16 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Although this is slightly off topic isn't it time that we start referring to ourselves as foreigners? I don't get overly offended by the word farang, or falang, but I do think that it's a bit impolite, as it does mean total outsider which we're not. In many other cultures we would consider to be one of them, after 10, 20, or 30 years, and after contributing massively to the local economies.

A significant group of my friends much prefer the word foreigner.

Could I ask you kindly to have some respect to the OP and not put his post off track

Your a selfish man who barges into lifts before the people get out !

Start your own thread on your issue please , surely that's not too much to ask of you surely !!

32 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Blood pressure test is hardly a medical!

Use an agent and no need to go near a doctor nor a sphygmomanometer!

32 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Start your own thread on your issue please , surely that's not too much to ask of you surely !!

DON'T CALL ME SHIRLEY!!!

Would just add that whether or not you can successfully obtain a drivers license in Thailand, an honest and objective assessment of your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle needs to be periodically made in order to protect the safety of you, your loved ones, and the general public. Please don't lose sight of the fact that the driver license screening process in Thailand is less than optimal, and does not involve an on-the-road evaluation of your driving skills, as is the case in many Western countries.

12 hours ago, emptypockets said:

In Australia have to get a medical at 75 to maintain a licence.

For good reason.

In UK you just have to say on the renewal form that you are medically fit and can see. No tests.

16 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I'm only 71. One guy, posted recently, 84 and still driving. I might need to tend to a cataract soon, and will find out end of this year I think, when renewing license. See how that depth perception test goes 🙄

I better apply to renew early, JIC

Depend where you do your test. At my last test in Pattaya they were no longer using depth perception, only colour and reflex tests.

2 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

Would just add that whether or not you can successfully obtain a drivers license in Thailand, an honest and objective assessment of your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle needs to be periodically made in order to protect the safety of you, your loved ones, and the general public. Please don't lose sight of the fact that the driver license screening process in Thailand is less than optimal, and does not involve an on-the-road evaluation of your driving skills, as is the case in many Western countries.

Not sure that the driver is the right person to make an honest assessment of their ability to drive. Plenty of hopeless drivers think they are Stirling Moss.

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

Depend where you do your test. At my last test in Pattaya they were no longer using depth perception, only colour and reflex tests.

If I fail the test, then that tells me, I should get the cataract taken off. So far, it hasn't been an issue. Though I do notice my depth perception, isn't as sharp as it was. So a little extra space allowed when driving, and slower speeds, not that I ever drive too fast for conditions anyway. More for when in congested areas.

Besides, my radar (wife) is always turned on, and almost impossible to have an oops.

I'd hate to have an opps, and hurt someone, because I neglected to take care of the obvious.

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Although this is slightly off topic isn't it time that we start referring to ourselves as foreigners? I don't get overly offended by the word farang, or falang, but I do think that it's a bit impolite, as it does mean total outsider which we're not. In many other cultures we would consider to be one of them, after 10, 20, or 30 years, and after contributing massively to the local economies.

A significant group of my friends much prefer the word foreigner.

They can call me what they like as long it is "not late for dinner"😀

Mine expired two years ago on my ninetieth birthday. Just as well, my eyesight had started to deteriorate. I now sit in the back seat of the car and close my eyes while my wife drives. If I make a comment, the reply is, "This is Thailand and I'm a Thai." Say no more. I appreciate it and am fortunate to have her to drive me. She is seventy seven with a Thai lifetime license.

22 hours ago, giddyup said:

My Thai car licence expires in 2028, at which time I'll be 86, will I be eligible for a new one if I can pass the test?

Interested to know who is the oldest falang among members to still have a drivers licence?

You just beat me, I will be 86 when my license expires July 2029

18 hours ago, richsilver said:

I renewed mine recently here in Pattaya. I will be 90 when it expires and hopefully still able to drive!

But can you get insurance. I think Roojai kicks me out at 75.

14 hours ago, connda said:

You have to get a medical in Thailand every time you apply.

Not exactly, every renewal requires a medical certificate, not a medical examination!

19 hours ago, Artisi said:

Mother in law has a life time licence, interesting thing is she's never driven a car in her life.

