahrain : State of Bahrain
6. Brunei Darussalam : Negara Brunei Darussalam
7. Canada
8. Denmark : Kingdom of Denmark
9. Finland : Republic of Finland
10. France : French Republic
11. Germany : Federal Republic of Germany
12. Greece : Hellenic Republic
13. Hong Kong : Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
14. Iceland : Republic of Iceland
15. Indonesia : Republic of Indonesia
16. Ireland : Republic of Ireland
17. Israel : State of Israel
18. Italy : Republic of Italy
19. Japan
20. Korea : Republic of Korea (****)
21. Kuwait : State of Kuwait
22. Luxembourg : Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
23. Malaysia
24. Monaco : Principality of Monaco
25. Netherlands : Kingdom of the Netherlands
26. New Zealand
27. Norway : Kingdom of Norway
28. Oman : Sultanate of Oman
29. Peru : Republic of Peru (****)
30. Philippines : Republic of the Philippines
31. Portugal : Republic of Portugal
32. Qatar : State of Qatar
33. Singapore : Republic of Singapore
34. Spain : Kingdom of Spain
35. South Africa : Republic of South Africa
36. Sweden : Kingdom of Sweden
37. Switzerland : Swiss Confederation
38. Turkey : Republic of Turkey
39. United Arab Emirates
40. United Kingdom : United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
41. United States of America
42. Vietnam : Socialist Republic of Vietnam
43. Czech : Czech Republic
44. Hungary : Republic of Hungary
45. Liechtenstein : Principality of Liechtenstein
46. Poland : Republic of Poland
47. Slovak : Slovak Republic
48. Slovenia : Republic of Slovenia

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How to Get a Work Permit in Thailand

To Work in Thailand: is only possibly on a Business Visa or a Dependent Visa and is an additional category after your Visa has been obtain. English Teachers are able to obtain these via their employers with much less hassle, and other specialist categories can be apply for. Non-Immigrant B and O Visa holders allowed to have a work permit. Once the work permit is in hand, the visa can be extended to match the duration of the employment contract.

Educational Vocations (Teachers)

If you are qualified to work as an English Teacher, your school employer will usually, (after your probation period) apply for a work permit on your behalf. Both Work permits and Applications for new Visa for education purposes are much easier to come by. Most TEFL schools and Thai Language schools have dedicated staff who do all the administration and paper work for you.

Start a Business

If you are to start a business in Thailand with an official Thai company, your business can issue one work permit per 4 Thai nationals employed. The process to form a company can be done by yourself, but hiring a Lawyer to do this for you, will save you a lot of headache and the fee’s are very reasonably compared to other countries. In addition the legal expertise will be able to avoid or bypass some of the strict requirements.

To get a work permit via a business you will need

1) Company which is 51% Thai owned (you can only own 49%)
2) Two Million Baht Capital (of which 10% is required in a Thai Bank account)
3) 4 Thai employees (with paid salary) for every Westerner

There are a number of grounds upon which a work permit can be granted (this is on a discretionary basis and will take into account usual considerations such as suitability and qualifications of the foreigner for the position):

The company must have a fully paid-up registered capital of 2 million Baht to hire one foreigner, plus one person for every additional 2 million Baht (to a maximum of 10 people).
If the registered capital of the company is less than 2 million the company can hire one foreigner if its total corporate income tax payment had been at least 5 million Baht for the past three years. The company can hire one foreigner for every 5 million Baht paid in tax.
The employer has engaged in export which has brought into Thailand revenue of 3 million Baht in the previous fiscal year. The employer can hire one foreigner for every additional 3 million Baht up to a maximum of 3 people.
The employer has at least 50 Thai employees per foreign employee up to a maximum of 5 foreign employees.
A foreign employee must have paid personal income tax of at least 18,000 Baht in the previous personal tax year or if the foreign employee has not worked in Thailand previously, documents for potential employers confirming that, the foreign employee will obtain income in Thailand of at least 50,000 Baht per month for an employee who is single and 60,000 per month for a married person, must be presented.

Work for an Existing Business as a Freelance or Employee

Today there are a variety of business that have set up that can provide someone with the required qualifications a work permit to work for a local Thai company. Skilled digital media freelancers, consultants and other specialty service providers can either

1) Bring their client base and work under the umbrella company
2) Gain employment with the Thai based company in the Web and design based industries.

This type of employment is usually under a fixed term contract of a 1 year (minimum) and is attractive to illegitimate workers because of the cheaper tax rate and living expenses in Thailand. You can bring your existing customer base and continue to work on your client projects or you can work on existing projects the company is involved with.

The company will then take over the function of billing your services to your clients (or employer) for an agreed percentage share of the work you do. They provide you with medical, insurance and all of your visa requirements – allowing you to live and work in Thailand without having to invest the capital to start your own company..

This type of arrangement benefits you by increasing your actual earnings due to the lower tax rates of working in Thailand and providing you with a work permit. Recent changes in the Visa laws means that you will still have to do your 90 day reporting every three months

Iglu have offices in Chiang Mai and Bangkok and deal mostly with people from Europe. Thaiworkvisa.com works in conjunction with them and at the present time has a focus in the Finnish community. You can find more details by visiting the websites respectively.

