richard_smith237

At DLT Area 3 (Bangchak) there were 3 Queues 1) Those with Bookings. 2) Foreigners 3) Everyone else. I could not make a booking for an appointment, as you have experienced. So I went to the foreigners queue... no issues, they checked my documents, gave me a ticket and directed me to the right area (along with Wife who'd gone through the booking queue)... All worked out - quickly. Both Wife and I drove in Japan (being doing so for a few years on the trot) - using the same process... Note: 1949 convention IPD is only valid for one year (whereas 1968 is for 3 years).

Direct answer: 1st Hand Experience: - Foreigner (Brit) with Full Thai License (5 yrs) - Obtained a Thai IDP - 1949 version. No issues driving in Japan (two separate car hire companies used). In Japan the car hire company expects to see both the Thai license and the IPD. ----------------- Note: you need a 5 year Thai License to obtain an IDP in Thailand. IF someone just has the temp 2 year Thai Driving License, they cannot get the IDP There are two main versions 1949 and 1968 (japan is only a signatory of the 1949 convention) ---------- DLT Queue - there is no option for a foreigner in the Online IDP Queue Booking. First hand experience again. Wife had an IDP Booking... I couldn't get one. The Non-online queue was huge, hours long. I went to join the back, then noticed there was a 'foreigners queue' (DLT Area 3 Bangchak). We were in and out in about 30mins (both with 1949 IDP's for driving in Japan).

Even after the flaw in your earlier comment has been clearly explained, you persist in drawing fundamentally flawed comparisons. Surely, you can see the glaring disconnect in trying to conflate two entirely separate aspects of risk. The gap between them isn't subtle and the presence of one risk does not negate the other. i.e. Put simply: the fact that more people die on the roads doesn't mean a death from rabies isn't a legitimate concern. The existence of a greater risk elsewhere doesn't invalidate the seriousness of a separate one - such and idea would be stupid, and you're not stupid, are you BritManToo ?....

I think thats the whole point of being balanced and normal... the essence of reasonable. It's about having the ability to observe and discuss the negative, the positive, the extremes, and everything in between - without resorting to sweeping generalisations. In short: voice your concerns when something isn’t right, give credit where it’s due, and approach every topic with a willingness to explore all facets openly and without bias. Nothing is perfect - nor should we expect it to be. But the sort of fool who trots out "go home if you don’t like it" comment just because someone complains about, say, a motorcyclist cutting them off - well, that’s simply idiotic. They fundamentally misunderstand the concept of judging things on a case-by-case basis. That said, let’s also acknowledge that some people leap at any opportunity to post something negative about foreigners in general, or to target specific nationalities. And yes, as the original post points out, there are those who criticise Thais with no sense of balance or nuance. We see the full spectrum of commentators: from the unhinged and delusional, peddling their biases without the slightest self-awareness, to those capable of thoughtful, informed discussion rooted in personal experience - some of it positive, some negative, as one would expect - thats most people on here I think - but we only hear the loudest voices, on the fringes of extreme opinion... thats why I end up arguing with a lot of them... to try and balance out their extreme bias.

With the exception of most of the locals, all of the above are valid complaints, or at least valid subjects of a discussion which many will find negative - that does not mean the Thai experience on the whole is a net-negative because people also have some observations that are not solely positive... ... A realistic outlook often involves looking at both positive and negative aspects of anything, any place, anyone. Some... but those same characters you describe are the very vocal tip of the iceberg - they'd be the same anywhere, no matter where it is. Sometimes having a whinge about something and finding out that others have made similar observations is enough to realise, its just the way it is and not a big deal... Many different reasons - I think the greats is the point that 'familiarity breeds contempt' and they may just need a reset, whereas others are just in a crappy area, and others are just miserable where-ever they are.

Another reason to avoid the regular taxi's and go with BOLT / GRAB / InDrive wherever possible... But, it also seems this was a 'private' hire rather than flag-fall. So many of the regular taxis are just animals - its completely hit and miss with them... I've been in so many taxi's whereby the drivers are watching a movie while driving. I ask them to turn off their phone, its dangerous and I dont want an accident... some understand and comply... But...there have also been a number of taxi's who've refused to stop watching something while driving, so I get them to pull over and get out....

https://aseannow.com/topic/663667-farang-v-farang-why-are-we-ignoring-each-other https://aseannow.com/topic/1030598-whats-wrong-with-you-foreigners https://aseannow.com/topic/1360507-when-was-the-last-time-that-you-spoke-with-a-foreigner/ https://aseannow.com/topic/1233668-being-scared-to-talk-to-other-farang The general consensus... Too many loons, too many grumpy old boomers... Most people of a balanced mind will engage in interaction with anyone else, foreign or otherwise when the situation is organic and natural, not when its forced.

Questions 1) Did you buy the Bike AFTER it was registered and taxed (i.e. did it already have white plates on the back ?) 2) Did you buy the Bike new or second hand ? Other points: - Tax is for 1 year year, from Registration. - Don't bother trying to reach any official system via e-mail here, its a no goer.

