Safety Tips for Driving in Thailand That Tourists Should Know

Driving in Thailand is a unique experience. The roads are full of cars, motorcycles, tuk-tuks, and buses. Traffic lights are often ignored, and driving styles vary greatly from city to rural areas. A good driver can navigate this chaos, and an experienced one can even have fun doing it! However, getting behind the wheel can be intimidating for those who have never driven in another country or are unfamiliar with local traffic laws. If you’re traveling through Thailand on vacation or business and need some tips on how to stay safe while driving there, then read on!

The Road Laws in Thailand

The road laws in Thailand are stringent. The country has a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence (DUI). This means that if you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will be fined and/or imprisoned. You may also be fined or imprisoned if you speed and/or don’t wear your seatbelt.

Buy Car Insurance

If you are planning to drive in Thailand, you must know about car insurance. This is because auto insurance is required by law and must be purchased before driving on Thai roads. You can find many great deals on Easy Compare, a website that provides many options and promotions for car insurance in Thailand.

One of the first things that tourists should know about buying car insurance in Thailand is that there are several different types of policies available:

Third-party liability coverage

This type of policy will protect the driver from bodily injury claims filed by others injured in an accident caused by him/her (up to 100 million baht). It also covers damage to property owned by others and medical expenses resulting from injuries sustained during an accident involving a motor vehicle driven by the insured person.

Comprehensive coverage

This type of policy protects against losses caused by fire or theft while using a rented vehicle, among other things. It also covers damage done while driving abroad provided that certain conditions are met (such as obtaining permission from authorities).

Rules of the Road

You must obey the traffic laws in Thailand. The most important rule is to drive on the right side of the road, which is opposite from what we do in America. Drivers who don’t follow this rule can be fined or even deported. In addition, you must always wear a seat belt and use your headlights at all times (even during the daytime).

Be Careful When Turning

The most common issue with turning is not signaling to other drivers. When you change lanes, make sure that you signal and check your blind spot before doing so. This will help avoid accidents and make the roads safer for everyone else as well.

Another common mistake is cutting off other cars when turning or changing lanes. It’s important to remember that Thailand has some of the highest rates of traffic accidents in Southeast Asia, so it’s best to drive with caution at all times!

Pay Attention to Speed Limits

Speed limits in Thailand are generally well below the speed limits found in other countries. While the rules of the road are similar, driving at high speeds can lead to an accident.

If you’re travelling by car and want to obey the law, it’s important that you stick to these limits:

• Motorcycles: 50 km/h (31 mph) on highways; 40 km/h (25 mph) elsewhere
• Cars: 80 km/h (50 mph) on highways; 70 km/h (43 mph) elsewhere

Before You Leave Home, Make Sure Your Car is in Good Working Order

Before you leave home, make sure your car is in good working order. It’s important to check that the tires are properly inflated and have enough tread on them. Check the battery and make sure it has enough power to start the engine and run any accessories that may be installed in your vehicle. You should also check that your brakes are working properly, as well as all other mechanical parts of your car (e.g., oil change intervals). The same goes for fluid levels–make sure there’s enough coolant in the radiator and windshield wiper fluid so you don’t get stuck on the road at night without being able to see where you’re going!

Keep Emergency Contacts Handy (and Make Sure Your Phone Works)

You should also keep emergency contacts handy. If something happens to you, it’s better to have a list of people who can help than nothing at all.



You should also make sure that your phone works properly and has enough battery life by keeping it fully charged at all times, as well as having an unlocked SIM card (so you can use it in another country if necessary). You might also want to check local weather forecasts before heading out on the road–you don’t want rain or fog obscuring visibility while driving!

Don’t Drive Drunk or High

It’s best to avoid driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue. Thai police have been known to set up checkpoints on major highways and will stop drivers who appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are pulled over for any reason, you mustn’t get out of your car until instructed by an officer.

Conclusion

As you can see, Thailand is a great place to drive. The roads are well maintained, there are plenty of places to stop and rest along the way as well as friendly locals who will help if you get stuck in any way. Follow these above-mentioned tips for driving in Thailand and you will have a great vacation!