Laos is a good country. Similar to Thailand. Good quality expats. Try it.

@John *********

They're not going to give you a reason. Other countries don't give a reason either. Re-apply after making your application better or find another country.

Yes it's an easy process. Crossing the border between Vientiane and Nong Khai can be done by international train from Khamsavath station to Udon Thani or Bangkok (or any other major station in Thailand, along the line). You can also cross by shuttle bus and switch to local transportation on the other side, or catch one of several cross-border buses: Vientiane to Nong Khai, Vientiane to Udon Thani, Vientiane to Khon Kaen (resuming on Friday) as well as Vientiane to Bangkok.

Private cars can also cross. Private motorcycles need special permission.

Pedestrians aren't permitted to cross - pedestrians need to use the shuttle bus.

@John *********

Yeah, he should have done so earlier. Either way, regardless of the reason, you can pick up where you left off if the license has lapsed by no more than 1 year and for 1-3 years it's a little bit of extra work. If more than 3 years I believe it is, you start from scratch as if you've never held a Thai license before.

Anonymous participant 837 Non-O definitely yes. DTV = some offices yes, others no. Not sure if it's become more consistent in recent times. From the beginning, Rayong and Chonburi were no for DTV holders, while Bangkok (except Bang Chak) and Chiang Mai were a yes, to a 5-year renewal on a DTV. Not sure about now.

Anonymous participant 342 No, they didn't. They simply started enforcing it more consistently. However, I wouldn't be surprised if some offices still issue 5 years to those renewing who are on certain types of temporary visas (though the official rule has long been - short term visa and you get 2 years, long term visa or extension of stay: get 5 years when renewing).

@John *********

Nothing to do with Covid. This rule has been in place for many years...basically, if your license has expired by no more than 1 year, you proceed as if it was still valid. Just do the basic color blindless and reaction test and get your license (if you're eligible for 5 years, that's what you get) despite the 1 year gap.

If your license has been expired by 1-3 years, my understanding is you need to do either a theory and practical or just one or the other. This is easy to find out from the DLT website or by going there and asking in person.

@John *********

No, that only happens if your license has been expired for more than 3 years. For 1-3 years, you have to do the practical and theory tests again (have to check if it's only one or both) but you definitely won't have to start from scratch.

No, definitely not a red flag.

Anonymous participant 652 Yes, cards can be used at supermarkets (Gourmet Market, Villa Market, Tops, Foodland, Lotus's, Big C and other, smaller ones), hardware stores such as Mega Home, Thai Watsadu, Global House and Ha Yaek Group; gas (petrol) stations, 711 stores for purchases of at least 200 Baht, chain coffee shops such as Cafe Amazon, chain restaurants (nearly all of them and some are even cashless), high-end independent restaurants, hotels (3 or 4 star and above), department stores, malls, hospitals and even paying for tolls at most Bangkok area expressways.

Cash is needed for the few remaining cash only (or M-card) expressway toll booths (by 2026 all of them will either accept cards or M-Flow, which is linked to a card), taxis, Street food, local mom and pop stores, local mom and pop hole in the wall restaurants, markets and paying for contractors.