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What extra benefits do you get with a Thai Driver License, including National Park access?
Thai Driver LicenseBenefits of Thai Driver LicenseNational Parks AccessExpat AdviceVisa RegulationsDriving in ThailandID UsageDiscounts for Expats
Feb 13, 2023
3 years ago
Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTERExtra benefits on having a Thai Driver License? is it true it gives u free access to National Parks? anything else? thx...
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussions reveal that a Thai Driver License does not provide free access to National Parks, contrary to popular belief. While some commenters mention instances of reduced fees at smaller parks, most agree that foreign nationals typically pay the foreigner price. The key benefits of obtaining a Thai Driver License include the ability to legally drive, use it as a primary ID instead of a passport, and occasionally secure discounts at private establishments.
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Richard *********
LOL :-)
Bruce ***********
Nope
Mauro ********************
Isn't true.
Carsten **********
You can use it to check in into hotels and resorts, no passport needed.
Bob **********
No
Debbie ******
No free entry with Thai licence.
Steve ********
No advantage at all. I've lived in Thailand for 23 years, still use the Aussie licence 😆
Jo **********
@Steve *******
agreeSteve ********
@Paul ******
No, unfortunately Bangkok wants a new one every time you stay at an address in another province. I got caught out once, but managed to lie my way out of the fine. So now I just don't register anywhere I go. That's what the woman is for! It's all good! And now the cops are giving penalty points on the Thai licence. Can't put points on the Aussie one! I'm laughing!Justine *********
@Steve *******
By not registering, what do you mean? Sorry I’m new to all this reporting stuff.Paul *******
@Steve *******
A Thai license also solves the TM30 problem at check-in. You are relying on traveling everywhere with your wife. I do much of my travel on my own so I have to book hotels in my name. When I travel to Laos or Cambodia, I generally try to make it there the same day without needing to spend the night somewhere in Thailand, but I do this more to save time and money than anything to do with immigration or TM30 forms.I almost always use my Thai driver's license for check-in. Only very very rarely have I been asked for a passport instead. In fact, only two times did this happen in recent years - once at a hotel in Ubon Ratchathani in December 2019. I was headed to Laos the next day so I had my passport with me. I grudgingly handed it over.
Another time at a Mae Sot hotel, I was with 3 Vietnamese friends in 2014. We just came back from Myanmar, therefore, all of us had passports with us. I didn't want to show them my passport after my license wasn't accepted for check-in, so I asked my Vietnamese friend to show his. They only wanted one passport for all of us. I didn't particularly like that hotel, one for not accepting my passport and two because it's not as good as my usual hotel, which I've stayed at probably 30 times since then and early 2020 all without ever needing to show my passport.
Paul *******
@Steve *******
Have never done a TM30 or needed to do one. No immigration office, including Bangkok, has ever requested one from me.I would get a Thai license though if i were you, otherwise you might not be covered in case of an accident.
Steve ********
@Paul ******
I've been in Thailand for 23 years. I've had several.accidents in that time, and have never had any issues with insurance. It might be different if a person owns a car in Thailand, it might be a condition of insurance. But I live in Bangkok so I don't own a car, I only use rentals and they do not require a Thai licence. A TM30 is a legal requirement, if you've never been asked for one, that's good for you, but I'd rather avoid the 1000 baht fine! But it's each to their own.Paul *******
@Steve *******
Also, by doing it the way you describe, you're not independent. You can't travel on your own, without your wife accompanying you because most hotels won't accept a foreign license for check-in. 99% will however accept a Thai license, resolving the TM30 issue.It's easy and cheap to get a Thai driver's license and it goes a long way here, even if you don't own a car or drive one regularly.
Steve ********
@Paul ******
@Paul ******
If I travel alone I use my passport. It's a requirement to carry it anyway. It's kind of worked for me for over 20 years, so I'm kind of cool with it. It's no drama for me.Paul *******
@Steve *******
I see. Just that if I were you, I'd still apply for a Thai license. You could still show your Aussie license to the police if you so desired. I generally only bring my passport along if my travels involve travel to a neighboring country (which is the case, most of the time). Otherwise, I bring along only copies of all the important pages as I don't want it to get lost or misplaced.
