SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[ThaitoUSA 15]

That post inspired me to look up my state's law. I found all documents we need and have made preparations so everything will be ready when she arrives. Thank you for bringing this step to my attention. I also emailed her a document of the driver's manuel. She's printed it and will study it.

I recommend checking your state's website

: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administratio...rol/dlindex.htm

[scandal 951]

Hey to change this thread up does anyone know about getting a Thai drivers license and an international license for their fiance?

Its imperative my girl get an International License before her visa. She checked on this and believes its very easy to get a license in her home town when she goes back to get her "Verification of unmarried status / Bai Rub Rong Sod " She said it takes 1 day and 500b to get. After that she takes the drivers license to Bangkok (where she lives) and then gets a 1 year International license in 5 days.

Does anyone know about this?

I called them to get the information because that is what I will be doing too. They said bring in the driving license that is valid for 5 yrs and passport to their head office near Jatujak Market/Park (JJ/weekend market), that is the only place that do international driving license. The fee is 500 baht and you can get it the same day that you go to do. I do have my new driving license that have both thai and English but it is international driving license.

I am so confused about the different information I am reading. My girl has never driven before and its not necessary for her to learn to drive before she gets here. (I taught my daughter I can teach her) so we just need to have an international license (according to the Texas Department of Public Safety) because she can not obtain a Texas DL until she gets her green card. They said for many people that takes 1.5 - 2 years. The reason this is so important is that she will need to drive (in a limited way) about 3 months after she gets here. I really need her to be 100% legal and insured. I'm worried about grey area issues coming up if she gets into an accident.

As I said in my original post she told me she should be able to get a Thai drivers license "No questions asked" in her home town and then get the international license in Bangkok.

Since that time several people have with their information and some links. In reading through it I'm very confused. I have read that the "NEW" licenses come in Thai and English. Someone else said only a portion is in English. A link I read states if the license is in English it qualifies as an international license. Then there was the post concerning the 1 yr vs. 5 year license. Also the post about needing to have a license for 1 year to qualify for the international license. LOL,,, I'm really not that smart. Can someone spell this out for my situation?

Danny, why do you believe that she will require her green card to get a Texas drivers license?

I live in Illinois, and I don't believe that is true here. I've just done a quick Google search regarding Texas, and suggest you look at the Teas DL Handbook:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

Check out page 10 which describes the original documentation needed to apply for a Texas DL.

a. You will furnish

1) your full name,

2) identification documents. Every original applicant must present:

(a) One piece of Primary Identification; or

(b ) One piece of Secondary Identification plus two or more pieces

of Supporting Identification; or

(c ) Two or more pieces of Secondary Identification.

3) physical description,

4) Social Security card or other acceptable proof of Social Security

number,

So... either a SINGLE primary, OR two secondaries, OR a secondary and two supportings.... from the following list....

Primary Identification includes the following:

1) Valid or expired (less than 2 years) Texas driver license or

identification card;

2) Valid United States Passport, United States Citizenship

(Naturalization) certificate with identifiable photo;

3) Valid United States Immigration and Naturalization

Service document with verified date and identifiable photo;

or

4) United States Military identification card with identifiable

photo of member of a military service.

Right - so she won't have a Primary. The Green card would have been 3) on the Primary list. But.. keep reading....

Secondary Identification includes:

1) Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the

appropriate state Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent

agency;

2) Original or certified copy of a United States Department of

State certification of birth (issued to U.S. citizens born

abroad);

3) Unexpired photo driver license or photo identification card

issued by another state of the United States, a U.S. Territory,

the District of Columbia, or a Canadian province;

4) Original or certified copy of a court order with the name

and date of birth; or

5) For applicants born before 1961, the following items

would be acceptable:

(a) original or certified copy of form DD-214; or

(b ) original or certified copy of other state or federal governmental

record that states the name and date of birth

(such as Social Security records).

So... use 1)... a certified English translation of her Thai birth certificate as a single piece of Secondary Identification

Supporting Identification may include but is not limited to:

1) school records;

2) insurance policy (at least two years old);

3) vehicle title:

4) military records;

5) unexpired military dependent identification card;

6) original or certified copy of marriage license or divorce

decree;

7) voter registration card;

8) Social Security card;

9) pilot’s license;

10) concealed handgun license;

11) Texas driver license temporary receipt;

12) Expired driver license or identification card issued by

another state, territory, District of Columbia, or Canadian

province that is within two years of the expiration date;

13) A foreign passport (with or without a United States Visa);

or

14) A consular document issued by a state or national government.

