Answered4 years ago
How Can Expats in Thailand Find Information on Legal and Lifestyle Matters?
Hello one and all
Serious question 😕
“How Do You Know” 🤔
Seriously, how do you know
For example, imagine we are living in Thailand, we have temporarily stayed in a Condo with our dog, after a short while looking we have found a great home to rent long term, how do I find out all the legalities I have to perform to ensure everything is in order and remains in order….
Imagine I want to purchase a car, how do I find out what I need to do to ensure everything is correct and in order and complies with Thai law…
Same with signing up for broadband, local mobile phone etc….
The list, I am sure is endless, I cannot keep asking on here (or can I 😏)
In my home country, I know the rules and regulations and requirements, I won’t have a clue in Thailand so could easily fall for an elaborate scam due to my ignorance and lack of understanding
Ok, so instead of asking how do YOU know, I guess I need to know How Would I Know/ Find Out?
Thanks in advance
Hope your day is a great one
Serious question 😕
“How Do You Know” 🤔
Seriously, how do you know
For example, imagine we are living in Thailand, we have temporarily stayed in a Condo with our dog, after a short while looking we have found a great home to rent long term, how do I find out all the legalities I have to perform to ensure everything is in order and remains in order….
Imagine I want to purchase a car, how do I find out what I need to do to ensure everything is correct and in order and complies with Thai law…
Same with signing up for broadband, local mobile phone etc….
The list, I am sure is endless, I cannot keep asking on here (or can I 😏)
In my home country, I know the rules and regulations and requirements, I won’t have a clue in Thailand so could easily fall for an elaborate scam due to my ignorance and lack of understanding
Ok, so instead of asking how do YOU know, I guess I need to know How Would I Know/ Find Out?
Thanks in advance
Hope your day is a great one
Answer summary
Expats in Thailand often have questions about navigating the local legal and lifestyle requirements, such as renting a home, purchasing a car, and signing up for local services. To find accurate and relevant information, it is advisable to consult official sources, hire agents, or seek help from experienced locals or other expats. Understanding that processes can vary by province is important. Key documents like the TM30 and residency certificates may be needed for various transactions, and it is recommended to engage with expat community forums for shared insights.
62 repliesnewest first
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Luke **********
Find a good lawyer. It’s such a relief to have someone who can explain everything to you.
Zedre ******************
Love your post
Tanisha ******
Go back ✈️
Phil ******
@Linz ***********
It's the same the world over. Read the contract.
Don *********
@Phil *****
not so easy when most contracts are in Thai - and the contract won’t tell you the sequence, and the extra pieces of paper required that aren’t on and documented list. Sound advice earlier: make some friends here and ask themPhil ******
@Don ********
i have entered into 3 rental contracts with no problem in thai. Scanned and converted to English. So that's not an issue as it was easy. Also was repaid 2 bonds too.Don *********
@Phil *****
well done mate ! My wife recently navigated our highly complex marriage visa renewal process in Phuket (several steps very different from Bangkok) - there is no way on earth I could have managed this myself without help from from my very capable wife or an agent
Henrik **************
Sounds like you'll need a personal assistant in your life, can you tie your own shoes? Maybe you're doing it all wrong 🧐🤦🏻♂️
Mohammad ************
Sounds like anxiety.
Paul *******
Registering a car is relatively straightforward. To be honest though anything to do with driving and motoring isn't really enforced unless you want to temporarily bring your car outside of the country. Then you need to follow the exact regulations or it won't be allowed to leave and even a bribe wouldn't help (unless it's a very minor thing, which customs will overlook).
Paul *******
For example while I don't recommend it but you could drive like the biggest jerk and your chances of being fined or arrested are almost zero. You can drive 180km/h on the expressway (assuming there's no traffic and your car can reach those speeds) and nothing will happen to you. You can buy a motorcycle, ride it without a helmet against the flow of traffic and nothing will happen to you anywhere in the country unless you're in Pattaya or Phuket, where you might be fined.
Nick *********
Hire an agent
Nick ************
I bought a car and even the dealer I bought it off couldn't workout how I got the blue book in my name. Turned out I needed a certificate if residence from immigration even though I had an up to date tm30 notification. Next time I bought a car the whole process had changed. Same with getting a driving license. Important thing is dont loose your temper however frustrating you find the situation.
