NomadJoe
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Meanwhile Uber is doing a free lantern giveway. http://blog.uber.com/UberLANTERN
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The day I see the police enforce this rule will be the day that hell freezes over! I seem to recall a ban on burning as well and we all know how well that is enforced.
Agreed. Thailand really needs to find someone else to enforce laws other the police. They aren't going to.
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Bit late for these 2 lads, eh?
If they're posthumously pardoned when the truth emerges, that's ok then. Case closed!!
This is the problem with the death penalty. It requires a perfect legal system, which doesn't exist. The number of executed people the Innocence Project has exonerated through DNA is well into the double digits. Since the 70's 150 people have been exonerated and freed from death row. To minimize that problem, we have the appeals process which in turn makes it far more costly to execute someone than to incarcerate them for life. On top of that there is no solid evidence supporting the position that having a death penalty reduces the murder rate. Many countries will not deport people to places like the United States if there is a likelihood they may face the death penalty.
Whether your argument is a moral one or a financial one, the facts to support the death penalty just aren't there.
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why would i even bother?
And here I was about to vote for you...but not now..
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Another Rungnapha involved in a relationship with a police officer ending up dead. Strange coincidence. RIP.
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What an Insurance Company says or writes is irrelevant.
If you have an accident on a UK licence, which effectively means No licence you will have trouble
Any policeman will say about your UK licence: Not from Thailand
Get a Thai Licence. It takes minimal Effort and Time
If you are a resident in Thailand then there is a chance you may run into problems since as a resident you need a Thai DL to drive legally, but it is far from certain. There are many cases where residents were on their home license also with no IDP and had no problems. This is more common than not. Of course it is best to get a Thai license if you are a resident.
Again, as a tourist your home license is completely fine (legal).
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Answers:After reading his question -- and seeing the many responses, I'm more confused than ever.
Seems there are about 62 different opinions on here.
Does anyone ever REALLY know the correct answer to insurance, eligibility, documents needed, etc.?
I love this forum.
Ask 10 guys a question about anything "Thai" and you'll get 27 totally different answers.
Insurance: will depend on the policy conditions, without seeing those nobody can answer anything about this;
Documents needed: tourists: home license, with a few provisions, people staying here longer term: Thai license.
Nothing to do with opinions BTW, only with facts.
This information and that in stevenl's post #83 above is correct. Ignore everything else.
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I agree checkpoints are only looking for illegals from neighboring countries and drug runners, as well since your heading north your likely waved through without a glance, as most 90% of the action is taken on vehicles headed inland/south. Your license isn't valid without an IDP. That said these checkpoints don't ask to see ID's from farang. You'll be waved through 95% of the time.
Your post is 100% accurate except for the bold bit which is 100% inaccurate. Actually, his (the OP's) license is not valid because he is a resident, not a tourist. IDP has nothing to do with it. If he were a tourist then his UK license is valid without needing an IDP if it meets the criteria at the bottom of post # 30 here.
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A British license has to be verified as such by your Embassy now before being accepted as a license. My son had to do it last week at a cost of travelling to BKK one day and 3000 baht to stamp verification.
That is one of the funniest things I have heard. Your son wasted 3000B. They certainly don't need to be verified by your embassy. I would love to see some reference to this.
This is the most accurate source I have found so far: http://thailand.angloinfo.com/transport/driving-licences/
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You are not a resident in Thailand if you have a non-immigrant visa, doesn't matter if you've stayed here a billion years.
You do need an IDP to drive in Thailand especially to cover insurance claims.
Both claims are not true.
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This country seems to be governed by rules of thumb.
There are several reasons that I have not got a Thai licence yet, its just not been possible due to tourist Visa's, visa exemptions etc.. I am now on a non-O so should be fairly straight forward. i am going to get myself down to whatever office they have on Monday and try to get one.
Any advice on what I need to take with me.
Thanks
You are not a resident in Thailand if you have a non-immigrant visa, doesn't matter if you've stayed here a billion years.
You do need an IDP to drive in Thailand especially to cover insurance claims.
I beg to differ. Have been told that if staying in Thailand for the long term then one becomes a resident of Thailand after 3 months and some have said 6 months. Even if not officially a Thai resident, one is no longer a UK resident either.
Although International Driving Licences are valid for up to one year after arrival in Thailand, after three months many comprehensive insurance policies are made void if still driving on a foreign licence.
The 3 month thing is a rule of thumb, and may in fact be in some policies. You would have to check with the insurer. The line between resident and tourist is vague, but most people fall firmly into one or the other.
