CHIANG MAI — The Chiang Mai Provincial Transport Office has clarified the case of a Chinese woman who posted a review claiming she could buy a Thai driver’s license, which became a widely criticized issue among internet users.
On August 31, Mr. Manop Phutthawong, the Chiang Mai Provincial Transport Officer, stated that this case involved a Thai netizen sharing a post by a Chinese woman. The post indicated that this woman, living in Chiang Mai, obtained a Thai driver’s license. In the comments, she claimed she had never learned to drive and simply paid an agent to help her get the Thai license.
The person who shared this post added at the end, “Is this illegal? If so, someone should warn her,” and “I hope everyone won’t criticize all Chinese people or think all Chinese people are bad. Our Chinese friends also hate people like this.”
Mr. Manop further explained that officials investigated and found that the person in question did come to apply for a driver’s license on August 21, 2024. She came alone, and the transport officials followed the standard procedures. Since she had a Chinese driver’s license, she was able to use it to obtain a Thai driver’s license through a conversion process.
“The officials followed all the Department of Land Transport’s procedures, thus issuing a temporary driver’s license. We’re not sure why she posted such a message or what her intentions were, given that it was a straightforward conversion of a Chinese license to a Thai one,” Manop said.
He affirmed that the Chiang Mai Provincial Transport Office followed proper procedures and did not solicit any benefits from the person who made the post. However, the post has caused damage to the reputation of the Chiang Mai Provincial Transport Office. The office has already sent a letter of explanation to the Director-General of the Department of Land Transport in Bangkok.
______