Two pieces of supporting evidence should also be easy for you. For example, (6) and (8). You'll have your marriage certificate shortly after she enters the US (within 90 days, anyway), and you'll have her Social Security card also within a month or two of POE.

In short, unless you can find some other place where they explicitly require her to be a Permanent Resident (Green card) holder, I don't see anything here that requires that. You should be good to go with just her SSN card, Birth certificate and marriage certificate, and she can get a Texas DL. Perhaps what you were confusing was the need to have her SSN card, not her green card. You absolutely DO need her SSN card to get a DL. But you'll get the SSN quickly, probably before you even get married.

The rules in Illinois are similar and I suspect they are across the 50 states

[Danno2 0]

Thank you. I found this on the website and it pretty much corroborates what they told me when I called them a few months ago. This is the requirements as it pertains to our situation.

United States Citizenship Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization with identifiable photo

( N-560, N-561, N-645, N-550, N-55G, N-570 or N-578)

Unexpired Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) or US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services document issued for a period of at least one year and must be valid for no less than six (6) months from the date presented to the department with a completed application. The document must contain verifiable data and identifiable photo, specifically:

US Citizen Identification Card

(I-179 or I-197)

Resident Alien Card (I-551)

Temporary Resident Identification Card (I-688)

Employment Authorization Card

(I-688A, I-688B or I-766)

A Foreign Passport with a visa (valid or expired) and:

Form I-94 with status code F1, F2, M1, or M2, an unexpired Form I-20, and evidence of current enrollment in an educational institution located in Texas or sponsorship in a visiting worker program or,

Form I-94 with status code J-1 or J-2 and an unexpired Form IAP-66 or Form DS-2019 or,

Unexpired Form I-94 with a defined expiration date: Form I-94 must have been issued for a period of at least one year and have at least six months validity remaining.

[Danno2 0]

In short, unless you can find some other place where they explicitly require her to be a Permanent Resident (Green card) holder, I don't see anything here that requires that. You should be good to go with just her SSN card, Birth certificate and marriage certificate, and she can get a Texas DL. Perhaps what you were confusing was the need to have her SSN card, not her green card. You absolutely DO need her SSN card to get a DL. But you'll get the SSN quickly, probably before you even get married.

The rules in Illinois are similar and I suspect they are across the 50 states

Thanks for looking up at all of that! I did not indicate to the state trooper I spoke with that I was getting married so that could very well be the missing link. I will call back Monday and check. Wow wouldn't that be great to get that whole mess checked off my post NOA2 list.

[HYENA 4]

My Valentines day

I had an OK VD except my gifts backfired completely...really badly! I posted on Thaivisa but apparently you're barred from criticizing anyone, even scamsters if they advertise on the website..giving them an endless supply of victims while being assured the moderators will delete and warn any posts even if it's a blatant scam. I'm very disappointed in thaivisa. I guess I'll test the waters here and see if I'm allowed to let others know what happened on my V-day.

FOREVER FLORIST BANGKOK, THAILAND

1. I ordered a flower vase and a fruit basket

2. Confirmation email showed 2 identical flower orders

3. I contacted Nittaya by phone...phone went dead

4. Immediately emailed saying "answer your phone please there's been a mistake," I didn't order 2 flowers, etc

5. Called back and left a phone message and immediately got an email response (funny how that works) claiming their "call center is closed" little shop it is, what "call center"? Her email maintained I ordered 2 identical flowers so I copied my pay pal receipt proving I ordered 1 fruit 1 flower

6. I email again asking who in their right mind would send 2 identical orders, she emails back maintaining I ordered 2 identical flowers. I demand to speak to her show her the payment amounts (different amounts can't be identical orders)

7. email "sorry but your order has gone out" so I ordered another fruit basket asking her to combine flowers to one so it wouldn't look stupid realizing she's going to do what she wants anyway (only in Thailand)

8. duplicate orders of DEAD...BONE DEAD FLOWERS ARRIVED (I have photos) with degrading message (no kidding), incorrect spelling of recipient's name and message was written "down" to the recipient, if you know what I mean (nothing like I ordered)

