Took Posted February 12, 2020 Share Posted February 12, 2020 Hi there, Would you think it possible to take a domestic flight in Thailand with a Thai driver's licence, instead of a passport? Thank you in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post impulse Posted February 12, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 12, 2020 I did it many times through 2018, mostly on Thai and Thai Smile between BKK and HDY. But the rules and the application of those rules are changing. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Mann33bkk Posted February 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2020 I have used my Thai driverlicens and pink ID card. No problem 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cornishcarlos Posted February 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2020 I think, even in Thailand, a pilots licence is required ?? 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniggie Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Yes. I've used my Thai driving licence as ID for internal flights but only as an exercise. As an alien you would always have your passport with you, wouldn't you? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post spidermike007 Posted February 13, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted February 13, 2020 Yes. My passport never leaves my safe while I am here in Thailand. My Thai DL is always adequate for everything except major banking and immigration stuff. Only then does the passport leave the safe. If a cop asks I show him my DL. I never hand it to him. Always show him from a distance. See it? Ok, so what do you want? Why are you interrupting my day? If anyone insists on seeing my passport, I whip out my color copy from my wallet. It always works. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pmax Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 travelling every week for the last 6 years BKK-HKT-BKK. Never shown more than my Thai Driving-license. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said: If anyone insists on seeing my passport, I whip out my color copy from my wallet. It always works. And that at least is highly recommended. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceN Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 30 minutes ago, Mann33bkk said: I have used my Thai driverlicens and pink ID card. No problem What airport do you fly from? Chiang Mai airport has never accepted my pink ID. But DL is no problem. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge2bridge Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 I have used my Australian drivers licence before flying domestic in Thailand but last year they demanded to see my passport, i left it in my condo, so they sent me to the police office downstairs, and gave me a piece of paper in Thai, they let me through, but said next time MUST show passport, yes the rules are changing all the time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge2bridge Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 23 minutes ago, spidermike007 said: Yes. My passport never leaves my safe while I am here in Thailand. My Thai DL is always adequate for everything except major banking and immigration stuff. Only then does the passport leave the safe. If a cop asks I show him my DL. I never hand it to him. Always show him from a distance. See it? Ok, so what do you want? Why are you interrupting my day? If anyone insists on seeing my passport, I whip out my color copy from my wallet. It always works. NOW airlines will not accept a passport copy, i was knocked back before 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khun Yaaai Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Used the Thai driver license many times for domestic flights, hotels etc. But as we know there's no consistency to the rules, so would rather be prepared showing the passport if needed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boon Mee Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 The Pink Card ???? works fine. Used it last week. Never been asked for my passport. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cortez Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Yes it's possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shammy Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 The ID verification number on my drivers licence is my Passport Number... I'm sure that would just confuse the hell out of it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggg88 Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 2 hours ago, LawrenceN said: What airport do you fly from? Chiang Mai airport has never accepted my pink ID. But DL is no problem. The pink ID has your name in Thai so you will have to book the flight in Thai language. The ID must match the name on the ID. Thai driving licence has your romanized name. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkk6060 Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, spidermike007 said: If a cop asks I show him my DL. I never hand it to him. Always show him from a distance. See it? Ok, so what do you want? Why are you interrupting my day Flights never an issue with Thai DL. In Chiang Mai, I keep my Thai DL in my hand and hold it up as I pass thru check points and get waved on 95% of the time. Sometimes they will stop me just to take a closer look. I actually have thought about making a large maybe 18¨ by 18¨ photo of my DL and placing it on a piece of cardboard and pulling it out or attaching it to the front of my bike as I pass thru. Wonder how that would go over? ???? Edited February 13, 2020 by bkk6060 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max69xl Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 4 hours ago, sniggie said: Yes. I've used my Thai driving licence as ID for internal flights but only