Conrad65

I'm on Samui with non o retirement visa. I've had recent experience with registering (on Samui) three vehicles. 1. Big bike purchased & registered in Bangkok under Thai friend's name (as I was originally visa exempt short stay visitor) and shipped to Samui - transferred after a couple of years to my name and registered on Samui. Was advised by traffic dept. in Lipa Noi that I needed to go to Surat Thani provincial head office and requires two visits (application request/test and new plate collection). Instead I paid an agent at entrance to traffic dept. in Lipa Noi ThB 7,000 to complete all paperwork. 2. Car purchased from owner in Nakhon Thammarat - again Samui traffic dept. advised me to go to Surat Thani to complete transfer process, as it transpired that the car was registered by the owner in Bangkok. Instead I paid the same agent ThB 7,000 and waited two weeks to complete everything on Samui. 3. Scooter purchased from local shop on Samui. All paperwork handled by dealer (red plate, white plate, etc.) and included in purchase price. No need to visit traffic dept. My personal advice is buy local on Samui (new or secondhand) and if buying second hand ensure it's already registered to a Samui address. All you need to complete the registration is TM 30, residence certificate from immigration, house book, passport and a few passport type photos. And, if second hand privately then a visit to Lipa Noi traffic department. It seems anything purchased/registered outside of Samui requires either a trip to Surat Thani provincial head traffic dept. or use of an agent to facilitate the transfer. Travelling to Surat Thani, staying five days, etc. is going to be more expensive than using the agent!

I had same experience with lady IO on arrival visa exempt ten days ago at BKK international. First asked if I had visa, and I explained no as I will enter visa exempt. Thereafter careful examination of passport with recent entry stamp and extensions (extended because was unable to get Non O at Samui immigration as per my posts elsewhere). Then asked how long I planned to stay - answered 30 days. I was not asked to provide evidence of funds or onward flight. The above was handled very politely by IO and is standard line of questioning in most countries, especially if you have a recent history of visits and extensions. In the past I've even been stopped by UK immigration (I'm a UK national) and asked how long I was planning to stay (I've resided overseas all my adult life).

Same issue (and refusal) at Samui immigration on three separate visits over last six months (despite showing +ThB 800k in bank, etc.). Last visit was five days ago. and it was very clearly explained to me by lady on small counter at entrance upstairs on left side that I must apply via Thai embassy. Each visit was with native Thai speaker, so there were no misunderstandings. I'm using local agent instead now. On Samui 90 day Non 0 requirements using agent vary depending on individual circumstances. Starting point is must have more than 15 days remaining on permission to stay (visa, visa exempt, etc.). OP: please feel welcome to PM me if you want detailed requirements that met my personal circumstances and agent details (contact & cost).

Could you post the link to the visa application at the London embassy...I'd like to make an application. Thanks.

Any users familiar with Samui procedures and able to advise please let me know. Thanks.

Shipped 30 cbm of household domestic goods (furniture, clothes, electrical items, bicycles, etc.) last month from the middle east to Thailand using AGS (they have branches globally including Thailand). The advantage with using AGS was I only dealt with one shipping and clearing entity. Having read some advice elsewhere on this forum and other users previous experiences I was concerned about customs treatment here. Total fees in incurred in Thailand ThB 36,000 (customs clearance, demurrage, etc.). Door-to-door service from country of origin to Samui. I was present when the truck arrived and was unloaded on Samui. Not a single box (of 140) had been opened. Declared value was done by AGS at country of origin and passed on to AGS Thailand - I think it was around USD 10,000. This was substantially less than the actual value. I did not insure the items as my understanding was that customs may use this as a baseline number to determine values. I'm on a tourist visa currently. To get duty free entitlement a work visa is required. But, when I looked in to declared values and how customs here determine what's duty/tax free it didn't seem to make much difference. Anyway, I was surprised and very happy to witness all 140 boxes unloaded and installed in to my property on Koh Samui. It could not have been more straight forward and problem free! Unlike my attempts to get a long stay visa ????

I’ve recently extended my 30 day visa exempt for an additional 30 days at Samui immigration - very straight forward, but…..went there today to apply for 90 day non o and was met by a lot of confusion and misdirection ‘No can do’ etc. Am I missing something about what or how to ask or apply? I have 800k in bank, blue house book, etc.

Regarding TM30….what if I’m staying in my own property?

Thanks for the advice ubonjoe & BritTim....will visit Samui Immigration this coming week, after the 18th!

For conversion to Non O (90 days) will I be out of time after 18 April? I've read reference to applying no less than 15 days prior to end of stay (I arrived 01 April visa exempt 30 days)?

Understood, thanks for shedding light on subject.

Great, thanks....that gives me sufficient time in Thailand for now. I'm also considering a conversion to Non immigrant with 90 day stay.

Thanks - I think that's what I had in mind (convert to Non Immigrant visa with an additional 90 days). I'll have sufficient funds deposited in three days' time and showing as coming from out of country. Would you know if Immigration (Samui) will be open over Songkran? I understand I need to request the conversion max 15 days prior to end of 30 day visa exempt period, so it might be tight if there's govt. holiday and closures.

Dear Forum Members, I'm UK passport holder and entered Thailand on 30 Day visa exempt on April 1st. Can I apply for a 90 day day extension at my local immigration office (Samui), or do I need to do a 30 day extension first? And, if possible to do 90 day extension what are the requirements/documents to be submitted? My original intention was to apply for retirement Non 0, but I need to exit Thailand for three months from mid-July so would rather postpone this until I return in October. Thanks in advance for advise and feedback.

I’m flying with Qatar Airways from Doha today (31st March) and arriving Bangkok April 1st - just to be on safe side have pre-departure PCR test….am assuming requirement for pre-departure test is dropped tomorrow….after waiting so long to travel I’d be gutted to be refused at airport today!