How to Drive in Thailand: Regulations

This article begins with the usual disclaimer that laws in Thailand can change on a day to day basis and like every thing else here, depends where you go, who you see and what day of the week. The information provided is based on a consensus of personal experience.

Accidents:

Just like most places in the world, if you have an accident, then you are required to not move the vehicle until the police come and document its position, and you should immediately call your insurance ompany. The insurance company might send an agent to the scene to talk with the police and the other party, depending on the situation.

If nobody was injured and damage is minimal, then you might want to try to settle on the spot with the other driver. If you feel that you cannot trust the other driver, then don't do this. If you have a camera with you, then consider using it.
Do not flee the scene, because those who do are guilty of a serious infraction of the law, and you would also lose much if not all of your ability to argue who was at fault and compensation ... and will probably find yourself in much worse circumstances.

If you keep your cool, then you'll usually be dealt with fairly. While I've heard horror stories by farangs who say they've been ripped off by Thais, some of the speakers strike me as aggressive types driven to "win" against others, and otherwise complain about the world, just like in court cases. I've ridden with aggressive drivers, several of whom have gotten into accidents. Nonaggressive drivers rarely do.People often blame the other guy without truly considering both sides of a case. This is even moreso when recounting the story to a friend or colleague. My advice: Think by yourself and do what's right.

A couple of phone numbers to keep handy in the car:
Highway police: 1193
Tourist police: 1155 (best English)

More seriously:

I have seen so many accidents in Thailand. In my 35 years of living in the U.S., I had never seen a fatal accident occur, though I'd seen some after the fact. However, in Thailand I have seen several people killed in separate accidents, right in front of my eyes -- seen them go from living to dead. (Three were reckless motorcycle drivers.) I have also seen many dead bodies after car accidents, on the side of the road and in vehicles, in which I did not see the accident occur.

One particularly upsetting accident occurred at Victory Monument. A man was driving a motorcycle with his wife on the back, driving normally. A reckless, speeding taxi, the sort that honks a lot and jumps from lane to lane cutting off people, was trying to rush thru the light and hit them from behind. His wife on the back was killed instantly and he was badly injured. (The taxi fled the scene.) His wife bled profusely out the back of her head and was clearly deceased, but in his grief he refused to leave his deceased wife, resisting the ambulance crew's pleas to get him to the hospital. From her clothes and appearance, it looked probable that there were children whose mommy would not return, ever, or raise them. It was heart-rendering to all observers (and the elevated walkway and ground swelled with viewers). Eventually, the husband gave in and let them take him away. The people covered his wife in newspaper, later replaced by an official white sheet, as she lay on the street for approximately the next 30 minutes until the police photographer arrived and took all the standard photos.

It is experiences like this which give me more resolve to tell people to drive carefully. This is particularly applicable to some taxi drivers who pick me up, and a few of my aggressive driving Thai and farang friends and associates. You have to try different styles with these different kinds of people to get significant results.

It's better to relax and enjoy your drive for 20 minutes, instead of joining the aggressive drivers on the road trying to "win" at who is more crazy in order to get to your destination in 15 minutes.

Have you ever noticed the long lines of cars at entrance ramps, exit ramps and toll booths? About 70% of the people patiently wait in line while about 30% drive around and then force their way in ahead ("cut in" or "break the line")? Who is smarter and who is stupid? Those forcing their way in may think they are smarter and everyone else is stupid, but I think the aggressive drivers are in a less pleasant state of mind. I wouldn't switch states of mind or lifestyles with them! You'll find me in the queue.

If you ever hurt anyone due to aggressive driving, then you will have to live with that the rest of your life, what you've done to another person's life and that of their children, spouse, siblings, parents,friends and coworkers.Traffic in Thailand drives on the left side of the road.

Most drivers are well mannered, almost polite, be it up to a certain level. You will hardly ever hear a car honking and anger is never displayed. Despite this, traffic is rather hectic in and around busy Bangkok where calm driving is not really appreciated.

On many rural roads or even in Bangkok's small alleys, you will find motorcycles, cars and occasionally your 12 wheel trucks maneuvering against (one way) traffic. This situation is complicated by the fact that many of Bangkok's roads change their one-way direction at certain hours of the day.

Driving around Thailand's country side at night is considered to be extremely hazardous, especially on holidays and long weekends. Many cars have broken, or no lights at all and public busses like to race one another through steep hills and around dangerous curves, supposedly just to stay awake.

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