9. Receive email saying fruit cannot be delivered until the 16th (this was Valentines day, the 14th) giving me only 1 hour to cancel order. I was 7 minutes late to my computer (mind you, calling and leaving many messages beggint to speak to her since I knew she could hear them)

10. I send email, call telling of the dead flowers (which was completely ignored despite their "24 hour service"...scammed again, I think) and threaten a payment dispute (ignored)

11. They took pictures of dead flowers and since I'm not in Thailand (and I don't tolerate this BS) and since neither PayPal or Visa tolerates this BS/childish games, either I filed a dispute (which means pay pal yanks the money back and waits for proof). yes, I've got 48 certifiably DEAD flowers and a degrading message for proof (OK, to be honest, 3 out of 48 flowers were OK) and these were not cheap!

12. Once the money was pulled back pending review, Nittaya instantaneously emails me calls me a fraudster still refusing to look at the pay pal receipt showing my original order (1 flower 1 fruit). Suddenly her "call center" is opened and calls my fiancee (Valentines/Birthday party going on...all are shocked at the dead flowers, vindictive message) and she wants to take them back, rushes a driver over (I told her we were taking pics of her dead flowers and posting on the internet) the driver is also shocked...they're really dead flowers, he said! "No wonder you're not happy, look at them" got a good laugh for the other 7 people there (I was attending via webcam...best I can do).

I post this on thaivisa where I found these clowns, post is deleted no one tells me why so I post againtrying to warn others and prevent losing money and spoiling their occasion then I get a message telling me to contact the company if I have any problems, I'm not allowed to pose about sponsors (read 1-12 above...that's what I was doing all night for 8 hours, trying to prevent a preventable error with these idiots)...anyway, I'm shocked at thaivisa for blind support and censorship, unhappy that forever florist messed up a good surprise and turned it into a headache by choice screwing up a gift (not to mention their vindictive behavior). Forgot to mentionl thaivisa forum rules say nothing about mentioning sponsors if they're of ill repute so I guess there are unwritten rules there, as well.

In the end, my fiancee and i were able to communicate better than we ever had....ever! I learned sooo much that had been misunderstood neither of us had a clue and ironed out major problems which turned out to be nonexistent only due to misunderstandings of words, terms, meanings...I had no idea her command of language was completely separate from her comprehension leaving her to say some things.....anyway; things are great. I'm happy in the end! I hope all of you had a nice V-day as well!

That was my Vday!

Edited February 16, 2009 by HYENA

[AaronLV 12]

I myself do have the license that have both written in Thai and English and valid for 5 years.

You must have already had a license for 1 year prior to getting the 5 year Thai license. They will not issue a 5 year license until you have had a 1 year license.

[AaronLV 12]

I used these people quite a bit, and never a problem: http://www.flowerbangkok.com/ They are also cheaper then most any of the other flower shops I found. The flowers had always arrived on time and looked great.

[scandal 951]

My Valentines day

I had an OK VD except my gifts backfired completely...really badly! I posted on Thaivisa but apparently you're barred from criticizing anyone, even scamsters if they advertise on the website..giving them an endless supply of victims while being assured the moderators will delete and warn any posts even if it's a blatant scam. I'm very disappointed in thaivisa. I guess I'll test the waters here and see if I'm allowed to let others know what happened on my V-day.

FOREVER FLORIST BANGKOK, THAILAND

....

In the end, my fiancee and i were able to communicate better than we ever had....ever! I learned sooo much that had been misunderstood neither of us had a clue and ironed out major problems which turned out to be nonexistent only due to misunderstandings of words, terms, meanings...I had no idea her command of language was completely separate from her comprehension leaving her to say some things.....anyway; things are great. I'm happy in the end! I hope all of you had a nice V-day as well!

That was my Vday!

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with Forever Florist.

I've used them in the past, happily, and I used them again this year, again happily.

This year, I ordered my flowers for my honey on Feb 8. I paid with Visa card.

The flowers were delivered, fresh and lovely, at 8:30AM Saturday morning Feb 14, Bangkok time.

The card was hand-lettered and was verbatim letter-for-letter what I had requested be written on the card (*)

I was billed correctly for the correct amount

I received a courteous email confirmation today, Feb 15, from Forever Florist following yesterday's delivery. Of course, by that time I had already seen the flowers myself on webcam with my honey.

I'm glad to hear that you and your fiancee are getting along better and have sorted out the communications issues. Good luck!

