Ask us about Thailand! - Page 2024

I remember reading some months ago something about not allowing outside taxis at the airport. I had no problems reserving and taking a non airport taxi from bkk airport

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12-17-2014 , 05:04 AM

#50577

soinana

grinder

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 601

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lessu

I think it's the real licence, you just bribe to get it without the tests. I'd just do the tests as the whole process only takes a day. If you have a licence from back home (or international driver's permit), you might not need to complete them. It's also a bit of an experience doing them as the whole process is so different compared to western world.

I did the test a few years ago in Phuket. After that they've made the multiple choice test harder but if you fail, I guess that's where some extra baht might come in handy. Good luck

I am wanting to renew my 5 year driving license for motorbike and car soon. My issue is i no longer have a non immigrant visa and wish to remain on tourist visas. I know there are reports of people getting licenses on tourist visas but the rules are you must have a non immigrant visa. I can't afford to get refused so if anyone has a contact who can sort it for me i would be happy to compensate them. I am in Chiang Mai.

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12-17-2014 , 05:37 AM

#50578

5 south

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6,757

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimmin

got my laptop battery confiscated from my checked luggage at tokyo airport, (they called me in TL and let me know I can pick up but they will not send it to me) so there goes my backup power source, apparently its a 'dangerous good'

Some airlines are also starting to take power banks from handcarry bags.

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12-17-2014 , 06:08 AM

#50579

Lessu

Thailand Guru

Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,069

Quote:

Originally Posted by soinana

Maybe ask on thaivisa? I got mine while on tourist visa as well but no idea what the official rules are and if they matter

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12-17-2014 , 06:22 AM

#50580

eddymitchel

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,761

For your first driving licence that might be an issue , for a renewal i d be surprised if they cared but thailand first rule is to not expect anything from that kind of office

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12-17-2014 , 06:24 AM

#50581

BKKYOLO

grinder

Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 581

I would not bother doing it, first because the home country driving license is "tolerated", second because even if you don't have anything, the fine would be 500B or so (am I wrong?), that you can obviously reduce to 200B or so if you put the money straight in the officer pocket.

I bet a large majority of locals motorbike driver don't have anything, and probably car drivers too.

The only thing is I am not sure about the insurance policies if one get seriously injured in a traffic accident.

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12-17-2014 , 06:29 AM

#50582

eddymitchel

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,761

If you have a licence already renewing it for 5 years cost close to nothing , and many tourist place give you a huge discount if you have a thai driving licence like natural parks and some thai shows.

Not giving an easy way to screw you to your insurance is definitly a good motivation aswell.

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12-17-2014 , 06:39 AM

#50583

Lessu

Thailand Guru

Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 9,069

Yeah, get into a big accident and your insurance company's first check will be your licence status and alcohol levels

your "home country licence" won't be enough in this case as it doesn't officially let you drive in Thailand.

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12-17-2014 , 06:57 AM

#50584

PokerSpiv

banned

Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,775

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKKYOLO

The only thing is I am not sure about the insurance policies if one get seriously injured in a traffic accident.

Your car or travel insurance will absolutely not pay out if you do not have a driver's license.

Dedicated health insurance probably will, but best to check.

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12-17-2014 , 07:30 AM

#50585

BKKYOLO

grinder

Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 581

Ok but what if I rent a car with one of the big companies (hertz sixt etc) and crash myself into a wall? Does that cover the hospital bill?

Because an EU licence is enough to rent with them all over the world (incl. USA)

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12-17-2014 , 07:35 AM

#50586

PokerSpiv

banned

Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,775

You would have to ask Hertz, and you would need an international driving permit at the very minimum.

BTW your home license is only "tolerated" for the first 6 months you are outside of your home country (and only if you have an international driving permit), after that point you have no driver's licence for insurance purposes. If you live in Thailand you should get a Thai driver's licence. It is very easy and costs hardly anything.

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12-17-2014 , 08:18 AM

#50587

BKKYOLO

grinder

Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 581

Cost is not the problem, I am more concerned about the time it takes and the hassle it is.

And I've rented cars in Thailand and the USA without international driving permit, everybody does that, no question asked. I'm quite sure you can do it in Australia too.

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12-17-2014 , 08:21 AM

#50588

eddymitchel

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,761

if you got a driving licence in your home country it s really easy , if you dont it takes you one day

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12-17-2014 , 08:51 AM

#50589

BKKYOLO

grinder

Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 581

So you are telling me that I just need to go to some office, show my home country licence and Ill get a Thai one immediatly?

Where is it in Bangkok, can you give me a link?

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12-17-2014 , 08:57 AM

#50590

eddymitchel

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,761

the main question is what kind of visa you have and do they accept it for driving licence in bangkok. in phuket they didnt give a **** if you had a tourist visa so not sure for bangkok

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12-17-2014 , 10:06 AM

#50591

PokerSpiv

banned

Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,775

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKKYOLO

So you are telling me that I just need to go to some office, show my home country licence and Ill get a Thai one immediatly?

Where is it in Bangkok, can you give me a link?

If you have a licence from a home country you just need to sit the written test, no driving required. You also need a certificate of residence from immigration.

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12-17-2014 , 10:11 AM

#50592

jspill

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 8,484

afaik thai dl has your passport no. on it (?) so you may need to take your passport too when u apply

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12-17-2014 , 11:42 AM

#50593

kick2dante

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,798

acer seriously dude im worried to you hows the face?

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12-17-2014 , 12:37 PM

#50594

GoinGreen

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,743

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swimmin

that's really odd, I just tried sending a portable HD to USA by ems and it got sent back cause it didn't through their scanner or whatever...no clue wtf thats all about, the HD is size of a cellphone, anybody know why??

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12-17-2014 , 12:51 PM

#50595

kick2dante

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 6,798

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoinGreen

terrorists have won

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12-17-2014 , 02:34 PM

#50596

GoinGreen

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,743

Quote:

Originally Posted by kick2dante

terrorists have won

no way George Bush killed them all

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12-17-2014 , 07:50 PM

#50597

whyme270483

newbie

Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 22

hi everyone,
i am interested in finally reaching out for thailand asap. does anyone know a good place to stay where i can keep grinding and enjoy life? would love to meet some other grinders also.
a grindhouse with others would be perfect of course.

just enjoy life basically. thanks alot for help and wish you all an awesome week and christmas time

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12-17-2014 , 11:37 PM

#50598

dacuzzi

newbie

Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 42

I got my Thai driving License a few months ago in ChonBuri, I have a work permit and a non business visa and an international driving license, the international driving license was not accepted however as it looked fake (which it wasn't), so i had to go to my embassy to get a letter stating I indeed have a valid driving license in my home country.

After I got that letter they just made the Thai license for me, no written or driving test, only an eyetest (recognizing color/depth/reflexes)