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What do I need to do to successfully open a bank account and obtain a driver's license in Thailand?
Bank Account OpeningThai Driving LicenseNON-O VisaTM30 FormExpat Life in ThailandVisa RequirementsDriving Test in Thailand
Dec 26, 2025
4 months ago
Rick ******
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for everyone’s help over the last year. Merry Christmas. I failed three times to open bank account then on fourth try I was successful. Opened at Krungthai in Tha Maka next to lotus. I only needed passport, evisa non o retirement visa from USA and TM30. Got my drivers license in Tha Maka yesterday. Watched videos for 4.5 hours then failed written test twice. Went back next day and passed written test and driving test.
TLDR : Answer Summary
An expat shares their successful experience of opening a bank account at Krungthai Bank after three attempts, requiring only a passport, eVisa for a NON-O retirement visa, and TM30 form. They also detail their journey to obtain a Thai driver's license, which involved failing the written test twice yet succeeding on their third attempt. Community members discuss the written test's language options and share their own experiences related to the driving test process.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Jesper *******
Great for u but it seems you don't have a IDP and you need to do the whole process but if u did have a IDP you only need to watch a 1hr video do some reaction test and get your licence
Kevin *********
@Jesper ******
Yes thats correct,i had the IDPGary ********
@Jesper ******
yep that's how I got mine I got bike and car at the same timeReply to
Gary ********
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Kevin *********
I got the Thai driving licence with no written tests,just had to watch videos for 2 hours
Gary ********
@Kevin ********
web site did you use? 😮😊👍Kevin *********
@Gary *******
I didnt use a website,just turned up at the centreReply to
Kevin *********
Reply
Vaughn **********
Great stuff
Scott ********
Good for you you got what you wanted
Roland ********
Scott Conroy I wanted everything
Reply to
Roland ********
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Sylvia ********
Congratulations on your patience, good to read success at last
Ray ********
I don't believe you, you must have cared to spend time to read the post and to write that huge message .
Reply to
Roland ********
Reply
Marc ********
So you care little bit then if you could care less😅
Reply to
Marc ********
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David ******
Is the written test in English or thai
Rick ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *****
your choice. I did my test in EnglishRoland ********
@David *****
ThaiNewfarang ****
@David *****
you can go onto google and put in Thai driving test and you can see and practice as many times as you like, some of the road signs are written in Thai but not that many.Reply to
Newfarang ****
Reply
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What is the process for obtaining a Thai driving license as an expat and what paperwork is required?
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