Basic traffic rules in Thailand
Speed limits in Thailand:
- In populated areas – 60 km/h
- Outside populated areas – 90 km/h
- On motorways/highways – 110 km/h
- A roundabout has only one direction – clockwise. Moreover, when entering the roundabout, you must give way to everyone who is on it.
- Left turns are always permitted, at any traffic light signal. The exception is the presence of an additional section or a prohibiting sign.
- Overtaking or passing is permitted only on the right side.
- A single whistle from a police officer means “stop”. Two signals – keep moving. A police whistle has priority over signs.
- Parking in Thailand is indicated by markings on the curb. Black and white stripes – long stops are allowed, red and white – parking is strictly prohibited.
- In Thailand, the “negotiate on the spot” method is very common. As a rule, the amount of an unofficial fine is 2 times less. On busy streets, police officers do not accept monetary apologies in public.
- Driving a vehicle while intoxicated – 5,000-2,000 baht or 1 year in prison.
Gas stations and fuel prices in Thailand
Try to fill up at large gas stations. Gasoline in bottles, which is sold along all the streets, is usually worse and 1.5-2 times more expensive than what is offered at the gas station.
There are several types of fuel in Thailand. There is not only gasoline (called Gasoline), but also gasohol – gasoline with an admixture of ethanol alcohol. Gasohol is designated in two ways: with the letter “E” (meaning Ethanol) or with the number 91-95, which is what is confusing, since the number 91 also designates regular gasoline. The only difference is in the background color on which this number is written.
The number near the letter “E” means the percentage of alcohol in pure gasoline. The more gasoline in gashol, the more expensive it is and the lower the fuel consumption of the car. Regular 91st gasoline without alcohol is no longer found. All cars and bikes in Thailand digest E10, and E20 is intended for cars of the last decade. E85 is only for very modern cars. Usually, near the gas cap of a car or bike, it is written what fuel can be poured in, you can show these signs to Thais.
All types of fuel in Thailand at gas stations:
- Gasohol E20 (light green background), 91st gasoline + 20% alcohol.
- Gasohol 91 (green background), less commonly designated E10 (green background), 91st gasoline + 10% alcohol.
- Gasohol 95 (orange background), 95th gasoline + 10% alcohol
- Gasohol E85 (lilac background) 85% alcohol.
- NGV gas (blue background). There are also filling stations with LPG gas.
- diesel (Thai letters on blue background).
- Improved diesel (Thai letters on grey background).
Police and cameras in Thailand
- Local police like to organize raids on drunk drivers. In the evening, you can find yourself in a real “conveyor belt” for alcohol testing. Everything happens very quickly: stop – a quick “blow” into a contactless device, continue on your way. As a rule, during such a check they do not even ask for a driver’s license.
- In Thailand, the “negotiate on the spot” method is very common. As a rule, the amount of an unofficial fine is 2 times less. On busy streets, police officers do not take money in public.
- When stopped by a police officer, remove the keys from the ignition. There have been cases where “dishonest” officers have taken the keys “hostage” and issued huge fines (verbally).
- The meaning of a police whistle. One whistle – stop immediately. Two whistles – keep moving.
- Speed cameras are quite rare on the roads. Police officers with radars are almost never encountered.
Fines in Thailand
Main fines for traffic violations in Thailand
- lack of a driver’s license – 500-1000 baht or imprisonment for up to 1 month.
- Driving into the oncoming lane – 500 baht.
- Multiple lane changes or failure to keep to the lane – 200-500 baht.
- Telephone conversation – 300-1000 baht.
- Driving through a red light – from 300 to 1000 baht.
- speeding – up to 1000 baht.
- maneuvers without turning on the turn signal – up to 500 baht.
- U-turn in a prohibited place – from 200 to 1000 baht.
- parking in an unauthorized place – from 200 to 500 baht.
- overtaking on the left – up to 1000 baht.
- alcohol intoxication over 0.5 ppm – 5,000-20,000 baht or up to a year in prison.
- alcohol intoxication resulting in a traffic accident – 40,000-120,000 baht.
Parking in Thailand
Parking in Thailand is very strict. Violation of the following rules is punishable by blocking or taking the vehicle to the impound lot:
- It is prohibited to leave a car near the curb with red-white and yellow-white markings;
- on the marking in the form of a crossed-out square any stop is prohibited, even if the driver is going to turn. Even if you are stuck in a traffic jam, you must stop and brake exactly in front of the sign, and not on it;
- Parking is prohibited on bridges, at public transport stops, and within a few meters of intersections. However, these rules are not always observed by locals.
The fine for not following parking rules is approximately 200-400 baht ($6-13). If your car is towed, you will have to pay for the towing separately. They may install wheel locks.
It is better to leave your car on permitted sections of the road for a short time. For long-term parking, look for paid parking near supermarkets, shopping centers, hotels and office buildings. The cost of paid parking is 20-70 baht (0.5-2 $) per hour.
Roads in Thailand
For the most part, Thailand has good roads. If we talk about toll roads, the road surface there is almost always excellent, and if you want to save money, then in most cases there is an alternative in the form of a free road, slightly worse in quality.
Driving on a toll road in Thailand is quite simple. When you enter it, you will be given a ticket. On average, the price for driving in the country is 0.05 euros per kilometer. When you leave the toll road, pay the required amount.
Road signs in Thailand
Road signs in Thailand are standard road signs similar to those used in other countries, but with some differences. Signs generally use the Highway Gothic font, which is also used in the United States, although some signs on newly built expressways use Arial Bold.
Thai road signs use Thai, the national language of Thailand. However, English is also used in important public places such as tourist attractions, airports, train stations and checkpoints.