@Simon ********

It does not. But they may require you to have your insurance sign some sort of equivalent form.

@Sam *****

You won’t lose days on a regular / one time 30 day extension … they are added on top of your current due exit date. You may lose days however on your first 60 day covid extension, as the first one of those starts at the day of applying for it. Unlike subsequent ones. Confused much? Thailand!

If you have a valid International Drivers Permit (in addition to your national license), you can get a Thai drivers license without attending training / driving school / test. No IDP, then start from scratch - which isn’t hard either (just like in the US).

Just get another covid extension a few weeks in. They will still be around for quite a while - contrary what some people will tell you.

@Benjamin *****

Yes. Thank you. This time it will be a first COVID-19 extension, again. As I re-entered Thailand on a new TR-60 Tourist Visa after a summer break in Europe. I am hoping Chiang Mai immigration won’t insist on me getting a regular 30-day extension first / before any covid extension. After all the price is the same, so why waste 1,900 baht on 30 days, when 60 days would come at the same price. Early this year they gave me a covid extension straight away. But I have heard people say they were asked to get that regular extension first, recently.

@Michael *******

Thank you. So I am left with either going early, this Thursday, December 30 (potentially losing a few paid permitted days) or going risky on Wednesday, January 5 (the very day my current stamp ends). Either way, I have a bad feeling Chiang Mai immigration may be packed because of the holidays.

@Michael *******

Monday as well? Holy macaroni. Would have wasted a trip.

@Salvatore ********

Finally. Yes 🙌 Still, 90 days per visit in Thailand only.

Good for 90 For longers stays, obtaining a Thai drivers license in mandatory. Getting a Thai drivers license based off a valid international permit is quite easy, though: Some documents and watching a video + eye sight test, and you are all set. One thing though: You sure this is a legit IDP? I am asking, as yours seems to be issued with a starting date in the future. Have never seen that before. Usually the starting date is the date it is issued.

@James *******

Come on, James! How many times have both you and me seen this program be continued and extended again and again over the last year or more? Stricter: maybe. Ending in January: nope.