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How can I obtain a residency certificate in Thailand without official rental documentation?

Driving LicenseResidency CertificateNon-O VisaThailand ImmigrationKoratAustralian LicenseRental AgreementDepartment of Land Transport90 Day Report
May 3, 2017
8 years ago
Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys, this is not a Visa related post, but I'm wondering if anyone has a solution to this problem.

I would like to get my Thai driving licence for car and motorcycle. I have both licences in my country (Australia) as well as an IDP.

I am here on a Non-O 12 month multi entry visa and I live with my missus (Korat area).

Here's where it gets a little convoluted. She is renting a house but is not under any contract, just a local cash agreement, and as such has no paperwork or documents. Her house book is for another location where her family home is, but not in this area...

I need to get a residency certificate (2), but am having trouble proving where I actually live. Any solutions?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on acquiring a Thai driving license while facing challenges in proving residency due to informal rental arrangements. They have both car and motorcycle licenses from Australia and an International Driving Permit (IDP), but need a residency certificate for their application. The conversation reveals that the user was able to eventually acquire the residence certificate by presenting a rental contract created with their partner, despite the lack of standard documentation. There are also discussions covering the process and fees associated with obtaining a Thai driving license, such as passing tests and various requirements from the Department of Land Transport.
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ooooh! So at some point I'll have to drive expired licenses to get the 5yr one... Lol good system Haha!
8 years ago
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Steve *******
Just get a lift the day after it expires.
8 years ago
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Steve *******
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Tod *********
Glad to hear it all worked out
@Coo***
, (y)

Here's a bit of trivia you might or might not know. When the 2 year temporary licenses expire and you go to switch to the 5 year permanent one; the 2 year temp ones need to be expired :O . If you go before they expire, all they'll give you is another 2 year temp one :O Strange huh?
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Another update, now have both car and motorcycle licenses, everything went fairly smoothly with that cert in hand...
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just figured I would update this post with some results.

I got the residence certificate today at Korat immigration.

I did the "rental contract" with my missus and used that as proof of my residence, it worked no questions asked.

Well, they did initially ask for the house book but I showed the contract and she asked if i was renting, to which I said yes, and all ended well no problems at all...

It cost 500thb and no receipt was given. I didnt feel like saying anything about that. Also I saw on the desk several other certificates, each had a 500thb note attached, so I can only assume that this money does not go directly into their pockets, so thats something at least.
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes for sure, but probably not the office girls who did the cert, most likely the boss or leader...
8 years ago
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Tod *********
:/ If you didn't get a receipt you can rest assured it's going into someone's pocket. Still you got it (y)
8 years ago
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Tod *********
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Ron *******
Bangkok won't issue a residency permit unless your doing 90 day reports there.
8 years ago
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Dee ********
In Thailand we have the driving school where you can learn and the officers of the school will test you. After passing, the school will take you to register driving license. (Only Some school , please check) The driving course is aroud 6000 baht I think.

Most of Thai people don't want to go directly to Department of Land Transport because you have to go early in the morning to get queue. The quota is limited in each day.

But please make sure that you ask the school about the ganrantee to get the license and the required documents as priority.

Please be advised that school needs to be accepted by the Department of land transport.
8 years ago
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Andy ****
What if my Australian license expired on 4 April, can I get a Thai license?
8 years ago
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Andy ****
They said I must go into VicRoads to do a new photo, but I'm visiting Melbourne next week, so I can wait.
8 years ago
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Nic *******
You need a valid license. In Victoria you just renew online and have it sent to you. So you could have it sent to a trustworthy person who could then fedex it to you.
8 years ago
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Andy ****
Zoommmmmmm ....
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
if it's anything like the roads here, just pretend you are rally driving ;)
8 years ago
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Andy ****
Hmmm .... that might be fun
8 years ago
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Tod *********
Not without taking the computerized multiple choice test AND the driving test on their driving track :/
8 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
Some immigration offices WON'T issue a certificate of residence if you haven't done a 90 day report with them before. I know several people on year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant visas who couldn't get a certificate of residence from Chaengwattana. Conversely I know some people on 30 day visa exempt and tourist visa entry stamps who were able to get a certificate of residence from their local immigration office.. It varies as far as if they will or won't do it.
8 years ago
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Mathew *******
Just get the wife to write out a contract to you, easy
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
will do it tomorrow and let you guys know, cheers!
8 years ago
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Tod *********
@Coo***
, You're out nothing by tryin' it at the Korat Immigration office. Do report back on if it works or not okay?
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Also I believe the rental contact was simply a way to get a residency cert from the local immigration, not to be used at land transport...
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you, however I'm trying my best to avoid a trip to Bangkok, the headache of going to the embassy from korat is almost not worth it...
8 years ago
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Tod *********
A rental contract will NOT suffice as proof of residence for the Dept of Land Transport. You don't need anything to go get a stat-dec you just write your address on it and they notarize it.
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
in regards to this contract going to immigration, will they then expect that TM30 or TM28 thing from me?

Again they would not accept a TM30 from the missus, because she does not have the house book for the property she rents...
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cheers!
8 years ago
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Mathew *******
***************************************************
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is there some form of contact document that would be recognised by the immigration without further questions for the house book, etc?
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Now that is an interesting spin! Never thought about that, will look into this!
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
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Garry *********
I did both last week. Stat dec for residency from Australian Embassy plus medical certificate from Doctor at Phaya Thai Hospital. Stat dec from Embassy was around 1800bht. Also copies from passport required. Because I had both licences from Australia only eye tests at Dept Land Transport required. No driving test required. Copies you can get there.
8 years ago
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Garry *********
Because I needed a Fitness Certificate for Australia as well (because I have a minibus licence) total cost was 940Bht. Cost of each licence 510bht.
8 years ago
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Lance *******
How much was the cert at the hospital?
8 years ago
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Lance *******
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Lance *******
You just go to your embassy fill in the affidavit and your done dont need proof
8 years ago
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Lance *******
No you make copies of everything 2 off . No problem they love paper work
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lance ******
 OK thanks. I have read they didnt allow a copy, I guess its who you get on the day...
8 years ago
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Lance *******
You only need one stat dec then copy it for each license
8 years ago
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Lance *******
You still dont have to show anything
8 years ago
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Cookie ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks yes that is an option, however its in Bangkok, plus it is quite expensive and have to pay for 2 of them...

I say expensive, in comparison to getting it from the Thai immigration which is free or a couple of hundred bahts,compared to 1500 per cert from the embassy...
8 years ago
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Lance *******
If Aussie is the same az NZ that's what i did
8 years ago
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Lance *******
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