Travelling to and within Thailand / Road Transportation
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Driver’s License
Unlike what is the case in most countries of the West as well as several neighboring countries (for example the Philippines), foreign drivers’ licenses are not recognized in Thailand. Foreigners staying in the country as tourists or non-immigrants can drive with a valid international drivers’ license. Foreign residents have to apply for a Thai drivers’ license at the Police Registration Division, either at Phahonyothin Road (Tel 513-0051 to 5) Mon-Fri 8:00-16:30 or a suburban or provincial branch office.
For foreigners, to get a Thai drivers’ licence is more than just a formality, even if they are in possession of a valid license from their home country. Among the papers required is a medical certificate as well as a letter from one’s employer. Though the requirements seem somehow unclear, the Thai authorities may require that a foreigner passes either a full test or at least a written test.
Cars for Rent
A wide selection of cars is available for rent in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Hat Yai. In Pattaya, for example, it’s not only specialized companies that offer cars for rent but also many private owners who just park their vehicles along Beach Road, place a sign For Rent on the roof - and sit nearby, waiting for a customer. Rates for cars rented from private owners are typically considerably lower than for cars from specialized companies. Car rental firms with an international network are considerably more expensive than local companies.
Cars are rented out as self-drives as well as chauffeur driven. Luxury limousines are often only available chauffeur driven, and they can be hired by the hour. Thais fancy such arrangements for marriages. Some car rental companies in Bangkok are:
Avis
2/12 Wireless Road
Tel 255-5300 to 4
Dusit Thani, Tel 233-5256
Central Car Rent
24 Soi Ton-Son, Ploenchit Rd
Tel 251-2778 to 9
Dollar Car Rent
272 Soi Chinda-Thawin
Sri Phaya Rd
Tel 234-9770, 233-0848, 233-9940
Fax 233-9806
Grand Car Rent
144/34 Silom Rd, opposite Bangkok Bank
Tel 234-9956, 234-6867
Hertz
987 Ploenchit Rd
Tel 252-4903, 253-6251 to 4
Fax 254-5320, Tlx 87190
1620 New Petchburi Rd
Tel 251-7575
Highway Car Rent
6/2 Rama IV Rd
Tel 235-7746 to 7, 234-0832, 235-5132
Fax 237-2107
Inter Car Rent
45 Sukhumvit Rd, near Sukhumvit Soi 3
Tel 252-9223, 254-4975
King Car Rent
18/1 Sathorn Nua Rd, opposite YMCA
Tel 233-4514, 233-7907 to 8
233-7657 to 8, Fax 237-2107
Klong Toey Car Rent
1921 Rama IV Rd, Klong Toey
Tel 250-1141, 250-1361, 250-1930
Lang Suan Car Rent
93/10 Soi Lang Suan, Ploenchit Rd
Tel 252-1946, 252-7188
National Car Rental
Maneeya Bldg, 518/2 Ploenchit Rd
Tel 251-1393, 252-3520
Tlx 21755 TH, Fax 254-1271
Petchburi Car Rent
2371 New Petchburi Rd
Tel 318-1753, 318-1874, 319-1393
Fax 319-1394
PSR Service
10 Soi 21, Sukhumvit Rd
Tel 258-3727, 258-3502
P.T.C. Tour & Transport
22 Soi Ton Son, Ploenchit Rd
Tel 251-2356, 252-4576
Royal Car Rent
67 Soi Suan Plu, Sathorn Tai Rd
Tel 286-3636, 286-6632
Silver International
402 Esso Gas Station, Sukhumvit, Soi 22
Tel 258-2018, 259-6867 to 8
Tlx 22124 BTH, Fax 259-4317
Thongchai Car Rental
1448/1 New Petchburi Rd
Tel 253-7678 to 9
Toyota Rental And Leasing (BARA)
U Chu Liang Foundation Bldg
968 Rama IV Rd
Tel 233-0169, 234-5021 to 9
Trockchaan Car Rent
2016/64-5 Chan Rd
Tel 213-2299, 286-9438
VIP Tour & Transport
Soi Somprasong 4, Tel 251-4702
Wrung Thai Car Rent
233-5 Asoke - Din Daeng Rd
Tel 246-0089, 246-1525, 246-1525 to 7 | 
