Thanks for the tip Norton, and the link to your build. Got the yellow book and ID card earlier this year. A saga that almost became the never ending story. If you're interested, here's a copy from an email sent to a friend who was having trouble sleeping. Apparently he nodded off half way through...
On Yuri's recommendation I undertook to obtain a Yellow Book and ID card so I wouldn't need to carry my passport everywhere, with the attendant risk of losing it.
Yuri, who has a good secretarial approach to these matters called the local Amphur and enquired what they required. Pretty straightforward, or so we thought....
Passport & copy, marriage certificate & copy, Thai driver's licence & copy. Letter from Bank and Bank statement. We were told Tuesday's are normally quiet and to come early.
We arrived at 8:30 and took a number just after the doors opened at 9:00. There were two couples in front of us.
Just after 10:00 a clerk we'd dealt with before called Yuri to the counter and explained we'd need a letter from Thai Immigration certifying who I was.
The Amphur would write to Immigration to advise of what they required. So we waited, and waited. Midday came and we were told to come back after lunch - the letter would be ready.
We returned at 1:00 and were called to the counter at 1:30. There was a problem. The copy of my passport wasn't certified, despite having provided them the original. We needed to get it certified.
Fortunately Thai Immigration could do this, so no real problem, just a small quirk to add to the process.
By this stage the Supervisor who was to sign the letter to Thai Immigration had left to attend a meeting and would not be returning for the rest of the day.
We were told to come back any time on Wednesday and the letter would be waiting. Sensing there may be further impediments Yuri called early Wednesday morning, "Was the letter ready?"
Yes, everything was done, come in when you are ready.
We arrived just after 10:00 and were told to wait, the letter was upstairs with the boss for signing. But you told us it was ready. Yes, it is ready, it just needs to be signed.
We were asked where the witnesses and referees were. Yuri explained when she called she was advised they were not necessary because the Amphur wanted to restrict people attending the office to minimise the risk of COVID infections closing the office, all they had to do was sign the forms we were given on Tuesday. No, this was wrong, the Yellow book is a very important document and both the witnesses and referees have to attend in person. A small dispensation, only one referee was required, along with Yuri's mother. Several phone calls later and arrangements were made for them to attend early Thursday morning.
The letter to Thai Immigration was finally presented to us at 3:10 pm. Just enough time for us to get to the Surin Immigration offices before closing.
A quick 35 minute trip to the new office in Surin and we are served straight away, with calm efficiency and good cheers. What a difference, what a relief. My passport copy was stamped and signed. Then to the Bank to get a letter and a copy of my bank statement.
We were good to go. Or so we thought...
Once again we arrived early, presented our paperwork and inquired if everything was in order. Both the witness (Village Chief) and referee (employee of the local Obotor) were interviewed. Yuri's mum signed the forms and I was even asked questions via Yuri: how long had I been in Thailand, what was my address, what did I do? At 11:30 we were told the Yellow book would not be ready until after lunch as there was a problem with the printer. The cable was U/S. Yuri kindly offered to go and buy a replacement. Her offer was accepted and was asked if she could also buy some hand sanitizer. Yes, of course, no problem. We arrived back after lunch @ 1:10 pm and gave the cable and bottles of sanitizer to the Clerk, who we were now on first name terms with. We were told the Boss had left for the afternoon to attend a funeral, and to come back Monday to be certain everything would be complete.
As per usual Yuri called early and spoke with the Clerk. My paperwork was still with the Boss but, "come in anyway as it will be ready by the time you get here." We both agreed we shouldn't hurry.
Sure enough, upon arriving at 10:20 we were told it would not be back from upstairs until later that day, "You should come back after lunch." We went to our now-familiar restaurant for lunch, again!
Finally at 3:10 we received my Yellow book and I had my photo taken for my ID card. The Photographer had seen what we'd gone through and was full of apologies. He was genuinely embarrassed.
We left at 3:45, jubilant and relieved, with Yellow book and ID card in hand, but no reimbursement for the cable and sanitizer!
It makes me shudder when I think of the next time I will need to attend the Amphur.
As a postscript, since obtaining my ID card, both times I've presented it I've been asked for my passport. Oh well, this is Thailand...
Cheers...Greg
G'day again Norton,
Thank you very much for posting the link to your build, and the sub-link to your garden.
You've built a very comfortable and functional house. We hope ours turns out as well as yours.
In particular the redwood flooring and timber soffits - both add to the aesthetic.
When I got my pink ID card I wasn't expecting it to be useful for anything. However, I have since used it a few times, once to board a domestic flight, once at the post office when I presented it with my passport and she just pushed the passport back to me.
I also used it to get my AZ jabs courtesy of the government. I don't know about elsewhere, here it is the only way to get the free jab.
Some people report having used their pink IDs to enter national parks at Thai rates.
Yeah. I have found IPAs just not as refreshing here and after 1 I am done. In the States I can enjoy a few IPAs but never drink them because of the incredible selection of local craft Ale's, Blonde's and Wheat beers.
Our Topps in Lampang has a reasonably good selection of beer. You might want to give BeerLao White a try. Quite good. Oettinger Weissbier is tasty as is Reeper B Goldiges Ale (Golden Ale). All go great with spicy Thai food and of course no ice in them. Save that to water down Leo or Chang...
I have had not seen any value in getting the Pink ID card. I use my Thai Driver license for everything. I never take my passport anywhere with me except for my annual Visa extension process. Even checking into hotels I use my driver license.
I do have a yellow book for the house.
