en
Traffic in Thailand is strikingly different
from the usual standards of Europe and Russia. The main feature is left-hand
traffic, which becomes a real challenge for tourists, especially those who rent
a bike or a car. In addition, the driving style in the country is significantly
different from the European one: local drivers often do not adhere to clear
rules, can unexpectedly change lanes and almost never use turn signals.
Other key differences include the lack of
priority for pedestrians, flexibility in interpreting road signs, and an unspoken
rule that the responsibility for a safe maneuver falls on the person performing
it. This means that when changing lanes or entering a main road, local drivers
rely not on compliance with traffic rules, but on the reaction of other road
users.
For tourists who rent transport, it is
important to understand not only the official rules, but also the real
situation on the roads. Knowing local features will help to avoid fines,
accidents and unpleasant situations.
Left-hand traffic
Thailand is a left-hand drive country,
which can be a serious challenge for tourists accustomed to right-hand traffic.
The reason for this arrangement of roads is the historical influence of Great
Britain, as in most former British colonies.
The main difficulties for tourists
●
U-turns. There are many sections
of the road in Thailand where left turns are prohibited, so you have to turn
around through special pockets. It is difficult for beginners to immediately
understand which way to go after the maneuver.
●
Roundabouts: Most roundabouts give
priority to those already on the roundabout, but some intersections work the
other way around – it’s important to watch the signs.
●
Lane changes: Drivers often change
lanes without signaling, and on highways, bikes and cars can weave between
lanes, creating chaos.
To minimize the risk of accidents:
●
Start at a slow pace, especially
if you are riding a bike for the first time;
●
Keep an eye on your mirrors as
motorcyclists and bikers can suddenly appear from any direction;
●
Avoid driving at night as many local
drivers ignore the rules and drive without headlights.
You can get used to driving on the left
in just 1–2 days if you are attentive and careful.
Unlike European countries, where speed
limits are strictly controlled by cameras and police, the situation in Thailand
is more chaotic. Official speed limits are formally in effect, but in practice
they are rarely observed.
Official speed limits in Thailand
|
Road
type |
Speed
limit (km/h) |
|
Populated areas |
50–60 |
|
Country roads |
90–100 |
|
Highways |
120 |
However, despite these standards, drivers
often exceed the speed limit, especially on high-speed highways.
Thailand uses international road signs,
but with some differences:
●
Speed limit signs are either in
km/h or in miles (less common, but they do exist);
●
Instead of the usual "Give
Way" signs, the "No Stopping" sign is often used;
●
Many signs are only in Thai, especially
in non-tourist areas.
How does this affect tourists?
●
Sometimes it is difficult to
understand what speed you can drive at, as signs may be missing.
●
Intersections with STOP signs may
not be observed by local drivers, making traffic unpredictable.
●
In tourist areas you can often see
temporary signs and markers, especially during holidays and events.
So, it is necessary to be guided by the
signs in Thailand, but you cannot rely on them completely. It is better to
watch other drivers and adapt to the flow of traffic.
How do local drivers behave?
Traffic in Thailand is very different
from what European drivers are used to. Local motorists and bikers do not
always follow official rules, but rather rely on the unwritten laws of the
road, in which the responsibility for safety often lies with the one performing
the maneuver.
Thai driving style is the "area of responsibility" of each
driver
The main principle of Thai driving is
that everyone is responsible for what is in front of them. This means that if
someone suddenly changes lanes in front of you without signaling or pulls out
onto a main road, they expect you to notice them and slow down.
●
A pedestrian does not have
priority – if he is walking on a zebra crossing, no one is obliged to let him
cross.
●
Bikers calmly ride against traffic
or even on the sidewalk.
●
Buses and trucks rarely give way -
it's better not to try to "outplay" them.
Common Unspoken Rules and Habits on the Road
●
Turn signals are rarely used.
Drivers may change lanes abruptly without warning.
●
The hazard lights are a sign of
gratitude. If someone lets a car pass, the driver turns on the hazard lights
for a couple of seconds.
●
The signal is not aggression, but
a warning. Unlike Europeans, Thais do not honk out of anger, but to warn of
their presence.
Dangerous maneuvers that may
surprise tourists
●
Overtaking on the oncoming lane –
even if the road is narrow, local drivers may resort to a risky maneuver.
●
Riding bikes between lanes -
Bikers often ride in "blind spots", so always check your mirrors.
●
Braking abruptly in front of speed
bumps – local drivers sometimes don’t notice the obstacle until the last
moment.
All this makes driving unpredictable,
especially for tourists who are driving for the first time in Thailand.
Priority on the road and intersections
In Thailand, there are official rules of
priority, but they do not always work in practice.
Who has priority on the road?
●
Buses and trucks have the default
advantage.
●
Cars in front of bikes - if a car
is moving on the main road, bikers are required to let it pass (but they don't
always do this).
●
Pedestrians are outside the
system. Even at a zebra crossing, a driver may not stop, so you need to cross
the road carefully.
Peculiarities of intersections and roundabouts
●
At intersections without traffic
lights, the one who first entered the intersection has priority.
●
At roundabouts in tourist areas,
the European rule is more often in effect - those already on the roundabout
have priority. In other places, different options are possible - locals can
drive onto the roundabout without paying attention to the flow of cars.
How do traffic lights work in Thailand?
●
A red light does not always mean
stop - at some intersections you can turn right (similar to turning right on
red in the USA).
●
A great feature of Thai traffic
lights is the countdown timer. It shows how many seconds are left before the
signal changes.
