I renewed my 5 year license in Cha Am today, it was a straightforward procedure.
At the desk I was asked for my proof of address, passport and Thai license, then I was sent to photocopy the front page of my passport and the proof of address (they accept the yellow book, tabien baan), I signed the photocopies, paid 560 baht and was told to go upstairs and attend the training session.
I was called into a room full of Thais in the middle of a lecture on driving techniques and car repair techniques, after about 15 minutes the instructor turned on the TV and left the room. The Thai video presentation was about driving techniques and rules and regulations regarding taxing vehicles, road safety, braking distances and traffic law including some useful driving hints regarding how not to block junctions when making right turns, how to park considerately etc.etc.etc. and the fines you will have to pay if you break these rules. By this time most of the Thais had either left the room or were talking on their phones. At 12 o clock, before the presentation had finished the instructor came back and turned it off, told everyone to go and enjoy their lunches and to return at 1pm for the driving test.
Why I had to sit through all that I do not know.
I went back downstairs, told the desk that the training was over and was told to go into a room and have my photo taken and then go and sit down and wait. After 5 minutes I was called to collect my new licence.
I did not need to show my UK licence.
The training presentations are at 10am and 11am and 2pm and 3pm, it is obligatory for everyone to attend before being issued with a licence.
They are in Thai
The staff were equally bossy and unfriendly to everyone, farang and thai, but did their jobs quickly and efficiently.
They also have a vehicle testing station there, and the yearly road tax can be renewed there too.
With poor quality training, a reluctance to learn, a slack attitude to driving tests and little or no pro active enforcement of regulations by the police it is no surprise that Thai roads are some of the most dangerous in the world.
There must have been a complete overhaul of the system for renewing your licence, because not even for the first year licence or 5 year renewal did I have to watch any videos or take any tests, all I had to do was a simple colour blind test and then with all of the correct paperwork I was issued my licences (bike and car).