Sorry, I answered a different question in my above post. Here is what you need: http://driving.information.in.th/driving-licence.html
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This country seems to be governed by rules of thumb.
There are several reasons that I have not got a Thai licence yet, its just not been possible due to tourist Visa's, visa exemptions etc.. I am now on a non-O so should be fairly straight forward. i am going to get myself down to whatever office they have on Monday and try to get one.
Any advice on what I need to take with me.
Thanks
You are not a resident in Thailand if you have a non-immigrant visa, doesn't matter if you've stayed here a billion years.
You do need an IDP to drive in Thailand especially to cover insurance claims.
I beg to differ. Have been told that if staying in Thailand for the long term then one becomes a resident of Thailand after 3 months and some have said 6 months. Even if not officially a Thai resident, one is no longer a UK resident either.
Although International Driving Licences are valid for up to one year after arrival in Thailand, after three months many comprehensive insurance policies are made void if still driving on a foreign licence.
The 3 month thing is a rule of thumb, and may in fact be in some policies. You would have to check with the insurer. The line between resident and tourist is vague, but most people fall firmly into one or the other.
You are a resident now and need a Thai DL to be legal. However it is highly unlikely it will be a problem for you if stopped or have an accident. Don't worry about it, but get your Thai DL as soon as is convenient. If you want to get an IDP you can, but it isn't likely to help you in any way. Just don't buy a bogus one off the internet. ($50-$100 plus) Only authorized autoclubs and governments can issue them. They are very cheap.
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Title 3: Driver's License
Section 42
Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver's license. The driver must carry the driver's license and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request. This does not apply for those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.
If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license specified in the Section 42-2. In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver's license, and show them to competent officers upon request.
Section 42-2
In case there's a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver's license, an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorized by such a foreign government.
Seems clear to me ATF. Big fat OR right in there.
Seems every few months we need to be reminded of this:
Every now and then I post this, which I wrote over the span of a year since I always get asked these questions.
A few years ago I read in the paper a quote from a top BIB (which I really wish I could find) that made it all clear. He said that the official position of the BIB is that an English language license with a photo is considered an international license and thus does not require an IDP endorsement. This was probably due to the changes in technology, the fact that most licenses now have photos and are in English. In 1949 (The year of the Geneva Convention) most did not. What the big BIB said makes sense when you realize that none of the languages an IDP translates your license into are Thai. In fact many states in America no longer require them just as many other countries now don't. So that is how I believe the "IDP is required in Thailand for tourists" rumor got started. It may have once been the case, but no longer.The first important piece to this is the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic act of 1949. This is where organizations like the Australian, Canadian, British, and U.S. auto clubs get their information simply by looking at who had signed and/or ratified the act and use that to determine whether an IDP is required or not without actually reading the act. This act, which isn't a law but a treaty, (agreement between counties) covers a great many things like road design, road markings, signage, license plate design, (which, btw, Thailand is in violation of because they use Thai script, not Roman letters) drivers license design and, of course, the mutual acceptance of drivers licenses. Ever wonder why DL's are so often pink? It comes from this act.Below is a translation of the relevant section of that act. Notice in paragraph 2 the word "may" as well as the bit after "especially...". I added the *'s so people don't have to look them up. It's crystal clear that the treaty does not force contracting states to require an IDP, it is only an option.CHAPTER VDRIVERS OF MOTOR VEHICLES IN INTERNATIONAL TRAFFICArticle 241. Each Contracting State* shall allow any driver admitted to its territory who fulfills the conditions which are set out in Annex 8** and who holds a valid driving permit issued to him, after he has given proof of his competence, by the competent authority of another Contracting State or subdivision thereof, or by an Association duly empowered by such authority, to drive on its roads without further examination motor vehicles of the category or categories defined in Annexes 9 and 10 for which the permit has been issued.2. A Contracting State may however require that any driver admitted to its territory shall carry an international driving permit conforming to the model contained in Annex 10, especially in the case of a driver coming from a country where a domestic driving permit is not required or where the domestic permit issued to him does not conform to the model contained in Annex 9***.* Thailand is a contracting state, as they became a party via accession on 15 Aug, 1962.** Annex 8 references required age of drivers.