@Tod ********

OK Tod, I bow to you experience and knowledge.

You cannot get a retirement visa in Thailand. Only from overseas. You can however, get a extension of stay based on being over 50 years of age.

@Tony *******

At

@Chiang ****

Airport?

@John *********

Not true. IDP is not required under International conventions if the national licenceis in English.

@John *********

I used my Australian National licence at Chiang Mai without having an IDP. The transport authority had no problem with that and I was never asked if I had an IDP. At the same time I understand that many foreigners feel more comfortable if they have the IDP and that some Thai's (especially some police) mistakenly believe that an IDP is required to drive in Thailand.

@John ******

There is no "international licence". There are only National Licences. Perhaps you had an International Driving Permit which is of no value by itself and is simply an English translation of a National licence.

No.

@Steve *********

Yes. This happens in Thailand.

If you are over 50 - Yes. If you are married to a Thai - Yes.

Thailand is not really open to spontaneous travel at the moment with a number of hoops that need to be jumped through.