Do Thai traffic officers require a hard copy of my International Driving Permit (IDP)?

Just leave your IDP inside your vehicle

I always supply Hard copy + my countries drivers licence + passport and as soon as you go to hand it over, they say drive on 🤣🤣

You are aware your IDP must be from South Africa. Beware of online scams

Need the idp

Also be aware that the IDP is only valid for 3 months if on a longer stay.

From my own experience of traffic stops in Pattaya it is advisable to have a hard copy, because some officers need to move it around a bit to read it properly and also they sometimes wander off with it, but that being said if you plan to spend lots of time in Thailand I would advise get your Thai license, because for motorbike it's cheap and easy, on a tourist visa I did mine in March, total cost as I did myself was under 1k baht for just motorbike, car adds about 600 baht and I didn't end up needing to do the theory test, not sure why I didn't but not complaining, but if you want to go this option then first step is to go to the DLT and book an appointment, back in March they were booking for 3 weeks ahead so it maybe less now but still go do and they also give you a form with what you will need listed, I feel having a full Thai license would show officers that your not just a tourist so they may not try and ask for tea money as you probably understand the laws a bit,either way have a fun safe trip!

General rule for Thailand is always have a hard copy for everything. And always use blue ink so they don't accuse you of having a copy.