Not sure why you're getting so many laughing emojis for this post. You're spot on. Turkey is the place. Maybe the empty heads that make decisions aren't aware of this fact. Fly there with different 'Hair-Lines'....

Indeed... After dark, without lights... Also likely at a guess... the bicyclist heading in the wrong direction on the shoulder... ... The motorcyclist riding down the shoulder (which some think is a motorcycle lane) and not on the road itself.

I wish they'd make it mandatory for collars to clearly state who is legally responsible for the dog. If a dog is allowed to roam freely and ends up attacking or mauling a child, there should be no ambiguity about who is accountable. Owners need to be held responsible - full stop. As for dogs without collars or identifiable owners, they should be removed. If no one is willing to claim responsibility for feeding, housing, training, and socialising them, then society shouldn't be expected to carry the burden either. Stray dogs aren’t just a nuisance - they’re a symptom of neglect and a potential danger. A major part of the stray dog problem is their territorial nature, often fighting over scraps, feeding on rotten waste, and spreading diseases like mange roundworm, hookworm, tapeworms and rabies. It's a miserable existence for a lot of the animals themselves - and it only gets worse as they breed uncontrollably, creating future generations doomed to the same suffering. This isn’t just about public safety, it’s about compassion. Turning a blind eye while packs of strays suffer in the streets isn’t humane - it’s cruelty disguised as kindness. The solution might be tough, but it’s not heartless. Proper action now can end an ongoing cycle of neglect and pain.... Catch and spay if there are funds... Or, take harsher measures if we have to... not a popular opinion, but truthfully, a necessary one.

This has been discussed on this forum so many times... ICE: 1,500 fires per 100,000 vehicles Hybrids: 3,475 per 100,000 vehicles EVs: 25 fires per 100,000 vehicles https://www.blazestack.com/blog/how-many-ev-fires-in-2023-2024 https://www.pinfa.eu/news/fire-risks-of-hybrid-ev-and-ice-cars https://www.reddit.com/r/OptimistsUnite/comments/1if2buj/evs_are_safer_than_ices_of_all_car_fires_in

Must come down to the quality of BBQ'ing and Asado.....

Hostages: As of now, sources report that around 50 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, and intelligence indicates only about 20–27 of them may still be alive. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-ceasefire-can-be-reached-may-take-more-time-israeli-officials-say-2025-07-08

Of course, but we still encounter people who argue, in essence, “This is nothing; road traffic deaths are far worse- deal with that” (paraphrase)... Such comparisons entirely miss the point you've rightly raised: the importance of nipping a threat in the bud.... It's a concept some commentators appear not to grasp.

Thanks... corrected the post with that missing info.... the percentages reference % of Male population with male pattern baldness...

Seriously though - given that Medical Tourism is a major attraction to Thailand for many... Advertising itself as a hair-transplant hub is not such a bad idea... Percentage of population that has Male Pattern Baldness: https://medihair.com/en/statistics-47-countries-with-the-most-bald-men

This one has done the rounds... the Airport bus to Pattaya....

The Plague was caused by bacteria, not viruses. Choosing to decline an mRNA vaccine or a seasonal influenza vaccine when you are healthy and not part of a high-risk group does not, in itself, make someone an ‘anti-vaxxer'... so that level of gaslighting is simply flawed. Thai said.., outright refusal of all vaccines, as some do, does constitute an anti-vaccine stance. Thoughtfully selecting which vaccines to accept - such as those for rabies or monkeypox, as discussed earlier with Sungod -demonstrates the capacity for critical thinking: choosing to receive only those vaccines deemed necessary, does not make anyone an anti-vaxxer - thats basic common sense.

You... thinking you're in a Rolls-Royce Ghost and not Toyota Altis and can 'glide' over speed bumps !!! ... Also highlighting that you have no regard for the reason they are there in the first place... combo of both stupidity and selfishness - Its of no surprise at all that the 'dumb comment' of the thread originates from your username....

Which is one every 100m - which does not seem excessive at all... ... If fact that sounds like an excellent traffic (speed) calming measure - they seem to have the balance right the area you describe.

Which is why they need to place them the whole way across the road - not just onto the 'driving lanes'...

In a world where genetics has played awful tricks on a number of men and removed hair off their head and placed it on their backs, I can imagine such shops turning out to quite a promising joint-venture... "back-crack-sac & re-turfing"... place a dentist next door for the new set of noshers and have a 3-in-1 shop.. ..... "De-fuzz, Re-buzz & Pearly Repair" Walk in a bald fuzzy mess with tea-teeth... Walk out smiling brightly, with a new head of hair and streamlined with far louder farts !!!

Yes and no... Some fools blow over them as if they are not there (one on this thread already), meanwhile others drive over them at slower than walking pace, as if their car were made of glass and will break... Nevertheless - anything which slows vehicles down to a reasonable speed in a built up area is a good thing.

Agreed... But you can also see from the photo that the density of speed bumps goes beyond traffic calming measures an enters the realm of utter silliness...