Pattaya Reports

[QUOTE=Mouse1; 1438037]As I said, there is no such thing as an IDL:

<< Beware websites selling 'international driving licences' – these aren't legally recognised documents, so don't get caught out.

An AA spokesperson told us: "Some people mistakenly refer to International Driving Permits (IDP) as international driving licences. However, there is no such thing as an international driving licence – they are not legally recognised – so don't be fooled into buying one, as they are not worth the paper they are printed on.

"An IDP, on the other hand, is required or recommended in 139 countries and is recognised internationally – they are issued in accordance with Road Traffic Conventions, which stipulate that they can only be issued by motoring organisations or motoring authorities." [/QUOTE]Yes, you are correct! It is a PERMIT! Translation in conversation we are talking License when it is actually PERMIT!

Traveling to Phuket in the first week of July.

I am holding an Indian Driving License.

Went to the officials here and they issued an International Driving Permit, which they said was valid in many countries including Thailand. This is valid for a year, after which I can have the same renewed.

The IDP has my pciture and stamped by the relevant authorities.

I guess that should not be a problem as it is validated by the authorities here in India.

[QUOTE=LittleBigMan;1438044]Yes, you are correct! It is a PERMIT! Translation in conversation we are talking License when it is actually PERMIT![/QUOTE]Yes, an IDP. However, cops will not ever spell Permit. They will say "international License" and that is how is known universally.

And, there are two "versions" of that, depending on the year of the Convention. I don't even know which one Thailand has ratified, some countries will issue either to your choice, some country like the US, one type only.

And if you really want dig deep int this crazed bullshit, read on.

"the period of validity of an international license shall be either no more than three years after the date of issue or until the date of expiry of the domestic driver's license, whichever is earlier;"

Meaning that (in theory) on normal 5-year valid D / L, you should not be able to have an IDP after three years you had the national license!

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit[/url]

I remember seeing a price list will all the bar fine and drink cost for the bars / clubs in Pattaya. Does anyone know where I can find this?

[QUOTE=Marcos;1438072]Meaning that (in theory) on normal 5-year valid D / L, you should not be able to have an IDP after three years you had the national license![/QUOTE]Normal? That's only normal for a particular country in North America. My license expires in 20 years.

[QUOTE=Marcos; 1438072]Yes, an IDP. However, cops will not ever spell Permit. They will say "international License" and that is how is known universally.

And, there are two "versions" of that, depending on the year of the Convention. I don't even know which one Thailand has ratified, some countries will issue either to your choice, some country like the US, one type only.

And if you really want dig deep int this crazed bullshit, read on.

"the period of validity of an international license shall be either no more than three years after the date of issue or until the date of expiry of the domestic driver's license, whichever is earlier;"

Meaning that (in theory) on normal 5-year valid D / L, you should not be able to have an IDP after three years you had the national license!

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit[/url][/QUOTE]All this is fine and dandy! But forget it all. I've use a International Permit for a number of years in fact for nearly 10 years for AAA in the USA.

I've been stopped hundreds of time and only paid 4 fines in all those years and believe me I was always in the wrong just got caught. I've had family here visiting for months coming and going for years and they bring with them their IDP from AAA, and they don't have motorbike license at home the IDP isn't stamp for motorbike but I have made one and stamp it for them just in case!

In the end, believe it or not and I have said this a few times. They know what one looks like but get thsi 99. 9% they can't read! So no matter how many years they can't read and don't even know what the IDP allows each holder to do? I've given them a expired book once by mistake the date was something in front like Janaury 31, 2011, it is valid for 1 year from this date.

My cousin just got his doesn't even have a motorbike license from home. I stamped his book and we took it down to the License office, made the necessary copies and got the resident certification, health certificate and didn't even have to take the driving test, just the eye!

Most of them can't read it is a joke. I was stopped a number of years ago by a Tourist Police British guy on Sukhumvit checkpoint he told me if I lived here get a license because he told me that my IDP was only good for driving on Sukhumvit that it isn't good if I turn left or right into town. I told him is everything in order he said yes! I told him before you give that information out again think about what you just said because it is real stupid!

LBM

[QUOTE=Mouse1;1438080]Normal? That's only normal for a particular country in North America. My license expires in 20 years.[/QUOTE]Which country? I'm American and my state license expires in 30 years.

