Can you drive in Thailand on a Russian license?
No, a Russian licence alone is not enough in Thailand: the law requires an International Driving Permit (IDP) carried with your national licence. Without an IDP, a checkpoint fine is around 1,000 baht. MonkeyCar will still hand over the car on a national licence, but the risk is yours: after a crash the insurer may refuse to pay. An IDP takes one visit at home and is valid for three years.
Does Thailand drive on the left?
Yes, Thailand drives on the left: the steering wheel is on the right and you overtake on the right. For the first half hour you mix up the indicator and wiper stalks, then it passes. On a roundabout priority goes to traffic already on it, and you go round clockwise. On your first day keep to the left lane: it is the slowest one here.
What is the speed limit in Thailand?
By law it is 80 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside them and up to 120 km/h on toll motorways. In Phuket most roads are signed at 50–60 km/h, and fines follow the sign. Cameras on Route 402 and near the airport read number plates automatically. The fine reaches the rental company within 1–7 days, and your MonkeyCar manager forwards it to you and helps you pay remotely. On hill roads stay below the limit.
What blood alcohol level is allowed while driving?
The limit is 0.5‰, or 0.2‰ for drivers under 20 and holders of a temporary licence. Breath tests happen at random checkpoints, most often on Friday evenings and on the roads out of Patong. Going over the limit can mean a fine of up to 20,000 baht, losing your licence and up to a year in prison. Drunk driving voids any insurance, full cover included, and you pay for the damage. After a bar, call Bolt or Grab.
Is wearing a seatbelt mandatory?
Yes, everyone must buckle up, back seats included; the fine is up to 2,000 baht per person. Children under six ride in a child seat and up to nine on a booster. You can order a seat when booking by giving the child's age and weight. In a head-on crash an unbelted rear passenger injures the person sitting in front, which is why serious injuries happen even in low-speed accidents.
What should you do if the police stop you?
Pull over, turn on the hazard lights and stay in the car until you are asked to get out. Have your passport or a copy, your national licence with the IDP and the car documents from the glovebox ready. Keep it short and polite, and do not argue. If you are given a fine, ask for an official receipt with the amount and a payment code; do not hand over cash without a receipt. If you do not understand what is wanted, call your MonkeyCar manager, who will translate on speakerphone.
What should you do in an accident?
Do not drive away: put the hazards on, leave the car where it is, call the police (191 or 1155) and the MonkeyCar manager. Leaving the scene is a criminal offence in Thailand and lets the insurer refuse to pay. Then: photos of the scene before the cars move, a copy of the police report and every receipt. The full sequence is in the 'What to do after an accident' section.
Can you drive on beaches and dirt roads?
No, beaches and dirt roads are off limits: the insurance does not cover damage from driving on sand, dirt tracks, through fords or off-road in national parks. Wet sand traps a car easily, and the tide comes in faster than a tow truck. The same goes for the navigator's 'short cuts' through private roads and plantations. If the route turns onto dirt, go back to tarmac: recovery and underbody washing are paid by the renter, not the insurer.