*** Annex 9 describes the size of domestic driving permit (driver’s license) colour, size, English language, photo size, etc.Then, the next and equally important piece of the puzzle is the Land Traffic Act of 1979, Title 3 Section 42. It clearly states that if there is mutual acceptance of licenses through treaty (like the treaty above) then "an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license issued by such a foreign government". Note that your home country and Thailand must have a treaty on mutual licenses. Most do so that shouldn't be a problem.Land Traffic Act of 1979Title 3: Driver's LicenseSection 42Anyone who wishes to drive a motor vehicle on public roads must possess an appropriate driver's license. The driver must carry the driver's license and a photocopy of the registration book and show them to competent officers upon request. This does not apply for those who are learning to drive a motor vehicle according to the provision of Section 57.If the driver is an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa, he may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license specified in the Section 42-2. In such a case, he must carry documents specified by the treaty between the Thai government and the government which issued such driver's license, and show them to competent officers upon request.Section 42-2In case there's a treaty between the Thai government and a foreign government regarding mutual acceptance of driver's license, an alien who doesn't have an immigrant visa may drive a motor vehicle with a driver's license issued by such a foreign government, or an automobile association authorized by such a foreign government.---To address the many claims that "If you're in an accident you can't make a claim without an IDP." or "You can't rent a car without an IDP.".. I submit the following email responses from several car rental companies and insurance companies whom I asked for their policy on this issue. Not a single one came back saying I needed anIDP if a tourist in Thailand. The big companies clearly state it right in their website.Pure Car Rent:"Thank you for your email. Intenational drivers license is no need to translate because when it says International it should already in English and it is permited to use internationally.About insurance coverage, for Pure Car Rent‘s insurance, Thai,overseas or international driver’s license is acceptable for ourinsurance companies. So if you drive Pure Car Rent‘s car withdriver’s license issued by your country, you and the car are coveredby insurance.”HertzThailand.com:"Rental Qualification :Minimum renter age is 21 years.Must hold a valid Thai driving license or a driving license from arenter’s country of residence (with an English translation), or aninternational driving license."Drivers LicenseAll drivers must hold a current, non-probationary license.The license may either be Thai, or from a renter's country ofresidence (with an English translation) or an international driverspermit. Licenses (and a valid passport) must be carried at all timeswhen driving.Thai Rent A CarIn order to rent THAI RENT A CAR vehicle, a valid driver’s license from the customer’s country of residenceis required and must be presented at time of rental. International renters must present a valid license fromtheir country of residence, if the license is in a language rather than English, an International Driver’spermit is required in conjunction with the country of residence driver’s licenseAA Insurance Thailand:"Your 'home' license is legal in Thailand - as long as it is legal in your own country i.e. not suspended !"Viriyah Insurance:“We acknowledge receipt of your e-mail andvery sorry for late reply. Regarding to your question, please beinform that your legal drivers license issued by The United States ofAmerica (date of license valid) is acceptable to use and drive the carin Thailand and The Viriyah car insurance will be cover while have anaccident (Just in Thailand). Thank you for your kind interested.”Bupa Insurance:"For the international IDP is not a problem sir. As I have check with Bangkok. It’s not a problem for Bupa.No problem with that and the insurance will be covered you for all.-Prayurapong Pisanaka, Prayurapong Pisanaka, Executive Health & Financial Manager - Head OfficeAmerican International Assurance Company, Limited----And for those out there that are still doubting, here is a short collection of first hand accounts from various sources of the seemingly infinite reports of interactions between foriegners driving with no IDP and the Thai police. This reflects the actual reality of the situation on the ground in Thailand and should be the best measuring stick to the legality of diving on your home license with noIDP. It strikes me as very odd that the police who are so fond of finding any little thing to make some tea money seem to be ignoring this if an IDP is required. Anecdotal, yes, but evidence none the less. (No, I didn't write any of the Wiki Answers)Lonely Planet entry:"I've rented cars in Thailand many times. All the rental companies ask for is a driver's license (US state) and credit card -- just like everywhere else. I've been stopped by the police several times and the driver's license was fine."Thaivisa member bob4youI've been driving here for 5 years, stopped a couple of dozen times. Hawaii drivers license was accepted (never questioned once) each time.ThaiVisa member bubba:I have never had an International Driving License and I have driven in Thailand using both hired cars and my own car for about ten years now. I do have a valid licence from home. My insurance policy has a clause that states that only a "valid drivers license" is required for the class of vehicle insured. After inquiring, I got it in writing that this includes foreign licenses. I have been involved in three minor property damage accidents, two in a hire car and one in my own car. Whilst driving on a foreign license, my car was smashed by an uninsured pickup with my repair bill being 24,000 baht. My insurance