Every vehicle must have at least third party compulsory motor insurance, which has to be renewed annually at the local Department of Land Transport Office (DLT)
It is compulsory to wear a seat belt in the front seats of a car. Fines for not wearing a seatbelt can be paid at the local police station
Blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 mg
Speeding fines must be paid at the local police station
Vehicles with red registration plates are not permitted to drive at night
From 7 May 2008 a driver may only use a mobile cellular telephone with a handsfree system
Other things to take into account when driving in Thailand:
Flashing of headlights by other vehicles is a warning signal meaning "get out of my way" and does not indicate "you may make your manoeuvre", as it does in some Western countries
Drivers of larger vehicles may assume that smaller vehicles will give way
Always check for motorbikes when opening car doors on the side of the road as they frequently travel up the inside space between the road and the pavement
It is not obligatory for children's car seats to be used
Anyone wishing to change the colour of their car must inform the DLT who will change the details in the registration book
A frequently used method of warning road users of a breakdown in the road ahead is to cover the road with tree branches
Traffic signs Traffic signs - warning and regulatory - are in Thai. They may have English translations below the Thai names.
For an explanation in English on English what the signs mean see website Driving in Thailand: Click here
Car tax sticker All cars must display a tax sticker on the windscreen as proof that car tax has been paid. When a car is bought the tax sticker stays on the window and remains valid until it expires regardless of who owns the car. Tax must be paid annually at the local DLT office (to make the car tax payment take the Blue Book and proof of the CMI).
Tax rates are calculated depending on type and age of car as well as its engine size. For vehicles up to five years old the price is fixed depending on the engine size and type of car. After five years the tax will reduce by 10 percent every year up to a maximum of 50 percent.
Approximate costs are listed below but it is necessary to check with the DLT to get an exact price as there are many variables in how it is calculated. It will also be written in Thai in the back of the registration document (Blue Book).
Types of Road Roads in Thailand range from multi-lane freeways around Bangkok to tiny lanes (soi's). Frequently-used roads in the provinces are often four lanes.
There is continual investment in upgrading or building new roads throughout Thailand making road works commonplace although frequent heavy rains means they can deteriorate quickly. Road works are not always clearly marked or lit at night. Some road markings can be worn badly and care has to be taken.
Road signs may have English translations below the Thai names.
For information on road signs in Thailand: Click here
Motorways Motorways or expressways are restricted to areas around the Bangkok area.
Traffic can be very heavy especially at peak times from 07:00-10:00 and 16:00-19:00.
Tolls are charged for each section of the motorway and they differ depending on the distance travelled.
Speed limits are signposted and are usually 120 Km/h for cars although in some areas the limit may be reduced to 90 Km/h.
Highways The highways that join all the provinces throughout Thailand are usually well constructed and easy to follow.
The speed limit is signposted and is usually 90 Km/h for cars although in some areas there will be signposts indicating that the limit is increased to 100 Km/h or 120 Km/h.
Suburban streets Most suburban streets are similar to those in Europe and the rest of the world. Speed limits, marked by signposts, are 50 Km/h to 60 Km/h.
Small lanes Some small lanes have speed humps to reduce speed and dangers to pedestrians. Check all signs for changes to the usual speed limits of 60 Km/h.
Parking In some Thai cities parking spaces can be difficult to find because of the high number of cars.
The parking rules and rates are usually marked on signs (with English translations in tourist areas). Fines are given for cars parked in the wrong place or for too long. These can be paid at the local police station. If the vehicle has been clamped a police officer will be delegated to remove the wheel clamps.
Some areas charge a small fee for parking although this is not always indicated by signposting or curbside markings. The cost varies with the area but is usually around five to ten baht, payment will be collected by someone in a uniform. A small ticket will be placed under the windscreen wiper to indicate that payment has been made.
Painted curbsides and roads also give notice for legal parking spaces; marking mean the following:
Red and White markings
This is a no parking zone - cars may not park here at any time
Yellow and White markings
Indicates a short-term parking space only, usually no more than five minutes. These markings also indicate a bus stop. It is not advisable to park here
White rectangle on the road
This is a designated car parking space
Many diagonal white lines
This indicates parking spaces for motorcycles only. No cars can park here
Motorcycles There are more motorcycles than any other vehicle type on Thai roads. Only a very basic test is required before a motorbike licence is issued and there are many accidents involving motorbikes; the figures for motorcycle deaths in Thailand are extremely high.
Motorcycles are required to have a tax sticker and 3rd party insurance
It is compulsory for the rider to wear a helmet and have a motorbike licence
Car drivers in Thailand should be prepared for some or all of the following to occur when driving near motorbikes.
Riding on the wrong side of the road
Ignoring stop signs
Riding with many passengers
Cutting across the front of a car without looking
Not indicating direction of turning
Quickly riding across the front of oncoming traffic at lights
Drink Driving (DWI/DUI) The legal blood-alcohol limit in Thailand is 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood. However, for drivers that have held their licence for less than five years the limit is 0.2 grams per litre of blood. Drivers caught over the legal limit are heavily fined and may be imprisoned or required to do community service. The government is trying to reduce drink driving and breath testing stops are becoming more common.
On average 7.5 people are killed for every 10,000 vehicles on Thailand's roads, amounting to around 14,000 deaths annually in a typical year. National holidays are when drink driving is at its highest, with as many as 600 deaths during the three-day "Songkran" festival. Drivers should take extra care at these times.
Breakdown Assistance Breakdown help is provided by Royal Automobile Association of Thailand (RAAT) and some insurance companies.
Car World Club: Roadside assistance for cars and motorbikes throughout Thailand
Further Information
Michelin Tourist and Motoring Atlas (in English) has road maps for all of Thailand. Re-published annually, it is available from many book stores and newsagents