@Ruth ******

i'm not sure exactly how far in advance you can book, but you can definitely do it as I was offered that option when doing it for my son. I did it the day before he travelled, knowing that the reference number that you get is good for at least 48hrs (in case the agent were to actually check online vs take your word for it), so I didn't need to book it in advance. It's literally a 2 min job to book and you receive a confirmation email with a PDF booking immediately. There's nothing to worry about - very straightforward and easy to do.

My son just flew to Thailand from the UK last weekend on a one-way ticket - he was asked at check-in what his plans were and he just replied that he was going to fly on to Singapore before his 60 days were up. We had an 'onward' ticket already printed off just in case we needed to show anything as proof, but they just said "OK" and off he went. No questions when he arrived in Thailand - just the verbal check from the airline's check-in agent. As others have said, it can be a bit of pot luck as to whether or not you get asked and if you have to produce anything. A $16 'onward ticket' will be sufficient if you do

he will be staying 6 months more or less - (3 months, border run, 3 more months). In all honesty, if he had UK motorbike licence, then he wouldn't bother with a Thai licence as he would be covered with his IDP, and no need to go through all the hassle. He just won't be driving with no motorbike licence at all, so needs a solution to this if he wants to ride a motorbike over there

From what I've read, he can either sit the test at the DLT or at a driving school (e.g. Honda driving course or other driving school). The driving school might be less hassle as it seems to be less waiting and maybe a better quality bike to do the practical test on (which looks pretty easy anyways), but either seem to be options.

The main question seems to be around the DLT granting him a licence if he can get the correct paperwork together, which I understand to be:

- Residence Certificate

- Medical Certificate

- Passport, copies of this & current visa (or visa exemption stamp - not 100% sure on this bit though)

Since posting last night, I've been in contact with an agent on Koh Lanta who helps with visa extensions, border runs etc and she has said that she could get him a Residence Certificate very quickly, as long as he has the right paperwork from his landlord, who has already agreed to provide everything he would need.

So, it seems that the main question is whether the DLT in Krabi will allow him to get a driving licence on a visa exemption, shortly after arriving in Thailand. If the answer to this is yes, then this will probably be the route to take.

If they won't, then he'll probably end up buying an eBike, which will still do c. 40-50 kph! It doesn't overcome the dangers of the roads in Thailand, although Koh Lanta is pretty easy going when it comes to traffic when compared to the likes of Phuket, Ao Nang/Krabi etc.

At least, I would be slightly more at ease as he would be legal to ride an eBike and fully insured, unless there's some weird law/rules that I'm not aware of regarding eBikes being considered as motorbikes in Thailand

@Michael ********

thank you for this suggestion - not a bad one at all!

@Terary *********

that'll be a little bit difficult considering I'll be on the other side of the world!

@Luc ***********

not needed as insurance cover is not an issue bizarrely enough! The travel insurance he has provides him with full medical cover in case of any accident on a motorbike, just as long as he has completed a CBT course in UK (which he has), he is wearing a helmet (he will be) and the motorbike is <125cc. It wouldn't cover him for any 3rd party liability though, in case he was at fault. Being a farang, I understand that he almost definitely would be deemed to be at fault, irrespective of whether he actually was or not!

@David ******

yes I fully agree, however, at the same time, we'll always want the best for our children and help them to avoid making any major mistakes!

@Sylvia *******

he's not going to be in Pattaya though! He's on Koh Lanta in Krabi province

@Pete ******

if he is able to get a Residency Certificate and the rest of the required paperwork, is there any reason why the DLT wouldn't let him sit the tests for a motorbike licence? I thought that, by having the documents (with RC being the key one), it should be purely procedural from that point onwards?