This has probably been discussed before, but SEARCH doesn't give me anything useful. If there's another thread about this and you can point me to it, please do. I can't seem to find anything.

In any case, my question is about renting and driving a motorbike in Hua Hin. I don't have a Thai license and while I'm hoping to get one at some point, right now I only have a US one. It's a car license, not a bike one. Given those two things, how safe will I be if I rent a bike to drive in Hua Hin? I lived in Hanoi for a year and there is not a big deal. The police won't even look your way and as long as you drive safely and wear a helmet, nobody cares if you even have a license.

Is this the case in Hua Hin too? Can I rent a bike and simply start driving? The real estate woman that helped me find a house says there's no problem. She doesn't gain anything by lying, but I'm just wondering if maybe she's missinformed? Comments? Ideas?

......" lived in Hanoi for a year and there is not a big deal. The police won't even look your way and as long as you drive safely and wear a helmet, nobody cares if you even have a license."

Same in Hua Hin, but need to include "have an accident".