My mother 82 years old in Sweden has a license for MC, never driven an motorcycle

21 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Although this is slightly off topic isn't it time that we start referring to ourselves as foreigners? I don't get overly offended by the word farang, or falang, but I do think that it's a bit impolite, as it does mean total outsider which we're not. In many other cultures we would consider to be one of them, after 10, 20, or 30 years, and after contributing massively to the local economies.

A significant group of my friends much prefer the word foreigner.

Thai is a language of classifiers, whether eggs, paper or people, Thais classify everything. "Farang" is really no more than a classifier in Thai eyes. The word: "farang's" etymology has long been disputed, whether it evolved from "Frank" or the word for papaya or several other possibilities, it is not seen by Thais as rude or judgmental. We've long seen such words as "Gringo", "Gwello", "Yankee" as disparaging and that is pretty accurate but "farang" is not in that same league.

10 minutes ago, dddave said:

Thai is a language of classifiers, whether eggs, paper or people, Thais classify everything. "Farang" is really no more than a classifier in Thai eyes. The word: "farang's" etymology has long been disputed, whether it evolved from "Frank" or the word for papaya or several other possibilities, it is not seen by Thais as rude or judgmental. We've long seen such words as "Gringo", "Gwello", "Yankee" as disparaging and that is pretty accurate but "farang" is not in that same league.

Whether I consider it derogatory or not, I still have the option of choosing to use the word foreigner, which I feel is more dignified. Obviously this is a personal thing, and it probably means nothing to the vast majority of people.

47 minutes ago, henryford1958 said:

But can you get insurance. I think Roojai kicks me out at 75.

I have Tokyo Marine insurance, there is no age limit. If the Transport Dept. issue you with a valid licence it means you are legal to drive whatever your age.

21 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Although this is slightly off topic isn't it time that we start referring to ourselves as foreigners? I don't get overly offended by the word farang, or falang, but I do think that it's a bit impolite, as it does mean total outsider which we're not. In many other cultures we would consider to be one of them, after 10, 20, or 30 years, and after contributing massively to the local economies.

A significant group of my friends much prefer the word foreigner.

There's is nothing wrong, either linguistically or etymologically, with the word Farang. It means Caucasian. Probably originates in a Persian word something like 'Ferengi', meaning just that.

18 minutes ago, dddave said:

Thai is a language of classifiers, whether eggs, paper or people, Thais classify everything. "Farang" is really no more than a classifier in Thai eyes. The word: "farang's" etymology has long been disputed, whether it evolved from "Frank" or the word for papaya or several other possibilities, it is not seen by Thais as rude or judgmental. We've long seen such words as "Gringo", "Gwello", "Yankee" as disparaging and that is pretty accurate but "farang" is not in that same league.

Nothing to do with the subject.

Just now, cooked said:

There's is nothing wrong, either linguistically or etymologically, with the word Farang. It means Caucasian. Probably originates in a Persian word something like 'Ferengi', meaning just that.

Nothing to do with the subject.

1 hour ago, Gandtee said:

Mine expired two years ago on my ninetieth birthday. Just as well, my eyesight had started to deteriorate. I now sit in the back seat of the car and close my eyes while my wife drives. If I make a comment, the reply is, "This is Thailand and I'm a Thai." Say no more. I appreciate it and am fortunate to have her to drive me. She is seventy seven with a Thai lifetime license.

My granddaughter now drives us about, since I drove into a ditch last year. I really don't mind, but she'll be leaving home in a year's time.

2 hours ago, giddyup said:

Not sure that the driver is the right person to make an honest assessment of their ability to drive. Plenty of hopeless drivers think they are Stirling Moss.

I think you got my point that just because you are able to pass a Thai driving test doesn't necessarily mean it is advisable to continue driving at an advanced age. Self-assessment of frequency of near misses, minor fender benders, slowing reaction times, confusion and difficulty orienting, the degree to which passengers feel safe with you behind the wheel, assessment of health problems which aren't necessarily screened for on a Thai driving test, and feedback from friends and family about your performance behind the wheel is what I was talking about.