Steve ********
@Paul ******
And that's your choice which is great. I choose another way which is equally as great. So it's all good. It's whatever works best for someone which is the ultimate questPaul *******
@Steve *******
You are making one thing out to be a bigger deal than it is, but downplaying the other. I have never been fined at immigration, because I've never been asked for a TM30. Chiang Mai is a stickler about it, Bangkok much less so. Of course I wouldn't want to be fined either, but the point is, I've never been in a situation where I've been asked. Moreover, many immigration offices which do request one, ask once and if you don't move, don't ask again. However, your casual attitude towards car insurance and licenses is what worries me. I know, it's Thailand, but if you get yourself into an accident next time, you might come across an insurance agent who decides not to cover you, because you don't have the correct license needed for your situation. This could happen even if you've never faced this situation before.
Now, when it comes to rental cars they generally don't check or insist you need a Thai license because they're highly unlikely to even check your visa when you pick up a car. They will want to see your passport and take a photocopy of it, but generally only the information page.
Reply to
Paul *******
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Donna *******
@Steve *******
Hey do you purchase an international license each year or just run with Aussie license?Steve ********
@Donna ******
I used to get a new IDP every year up until ***
years ago. When I realised no-one had ever asked for it (neither Police, car rental company or insurance company), I never bothered any more. An IDP is nothing more than a translation of your REAL licence.Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Dave *********
@Steve *******
Will you be laughing if you get stopped by the cops or are involved in an accident with no licence or insurance though?Steve ********
@Dave ********
You don't think that in 23 years of living in Thailand I haven't been stopped or had an accident??? I do have a licence. I don't own a car here as I live in Bangkok, but I rent cars frequently and they all come with insurance, so I'm licenced and insured. And yes I'm still laughing! 😆Dave *********
@Steve *******
How odd. Does it cost a lot to bribe officialdom then?Steve ********
@Dave ********
Nothing odd, and I've never paid a bribe in my life. I'm simply legally licenced and insured. I've had about five accidents in the time I've been here, never had a problem. The rental car company accepts my licence, so we have a contract. Why would I need to pay a bribe? 😆Dave *********
@Steve *******
My understanding was that you can only drive on a foreign licence with an international driving permit for up to 90 days, after that you need a Thai licence. Either I didn't grasp the rules or you've got away with one (or five).Paul *******
@Dave ********
You could probably get away with driving on an IDP for up to a year (which is the length of time its valid for). It might also depend on what visa you're on. As long as you're not on a long term extension of stay, there's no way they can insist on you getting a Thai driver's license, no matter how long you've stayed in the country. Also, unless you're on an extension of stay, you have to leave the country, which "resets the clock" anyway, even if you only spend 15 minutes outside the country doing a border run.Tony *********
@Dave ********
although I now have a Thai driving license, I had been driving on my British license in Thailand for about 10 years when I had an accident. Someone drove into the side of my car and totaled two doors which had to be replaced along with expensive body work. I showed the insurance company my British license and they didn't bat an eyelid and paid for every single baht of the damage which was around 50,000 baht.Dave *********
@Tony ********
Amazing.Steve ********
@Dave ********
Nowhere in Thai road law does it mention 90 days. You've probably read that in a Facebook group and believed it. After 23 years I'm pretty sure I've got it together! Even put a motorcyclist in Hospital once! Insurance breezed in. Still laughing! And I've never been asked to show IDP either. Not required for Aussies due to reciprocal agreement! All goodDrew *******
Area few yrs ago I was stopped just outside Hue Hin when I offered my IDP they weren't interested and asked for my UK DL. But it be on the safe side not living here full time I got a Thai DL
Reply to
Drew *******
Reply
Steve ********
@Paul ******
When I travel around Thailand and stay at hotels I get my woman to do the check-in. Much better. Saves any TM30 bullshit problems. Yeah, there's a lot of things we're "supposed" to do here, but hey, who really gives a shit? It's Thailand! 😆Dave *********
@Steve *******
That's something else I've misunderstood, I thought hotels automatically informed immigration that you stayed on their premises. Or do you just refuse to show your passport or hide whilst the other half shows someone elses Thai ID card?Paul *******
@Dave ********
I used to believe a foreigner who doesn't want to show their passport or ID at check-in and is traveling with a Thai should hide from the hotel clerk else they'll be asked for their documents, but this isn't the case.It happens only in countries like Myanmar and Vietnam, where they're very strict on registering all guests. If you try to "hide" they'll find you.
