Thai Traffic

Thailand drives on the left. After that, the written rules and the observed rules diverge, and the gap is what catches visitors out — on foot as much as behind a wheel.

Crossing the road

Worth saying first, because most visitors never drive here but everyone crosses a road.

• A pedestrian crossing is a suggestion. Do not step out and expect traffic to stop.
• Look right first, then left, then right again — the opposite of what your instincts do if you come from a right-hand-drive country.
• Cross steadily and predictably. Traffic flows around you; darting is what causes problems.
• Watch for motorbikes coming the wrong way along the edge of the road. Extremely common, entirely normal here.

If you are driving

• Motorbikes fill every gap, including the one on your left as you turn. Mirror, then look again.
• Undertaking is normal and being passed on both sides at once is not personal.
• The bigger vehicle takes right of way in practice, whatever the rule says.
• U-turns everywhere. Many left turns are really "carry on, U-turn, come back".
• Rural roads are dark at night, with unlit bikes, pedestrians and dogs on them.

If you have a bump

Stop, do not move the vehicles, photograph everything, and call the insurer — Thai insurers send an assessor to the scene and settle it between them. Do not agree a cash figure on the spot. If anyone is hurt, call 1669.

Cars and bikes to rent