A Id Card For Retirees

[wolf5370]

Thi si the old argment again - most say why would the Thai's do anything for us - what's in it for them etc - well there is somethings in it for them - and in it for us too. Not just retirees but anyone on a long term, non-imm, visa.

It would give them a single card that can be used for ID and understood and verifiable by all authoprities (and non authorities) - rather than a myriad of foreign language/script passports. Extensions, work permit, address, visa expiry, even offences can be stored against the card. It is easy to check. It needent cost Thailand anything as fees will recoup running costs - and even give extra jobs perhaps. This could even be run as a private enterprise under bidded contract to save any start up costs. There are benefits there, but it is whether Thai Gov realises the benefit is worth the work and parliamentry time.

[NancyL]

Your first TDL will be valid for one year. When you apply for your second, it will be for five years. I guess they want to check that you don't have any violations during that first year. Don't really know, since I never used mine for driving.

[moe666]

I have two Thai drivers licenses, car and scooter, no real problem getting both. I have used them to board a domestic flight form Chiang Mai to Bangkok and return also used for hotel.

A

to those who parrot the reframe they donot want us, then leave I for one never go where I am not wanted.

[ableguy]

MY 5 year Thai driving Licence works very well as ID, national parks, airlines, hotels, all accept it.

If you are here for more than 6 months (on retirement or married extension) and drive any vehicle you have to get it anyway.

Why do you need it for national parks ? do you get the Thai price for admission ?

[PoorSucker]

Why do you need it for national parks ? do you get the Thai price for admission ?

Yes, I get Thai price for admission when showing my Thai DL.

[Jayman]

Why do you need it for national parks ? do you get the Thai price for admission ?

Yes, I get Thai price for admission when showing my Thai DL.

Not only do you get the Thai price at national parks but I have found I get the thai price at ALL places that have a dual pricing system. Off the top of my head, these places include... All the touristy attractions in Royal Garden, Crocodile Farm, Nong Nooch Garden, Dolphin World, Tiger Zoo, Underwater World, Phuket Aquarium, several national parks... in fact.. now that I'm thinking about it.. I can't think of any place that had dual pricing that didn't give me the Thai price.

Also, you just show them your Thai DL, no need to say anything as they all seem to understand and give you the lower price without comment.

[Billmont]

I know this is a bit off topic but I have my 5 year Thai DL and it's of the newer style (the one with english on it). Now the older one (just paper you needed to get laminated) had my thai address printed on it. The new one does not have my address on it anywhere. Now I have looked at Thai peoples versions of this same card and they have their address printed on the back of the card in small print. Does any expat carrying a new thai DL have their thai address printed on the back of the card?

I have a temporary Motorcycle licence and a 5 year Car Licence both obtained within the last year. Both have my address in Thai on the reverse side. I also carry a reduced size laminated photocopy in colour of my Passport ID Page and also on the reverse side my latest 12 month visa stamps from my passport. I have been informed by people with more experience than myself that this is sufficient for all usual ID checks. Saying that since I have had my Thai Driving Licence I have never been asked to show it although I have been stopped several time. When I had my UK Driving Licence and International Driving Licence I was asked to produce them everytime. Sods Law! My wife laughs at my frustration when I joking say "I want to show my Thai Driving Licence, why dont they now ask for it?"

[bigwilly]

Hi Billmont.

I just checked both my Thai licence for motor car and motorcycle, both have my address on the back, both have 5 year validity( issued from Pattaya).

Regards big willy.

[Soutpeel]

Why do you need it for national parks ? do you get the Thai price for admission ?

Yes, I get Thai price for admission when showing my Thai DL.

Not only do you get the Thai price at national parks but I have found I get the thai price at ALL places that have a dual pricing system. Off the top of my head, these places include... All the touristy attractions in Royal Garden, Crocodile Farm, Nong Nooch Garden, Dolphin World, Tiger Zoo, Underwater World, Phuket Aquarium, several national parks... in fact.. now that I'm thinking about it.. I can't think of any place that had dual pricing that didn't give me the Thai price.

Also, you just show them your Thai DL, no need to say anything as they all seem to understand and give you the lower price without comment.

Not all places will give you the reduced rates based just on your DL, the more savvie places want to see your WP to get the reduced rate as a DL proves nothing as to your "resident" status in Thailand...further some places will not even entertain a DL or WP and make you pay the full price.

flashing a Thai DL or WP doesnt mean automatically you will get a price reduction

[davyboy]

Why do you need it for national parks ? do you get the Thai price for admission ?

Yes, I get Thai price for admission when showing my Thai DL.

