Question: Niclas writes: As I understand it, a person has to be the age of 18 and hold a valid drivers license in order to be the driver of a motorbike. I also understand that it is not legal to have more then two persons (driver & 1 passenger) on the kind of vehicle mentioned above (unless it has a sidecar with seats for more persons), and person(s) are required to wear a helmet(s).
A few days ago I read in another Thai newspaper that the police in Nakhon Ratchasima gave a 10 year old boy a special permit in order to drive his father’s delivery truck around the village.
My question is therefore: in order to go to/from school, are special permits given to A. underage drivers of motorbikes, B. If A is yes, can underage drivers carry more then one passenger, and C. if A and/or B is yes, not wear helmets?
I do understand if Pattaya Mail does not want to pass this question on to any official government agency, in order not to get into any conflicts. We are quite a few concerned persons in the Pattaya farang community who would be more then happy to receive an honest answer from a responsible government official.
Answer: You understand correct - it is Thai law that a driver has to have a valid drivers license to ride a motorcycle and/or drive a car, and whilst doing so, drivers must obey all driving laws. A person must be at least 18 years old and not have any disabilities that would impair their ability to drive, in order to apply for a license. So, whether it is Chonburi or Nakorn Ratchasima, every driver must have a valid drivers license without exception. (Information provided by Sub-division Chief of Pattaya City’s Sanitation, Health and Environment Department, Chatchawan Chimtin)

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Question: Maurice asks: If you do not receive any action from city hall regarding flooding in your soi that is the result of private construction works, what could be the next appropriate course of action? Is there a higher department in Bangkok or Chonburi that can be contacted?
Answer: The department that is above city hall is the Chonburi governor’s office. One can report a complaint direct to the governor. (Information provided by Sub-division Chief of Pattaya City’s Sanitation, Health and Environment Department, Chatchawan Chimtin)