company sent their adjuster out, he made out a report, and I was compensated fully. None of the police asked for a Thai or international licence, nor did the insurance companies and my own insurance company explicitly allows for coverage of drivers using a foreign licence, so long as that licence is valid for the class of vehicle driven. I have been stopped at police checkpoints and police invented traffic infractions dozens of times, and sometimes they ask for my licence. No problem. The police just want the money, not a big hassle. I have hired cars in Thailand dozens of times and no Thai or international licence is required by those companies either, including the majors such as Avis and Budget.Here are the car rental companies in Thailand that I have used and none require an IDP or Thai licence so long as I had a recognisable and valid foreign licence:HertzAvisBudgetMaster Car RentalNorth Wheels (Chiang Mai)ThaiVisa member tropa:“I went through one of these road blocks on 3rd Road yesterday. I showed them my Australian drivers licence and they waved me through.”landofsmiles from another forum:"Your [home] licence is fine. Chances are in a few days you won't even go through any police checks and if you do it will still be ok. I don't have a bike endorsement on mine and I've been through dozens of checks. All they want to see is the word LICENCE and your photo."ThaiVisa member fiddlehead:"I always just used my state drivers licence from USA ... used the above for about 3 years ... Never got a fine for it. Except once because it had expired."ThaiVisa member phuketrex:"5 years in Thailand. Through 100's of police checks. Never a problem showing my British licence."Commenter Robb at Pattaya One:" I’ve been driving here for years only on my home country licence and never had a problem. Seem the police like the fact I have all my other documentation for my bike, nicely color photocopied and in a ziplok bag under the seat, they never question the fact I don’t have an international licence"ThaiVisa member Deaw:Cruising down 2nd road in Pattaya on my rented 'cycle, not far from the Central Mall; must've been about 30 cops there, with the orange cones and some barricades, flashing red lights, etc.....pulling over EVERY motorcycle, farang and Thai alike. This was at 5pm.I got waved over by 2 guys .... helmet on; check. One says "license, please", and I hand him my N.Y. state drivers license. While he is looking it over, I say "I am a tourist here, I don't live in Thailand". Then I point to the "M.C." next to the Operator code and tell them "M.C., that means motorcycle".The older of the 2 says "OK" and they stand aside and let me pass. Total time wasted; 30 seconds.Total bribe and/or fine paid, and total number of laws broken; None.ThaiVisa member collectsskulls:"I have an international drivers permit but have never been asked for it only my Canadian one"ThaiVisa member Kwasaki:"I have never needed an IDP in Thailand having a UK valid driving license"Wiki Answers"All drivers must hold a current, non-probationary licence either Thai or from their own country but if it is not Thai or English they must carry an English translation or an international driving licence."Wiki Answers"I drove in Thailand for the first 12 months on a west Australian licence and was often checked but never a problem. Each time I was stopped at a police check point, the policeman seemed more intent on proving that he could read my name.After that 12 months I got an International liicence whch was a waste of money as I still only showed my Australian licence.So ,, short answer No you dont need one"Wiki Answers"International or US Driver's License and Passport is all you need."Wiki Answers"You don't have to have an international driver's license to rent a car, the rental agencies will rent you a car with a valid license from your home country. If you get stopped by the police make sure you show them your passport and the tourist visa stamp"Wiki Answers"If you are a farang and possess your home drivers license, that is enough. If a policeman (especially in Udon Thani) stops you, you simply show him your drivers license"-----Of course it doesn't hurt to have an IDP as long as it's not the bogus ones you see advertised online.So bottom line, if a BIB does try one on and attempt to do you for no IDP as a tourist, all you need to do is point to your English license with a photo and repeat "International already." Show them your passport/copy of with your tourist visa/visa exempt stamp. Speaking Thai to him will only work against you. If he decides that you are a resident and not a tourist/visitor, he may try to cite you for not having a Thai DL, but that has nothing to do with IDP's.Do the above and I guarantee the BIB can not legally cite you for diving on just your home license if:1) You are a toursit/visitor.2) It is in English.3) It has a photo.4) It is current5) It is for the class of vehicle you are diving.6) Your home country and Thailand have a mutual agreement on licenses. (Most do)-
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You are not a resident in Thailand if you have a non-immigrant visa, doesn't matter if you've stayed here a billion years.
You do need an IDP to drive in Thailand especially to cover insurance claims.
I beg to differ. Have been told that if staying in Thailand for the long term then one becomes a resident of Thailand after 3 months and some have said 6 months. Even if not officially a Thai resident, one is no longer a UK resident either.
Although International Driving Licences are valid for up to one year after arrival in Thailand, after three months many comprehensive insurance policies are made void if still driving on a foreign licence.
The 3 month thing is a rule of thumb, and may in fact be in some policies. You would have to check with the insurer. The line between resident and tourist is vague, but most people fall firmly into one or the other.
