Buriram Expats
Buriram Province - General Category => Isaan Motor Forum => Topic started by: fox on March 15, 2011, 01:02:31 PM
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Convert Thai Driving license to International license. Is it possible?
If so, how and where???
ps. Only my Thai driving licence is valid. the other one from my country expired a year ago.
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I know of a few people that have used this company to obtain a International Driving License but I haven't. :-\
http://phuketdir.com/intlicense/ (http://phuketdir.com/intlicense/)
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Hi Fox,
yes it is possible to get an International Drivers License based on a Thai license. All these matter are handled by the FIA in Paris and are devolved to organisations in the different countries.
In Thailand you should contact the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand.
151 Ratchadapisek Road
Bangkhen
Bangkok 10900
Phone (662) 939 5770
Fax (662) 511 2230
Internet www.raat.or.th (http://www.raat.or.th)
Cheers John T.
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Thank you all for your advices but the Phuket one is look like a private company. I need something official. The second link is all in Thai!!! Nothing International in it I think. slapfight
I need urgent advice regarding this matter as I do not think my Thai driving license will be acceptable overseas. whistle or am I wrong? Is there a list of the countries accept THAI LOCAL DRIVING LICENSE? iconurgent
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I know for certain that you can convert a 5 year Thai licence into an International Licence as a lad who recently returned to UK with his Thai missus got one for her.....I'm pretty certain he got it issued at the local office in Chok Chai
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I know for certain that you can convert a 5 year Thai licence into an International Licence as a lad who recently returned to UK with his Thai missus got one for her.....I'm pretty certain he got it issued at the local office in Chok Chai
Chok Chai? Where? ???
What about the Transportation office of Buriram? sawadi
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Just found this.. :)
Thailand
In Thailand, International Driving Permits are issued by the Department of Land Transport (Tel: 0 2272-5322, 0 2272-5416). Applicants must possess a Thai driver's licence for at least one year to be eligible to apply.
The following are required for application:
Valid passport
Work permit
Thai Non-Immigrant Visa
Residency declaration
2 photos size 2.5"
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My mate Mr Google also told me....
INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE An international driver's license is accepted in Thailand as long as its valid normally 12 months. A foreign license holds no weight here. If you decide to stay in Thailand you should obtain a Thai license. You need to have a current Thai license to obtain Thai International license after holding for 1 year.
Some Insurance companies will put in fine print in Thai that you must be the holder of a CURRENT DRIVERS LICENSE which means a THAI DRIVERS' LICENSE not an international to claim insurance if you have an accident. To obtain an International license you must take documents to the Vehicle Registration Division of the Communication Transport Agency (opposite Chatuchak Park), Poholythin Rd, Bangkok, Tel: (02) 272-3615. Application can also be made at the Vehicle Registration Office in Chiang Mai located on Chiangmai-Hangdong Rd. tel (053) 270-411 as well as other registered Centres. Allow one month for issuance & mail delivery from Bangkok.
Firstly, you must apply for your Thai driving license in the province that you live in. For example, if you live in Sukhothai province, do not apply in Bangkok or Chiangmai. Most registration Offices have English speaking staff. Local province offices cannot issue International Driving licenses as you need some English expertise to do the translation. We have just been told you cannot create an international driving license from your Thai one until you have held it for at least a year? this may not be the case in your Province though. What you need:
1. Affidavit of residence executed at your Embassy or Consulate. English translation is OK.
2. Thai Driver's license which has been renewed for the second year.
3. Work Permit.
4. 2 photos size 1 1/2" X 21/2"
5. Copy of Passport & visa page
6 fee in baht. USA = 505 baht.? may be subject to change.
http://www.chiangmailaw.com/thaidriving.htm (http://www.chiangmailaw.com/thaidriving.htm)
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See location of Department of Land Transport Head Office in Bangkok below:
*Are you sure it can't it be done localy in Buriram?!...
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=land+transportation+office&aq=&sll=13.804408,100.55151&sspn=0.068848,0.109692&ie=UTF8&rq=1&ev=zi&radius=4.41&split=1&hq=land+transportation+office&hnear=&ll=13.796198,100.554971&spn=0.008606,0.013711&z=14&iwloc=A&cid=8022016977379055276&output=embed (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&q=land+transportation+office&aq=&sll=13.804408,100.55151&sspn=0.068848,0.109692&ie=UTF8&rq=1&ev=zi&radius=4.41&split=1&hq=land+transportation+office&hnear=&ll=13.796198,100.554971&spn=0.008606,0.013711&z=14&iwloc=A&cid=8022016977379055276&output=embed)
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You cannot obtain this licence whilst you are holding a 'Temporary' Thai Driving Licence.It will only be issued to holders of the full driving licenece which is valid for 5 years
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Hi Bums
Check this out ~~~
http://phuketdir.com/intlicense/ (http://phuketdir.com/intlicense/)
TBWG sawadi
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Hi Bums
Check this out ~~~
http://phuketdir.com/intlicense/ (http://phuketdir.com/intlicense/)
TBWG sawadi
Post # 2 TBWG..... party15
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My mate Mr Google also told me....
INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE An international driver's license is accepted in Thailand as long as its valid normally 12 months. A foreign license holds no weight here.
I would disagree with your friend Mr Google.
My personal experience and not from Internet quotes, is the average Thai Policeman has no idea what an International Driving License(IDL) is. Its not in Thai and they cannot read them. They do however accept an EU/US driving licence and some will even praised you for having one because they know they are not easy to obtain. There are many companies worldwide producing IDL that are not worth the paper they are printed on.
I am not saying the above information is legally correct, I am just stating what happens in THE REAL WORLD as opposed to the VIRTUAL WORLD in Thailand.
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My expired International Driving Permit issued in UK was written in Thai....You had to pay for each country you wished to drive in
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We are talking about driving in Europe with Thai driving license and I don't think it is possible to do with Thai driving license so I shall issue an International driving license in Thailand that I can use in Europe with no problems from Police or Insurance in the event of accident (touch wood).
I will go Bangkok head office to do it as I think it is more reliable than the Phuket company (or maybe I am wrong but never mind).
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We are talking about driving in Europe with Thai driving license and I don't think it is possible to do with Thai driving license so I shall issue an International driving license in Thailand that I can use in Europe with no problems from Police or Insurance in the event of accident (touch wood).
I will go Bangkok head office to do it as I think it is more reliable than the Phuket company (or maybe I am wrong but never mind).
You don't have to go to BKK to do it!!!
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My mate Mr Google also told me....
INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE An international driver's license is accepted in Thailand as long as its valid normally 12 months. A foreign license holds no weight here.
I would disagree with your friend Mr Google.
My personal experience and not from Internet quotes, is the average Thai Policeman has no idea what an International Driving License(IDL) is. Its not in Thai and they cannot read them. They do however accept an EU/US driving licence and some will even praised you for having one because they know they are not easy to obtain. There are many companies worldwide producing IDL that are not worth the paper they are printed on.
I am not saying the above information is legally correct, I am just stating what happens in THE REAL WORLD as opposed to the VIRTUAL WORLD in Thailand.
Google is quite correct. An EU or US licence are totally useless if you get stopped by a copper who knows what it is. I have been in a car when a friend produced one. It was rejected.
You can get away with it if the policeman is not aware of what it is and can't be bothered to ask, I once got away with my old pink paper driving licence.
If you are involved in an accident or are stopped for a trafficing offence then you will most likely end up in trouble.
I know the original thread was about international licences and this is slightly off topic but Thai licences are so easy to get. So why not get one?
By the way the office in Buriram don't even require a "proof of residence" from immigration in Khorat.
Not sure about first timers but I do know that five year licences can be applied for in any Province regardless of where you live.
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My mate Mr Google also told me....
INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE An international driver's license is accepted in Thailand as long as its valid normally 12 months. A foreign license holds no weight here.
I would disagree with your friend Mr Google.
My personal experience and not from Internet quotes, is the average Thai Policeman has no idea what an International Driving License(IDL) is. Its not in Thai and they cannot read them. They do however accept an EU/US driving licence and some will even praised you for having one because they know they are not easy to obtain. There are many companies worldwide producing IDL that are not worth the paper they are printed on.
I am not saying the above information is legally correct, I am just stating what happens in THE REAL WORLD as opposed to the VIRTUAL WORLD in Thailand.
Google is quite correct. An EU or US licence are totally useless if you get stopped by a copper who knows what it is. I have been in a car when a friend produced one. It was rejected.
You can get away with it if the policeman is not aware of what it is and can't be bothered to ask, I once got away with my old pink paper driving licence.
I have been stopped many times and had IDL refused but the B.I.B. were happy with an EU liscence. I do agree, its much better to go for a Thai DL (I have got 2 BTW)
Maybe, you get stopped by a higher class of policeman than me, Steve!
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The issue of coverting Thai driving license to International driving license is very interesting and I shall issue one by myself.