Important to remember about Work Permits

The way the Work Permit works (excuse the redundancy) is that they are issued by the Ministry of Labour to the employer, not to the person with the name on the Work Permit. The work permit is issued for one position in one location (usually) and therefore can not be transferred from one place of employment to another. Moreover you can not move from one city to another and continue to do the same work unless multiple locations have been registered with the Labor department.

Once your employment ends, so too does your ability to work. You can not resume employment elsewhere.

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How to Apply for a Visa to Thailand

Each country will require different criteria and documentation. For example many African and Asian countries will require more photographs, applications and proof of medical safety. Most people from western countries however, will have a much easier time in the application process, and type of documents required. The following is an edited version from the Thailand Immigration Bureau without all the references to the short term stay options mentioned above.

1. A foreign citizen who wishes to enter the Kingdom of Thailand is required to obtain a visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or a Royal Thai Consulate-General.

a) You can make your application from any Thai Embassy in the world, regardless of being a citizen
b) Applications from your home country can be done via postal service (no repeated trips to Embassies)
c) Each Embassy have varying reputation for being more or less lenient in the granting of double entry Visa options.

Documents required to Apply for a Thai Visa

Passport or travel document with a validity not less than 6 months
Visa application form (filled out)
One recent 4x6cm. photograph of the applicant
Round-trip air ticket or e-ticket (paid in full)
Proof of financial means (20,000 baht per person/40,000 baht per family)
Processing fee (2000 baht per entry or your countries equivalent if applying from home)

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Types of Visa’s available in Thailand

Thailand Tourist Visa US$30

A tourist visa will be issued to applicants wishing to enter the Kingdom for tourism purposes. You are not allowed to work or conduct business with a tourist visa.

A tourist visa can be used to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days or up to 60 days and can be extended by 30 days at the nearest Immigration office. Normally there is a fee of 1,900 Baht

A tourist visa is needed when a person plans to stay in Thailand for tourism purposes longer than the 15 or 30 days that is allowed when entering under the visa exemption, or if a person is from a country that has no visa exemption agreements with Thailand.

Requirements for a Thai Tourist Visa

This type of visa will be issued to applicants who wishing to enter Thailand for tourism purposes .

Documents Required

– Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
– Visa application form completely filled out
– One recent( 4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
– Air ticket or eTicket paid in full
– Financial means (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
– Consular officers reserve the rights to request for additional documents as deemed necessary

Validity of a Tourist Visa

The validity of a visa is three months or six months after it has been issued. That means that you must utilize your visa within 90 or 180 days (dependent on number of entries).

Time Available to Stay

Upon arrival, travelers with this type of visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 30 days or 60 days.
Nationals of countries which are on Thailand’s Tourist Visa Exemption list or have bilateral agreements on visa exemption with Thailand will be permitted to stay for a period of not exceeding 60 days. Nationals from other countries who hold a tourist visa will be permitted to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 30 days

Extending your Stay

Those who wish to stay longer or may wish to change their status of visa must file an application for permission at the immigration office. The extension of stay as well as the change of certain type of visa is solely at the discretion of the Immigration officer, the immigration officer may require sight of documentation where are staying (rent agreement/hotel bill/letter from friend etc)

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Thailand Non-Immigrant “ED” (Education) Visa US$80

A ED visa will be issued to applicants wishing to enter the Kingdom for Educational purposes. You are not allowed to work or conduct business with a Ed visa.

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The Education Visa used to be a way for people to pay to stay longer in Thailand, allowing an extension in after 3 months, repeated and then 6 months extension. It was used as a means of staying for longer periods but not any more. Now the Visa must be extended every 3 months and during the interview you are likely to get tested on your language skills.

The way around this is to get an Ed Visa to study Self defense or Mauy Thai Boxing or another language other than Thai. (They will not be able to check your Chinese speaking abilities for example.

Academic studies (e.g., university students)
Studying Thai language
Instructional projects or seminars
Conferences or training courses
Studying as a foreign Buddhist monk

Requirements for a Thai Education Visa

This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to study, attend seminar, training session, or internship in Thailand.

Documents Required

– Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
– Visa application form completely filled out
– Recent (4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
– Recommendation letter addressed to the Consulate
– Letter of acceptance from the concerned academic institute/organization
For those wishing to study in a Private institution, an official letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand, or other sub-authorities concerned, approving the enrollment of foreign students and a copy of registration certificate of the concerned academic institute are required
– Academic record and the Student ID (if currently studying)
– For those wishing to attend seminar, or training session, or internship, a recommendation letter from the concerned organization addressed to the Consulate is also required

Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary

Validity of a Education Visa

The validity of a visa is 3 months. Extension of the Visa is done eery 90 days and may (almost certainly) will require a verbal or written test

Time Available to Stay

Holder of this type of visa is entitled to stay in Thailand for a maximum period of 90 days. He or she may apply for an extension of stay at the Office of the Immigration Bureau and may be granted such extension for a period of one year from the date of first entry into Thailand.

Extending your Stay

Visa has a time limit, a new Education Visa, and re-retry to the country is required.