(*) Well, almost verbatim. They added the phrase "Prod name' at the bottom, not sure what inspired them to do that. See attached photo.

Edited February 16, 2009 by uscandual

[scandal 951]

Here's a pic of the flowers themselves, clearly a lovely bouquet.

(Oh, and of course, my lovely honey too....)

[HYENA 4]

I used these people quite a bit, and never a problem: http://www.flowerbangkok.com/ They are also cheaper then most any of the other flower shops I found. The flowers had always arrived on time and looked great.

Thanks for the info and kind message...I had forgotten who the cheaper alternative was when I read about another experience similar to mine (this guy ordered one of the most expensive items they had...huge bouquet and got a completely different graduation teddy bear item with 3 flowers instead). His post was deleted but it was my mistake not to try to find an alternative since I used them Chrismas and all went quite well.

I certainly will never deal with them again since it's a gamble and could happen to anyone...perfect service or pay backs; all depends on the roll of the dice.

Oh well, she wanted to get me back for trying to prevent the mistake and she got me back good; my fiancee got nothing but a headache on the day of her birthday/Valentines day. It just bugs me I had a full 8 hours to prevent it and I could not no matter how much I tried to get them to see; their mind was made up and each time I tried to get them to log into the pay pal description clearly showing 2 diff amounts and diff item descriptions, only revenge plots thickened.

Never again. Hopefully if I can get my NOA2, I won't have to bother. I did get a lecture about spending money, though (she's frugal). She told me flowers die...save money for 3 flower orders and buy gold...gold you can sell while flowers die. Makes sense.

[rin and john 71]

I used these people quite a bit, and never a problem: http://www.flowerbangkok.com/ They are also cheaper then most any of the other flower shops I found. The flowers had always arrived on time and looked great.

Thanks for the info and kind message...I had forgotten who the cheaper alternative was when I read about another experience similar to mine (this guy ordered one of the most expensive items they had...huge bouquet and got a completely different graduation teddy bear item with 3 flowers instead). His post was deleted but it was my mistake not to try to find an alternative since I used them Chrismas and all went quite well.

I certainly will never deal with them again since it's a gamble and could happen to anyone...perfect service or pay backs; all depends on the roll of the dice.

Oh well, she wanted to get me back for trying to prevent the mistake and she got me back good; my fiancee got nothing but a headache on the day of her birthday/Valentines day. It just bugs me I had a full 8 hours to prevent it and I could not no matter how much I tried to get them to see; their mind was made up and each time I tried to get them to log into the pay pal description clearly showing 2 diff amounts and diff item descriptions, only revenge plots thickened.

Never again. Hopefully if I can get my NOA2, I won't have to bother. I did get a lecture about spending money, though (she's frugal). She told me flowers die...save money for 3 flower orders and buy gold...gold you can sell while flowers die. Makes sense.

Seems to be the Thai way. The individual you wanted to fix the problem was most likely the person at fault. In Thailand, a lot of businesses will deduct the cost of the mistake from the pay of the one who made the mistake. If it would have been someone else's mistake, the lady you spoke with would have fixed the problem right away. One time Rin and I were at a restaurant in Bangkok and I clearly ordered pork ribs. The waitress brought out pork chops. I wanted to send them back (as I would have in the USA), but Rin wanted me to keep them as the waitress would be required to pay for the mistake if she took them back to the kitchen. It would have cost the waitress 2 to 3 days wages for the mistake. I ate the pork chops!

[cheryl & jim 0]

I am picking up my visa on Feb. 24th...woohhoooo!!!

[AaronLV 12]

I am picking up my visa on Feb. 24th...woohhoooo!!!

Congrats. We fly out of BKK tomorrow

[cheryl & jim 0]

Thanks. Have a safe and smooth trip. I will be flying with my honey hopefully on April 1st....hope not too cold anymore for me when I get to the US

[AaronLV 12]

Thanks. Have a safe and smooth trip. I will be flying with my honey hopefully on April 1st....hope not too cold anymore for me when I get to the US

It all depends where you are going. I am sure Nam is going to freeze for at least the next month. we went to platinum to get some warm clothes for her, the quality on the winter clothes wasn't very good for the price. So I told her I would take her shopping first thing Friday morning to get her warm clothes. She freezes when it drops below 70 here in BKK, and at night in Vegas it gets down to the 40's & 50's.