When I first arrived Thailand I was working, Songkhla working for a few years.
Back then your first licence was 1 year, my next DL renewal I was given a 5 year licence.
The rig I was working on moved to Vietnam, my rotation was 28 days, so I flew in and out on a tourist visa on my time off
Sadly when time came to renew my 5 year DL I was given a 1 year only because I no longer held a long term visa.