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Thailand Business Visa (Non-Immigrant B) US$80

A Business Visa will be issued to applicants wishing to enter the Kingdom for Business and Work purposes. You are allowed to work or conduct business with a Business Visa with an additional Work Permit.

Thai Business Visa A Non-Immigrant B visa is the only business-approved visa accepted in Thailand (though a work permit can be issued to an O Dependent visa). It is useful for a variety of purposes, including:

Employment in Thailand
Conducting Business
Engaging in Investment Activities

Requirements for a Thai Business Visa

This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom to work.

Documents Required

– Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
– Visa application form completely filled out
– Recent (4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
– Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 Baht per person and 40,000 Baht per family)
– Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour.

To obtain this letter, the applicant’s prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 (ตท. 3) at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel. 02-2452745, or at the Provincial Employment Office in his or her respective province.

– Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and alien income tax or Por Ngor Dor 91 (only in the case where applicant has previously worked in Thailand).

Corporate documents of hiring company in Thailand such as:

1) business registration and business license
2) list of shareholders
3) company profile
4) details of business operation
5) list of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions
6) map indicating location of the company
7) balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30 of the latest year)
8) value-added tax registration (Por Por 20)

Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism business only), or document indicating export transactions issued by banks (for export business only)

Validity of a Business Visa

The validity of a visa is 3 months, requiring a 90 day check in or leaving the country to re-enter

Time Available to Stay

Additional Information

Upon entry into the Kingdom, applicant or his or her appointed representatives must apply for a work permit at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour in which the applicant will be obligated to pay income tax accordingly. If the applicant’s associated company is located in the provinces, the applicant must apply at the Employment Office of that province.

Applicant’s family members (i.e., spouse, parents and children who are unmarried and under 20 years old) are eligible to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa (category “O”) and will be allowed to stay for a period of 90 days but no longer than 1 year.

Foreign citizens who hold a Transit Visa (“TS”) or Tourist Visa (“TR”) and wish to engage in business activities in Thailand may apply for a change of type of visa (e.g., from Tourist Visa to Non-Immigrant Visa) at the Office of the Immigration Bureau Office located at Government Center B, Chaengwattana Soi 7, Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Tel 0-2141-9889,

The granting of change of type of visa and extension of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer.

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Ninety Day Reporting for Foreigners

90 Day reporting is required by holders of every type of Visa to let the Immigration Office know you are still currently residing in Thailand. For a more detailed description check out the 90 Day Reporting Article.

Some Visas (Business) require you to leave the country every 90 days and re-enter, although with Retirements Visa, Education Visas and Work Permits it is just a matter of going to the Immigration Office every 3 months. 90 Day reporting is usually a quick process and there is no need to head down to the office in the early hours of the morning. Better to wait until late morning and get a ticket number for later that afternoon.

Non-Immigrant Visa “O” — Voluntary Services US$80

This type of visa is issued to applicants who wish to participate in voluntary services in Thailand.

Documents Required

Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months
Visa application form completely filled out
Recent (4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
Recommendation letter addressed to the Consulate
Copy of registration certificate of the employer/foundation/organization
Copy of the previous/current work permit (if any)
Copy of the employment contract (if any)

Validity of the Volunteer Visa

The validity of a visa is 3 months.

Period of Stay

Additional Requirements

Nationals of certain countries are required to apply for a visa only at the Thai Embassy or Consulate-General in their home/residence country or at the designated Thai Embassy. Therefore, travelers are advised to contact the nearest Thai Embassy or Consulate-General to find out where they may apply for a visa to Thailand before departure.

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For Details about the Retirement Visa: Go here

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November 20, 2014
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Thai Driving License Exam Test Questions

Thai Driving License Exam Test Questions https://i0.wp.com/chiangmaibuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Thai-Driving-License-exam-questions.jpg?fit=538%2C218&ssl=1 538 218 cmbadmin cmbadmin https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a0e7ec04d65a021865830fe3e536350b?s=96&d=mm&r=g November 20, 2014 November 20, 2014

The following is an example of several of the Thai Driving License Exam Test Questions for you to look at and learn the answers for, when applying to get your Drivers License in Thailand.

The correct answers are highlighted. Image quality is not great – but you should be able to read the questions

You may also be interested in the How to Get your Thai Driving License article

You may also be interested in an English version of the Thai Traffic Laws (provided at www.thailaws.com)

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Get Drivers License Chiang Mai Want Help Getting Your Drivers License?

Hire a Chiang Mai Buddy to go with you to the Motor Vehicles Department to explain the process, help you get through the paperwork and assist whenever we can make things move along faster!

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Thai Driving License Exam Test Questions: Exam One

thai driving test exam questions 2

Continue to Next page for 30 more questions.

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Get Drivers License Chiang Mai Want Help Getting Your Drivers License?

Hire a Chiang Mai Buddy to go with you to the Motor Vehicles Department to explain the process, help you get through the paperwork and assist whenever we can make things move along faster!

