Maybe i'll buy an old car but have no Thai drivers license. Will i find any problems with govt either driving the car home, or registering it, however that works? Will i need insurance prior to purchase? It's very unknown territory for me here.

For registration a DL is not a requirement, but of course a valid DL is required to drive the car.

I (bought and) drove a car using an International Driving Permit from my home country.

Can't do that legally for an extended period of time, must have the IDP converted to a Thai license in 90 days.

What licence do you have ?

If you have a full driving licence some countries licences are valid for 90 days without IDP.

How long have you been here ?

Have you any Thai acquaintances that can help you.

Is the car in a different province ?

If you buy the maybe car you should have a road tax disc on the front window and insurance paper showing the cover period.

Also 2 forms from the local DLT the car is registered with filled out by the onwer and the blue book signed on the last page entry.

Using your home countries' DL should go along with an Intl DL and this combination can be used 90 days and as long as the Intl DL is valid.

However, if your home-countries' DL is in English it may be accepted.

Most important is your car-insurance; if they accept your home-countries' DL you're safe with regards to accidents. Worst case is a fine from the boys in brown of 400 baht for not carrying a Thai DL.

Personally, I never encountered any problems at police-checks carrying just my home-countries' DL.

If the foreign licence is in English and has a photo no IDP is required.

Posts about International driving licences are just confusing.

In Thailand the car is insured the driver is a separate issue.

You can choose to upgrade with insurance companies on your vehicle for additional needs.