On 1/30/2026 at 5:38 AM, giddyup said:

My Thai car licence expires in 2028, at which time I'll be 86, will I be eligible for a new one if I can pass the test?

Interested to know who is the oldest falang among members to still have a drivers licence?

93 in CNX

2 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

just because you are able to pass a Thai driving test doesn't necessarily mean it is advisable to continue driving at an advanced age.

This is something I worry about.

I live in the sticks. No buses, no taxis, no grab, no uber and no other driver.

Also 7-11 don't deliver to my house.

I have no choice, I have to drive to get food.

14 hours ago, carlyai said:

If you are getting cataract/s removed, if you see the right people they will stitch in new lenses and your vision should be perfect again. :)

The cataracts are a clouding of the lens/es, so, obviously, the Dr must put in new ones.

Or give you a dog and white stick! 555

6 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

You know lifetime driving licences were issued 30 years ago

True. I'm 81. I have a Thai lifetime driving license for a car and for a motorcycle.

About 10 years back there was a 'campaign' to get all old cardoard with pasted photo licenses chaned to plastic.

I went to the LTO in Bkk, they did a 1 minute check to confirm I was in the database

On 1/30/2026 at 2:48 PM, PoorSucker said:

Me too 😩

Friend of mine moved to Samui 1974, he had one.

He also had lifetime workpermit allowing him to work anywhere with anything, it was numbered #2

LIFETIME DRIVING LICENE - I have these licenses for car and for motorcycle. At 78 years old I asked at the central LTO office about tests for older foreigners and maximum age. Response, from Snr. officer "can you still drive? Answer "yes every day" and tests : no direct response "your doing OK keep driving" and he walked away.

Yes Do you have accidents very often?

LIFETIME WORK PERMIT - This did exist decades ago and could be issued by various agencies, I saw the letter about 10 years back, the holder was a very very old British guy and he was very proud of his lifetime work permit. Now doesn't exist.

14 hours ago, connda said:

You have to get a medical in Thailand every time you apply.

No, you have to get a piece of paper from a clinic................no test.

On 1/30/2026 at 1:04 PM, PoorSucker said:

You know lifetime driving licences were issued 30 years ago

I had one such. Stroke of a pen favoring better business declared it expired in announcing a whole new academic system for learners and above changed that.

Now Thailand entrepreneurs offer "legitimate" online instant licenses for same or less than Thai learners seeking legitimacy.

I have two nieces who have just acquired car driver licences .

One was an experienced driver with own vehicle who only had to witness an"assistant" fill out the test of road rules.

The other similarly except also had to demonstrate basic ability to start, travel at low speed, and stop an automatic saloon her father bought for the occasion. The cost was only doubled.

I prefer to travel with an experienced defensive driver ,illegitimate or not, than any smug license card waiver who knows jack s..t !

And that includes non Thai !

A friend of mine 88 yrs old just renewed his drivers licence at the Buriram licencing branch without any problem. All the guys were waiting to see what would happen as he is the oldest among us, but no problems at all. I have heard that you need a medical examination at 90 yrs but so far it is hearsay.

7 hours ago, dddave said:

Thai is a language of classifiers, whether eggs, paper or people, Thais classify everything. "Farang" is really no more than a classifier in Thai eyes. The word: "farang's" etymology has long been disputed, whether it evolved from "Frank" or the word for papaya or several other possibilities, it is not seen by Thais as rude or judgmental. We've long seen such words as "Gringo", "Gwello", "Yankee" as disparaging and that is pretty accurate but "farang" is not in that same league.

Thai is a language of many parts of speech; a classifier is just one of them.
Farang (ฝรั่ง) is not a classifier; it’s a noun.
In Thai, a classifier specifies the type of thing being counted.
In the construction ‘farangs two people’ or farang song khon (ฝรั่งสองคน), ‘people’ or khon (คน) is the person classifier.

Also, papaya is malakor (มะละกอ), guava is farang (ฝรั่ง), potato is man farang (มันฝรั่ง), chewing gum is mak farang (หมากฝรั่ง), and a French person is khon farangset (คนฝรั่งเศส).