8 a.m. Friday 6.10.06 - farang, accompanied by a Thai friend to act as translator, presents himself at the reception desk of the Ubon government office of whatever it is to renew a Thai driver's licence, armed with all the necessary documents.
farang - I would like to renew my Thai driver's licence please (show licence to the Thai government official)
Thai government official - No can do (have you ever noticed how rude Thais - especially government officials - can appear to be?)
farang - Why not?
T.g.o. - This licence doesn't expire until 11.10.06
farang - Yes, I know that. I've come in to do it today as I will be unable to do it over the next 2 weeks due to work commitments.
T.g.o. - no can do
farang - Why not?
T.g.o. - Computer no can do
We now have a Thai-farang impasse with a build-up of Thais behind me wishing to renew motorcycle licences or whatever else they do at this office.
increasingly irate farang - I'd like to renew my licence early so that I can continue to drive legally
T.g.o. - Come in at a later date
i.i.f. - The earliest I can come in is 24.10.06, so I will be 2 weeks with an expired licence.
(Here it comes, the Thai resolution to everything)
T.g.o. - (with that shrug of the shoulders that Thais must acquire in some government training course that they all do when they start their career). Mai pen rai.
i.i.f. leaves office at 8.03 with all documents intact and no licence.
bobforest