Driving in Thailand & Rules of the Road

Share | Print

Driving in Thailand & Rules of the Road

Below is information on:

Rules & Regulations

• Drive on the left side of the road
• The legal age for driving cars is 18
• The legal age for riding a motorcycle up to 110cc is 15; 18 is the legal age for riding a motorcycle over 110cc
• It is compulsory for a driver to have their driving licence and a copy of the vehicle registration document (Blue Book, Lem Tabian)
• Valid Thai or International Driving Licences are accepted
• Every vehicle must have a tax sticker, which has to be renewed annually at the local Department of Land Transport Office (DLT)
• Every vehicle must have at least third party compulsory motor insurance, which has to be renewed annually at the local Department of Land Transport Office (DLT)
• It is compulsory to wear a seat belt in the front seats of a car. Fines for not wearing a seatbelt can be paid at the local police station
• Blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 mg
• Speeding fines must be paid at the local police station
• Vehicles with red registration plates are not permitted to drive at night
• From 7 May 2008 a driver may only use a mobile cellular telephone with a handsfree system

Other things to take into account when driving in Thailand:

• Flashing of headlights by other vehicles is a warning signal meaning "get out of my way" and does not indicate "you may make your manoeuvre", as it does in some Western countries
• Drivers of larger vehicles may assume that smaller vehicles will give way
• Always check for motorbikes when opening car doors on the side of the road as they frequently travel up the inside space between the road and the pavement
• It is not obligatory for children's car seats to be used
• Anyone wishing to change the colour of their car must inform the DLT who will change the details in the registration book
• A frequently used method of warning road users of a breakdown in the road ahead is to cover the road with tree branches

Car tax sticker

All cars must display a tax sticker on the windscreen as proof that car tax has been paid. When a car is bought the tax sticker stays on the window and remains valid until it expires regardless of who owns the car. Tax must be paid annually at the local DLT office (to make the car tax payment take the Blue Book and proof of the CMI). 

Tax rates are calculated depending on type and age of car as well as its engine size. For vehicles up to five years old the price is fixed depending on the engine size and type of car. After five years the tax will reduce by 10 percent every year up to a maximum of 50 percent. 

Approximate costs are listed below but it is necessary to check with the DLT to get an exact price as there are many variables in how it is calculated. It will also be written in Thai in the back of the registration document (Blue Book).

Official Organisations & Government Bodies

• Thailand Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning
• Department of Land Transport Office (DLT)
• Royal Thai Police (in Thai)

Types of Road

Roads in Thailand range from multi-lane freeways around Bangkok to tiny lanes (soi's). Frequently-used roads in the provinces are often four lanes. 

There is continual investment in upgrading or building new roads throughout Thailand making road works commonplace although frequent heavy rains means they can deteriorate quickly. Road works are not always clearly marked or lit at night. Some road markings can be worn badly and care has to be taken.

Road signs may have English translations below the Thai names.

• For information on road signs in Thailand: Click here

Motorways

Motorways or expressways are restricted to areas around the Bangkok area. 

• Traffic can be very heavy especially at peak times from 07:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00.
• Tolls are charged for each section of the motorway and they differ depending on the distance travelled.
• Speed limits are signposted and are usually 120 Km/h for cars although in some areas the limit may be reduced to 90 Km/h.

Highways

The highways that join all the provinces throughout Thailand are usually well constructed and easy to follow.

The speed limit is signposted and is usually 90 Km/h for cars although in some areas there will be signposts indicating that the limit is increased to 100 Km/h or 120 Km/h.

Suburban streets

Most suburban streets are similar to those in Europe and the rest of the world. Speed limits, marked by signposts, are 50 Km/h to 60 Km/h.

Small lanes

Some small lanes have speed humps to reduce speed and dangers to pedestrians. Check all signs for changes to the usual speed limits of 60 Km/h.

Parking

In some Thai cities parking spaces can be difficult to find because of the high number of cars.

The parking rules and rates are usually marked on signs (with English translations in tourist areas). Fines are given for cars parked in the wrong place or for too long. These can be paid at the local police station. If the vehicle has been clamped a police officer will be delegated to remove the wheel clamps.

Some areas charge a small fee for parking although this is not always indicated by signposting or curbside markings. The cost varies with the area but is usually around five to ten baht, payment will be collected by someone in a uniform. A small ticket will be placed under the windscreen wiper to indicate that payment has been made.

Painted curbsides and roads also give notice for legal parking spaces; marking mean the following: 

Motorcycles

There are more motorcycles than any other vehicle type on Thai roads. Only a very basic test is required before a motorbike licence is issued and there are many accidents involving motorbikes; the figures for motorcycle deaths in Thailand are extremely high.

• Motorcycles are required to have a tax sticker and 3rd party insurance
• It is compulsory for the rider to wear a helmet and have a motorbike licence

Car drivers in Thailand should be prepared for some or all of the following to occur when driving near motorbikes.

• Riding on the wrong side of the road
• Ignoring stop signs
• Riding with many passengers
• Cutting across the front of a car without looking
• Not indicating direction of turning
• Quickly riding across the front of oncoming traffic at lights

Drink Driving (DWI/DUI)

The legal blood-alcohol limit in Thailand is 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood. However, for drivers that have held their licence for less than five years the limit is 0.2 grams per litre of blood. Drivers caught over the legal limit are heavily fined and may be imprisoned or required to do community service. The government is trying to reduce drink driving and breath testing stops are becoming more common.

On average 7.5 people are killed for every 10,000 vehicles on Thailand's roads, amounting to around 14,000 deaths annually in a typical year. National holidays are when drink driving is at its highest, with as many as 600 deaths during the three-day "Songkran" festival. Drivers should take extra care at these times.

Breakdown Assistance

Breakdown help is provided by Royal Automobile Association of Thailand (RAAT) and some insurance companies.

• Royal Automobile Association of Thailand (RAAT) (in Thai)
  • RAAT contact details in English: Click here
• Car World Club: Roadside assistance for cars and motorbikes throughout Thailand

Further Information

• Michelin Tourist and Motoring Atlas (in English) has road maps for all of Thailand. Re-published annually, it is available from many book stores and newsagents
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Insurance in Thailand
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Accidents in Thailand
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Roadworthiness in Thailand
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Registering a Foreign Vehicle in Thailand
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Thailand
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Getting a Thai Driving Licence
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Buying & Selling a Vehicle in Thailand