Hua Hin Police Traffic Stops

[Roel]

Is this not because of the nationwide '7 days of danger' campaign? If I remember correctly they do this every year around New Year.

[J.J.B.]

I was also told I needed the medical document as well as I document I can get from the police station that proves I actually live where I say I live. Did you not have to provide this proof of address ?

The medical document, I simply found a doctor in Pranburi. He gave me a quick examination/eye test, and for (I think) 100 Baht he issued the letter. He only charged my son 60 baht a few weeks earlier.

Yes, you have to go to Hua Hin immigration to obtain a proof of residency letter - that just cost a couple of hundred Baht.

So just to be clear, BB, even though I have a house here with my Blue Book and all, I would still need something showing proof of residency or does the Blue Book confer that? I'm not resident here, I'm not entirely sure I'm 'resident' anywhere come to that or know how an could prove it...

[Takiap]

On a slightly different note........... The elderly Thai man that delivers drinking water to us has just been here about five minutes ago, and he has warned us that as from the 1st of January a special licence is need for a saamlor (bike with sidecar). This is not a special driving licence. It the vehicle licence. So, for those of you who have one of these "Thai Pickups", you need to get the proper licence before the 1st of January, or else you're going to be fined and/or arrested. Our water delivery man reckons the police will arrest anyone without the correct licence, but personally I can't see them actually arresting 20 million people. Where on earth will thy house us all. Nevertheless, it is going to be a great money making opportunity. Maybe this new law has been passed as a kind of "end of the year" reward for the MIB.

What amazes me is that none of my extended family have heard anything or seen anything about this on the news. Fortunately, the MIB that operate the traffic lights outside the school our kids attend told our water delivery guy to warn me. I guess not the MIB are bad guys after all.

[poosmate]

I think a vehicle registration will be required. This is usually required for new or modified vehicles and takes place locally in Prachuap. I was told some years ago that this type of vehicle could not be registered. This may have changed of course.
Personally I think the registration and rules about lights and braking should be implemented at the least.

[easyas]

They're just getting some pocket money so that they could buy some nice pressies to put in Santa's sock for their kiddies - bless their kind hearts!
I was pulled over on the Pala U road on Christmas Day itself and asked for licence - a perfectly valid International Driving Licence plus my home licence were both rejected - "400 baht please". I offered him 200 and was about to give him same though the open window when my TGF intervened, took the notes, scrunched them up (also an offence, as I understand it - Lèse majesté!) and offered then out of her door (not the window) just about at door sill level, where they were gratefully accepted.
As I left I couldn't help but laugh at the very fair Thai Police rotation system. There were 4 or 5 cops there and my chappie had to join the queue at the back to wait for his turn to come around again!

[Frank Hovis]

International Licenses can only be used by foreigners for six months, after that you require a Thai driving licence.
Also you should check your car insurance as a lot of them require that the driver holds a valid Thai driving licence.
It's such a simple procedure I don't understand why anyone wouldn't just get one instead of risking the 'I can easily make this guy pay 200 baht because I know he doesn't want to come to the station to explain his International licence' type scenario described above.

[Bristolian]

I agree the process to get a Thai driving licence could not be simpler.

Last week I decided to get my motorcycle licence in Bangkok. I already have a Thai car licence. Having arrived at the Mo Chit offices, armed with international driving permit, passport, work permit and copy of each I was on my way home in less than 40 minutes with licence in hand. All that was additionally required was an eyesight test for colour and peripheral vision and a breaking reaction time test.

It's simply not worth the risk to drive or ride without having a Thai licence and valid insurance.

[Bristolian]

Oh, I forgot that you need a medical certificate which was conveniently obtained from a clinic some 100m away and cost 100 baht.

[barrys]

...So, for those of you who have one of these "Thai Pickups", you need to get the proper licence before the 1st of January, or else you're going to be fined and/or arrested.

Thanks for the heads up Takiab - but that only leaves tomorrow!!!
I can't see any more licences being obtained this year!

[barrys]

Oh, I forgot that you need a medical certificate which was conveniently obtained from a clinic some 100m away and cost 100 baht.

You were robbed!! The going rate in Pranburi is 30 baht, and not a stethoscope in sight!

[Big Boy]

So just to be clear, BB, even though I have a house here with my Blue Book and all, I would still need something showing proof of residency or does the Blue Book confer that? I'm not resident here, I'm not entirely sure I'm 'resident' anywhere come to that or know how an could prove it...

Is your name on the Blue Book? If it is, then I don't know the correct answer, but I would guess it would be OK. Having said that, most people just nip up to immigration, and get a letter - it's neither difficult nor expensive.

If your name isn't on the Blue Book, take the named person with you to immigration, and they will vouch for you, confirming that you live at that address.

[jumusman]

I have a friend in Pattaya that only has a Thai vehicle license that he used to show when getting pulled over by the police. Last week they told him that was not good enough because its not a motorcycle license and fined him 400 baht. He went and got his motorcycle license too and now carries both. It's unfortunate about the sidecar.. I guess they will try anything to make extra money..

Just headed out to Wat Huay Mongkol in a few minutes with my Thai lady. I wonder if I can make it 6 days in a row for getting stopped.

I did see 2 British tourists yesterday over by Soi 88 on rented bikes. Their helmets were hanging off the sides of their bikes. I politely mentioned about how strict they were with the helmet laws here and they would get fined if they were caught. They acted surprised which in a way makes sense to me if you see the amount of Thais with no helmets driving around. If you were only on holiday here you would just assume that the laws were extremely relaxed.

Sidenote on getting my Motorcycle license. I had all my paperwork, proof of residence, copies of passport etc but my medical certificate was in English and not Thai. They refused and told me to come back with one written in Thai. I did the next day, no problem. Well, other than the boring drive from Hua Hin to Pranburi on a bike...

[Big Boy]

You were robbed!! The going rate in Pranburi is 30 baht, and not a stethoscope in sight!

You've obviously got inside information in the Pranburi area.

Mind you, when I had my examination, which was actually quite thorough, the doctor left the room, and a pregnant Thai lady came in and lay on the bed. Another doctor arrived to examine her internally. It was during this cabaret interlude, that the first doctor realised that I hadn't followed him out of the room an he came back to get me.

[jumusman]

So just to be clear, BB, even though I have a house here with my Blue Book and all, I would still need something showing proof of residency or does the Blue Book confer that? I'm not resident here, I'm not entirely sure I'm 'resident' anywhere come to that or know how an could prove it...

Is your name on the Blue Book? If it is, then I don't know the correct answer, but I would guess it would be OK. Having said that, most people just nip up to immigration, and get a letter - it's neither difficult nor expensive.

If your name isn't on the Blue Book, take the named person with you to immigration, and they will vouch for you, confirming that you live at that address.

Here is exactly what I did 3 weeks ago to get my residence letter. I took my 3BB internet bill and True Vision bill in the envelope with my name and address on both and walked into the Police Station and asked them for a proof of residence letter. I had a big smile on my face and was very polite to the lady behind the desk and assured her that I did live here. She smiled and said "no problem" The fee was 1000 baht. It took 15 minutes for someone to type the letter up.

I don't know if this is a good price or I got robbed but I really don't care. Last time I was in immigration it was a 1.5 Hour wait and my time = money, I know not everyone feels the same way though. In the police station there were only 2 people waiting and I walked right up to the counter. The police station location is also allot more conveniently located than immigration for me.

[Big Boy]

The price posted on the wall at immigration is 3 hundred and something Baht. I should think she was smiling.