Things To Know About Driving In Thailand
Thailand has a good network of well-maintained roads and highways between all main centers. Road signage follows international convention and is in both Thai and English. Drunk drivers and an abundance of haphazardly driven motorcycles make night-time driving a real problem, however.
Road rules
Traffic drives on the left hand side and drivers must be at least 18 and hold a full, valid Thailand driving licence or an international driving permit. If you only have a national driving licence from your own country you will be permitted to use for up to two months. To hire a car, renters have to be at least 25 years old. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory and drunk-driving laws apply; all insurance is invalid if drivers exceed the legal alcohol limit.
Police regularly occasionally set up speed traps and offenders breaking the limits will be subject to on-the-spot fines, which are routinely less than the official rate, but no ‘ticket’ is given. The maximum blood/alcohol limit is 0.5mg/ml. Unfortunately the Thai police are very lax in controlling drunk drivers and this creates a hazard late at night.
Speed limits:
Urban areas: 45 – 60kph/28 – 37mph
Highways: 90 – 110kph/56 – 68mph.
Motorways and the road network
There are about 64,600kms/40,141mls of paved roads in Thailand as well as a large network of unpaved roads (especially in the North). Major highways radiate outwards from Bangkok to all the major cities, with most of the north-south route consisting of dual carriageway. Interconnecting roads to smaller towns and cities are usually wide, and single-laned with two-lane sections at interchanges.
Parking in cities is usually on the street for a small charge or, for the most part, covered parking in hotel/plazas or shopping centers. Farther out of town centers parking is usually free, if you can find a space. Don’t block government building entrances or you’re likely to be towed.
Costs, distances and times
Service stations are plentiful and most of the larger ones accept major international credit cards. In more remote locations, hand pumps are common and cash will be required. Unleaded 91, 95 and high-octane 98 fuels are available as well as diesel, and LPG at some locations. Unleaded 95 is about 18 baht per litre; diesel, 15 baht.
Typical driving distances and times:
Bangkok to Chiang Mai: 686kms/426mls 9 hours
Bangkok to Hat Yai: 993kms/617mls 12 hours
Hat Yai to Phuket: 474kms/294mls 7 hours.
Safety
Renters requiring assistance will find an emergency phone number printed on their rental agreement and on the windscreen sticker. Try to refrain from driving at night as unsuspecting potholes, local drivers without tail lights and wandering livestock can greatly increase the possibility of having an accident.
Since Thai motorists are notoriously ill-disciplined with giving way or observing traffic rules, motorists are advised to drive at an ‘easy pace’ (50kms or less) in urban areas. In the event of an accident, Thais prefer to settle the legal outcome on the spot and often expect the wealthier motorist to absorb the cost, this includes foreigners.
Stay away from downtown Bangkok; traffic is horrendous and roads are confusing, not to mention road users who have a general disregard for other vehicles. Don’t drive too close to the edge of the road on any highway as motorcycles quite often drive up the wrong way, and keep out of the path of buses and trucks. The ‘songteaw’ minibus trucks have a habit of suddenly pulling over.
Long story short if you are not comfortable driving in highly populate areas like New York City, Chicago or Atlanta do try it in Thailand.
