I would recommend using an agent for this service (I never use agents normally).
Without an agent unless you are very organised, you will end up back and forth to Bkk.
Someone is recommending one in the thread, it might be worth seeing how much they charge.
We were offered this service when getting our documents translated at the MFA and I refused, I wish I had accepted their offer as it was not a lot of money and would have saved us a lot of time, travel and hassle.
At the district office in Bkk you will also need an interpreter and witness. The agent also organises this.
Whatever you decide, I wish you and your wife lots of happiness.
You need a residence certificate from your immigration office and a note from a doctor to say you are fit to drive (1 to 200 baht). Make an appointment at DLT and do the simple reaction tests. It is very easy. You might need to do the 1 hour online training first, depends on which province you live in. No need for an agent it is very easy if you have the international driving permit. Good luck.
the only difficult part is opening a Thai bank account, you might need an agent to help with that. Then you simply deposit the 800,000 and provide some basic information for immigration. Saves you about 30,000 baht if you do it yourself.
I extended mine again this week and other than waiting an hour in the bank, (someone in front of me was opening an account) it took me 10 minutes to get the letter and statement and then 20 minutes at immigration. The form is 1 x A4 to complete with about 10 questions. You give them copies of all your documents and walk out with your visa extension. It took me the same amount of time last year too. It's so easy, but it's up to you.
I have lived in Thailand for 3 years and have 2 bank accounts in England.
I keep a family members address in England as my address with them.
They can close your account if they suspect you are living abroad and this does happen, even if there is activity on your account.
Both of my banks have suspended my accounts during the period I have been in Thailand, because they were suspicious I was living abroad. Luckily I managed to talk them into keeping the accounts open.
They do not know you are abroad, unless you either tell them or your financial activity makes it obvious.
I did some stupid things like using Western Union several times to transfer money to my account in Thailand (doh!).
Use Wise to transfer money, so they don't know where the money is going and keep quiet about moving abroad and you will be fine.
Make sure you have more than one UK account, so you can transfer your money there if one bank gets awkward.
It's not ideal, but cheaper than paying for an international account.
IMO it's the other way round. Riding a motorcycle is like suicide here as they have the same status on the road as a rat! I have seen multiple accidents, always involving motorcycles and it is always the motorcyclist that has the worst experience (ambulance ride). I have driven 50,000km in my car in Thailand over the past 2 and
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years and have full insurance cover if I ever need it. Thailand roads are easy to drive, even Bangkok is not that bad. I live in Hua Hin and if I want a change of scenery it's easy to drive to Phuket or Krabi for example.