USA FavouritesDriving In Thailand
In Thailand, you drive on the left.
Driving in Thailand you will experience frustration, and need patience and
you must not expect international driving rules to be followed. There will
be plenty of traffic jams, little parking and you will need to either know
the layout of the city or be able to read a map (free ones are usually available
from local tourist police stations).
Positively, driving is good for small numbers of people to get around
and see parts of Thailand you might otherwise not see. You can change your
plans and you will experience the people of Thailand more. Thailand has a
good network of well maintained roads and highways between all main centres.
Most of the north-south route is a dual carriage way.
Local Laws
Wearing of seat belts is compulsory.
Drink driving laws apply. All insurance is invalid if drivers exceed
the legal alcohol limit.
All drivers must hold a current, full licence. The licence may either
be Thai, or from a renter's country of residence (with an English translation)
or an international driver’s permit. Licences (and a valid passport) must
be carried at all times when driving.
Speed limits
The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h (35 mph) and varies between 90 and 120 km/h (52-60 mph) on expressways and country roads. Police regularly check motorists speed.
Driving Hazards
Night driving is not recommended on the open road due to heavy truck
traffic, which tends to have a poor respect for cars. Motor bikes can on
occasion be a hazard, particularly as they are often ridden into oncoming
traffic.
Bangkok has a poor reputation for traffic conditions and this is
justified, except on the expressways. The city is very overcrowded with traffic
and this makes driving difficult for drivers unfamiliar with the city. Whilst
Thai drivers are exceedingly courteous and considerate to other road users
(horns are used very rarely), traffic directions, and entry and exit locations
often change during the day. These changes are seldom advised by signs, and
none are in English, hence unfamiliar drivers can end up a considerable distance
from their desired location due to enforced traffic flows.
Sometimes when a driver is overtaking a car, he horns the forthcoming
car. This latter has to slow down to avoid any accident. It is especially
dangerous in case of buses. Overtaking in hillside roads, without seeing if
a car is coming on the other way, is also common for Thai drivers.
Tips
Road signage follows international convention and is in both Thai
and English.
Fuel: Unleaded petrol and diesel are sold by the litre. Both fuels
are freely available throughout Thailand and prices generally range between
Baht 20 to Baht 25 per litre for them. Fuel stations are plentiful and most
of the larger ones accept major international credit cards. It's a must to
inform your credit card suppliers that you will travelling abroad and to which
countries and which dates. This ensures they don't suspend your card if they
spot it being used in unfamiliar places, which they sometimes do as an anti-fraud
measure. In more remote locations cash will be required.
Don’t Do’s
Drinking and driving: Don't do it. Don’t break the local
laws and don’t get involved with accidents even as a passer by as you may
easily get involved and blamed in some way.
Remember you are foreigner in a different country and their laws
are not the same as the ones you’re used to.
