Traffic regulations

[Benedictus]

Staying in HH for 2 weeks we maybe want to rent a car - but wanna learn about the traffic regulations.

Having a driving licence for about 25 years - driving in the "wrong side" of the road is a new challenge
- besides that, several other regulations may be good to know.

Any hint would be highly appriciated.

[STEVE G]

Driving around the local area is no problem at all, but in Hua Hin itself it’s becoming busy and you have to be very careful. Basically you have to be prepared for absolutely anything to happen and need to be concentrating the whole time.
The best thing is to drive slowly and don’t do anything suddenly, (unless you have to brake in an emergency) you will find that the cars in front of you will repeatedly stop for no apparent reason; whatever you do, don’t swerve around them unless you are sure the road is clear, as you will stand a good chance of hitting a motorbike or a pedestrian.
If you have to turn off a main road, be very aware that motorbikes will continue to come past you on the inside however long you indicate, so make absolutely sure the road is clear.
Also be aware that in Asia no matter who has the right of way, bigger vehicles will often take it from you on the “might is rightâ€

[Winkie]

Always drive defensively, and when making anykind of move, avoid hesitating.

Think of yourself, keep a lookout for loonies attempting the unheard of! Especialy motorcycles, who appear oblivious to the presence of any form of transport except themselves.

And remember, you'll be driving on the 'Correct Side'!

Winkie

[Mack111]

just be careful mate, if you keep a look out and drive a bit slower you should be alright.

Its best to get a jeep or a truck thing so you sit a bit above the traffic and can see what’s going on around you.

Like Steve says watch out for the kids, they seem to love just playing at the side of the road

If you do crash into a Thai you can rest assured it will be your fault, not to scare you but this happened to us;

Last September when I was in HH my wife met with an accident with a moped driver just outside our house in a hire car next to a Thai restaurant type place which had a police guy sitting having some food , when I got to the crash the moped driver was so pissed he could hardly speak, his bike was pretty badly damaged also, anyways the policeman took control of things saying yes it was the moped drivers fault and nothing to worry about and so on, just come to the police station next day to sign some forms etc. went police station next day and everyone and there dog turned up, (hire car owner, moped driver whole family, police man who seen all the crash and various other people) after a meeting in the station we were told everyone was here to say it was my wifes fault and advised since we were both foreigners it would cause lots of hassle if we disagreed, I was like yeah right BS no way. Anyway cut a long storey short what happened next totally surprised me. The senior police man pulled me in a room on our own (very nice guy by the way) and explained how Thai’s must help Thai’s as not as rich as Falangs and if I agreed to say accident was 50% my fault and 50% mopeds drivers fault and pay any excess on the insurance to the insurance company (was only 1000 Baht) this way the moped driver would get free treatment at hospital and his bike fixed, I’m like no mate sorry, he then say I buy him a beer and he will get someone else to say they were driving the hire car and its all forgotten about but still ay the excess on the insurance to the insurance company for the guy he lined up to be the phantom driver. The policeman never asked for any cash at all and done all this dodgey dealings with phantom driver etc let me go and came for a beer with me an hour latter….and he even bought a round..

A bit of track of the thread but strange I can tell you

[STEVE G]

And remember, you'll be driving on the 'Correct Side'!

Good point Winkie, forget about Napoleon and his stupid ideas!

[JimboPSM]

A few more hints.

Be very careful when a driver flashes his lights at you - it almost certainly means keep out of the way he is coming through; it is not an invitation, as in much of Europe, for you to make your manoeuvre.

On dual carriageways you will frequently meet vehicles travelling on the wrong side of the road as a short cut.

You will find that motorcycles, cars, trucks and pedestrians, especially children, can emerge from almost anywhere at any time.

You are as likely to be overtaken on the near side as on the drivers side of the vehicle with all the attendant problems of blind spots, so be ultra cautious on moving or turning left.

Make sure you make full use of your mirrors, but remember even when you do use them that there are still blind spots that motorcyclists will find.

Driving slowly does not cause western style road rage.

No matter what the circumstances, if you have an accident it will be your fault.

[Wanderlust]

Many good tips there. I have one to add which is probably unnecessary but always wear your seatbelt - not only because of the safety aspect, but it is a common sight to see drivers pulled over and 'fined' for not doing so, including the passenger in the front.

[Mack111]

make sure insurance is proper also

[Winkie]

....and have a wee before a long journey

[JimboPSM]

....and have a wee before a long journey

Not too much of a problem if going to or from Bangkok, some of the service areas are very smart with decent facilities - going in other directions can be more of a problem

[Winkie]

Yes, its always a problem when your wee goes in an unexpected direction.

[dane48]

Yes, its always a problem when your wee goes in an unexpected direction.

Thanks for the enlightment - you most be the one with the wet shoes

[dane48]

Staying in HH for 2 weeks we maybe want to rent a car - but wanna learn about the traffic regulations.

Having a driving licence for about 25 years - driving in the "wrong side" of the road is a new challenge
- besides that, several other regulations may be good to know.

Any hint would be highly appriciated.

I have always found it very difficult the first few hours, driving in the wrong side, to remember to shift the gears with left hand - has hammered my right hand into the door countless times - so my advise - rehearse the gearshift on a quite road in the contryside or on a closed circuit, and as everybody else say - drive defensively.
Good luck

[JimboPSM]

Staying in HH for 2 weeks we maybe want to rent a car - but wanna learn about the traffic regulations.

Having a driving licence for about 25 years - driving in the "wrong side" of the road is a new challenge
- besides that, several other regulations may be good to know.

Any hint would be highly appriciated.

I have always found it very difficult the first few hours, driving in the wrong side, to remember to shift the gears with left hand - has hammered my right hand into the door countless times - so my advise - rehearse the gearshift on a quite road in the contryside or on a closed circuit, and as everybody else say - drive defensively.
Good luck

• Better still, just hire an automatic car.

[Big Boy]

JimboPSM wrote:

Better still, just hire an automatic car.

That's OK if you're used to an automatic - if not, whenever you try to put the clutch in, you get know how a fly feels when he hits the windscreen.