Getting Around Thailand, Thailand Driving (Car or Motorcycle)Driving in Thailand – For a Real Adventure
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Driving in Thailand – For a Real Adventure |
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| Getting Around Thailand, Thailand Driving (Car or Motorcycle) 2 Comments |
When I first came to Thailand a good friend of mine described Bangkok traffic as being similar to a school of fish. If one moves the others simply need to adjust course and everyone can arrive safely. In my five years of driving in Thailand, including two years in Bangkok, I have come to see the truth in the analogy. I now consider Thailand a relatively easy place to get around; once you know how to find your destination and learn to be one of the fish.
Thailand is a very interesting place to drive for those of us foreigners living here and for the visitor bold enough to rent a car or motorcycle. Driving in Thailand’s bigger cities – especially Bangkok – requires an adventurous spirit and maybe even a little courage. For those that are up to the challenge, there is little doubt that you will be in for a real adventure.
In general, Thai drivers are courteous though a certain amount of boldness will help when traffic is most heavy. Yet, even when traffic is most congested there is a noticeable lack of flaring tempers many of us are accustomed to in Western countries… just be sure to have a good map.
Outside the city it can be a real advantage having a car or motorcycle (or private car/driver). This is because many of the less-traveled and most interesting sights and areas-of-interest are scattered across a wide area and some may not be easily accessible by public transportation.
Thailand also has plenty of top-class and inexpensive car rental (and motorcycle rental) services at most major centers in the country. All you need is a passport, a driver’s license and a credit card. An International driver’s license may be handy but is not necessary.
One caution about driving in Thailand is that very may Thai people do not drive cars but motorcycles. Maybe the term motor-scooter is more accurate than motorcycle as these bikes are designed for economy and not speed or comfort. Motor-scooters are everywhere, including on the highways, and the utility of these vehicles will never cease to amaze.
To say that motor-scooters can appear out of every nook and cranny is not an overstatement. You will see these small motorcycles loaded with small families, dogs, the market haul, and sometimes I think student have an unspoken contest about how many people can be loaded onto one scooter.
‘Standard’ traffic rules and the lines on the road seem to be of less importance in Thailand cities. Roadsides may be jammed with market stalls and pedestrians often need to take the road as their walking path. You will encounter slow moving tuk tuks and red taxis (Songtows), drivers that expect courtesy right-of-way as they change lanes, and don’t be surprised if you need to yield to the occasional elephant. This will all seem very unusual at first but it quickly becomes the norm.
If you are a skilled driver and at ease about driving on the left-side of the road then the convenience of traveling with your own vehicle may outweigh the need to get used to the driving customs of Thailand. Driving in Thailand can be a great experience if you know what to watch out for and are up for the adventure.
If you are already a seasoned driver in foreign countries or want the freedom of driving a car in Thailand then we recommend International rental companies such as Budget rent-a-car. To book your Budget rental car or van, please help support Thailand Travel Online by making your booking at Our Partner Link This Link – Thank You.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
The first Picture from Bayoke Tower is great!
April 5th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
You are right about the motorscooters. It is amazing to watch a traffic light go to green at a busy Bangkok street corner. They come off like a swarm of bees. I don’t usually post but this story is right bang on for me.