The Department of Land Transport (DLT) recently addressed a controversy involving a Chinese tourist who appeared online holding a Thai driver’s license. This image, featured in an ad on the Chinese e-commerce platform Xiaohongshu, touted “fast-track” services for obtaining official documents. The post ignited furor among Thai netizens after it was shared by a local social media user. The claim was that the woman depicted had effortlessly secured her Thai driver’s license in Chiang Mai, bypassing the mandatory theory training and practical tests.
However, the DLT was quick to set the record straight. On Sunday, they affirmed that the woman had indeed acquired her license legally from a DLT office in Chiang Mai. The twist? Her photograph had been misused without her consent to promote the illicit service. Imagine the frustration! The department strongly advised foreign tourists against falling prey to such dubious advertisements, often crafted by scammers. They warned that several fraudulent pages misappropriate the department’s logos and images of legitimate license holders to dupe unsuspecting individuals, leading to disclosing private information or paying exorbitantly inflated prices for otherwise straightforward services.
Here’s a glimpse into the proper procedure: Acquiring a driver’s license in Thailand is not as simple as these scammers portray it to be. Prospective licensees must undergo a series of essential steps, including document verification, a physical exam, and of course, a driving test. For perspective, the cost of a motorcycle license stands at an affordable 105 baht, while a car license is priced at 205 baht. Such reasonable fees further expose the deceit behind those high-priced “fast-track” schemes.
Manop Phutthawong, the chief of the Chiang Mai Provincial Transport office, couldn’t stress the due diligence of the process enough. He noted that the Chinese tourist in question had visited the office on August 21. She arrived alone, methodically following every step required. Her valid Chinese driver’s license simplified things; the office merely verified her documents before issuing her a Thai license. What started as a misleading image spiraled into an international learning moment: Always follow the law and steer clear of shortcuts that appear too good to be true.
The DLT’s response was not just a rebuttal; it was a firm stand against the growing menace of online fraud. Their clarion call to tourists and residents alike is clear-cut: Stick to the legitimate channels. After all, the path to drive legally on Thai roads is paved with laws designed to ensure safety and integrity. Let’s drive responsibly and keep scammers in the rearview mirror.
I can’t believe people fall for these scams so easily!
It’s not surprising. When people want something quickly, they often don’t think things through.
It’s really sad that scammers use this desperation to their advantage.
But shouldn’t the authorities be doing more to shut down these scam ads?
Desperation can make people do irrational things.
But we also have a responsibility to educate ourselves and be vigilant.
This whole ordeal just shows how poorly people understand the process. It’s not that hard to get a driver’s license legally!
True, but language barriers and being in a foreign country can make it confusing.
Still, with a bit of research, it’s pretty clear what you need to do.
Research on the internet can sometimes lead you to more misleading information, though.
Good on the DLT for clearing things up and warning others!
Agreed. It’s good to see transparency in such matters. Authorities need to be very clear.
Exactly, more transparency can curb a lot of these scams.
But how often do authorities actually follow up on their warnings?
This probably happens everywhere, not just in Thailand. People everywhere want to take shortcuts.
True, it’s a global issue. The mentality of taking shortcuts just to avoid a little bureaucracy is prevalent.
I think the most shocking part is the misuse of the woman’s photo without consent. That’s just horrifying!
Yeah, it really is an invasion of privacy. Imagine finding out your image was used in a scam!
Identity theft can have long-lasting effects. It’s not just a one-time inconvenience.
Why would anyone even believe you could get a license without proper training? That’s what got me.
People believe what they want to believe, especially if it seems to make their lives easier.
I hope more people learn to verify such information before falling for scams.
Yes, digital literacy is crucial these days. Everyone needs to be aware and cautious.
The cost of licenses is so low; it’s hard to believe anyone would pay extra for a ‘fast-track’.
Exactly! The legitimate cost is so reasonable. The scammers are charging way more.
Glad the DLT took swift action. More departments should take note and act promptly against such frauds.
The worst part is that these scams make it harder for real, law-abiding tourists.
True. It creates unnecessary hurdles for genuine applicants.
Kudos to the Chinese tourist for doing everything by the book despite these distractions.
Indeed! She set a good example by not taking the easy way out.
Online scams are becoming so sophisticated. It’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake.
It’s also important for e-commerce platforms like Xiaohongshu to vet their ads better.
Why hasn’t there been more regulation on online advertising to prevent these scams?
Regulation is always playing catch-up with technology. It’s tough but necessary.