Only 300 Baht per Hour

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July 30, 2014
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3 Easy Steps to get a Driving License in Chiang Mai Thailand

3 Easy Steps to get a Driving License in Chiang Mai Thailand https://i0.wp.com/chiangmaibuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Thai-Driving-License.jpg?fit=538%2C218&ssl=1 538 218 cmbadmin cmbadmin https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a0e7ec04d65a021865830fe3e536350b?s=96&d=mm&r=g July 30, 2014 July 30, 2014

Get your Driving License in Chiang Mai in 3 Easy Steps

This article deals specifically with the process of getting a driving license in Chiang Mai, however the same procedures and forms will be more or less the same throughout Thailand. Getting your driving license in Thailand is a several-day process in which you can expect to spend most of that time waiting. There are now English speaking staff at the Chiang Mai Land Transport Offices – (once you HAD to take a Thai speaking person) – but the confusion about the process remains the same.

By law, you are required to have a Thai driving license if you have stayed in the country 60 days.

You cannot get a Driving License on a Tourist Visa. If you see anywhere online that you can – check the date of the article. It is old…

This is, of course, one of the non-logical aspects of living in Thailand. It is assumed if you have a Tourist Visa you are here for 60 days and therefore do not require a license. Extending your Visa 30 days puts you in the illegal category.

If the driver is not a tourist nor visitor but is a resident with a non-immigrant visa, then it is necessary to have a Thai driving license. However, those with a foreign license as described above or an International Driving Permit are excused from doing the practical driving test when applying for a Thai driving license.

Note: Although International Driving Permits are valid for up to one year after arrival in Thailand, after three months many comprehensive insurance policies are made void if still driving on a foreign license.

If you already have a valid car or motorbike driving license from your own country the process is relatively simple. If you are required to sit for the written and practical exams for either of these – be prepared for a longer and more confusing process.

One of the services we offer at Chiang Mai Buddy to prevent the stress, anxiety and confusion of visiting any government department is to hire a Chiang Mai Buddy by the hour.

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Requirements to Apply for a Thai Driving License

1) Medical Certificate (50-100 Baht)
Easily obtained from a local Doctor or Hospital. Must not be more than 30 days old.

2) Residency Certificate (500 Baht)
Proof of Address provided by the Immigration Bureau (Resident Certificate) or foreign embassy as provided. Download Form

3) Copy of Passport and non-immigrant visa (original and photocopy)
(Face page; VISA page; current TM6 card; latest entry stamp page); bring your original Passport also.
N.B. You cannot get a Thai Driving license on a Tourist Visa

4) Valid License or International Driving Permit
Your current country’s Motorbike or Car License or an International Driving Permit. Applicants without these will have to complete the road code and practical exams. Holders of driver licenses in a language not in English must have their embassy translate it and take that translation with them.

5) Application for Driving License
Application For Driving License
To see how to fill this page in go here

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Step by Step… How to Apply for a Thai Driving License in Chiang Mai

Step One: Obtaining a Medical Certificate

This is the easiest and quickest part of obtaining a driving license in Thailand. You can usually walk into any Doctor’s Clinic or Hospital and request from the counter a Medical Certificate for an application for a Driving License. This test will involve checking your height and weight, blood pressure and a color blindness exam. The whole process takes just 10-15 minutes – minus the waiting time. This is an income-earner for the local hospitals and this service is streamlined without much waiting. Cost at a doctor’s clinic can sometimes be just 50 baht, at the hospital it is 100 baht.

Step Two: Obtaining your Residency Certificate

A residency certificate is a document issued by immigration to certify where a foreigner lives. You can obtain this from your Embassy (if located in Chiang Mai) but the cost is much higher (1700 baht). The immigration satellite office is supposed to issue these for free (and will do but it can take 2-8 weeks) or for a gift donation of 500 baht it will be available the next day.

The Immigration Satellite office is located off the Super Highway across from the Promenada Mall. Do NOT go to the Immigration office near the airport – they no longer process residency certificates. As of this time, the Immigration Department have not advised Google Maps of their location. The exact location is listed on the map as the ‘Namber One Garage’.

Location of the Chiang Mai Immigration Department: Residency Certificates

The building looks like this:
Chiang Mai Residency Certificate Immigration

You will need to take:

1. Two (2) Color Photos 1.5 in x 2.36 in (4 cm x 6 cm)
2. Copy of Passport (1st Page; VISA Page; TM6). Bring your original Passport also.
3. Proof of Residence (Rental Contract or Yellow Residency Book or Letter from your Landlord)

Photocopies and Photographs can be obtained at the office, as can the Thai Residency Certificate Form. But it is better to be prepared and have these done.

Once you arrive you will take your completed documents to room 4, and will usually be asked if you want this the next day which will require a ‘gift fee’ of 500 baht. While requesting this fee is totally illegal – just smile and hand over the money. You will be told to come back the next day after 1:00 p.m. The next day you want to go to the window at room 2.

[notify_box font_size=”13px” style=”red”]Do not lean over the window or enter the room unless you are invited to do so. If you see your photograph on the file and the immigration staff have gone past it – DO NOT put your hand in and point. Thai manners are essential here, you will always smile and laugh and everything is your fault – even if they cannot find what is plainly obvious to you[/notify_box]

Collecting your residency certificate is a relativity easy process (the 2nd or 3rd time you do it). The first time (like any Thai government procedure) can be confusing. If you do not speak Thai, try and take a Thai friend along with you to translate.

