Anonymous participant 741 No, it's only Thailand. While some countries do restrict bank accounts for non residents, others simply make you pay more (such as Swiss banks).
Still sounds like a scam. Bring a Thai speaker along, better to get it done that way (assuming you believe there won't be any English speakers at your local DLT office).
You could have because there's always a staff member who speaks English at the DLT. Even if you were fluent in Thai, there would be that one staff member who insists on speaking English with you unless you talk over her in Thai.
AuthenticPassionfruit644 Sounds like a scam. I got mine renewed on my own, including residency certificate, 2 licenses (car and motorcycle), doctor's certificate, 3 IDPs (all the possible ones you can get) I paid less than what you did and it all took about 2.5 hours.
Bangkok is the best place and they'll issue a 5 year one (avoid Bang Chak but all other ones will). Chonburi and Rayong are only issuing 2 year renewals.