If you’re an expat in Thailand, specifically in Bangkok, there are several things you must be aware of before getting behind the wheel (or motorcycle handles).
Tips for Driving in Thailand
1. Driving on the Left
Thailand drives on the left side of the road, which isn’t a problem for expats from England or Australia, but for everyone else it can be quite confusing. Remember that because traffic runs on the left, you can also take a left on red, drive slow in the left lane and fast in the right lane, and that U-turns and merges go the opposite direction.
2. Careful of motorcycles
One of the most important things to know before you start driving in Thailand is that the number of motorcycles on the road can be quite overwhelming, and the drivers behind them can be very reckless. For the most part, drivers have no concept of following the rules of the road, which is easily noticed because they often drive in the wrong lane or on side walks, and will fearlessly dodge around and between any other vehicles in their way. It’s an unfortunate but not-surprising statistic that accidents involving motorcycles make up 70% of all road traffic deaths. Be aware of them and give them the right of way to avoid accidents.
3. Honking by Temples
If you’re driving along and all of a sudden hear lots of cars honking, don’t be too alarmed. They are most likely not honking at you, but at the temple you are passing. This is a substitute for religious drivers who can’t take their hands off the wheel long enough to wai.
4. Drunk Drivers
Thailand has yet to crack down on its drunk driving issue. If you’re caught driving under the influence, depending on the number of police and how public the situation is, it’s quite common for cops to accept bribes instead of issuing a ticket. A bribe for a motorbike at night with one cop around could cost you a couple hundred baht. The bigger the vehicle, the more spectators, and more cops will up the amount needed to get you back in the clear. An extra helpful tip: slip the money to the cop with your license so it’s discreet but easy for them to receive!
5. Road Conditions
A greater investment is needed to fix up the roads in Thailand, as many are filled with potholes or loose stones. Drivers who know the roads are easily able to dodge problem areas but as someone unfamiliar with a particular route, you need to pay extra attention to the road to avoid damaging your vehicle or getting in an accident.
6. Inexperienced Drivers
Did you know that up until only a few years ago it was totally legal for Thai’s to purchase a driving license without taking or passing any sort of driving test. Because it was not necessary to gain, many of the drivers who became licensed in previous years have failed to gain sufficient experience to drive safely and are still out there. Not surprisingly, Thailand now ranks third in the list of countries having highest road traffic deaths worldwide.
7. Detours
One good piece of advice for drivers is to not get too comfortable with your route home. You might think you know the way home but always need to keep a lookout for one way signs as sometimes they will change directions with no notice
8. Congested City Streets
The roads in Thailand are often congested as they were not built for the amount of traffic and massive number of cars on the road; a number that only increases each year as Thailand’s economy grows. In 2012 there were 6.8 million vehicles in Bangkok, but the city can only sufficiently cope with around 2 million.
There are more things to be aware of when driving in Thailand, but the bottom line is to just be alert and to keep up with the flow of traffic. Share your tips below!