Confused - What Year Is It?!

[robsamui]

Hi.

Just checking on when my driving licence expires and I'm getting tangled. After a long time in Thailand I've never actually needed to work this one out before, so can someone put me straight?

Licence expires in March 2556.

It's now 2555.

By my thinking, on the 1st January just gone our year changed from 2012 to 2013 - but the Thai year remained 2555 and won't become 2556 until after next Songkran on 17th April.

Thus the Thai March 2556 is (hopefully) our March 2014.

Erm . . . ??

R

[whybother]

It is currently 2556. 2013 + 543.

The Thai year is still January to December.

[robsamui]

It is currently 2556. 2013 + 543.

The Thai year is still January to December.

So why isn't the Thai New year in Songkran the start of a new year for them?

R

[notmyself]

Because it makes no sense. Welcome to Thailand.

[robsamui]

It is currently 2556. 2013 + 543.

The Thai year is still January to December.

So why isn't the Thai New year in Songkran the start of a new year for them?

R

Just found the answer on Wikipedia and answered my own question (didn't spot this before even tho I looked so sorry for the unnecessary post . . .)

"Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning of the year in Thailand; thereafter 1 April was used until 1940. 1 January is now the beginning of the year."

Obviously following the established policy of keeping the peasants in a state of ignorance and confusion - myself included . . .

R

[whybother]

It is currently 2556. 2013 + 543.

The Thai year is still January to December.

So why isn't the Thai New year in Songkran the start of a new year for them?

R

Because they changed it to run with the western new year some time in the distant past.

[PattayaPhom]

If it expires on your birthday, a little tip, go the day after and u get 6 years all but a day

[marstons]

The newer licenses have Thai and "Western" new years start and expire date, expires on birthday strangely enough not on 5 year date.

[rak sa_ngop]

I believe that Laos still changes its Buddhist New Year at Pi Mai (Songkran). However the International year is commonly accepted.

[xen]

It is currently 2556. 2013 + 543.

The Thai year is still January to December.

But the Thai fiscal year begins in April , doesn't it ? Same as USA ?

[Tywais]

It is currently 2556. 2013 + 543.

The Thai year is still January to December.

But the Thai fiscal year begins in April , doesn't it ? Same as USA ?

1st of October for Thailand.

[xen]

It is currently 2556. 2013 + 543.

The Thai year is still January to December.

But the Thai fiscal year begins in April , doesn't it ? Same as USA ?

1st of October for Thailand.

Okay, stand corrected, Thanks Tywais