Paul *******
@Nick ***********
Yeah that sucks. When your options are limited because your embassy doesn't issue one then you're left dealing with immigration and their often inflexible rules. Good luck to you and hope it all works out.Nick ************
@Paul ******
thanks.Nick ************
@Paul ******
they issued my extension a couple of weeks before. I dont know the answer to your question but I'm just telling you what they said. I dont work here. My embassy has been of little use to me previously and I haven't worked out yet what purpose it serves.Paul *******
@Nick ***********
The process for registering a vehicle hasn't really changed in years. Basically you just need a certificate of residency and your passport.Nick ************
@Paul ******
wrong. My io will now not issue certificates of residence like they did two years ago. Land transport has to send documents to io and then get the certificate sent back to them in two to three weeks. It's been three weeks tomorrow and I haven't heard a thing. And, when I registered my vehicle I required copies of several documents relevant to the previous owner.Paul *******
@Nick ***********
Why doesn't your immigration office deal with certificates of residency anymore? If your visa is fine then there should be no issue . You can also get one through your embassy, which is usually much easier provided your embassy still issues one. Otherwise, if you work in Thailand then you won't need to bother with this nonsense as you can use your work permit.
Bob **********
Check out some of the xpat websites and groups
Bonnie *******
Make friends with an Expat at a bar somewhere you hang out regular and ask how they do it
Alistair **********
Search this group or other expat groups for your question (+google). If you can't find anything then post it and you will usually get at least a couple good responses in there.
After a while you'll make friends with other expats or locals and you ask them. I ask my friends questions daily/weekly. Things that are extremely basic to them, but foreign to those who weren't born here.
After a while you'll make friends with other expats or locals and you ask them. I ask my friends questions daily/weekly. Things that are extremely basic to them, but foreign to those who weren't born here.
Paul *******
@Alistair *********
You mean like "why are you people still wearing masks when the rest of the world including neighboring countries have moved on?"
Dave ******
If you deal with legit companies with an office, it's very unlikely to get scammed. If you make a barstool deal, it's very likely to get scammed.
CjandBrigitte **********
Once you are here on the correct visa. You lease a house ( lease is in both Thai and English mostly?and then go to emigration for your residence certificate. That is the most important document to get most services, buying a car, opening a bank account etc.
Paul *******
@Brigitte *******
Many embassies can issue one with less fuss but unfortunately, not all embassies are doing them anymore.
Thomas *******
My answer would be,...."Why do you care"
Chris ****
Tbh that’s why you see so many guys with their Thai lady/bff and not some young arm candy. I have a Thai lady friend who is age appropriate and takes care of everything for me.
Paul *******
If renting, ask for the Leases to be in English. The leases have pretty standard clauses that are easy to understand, Usually, 6 or 12 month lease. Usually 2 months rent as deposit (if you leave early you will lose your deposit) plus one months rent in advance. Demand that the electric and water are at the Government rate otherwise you will be paying too much. Check the clauses to see if you are responsible for minor repairs and consumables such as light bulbs.
Linz ************
OP@Donna *****
good to know, thank you
Donna ******
@Daniel *********
we have just received our rental agreement in English.Donna ******
@Daniel *********
I didn’t say it was, I just said ours is in English, it would be pretty useless to me in Thai 😩Linz ************
OP@Donna *****
so it’s a Thai contract (so legal) yet you have an English translated copy so you can read and understand it, sounds ideal to me if this is the case, as you say, having a Thai copy would not be of use to you unless you had someone else read it
Christine *******
@Paul ******
I would add to that, Make sure the lease states that the owner/landlord is responsible for the cost of repairs to major appliances included in the rental fee. I had to back out of a lease once because the owners would not include that, and voiced that I would have to pay.Antonio ***********
be careful about asking questions like this hyere- there lots of a holes that will troll the f out of you!
Nigel *********
@Antonio **********
there is that. There's also a fair bit of just plain wrong answers. That said the admins and a few others know their onions.Linz ************
OP@Antonio **********
I’ve noticed 😂😂😂 Love em, hopefully I can work out the good bits from the er not so good 😀👍🏼
Jan **********
study and ask precise questions.
