I went today and obtained an international driving permit from the Morchit/Bangkok office...and it took about 30 minutes from the time that I entered the building until I exited with the document...excellent service from the staff and there were about 3 others waiting ahead of me...

you got to have prepared:

• a 5 year thai driving license (and a photocopy)
• your passport and photocopies of the ID and visa pages
• a residence certificate obtainable from your embassy or from your local thai immigration office
• 2 passport sized photos
• a completed application (a downloadable pro forma for which others have posted on this forum)

you turn in the package on the second floor and then are directed to another desk where you pay thb505...you are then directed to a second person closeby that asks a few questions and has you sign the photo copies...the permit is then handed to another person who signs and stamps it and then bob's yer uncle...

and then you are asked if you would like to buy a clear plastic wallet for thb10...

at that point, from gratitude I was ready to buy 10...

and the Land transport office complex at Morchit is huge...yer driver has to know where he's going...and parking is a big hassle...but I had my usual driver, Mr Wat, and we zipped in and out with a minimum thereof...'you gots it already, Mr tutsi?' 'yeah...and I couldn't believe it...'

I strongly recommend that if one is en route to a place where driving is required to obtain this document...if you ain't got it when it's required then youse up the big creek without a paddle...

tutsi is at the car rental place in saudi and presents his thai driving license and his american passport...the arab is bored and sez: ' no...if you gots an american passport then you gots to have a valid american driving license...but, an international driving permit from wherever is OK...NEXT!'

ho hum...

Thanks for your post Tutsi, I have another question that I have asked on other threads but have not gotten an answer for it. I hold a valid 5 year Thai driving license, I also hold a valid international driving permit which expires April 20, 2016. I have read you can re-new the permit 30 days before the expire date. My question is if you re-new it do you still need a new residence certificate or does it not apply in this case. I do not have a work permit or a house book, as I am a renter. If a new residence certificate is required I really do not see any benefit in getting a renewal rather than a new permit. If anyone has done this I sure would appreciate a comment, preferably in the Bangkok area. Thanks in advance.

tutsi is at the car rental place in saudi and presents his thai driving license and his american passport...the arab is bored and sez: ' no...if you gots an american passport then you gots to have a valid american driving license...but, an international driving permit from wherever is OK...NEXT!'

ho hum...

Interesting. Car rentals in Europe accept a normal Thai driving license. Never had a problem. Also seems that the US does it.

Thanks for your post Tutsi, I have another question that I have asked on other threads but have not gotten an answer for it. I hold a valid 5 year Thai driving license, I also hold a valid international driving permit which expires April 20, 2016. I have read you can re-new the permit 30 days before the expire date. My question is if you re-new it do you still need a new residence certificate or does it not apply in this case. I do not have a work permit or a house book, as I am a renter. If a new residence certificate is required I really do not see any benefit in getting a renewal rather than a new permit. If anyone has done this I sure would appreciate a comment, preferably in the Bangkok area. Thanks in advance.

You'll need a new certificate.

Can anyone explain how paying a govt dept a few shekels suddenly makes someone more capable of driving in a different country? I understand a few Banana Republics require them, but fail to understand why.