Step Three: Obtaining your Driving License

The Land Transport Offices are located on Hang Dong Road, about 3 KM south of Airport Plaza on the left-hand side of the road just past Tesco Lotus and before the Big C. Hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location of the Chiang Mai Land Transport Offices: Driving License

The building looks like this:
Chiang Mai Traffic Department

If you have an International Permit or your Country’s valid driving license:

A complete set of above documents mentioned at the top of this article is required for each license application (motorbike & car). You can use copies of your residency certificate and a medical certificate if you are applying for both licenses at the same time.

1) Go to the 2nd floor of the Traffic department to window 21. They will check your details and issue you with a number to wait to go at window 27.

2) At window 27 you will do 3 quick tests:

Color Blindness Test:
One of the officials will point to colored dots on a poster and you should respond by stating the dot’s color. You can answer in English but Thai is better:

red (si daeng)
green (si kheow)
yellow (si luang)
blue (si fah).

Reflex Test:
Be seated behind an alternative gas and brake pedal and push the accelerator until the green LEDs start to light up. Hit the brake pedal before the LEDs reach the red zone. You will have to repeat this test twice.

Depth Perception Test:
Use forward and back buttons to align a moving pin with a fixed one, in a small box at approx. 10 meters distance.

3) Go to the main Information counter as you enter the second floor. You will have your documents checked again and be given another number.

4) When your number is called you will go to another window and pay the fees (usually window 21 but depends on the day): 205 baht for a car license and 155 baht for a motorbike. After this, you will be given another number and you sit and wait.

5) When your number is called, go to the back of the window area for your photograph to be taken. Here you will pick a number from a roll-a-dial and sit and wait. You will get your photograph taken and be issued with your license. They will put the license in a plastic protective cover and ask for 10 baht. If you are going to put the license in your wallet say “Mai Ow” or tell them you don’t want the protective sheet. You may get looked at like you’re an idiot but you really do not need this.

N.B. The 1st license is a temporary license issued for 1 year (Green color). After 1 year a renewal is available for 5 years (Pink color). If you are a Tourist with a Thai Driving License you can only get a 1-year renewal.

This whole process seems over the top, each window will recheck the previous checks of your documentation, and, seems like a lot of wasted time. The best option is to know before you go that this is not going to be an experience like back home. If you make comparisons to what you have done in your own country it will be easy for you to feel confused and frustrated. You will spend most of your time sitting and waiting. If you are not used to the way Thailand works, taking a Thai speaking person along with you will give you peace of mind (and some conversation) as you wait while the process is working. For those new arrivals or people without Thai friends, remember Chiang Mai Buddy offers the service of hiring your own local to assist you with the process.

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If you need to sit the exam to get your driving license:

A complete set of above documents mentioned at the top of this article is required for each license application (motorbike & car). You can use copies of your residency certificate and medical certificate if you are applying for both licenses at the same time.

1) Go to the 2nd floor of the Traffic department to window 21. They will check your details and instruct you to go and take your written exam after you do the 3 basic tests.

2) At window 27 you will do 3 quick tests:

Color Blindness Test:
One of the officials will point to colored dots on a poster and you should respond by stating the dot’s color. You can answer in English but Thai is better:

red (si daeng)
green (si kheow)
yellow (si luang)
blue (si fah).

Depth Perception Test:
Use forward and back buttons to align a moving pin with a fixed one, in a small box at approx. 10 meters distance.

3) The theory test is located at the far end of the 2nd floor of the traffic department building. It is a simple 30-question multiple-choice test that is offered twice a day at 11.00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. You will be able to sit the exam twice at each sitting and it requires a 75% pass rate. The results are issued within 20 minutes and if you have passed you can immediately arrange a practical test.

PLEASE NOTE: The offices do NOT supply You with a vehicle for Your tests. If You ask, prepare to be chuckled at…

4) Go to the practical driving test area located outside of the building, in the same compound, heading back towards the city. You will have your forms checked and be seated to wait until you are called. Luckily, for some reason, some Westerners get called up first and have a priority over the locals.

5) The motorbike practical test is explained to you and is a simple course (that they hardly ever actually watch you do). You will be required to stop at a few intersections, use your turn signals and drive within the speed limit. For motorbike test at 2 points you are required to stop and put your feet on the ground (complete stop) and drive over a wooden plank without falling off. The plank is a slab of wood about an inch above the ground and about 8 inches thick. The trick here is to not ride too slowly and wobble and fall off.

The car test is more complicated, now involving electronic documentation of the procedure. Pay attention and You should be OK (if you already know how to drive…).

6) After you complete your practical you are given a pass stamp on your forms which you then return back to the 2nd floor of the main building.

7) Return to window 21 with your exam and practical test results. You will have your documents checked and be given a number to sit and wait for window 27.

8) At window 27 you will do 2 quick tests:

a) Short eyesight test (color perception, peripheral vision, depth perception)
b) Reflex examination

9) Go to the main Information counter as you enter the second floor. You will have your documents checked again and be given another number.

10) When your number is called you will go to another window and pay the fees (usually window 21 but depends on the day) 205 baht for a car license and 155 baht for a motorbike. After this, you will be given another number and you sit and wait.