Thailand is much more relaxed, with no reporting requirement for Thai guests and if you're not registered, no one cares. Immigration isn't checking databases to see who's registered for the night or not. Yet apparently Burmese and Vietnamese immigration is, or makes it appear they are. Still, you could be catching a night train, thus explaining the absence of a registration and nothing much is computerized in Myanmar anyway so they can't really cross-reference anything.
It's just bureaucracy for the sake of bureaucracy. Similar story in Thailand, just with more sophistication due to better technology.
Steve ********
@Paul ******
@Paul ******
I'm not trying to hide, I just like simplicity in my dotage. And I certainly don't need more plastic in my wallet. Fortunately I'm not a conspiracy theorist or I'd be out there canvassing people NOT to get a Thai Licence, as it's just another way for the WEF/NWO/CIA/MGM to track you 🤣Paul *******
@Steve *******
You're not getting the point, you could find your insurance invalidated for not possessing a Thai license in case of an accident and you could simplify your life by having one just for general ID proof purposes. Without one, guards at housing estates requesting you deposit your ID with them may ask for your passport. Would you really want to deposit something as valuable as a passport with them, when an inexpensive Thai driver's license, which can easily be replaced with a police report showing its loss, is much easier? I doubt a Thai driver's license is "trackable" by the WEF or CIA either. Your home license more likely, but even that's not a concern. At the end of the day, you can't legally drive without one and your Thai license is much more useful than your Australian one in Thailand. A Thai license can also be used without the need for an IDP in several ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, as well as Cambodia if driving a Thai registered vehicle).A
Anyway, I'm not here to tell you what to do, I find it ridiculous that you're avoiding applying for a Thai driver's license because your reasoning is not sound to me. A Thai driver's license is a fantastic document to have and over the course of time, expect Thai police to become stricter with applying the law. One day you may get caught out.
Steve ********
@Paul ******
"One day" 😆. After 23 years and a number of accidents where insurance has paid out without batting an eyelid, I reckon I'm pretty good. I'm happy to go along abiding by the law, which I do, rather than listen to Facebook experts telling me a whole load of bullshit! 😆Paul *******
@Steve *******
You're not "abiding by the law" though if you don't possess a Thai license while being resident in Thailand for 23 years.I could say the same thing about your TM30 fear story. Some people face trouble with them, most don't seem to.
I reckon I'm pretty good with the way things are, not having to worry about TM30s and having my license to check-in to hotels.
Steve ********
@Paul ******
As I said before that suits you, and my way suits me, so we're all happy. There's no "fear" with TM30, it's easy to do online. And yes I'm perfectly legal because I'm a temporary visitor to Thailand so I don't need a Thai licence. Easy huh? Now we're all happy!Steve ********
@Dave ********
Hotels are required to register a guest. If one guest is Thai it's so easy for them. Saves the hassle of registering the TM30. They love it.Justine *********
@Steve *******
This TM30 sounds like a hassle and confusing to me. So if you get your Thai partner to do the check-in, the hotel doesn’t ask for your passport? Even though they see you are also sharing the same room?Paul *******
@Justine ********
You get a Thai driver's license and that way they don't report you. While your passport number is indicated on the license, I've yet to see a hotel know what the nationality codes mean and register you this way, so they don't.Steve ********
@Justine ********
The TM30 is a pain in the backside, but is a legal requirement. Hotels also find it a pain in the backside, so if they can get out of having to submit it online they do.Justine *********
@Steve *******
So hotels can’t report you if they don’t have your passport number correct?Steve ********
@Justine ********
I've no idea. In the past they'd take a photocopy of passport ID page and your visa/entry stamp, and then use the info to register on the Section 36 website. A Thai person does not require registration, so it makes life easier for the hotel.Paul *******
@Steve *******
No, they don't take a photo of your visa or entry stamp, there's no need for that. They only take a photo or scan of your information page based on observing dozens of hotels photocopy passports over the past 10 years. With that, Thai immigration can instantly see what visa you're on. Maybe 20 years ago they also scanned the visa or entry stamp, as things weren't as interconnected as they are today.
