18 minutes ago, johng said:

well please do come back and tell us if they give you a 5 or 2 year licence.

It'll be 5 O.K. ??

37 minutes ago, ronnie50 said:

How could anyone have more than a 1 year visa extension in their passport at time of license renewal? (noted abut the Wealthy Pensioner, 5 year, etc. but that's a tiny minority of those renewing licenses - vast majority are foreigners working here, regular retirees, etc.).

 

I reckon this is one of those typical missteps we often see when these announcements are made.

 

Take the phrase “Visa valid for less than one year” – I don’t believe this refers to the remaining validity of a visa, but rather to the original duration of the visa itself, which is usually one year (or a one-year extension, in most cases).

 

That said, it does raise the question of how they’ll interpret a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa that’s commonly extended for a full year. This is precisely why I think the announcement is targeting Non-Immigrant Visas that are treated as de facto resident visas – and that’s likely to be the main distinction, alongside any other visa with an initial validity of over one year.

 

There’s actually a clause tucked away somewhere in the Thai Land Traffic Act which states that holders of a Resident Visa must have a Thai driving licence.

 

This is likely where the confusion around the so-called “90-day rule” for International Driving Permits stems from – where there is a common understanding that an IDP is only valid for 90 days after arriving in Thailand (though there seems to be no official documentation on this).

 

It’s all rather murky. But the broader understanding is that if you’re staying in Thailand for more than 90 days, a person would 'normally' be on a Non-Immigrant Visa, which puts you in a ‘resident’ category – and in that case, you should hold a Thai driving licence.

 

That’s my take on it, anyway. Absolute clarity on these matters is notoriously difficult to obtain, but based on the regulations as I understand them, this latest announcement seems more about the enforcement of existing rules rather than any actual legal changes.

42 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

The sky is falling. Expats might have to renew their licence every 2 years. It must be hard to find the time once every 2 years to do this...

 

More to it than that as explained here:

 

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

- Reasons other than the obvious not wanting to renew every 2 years.

- Can't get an IDP with a 2 year license.

- DUI Limit varies (0.02% vs 0.05%) which means having a beer with lunch might put someone over.

 

 

 

 

28 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

According to the posts it's now 2 to 2 and 5 to 2, spot the difference? 

But if your visa is valid less than 1 year..the clue is there...marriage, work and retirement visas/extensions are valid for 1 year...not less than..nothing has changed, same.same as always 👍 

21 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

26 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

renewing my 5 year tomorrow in pattaya so i call BS

You hope it's BS

 

Assuming he's on a Non-Immigrant O (based on retirement or a similar Non-Imm) - then his Visa is not less than one year and is also considered a resident visa.

 

There is no reason to assume he will receive anything other than a renewal to another 5 year License (even with the poorly worded announcement).

 

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I reckon this is one of those typical missteps we often see when these announcements are made.

 

Take the phrase “Visa valid for less than one year” – I don’t believe this refers to the remaining validity of a visa, but rather to the original duration of the visa itself, which is usually one year (or a one-year extension, in most cases).

 

That said, it does raise the question of how they’ll interpret a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa that’s commonly extended for a full year. This is precisely why I think the announcement is targeting Non-Immigrant Visas that are treated as de facto resident visas – and that’s likely to be the main distinction, alongside any other visa with an initial validity of over one year.

 

There’s actually a clause tucked away somewhere in the Thai Land Traffic Act which states that holders of a Resident Visa must have a Thai driving licence.

 

This is likely where the confusion around the so-called “90-day rule” for International Driving Permits stems from – where there is a common understanding that an IDP is only valid for 90 days after arriving in Thailand (though there seems to be no official documentation on this).

 

It’s all rather murky. But the broader understanding is that if you’re staying in Thailand for more than 90 days, a person would 'normally' be on a Non-Immigrant Visa, which puts you in a ‘resident’ category – and in that case, you should hold a Thai driving licence.

 

That’s my take on it, anyway. Absolute clarity on these matters is notoriously difficult to obtain, but based on the regulations as I understand them, this latest announcement seems more about the enforcement of existing rules rather than any actual legal changes.

Exactly

22 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

Does this go hand in hand with the 50k daily limit on bank transactions and hospitals starting to refuse third party payments, etc.

I was thinking the same, what the F is going on. And complaining about lack of tourists.

17 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

You think I am a Democrat or some sort of liberal? 

Are you not? 🤔🤔

Fair and square

15 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

It has everything to do with targeting foreigners along with the recent changes to banking rules.

 

It has nothing to do with any changes to banking rules.

 

16 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

It logically follows that the Thai authorities will target expats if Western governments put them under pressure. They have no other way of reciprocating.

 

It is advanced paranoia to believe the Thai authorities are targeting expats because of Western governments pressure.

 

18 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

There have been precedents set such as Thaksin's clampdown on visas all down to pressure from the IMF in the early 2000's.

 

 

Whatever Thaksin's policy on immigration/visas, it had nothing to do with IMF pressure.

 

20 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

You have some affront on here acting like some sort of authority when you really don't know what goes on in the minds of Thai people.