●
Flashing yellow - indicates
priority for those moving straight ahead, but it is not a stop signal.
Understanding these features will help
you avoid dangerous situations at intersections and roundabouts.
Parking rules and fines
Parking in Thailand is not the most
obvious thing, especially for tourists. In some places there are no markings or
signs, and the rules may vary depending on the city.
Where can and cannot you park?
●
White markings – parking is
permitted.
●
Yellow markings – temporary
stopping is possible, but leaving the car for a long time is not allowed.
●
Red markings – parking is
prohibited, a fine or towing is possible.
●
Sidewalks – parking is not allowed
on them, but many bikers ignore this.
Differences between paid and free parking
●
In large cities there are paid
parking lots, the price varies from 20 to 100 baht per hour.
●
In tourist areas such as Koh
Phangan or Phuket you can often park for free, but in popular areas parking is
scarce.
●
Some shops and restaurants have
their own parking lots where you can leave your car while shopping.
Parking fines and how to pay them
●
If a car is parked in a prohibited
place, it may be issued a ticket. You can pay it at the nearest police station.
●
In some cases, the vehicle is
towed, in which case you will have to pay a fine + the cost of towing.
●
If a bike is parked in an illegal
place, the police may remove the license plate - it will only be returned after
the fine is paid.
Mandatory documents for drivers
To drive a motorbike or car in Thailand,
you need an International Driving License.
What kind of
driving license do you need?
|
Type of
transport |
Necessary
rights |
|
Bike up to 50 cm³ |
Category A or B |
|
Bike over 50cc |
Category A only |
|
Automobile |
Category B |
If a tourist drives without an
international license, the police may impose a fine of 500-2000 baht.
What to do if you don’t have a license?
●
You can rent an electric scooter -
you don't need a license.
●
Some rentals will rent out bikes
without checking documents, but in case of an accident, insurance will not
cover the damage.
Fines for lack of documents
|
For lack of international rights |
500-1000 baht (usually can be paid on
site) |
|
For driving without a helmet |
500-1000 baht |
|
For lack of insurance |
from 2000 baht, in case of an accident
large expenses are possible |
It is better to prepare in advance, get
an international license and always carry insurance and a rental agreement with
you. This will save you from many problems on the road.
Drinking and driving and penalties for
violations
Drunk driving is severely punished in
Thailand. Despite the country being known for its partying and free-spirited
atmosphere, police regularly carry out raids, especially in tourist areas.
For ordinary drivers, the permissible
blood alcohol level is 0.5 ppm. However, for drivers with less than 5 years of
experience and professional drivers (buses, taxis, trucks), there is a strict
limit of 0.2 ppm or a complete ban.
Checkpoints are often set up at the exits
of popular bars and parties, especially in resort areas. The check may include
a breathalyzer test, a visual assessment of the driver's condition, or a
referral for a medical examination if in doubt.
Fines for drunk driving
|
Violation |
Fine
(baht) |
Additional
sanctions |
|
Driving with blood alcohol level of 0.5 ‰ |
10,000 – 20,000 |
Deprivation of rights for 6 months |
|
Repeat offense |
50,000 |
Deprivation of rights, possible prison term |
|
Road accidents with casualties |
From 100,000 |
Deprivation of rights, criminal liability |
It is important to remember that in the
event of an accident, insurance will not cover damage if the driver was drunk.
In addition to fines, there may be legal proceedings and large financial
losses.
Road safety and recommendations for
tourists
Road traffic in Thailand is considered
one of the most dangerous in the world. The high accident rate is due not only
to the behavior of local drivers, but also to the fact that tourists often have
no experience driving a bike, are poorly oriented in left-hand traffic and
underestimate road risks.
One of the main problems is getting used
to left-hand traffic. Tourists often make mistakes when turning and changing
lanes, which causes accidents. Bikers move between lanes and can appear in
"blind spots", so it is important to constantly look in the mirrors
when driving.
Another risk is the poor condition of the
roads. Even popular routes have gravel, sand and potholes, while remote beaches
may have completely unpaved roads. Driving at night is especially dangerous –
most roads are unlit, and some local drivers ignore their headlights.
How to reduce the likelihood of an accident?
To travel safely in Thailand, it is worth
following a few rules. First of all, always wear a helmet - this is a mandatory
requirement of the law and the only protection in case of falling off the bike.
On wet or sandy roads, it is better to avoid sudden braking, as the wheels may
go into a skid.
The optimal driving style is moderate
speed and attentiveness. Even if local drivers break the rules, tourists are
better off not doing so. Changes in lanes should be made smoothly, as bikes can
suddenly appear from any direction. If you are planning a trip in the evening,
you should avoid dark roads without lighting and places with active drunk
driving.
Tips for safe riding on a bike and in a car
●
Keep to the left, even if your
instinct is to go to the right;
●
Keep an eye on your mirrors as
bikers often ride between lanes;
●
Do not exceed the speed limit,
especially on narrow roads and sharp turns;
●
Avoid driving at night if your
route passes through poorly lit areas;
●
Check your rental bike to make
sure the brakes, lights and tires are in good condition.
Conclusion
Understanding local driving rules and
features helps tourists avoid fines, accidents and unpleasant situations.
Left-hand traffic, lack of strict control over violators and a high accident
rate require special attention.
For tourists renting transport, it is
important not only to comply with traffic regulations, but also to take into
account the unspoken rules of Thai traffic. Accuracy, respect for other drivers
and a sober assessment of your skills will make your trip around Thailand safe
and comfortable.
