it was just a few years ago when it was possible to purchase a driving licence without passing any test
whatsoever and a lot of the licensed drivers from that period have failed to gain sufficient experience to
drive safely and are still out there...
If you plan to stay in Thailand you should consider the advantages that
having a Thai issued driving license can bring you. An International
Driving license is only valid for a relatively short time, The validity of a
Thai drivers permit will be a great advantage if you want to hire a vehicle
for example. A driving license from your home country is not officially
recognised in Thailand.You can use it as an official form of identification. If you need to present
it for any reason, it will set you apart from tourists and may even give
you some level of immunity to 'farang markup' (example - National Parks).
You can also use it in place of your passport for HOTEL stays etc.Only Thais holding a Thai driving license may use it in other ASEAN countries. The discretion does not
cover foreigners with a Thai license who are advised to obtain an international permit in Thailand or in
their first country. A candidate failing any part of the driving test requirements may be invited to repeat it
once at the discretion of the bureau.