Article Travel Leisure Tip

Thailand has a good network of well-maintained roads and highways between all main centres. Road signage follows international convention and is in both Thai and English. Drunk drivers and an abudance of haphazardly driven motorcycles make night-time driving a real problem
however.

Road rules

Traffic drives on the left hand side and drivers must be at least 18 and hold a full
valid Thailand driving licence or an international driving permit. If you only have a national driving licence from your own country you will be permitted to use for up to two months. To hire a car
renters have to be at least 25 years old. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory and drunk-driving laws apply; all insurance is invalid if drivers exceed the legal alcohol limit.

Police regularly occassionally set up speed traps and offenders breaking the limits will be subject to on-the-spot fines
which are routinely less than the official rate
but no ‘ticket’ is given. The maximum blood/alcohol limit is 0.5mg/ml. Unfortunately the Thai police are very lax in controlling drunk drivers and this creates a hazard late at night.

Speed limits:
Urban areas: 45 - 60kph/28 - 37mph
Highways: 90 – 110kph/56 – 68mph.


Motorways and the road network

There are about 64
600
141
of paved roads in Thailand as well as a large network of unpaved roads (especially in the North). Major highways radiate outwards from Bangkok to all the major cities
with most of the north-south route consisting of dual carriageway. Interconnecting roads to smaller towns and cities are usually wide
and single-laned with two-lane sections at interchanges.

Parking in cities is usually on the street for a small charge or
for the most part
covered parking in hotel/plazas or shopping centres. Farther out of town centres parking is usually free
if you can find a space. Don’t block government building entrances or you’re likely to be towed.

Costs
distances and times

Service stations are plentiful and most of the larger ones accept major international credit cards. In more remote locations
hand pumps are common and cash will be required. Unleaded 91
95
and high-octane 98 fuels are available as well as diesel
and LPG at some locations. Unleaded 95 is about 18 baht per litre; diesel
15
baht.

Typical driving distances and times:

Bangkok to Chiang Mai: 686kms/426mls 9 hours
Bangkok to Hat Yai: 993kms/617mls 12 hours
Hat Yai to Phuket: 474kms/294mls 7 hours.

Safety

Renters requiring assistance will find an emergency phone number printed on their rental agreement and on the windscreen sticker. Try to refrain from driving at night as unsuspecting potholes
local drivers without tail lights and wandering livestock can greatly increase the possibility of having an accident.

Since Thai motorists are notoriously ill-disciplined with giving way or observing traffic rules
motorists are advised to drive at an ‘easy pace’ (50kms or less) in urban areas. In the event of an accident
Thais perfer to settle the legal outcome on the spot and often expect the wealthier motorist to absorb the cost
this includes foreigners.

Stay away from downtown Bangkok; traffic is horrendous and roads are confusing
not to mention road users who have a general disregard for other vehicles. Don’t drive too close to the edge of the road on any highway as motorcycles quite often drive up the wrong way
and keep out of the path of buses and trucks. The ‘songteaw’ minibus trucks have a habit of suddenly pulling ove