Thailand Unveils Digital Global Driving Licence via Mobile App

[snoop1130]

Photo: The Thaiger

 

In a major move towards tech-driven public services, Thailand's Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Krungthai Bank have launched a new service allowing Thai citizens to apply for international driving licences digitally through the Paotang app. This initiative aims to provide citizens with unprecedented convenience and accessibility by enabling applications 24/7, regardless of location.

 

Spearheaded by Deputy Minister of Transport Suparpong Piyachote, DLT Director General Jirut Wisanjit, and Krungthai Bank's Head of Product & Business Solutions, Thawatchai Chiwananth, this collaboration marks a pivotal shift in public service delivery. The initiative aligns with the Thai government’s broader goal to integrate digital solutions into everyday administrative processes, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and quality of life.

 

Beginning today, the system simplifies obtaining an international driving licence by offering a seamless application process via the app. Applicants can complete all necessary steps—application submission, identity verification, payment, and licence issuance—without needing to visit a government office. The service caters to those driving in countries under the Geneva and Vienna Conventions.

 

 

The significant demand for international licences, exceeding 160,000 in fiscal year 2024, highlights the need for such a service among Thais travelling abroad. The digital service incorporates data integration from various agencies and includes a postal delivery option, reducing the associated costs and effort traditionally required.

 

Beyond this initiative, Krungthai Bank aims to broaden its offerings, including processing vehicle tax payments, managing traffic fines, and providing digital medical certificates for domestic licence renewals. These expansions are set to reinforce accessible, efficient service delivery, showcasing a commitment to digital innovation and public convenience. The project promises a streamlined future for countless citizens navigating international and domestic driving requirements.

 

-- 2024-12-18

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand's Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Krungthai Bank

Why is a bank involved in this?

Will they get all the data to misuse it? 

[msbkk]

8 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Why is a bank involved in this?

Will they get all the data to misuse it? 

Maybe the bank facilitates the payment system. Krung Thai Bank plays also a role in paying traffic fines.

[SAFETY FIRST]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

 a new service allowing Thai citizens to apply for international driving licences digitally through the Paotang app.

I assume a typo, it would be an international driving permit 

 

Are non Thai's eligible? 

 

[Guderian]

Many years ago, you could apply for an IDP in the UK online, I think it was handled by the AA. The last time I got one, though, back in 2019, the online process had been abandoned and you had no choice but to go to one of the few main post offices issuing them. I hope the Thais can make a success of this, it will show yet again how far Britain is lagging in digital delivery of services.

[Scouse123]

They can't even get the upload correct to your phone for the Thai driving licence.

 

Full of glitches.

[BigStar]

15 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

They can't even get the upload correct to your phone for the Thai driving licence.

 

Full of glitches.

 

The Paotang app?

 

 

[KannikaP]

Is an International Driving Permit not simply a translation of a foreign licence into English. Thai is in Thai AND English so is it really needed. Same as using a UK one here, for only 90 days however.

[Rampant Rabbit]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

In a major move towards

being able to see everything you do 24/7

[lordgrinz]

It's not a "license", it's a permit, and it must accompany your home country's drivers license when showing it abroad. 

[soi3eddie]

Anyone coming from the UK and intending on driving a car or riding a motorcycle in Thailand should obtain an International Driving Permit in advance (unless having a Thai licence). You should also carry your UK driving licence. Thai police enjoy stopping foreigners in tourist hotspots such as Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai (I've seen and experienced this). An IDP is only £5.50 and easy to obtain in the UK.   https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/get-an-idp

[Surasak]

7 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I assume a typo, it would be an international driving permit 

 

Are non Thai's eligible? 

 

"Are non Thai's eligible?"  No reason not to be. I applied for and obtained an IDP almost six years ago, when I was intent on a visit to the UK on a Thai Driving License. On hiring a car I was not asked for the IDP, but I had it just in case.

[SAFETY FIRST]

8 hours ago, Surasak said:

"Are non Thai's eligible?"  No reason not to be. I applied for and obtained an IDP almost six years ago, when I was intent on a visit to the UK on a Thai Driving License. On hiring a car I was not asked for the IDP, but I had it just in case.

 

 

On 12/18/2024 at 7:49 PM, snoop1130 said:

 allowing Thai citizens to apply for international driving licences digitally through the Paotang app 

 

Thanks, but I was asking if non Thai's could use the app. 

 

[Caldera]

8 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Thanks, but I was asking if non Thai's could use the app. 

 

A very valid question, considering that they mention only Thai citizens and an identification check - which might very well only work with a Thai ID card, at least in the initial version. 

[Aussie999]

19 hours ago, Guderian said:

Many years ago, you could apply for an IDP in the UK online, I think it was handled by the AA. The last time I got one, though, back in 2019, the online process had been abandoned and you had no choice but to go to one of the few main post offices issuing them. I hope the Thais can make a success of this, it will show yet again how far Britain is lagging in digital delivery of services.

