Convert Thai Driving license to International license. Is it possible?

[nookiebear]

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!!!

[Starman]

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.
 

[Dave the Dude]

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!

[Admin]

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!

[John the Traveller]

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    TIT 
Regards,
John

[fox]

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    TIT 
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. 
Thank you all for your kind advices. 

[John the Traveller]

Hi Fox,
I am glad you have it sorted out and for not a lot of money 
Happy motoring 
Cheers,
John

[Admin]

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.




 

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[boloa]

Another excellent and informative post Admin 

[Admin]

Another excellent and informative post Admin 

Thanks.

[krasangchris]

    Sorry - no offense to anyone, but that must be REAL SCARY !!!
-Chris.

[nookiebear]

What is scary??

[jeddah]

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.

[Prakhonchai Nick]

    Sorry - no offense to anyone, but that must be REAL SCARY !!!
-Chris.

Have you posted on the wrong post?

Nothing scary here mate!

[nookiebear]

    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!