11) When your number is called, go to the back of the window area for your photograph to be taken. Here you will pick a number from a roll-a-dial and sit and wait. You will get your photograph taken and be issued with your license. They will put the license in a plastic protective cover and ask for 10 baht. If you are going to put the license in your wallet say “Mai Ow” or tell them you don’t want the protective sheet. You may get looked at like you’re an idiot but you really do not need this.

N.B. The 1st license is a temporary license issued for 1 year (Green color), after 1 year, a renewal is available for 5 years (Pink color). If you are a Tourist with a Thai Driving License, you can only get a 1-year renewal.

This can be a 2-day process on top of the 2-day process to get the required documentation (Residency Certificate and Medical). At various points during the procedure you are likely to come across a window or in the case of the practical test, people who do not speak English very well. You will manage to survive! It might be a stressful and anxiety producing experience but after it is all done you can drive home and wonder at the marvels of it only taking almost 5 days to get a driving license.

If you do not speak Thai, the whole experience will go smoother if you can take a Thai friend along with you. The both of you will be bored for most of the time, but in those moments of confusion (and there will be many during the long periods you wait) it is nice to have someone reassure you this is normal, do not worry.

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The Driving License Exam: Test Questions

Thai Drivers license exam

The exam takes place in the end room of the Traffic Department Building in Chiang Mai on the second floor. Here you will sit in front of a large screen and be shown a selection of 30 multiple-choice questions. On the screen will appear questions and you select from the answers provided. Sounds simple right?

The images used in the exam are very low quality and difficult to see. If you require glasses at all, you had better take them with you. In addition, the English translation is very confusing, so it pays to read the questions a couple of times AND look at any pictures the question is meant to explain. Some questions are surprisingly easy. For example …

When are you not allowed to operate a motor vehicle?
A) After you wake up;
B) When it is raining;
C) Immediately after consuming alcohol or drugs;
D) On a weekend.

Some drivers license test questions will require you to have more specific knowledge of the Thai Road Code. In New Zealand and Australia the correct answer is C, in Thailand and America it is B…

When an emergency vehicle approaches you from behind with lights flashing, you should:
A) Speed up;
B) Pull over, stop and wait for the vehicle to pass;
C) Move to the left and continue driving;
D) Pull over, stop, and immediately pull out behind the vehicle.

A score of 23/30 is needed to pass. You are provided with the correct answers at the end of your test and can take it twice a day until you pass.

On the right-hand side of the entrance to the computer test are posters that show what various road signs mean in Thailand. Spend 10 minutes or so looking at these. Behind counter 21 (where you first go with your paperwork) they (usually) have a copy of the Thai Road code in English which you can ask to borrow and read.

Chiang Mai Buddy has provided a selection of the Thai Driving License Exam Questions for you to look at and learn.

You may also be interested in an English version of the Thai Traffic Laws (provided at www.thailaws.com)

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How to Apply for a 5 year Thai Driving License

People with a Tourist Visa are no longer able to get a Driving License. A Non-Immigrant Visa is required to apply for the 5-year driving license which can be done one month before your current license expires. You will only be required to redo the following exams and tests:

1. Eyesight (color perception, peripheral vision, depth perception)
2. Reflex Test

No practical test driving or re-sitting of your exam questions is required. Fee is 550 baht for the 5-year driving license.

Documents Required

1) Original 1-Year Driving License

2) Copy of Passport and non-immigrant visa (original and photocopy)
(Face page; VISA page; current TM6 card; latest entry stamp page); Bring your original Passport also.
N.B. You can not get a Thai Driving license on a Tourist Visa

3) New Medical Certificate (50-100 Baht)
Easily obtained from a local Doctor or Hospital. Must not be more than 30 days old.

4) New Residency Certificate (500 Baht)
Proof of Address provided by the Immigration Bureau (Residency Certificate) or foreign embassy as provided. Download Form

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Final Thoughts

The process of obtaining a Thai Driving License when you need to sit the exam and take the practical is at least a 3-4 day event. Most of this time is spent waiting, and while you wait you might be tempted to begin to question the process. Have they forgotten me? Why did that person not have to go to the same window? How much longer? Why is that person being processed quickly and the other one took forever? And, again, Have they forgotten me?

At the Chiang Mai Traffic Department some of the volunteer staff (University students) will speak English and you can ask them for an explanation of what you need to do next. Some of the staff: not so much. If you do not speak Thai, you can (and many have) managed to get their driving license in Thailand having a Thai speaking person assist them. It is a great idea. Contact us at Chiang Mai Buddy. We are here to help!

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cmbadmin
July 22, 2014
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How to get a Phone Plan in Thailand

How to get a Phone Plan in Thailand cmbadmin cmbadmin https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a0e7ec04d65a021865830fe3e536350b?s=96&d=mm&r=g July 22, 2014 July 22, 2014

How to get a phone plan and SIM card in Thailand and save money

One of the more complicated issues for a person coming to stay in Thailand is the incredible range and variety of phone packages and plans. None of the major companies provide brochures explaining these in English, and while there is an ‘English’ option on the phone company websites, they tend to use images which are written in Thai. Not very helpful for the non Thai speaking resident of Thailand trying to shop for the best phone plan.

