’t what it’s called in Thailand). I ventured off to Bangkok to receive my Thai driver’s license (this is different that an international license). I went with the head teacher at Prep, papers in hand to learn what kind of debacle the Thai driving department was like. Surprisingly, compared to American DMV’s (especially Illinois) it was quite efficient (this also might be because we cut the line, but even if we didn’t, it was still better). Because I already possess an American driver’s license, the process was quite simple for me. All I had to do was present the proper paper work and pass a physical test. The paper was easy; passport, work permit, and a medical evaluation (which was consisted of going to a clinic and having a Doctor making sure I was breathing. He literally looked in my mouth and listened to my breathing, done in 45 seconds). The physical test was quite simple as well. There were three parts, the first part was a color blindness test, the second was a depth perception and reaction test, and the third part was a peripheral vision test. They herded us like cattle through the different tests. My only concern throughout the testing was my ability to say the correct colors in Thai. Overall, the physical test portion was an absolute joke. I’m pretty sure the late Helen Keller could have passed this test with flying colors (pre Annie Sullivan). I think for Thai citizens, the test is a little more difficult (maybe actual driving required) but I doubt it. Driving in Thailand is atrocious (the shoulder of the road is just another lane). After a few more stamps on my test, I headed down to get my picture taken. I sat in the chair smiling, ready for the photo, only to have the man administering the camera telling me to stop smiling. I tried to smile less enthusiastically, but to no avail my attempts at a smile were dismissed. My smile turned into this puckered lip look with my eyebrows raised. The man was not pleased and wanted to take another picture, I said no, I didn’t care. I think he was shocked that I would settle for such a disturbing photo (I have yet to show it to someone without the laughing hysterically). I am now a proud owner of a Thai driver’s license I will never use and has a pretty heinous picture of me.
One tid bit of information. Television shows are often filmed in my apartment complex and this week my street has been filled with orangutans and elephants. It turns out they’re filming a Korean commercial for tourism, which is weird because my condo complex is modeled after France.
I have sent people postcards that had given me their mailing addresses, if you wish to receive a postcard please post a reply with your address and wait for one month for your postcard.