Steve ********
@Paul ******
If you've done the TM30 online you would know the system requests the TM6 number. It's the TM6 the hotels photocopy. It's only recently the TM6 was suspended. I know because my lady owned a hotel and she knows how it worksReply to
Steve ********
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Paul *******
@Steve *******
TM30 is a total non-issue. Many people have never done one and never had any problems. There are a lot bigger headaches than that. You might need a TM30 to report your address once but that's about it.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Paul *******
@Steve *******
You're supposed to get a Thai license for driving here if you're a long-term resident. Secondly, some hotels will reject you or insist on seeing your passport if you show them your foreign license. With a Thai license, they usually accept it without further ado.A Thai license is also useful as ID in many other situations. It might not work for banks, which insist on seeing your passport or for certain other bureaucratic situations but overall it's a good thing to have.
Cliff *********
@Paul ******
my bank accepts a Thai license and does not require a passportReply to
Cliff *********
Reply
Oriano ******
Con la patente thai , nei parchi paghi come i Thailandesi , e non come i turisti !!!
Kent ***********
Fake news
Bryan ********
National parks are hit or miss, but multiple water parks have given me steep discounts (blue tree, grand canyon). The number one benefit is that your insurance cannot deny you due reimbursement for any serious accidents for not having the proper license. A couple bucks off a national park is nothing compared to being stuck with a 5 figure hospital bill for not having a specific valid moto license
Germán *******************
You can use it as ID and you can use it in Asean countries as driving license... And in some places they put the price for Thais when you showed...not the temples or national parks
Callum *******
Can use to fly in and around Thailand instead of using passport. Well that’s what I do sometimes don’t know if that helps with your question 😊
Robert ******
@Callum ******
it's amazing that you don't need a plane to fly here. You can just use your Thai driver's license!Callum *******
@Robert *****
I mean for instance if your passport is at immigration office you can use Thai drivers license to board the plane if you need to visit somewhere for some time. It’s what I did anywayRobert ******
@Callum ******
yes, I was just joking. Sorry! 555Callum *******
@Robert *****
no Pompamm sir 😂Reply to
Callum *******
Reply
Lari **********
listening toto and telling everyone you know Steve Lukather gives you free access to everything.. including ladyboys 👌
Nigel *********
You can use it in Bali and Indonesia.
Adam *****
@Nigel ********
officially, the the temp license (which you get in the first 2 years) doesn't allow you to get an IDP or use it in other ASEAN countries. Unofficially, many cops in other South East Asian countries will accept the temp license.Paul *******
@Nigel ********
Use it in Indonesia for what? For driving? Yes, because Indonesia is an ASEAN country.Will *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Nigel ********
I heard about Bali but I was not sure, r u sure? what about in Cambodia or Laos?Nigel *********
@Will ********
I'm sure about Bali as I showed it to a cop out there and that was it.Reply to
Nigel *********
Reply
Phil ******
@Will ********
used as ID and allows you to drive legally on your initial 90 days hereWill *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Phil *****
thx, only after? what about during those 90days?Phil ******
@Will ********
changedWill *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Phil *****
and after?Reply to
Will *********
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Adam **********
I find certain golf courses will offer you the thai price but others want proof of residency
David **********
License is valid ID in Thailand and can be used instead of a passport on, for example, domestic flights.
Makes many things easier like opening a bank account.
Makes many things easier like opening a bank account.
Andy **********
If you stay permanently or longer than 6 months then you need a thai license, the international one is only allowed to use 6 months
Kat ******
@Andy *********
Aussie one lasts 12 mths !Ken ********
@Kat *****
it is valid for 12 months just cant be used in Thailand for more than 3 months. Doesn't cover Vietnam at allKen ********
I think if you go out and come back in the 3 months would start again
Anthony *********
@Ken *******
Correct.🙂Reply to
Anthony *********
Reply
Anthony *********
@Andy *********
Incorrect international licence only valid for 90 days or 3 months in Thailand.....after that you need to get the 2 year licence.Andy **********
@Anthony ********
yes you’re right, I thought 6 months but only 3Reply to
Andy **********
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John **********
@Andy *********
3 monthsReply to
John **********
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Don ***********
In Hua Hin some of the golf courses have a special price if you have a locally registered driving license 1600 baht down to 1000 baht
Lye **********
If you look like a farang, then you pay farang price even though you have Thai driving license.
