The Department of Land Transport (DLT) says the Chinese tourist who was seen holding a Thai driver's licence in an online post, advertising "fast-track" services for official documents on a Chinese e-commerce platform, got her licence legally.
The advertisement on the Xiaohongshu platform caused outrage in Thailand after it was reposted online by a Thai social media user, who claimed the woman in the picture was able to get a Thai driver's licence in Chiang Mai without having to go through any training or take a test.
The DLT on Sunday said the woman had got her licence lawfully at a DLT office in Chiang Mai, but her picture was used without her consent to advertise the illegal service.
The department urged foreign visitors not to fall for such advertisements, as they may have been posted by scammers.
Those who wish to obtain a driver's licence must go through the process, which includes document verification, physical examination and a driving test. A motorcycle licence costs 105 baht, while a licence for a car costs 205 baht, it said.
The Chiang Mai Provincial Transport office said the woman came to apply for a licence at the office on Aug 21. The office only had to verify her documents before issuing her a Thai licence since she was already carrying a valid Chinese driver's licence.
