According to the link (below), the British Embassy is getting involved with driving licences, issued to British citizens in Thailand.

I expect that this will shortly involve a trip to the Embassy, for
a) some idiotic form or another, and
to enable applicants to pay a fee to the Embassy for something they didn't need in the first place.

Perhaps I'm being cynical here, but I've never found the Embassy to be of any use, whatsoever.

The last time I renewed my licence here, I watched a video with English subtitles, as part of the renewal. I don't see any need for the Embassy to stick their oars in.

Link :
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/department-of-land-transport-in-partnership-with-british-embassy-bangkok-improving-driving-licence-procedures-for-foreign-nationals
 

I'm not a Brit but it sure seems to me that almost every one of you reports back that the British Embassy falls somewhere in between not helpful/totally useless to a difficult necessary evil.....

Now it seems like a nanny state that wants to find a way to burrow into your wallet while stalking/tracking you.....

 

A portentous sign of things to come....

Wishing you good luck...

It sounds to me like thay're building a list of people. I should renew my 5 year license before this nonsense becomes active.

 

The test we have to pass in the UK/Europe would leave many Thais unable to drive for all of their lives.

Last time I renewed my Thai drivers licence I had to watch a 45 minute video which was a compilation of YouTube road carnage clips and not much else.

 

The British Embassy is hoping to help English speakers by providing better information about road safety and also explaining the procedures for drivers licence applications.Nothing in the article suggests they are gathering information or imposing any charge - just trying to save a few British lives.

 

Quote

Based on a survey conducted with British customers needing consular services, the partnership has helped kick start three initiatives that include the production of a 45-minute English language instructional video, covering road traffic laws, road usage, techniques for driving safely and driving etiquette. This is a part of the Thai driving test for foreign nationals.

Other initiatives are the production of a 3-minute English language video explaining the process for renewing, transferring and applying for a driving licence as a foreign national and re-translation of the online driving test for English speaking applicants.

 

The UK has one of the world's best road safety records, mainly due to the "nanny state" imposing driver training/tests, giving safety advice, improving road conditions, and applying strict regulations.

 

Thailand, as we all know, has an appalling road safety record. I don't see many other foreign embassies doing anything to help their citizens.

The last time I renewed my Thai licence I was made to watch a video. It involved a man who drove fast and was aggressive, pressing his horn all the time. At the end he pressed his horn at a man who then shot a gun at him. The video was in Thai with no subtitles. From what I understood of the video it was trying to make people drive with more respect to others, or face being shot.

 

If the UK embassy is trying to supply its citizens with a video that helps them when driving in Thailand, then that is not a bad idea.

Agghhh, the British Embassy. I suppose they have got to keep up the 'jobs for the boys' mentality and keep the likes of Tarquin and Rosemary busy for some new mundane project. 

 

If I never have to deal with their money grabbing nonsense again I will be very happy. 

13 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

 "nanny state"

Thank God I live here.

 

15 hours ago, ukrules said:

It sounds to me like thay're building a list of people. I should renew my 5 year license before this nonsense becomes active.

 

The test we have to pass in the UK/Europe would leave many Thais unable to drive for all of their lives.

I don't know if they will let you renew your licence until its within 90 days of expiry date 

That's what they told me anyway in bkk

15 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Thailand, as we all know, has an appalling road safety record.

Pity that the Embassy appear unable to impress this fact on their HMPO colleagues in the context of the 2 enforced trips we're required to make to Bangkok at passport renewal time.

15 hours ago, mick220675 said:

The last time I renewed my Thai licence I was made to watch a video. It involved a man who drove fast and was aggressive, pressing his horn all the time. At the end he pressed his horn at a man who then shot a gun at him. The video was in Thai with no subtitles. From what I understood of the video it was trying to make people drive with more respect to others, or face being shot.

 

If the UK embassy is trying to supply its citizens with a video that helps them when driving in Thailand, then that is not a bad idea.

Nice twist

In the news here.

The discussion can continue there. This topic