Benefit of having Thai driving license? 🤔 Probably none.
Benefit of having Thai driving license? 🤔 Probably none.
Paul *******
@Lye *********
Not true at all. Thai license is very useful in many situations and can get you discounts in some. Burmese who speak terrible Thai will be charged the foreigner price too.Lye **********
@Paul ******
what kind of situations and discounts are you talking about? Please let me know, I want to try using my Thai driving license for that purpose. ðŸ¤Reply to
Lye **********
Reply
Andrew ********
No, most times you will pay full foreigners price.
James **********
If you are over 60 some parks will allow you in for free. You can use your license to prove your age
Jw ********
Mostly a myth
Karim ***************
You can travel domestically with it, instead of your passport
Fizz *******
Just to let you know, not all national parks allow entry with a driving license for concession ticket. If you're a foreigner, you'll need to pay the foreign admission fee unless you can show a citizen ID card. However, if you have a Thai driving license, you're in luck! It not only allows you to drive, but it also serves as a valid form of photo ID for domestic flights and other activities, like checking into a hotel. No need to carry your passport with you all the time!
Paul *******
Correct. Sometimes it works for the Thai entry price but it's more likely to be accepted at private attractions than government ones. Privately owned places that have dual pricing in place are generally more flexible in terms of what they accept as proof of residency. At government attractions, especially national parks, there are sometimes cases of naturalized Thais or those who don't look Asian being asked to pay the foreigner price even if they are in possession of their Thai citizen ID card or passport. If they argue that they're entitled to get in for the Thai price, they usually are. Generally, a racist or ignorant official is the one trying to get you to pay the foreigner price in such instances. It's relatively uncommon, especially if you're fluent in Thai but I've heard it does happen sometimes, especially at less visited parks.
Reply to
Paul *******
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Paul ********
No ??? Ask Chocolate man in Thailand!!
Garrett ***********
Not at all, most national parks don’t even let Thai Nationals in for free.
And no, it almost never gets you the Thai price either.
And no, it almost never gets you the Thai price either.
Michael ********
@Garrett **********
I went into national park for free this weekend was very surprisedPaul *******
It does in some rare cases at smaller parks, but not the big ones.
Reply to
Paul *******
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Gary ****
I use mine for hotels and everytime I get stopped at police checkpoints I flash it and get waved through
Carsten ************
Nope. Only benefit is you don't need to have your Passport with you anymore.
Jeffrey ************
The only benefit is that you can drive...
Paul *******
No, there are far more benefits to it than that.
Reply to
Paul *******
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Peter *********
Not free but same price as thais pay
John **********
@Peter ********
sometimesDavid **********
@Peter ********
time driver's license does not give you the cheap price at the National Park. They see your white face and immediately they charge you Foreigner pricePaul *******
@David *********
Same thing if you're Indian or black.David **********
@Paul ******
I thought they charged you triple if you are Indian 555Peter *********
@David *********
no just take your gold necklace lol 😆Reply to
Peter *********
Reply
Paul *******
Only some parks.
John ********
Jeffrey ************
@Peter ********
no guarantees...Peter *********
@Jeffrey ***********
yes only some do it 😤Reply to
Peter *********
Reply
Jeff *********
@Peter ********
having a Thai drivers license doesn’t mean you pay the same as Thais. I’ve visited 3-4 parks in the last 6 months paid farang price every timeRon *************
@Jeff ********
Floating market in Pattaya charges same as Thai if you have Thai drivers license. Think that's the only place I've found so far 🤣Jeff *********
@Ron ************
thanks I probably won’t make a special trip for the bargain but I will remember if I ever get down that way 😊Reply to
Jeff *********
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Paul *********
@Jeff ********
I got same price at waterparkReply to
Paul *********
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