Not only do you get the Thai price at national parks but I have found I get the thai price at ALL places that have a dual pricing system. Off the top of my head, these places include... All the touristy attractions in Royal Garden, Crocodile Farm, Nong Nooch Garden, Dolphin World, Tiger Zoo, Underwater World, Phuket Aquarium, several national parks... in fact.. now that I'm thinking about it.. I can't think of any place that had dual pricing that didn't give me the Thai price.

Also, you just show them your Thai DL, no need to say anything as they all seem to understand and give you the lower price without comment.

Not all places will give you the reduced rates based just on your DL, the more savvie places want to see your WP to get the reduced rate as a DL proves nothing as to your "resident" status in Thailand...further some places will not even entertain a DL or WP and make you pay the full price.

flashing a Thai DL or WP doesnt mean automatically you will get a price reduction

Maybe not, but it's always worth trying!

[Jayman]

Why do you need it for national parks ? do you get the Thai price for admission ?

Yes, I get Thai price for admission when showing my Thai DL.

Not only do you get the Thai price at national parks but I have found I get the thai price at ALL places that have a dual pricing system. Off the top of my head, these places include... All the touristy attractions in Royal Garden, Crocodile Farm, Nong Nooch Garden, Dolphin World, Tiger Zoo, Underwater World, Phuket Aquarium, several national parks... in fact.. now that I'm thinking about it.. I can't think of any place that had dual pricing that didn't give me the Thai price.

Also, you just show them your Thai DL, no need to say anything as they all seem to understand and give you the lower price without comment.

Not all places will give you the reduced rates based just on your DL, the more savvie places want to see your WP to get the reduced rate as a DL proves nothing as to your "resident" status in Thailand...further some places will not even entertain a DL or WP and make you pay the full price.

flashing a Thai DL or WP doesnt mean automatically you will get a price reduction

Would you mind citing a real world example? I have been here many years and have never not been given the thai price when I flashed my thai DL.

Also, this only gets you the Thai price when dual pricing is the policy. It doesn't get you some magic price reduction just for having a thai DL. It's been my experience that the more saavy (read hi-so) places charge everyone the same high price and no discounts for locals are given.

[ludditeman]

Would you mind citing a real world example? I have been here many years and have never not been given the thai price when I flashed my thai DL.

Koh Samet (Island near Pattaya) 40bht with DL (200bht foreigner), once in past year.

Note: the tour trips and boat operators will lie about the entrance fee, they want the 200bht, refuse to pay in advance, pay the park officer as you get off the boat.

SriLanna National Park 20bht with DL (100bht foreigner), three times in past year.

Monthathon Waterfall CM, 20bht with DL (100bht foreigner), twice in past year.

That was in the last year, can't remember where else, but everywhere with 2 prices always gave me Thai price with DL.

[Soutpeel]

Would you mind citing a real world example? I have been here many years and have never not been given the thai price when I flashed my thai DL.

And I too have been here many years...so whats your point...are you trying to imply you are more at one with your Thainess than me?..... ....suppose you have Chang vest, flip flops, and a buddist medallion round your next as well..the number of years you have been here is completely irrelavant..

and I am talking about dual priced places...

The Dolphin aquarium place on the way back from Koh Chang.....wouldnt accept my Thai DL, but would accept the WP

Koh Chang national park trying to get up to the waterfall wouldnt entertain either my DL or WP

The amusment park place out near DM airport, which the name escapes me....wouldnt entertain either DL & WP

Enough real world examples for you ?

[lopburi3]

flame removed.

[Jayman]

And I too have been here many years...so whats your point...are you trying to imply you are more at one with your Thainess than me?..... ....suppose you have Chang vest, flip flops, and a buddist medallion round your next as well..the number of years you have been here is completely irrelavant..

and I am talking about dual priced places...

The Dolphin aquarium place on the way back from Koh Chang.....wouldnt accept my Thai DL, but would accept the WP

Koh Chang national park trying to get up to the waterfall wouldnt entertain either my DL or WP

The amusment park place out near DM airport, which the name escapes me....wouldnt entertain either DL & WP

Enough real world examples for you ?

ok.. I guess your comments are much more "thai" than mine....

wasn't trying to have a pissing match with you just say that in the years I have produced my Thai DL I have never been denied a discount if one was available. Not trying to prove more a thai than you obviously are.

[NancyL]

Chiang Mai Zoo and aquarium. Senior citizen discount day at the cinema at Central Airport plaza.

Never had to pay any entry fee at a national park, but no one checked our ID. We've always gone to the parks with Thai people who work for some government agency and they manage to talk their way in and no one in the van is charged.

Didn't work at tourist-oriented museums in Ayuttha or Korat. Did work at the zoo in Korat.