A normal decent catch late at Marine disco. BTW that is where I'm seeing the best looking ones, there is to say that men are mostly of the youngish type there.

We get dancing, at the same table there were two other girls, one very good looking and a regular one. Both clearly stuck up bitches, after a while the regular make some kind of shitface to me. For how much jovial and easy going I don't take disrespect from envious sillies, and rebuff her on the head. Oh they made a fuss about it, that my girl, in typical Thai style tried to conciliate, saying that they were their friends. Of course they were not. So we left and she goes in drunk loop of saying "disco lady speaks no good and they sleep together", that almost got on my nerve after a while. Other than that she did all the needed actions but beside a nice smile and laugh her personality is not enough for a repeat. Others are better in that sense, but are lacking sexually, so it's hard to balance sometime. Limited damage 1K LT.

The night before I got something similar after parting ways with Broadfield (hi matey) , also forgot her name.

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational;1438122]Which country? I'm American and my state license expires in 30 years.[/QUOTE]See how different country to country and state to state can be. Newly released Calif. Licenses are 4 years. And most countries limit vality to like 5 yrs before a renewal is due, because they want doctors make money checking your health and vision. In all cases I have never heard of 30 years validity.

I think I misunderstood myself the sentence that I posted before IDP vality. As others have noted, doesn't matters at all. If the cops want to fine / extract money you they will. That can be minimized by a some good talking, or in extreme cases pulling out a powerful lawyer or high ranking cop business card and start calling will help. But we're not talking about the 200 Bt problems.

[QUOTE=Marcos; 1438072]"the period of validity of an international license shall be either no more than three years after the date of issue or until the date of expiry of the domestic driver's license, whichever is earlier;"

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Driving_Permit[/url][/QUOTE]There are two international conventions ruling the IDP.

One makes the IDP valid for 12 months.

Another one makes the IDP valid for 18 months.

No matter what and for how long the national driving permit is valid (of course the IDP may not valif after the original national permit is valid)

As I (might) need the IDP in USA, I need have to make one every year since USA stick to the convention granting IDP validity of 12 months (thank you uncle Sam!) whilst other countries accept the IDP convention granting a validity of 18 months.

Nobody checks the IDP when you rent a car in USA, but in some states some boring cops might ask for it and if you don't have it you are in trouble.

Other countries do check the IDP when you rent the car.

Hi can some please post the phone number of this bar? My favorite thai is now working there.

So, would you say this is a hard and fast rule and that NO Thai girl is worth 4000Bt?

[QUOTE=Opebo;1437027]No the analogy would be if you offered the airline 100, 000 baht for your ticket, and the hotel 70, 000 for the room. That's what overpaying means. Paying more than the actual price. It has nothing to do with your budget (but just to reassure you, we're all quite impressed).[/QUOTE]

Thank you for all the generous postings, and info, regarding my earlier question about driving your own motorbike in Pattaya, and the reality of the situation with the IDP and with bribes. Very helpful to me, and I hope also to others, in reading this forum. I'll be looking to get a IDP before I head out to Pattaya in less than two weeks, but I'm not sure it can be arranged by then. I may either wing it, or go back to lining the pockets of motorbike taxis at least only for one more trip.

I'll begin posting my upcoming FRs, beginning after my arrival on July 4 evening. Devil's Den is on my list, followed by a young Zombie girl from Supergirl the day after, and then on to the Coconut Bar for more reasonable rates. Failing that, Soi 6 in the afternoons, methinks.

Cheers,

- Gunga

[QUOTE=Marcos;1438131]See how different country to country and state to state can be. Newly released Calif. Licenses are 4 years. And most countries limit vality to like 5 yrs before a renewal is due, because they want doctors make money checking your health and vision. In all cases I have never heard of 30 years validity.[/QUOTE]I am from Georgia. Our regular license is valid for 15 years. Since I am a veteran it is free and ours is for 30 years.

[QUOTE=Mr Enternational;1438187]I am from Georgia. Our regular license is valid for 15 years. Since I am a veteran it is free and ours is for 30 years.[/QUOTE]As they say. Only in America.

Or in Thailand, should I add!