Visiting one of the thousands of phone provider stores around any city also tends to be a fruitless endeavor. First there are the famous Thai waiting lines, only to find that the English speaking person available, does not have sufficient language skills to understand or explain even basic questions. The following article on How to get a Thai SIM Card (and Phone plan) should help you understand your various options.

How to get a Phone SIM Card in Thailand

It is very easy to get a SIM card for your cell phone in Thailand. More than likely they are offered to you at the airport, but can get them at any 7/11, shopping mall and many phone stores will have them available. Really all you need to do before you arrive in Thailand is make sure that your phone is unlocked (able to work outside of the network you are currently using) and operates on the GSM network.

You may also need to make sure you know the PIN number that the phone may ask for if you put a new SIM card in it. To find out if your phone needs a pass-code … swap a friends SIM card from another network into your phone. Your phone will request the pass-code if it needs one.

Phone plans in Thailand are amazingly cheap compared to other countries. You can easily get a months worth of internet data and talk time for around US$15.

[notify_box font_size=”13px” style=”red”]SMS (text messages) are not free in Thailand and they are seldom included in the main phone plans. Plans come with either a talk based option (phone calls), a Net based option (data) or a combination package. In Thailand a text message will cost 1-3 baht. You can however prepay for a certain amount of SMS texts – but most Thai people use online based texting services[/notify_box]

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Choosing the best SIM Card in Thailand

Short Time Stay (One – Two weeks)

If you are coming to Thailand for a short period of say a few weeks, your best bet is to get the tourist sims which you will usually find at the airport. These cell phone sims are either free (requiring a top up) or 199 baht (one week) and 299 baht (two weeks) of varying combinations of talk or net time. They can be topped up at any 7/11 or phone company store.

traval sim card thailand

Every Phone SIM card in Thailand will have a talk, data or combo plan. For the tourist the data plan is the best option as it will allow you to use the internet and post photos and updates. Make sure you read the packet or ask for the type of card you want.

Each of the major phone companies offer a tourist SIM card, the price is more or less the same, but the amount of data (before it slows) and talk time are different. They change all the time with every new promotion (making it difficult to list the differences) – but in reality they are more or less the same.

Some of the Free Tourist SIM cards are limited to Edge data speed. If you want to have faster data speeds other SIM card options will be better for you

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Short Time Stay (One – Three Months)

If you are coming to Thailand for a longer period of time, you will want to hold off getting a travel SIM card that are handed out at the airport. Instead you should look for a Prepaid Phone SIM card. They come in 3 basic forms, and can be topped up at any stage with either a certain amount of money, or better (and cheaper) by selecting a prepaid top-up plan

1) The Prepay Talk Plan SIM
Offered by all three major phone companies the talk plans have a greater focus on making phone calls. They have a limited amount (if any) of internet data included. You will pay extra for Data and SMS

2) The Prepay Data Plan SIM
Offered by all three major phone companies, the data (or Net Plan) has a greater focus on the amount of data you can have, and have access to WiFi hotspots. You will pay extra to make calls and send SMS

3) The Prepay Smart Plan SIM
Offered by all three major phone companies, the smart phone plan can be specific to a phone brand or for general phones, and provides a more even distribution of talk time and data. SMS will cost extra.

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Longer Stay (3 Months – Years)

If you are coming to Thailand for a longer period of time, then you may want to look at the Post pay (Contract) plans. They again come in 3 basic forms, and have better value offering more talk time and data than the visitor SIM’s. You will require your passport in order to purchase a phone contract, and the minimum amount of time is 3 months.

The contract phone plans also come in the same variety of SIM card options and related plans. Signing a contract with the Phone company is a process that will over the long term save you money, but a daunting challenge for the new arrival to Thailand. Chiang Mai Buddy does offer assistance for this service if you are in Thailand. You can hire a Thai speaking person to go with you and help with the contracts.

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Choosing the best phone plan in Thailand

Understanding the complexity of Thai phone plans is a challenge

After you have purchased your SIM card (either a talk, data or smart combination package) you can then purchase a monthly bulk prepaid subscription. To do this you must have a balance of credit on your phone that will allow you to purchase the various plans. Each plan is purchased by texting a phone number when required or arranging for the plan to be purchased on a recurring basis each month.

Once you have your primary plan, the additional services (SMS, Talk or Data) will cost you additional amounts. For example if you purchase a talk plan, you will have a certain amount of talking minutes, but will be charged when you use the internet or send a text message. If you have a data plan you will have your data and be charged additional when you send a text message or make a phone call. This is why the Smart phone or combination plans are the best option. You will get less talk time and data that the specialty plans – but save from the additional charges.

N.B. I will mention this a few times because it is the reason most people end up paying more for there phone than they need to. You can only purchase the specialty package that matches your SIM card. Talk = Talk plan, Data = Data plan and Smart = Smart plan. However some companies will change your SIM card type for just 30 baht.

Some of the providers have plans that charge data by the minute and others by the download. If you leave your data connection on (and who does not now days) your credit is drained quickly if they charge by the minute.

