@Paulo *********

so what you should have asked is how do I get a Thai driving licence but instead you said international driving licence which is something that does not exist. That started everyone shouting each other down about IDP’s. You need to ask the right question to get the right answer, or is that TOO complex a concept for you TO understand. I think there are TWO ways to get a Thai licence but I’m not TOO sure about that, perhaps you should ask again one here but say Thai driving licence not international driving licence. You also sound like a very angry person. I think your next question should be about where in Thailand you can get tranquillisers or anger management.

@Paulo *********

you obviously asked the wrong question then. What has an IDP got to do with a bank account? “Speak when spoken too” ? Actually, too means also or excessively. But if you do mean “speak when spoken to “, do you not realise that when you are posting on Facebook in a group that I am a member of you are actually speaking to me? As for being paranoid I was actually crediting you with intelligence and a sense of mischief you obviously don’t posses.

Looking at the comment “ I know I’m in good hands here..” I think

@Paulo *********

might be posting just to get key board warriors fighting…… I normally avoid these things here, but my limited knowledge is that there is no such thing as an international driving licence. ( no matter how the name on the document translates) There is an IDP ( International Drivers Permit) this is simply a translation of your home country licence. I’m from Uk so I would obtain one (1968 for Thailand) for about £6 from the Post Office before I come here. It’s valid for 12 months from issue. ( now actually 3 years in UK) Every country that is a signatory to the International Convention on Road Traffic can issue an IDP to any person that holds a driving licence in their country. ( yes I’m aware in Thailand it has to be a 5 year DL) The year on the IDP ( 1968 for UK DL holder to drive in Thailand ) relates the the respective different International Convention on Road Traffic treaties. ( there are several). There may also be limits on how long you can use an IDP in certain countries after entry 3, 6 or even 12 months, even though it’s valid for 12 or 36 months, so it’s important to have your passport or a recent copy showing entry stamp with you when you drive. I’ll say now I know nothing about Thai law. My post is based on 10 years experience as a UK cop and 20 years experience as a UK criminal defence ( that includes Road Traffic Law) solicitor.

@Terry ******

, nothing wrong with your return ticket being 3 months after arrival , but you could be asked to show a return ticket that is within 30 days ( very unlikely if you’ve not been before) there are loads of ways to show this, plan one of your visits to another country and book your fight out within 30 days, buy a bus ticket out within 30 days ( negligible cost) or there are sites where you can book an onward travel ticket but not actually buy it. ( I usually do this) Google “onward travel ticket” costs about £10. But do bear in mind your airline could ask you to show onward travel within 30 days. Mine never has and I’ve used Etihad, Qatar , Singapore, Emerites, Thai air , BA and EVA Air .

If asked by immigration upon entry you are supposed to be able to show your onward ticket within 30 days if entering visa exempt. ( 60 days if on a tourist visa) you should also carry with you 20,000 Thai baht in cash to show you can support yourself and proof of your accommodation whilst in Thailand. I’ve entered Thailand by air 10 times in the last 2 years ( never by land) I’ve entered 9 times visa exempt. (5 times so far this year) I’ve never been asked by any airline to show onward travel but accept it could happen. I’ve never been asked by immigration to show my money or proof of accommodation ( I’ve always had it with me) but I’ve been asked twice by immigration to show an onward travel ticket. Once in Bangkok and once in Phuket so it can happen. Just my experience over the last two years. If you have never been to Thailand before I think it highly unlikely immigration will ask you for anything.

I got residence certificate last year at Phuket immigration and I was on 30 day visa exempt entry. Only needed TM30 and passport.

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I have bought from here before, carries a good selection and you can try on before you buy

@Brook *******

yes I know that but I don’t see the point of tying up 800,000 baht in a Thai bank when I’m going backwards and forwards between Uk and Thailand.

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

I rent a house in Thailand all year round and have lots of belongings there. I would get a retirement visa but at the moment I need to keep going back to Uk to work.

Just a thought and maybe not helpful but I’ve been coming to Thailand for two years now. Usually stay two months on visa exempt plus extension sometimes tourist visa ( 2 months plus 30 days extension) when I leave I’m always away for at least 3-6 weeks. Never had an issue coming back and due to having to cut a couple of Thai stays short I’ve entered Thailand 5 times this year by air and never had a problem. So if you plan is to explore Asia and leave and return by air why not use Thailand as a base for 2 or 3 months at a time and visit surrounding countries for a month or two at a time not a few days, then you will look like a traveller / explorer not someone trying to stay long term without the correct visa. Just a though feel free to ignore me but please…keyboard warriors don’t reply to this honest suggestion with banal and insulting posts. Sorry but there are a lot of bored people who live to make a snide remark. 🙏👍