Same in Australia, we HAVE to go to the RAC... no online application... so backwards. So expensive AU$51... on top of the most expensive passports (AU$398 10 year passport) in the world.

[Denim]

On 12/18/2024 at 7:49 PM, snoop1130 said:

offering a seamless application process

 

Seamless  + Thai apps  =  🤣

[Upnotover]

On 12/19/2024 at 7:11 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

I assume a typo, it would be an international driving permit 

 

Are non Thai's eligible? 

 

I suspect not.  Just tried the app.  All in Thai but can't get past the page asking, I think, for a photo of my ID card.  

[Phillip9]

19 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Is an International Driving Permit not simply a translation of a foreign licence into English. Thai is in Thai AND English so is it really needed.

 

Since your Thai license is in English, you don't need an IDP in almost every country that uses the roman alphabet.  

 

You only need an IDP in a few countries.   Mainly those  with different alphabets such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.......

[SAFETY FIRST]

9 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

 

Since your Thai license is in English, you don't need an IDP in almost every country that uses the roman alphabet.  

 

You only need an IDP in a few countries.   Mainly those  with different alphabets such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.......

This is great input 👍

 

I've been concerned about using my Thai licence abroad in countries that use the Roman alphabet. 

 

I'm probably paranoid because my mates from Australia come to Thailand with their motorbike and car license but receive a traffic infringement not having a IDP 

[Tropicalevo]

20 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Is an International Driving Permit not simply a translation of a foreign licence into English. Thai is in Thai AND English so is it really needed. Same as using a UK one here, for only 90 days however.

 

19 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

Since your Thai license is in English, you don't need an IDP in almost every country that uses the roman alphabet.  

You only need an IDP in a few countries.   Mainly those  with different alphabets such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.......

 

Not quite true.

My IDP (Thai) has six pages of different languages plus Thai and English.

I had to get one when renting a car in Portugal.

They said that I needed an IDP because I was British even though my Thai driving licence has been fine in many other countries including the UK.

I had to show the IDP before they would hand over the car.

This was in 2019.

[KannikaP]

47 minutes ago, Phillip9 said:

 

Since your Thai license is in English, you don't need an IDP in almost every country that uses the roman alphabet.  

 

You only need an IDP in a few countries.   Mainly those  with different alphabets such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.......

BUT, you need an IDP in Thailand to use your UK (English language) licence.

But after three months, you are supposed to get a Thai licence anyway.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

On 12/19/2024 at 7:01 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Why is a bank involved in this?

Will they get all the data to misuse it? 

 

KTB is majority-owned by the Ministry of Finance, so really a state enterprise despite being listed on the SET. 

 

I guess it would make some sense for a state enterprise to work with the DLT to provide this.

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post (disclosure of intellectual handicap)

[Jaggg88]

On 12/19/2024 at 1:12 PM, KannikaP said:

Is an International Driving Permit not simply a translation of a foreign licence into English. Thai is in Thai AND English so is it really needed. Same as using a UK one here, for only 90 days however.

My wife used to get one when we went to England and can be used in the UK for up to one year

[KannikaP]

15 minutes ago, Jaggg88 said:

My wife used to get one when we went to England and can be used in the UK for up to one year

You mean to be able to use a Thai licence in UK?

If so, you would not have to declare any stamps or bans on your UK DL.

[Jaggg88]

8 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

You mean to be able to use a Thai licence in UK?

If so, you would not have to declare any stamps or bans on your UK DL.

There was a post on here where an Oz guy said he got an IDP with his Thai DL and went on holiday to Australia and hired a car and everybody was happy. So maybe it will work. Lots of ppl let their home country's licence expire

[gtr]

On 12/20/2024 at 8:25 AM, Aussie999 said:

Same in Australia, we HAVE to go to the RAC... no online application... so backwards. So expensive AU$51... on top of the most expensive passports (AU$398 10 year passport) in the world.

works out the passport costs approx $0.18 cents per day .

[Aussie999]

15 hours ago, gtr said:

works out the passport costs approx $0.18 cents per day .

you make the assumption people are on holiday for 10years.. which is, in the majority of cases, very false assumption.. but hey, it doesn't change the FACT, our passport. for whatever reason, is the most expensive, when it shouldn't be.

[Grusa]

It's a while ago now, but I tried to book a hire car online, from Los Angeles (LAX). The price quoted using my Thai licence was nearly double that quoted against my UK one. 

Can't help wondering about using a dodgy IDP, but so far as I am aware the IDP is invalid unless the supporting licence is also produced.

[lordgrinz]

8 minutes ago, Grusa said:

It's a while ago now, but I tried to book a hire car online, from Los Angeles (LAX). The price quoted using my Thai licence was nearly double that quoted against my UK one. 

Can't help wondering about using a dodgy IDP, but so far as I am aware the IDP is invalid unless the supporting licence is also produced.

 

They may never ask for the IDP, and probably won't, especially if your license shows in English.