Thread: Novice driver in Isaan

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by sabang

Don't be shy to use your horn, especially when theres motosai's about.

Indeed, but it's a bit embarrassing on the Wave as the horn is pathetic.

Not if you trade it in for an air horn. That tends to wakes up snoozers well smartish.

Originally Posted by Bob63

but anyway I will want to slow to 50 km/h in towns because I for sure don't want to hit a child.

It's not that you'll hit a child. It's more the child, riding illegally on a m/cycle, hitting you.

Another good link, thanks to TV forum. Don't forget page 2.
http://freebeerforyorky.com/driving.html

Originally Posted by Bob63

9. Go fast in the fast lane Many Thai drivers have not grasped the concept that if you go slow, then you should pull into the slower lane. So you must overtake them in the slow lane, which is probably not legal...TIT.

This is the one that gets my back the most. Especially when I'm sticking to my English rules and not undertaking a slower car in front of me in the fast lane.

The car behind me always undertakes both of us and then the car in front of me pulls over leaving me stuck behind the car that was originally behind me! Hope that makes sense.


Also another one to watch out for is nobody putting their headlights on when its around dusk time. This is also the time of day when drunk idiots are out on their bikes because 7eleven has just started serving alcohol again so they're out for a top up.

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Originally Posted by sabang

Don't be shy to use your horn

Surprising that very few use the horn.

I think the horn on my car rarely got used in the u.k. I'm pretty sure I've nearly worn out my one here in only 6 months.

The other day it made a bit of a farty noise.

turning right ,, i always look behind ,
not just relying on looking in the mirrors .

most thai,s have no understanding of road sense ,
and look upon driving as a race , to the next buddist level ,
to their paradise .

Originally Posted by Bob63

So speedlimits are Motorway/expressways (only found around BKK): 120 km/h

Highways (like in Isaan): 90 km/h
Suburban street: 50-60 km/h. The link says there will be signs saying 50 or 60 km/h. Not so in my experience, but anyway I will want to slow to 50 km/h in towns because I for sure don't want to hit a child.

No. It depends on the vehicle you're driving as I said before.

Originally Posted by Bob63

Originally Posted by superman

The speed limit is signposted and is usually 90 Km/h for cars although in some areas there will be signposts indicating that the limit is increased to 100 Km/h or 120 Km/h.


Suburban streets

Most suburban streets are similar to those in Europe and the rest of the world. Speed limits, marked by signposts, are 50 Km/h to 60 Km/h.

Driving in Thailand & Rules of the Road - AngloINFO Bangkok (Thailand)

Superman, thanks.
Good link.

So speedlimits are

Motorway/expressways (only found around BKK): 120 km/h
Highways (like in Isaan): 90 km/h
Suburban street: 50-60 km/h. The link says there will be signs saying 50 or 60 km/h. Not so in my experience, but anyway I will want to slow to 50 km/h in towns because I for sure don't want to hit a child.

Few obey the 90 km/h rule on highways, most go 100-110 km/h like Marmite says, just like in the rest of the world.

Rickshoppers, thanks.
But I don't get why you want to tint your windows ? If the police let farangs go unfined, then why not have clear windows so they can see us in all our pale farang beauty ;-) ?
(of course I understand the use of tinted windows to keep out the sun)

It has been my experience that once they see a foreigner driving, the police like to pull you over and ask for an international drivers license. If you don't have one they may ask for some lunch money. Truth is, you are not required to have an international license to drive in Thailand. I show them my licnse in English and since they can't read what it says, they pretend they can. If you really do something wrong, they will ask whos car it is and fine that person if they have a Thai drivers license. I drive two different trucks, one without tint and one with. It seems like they let the tinted car go by their roadblocks much easier, but when they see me they want me to pull over. Maybe I look like an escaped convict or something. Anyway, I think you are better off having tinted windows since they are not against the law here.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Truth is, you are not required to have an international license to drive in Thailand

Are you sure ??
I have rented many cars and they have been far more interested in my International licence than my offical UK licence,,,, mind you very often I was more interested in the young lady showing me the car than the car itself

The first time I rented a car in Thailand about 8 years ago, all they wanted was my passport. Since then I've only rented cars in other peoples names so not sure if things have changed.

Originally Posted by Travelmate

Surprising that very few use the horn

loose too many brownie points ,,, I learnt that on my very first visit ,,, soon got the old dissaproving look ,,,,,,, well its all a learning curve

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by Bob63

So speedlimits are Motorway/expressways (only found around BKK): 120 km/h

Highways (like in Isaan): 90 km/h
Suburban street: 50-60 km/h. The link says there will be signs saying 50 or 60 km/h. Not so in my experience, but anyway I will want to slow to 50 km/h in towns because I for sure don't want to hit a child.

No. It depends on the vehicle you're driving as I said before.

Marmite
OK, then the link is wrong about highways.
Driving in Thailand & Rules of the Road - AngloINFO Bangkok (Thailand)

Rickshoppers
Thx for the explanation about tinted glass.

BTW, I dont have a IDL, but get along OK even so. And have rented cars around the world just on my home country diver's license without problems (but not yet in LOS).

Originally Posted by Bob63

Marmite OK, then the link is wrong about highways.
Driving in Thailand & Rules of the Road - AngloINFO Bangkok (Thailand)

It seems so, yes.

You do find that the Thai police like to make stuff up in an effort to relieve you of some cash, so often it doesn't matter what you've done. They even lower the tollway speed limit to 80kph near Don Muang in order to get more 'offenders'.

Originally Posted by Bob63

OK, then the link is wrong about highways. Driving in Thailand & Rules of the Road - AngloINFO Bangkok (Thailand)

Highways in Thailand is 90 km. Motorways/Expressways as per Bkk are signposted to a max of 120km. Nowhere in Isaan will you find a road signposted above 90km, as far as I'm aware of.

^ To be honest, I can't remember seeing a speed road sign at all.

Originally Posted by Bob63

But of course be careful because the cross traffic is still going.

and the motorbikes to your left hand side in that same lane will be going straight on as you make the left turn ,, you will know when you hear a graunching sound

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

Truth is, you are not required to have an international license to drive in Thailand

Are you sure ??
I have rented many cars and they have been far more interested in my International licence than my offical UK licence,,,, mind you very often I was more interested in the young lady showing me the car than the car itself

Sure.......I have rented many cars with only a western license. One of the selling points of an international driver's license is that they are easier to track in case you are in accident. It is not a requirement, but it just makes it easier for the police and rental car agencies to verify who you are. They are only good for a year and I hate to pay each year's renewal if it is not required.

Originally Posted by rickschoppers

It is not a requirement

It is not a requirement to rent but it is a requirement to drive legally.

It is not a requirement to either rent or drive, if you have a valid driver's license. I have been stopped plenty of times and my western driver's license seems to be fine. An international driver's license may be a good thing to have, but not required in Thailand. I drive two different trucks that are both in my wife's name and never had a problem. If you personally feel better having one, they are not difficult to obtain as long as you have a valid drivers license from your home country. I have not heard how they may help if you were to get into an accident, but again it makes it easier for the police to verify your identity. For me a passport and current western driver's license is enough.

"An international driving license is accepted as long as it is valid, but a foreign license is not accepted in Thailand. "

Source ; Driving in Thailand - U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand

Originally Posted by Thetyim

It is not a requirement to rent but it is a requirement to drive legally.

I thought you were allowed to use a proper driving license for up to 90 days in Thailand?

^
Nope
You can use an International for 90 days per visit

^ Someone should inform the Thai Police then, as they have only ever asked me how long I've been in Thailand for when stopped on a UK license.