Things to look out for when driving in Thailand

[Robinhood]

Hi,

Having got my license, i'm thinking of making a road trip. Four questions,

1. What's a fair daily rate to hire a car for a couple of days? Something like a Toyota Camry.

2. I'm assuming if I buy or rent a car, insurance is essential, any obvious advice or go to companies.

3. I've got plenty of UK driving experience, but I think Thailand could be quite a bit different. What are the obvious things I need to look out for.
- Which side of the road do you overtake?
- Can you turn left at red lights if it's clear?

4. What might give the Thai Police thoughts about stopping me?

Please, no "they are all crazy drivers comments" I'm just looking for practical tips to be safe for myself and others.

[Dannie Boy]

Hi,

Having got my license, i'm thinking of making a road trip. Four questions,

1. What's a fair daily rate to hire a car for a couple of days? Something like a Toyota Camry.

2. I'm assuming if I buy or rent a car, insurance is essential, any obvious advice or go to companies.

3. I've got plenty of UK driving experience, but I think Thailand could be quite a bit different. What are the obvious things I need to look out for.
- Which side of the road do you overtake?
- Can you turn left at red lights if it's clear?

4. What might give the Thai Police thoughts about stopping me?

Please, no "they are all crazy drivers comments" I'm just looking for practical tips to be safe for myself and others.

1. There’s a car hire company that are one of the sponsors you can find on the main page - although they don’t list a Camry, by their charges for other cars you would be looking at about 1000-1200 Baht a day

2. AA insurance are a good starting point

3. Don’t be surprised by being given the advise to beware of crazy drivers, because whilst not everybody is a crazy driver, you do unfortunately get more here than you do in the UK. My simple advice would be, use your mirrors more than you would in the UK and be prepared for the unexpected.

Overtaking is supposed to be on the outside but expect to be undertaken on a regular basis (hence use your mirrors)

You can turn left at traffic lights that indicate it’s allowed (some aren’t), but of course, only when it’s safe to do so

4. Any reason really, but you’re unlikely to meet up with a patrol car, so it’s more likely that you will come across a police checkpoint where they are looking for obvious reasons to stop you (no seatbelt, using a mobile, no tax displayed, car not in good condition).

[stretch]

The one thing of most to look out for in my opinion are motorbikes school kids use them for school transport.

[Big Boy]

The one thing of most to look out for in my opinion are motorbikes school kids use them for school transport.

Is there a problem with this? I know several school kids who have legitimate licences, after they have passed tests arranged by their schools.

I wonder how many Farangs will be riding motorcycles illegally in the next 4 months.

[hhinner]

^^ Agree. In and around Hua Hin I'd be more wary of tourists on motorbikes who think they can drive like the locals, but really can't. I also wouldn't recommend driving other than relatively short distances at night.

[traveller2]

Robinhood, if you go to a good rental company, such as the sponsor on here, insurance should be included in the car hire price.
Coming from the UK, I would say in built up areas watch everything and everybody. Drive slower than you would probably do in the UK, this will give you more time to see what others are doing around you.
Motorcycles will undertake you because they have a separate lane on your inside, so be aware of that and keep using your left mirror.
As mentioned above, you can turn left at red lights where it says you can.
Watch out for drivers pulling out turning left ahead of you without looking.
If a car flashes you, he's telling you he's coming through....the opposite to the UK...that's a very important one to remember.
I've found in the rural areas it's much more relaxing and fun. You need to be very wary of dogs wandering out in front of you, whether in town or in the countryside.
Apart from that, have a blast.
Now I'm used to it, I really enjoy driving there

[HHTel]

If a car flashes you, he's telling you he's coming through....the opposite to the UK...that's a very important one to remember.

Actually, flashing your headlights in the UK is misinterpreted my most drivers. It doesn't mean that you are letting the other driver through. A common misconception.
It's actually used correctly in Thailand. Surprise, surprise.

Rule 110 states: “Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there.

[migrant]

I drive in Thailand, and everywhere, using advice from my Grandfather

"Drive like everyone else on the road is a damn fool and can't drive well"

[buksida]

You are only likely to be hassled by police in tourist towns, Hua Hin especially. If you have everything in order they usually let you through (unless the end of the month is near).

Highway driving is especially hazardous, things to look out for:

Trucks and busses hogging the outside lane doing 45kph forcing you to undertake.
Tailgating, they like to drive that close to the car in front so that its exhaust fumes will start oxidizing on their bumper.
U-turns are extremely dangerous as vehicles will just pull into your path or across three lanes.
Driving up the wrong side of the road is also commonplace, they need to get somewhere faster than you do.
There is absolutely no general courtesy on the roads here, nobody will ever wait or let you go, which is why vehicles simply pull out.

Treat it as a video game in which everything is trying to kill you and you only have one life!

[Nereus]

All driving here has to be "defensive". Do not look at the road directly in front of you, but look at the "big picture" unfolding way ahead of you.

On highways the failure to do this is the cause of a lot of avoidable accidents and deaths on the road. Thai drivers in particular that are used to driving around town have no idea of this concept when they drive on a highway.

Drive at a speed to suit the conditions, be it traffic, weather or anything else in the big picture. As mentioned, U-turns are deadly, but always expect the vehicle waiting to do a U-turn to pull out in front of you. Let the idiots go by, you will probably catch up to them a bit further down the road where they have crashed!

Also as mentioned, try to plan not to drive on highways at night.

[migrant]

I'll add trucks in the slow lane that move to the fast lane to pass another truck. If you are in the fast lane be careful they seem to have no concept of how fast you are going, only thinking of themselves. Many times I had to slam on the brakes due to this.

[stretch]

My point being when 4 on 1 bike leaving school legit license or not if this looks like safe riding to anybody you can see why so many deaths on Thai roads

[Edmin]

Hi,

Having got my license, i'm thinking of making a road trip.

4. What might give the Thai Police thoughts about stopping me?

Please, no "they are all crazy drivers comments" I'm just looking for practical tips to be safe for myself and others.

I took my road trip next week after arriving in Thailand. I rented car in Hua Hin and drove almost to Cambodian border (Surin province), more than 2000 km back and forth (I'm still thanking God for letting me trough that with no problem).

I was stopped more than 10 times at police block stops, not because of my wrongdoing but, because of closeness to Cambodian border and Songkran. Officers let me go as soon as they realized that I'm not drunk and, we can't speak same language.

All tips given above are true and good. If police stopped you, smile and say sawadee chrap. If you have Thai companion in the car let her/him to do talking, if not, say you destination and keep smiling.

All renters, even small private ones, include insurance in the price. If not offered, don't rent. If no Thai in the car with you, make sure insurance can speak English. I hope you will not need it but, just in case.

[dundrillin]

Many motor bikes have no rear lights

[hhinner]

Or front.