 

We are very fortunate to have you available to explain what goes on in the minds of Thai people, because otherwise one would be temped to swallow fatuous drivel.

 

5 minutes ago, baansgr said:

But if your visa is valid less than 1 year..the clue is there...marriage, work and retirement visas/extensions are valid for 1 year...not less than..nothing has changed, same.same as always 👍 

 

The MOT is notoriously unreliable... I wouldn't be going of any misinterpretation they have made based on original announcements from the DLT.

 

The quite: is << IF YOUR VISA IS VALID FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR >>    that does not mean 'remaining validity'...  it means the Validity of your Visa - which in most cases is 1 year (from start of visa or extension to expiry)...

 

As an addition - it is also known that Non-Imm Visa's are given an extension of 1 year and these are considered 'Resident Visas' as such, even before the 1 year extension is given, these are likely to accepted.

 

Just my take - but this is the way its always been - I don't think anything has changed, and as usual, poorly worded announcements are simply being taken too literally and some are getting confused... We've seen these 'mis-announcements / confusing announcements' too often before, the same thing always happens...    pages of confusion and debate about the specific wording - this is typical of announcements made my officials (anywhere) who care little to clarify ambiguity in their statement and have no consideration for the wake of chaos and confusion caused.

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Further evidence

Maybe I should go there the next time I renew my license on my five year DTV; elsewhere, they only gives two years on that visa.

12 minutes ago, baansgr said:

But if your visa is valid less than 1 year..the clue is there...marriage, work and retirement visas/extensions are valid for 1 year...not less than..nothing has changed, same.same as always 👍 

Looks like you didn't read the initial post properly

1 minute ago, scubascuba3 said:

Looks like you didn't read the initial post properly

Says mot.. 😁

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Looks like you didn't read the initial post properly

EXACTLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 minutes ago, farang51 said:

Maybe I should go there the next time I renew my license on my five year DTV; elsewhere, they only gives two years on that visa.

Dunno, maybe try Chon Buri city transport office

27 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

It has everything to do with targeting foreigners along with the recent changes to banking rules.

 

It logically follows that the Thai authorities will target expats if Western governments put them under pressure. They have no other way of reciprocating.

 

There have been precedents set such as Thaksin's clampdown on visas all down to pressure from the IMF in the early 2000's.

 

You have some affront on here acting like some sort of authority when you really don't know what goes on in the minds of Thai people.

 

- Bringing Trump into the discussion? Pointless and dumb... 

 

- Suggesting this is some targeted campaign against expats?... That’s just paranoid and delusional.

 

- Dragging in the IMF and Thaksin?..  unrelated and irrelevant and again paranoid and delusional.

 

Frankly, you're making a fool of yourself.

 

Now, you're right about one thing – I'm not an official authority. But I’ve lived here for nearly three decades and have a solid grasp of how Thai bureaucracy works: the miscommunications, the inconsistencies, and the frequency with which public announcements are either incorrect, ambiguous, or outright misleading.

 

What I’ve seen time and time again is people on forums like this getting fixated on the precise wording – often the result of a mistranslation – and running wild with assumptions or clinging onto amgiguity.

 

So for you to accuse me of having no knowledge or being affronted...    up to you... You have already proved how irrelevant your comments are.

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

 

First time I hear about that rule, and IMO the most ridiculous thing I ever heard about

General drivers = 0.05% BAC, under 20 = 0.02%.

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Further evidence

Wonder what it cost, and who paid to print this notice, issued by TikTok, in Pattaya. Hahahaha

44 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

Does this go hand in hand with the 50k daily limit on bank transactions and

 

No – that’s completely unrelated.

 

The 50,000 THB limit originates from recent amendments to Thai financial regulations, particularly those aimed at bolstering consumer protection in cases of fraud. As of mid-2023, the Bank of Thailand (BoT), in coordination with the Thai government and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), introduced new rules that make banks liable for unauthorised or fraudulent digital transactions, provided customers weren’t negligent.

 

In response, commercial banks implemented enhanced security measures - notably facial recognition technology linked to the biometric data stored on Thai national ID cards - to verify users during high-risk or high-value transfers.

 

The catch? Foreigners don’t have Thai ID cards, and thus cannot be onboarded into this national biometric verification system.

 

As a result, banks have imposed a 50,000 THB limit per transaction that cannot be verified by NDID for customers using mobile or internet banking, not as a punitive measure against foriengers, but because they can't verify foreign users through the mandated biometric channel.

 

To be clear: this is not a 50,000 baht daily limit. It’s a 50,000 baht limit per transaction, up to whatever your daily maximum is, which depends on your specific banking agreement and the bank’s internal policies.

 

Ultimately, this isn't a matter of targeting foreigners - it's simply that the current regulatory and technological infrastructure prioritises coverage for the majority (i.e. Thai nationals), and banks have little incentive to adapt systems for the much smaller foreign demographic - very annoying having to make multiple 49,999 baht transactions in a row when I need to pay off a large bill !!!.. 

