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Drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Normally overtake on the right. After overtaking, return to the appropriate left-hand lane when it is safe to do so.

Call 191 for a general police emergency and 1669 for emergency medical services. Tourists can also contact the Tourist Police on 1155.

For drivers who do not fall within a lower-limit category, driving is treated as drink-driving when BAC exceeds 0.05% (50 mg%). A lower threshold of 0.02% (20 mg%) applies to drivers under 20, holders of provisional licences, drivers using an inappropriate licence category, and drivers without a valid licence or whose licence is suspended or revoked.

Under the national speed regulation, the general maximum for an ordinary car is 80 km/h in Bangkok, Pattaya, city and town municipalities and designated community areas. However, lower local limits and traffic signs override this general maximum.

Since December 2024, the maximum on most Bangkok roads is 60 km/h. Thirteen specified major roads are exempt from that citywide restriction, and lower signed limits can also apply.

For an ordinary car, the general maximum outside Bangkok, Pattaya, municipalities and designated community areas is 90 km/h. On qualifying divided roads with at least two lanes in each direction and a physical median, the general maximum is 100 km/h, unless another specific limit applies.

Only on specifically designated highway sections where the higher limit applies. Thailand has designated certain suitable divided national and rural highways for speeds of up to 120 km/h; always follow the signs on the actual road.

Under the general framework, an ordinary vehicle may travel up to 100 km/h on elevated, underground or over-water expressway carriageways and up to 110 km/h on ground-level expressways. A specific expressway regulation or posted lower limit takes precedence.

Some controlled-access intercity motorways permit ordinary cars to travel at up to 120 km/h. Limits can be lower on particular or temporarily opened sections, so the posted motorway limit must always be followed.

No. Under the national regulation, ordinary motorcycles are generally limited to 60 km/h in urban/community areas, 70 km/h outside them and 80 km/h on qualifying divided roads. Motorcycles of at least 35 kW or 400 cc have higher limits of 80, 90 and 100 km/h respectively in those categories.

No. Thailand has no nationwide road vignette. Charges are collected for using particular toll expressways and motorways.

The payment method depends on the road. Bangkok-area expressways use systems including Easy Pass, while the Department of Highways uses and is expanding M-Flow barrier-free electronic tolling on motorways. Some facilities also retain other payment options, including cash.

Generally no. Motorcycles are prohibited from Thailand's controlled-access intercity motorways and from the expressway network where motorcycle access is prohibited.

Yes. In vehicles equipped for seat-belt use, the driver and passengers in both front and rear seating rows must wear them, subject to limited statutory exceptions.

Yes. Children aged 6 or younger must be secured in an appropriate child safety seat or protected using an approved alternative method where a child seat cannot be used. The detailed child-restraint rules have been in force since August 2023.

A passenger who is 135 cm tall or shorter must be secured by a seat belt or another legally permitted protective method, regardless of which seating row is used. This is separate from the specific child-restraint requirement for children aged 6 or younger.

Yes. Both the motorcycle rider and passenger must wear a protective helmet. Thailand has strengthened nationwide enforcement of this rule since June 2025.

You may not hold or handle a mobile phone while driving. Hands-free use through equipment such as Bluetooth, a headset or speakerphone is permitted if the phone does not have to be held; if you need to handle it, stop in a safe place first.

If another vehicle is already in the intersection, let that vehicle pass first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time and neither is already in the intersection, the driver must give way to the vehicle on the left, unless one road has priority as the main road.

Follow any traffic lights and priority signs first. Where there are none, a driver entering the roundabout must give way to traffic in the roundabout approaching from the right.

Yes. Drivers must stop and give way to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings as required by the traffic rules.

Give way to emergency vehicles using their warning signals. Do not obstruct their route, and follow any directions from police or traffic officers.

Foreign visitors should normally carry a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) together with the underlying driving licence. Thailand also recognises domestic driving licences issued by other ASEAN member countries; if such a licence is not in English, a certified English translation is required.

Yes. Vehicles are subject to Thailand's compulsory motor-vehicle accident insurance system under the Protection for Motor Vehicle Victims Act.

Traffic signs use standardised symbols, and Thai and English are commonly used together on major direction and destination signs, particularly on highways and routes used by visitors.

Heavy monsoon rainfall can cause flash floods, water across roads and landslides, especially in low-lying areas and near foothills. Follow weather and road warnings and never attempt to drive through floodwater when its depth or road condition is uncertain.

Yes. Thailand is a keep-left traffic system, and slower vehicles should normally remain toward the left. The right-hand lanes are principally used when overtaking or where another manoeuvre or traffic arrangement requires them.