Thai Road-Virgin

[CaptainFantastic]

Hoping someone here will be kind enough to advise me.

I'm from UK, quite an experienced driver (32 years without a claim) and used to have a full large PSV (bus) licence.

I've driven on the right (which is, IMO, the wrong) side of the road extensively throughought Europe and the USA.

Never been phased driving through major cities like London, Manhattan, Paris, Barcelona, Athens etc yet I've never, in my decade of visiting, driven a four-wheeled vehicle in Thailand - only the two-wheeled variety.

I actually find the thought quite intimidating, even though Thais drive on the left (which is the right, IMO, side of the road) as is the case in my homeland.

However, I'm visiting again soon and will have a number of vehicles at my disposal ranging from a black Mercedes "limo" with the ubiquitous heavily tinted glass, through a Toyota Pickup and a even a Songtheaw.

This trip, I'm keen to enjoy the freedom to explore as the captain rather than a mere passenger.

What would be the main advice you would offer up to a Thailand-driving virgin?

Also, what paperwork am I obliged to carry and can I insure myself as a driver of any vehicle or must each vehicle have me as a nominated driver &/or other?

Any advice will be gratefully received.

Thank you.

[WarpSpeed]

First off get over that misconception you have built of the right side of the road being the wrong side.. The largest percentage of drivers in the world drive on that side so you're in the minority. Beyond that point you went out of your way to mention it's quite difficult to know what it is you're really asking??

Oh wait!! Now I understand!! (Newbie 1 post) and you've graced us with one that clearly has a trolling remark highlighted in it more then once ??

[cardholder]

Take the pick up

[John 1]

what's ever licence you need to drive in any other country you say you have driven, it's the same here.

[wandrinstar]

Nations who received their first Horseless Carriage from England tend to remain RHD.. If you have driven in Athens or Barco you will find it easy here. You must be carefull of some Experts who Post here, they have no Give Way in them.

[Digitalbanana]

Defensive driving. Works everywhere.

[Semper]

Take the pick up

Nothing beats the Benz with tinted windows. If you are lucky you could get a police escort to clear the road.

Edited May 26, 2011 by Semper

[transam]

If you have driven in the places you have mentioned, l have driven in some too so l think you will have no problem here if you are alert. There is virtually no common sense on the roads in Thailand so it's up to you to think FOR the natives, soon get used to it and be prepared for the impossible to happen.

If your choice of rides are owned by your friend then l would assume they will have comprehensive class 1 insurance which is usually any driver, remember you MUST have class 1 to keep you out of klink if you have an accident. Be sure to have an international DL for you visit.

[katabeachbum]

Welcome to ThaiVisa and welcome as a motorist in TH.

as you are used to driving on the wrong(left) side of the road, you have a huge advantage

All Thai drivers do not agree in this choise of side, so expect to see some on the right (wrong) side of the road. Drving after dark can be very dangerous as those on the right (wrong) side of the road do not always use any lights.

Vehilces on small roads are supposed to yield for vehicles on larger roads, and vehicles on equal roads the vehicle from right is supposed to yield. However this does not always work. Driving a Benz will often give you the right of way, but not always as a more expensive benz could want right of way as could a songlor or concrete truck.

using someone else vehicle, you should have a document stating you are alowed to and a copy of 1st class insurance. If in accident. do not admit guilt but call Insurance and let htem handle it all

have a nice ride

[thedivezone]

When driving in Thailand, always observe the three rules :

- show no mercy

- give no quarter

- take no prisoners

Happy driving !

[WarpSpeed]

Take the pick up

Nothing beats the Benz with tinted windows. If you are lucky you could get a police escort to clear the road.

It'd have to be beige colored though ..

^^ Well stated Kata

Edited May 26, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[T_Dog]

Your biggest challenge will be how to navigate with all the motorcycles. You need to give them space, as they have the right-of-way in most cases seemingly no mater what they are doing. Take it slow and you should do fine.

[WarpSpeed]

Take it slow and you should do fine.

You were doing fine until you got to this point. Take it slow and you'll get run over.. Drive like a maniac and get ahead of them & you'll fit in just fine..When in Rome..

Edited May 26, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[katabeachbum]

Take it slow and you should do fine.

You were doing fine until you got to this point. Take it slow and you'll get run over.. Drive like a maniac and get ahead of them & you'll fit in just fine..When in Rome..

