Left-hand Traffic in Thailand: Driving Rules, Fines and Tips for Tourists

Under Thai law a foreigner needs an International Driving Permit (IDP) together with their national licence, or a Thai licence. The IDP is issued in your home country on the basis of your national licence. Without it the police can fine you and the insurer may refuse to pay out after an accident. The minimum driver age at MonkeyCar is 21, with at least 1 year of experience.

In addition to your licence, you must carry the original passport (or a high-quality copy of the first page plus the visa page), the rental agreement and the insurance policy. Thailand carries out random document checks at tourist junctions, especially near bridges and the entrances to Patong. Having all four documents on hand means a 30-second check instead of hours of sorting things out at a police station.

• International Driving Permit (IDP): required by law at the wheel, valid for 3 years; a national licence is enough for handover
• Original or scan of your passport with a valid visa/stamp
• Your MonkeyCar rental contract
• Insurance policy (to present in the event of an accident)

Traffic drives on the left, as in the UK, Japan or Australia. The steering wheel is on the right, with the indicator stalk to the right of the wheel and the wipers on the left. This is the main cause of small mistakes in the first days, when drivers switch on the wipers instead of signalling. At roundabouts, traffic already circulating has priority. You overtake on the right; the left lane is for normal driving.

Speed limits: 80 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside towns and up to 120 km/h on divided highways of four lanes or more where signs allow it. Near schools and in central Patong the signed limits are lower, so follow the signs. Between the airport and Patong there are number-plate cameras, and their fines are deducted from the deposit. Seat belts are compulsory for all passengers, front and rear. Children under 6 must ride in a child seat: a seat or booster costs ฿100 per day, up to two per car.

A feature of Phuket is the mountain stretches between Patong, Kata and Karon Viewpoint with gradients of up to 18%. On descents use a low gear (M2 or L), otherwise the brakes overheat within 2–3 kilometres. If you smell the brake pads, stop for about 10 minutes at a viewpoint before driving on.

• Left-hand traffic, overtaking on the right
• Speed by the signs: usually 50–60 km/h in Phuket
• Seat belts mandatory in all seats
• On mountain descents, engage a lower gear

By law, speeding and running a red light cost up to ฿4,000, driving without a seat belt up to ฿2,000, and using a phone at the wheel ฿400–1,000. Serious violations are punished far more harshly: driving under the influence carries ฿5,000 to ฿20,000 and up to 1 year in prison, while refusing a breathalyser is automatically treated as refusal and equivalent to the maximum fine.

A ticket is paid at any 7-Eleven with its code or at a Land Transport Office. MonkeyCar deducts camera fines from the deposit.

• Speeding: up to ฿4,000
• Running a red light: ฿1,000
• Phone at the wheel: ฿400–1,000
• Alcohol at the wheel: ฿5,000–20,000 + imprisonment
• Parking in a prohibited spot: ฿500–1,000 + towing

Parking in Thailand is marked by kerb colour: red and white means no stopping (the car may be towed or clamped), yellow and white allows a short stop only, white or unmarked means you may park. Patong, Karon and Kata beaches have paid municipal car parks at ฿20–50/hour, paid to an attendant or a machine. Big C, Lotus’s and Central Festival usually offer free parking to customers. Central Phuket Town has paid parking and Sunday pedestrian zones (Walking Street).

The Sarasin Bridge between Phuket and the mainland is free, but the checkpoint by the bridge runs random document checks. The road to Krabi (Route 4) has no toll sections. Phuket has no toll roads.

• White markings mean parking is allowed, yellow and white only a short stop, red and white no stopping
• Patong/Karon/Kata beaches: ฿20–50/hour
• Supermarkets: free for up to 4 hours
• Towing: up to ฿5,000

Step 1: stop, switch on the hazard lights and place the warning triangle 30 metres behind. Step 2: make sure no one is hurt; if anyone is, call 1669 (ambulance). Step 3: photograph the scene from three angles: overall view, damage, and all parties’ number plates. Step 4: call the police (191) or the Tourist Police (1155). Without a police report the insurer does not pay. Step 5: call MonkeyCar (+66 65 976 9300), and support will arrange an interpreter.

Never: move the car before the police arrive (it counts as leaving the scene), admit fault verbally or in writing before contacting MonkeyCar, bribe the other party or officers, or sign documents in Thai without a translation. If the other side offers to “settle it here” for cash, refuse and wait for the police. Once the report is written you get a Thai document with a case number, which is needed for the insurance claim and repairs.

• Ambulance 1669, police 191, Tourist Police 1155
• MonkeyCar hotline 24/7: +66 65 976 9300
• Photos from 3 angles + plates of everyone involved
• Don't move the car or sign papers without a translator