Norton's a bit of a legend on the Forum ... He's been around these parts for many a year.
Also, for inspiration check out JPPR2's thread ... Pool Plans
THEN ... check out ALL these threads here ... https://teakdoor.com/building-in-tha...amous-threads/
That's a lot of reading Dave. Have got to P28 on Thai Dhupp's posts - some great info there. Invaluable for a newbie like me. Will plough on till I get to P128.
We won't be putting a pool in - my Anglo Celtic complexion is allergic to Chlorine and Yuri never used the pool once at the apartment complex we lived in for five years in Brisbane.
So I take it you do not prefer spicy Thai food or that beer doesn't go good with it?
Sorry to hear that. you could do a "Pond" like Mendip has and take a dip.
And SW does do up some good top shelf BBQ's. Greg, you should follow along in the BBQ follies thread I think its called. Lots of good Tomahawks, Rack of lambs, Ribeyes and "Shrimp on the Barbie" shares usually accompanied with good beer, bourbon or Whiskey and lots of banter about it..
You gonna do a built in BBQ or a stand alone?
With me the opposite, cant think of a better way to put out the fire of spicy food than a nice cold beer.
My Pet peeve about the Covid induced ban on alcohol is that I cant have a beer with my spicy Issan food, when out at a restaurant. Would not dream having any at home without a beer.
But then again I am not a beer aficionado. Put it in a can, call it beer and I will drink it
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you have to catch up.
Hi JP,
Love spicy Thai food, especially Yuri's cooking. Usually I find chili wipes out the flavour of the beer so no sense wasting a good beer.
We won't be putting a pool in - my Anglo Celtic complexion is allergic to Chlorine
We may put a small 12 X 20 m pond in once the build is finished. Certainly something we've planned, just need to keep a close watch on the build cost.
You gonna do a built in BBQ or a stand alone?
We haven't got plans for a BBQ / out door kitchen, which will probably cause SW to question my Aussie heritage.
Rest assured Willy, I've got firm plans to explore what happens when I mix yeast, water and barley together with various flavouring additives...
Oh My...... .
How is BeerLao Dark Norts? Never tried it. I keep meaning to buy a few but always forget. I quite like the BeerLao White. Good nose and nice taste. Really good Ice cold right out the pool bar fridge into a chilled mug. No good for Greg though, Its 5.1%.
Getting off the booze and back to the house plans ......
While I agree with david's comments that the main bedroom entrance is wasted space as it stands now, I would alter things in a different way. In the main bathroom, i assume the area partitioned off in the top right is for the toilet ? If so, what is the bit between there and the shower screen for ? where is the vanity going, between the door and the toilet ? that won't leave much room once you allow for access to the door and toilet. If you have ever listened to the home stylists on "The Block" you should never be able to see the toilet directly from the door, perhaps turn that partition for the toilet (if that's what it is) 90 degrees, off the bedroom wall, then you could have the vanity up against it. A quick and very rough Sketchup pic of what I mean :
The original plan looks to be about 3m x 3.5m ? I've moved the wall across 40cm to give just that little bit more room for a closet/dressing table in the bedroom, which also meant moving the bathroom door across too.
Of course if all my suppositions about what's what are wrong, ignore this !
Last edited by mikenot; 30-09-2021 at 08:43 PM. Reason: remembered Teakdoor's photo sizing !
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your input - very much appreciated.
I like your suggestion and will run it past the Boss as the bathrooms and kitchen are under her control. It makes sense to do what you've suggested.
Yuri's sure to like the idea of more closet space (see posts above re clothes / wardrobes). I've always felt the two internal bathrooms were too big, but lost the argument on both. Not even sure a bath makes a lot of sense. Not unless it's big enough for two...
Of course with house input many of us will have some fun with along the way Greg. Like a group talking. I think you have got some great feedback to ponder. I think most of us it's based on " What we would have done differently", at least I know mine are.
When does the project officially begin?
A couple more thoughts.....as previously mentioned the front and back doors are facing each other, which could be bad luck if you or your wife believe in that sort of stuff. Easily solved by swapping the back door's position with the window adjacent. Also, if you moved the kitchen/patio door to a more central spot that would give you more room for kitchen storage. Believe me, you will need far more than you can imagine ! perhaps get rid of that door, and replace the two windows shown next to the door with sliding glass doors ? 200x200cm glass will give you plenty of light into the interior and more wall space in the kitchen area.
Humm, if you have the time, I warmly suggest you have a peruse of this ... An Isaan Pond
Not that I'm against ponds, my partners Family are fish/prawn farmers ... Thailand:- Life on the Farm is kind of relaxed
That does look great ... aesthetically sweet, HOWEVER
The front and rear door align, any luck will blow out of the house.
Has SWMBO approved the Colourbond steel roof? Concrete tiles are more Hi-So (most Thai's believe)
That wide stone path looks a treat (the hues blend beautifully with the roof color), but in the Thai Sun could turn that into a big heatsink
Can't see a carport/garage. Thais like to have them at the front of house.
Give some serious thought to how you connect the carport/garage to your Home.
Not fun doing a dash through a tropical downpour with the arms full of shopping.
I like the idea of the outdoor seated area (brown raised deck, right of photo) but NO Thai is about to go sit in the Sun.
Consider a Sala ...
Traditional
Contemporary ... Designing your Perfect Thai Sala - Thai Garden Design
Have a squiz at this ... Thai Garden Design - The Thai Landscaping Experts
As always ... IMHO
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