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Comparison of the Phone Plans available in Thailand

Lets look and compare the three major phone company brands and what they offer for each category. The packages are constantly being updated so accuracy is not guaranteed but generally things will be remain the same.

It is important to note that some plans feature unlimited data at a topped off volume amount. So once you have reached that volume (500Meg, 1Gig, 3Gigs etc) the speed declines. We will first compare the smart phone plans which offer a combination of talking minutes and internet data. This is your best option.

The Net and Smart packages usually include unlimited WiFi connections at the various hotspots around the city.

Smart Packages (Combination Plans)

AIS, TrueMove Dtac Phone Smart Package Comparison

thailand smart phone plan comparison

Note: The Thai on the far right meas unlimited WiFi connection (provided around the city) although it is slow and unreliable

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Net Packages (Internet Plans)

TrueMove Phone Net Package
true move net phone rates

The excess of True Move Net Plan
The call rates 1.25 baht / minute after plan minutes used
SMS rates 2 baht / Text MMS rates 5 baht /

TrueMove 4G Net Package

Currently TrueMove is the only carrier providing 4G high speed internet for phones that are 4G capable.

truemove 4g phone plan

Here is a speed test sent in from a reader. Awesome speeds, and probably in reality faster as the server pings (Yangon) is a slower server. Pinging Bangkok or American servers will show higher speeds.

truemove 4g speed

AIS Net Phone Plan Package

AIS net phone rates

The excess of AIS Net Plan
The call rates 1.25 baht / minute after plan minutes used
SMS rates 3 baht / Text MMS rates 5 baht /

Dtac Net Package

The excess of Dtec Smart Plan
The call rates .99 baht / minute after plan minutes used
SMS rates 2 baht / Text MMS rates 5 baht /

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Talk Packages (phone calls)

The talk packages offer phone call minutes only. Using Data, or SMS will cost you additional.

AIS Talk Plan AIS Talk Phone Plan

The excess of packages AIS Talk.
The call rates 1.5 baht / minute
SMS rates 3 baht / Text
MMS rates 6 baht /
The WiFi service 1 baht / minute
Rates 3G + / EDGE / GPRS. 1.5 baht min

TrueMove Talk Plan

truemove italk package

The excess of packages iTalk.
The call rates 1.25 baht / minute
SMS rates 2 baht / Text
MMS rates 5 baht /
The WiFi service 1 baht / minute
Rates 3G + / EDGE / GPRS. 2 Baht

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How to Use the various phone plans

Topping Up

Putting credit on your phones SIM card is called Topping up. You can top up your phone almost anywhere, the various phone stores, 7/11 shops, and many small independent shops will send you credit. In Thailand your SIM card balance can be used to make movie purchases, buy coffee and a variety of other products and services. You can also transfer credits to other phones and people.

topping up SIM card Scratch Card and 7/11 Receipts
The most common way to top up your phone is to purchase a certain amount of credits. Phone stores will give you a scratch card, where as 7/11 will provide you with a printed receipt.

You then make a phone call or send a text including the code and you have topped up your balance. Easy as that!

Credit Transfer
Many small individually owned business will do a credit transfer. You ask for which ever phone provider you have and tell them how much money you want to purchase. These smaller places will usually charge about 5 baht for the service. They then transfer credit from their phones to your own SIM card and you are ready to go.

Getting your Phone Plan Activated (Subscribing)

Once you have credit on your SIM card you can then activate your monthly phone plan. Again remember you can only activate the phone plan for your specific SIM card type (Talk for Talk SIM, Net for Net SIM and Smart for Smart SIM). Each plan has a number that you use to Subscribe to the service, and so long as you have enough credit on your SIM you will receive a text letting you know your plan has started.

Most people only ever put 100-300 baht credit on their phones and never subscribe to a service. This way they pay more for each call, text or minute they are using the net.

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Final Thoughts

In addition to the various phone plans you can also purchase an incredible variety of additional services. This includes talking minutes, Data packages and cheaper SMS texts (on some providers). This is the work around to the SIM card type = Phone plan available.

So if you have a talk SIM you can purchase a data package, and a Net SIM will allow a Talk Plan. BUT they are more expensive that your plan suited for your SIM card type. However when we use the term ‘expensive’ in Thailand it is relative only to Thailand prices. All of the phone service charges, for all the services (except SMS text messaging) is likely to be half to a third what you are paying in your home country.

Promotional Texts

From your Phone Provider:
You will be sent from time to time promotional text messages by your phone company. They will be written in Thai – but well worth copying and pasting into your Google translate App. The phone companies are constantly bringing out promotions and special deals – which can save you bundles of baht

From Advertising Partners:
These are just a pain in the ass. When you get your SIM card at a phone provider ask immediately to Op-out of the sponsors messages. Otherwise a quick call to the Customer Service and a few taps and 24hrs later they stop. The following numbers will reach the Help Desk who speak very good English.

AIS *1175
Dtac *1678 Go here for additional self call codes
TrueMove *9399 Go here for additional self call codes

Thai people do not use SMS texting, they use online programs like Skype and more popular here LINE. If you are staying or living in Thailand and you do not have LINE – your ability to interact with other people is going to be severely limited. You can learn more about Line here