Drive Smart Thailand
 

Guide to Driving In Thailand - Drive Safe in Thailand

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Thailand and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

90 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 20-50mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Thailand on the Left side  
urban
The currency in Thailand is THB
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Thailand 1.20 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Thailand

Drive Smart Thailand
Driving in Thailand
Pocket guide to driving in Thailand
Profile:
Thailand
Bangkok
THB
Driving in Thailand
SPEED: (kph)
50
90
120
Speed limit in Thailand
Holiday:
Rush hour in Thailand
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Thailand
FUEL:
1.20
0.85
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Thailand
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
DRIVE:
LEFT
Drive LEFT in Thailand
See Which Countries Drive on the LEFT
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Thailand
DRINK:
20-50mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Thailand
EMERGENCY:
191
Emergency phone number in Thailand
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Thailand
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Thailand
SEATBELTS:
Yes
No
Seat belt in Thailand
See here for current child seats law in Thailand

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Thailand?

Thailand can be prone to political demonstrations so take extra care if travelling at sensitive times. In the cities, traffic is chaotic and in Bangkok itself, it's far better to park on the outskirts and get the aerial tram into the centre. Outside of the cities and further north, roads aren't in such good condition and for seeing the 'real' Thailand 4x4 rental is an essential.

Seat BeltsDocumentsDriving AgeSafety Camera DevicesOn the spot finesChild SafetyInsuranceDrinking and DrivingPolice Car

Rules of the road

Towing RegulationsSpeed LimitsSpeed CamerasPhones when drivingTraffic LightsToll Roads
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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 191 or 911

Police Fire: 199

Police Ambulance: 1669

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Aug , 2024

€ 0.85

€ 1.20

Jul , 2024

€ 0.84

€ 1.21

Jun , 2024

€ 0.83

€ 1.16

May , 2024

€ 0.84

€ 1.20

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
The big cities, especially Bangkok are a nightmare for parking so it’s best to use the public transport system, parking your car on the outskirts before travelling in.  
 
Paid parking
 
Where you find paid parking it can be in metered bays by the side of the road. Signs will tell of any restrictions in place. In the major cities you’ll find underground parking garages which are a safe and convenient place to park.
 
Enforcement
 
Police can be hot on parking infringements so try not to outstay your time in a metered bay. Free on street parking won’t raise any difficulties unless you have parked inconsiderately.
 
Disabled Drivers
 
There are few, if any, concessions for disabled drivers but by using a parking garage or lot which is attended, you will usually get some assistance if you ask.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 191 or 911

Police Fire: 199

Police Ambulance: 1669

The emergency number in Thailand is the UK standard 999 for all emergency services you can use 191 for the police but the accepted number is 999 for emergency calls. The tourist police can be called on 1155.

What to do in an emergency

If you have a problem with a hire car, call the number given to you by the rental company. If it’s your own car, use the local assistance company. 
 
In the event of an accident you must stop. The police must be called and they will adjudge responsibility. Do not move the car unless it is a danger to other traffic. The police will issue a report for your insurers or the car hire company.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Thailand-Motorway-Sign
Thailand-Road-Sign
See all road signs in Thailand here.

Handy Phrases

I have broken down - C̄hạn dị̂ h̄ạk lng
Where is the police station? - thī̀ s̄t̄hānī tảrwc khụ̄x xarị?
I have a flat tyre - C̄hạn mī yāng bæn
I have been in an accident - c̄hạn dị̂ rạb nı kār keid xubạtih̄etu
Where is? - xyū̀ thī̀h̄ịn?
Where can I buy petrol? - C̄hạn s̄āmārt̄h sụ̄̂x n̂ảmạn thī̀h̄ịn?

Thailand Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Aug , 2024

€ 0.85

€ 1.20

Jul , 2024

€ 0.84

€ 1.21

Jun , 2024

€ 0.83

€ 1.16

May , 2024

€ 0.84

€ 1.20

Apr , 2024

€ 0.77

€ 1.22

Mar , 2024

€ 0.77

€ 1.18

Feb , 2024

€ 0.78

€ 1.20

Jan , 2024

€ 0.78

€ 1.12

Dec , 2023

€ 0.78

€ 1.12

Nov , 2023

€ 0.78

€ 1.16

Oct , 2023

€ 0.77

€ 1.21

Sep , 2023

€ 0.78

€ 1.26

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Aug , 2024 0.85 1.20
Jul , 2024 0.84 1.21
Jun , 2024 0.83 1.16
May , 2024 0.84 1.20
Apr , 2024 0.77 1.22
Mar , 2024 0.77 1.18
Feb , 2024 0.78 1.20
Jan , 2024 0.78 1.12
Dec , 2023 0.78 1.12
Nov , 2023 0.78 1.16
Oct , 2023 0.77 1.21
Sep , 2023 0.78 1.26

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Thailand and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

Visitor Comments

  • 31/10/2018

    Robert

    People speeding in cars in Thailand only pay 500 thai crazy, lucky they do not pay 20,000 thai & go to jail like 0.5 alcohol reading, because Thai jail conditions can be life-threatening get attacked or sexually assaulted good chance get HIV, Thai jails full hepatitis full of A B & C you never get rid of, Thai jails full of life threatening bacteria and viruses that can kill you, also full of mosquitoes can be life threatening malaria blah blah.