Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing driving licenses here in Thailand. And we're also kind of discussing recent changes to some of the tourism, some of the tourism benefits which can be granted by Thai Immigration most notably Chinese Nationals as well as Kazakhstan passport holders have been temporarily added to the list of countries that can enter Thailand with a Visa Exemption.

I thought of making this video after reading recent article from the Pattaya Mail, that is pattayamail.com, the article is titled: Chinese visa-free concession won't transform the tourist market. Quoting directly: "The Thai Government's move is aimed at boosting the package tourist market from China. Almost all packages, often called zero-sum vacations because they are prepaid in full before departure, last for 2 weeks or less. This limit is unlikely to change as 15-day stays cannot be extended in Thailand except for a few days where a return air ticket can be shown at local Immigration. Holders of the 15-day permission cannot open Thai bank accounts or apply for a Thai driving license."

So again driver's licenses is key there. As we have discussed this in other videos, banking can be rather nettlesome here in Thailand just generally speaking especially for foreign nationals and dealing with driving licenses here in Thailand, I mean you think the DMV is bad back in the west, I mean at times the Overland Transport Service, Transport Office here in Thailand is pretty bureaucratic. I am not saying that they don't have a job to do but it's, there is just something about that that is not the most pleasant experience in the world. Now that said, where does this stand with regard to the visa exemption? As noted in that cited material, it appears that those folks who enter on those types of new Visa exemptions are not going to be able to get driving licenses here in the Kingdom of Thailand.