'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: This is some general information for those persons interested or concerned about driving in Thailand .
Over 30 years of driving extensively (car and motorcycles) throughout SE Asia, in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand, it has afforded many varied and interesting experiences.
The Golden Rule of driving in South East Asia;
COMMON SENSE! - Drive defensively, and drive to the road & weather conditions at all times.
Different people might suggest that it's not safe for foreigners to drive in Thailand. They'll suggest that if you are involved in an accident you will automatically be at fault.
WHAT A LOAD OF RUBBISH!
Thailand has road rules, and for the most part the Thais adhere to them. Another misconception is that you are always going to be pulled over by the Police and fined for no reason. AGAIN RUBBISH.
Helmets: If you are not wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle, then yes, you will get pulled over and likely fined, and so you should. It is also law that passengers must wear a helmet, though unfortunately this is less regularly enforced. A responsible bike rider would never let a passenger on the back unless they were wearing a helmet!
Police: If you are pulled over for any reason, so long as you have been obeying the road rules, hold the correct documentation, stay clam, and respectful, you will not have a problem.
Pay close attention to the HUGE number of small motorcycles on the road, in many cases these are ridden by children as young as 12, so you have to be constantly vigilant and drive defensively.
International Driving Permit: The most important advice is, before you leave your home country, obtain an INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT.
They are easily obtained from your Local Automobile Association, RAA, RACV etc, for a small fee.
This Permit is an internationally recognized document which acts as a transcription of your driver’s license credentials. It also has your current photo affixed. By obtaining this PERMIT and carrying it with your original driving license, you are legally entitled to drive any motor-vehicle which appears there-on.
Travel Insurance: For the sensible travelers who obtain Travel Insurance, should you be unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, where you haven't contravened their terms & conditions, you will be covered.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can legally ride a small motorcycle in Thailand even if you don’t hold a current motorcycle license in your country of origin, YOU CANNOT.
Vendors will happily hire you a motorcycle whether you have an appropriate permit/license or not. But if you are involved in an accident and the Police or Insurance Company become aware that you are not the holder of a current valid license, you may well feel the full brunt of the law and void any insurance you thought you may have had.
If you don't ride a motorcycle in your own country, Thailand is NOT the place to learn.
Be Polite: The majority of drivers & riders in Thailand are far more road savvy and patient than we. It's extremely rare to see or encounter any form of Road Rage from a Thai driver.
Driving around Phuket Island is quite safe and easy. The traffic moves at a constant pace, so as long as you're aware of your surroundings and drive defensively, you should not have a problem.
Highways: On the mainland, touring the major highways is far more pleasurable, with excellent road networks, good road surfaces, and far less traffic.
Driving tips: While driving anywhere in Thailand, people will overtake on bends, hills and everywhere else in between (so be aware and vigilant).
When driving on the highways you will often see large trucks in front of you turn on their left or right indicator. (The left means it’s safe to overtake, and the right - not), the reverse of Australia so be aware.
You will often see vehicles approaching you from behind flashing their lights and using their horn, use common sense and move to the left and let them pass.
If you are at a roundabout for instance, once again use common sense and inch out into the traffic, Thai's are courteous drivers and will usually let you into traffic.
Remember that the right of way essentially belongs to the larger vehicle.
The most dangerous drivers in Thailand (other than drink drivers) are predominately Foreign Tourists who can't ride a motorcycle and quite often will ride two or three abreast, looking at maps, no helmet, completely oblivious to other traffic.
Self-driving through Thailand can be a very pleasurable chapter of your Thai holiday.
It allows you the freedom to explore at will, to see and experience far more of the Kingdom than you thought possible.
So follow the local road rules, drive defensively, stay alert, keep up with the traffic flow, have your permit and license in order, and you shouldn't have any problems at all.
If you are a safe, defensive and confident driver, give it a go, you won’t be sorry.
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on Mar 17, 2009
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