my 1 yr thai DL has expired. Is there any point in renewing it?

[ghworker2010]

Hi there,

As the title suggests, my 1 yr Thai drivers licence expired at the end of June this year. When in the nanny state of Oz earlier this year, I paid for an 'international driving permit (IDP)' and I have my oz driving and bike licence.

I'm currently on a 30 day visa and back to LOS in December on a double entry tourist visa.

Questions:

1. Should I go and renew the 1 yr licence and get another yr? Can I do this on a 30 day visa on arrival stamp? Or should I wait until dec?

2. Should I bother renewing it? If Im on a moped and get pulled over by the men in brown and dont have a thai licence but show the IDP will I simply just pay the thb200 (no receipt required) and then be on my way?

3. Is there any point in me going to the effort of renewing the Thai licence every year?

thanks for your worldly opinions on this mundane subject matter

[thaicbr]

After the 1st year the renewal is for 5 years. If you are here as a tourist and have an Australian with IDP then OK.. bear in mind that will be for cars. Thailand has 2 licenses one for cars and one for bikes. The BIB are fining for no bike license.

If you intend coming regularly then having a Thai license is good.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6