If you do not have a bike license/endorsement you may be ticketed. I think the easy way to think, if you do not have a ‘license’ you could have issues. If you can get an international permit from England for cars and/or bikes, you should be fine, if you can’t, you will be taking a risk.

Thailand doesn’t recognize your insurance as a license.

No one can accurately answer your questions without details. Visa criteria boils down to any or potential combinations of your age, finance, purpose, sponsorship, criminal history and intended duration.

When dealing with Thai immigration, there will be many things ‘they want’. You just have to do it, as stupid as it sometimes seems (wait till doctor sign off part).

It sounds like you’re applying for the non-OA. Mine came through a month after I was in Thailand, 2 months after insurance started. I literally had to reapply and pay again because my name on the application was different than my passport (which they did NOT ask as it appears on your passport).

So, basically do what they ask (book a flight / room you can get a refund) or as already said, come to Thailand, exempt stamp, apply for 90 day non-O and then renew that for one year. Many more in process details but that’s basically the ‘retirement visa’ basics.

@Todd ********

I wouldn't say useless, it made getting a Thai DL super easy.

My only thought for you is use formal shipping/relocation services with proper paperwork. Everything that comes through customs is scrutinized and the potential exists you could be charged import fees by customs for personal items. Dot your I's, cross your T's. I was charged for being mailed a pair of glasses that were 5 years old...small example. 👍

If you’re still in the states get an international permit from somewhere like AAA. That makes getting licensing in Thailand super easy.

@J *****************

and some phones only take eSIM. 😇

@Kace ******

the pay was a side note. The point is a PADI certification is not a degree program or regulated by a certification body. Muay Thai as a somewhat relevant lateral the country of Thailand has a significant interest and is therefore an anomaly. Most of the time something like dive training is a hobby and is ‘recreational’ in construct, not profession. DM is the intro professional level but takes 3 other certifications to even start the approximately one year for DM certification. 👍

@Stéfan *******

I’m aware of that. I mentioned the pay because to some degree DM hours are compensated and was not really the point.

The point was it’s not uncommon for a beginning diver to take a year of diving/certs before getting to the point of even starting a DM program. Understand?

PADI dive certification is likely not qualified for a visa.

Also a hint, too many dive shops use ‘DM interns’ essentially as nearly slave labor, it’s a fairly well known abuse. Buyer beware! 👌