Converting FAA CPL to Thai CAA
 

I have been trying to find information on converting my FAA Commercial pilot's certificate to Thai's CAA CPL for a while now and have found very little information on it. I will be applying for Thai Air Asia and Thai Airways during my last semester of college in early 2017. I have emailed many airlines about this process and almost all of the responses were "you can find this information through the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand." If anyone here have had information or experience in converting their licenses to Thai (such as the step by step process, exam, and the estimated time for the whole process), I would really appreciate your help. Thank you.

As with all things SE Asia you will have better results appearing in person. It's not helped by the fact that they basically dissolved their DCA and created two new entities which are still "putting up their fences".

From what I remember the old process involved a technical knowledge examination a medical screening and a few other steps.

This guys (The best way to become a pilot) is relatively knowledgeable on the processes and is the closest you'll get to someone who can "help" you through the process.

Unless things have changed in the last year, you cannot get your FAA license converted to Thai CPL. As an expat, once you have a flying job in Thailand you can get a Thai Validation that allows you to operate a Thai registered aircraft with your FAA license. The airline you work for will take care of this process.
I am pretty sure to get a Thai CPL you would have to go through a CPL ground school and flight course in Thailand.

Thai Airways DOES NOT hire expats. Never heard of an expat getting on at NOK or Bangkok Airways. Back in the day, Orient Thai required a type and 500 hours in the aircraft. Sorry, I don’t have much information on Thai Air Asia. Good Luck!

In the early to mid-90s Thai had some expat captains on the MD-11.

Nok has just recently hired some expats after their troubles with the regulator.


Typhoonpilot

I'm a Thai Citizen, not an expat.

You're a fortunate guy: wonderful people, beautiful scenery, and awesome food in Thailand. Count your blessings!

Try the Thai Flying Club. This link might help...

Procedure for Validating your Foreign Pilot License with the DOA


HH

Wondering the same thing...
 

Hi JackyWu, I am currently searching for the related information about converting FAA CPL to Thai flying license. There are not much info. on the CAAT website. Have you successfully converted the license yet? If you did, could you please let me know how it works and I do appreciate it!