Antonio ***********
@Jan *********
he just asked!
Shaun *********
Just move here and find out.
Antonio ***********
@Shaun ********
smart arse
John *********
@Antonio **********
takes one to know one.Shaun *********
@Antonio **********
the lady has been asking questions for over a year. If you ask and ask and have doubts you'll never move here. Just do it and find out yourself.
Riny ************
First thing to do is fill in a TM 30 (done by your landlord) and bring it to an Immigration office. It registers your living address. That will be asked at several places like open a bank acc/drivers license/long term visa
Paul *******
@Riny ***********
That is completely incorrect.no one except for immigration is interested in a TM30 and even then, not all immigration offices care. It depends on the individual office. However , a residency certificate is needed to open a bank account and to register a vehicle. That's a different process to getting a TM30.Oh and lastly, don't waste your time respnding to Steve Greir. He's a troll.
Steve *******
@Riny ***********
Unless you own your own condo then filing a TM30 is NOT your responsibility. It's not specifically needed to open a bank account, obtain a driving license or apply for an extention of stay.It's filed by the property owner to notify the authorities of an 'alien in residence'.
Riny ************
@Steve ******
but they rent and will rent more again. They do not buy. So not relevant. Every government/bank wants to know where you stay/live. So does ThailandSteve *******
@Riny ***********
Yes. A TM30 is not a residence certificate. It's a notification by a property owner of an alien in residence.Linz ************
OP@Riny ***********
thank you, I’m referring more to the day to day lifestyle issues we would face like purchasing/ running a car etc👍🏼
Michael ********
Try searching on here for a start most of those questions have been asked and answered before
Antonio ***********
@Michael *******
dumbMichael ********
@Antonio **********
Why simple resrarch then ask questions if your stuck. Yes the world is getting dumber
James *********
@Antonio **********
< Just what this page needs,,,, another arseholio
Mitchell *******
I am assuming you are "living" in Thailand on an appropriate visa?
Linz ************
OP@Mitchell ******
not yet (still in the UK) but will be moving soon and yes, with the appropriate visa
Uffe *********
Use an agent to take care of everything...
Linz ************
OPNigel *********
@Linz ***********
personally I wouldn't trust any agents. They are completely unregulated. Most make up problems that don't exist so they can charge you to fix the problem.For driving licence =land transport
Work permits=Labour department
Visa and immigration issues= immigration
Bank accounts= banks
Buying/selling vehicles =don't remember but wasn't difficult when I did it a couple of years ago.
Health insurance = MisterPrakan.com
Car insurance =misterprakan.com
Vehicle tax and equivalent of MOT= look for the yellow cog/gear sign
Sick= local hospital or call your health insurance
Renting properties= go direct to owner.
Buying property= find a very good lawyer ( I don't know any)
That's about it.
Paul *******
@Nigel ********
I mostly agree with that. In some cases, agents can help get you out of a bind but in most cases they aren't needed nor should their use be encouraged.
Ruth *******
@Nigel ********
that’s the problem. Some agents are terrific. Some are dishonest and don’t do things legally thus causing more problems. Just letting someone else handle things without learning the laws does not seem like a safe option. I feel Linz’s pain.Uffe *********
@Linz ***********
the people I talk to in Thailand uses agents, talked to a man from Aussie yesterday, his been here for 7 years, has a condo a couple of motorcycles and so on, he was 71 and thought it was best for him 🙂
Brandon ************
The biggest problem to knowing is that most things are different depending on where you are. Even government services which you would expect to be standard are not.
The process of buying a car and what paperwork you need may differ from province to province.
You can ask as many questions here as you want but the answers still might not be relevant if the person responding has experience elsewhere or if things have changed since they did it.
The only real way to know for sure is to ask the relevant place.
For example to buy a car, ask the department of land transport you'll be using.
To get internet ask the juristic person if it's a condo. Etc.
The process of buying a car and what paperwork you need may differ from province to province.
You can ask as many questions here as you want but the answers still might not be relevant if the person responding has experience elsewhere or if things have changed since they did it.
The only real way to know for sure is to ask the relevant place.
For example to buy a car, ask the department of land transport you'll be using.
To get internet ask the juristic person if it's a condo. Etc.
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