 

 

44 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

hospitals starting to refuse third party payments, etc.

 

I know its off-Topic (but important) - but can you elaborate - which third-party payments are being refused and by which hospitals ???

3 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

 

First time I hear about that rule, and IMO the most ridiculous thing I ever heard about

General drivers = 0.05% BAC, under 20 = 0.02%.

 

Nearly:  DUI Limits:

 

5 Year Licence holders:  0.05% BAC (drivers of private vehicles).

2 Year Licence holders: 0.02% BAC (& those under 20, those driving public vehicles, professional and commercial vehicles).

8 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

To be clear: this is not a 50,000 baht daily limit. It’s a 50,000 baht limit per transaction, up to whatever your daily maximum is, which depends on your specific banking agreement and the bank’s internal policies.

This is where you get it all wrong, there is indeed a 50k per transaction threshold above which the facial recognition is required, had if for about a year at BB, but now there is another daily limit of 50K restricting the total amount you may transact via mobile banking out your account. 

 

There is a long thread, about this situation, including one guy with a heart attack who had his wife running around to borrow money as he was unable to go to the nearest agency to make an old fashioned transfer.

As far as I know you can go to any Land Trasportation Office to renew your license.  I am on my 4th 5 year license and each time I have had to cherry pick the office I go to because I can't pass the peripheral color test at the testing centers using the machines you put your chin in.    Any other method works for me though.  So I have found the offices using the colored paddles they hold to the side or naming colors on a chart.  

 

However, I have always used my work permit with my Bangkok address and not a certificate of residency.  Maybe that makes a difference or they have changed the policy of using any office.

 

12 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

This is where you get it all wrong, there is indeed a 50k per transaction threshold above which the facial recognition is required, had if for about a year at BB, but now there is another daily limit of 50K restricting the total amount you may transact via mobile banking out your account. 

 

There is a long thread, about this situation, including one guy with a heart attack who had his wife running around to borrow money as he was unable to go to the nearest agency to make an old fashioned transfer.

It is off topic, however, I disagree, my daily limits are higher than 50,000, so if I want to transfer 99,000 to one person, I could make 2 x 49,500 transactions. 

This is with SCB and I can see the daily limits in the APP.

Little people sitting in big chairs.

T.I.T.

2 hours ago, CallumWK said:

 

But who has such a visa that is valid minimum 1 year on the date they renew their driving license?

I do

2 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

To be clear: this is not a 50,000 baht daily limit. It’s a 50,000 baht limit per transaction, up to whatever your daily maximum is, which depends on your specific banking agreement and the bank’s internal policies.

This is where you get it all wrong, there is indeed a 50k per transaction threshold above which the facial recognition is required, had if for about a year at BB, but now there is another daily limit of 50K restricting the total amount you may transact out your account. 

 

 

Thats incorrect Peter: I regularly make multiple transactions daily that total more than 50,000 baht per day.

- With Kasikorn Bank, with Bangkok Bank and with Siam Commercial Bank. 

 

For example:

Just this wee with SCB : 18-July: I made 4x  49,999 baht transfers (within 5 mins of each other). 

Last month I made similar transactions: 

 

The daily limit on Prompt Pay with SCB: is now 200,000 baht (I hit this limit this week).

The daily limit on Prompt Pay with BKK Bank: was 500,000 baht (but that was last month, I'm not sure if there have been any changes to this, as even though we see the limit the restrictions kick in when we attempt the transaction)

 

All very annoying that we too (foreigners) cannot get NDID.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9 minutes ago, ricklev said:

I am on my 4th 5 year license and each time I have had to cherry pick the office

Yes I believe you can go to any DLT office the only problem being maybe they have some strange  paperwork requirements  meaning more than 1 trip.

Could you please list the DLT's you have used   with your Bangkok address.

I do not have a visa.... when I go to renew will they refuse ?

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

 

Thats incorrect Peter: I regularly make multiple transactions daily that total more than 50,000 baht per day.

- With Kasikorn Bank, with Bangkok Bank and with Siam Commercial Bank. 

 

For example:

Just this wee with SCB : 18-July: I made 4x  49,999 baht transfers (within 5 mins of each other). 

Last month I made similar transactions: 

 

The daily limit on Prompt Pay with SCB: is now 200,000 baht (I hit this limit this week).

The daily limit on Prompt Pay with BKK Bank: was 500,000 baht (but that was last month, I'm not sure if there have been any changes to this, as even though we see the limit the restrictions kick in when we attempt the transaction)

 

All very annoying that we too (foreigners) cannot get NDID.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try to read the relevant thread, I can assure you you that is has been slapped on my Kasikorn account. And you'll see that it is likely to affect us all.

50 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Looks like you didn't read the initial post properly

 

Which do you believe... MOTS (an agency bidding for clients which charges 4500 baht to 'assist' foreigners getting their Driving license when they can easily do it themselves)... 

 

Or an announcement on TikTok (if a copy of an official announcement) which makes no mention of Non-O and Non-OA visas... 

 

Which one do you believe ?, because they are somewhat contradictory.... and both involve ambiguity.