Traffic rules in Thailand and behavior in road traffic
Speed limits on the roads, especially in front of public facilities.
A speed limit of 30 km/h applies at schools, 60 km/h before bends, 120 km/h on straight stretches. Always pay attention to the signs! You must drive at least 100 km/h on the right-hand lane of the highway to avoid rear-end collisions in the overtaking lane. Similar traffic rules as in Europe.
Comments and personal impressions:
The limits are hardly ever adhered to, as controls are rather rare. I have never seen a speed camera that measures speed, neither on Phuket nor anywhere else in Thailand.
The limits are hardly ever adhered to, as controls are rather rare. I have never seen a speed camera that measures speed, neither on Phuket nor anywhere else in Thailand.
Distance to the vehicle in front.
The distance rules are more complex than those in Europe, but the “half speedometer” rule also works well in Thailand. For example, on my motorcycle driving test it was 17 meters at 40 km/h. So you drive well with the fist rule. You should keep a distance of one meter from cars parked to the side. (In case someone opens the door).
Here on Phuket, hardly anyone observes the distance rule. On the contrary – the path is cut off, people drive as close as possible behind the vehicle in front and so most journeys are an unecological gas/brake/gas/brake until the next traffic light.
The reasons are not clear to me, because the second most common cause of accidents in Thailand is: tailgating. So don’t let others inspire you.
Here on Phuket, hardly anyone observes the distance rule. On the contrary – the path is cut off, people drive as close as possible behind the vehicle in front and so most journeys are an unecological gas/brake/gas/brake until the next traffic light.
The reasons are not clear to me, because the second most common cause of accidents in Thailand is: tailgating. So don’t let others inspire you.
Are helmets compulsory for drivers and passengers?
Yes, helmets are compulsory and yes, they are also compulsory for passengers.
On the one hand it is for safety and on the other to avoid trouble. Trouble at the slightest with the police, which can usually be settled with a fine. The worse case, and this is exactly the same as in Germany, is the insurance companies. In the event of misconduct, they can reduce or even withhold the sums insured. The question then arises as to whether the helmet could have prevented the injuries or not in a legal dispute lasting years.
On the one hand it is for safety and on the other to avoid trouble. Trouble at the slightest with the police, which can usually be settled with a fine. The worse case, and this is exactly the same as in Germany, is the insurance companies. In the event of misconduct, they can reduce or even withhold the sums insured. The question then arises as to whether the helmet could have prevented the injuries or not in a legal dispute lasting years.
Parking in the city area
Always park in the marked white spaces. Never park in yellow spaces, as these are for cabs. Yellow spaces with diagonal stripes in the middle of the road are usually used as exits. (Fire brigade, hospital, school and other public buildings). You should not stop there when the traffic lights are red. Curbs or walls painted red and white or red and black also mean that it is absolutely forbidden to stop. Yellow-white or yellow-black means no parking. I see scooters chained up in front of the shopping center every day. Payment is then made at the nearest police station. Just for information: Parking in the shopping center costs 20 baht per hour.
Basic traffic rules, not like in most European countries
There is left-hand traffic (the driver’s door of a parked vehicle opens towards the road).
Driving license, international and in English, vehicle documents and an identity card must be carried.
Unless expressly indicated (usually in Thai), it is also permitted to turn left at a red traffic light.
At traffic circles, the lights flash when turning right and often also when leaving the traffic circle.
At night and sometimes during the day, the traffic light signals are switched off. They then only flash yellow. In this case, you should approach the junction slowly and carefully.
Driving license, international and in English, vehicle documents and an identity card must be carried.
Unless expressly indicated (usually in Thai), it is also permitted to turn left at a red traffic light.
At traffic circles, the lights flash when turning right and often also when leaving the traffic circle.
At night and sometimes during the day, the traffic light signals are switched off. They then only flash yellow. In this case, you should approach the junction slowly and carefully.
Driving regulations like in Germany?
Just think about how you would drive at home and multiply your attention many times over 😉
For example, the following are not permitted in Germany
Driving while intoxicated, drinking alcohol, with a cell phone to your ear, speeding, unnecessary honking, music that is too loud and booming exhaust pipes. When riding a scooter, you should also wear a T-shirt, as you will certainly be passing a holy place. Smoking, riding with more than two people, jaywalking and aggressive behavior are not allowed.
In Germany it is said:
Anyone who fails to comply with applicable traffic regulations, is unfit to drive or acts negligently and thereby endangers other road users on the road must expect a fine and, in the worst case, a prison sentence of up to five years.
This is also the case in Thailand.
For example, the following are not permitted in Germany
Driving while intoxicated, drinking alcohol, with a cell phone to your ear, speeding, unnecessary honking, music that is too loud and booming exhaust pipes. When riding a scooter, you should also wear a T-shirt, as you will certainly be passing a holy place. Smoking, riding with more than two people, jaywalking and aggressive behavior are not allowed.
In Germany it is said:
Anyone who fails to comply with applicable traffic regulations, is unfit to drive or acts negligently and thereby endangers other road users on the road must expect a fine and, in the worst case, a prison sentence of up to five years.
This is also the case in Thailand.
Impressions from outside parties
Once again, I would like to emphasize that foreigners are subject to a slightly stricter interpretation of the law, or you could also say that Thais are punished according to their low income. Accordingly, the impression is correct that the locals are also somewhat more negligent in complying with the law. Most of them also do not have additional health, nursing care, liability or fully comprehensive insurance. Please drive carefully and considerately.
The majority of Thais do the same.
The majority of Thais do the same.
Can I take out additional insurance?
Yes, you can take out additional scooter insurance. However, this is not fully comprehensive insurance as we know it from home.
We recommend that you ask your travel insurance provider explicitly about this. There are insurance policies that cover the rental of a scooter or motor vehicle.
It is important here that the rental company has a license! Please always ask.
With the online supplementary insurance “Mr Prakan”, for example, you will be asked for your rental license number and chassis number.
We recommend that you ask your travel insurance provider explicitly about this. There are insurance policies that cover the rental of a scooter or motor vehicle.
It is important here that the rental company has a license! Please always ask.
With the online supplementary insurance “Mr Prakan”, for example, you will be asked for your rental license number and chassis number.
Would you like to rent a scooter with confidence?
As we prefer to ride scooters ourselves, we also have selected scooters to choose from in addition to our range of tours. These are well maintained, serviced, in mint condition and have been driven less than 10000 km.
TIP Tourinformation is a licensed company based in Phuket Patong. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Send us a WhatsApp or Line message.
TIP Tourinformation is a licensed company based in Phuket Patong. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. Send us a WhatsApp or Line message.