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I thought UK licences were not valid here, you had to have an IDP or thai licence. Are you sure your insurance is valid with an UK licence?
I suspect there would be no major problems apart from a small fine UNLESS you were involved in an accident of some sort. Get your thai licence now, it's easy.
I asked a rental company here if i can rent a car on a Australian license, and was told yes as long as the licence is in ENGLISH.
Otherwise you have to have an International License.
And that was last week.
Yes, they will all say that, as will all the insurance companies. I have checked with several myself. Also with several traffic police, including supervisors. All said the same. No IDP needed in Thailand. BUT, you must be a tourist, the license must be in English, have a photo, be valid and current, (not suspended in your home country, though Thai police will never know) and be for the class of vehicle you are driving.
Having said that, it doesn't hurt to have one. Thai police are wholly corrupt and may try to bluff you out of money if you don't have one and aren't familiar with the law.
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You are not a resident in Thailand if you have a non-immigrant visa, doesn't matter if you've stayed here a billion years.
Not true. If you live here, and are not just a tourist, then you are a resident. Sounds like you may be getting the term confused with "permanent resident" which is something completely different.
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Your insurance will not cover you on a UK license. ....
If he is a tourist/visitor they will, as it is a legal license in Thailand.
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YOur UK license is valid for a limited period of time only, 3 months. By now you need a Thai license, IDP will not be of any legal value.
Also technically i spent a week in Laos about a month ago, does this mean that it is now valid again? What is the cooling off period for validity to be restored?
Nothing to do with cooling off periods. If you are a resident you need a Thai license. If you are a visitor/tourist you can use your home license no problem. There is no time period written into any law but it is one way to determine your status as a resident or tourist.
IDP is not needed in Thailand.
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Friends tell,e that the driver got fined 4000B and 1000 b for impoliteness to the passenger. Apparently he hasn't got a licence so they expect more trouble for him.
Would be nice to find a news link to this , doesn't matter if its in Thai.
Not quite what your looking for, but interesting..
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Courageous is a bit strong - all she did was ask the minivan driver to slow down. ...Courageous for her to speak up and skillful as well, as she sounds calm and collected.
...and held a several minute long conversation asking several follow up questions...and video the whole thing...while being a woman in a patriarchal, hierarchical society.. with a Thai male that perceives himself as some kind of authority. Courageous is perhaps not strong enough.
I was courageous when a taxi driver came at me with a crow bar and stood my ground in a Kung <deleted> stance. Dutch courage but courage all the same.
Courageous is not the first word to come to mind there.
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when it comes to lost profits at bars/restaurants why not to do like in the civilized civilization: you bring ur wine/beer/hard liquor and get charged "corking" fee. Detail to be set by the owners of the area.
This is in fact how it is done in bars and clubs all across Thailand, just not the ones you have been to, i.e. the tourist ones.
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IIRC, wasn't the original announcement a ban on drinking in public, and nothing to do with sales?
It was unclear from the original poorly written article but that didn't stop several cock-sure TV posters from lambasting anyone who thought it covered sales and was not merely a ban on drinking in public. Turns out it's the exact opposite. It's a ban on sales but "there is nothing to stop" drinking in public with previously bought beer.
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Thailand is the 2nd deadliest country in the world for number of deaths on the roads for many good reasons. Soon they will be proud to be the first, then they can claim to be the Hub of deadliest roads.
Just a matter of time
Where did you get that stat? I checked and in 2011 Thailand was number 6.
http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/road-traffic-accidents/by-country/
Did it really change that much in 3 years?
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/706329-thailand-2nd-deadliest-country-for-automobile-accidents/
Thailand is no doubt a solid #1 since they under reports road deaths. (If they can declare you dead at the hospital you don't count) # 1 is a tiny country 1/30th the size of Thailand and shouldn't even count. Thailand is #1 in the world in medium to large size countries.
I have well and truly thought my life was going to end on 3 separate occasions in my life. Two were while riding in a minivan in Thailand, 20 minutes apart.
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What's her problem? That's at least 140kph-while-following-too-close worth of merit making bling he's got on the ceiling. He is well protected.
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Driving in Thailand is NOT so bad
in Thailand Motor Discussion
Posted
All your statistics are rubbish because Thailand doesn't count the cause of death from motor vehicle accident if the patient dies after reaching the hospital. In reality Thailand is a distant 1st place. #2 Namibia at 1/30th the size of Thailand shouldn't really count anyway being as small as it is.
The only reason the US is as high as it is is because they keep very accurate statistics when compared to most other countries.
Keep in mind too that most cars on the roads of Thailand are built to a much lower standard than those in the US and other first world country.