Totally agree

Keep the speed up, make everyone know you will not yield, and they stay away.

[englishinsiam]

Treat every other road user as if they are an idiot, because invariably they are.

Also make sure your mirrors are properly aligned and whenever you turn left use your left mirror to make sure a bike hasn't snuck up the inside ignoring your indicator.

[cardholder]

Treat every other road user as if they are an idiot, because invariably they are.

Also make sure your mirrors are properly aligned and whenever you turn left use your left mirror to make sure a bike hasn't snuck up the inside ignoring your indicator.

... and, as you will know from Buriram, a roundabout is not what we know it to be.

[transam]

Treat every other road user as if they are an idiot, because invariably they are.

Also make sure your mirrors are properly aligned and whenever you turn left use your left mirror to make sure a bike hasn't snuck up the inside ignoring your indicator.

... and, as you will know from Buriram, a roundabout is not what we know it to be.

New one in Ubon near bridge to Warin, , went round it yesterday , could not believe that most feared turning the steering wheel so cutting people up. BiB on site checking paperwork but not the mayhem.

[jcon]

Welcome to the forum, OP.

You will see there there are jerks here, just as on the roads....

Simple tips: plan/know your route, and then from then on pretty much follow the car in front of you without crashing into it during short quick stops and what not. Driving in Thailand isn't that hard, I think a monkey could probably do it. Watch out for motorcycles and pedestrians sneaking up on your left side when making a left turn. Curb height can be anywhere from a few inches to a foot+ so be aware of that when making corners in parking structures, etc.

If you are out of BKK (I don't think you mentioned where you would be) then be aware of U-turns and cars/trucks/motorcycles/fruit wagons/lottery bicycles/etc. coming out of them, or people driving down the wrong side of the road. It's not as bad as people make it sound, just be aware - you've driven in large cities before, so you'll be fine).

Use the truck for a week to get used to stuff then drive the Merc from then on. My dad is in his 70s and when he's in Bangkok he drives Like A Boss, so I don't see why anybody else cannot do it. Have fun and good luck.

[transam]

Welcome to the forum, OP.

You will see there there are jerks here, just as on the roads....

Simple tips: plan/know your route, and then from then on pretty much follow the car in front of you without crashing into it during short quick stops and what not. Driving in Thailand isn't that hard, I think a monkey could probably do it. Watch out for motorcycles and pedestrians sneaking up on your left side when making a left turn. Curb height can be anywhere from a few inches to a foot+ so be aware of that when making corners in parking structures, etc.

If you are out of BKK (I don't think you mentioned where you would be) then be aware of U-turns and cars/trucks/motorcycles/fruit wagons/lottery bicycles/etc. coming out of them, or people driving down the wrong side of the road. It's not as bad as people make it sound, just be aware - you've driven in large cities before, so you'll be fine).

Use the truck for a week to get used to stuff then drive the Merc from then on. My dad is in his 70s and when he's in Bangkok he drives Like A Boss, so I don't see why anybody else cannot do it. Have fun and good luck.

JERKS. HERE.

[jcon]

JERKS. HERE.

Thank God the poor guy didn't say that a RHD car was 1.999877 seconds faster around a track............

[transam]

JERKS. HERE.

Thank God the poor guy didn't say that a RHD car was 1.999877 seconds faster around a track............

[fullcave]

Just a couple things to look out for:

Moterbikes and cars driving the wrong way on highways. This is due to a very special U-turn system.

Trucks buses in passing lane obvious to the line of cars behind them forcing you to overtake from left.

But also full service at the filling pump.. thank you!

[WarpSpeed]

I think a monkey could probably do it.

That's an irrefutable fact, just look around, plenty of them doing it already.. Not only look to see the scooters and such coming up on your left but also look both directions at EVERY intersection numerous times regardless of whether or not it is one way (in fact especially if it is) and while making your turn never stop looking (not meaning staring but glancing back continuously) until all traffic is in your rear view and then look again..

[WarpSpeed]

JERKS. HERE.

Thank God the poor guy didn't say that a RHD car was 1.999877 seconds faster around a track............

Yes good thing......................................

Because he'd be wrong as it's much faster depending on the track and driver..

JFYI those here who really know me know I know my s#$% and the rest are well........ So by continuing down that path just serves to make you look the fool..

Edited May 26, 2011 by WarpSpeed

[WarpSpeed]

Welcome to the forum, OP.

