Driving is an incredible thing to do, but before you are able to drive anywhere in the world you must first know the road rules and traffic rules. Thailand is a wonderful country to drive, but year after year statistics shows that Thailand’s roads are some of the world’s most hazardous. Thailand endures around roughly around 10,000 accidents. Some claim that this is a result of easy driver’s tests and a weak police force. Others blame it on cultural beliefs related to fate, karma and reincarnation. In any case, be extra careful when getting behind the wheel in Thailand, especially when driving in Bangkok. As a foreigner getting behind the wheel in Thailand, you’ll need to adapt to a far different style of driving than is common in the West. If you can stay cool, go with the flow and expect the unexpected, you’ll be just fine.
Driving in Thailand is best described as an adventure. Thai drivers are incredibly polite and rarely succumb to road rage and honking horns. However, this is not to say that traffic flows smoothly and congestion is nearly extinct. Driving in Thailand can be extremely dangerous and is not for the faint of heart.
Thailand is like Britain, where people drive on the left side of the road. But if you’re from one of the majorities of other countries in the world that drive on the right, you’ll have to adapt. This is especially relevant when making turns, so you don’t find yourself turning into oncoming traffic.
While Thai drivers love to zip around, they will not honk or pressure slower drivers to speed up as long as slow drivers keep left and allow traffic to move around them. Use this to your advantage to drive carefully and confidently, giving yourself enough time to anticipate turns, changes in road conditions and the actions of other drivers.
Thailand highway traffic can move at quite a fast speed, and the prevalence of scooters and motorbikes increases the number of moving factors to watch out for. You’ll find that scooter and motorcycle drivers will pass on both sides, and use unconventional ways of moving through traffic, such as using the sidewalk for short periods. And, although there is a law against using mobile phones while driving, many people both text and talk on the phone, even when driving motorbikes.
To drive legally in Thailand, you must carry either a Thai driving license or valid international driving license for the class of vehicle you wish to operate. Seatbelt laws only apply to the driver and front seat car passengers. All scooter and motorbike drivers are required to wear helmets, though many on the road don’t. The blood- alcohol concentration limit is 50mg per 100ml of blood. Be safe and always wear a helmet, rely on public transport when drinking and buckle up despite lax laws.
Paying more attention to the Thai driving style and what’s happening around us in real-time has helped us stay safe. This is not to say that throwing the hard road rules to the wind is a good idea, but knowing what to expect on the roads and how to react in certain situations has made us safer drivers.