Licence renewal

[Ray.Charles]

My one-year licence expires this Saturday. My lady went to AEK and asked what documents would I need for renewal. She was told that in addition to the 100 baht medical certificate, I would also need a letter from the immigration like the one I got from them an year ago to get my present licence (original one-year). Is this correct? If it is, do I first go to the purple palace to get a letter to take to the immigration and then the immigration issues a letter to take back to AEK?
By the way, I got a new passport since the time I got my licence an year ago.

[BobHelm]

I believe Immigration just fill in a pro-forma letter that you need to obtain from the Licensing Authority. It is, basically, proof of address - hence people who have the 'yellow book' use that in place of this letter.

[trubrit]

Two warning bells ringing here.
a)Make sure your visa has been transferred to your new passport.
b)Have you had your lady notify Imm of your resident address ?
If you have done both its quite straight forward as Bob said .

[Ray.Charles]

Its a new visa on the new passport because I was in the States when my visa expired and the passport was to expire in less than an year. I will carry both the new and the old passport.
I do not have a Yellow Book...tried but was unsuccessful.
Living at the same address.

[Ray.Charles]

I should have added that the immigration has my address as I did my 90-day reporting earlier this month.

[BobHelm]

I don't think you have much a a problem then Ray. Just need the form & a trip to Immigration for them to complete it...

[papaguido]

Ray,

I recall someone posting that the folks at Udon Imm were easier to deal with VS NK imm in regards to the residency letter. Drop by Udon imm and ask you may get lucky and get the letter on the spot.

[trubrit]

I should have added that the immigration has my address as I did my 90-day reporting earlier this month.

Ray , be careful. The ninety day is not the same as the householder registering your residency and it does not replace the obligation for her to do so. Check carefully as there can be a substantial fine involved as well as a lot of running about .
I am sure Bob could post a link to the subject if you are at all unsure .

[Ray.Charles]

I followed papaguido’s advice, and since we live pretty close to the immigration office at the airport, we went there directly. There were lots of staff and only 3 cases including us. The guy, transferred up from Sonkhla 2 days ago, was more than helpful. He himself filled out half the form that I needed for the licence office. We shook hands when done. I thought that I was on a different planet; this also is TIT. On to the AEK centre: Got the medical for 100 Baht. Down to the licence office: in 5 minutes I had my 5-yr licence. But wait; it had my old passport # on it. No problem; they made out another one with the new passport #. Today was a good day; so went to thank papaguido at 652. Some things had to go wrong; he wasn’t there and no hamburger because the cook wasn’t there.

[pienmash]

Did you have to do a colour blind test and/or a speed /braking test Ray ? i was at the licence office earlier this week and did the afor mentioned plus watched a "how not to drive" movie , end result the same a 5 yr car and mbike licence renewed - i think the goal posts must move depending on what day of the week you go there, anyway pleased you got sorted.

[papaguido]

I followed papaguido’s advice, and since we live pretty close to the immigration office at the airport, we went there directly. There were lots of staff and only 3 cases including us. The guy, transferred up from Sonkhla 2 days ago, was more than helpful. He himself filled out half the form that I needed for the licence office. We shook hands when done. I thought that I was on a different planet; this also is TIT. On to the AEK centre: Got the medical for 100 Baht. Down to the licence office: in 5 minutes I had my 5-yr licence. But wait; it had my old passport # on it. No problem; they made out another one with the new passport #. Today was a good day; so went to thank papaguido at 652. Some things had to go wrong; he wasn’t there and no hamburger because the cook wasn’t there.

Glad everything worked out for you.

I've been AWOL from 652. Haven't had the time and I sure miss my burgers

[Ray.Charles]

No test for me, other than the blood pressure check upstairs. The AEK office is too small to do anything more than to collect the documents and take a photo to be laminated into the passport.

[rickfarang]

So...looking for a consensus here: If you renew at the Purple Palace, you might have to go through the reaction time and color blindness test, but if you renew at AEK, you can avoid all that.

What do you say?

[Ray.Charles]

That is correct, at least in this thread.
By the way, I also noticed that the 5 yr licence is actualy a 5+ year licence. It is 5 year plus until your next birthday.
Makes it easier to remember also.

[pienmash]

So...looking for a consensus here: If you renew at the Purple Palace, you might have to go through the reaction time and color blindness test, but if you renew at AEK, you can avoid all that.

What do you say?

Yip must agree , when your time to renew comes wherever you do it just allow all day , chill remain calm and all will turn out fine.
Im pleased i did the colourblind test just ask the girl i nearly ran over when the lights were on purple and i also found out my sons been cheatin at black jack for the last 2 years