You will see there there are jerks here, just as on the roads....

Simple tips: plan/know your route, and then from then on pretty much follow the car in front of you without crashing into it during short quick stops and what not. Driving in Thailand isn't that hard, I think a monkey could probably do it. Watch out for motorcycles and pedestrians sneaking up on your left side when making a left turn. Curb height can be anywhere from a few inches to a foot+ so be aware of that when making corners in parking structures, etc.

If you are out of BKK (I don't think you mentioned where you would be) then be aware of U-turns and cars/trucks/motorcycles/fruit wagons/lottery bicycles/etc. coming out of them, or people driving down the wrong side of the road. It's not as bad as people make it sound, just be aware - you've driven in large cities before, so you'll be fine).

Use the truck for a week to get used to stuff then drive the Merc from then on. My dad is in his 70s and when he's in Bangkok he drives Like A Boss, so I don't see why anybody else cannot do it. Have fun and good luck.

JERKS. HERE.

I agree T/A he should have never referred to you that way!! shameful it is...

[katabeachbum]

I think a monkey could probably do it.

That's an irrefutable fact, just look around, plenty of them doing it already.. Not only look to see the scooters and such coming up on your left but also look both directions at EVERY intersection numerous times regardless of whether or not it is one way (in fact especially if it is) and while making your turn never stop looking (not meaning staring but glancing back continuously) until all traffic is in your rear view and then look again..

I am still amazed every time a motocy overtake me on my right side, even tho on a slow road I have positioned car crossing centerline and indicated at least past 200 meters to turn right

[WarpSpeed]

I think a monkey could probably do it.

That's an irrefutable fact, just look around, plenty of them doing it already.. Not only look to see the scooters and such coming up on your left but also look both directions at EVERY intersection numerous times regardless of whether or not it is one way (in fact especially if it is) and while making your turn never stop looking (not meaning staring but glancing back continuously) until all traffic is in your rear view and then look again..

I am still amazed every time a motocy overtake me on my right side, even tho on a slow road I have positioned car crossing centerline and indicated at least past 200 meters to turn right

It boggles the mind and beggars belief..

[transam]

I think a monkey could probably do it.

That's an irrefutable fact, just look around, plenty of them doing it already.. Not only look to see the scooters and such coming up on your left but also look both directions at EVERY intersection numerous times regardless of whether or not it is one way (in fact especially if it is) and while making your turn never stop looking (not meaning staring but glancing back continuously) until all traffic is in your rear view and then look again..

I am still amazed every time a motocy overtake me on my right side, even tho on a slow road I have positioned car crossing centerline and indicated at least past 200 meters to turn right

It boggles the mind and beggars belief..

Turning right into my drive today, D-max behind, l signaled good 100 yards for my turn, Yep, he tried to overtake, brain dead asshol_e.

[CaptainFantastic]

Some great advice, so thanks for that.

Particular thanks go to:

transam; katabeachbum; T-Dog; englishinsiam; jcon; fullcave.

Nice one, Wandrinstar, never thought of that - it makes sense when you consider the likes of Australia and India, too. The left-right/right-wrong comments I made were just a throw-away play on words, by the way, aimed at making making the post a little humourous is all and not intended to needle anyone, shame that it did (see below) but your observance is probably spot on the button.

WarpSpeed - get a life. Once upon a time you made your first post here, too.

One further question....If the vehicle owners don't have Class A (comprehensive) insurance, can I organise that even though I'm not the registered owner?

[katabeachbum]

Some great advice, so thanks for that.

Particular thanks go to:

transam; katabeachbum; T-Dog; englishinsiam; jcon; fullcave.

Nice one, Wandrinstar, never thought of that - it makes sense when you consider the likes of Australia and India, too. The left-right/right-wrong comments I made were just a throw-away play on words, by the way, aimed at making making the post a little humourous is all and not intended to needle anyone, shame that it did (see below) but your observance is probably spot on the button.

WarpSpeed - get a life. Once upon a time you made your first post here, too.

One further question....If the vehicle owners don't have Class A (comprehensive) insurance, can I organise that even though I'm not the registered owner?

Insurance, yes yo can, but you will have to pay for a full year.

Most important is a good 3rd party and bailbond, as the compulsory 3rd party covers close to nothing. cars value probably isnt that much money

Thaivisa Insurance should be able to help you out