What visa do I need to obtain a driver’s license and open a bank account in Chiang Mai, Thailand?

Like in most countries nowadays, you need proof of a local residence to open a bank account.

Why would you choose to live in a “World’s top 10 most polluted cities “?

Just get an agent to do it for you, can bang out both in one day. Just be sure to get IDP before coming. Preferably with motorbike and car stamps

Buy health insurance asap ,older you get more expensive

@Bruce ********

agree with

@Brandon ***********

but really Chiangmai where the pollution each year is getting longer in months and much worse?

I lived in CM fir 7 years.

Used International permission to drive until I got my Long Stay.

Then presented my car liscence and was given Thai liscence. No test.

For my Bike/Scooter I had theory test and driving test. I just Google Bike test for Thailand and practiced the test. You needed to score .

Re Bank Account I had one befire because I purchased a time share.

Bangkok Bank but had no trouble opening another with K Bank.

If yiu want to check with.

According to this page you can't get a Thai license if you are on a tourist visa in Chiang Mai. Best to check directly with the DLT office up there

If you get and bring a IDP (international driving permit) along with your national license, you can just convert them into a Thai license with a residence certificate as mentioned and a doctor’s statement.

Most DLT in Thailand will give you licenses on any entry stamp. I did both mine on visa exemption. (Although I’ve seen feedbacks of some DLT demanding Long term visa). You just get license for two and two years, until you get five years on a long stay visa.

If you don’t have license on motorcycle from home, you’ll need to do this separately from scratch in Thailand with theoretical and practical test as well, as I did.

I would highly recommend getting a International Drivers Permit before you arrive in Thailand.

To do both of these you need a residence certificate. In Chiang Mai you can get a residence certificate next day for 500 baht. Open the bank account first because I don't think they'll keep the residence certificate, but I'm not completely sure about that so you might need 2.

It's easier to open a bank account with a non-O visa which you could apply for before you went to Thailand and then just let it expire when you leave without any issues.