International Driver's License

[jdinasia]

Anyone have a decently accessible place to get one in BKK?

[PvtDick]

You have to have a Thai driver's license first. After that, you can get an International license from the same place. I know for sure that you can get one from the land transport department main branch at Chatuchak -- not sure about the smaller branches.

[doctormann]

You have to have a Thai driver's license first.  After that, you can get an International license from the same place.  I know for sure that you can get one from the land transport department main branch at Chatuchak -- not sure about the smaller branches.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds like a bit of a Catch-22 situation here.

Unless you want to take the full Thai driving test you need the IDP to get the Thai licence in the first place!

Not sure of your nationality but it should be possible to get an IDP from your own country, via a motoring organisation (e.g. the RAC, if you're UK based). You might need an address in that country but that should not be insurmountable.

Also have seen some ads on this forum, offering IDPs for sale. No idea of their validity or cost though.

[Sheryl]

Anyone have a decently accessible place to get one in BKK?

If you have a US license you can get a 5 year international license by mail, forms and instructions can be downloaded online. I forget the website but a googlesearch should find it.

[PvtDick]

No Catch-22. You need an overseas license (not an international license) to get a Thai license.

The Thai authorities can only issue an international license based on a Thai license. After all, all an international license is is an official translation of a driver's license and confirmation by the issuing authority of the information contained therein. It makes perfect sense that the Thai authorities cannot give you an international driver's license based on a driver's license issued by a third country.

If you're in the US (perhaps other countries as well), you can easily get an international license from the AAA. Perhaps they are the ones who can issue you one online.