as an exercise. As an alien you would always have your passport with you, wouldn't you? There's no law stating the need to carry a passport all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 3 hours ago, bridge2bridge said: NOW airlines will not accept a passport copy, i was knocked back before I was referring to the toy police. For flying I use my Thai DL or pink card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunPer Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 (edited) 20 hours ago, Took said: Would you think it possible to take a domestic flight in Thailand with a Thai driver's licence, instead of a passport? I've done some years back, no problem, don't know if it's still possible – in theory only a picture ID is required. Edited February 13, 2020 by khunPer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunBENQ Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 (edited) 5 hours ago, Khun Yaaai said: Used the Thai driver license many times for domestic flights, hotels etc. But as we know there's no consistency to the rules, so would rather be prepared showing the passport if needed. Yes, The endless dispute. By law hotels are obliged to register you with your passport details, arrival card no, permission to stay ("TM30"). I don't do overnight trips without passport. Banks 100% by order of central bank, no other ID accepted. Don't know whether the airlines have also tightened rules. Pink card is a game of luck. The booking shows your name as in passport ("English"). (this is also true for Thai people for whom the ID card shows name in "English" too). Pink card only shows name transcribed to Thai script. Another annoying inconsistency. Edited February 13, 2020 by KhunBENQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wavel Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Your Thai Driving License has your photo, address & most importantly your passport number on it. All of which are needed for ID verification. I fly three or four internal flights every month for the past ten years & not once shown my passport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogbarker Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Domestic travel Have flown Thai lion with DL and pink I'D. Air Asia declined both from CM. .. but would take passport just in case.... and as regulations change whenever the mood takes them why take a chance.. better wear a mask too .. do i need to change my photo to me with a mask ID 555. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 4 hours ago, Shammy said: The ID verification number on my drivers licence is my Passport Number... I'm sure that would just confuse the hell out of it.. It's got your passport number, but it doesn't have your visa status. I don't know what's been behind the recent changes, but I suspect hotels and airlines may find themselves in some trouble if they board overstayers. Last time I came to Thailand for a week in October, 2019, the hotels I stayed at had signs on the front desk indicating they could no longer accept a Thai DL. When I handed them my passport, they checked the date on the stamp. Just the fact that they printed up the signs indicates that something has changed. So it wouldn't surprise me if airlines were under similar pressures. And, I suspect, compliance will be inconsistent between airlines and between counter agents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ54 Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 5 hours ago, Max69xl said: There's no law stating the need to carry a passport all the time. Uhhh looks like it..... However, since the May 22 military coup, police in Thailand have rediscovered the existence of all kinds of laws, ranging from parking offences to encroaching on public land, which had been widely ignored in the past. It was only a matter of time before passports came to their attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ54 Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 My wife told me I lied about my birthdate...? Huh? Thai DL birthday taken from passport with month in letters... the got it switched around ...,and on the renewal. Go figure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max69xl Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 7 minutes ago, DJ54 said: Uhhh looks like it..... However, since the May 22 military coup, police in Thailand have rediscovered the existence of all kinds of laws, ranging from parking offences to encroaching on public land, which had been widely ignored in the past. It was only a matter of time before passports came to their attention. Both the police and immigration police knows that a passport is a valuable and they have ,when being asked, confirmed in articles in both Bangkok Post and The Nation that a passport doesn't need to be carried at all times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartender100 Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Do those saying they don't travel with their passport still need to take the TM30 slip with you for hotels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keysersoze276 Posted February 13, 2020 Share Posted February 13, 2020 Yes, just follow the news to track the movements of Thailand Immigration's new smart car. It can roll up on you at any second, disguised as an ordinary BMW. The you realize it has a touch screen and internet connection! Game over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hkt83100 Posted February 14, 2020 Share Posted February 14, 2020 22 hours ago, Boon Mee said: The Pink Card ???? works fine. Used it last week. Never been asked for my passport. The Pink Card seldomly works for foreigners, if the reservation is made in Latin letters, but the name on the ID is written in Thai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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