I will do it soon and as always,I will give you FULL REPORT!
*Fox, Don't forget to report about your experience! wave1
sawadi
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Hi Fox,
sorry if my info didn't fit. I took guidance from the Royal Automobile Club hand book which says the Thai RAC are the issuing body, as they are in many countries. The FIA ( Federation Internationale Automobile) are the authorising body for ALL motoring and motorsport licenses of an international type. Not in Thailand it would appear brick1 TIT bike037
Regards,
John
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Hi Fox,
sorry if my info didn't fit. I took guidance from the Royal Automobile Club hand book which says the Thai RAC are the issuing body, as they are in many countries. The FIA ( Federation Internationale Automobile) are the authorising body for ALL motoring and motorsport licenses of an international type. Not in Thailand it would appear brick1 TIT bike037
Regards,
John
Hi John the Traveller,
sorry for the late reply, I went to the local buriram transportation office but I found it too difficult to explain, never mind yesterday I had to go bangkok so I did it there in the head office in Bangkok, it was surprisingly fast and straight forward process, cost me only 505 baht. spot1
Thank you all for your kind advices. party4
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Hi Fox,
I am glad you have it sorted out and for not a lot of money thumbup
Happy motoring party6
Cheers,
John
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Head Office of Land Transportation in located in Bangkok, Not far away from Mo Chit BTS station (See google map above), You can just take a Taxi Meter directly from Mo Chit Bus-Station to there because it will be the same trip cost (50~ Baht).
You will need to go to Building number 4.(Numbers on buildings are in Thai language).
Stand in the reception line, get a number and the waiting list for this service is shorter than the other so don't worry to much about waiting, I will give max 1 hour (Judging from my experience there in a busy day), I got my International Driving Licence within 15 minutes only.
Cost: 505 Baht.
Good luck to all. sawadi
Land Transportation International Driving License Head office Bangkok Thailand.mkv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR7FocWaRek#)
Mo Chit BTS station near Land Transportation head office Bangkok Thailand.mkv (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcYIg5sxn6o#)
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Another excellent and informative post Admin bravo1
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Another excellent and informative post Admin bravo1
Thanks. love5
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Sorry - no offense to anyone, but that must be REAL SCARY !!!
-Chris.
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What is scary??
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I have an international driving permit issued from Surin Land transport office. All you need is a 5 year Thai licence ( not a temporary 1 year) and a letter of residence from Korat immigration. 505 Baht cost and it is done in about 15 minutes. However i have since found out that most ( possibly all) countries I have since travelled to ie US Australia Malaysia Singapore and New Zealand accept Thai licences because they are now in English. You only need an international permit if your licence is not in English and all it actually is, is a translation of your non-english licence. Any tourist to these countries who are not living there permanently need nothing other than their Thai licence. It would appear that IDP's are no longer necessary. Strangely, the last car I rented in Ubon Ratchathani through Budget a month ago, actually insisted on my overseas licence and would not accept my Thai licence or IDP at all. Go figure.
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Sorry - no offense to anyone, but that must be REAL SCARY !!!
-Chris.
Have you posted on the wrong post?
Nothing scary here mate!
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Sorry - no offense to anyone, but that must be REAL SCARY !!!
-Chris.
Have you posted on the wrong post?
Nothing scary here mate!
Perhaps he was dreaming judging by the time of posting!
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I have an international driving permit issued from Surin Land transport office. All you need is a 5 year Thai licence ( not a temporary 1 year) and a letter of residence from Korat immigration. 505 Baht cost and it is done in about 15 minutes. However i have since found out that most ( possibly all) countries I have since travelled to ie US Australia Malaysia Singapore and New Zealand accept Thai licences because they are now in English. You only need an international permit if your licence is not in English and all it actually is, is a translation of your non-english licence. Any tourist to these countries who are not living there permanently need nothing other than their Thai licence. It would appear that IDP's are no longer necessary. Strangely, the last car I rented in Ubon Ratchathani through Budget a month ago, actually insisted on my overseas licence and would not accept my Thai licence or IDP at all. Go figure.
In the UK a Thai 5 year licence is only valid for the first 3 months of the stay,which is why my mate got his Thai wife an International one on his recent trip here
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Hi, my wife has a 5 year full thai licence and we got her a international driving permit from the Buriram transport office, she can drive on that and is insured through my car insurance for a 12 month period in the uk, after the 12 month period she must take the full uk driving test, but as we go back to buriram every 6 months to see the family she just keeps re-newing her international permit and she is good to go then for another 12 months and no uk test.