Tuvoc

I didn't know about the Chiang Saen (cross by boat) option. Will keep that in mind for the future.

Ah - that may explain my recent experience last month. I went to "convert" my foreign licence to a Thai licence and to my surprise I had to do the full range of tests including the physical driving test. My foreign licence expires March 2026, and that may explain why I had to do that.

I was after one a couple of years ago and could not find any at all let alone a good one.

Thanks very much for the reply. I'll look at that brand as well. Just looking on Lazada / Shopee now.

Hi all, sorry I did a search here but nothing seemed to come up. I used to use FRONTLINE in the UK FRONTLINE® SPOT ON Flea and Tick Treatment Cat | FRONTLINE What can I buy online say on Lazada that is the best one for Thailand that covers the widest range of things ? I thought there was a product that covered worm as well but perhaps that is separate. I see that on Lazada actually Frontline Spot On Plus CAT [ 3 tube ] 1-7.5 Kg | Lazada.co.th Is that one of the better options here ? Ah - I see Advocate covers roundworm as well, better option.

I was speaking to someone from Chiang Mai last week. He said there that it takes 7 days and they mail it to you. There is no option to collect it. Just got one myself in Chiang Rai last week. 7-day service and you have to pick it up. No fast-track option in both cases. So a big variation depending on where you are.

Yes very logical. I try to plan ahead, but not everyone is good at forward planning and not always possible Anyway - I got my licence. The staff at Thoeng were very friendly and helpful, really good service and they genuinely wanted to help (whilst following the rules). Full of praise for them. Even a smaller office like that was very busy, and they don't have a moments rest.

I think it is right that the theory test is mandatory - the road rules in Thailand can be different from your home country. There is a site online where I practiced with mock tests. Some of those exact same questions did come up and that was critical in being able to pass, but there were also many that did not appear in the mock test. Having done all that, I'm still not totally clear on uncontrolled intersections. In some of the pictures you give way to the car on the right - which is normal in my home country - but in another it is the car on the left that has right of way. I'll do some further research on that to get extra clarity. But at the end of the day in that situation being cautious, assuming you don't have right of way, "reading" the other drivers' indentations and being prepared to stop get you through those situations.

Got the licence ! So it is the 2 year "temporary" licence as I expected. Are there any limitations on this compared to the normal 5-year licence ? EDIT: Oh, Copilot has the answer.... The word temporary can be misleading. In practice, it’s a full licence with the same driving rights as a 5‑year licence. There are no restrictions on where or when you can drive, or on vehicle types (beyond the category you applied for — car vs. motorcycle). What’s different is mainly administrative: Validity: 2 years only, then you must renew. Renewal process: At renewal, you can upgrade to a 5‑year licence (much easier — no practical test, just paperwork, medical certificate, and sometimes a short video or theory refresher). Status: It’s considered “probationary” in the sense that you’re new in the system, but it doesn’t limit your driving rights. Points system: You’re subject to the same traffic violation point system as Thai drivers.

Well I'm not so sure. One question was: the temperature gauge is H (in the red). what does that mean ? one option was "the cooling system is broken" another was "the cooling system has malfunctioned." Well, both are pretty correct, but only one is the right answer.

The theory test was fine, I got a pass on the second attempt. The requirement to do a practical test was totally unexpected. Had I known that was to be required, I would have researched it first. For example, I thought he was telling me I had 7 seconds to complete the parallel parking test. I rushed it, and in a rental car I was totally unfamiliar with, botched it and failed. Now I see he meant you have up to 7 switches between first and reverse to complete it, and you can take your time ! Grrr.

CoPilot says this: Reports from expats in Chiang Rai suggest the local DLT often requires the practical test regardless of foreign licence especially for first-time applicants, even though the national rule says it should be waived with a valid foreign licence + IDP. This is a local enforcement practice rather than a change in national law. Other provinces (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket) are more lenient.

I went in today with my foreign and international licences to get a new Thai licence. I expected to have to do the computer-based theory test as mentioned here and I passed it. BUT they insisted on me doing the practical driving test as well. Whether this was just bad luck with this particular office I don't know but just be warned that this might be new policy as well. I spoke to a visa agent who said that for example Chiang Mai are not currently even requiring the computer-based theory test as they should be, so there is inconsistency much as you see with immigration offices. Ridiculously given I've been driving for a very long time I failed the practical test, which is just some stuff you have to do in a carpark. I have to go back tomorrow to try again. Crazy that I failed it, but I'm driving a rental at the moment that I'm very unfamiliar with - so failed the parking test and also there is a bit where you have to stop the car with the front wheels in some markings on the ground, and with this car I don't know exactly where the front wheels are. That latter bit is easily resolved - had I known I'd have to do that I would have known that in advance.

Booked an appt yesterday at Thoeng for tomorrow. About 1.5 hrs drive and it is in the "correct" province. Plenty of availability there, as I guess there is at many of the less common ones.

Hmm... maybe it depends on the office and the person you get on the day. I subsequently asked both my visa agent and TLP. and both said that you can only do it in the province that aligns with the residence certificate. Anyway, three DLT offices in Chiang Rai province. Two did not have availability until next year, but the other one I got the last appointment in 2 days' time. Apparently even if you do have the booking, it tends to be fist come first served, so I intend to get there early. I collect the Residence Certificate from immigration tomorrow and will have to find somewhere for a medical as well. (Apologies for gatecrashing the Phuket forum, but the search brought me here 🙂)