Thai Driving Signals

[1BADDAT]

After driving here for a while, I have noticed that the Thais have adopted there own method of signaling that is unique to here. I also find that they are religious about using the indicators for any action. I find this very odd considering many drive at night with no brake light or headlights. Anyway, here a list of what I have gathered the signals to mean.

Flashers:

1. Parking

2. Going straight across an intersection!

3. Indicating that you are willing to let someone out

Flashing headlights:

1. Do not pull out in front of me because I am driving aggressively.

2. I am mad. (Same as anywhere else)

Alternating L & R signal:

1. I am slowing down. (Seriously? Isn't that what the brake light is for?)

I also found that almost all the time they use the wrong signal to enter a roundabout or road that is not perpendicular to the other road.

[bkkjames]

Flashing Headlights is good to keep from running down bikes that think they can u-turn without giving the right of way to oncoming traffic.

Flashers to warn you is not a bad thing.

Headlights unless it's pitch black outside is a strange one - maybe they think they are saving energy?

Missing brake lights - endemic and not apparently on high list of priorities of authorities - although very dangerous.

[topt]

Unfortunately I have found that they often do not use their indicators at all - if they did it would be at least a warning that they were going to do something

[Spoonman]

I like the scooters that have red headlights and drive against the traffic. Pattaya bypass is great for it.

[evadgib]

Nondescript hand signals get me, as do the 'Darth Vader' batons waved indiscriminately at night by an otherwise invisible whistle-blower:)

[1BADDAT]

Unfortunately I have found that they often do not use their indicators at all - if they did it would be at least a warning that they were going to do something

This is completely opposite to what I have observed. It seems that this is the only rule they religiously abide by.

Where in the world do they use signals more than here?

[noahvail]

Unfortunately I have found that they often do not use their indicators at all - if they did it would be at least a warning that they were going to do something

This is completely opposite to what I have observed. It seems that this is the only rule they religiously abide by.

Where in the world do they use signals more than here?

I've discovered that a vehicle (especially a motosai) putting on the left-hand indicator means they are 1) going to turn left; 2) going to turn right; 3) going to go straight; 4) going to do a U-turn; or 5) going to slow down in the middle of the lane whilst they decide what to do next. Second-guessing an indicator is impossible.

[thaipod]

I'd like to know the indicater signals of trucks when following them on the highways.

[topt]

I'd like to know the indicater signals of trucks when following them on the highways.

I think the outside indicator means it is ok to overtake - except when they are turning right..........

Ant the inside indicator means not safe to overtake - except............

[geronimo]

They drive their way, we drive ours!

[spidermike007]

What really cracks me up is the use of the turn signal to indicate a lane change. That is a good one.

[Rooo]

Moved to motoring.

[nickmanchester2]

i'd like to see how well you you lot drove if you didn't have to pass a test, take lessons, understand that you will be reincarnated if you die or sit a written exam.

[johng]

I'd like to know the indicater signals of trucks when following them on the highways.

I think the outside indicator means it is ok to overtake - except when they are turning right..........

Ant the inside indicator means not safe to overtake - except............

I think its the other way round

Right indicator means not safe to pass. Left indicator means all clear ahead. I wouldn't trust them though.

Sent from my V370 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[1BADDAT]

I'd like to know the indicater signals of trucks when following them on the highways.

I think the outside indicator means it is ok to overtake - except when they are turning right..........

Ant the inside indicator means not safe to overtake - except............

I think its the other way round

Right indicator means not safe to pass. Left indicator means all clear ahead. I wouldn't trust them though.

Sent from my V370 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I haven't noticed this signaling yet. Normally they just move closer to the shoulder if it is clear to pass.

[1BADDAT]

They drive their way, we drive ours!

What does this comment have to do with this thread? The thread is about trying to understand what their signals mean.

[piston broke]

my favourite is when you "flash" some one to come out of a side road and they don't understand.

[Spoonman]

my favourite is when you "flash" some one to come out of a side road and they don't understand.

Thats cause the "flash" is read as "Don't come out, Iam coming through".

[cooked]

What really cracks me up is the use of the turn signal to indicate a lane change. That is a good one.

In civilised countries that's what you learn to do. Maybe you missed that.Or do you prefer them to just swerve out into your path as one guy did to me today?

It's 'manoeuvre, mirror, signal' here.

Flashing headlights means 'get out of my way or we both die, dog'.

Edited August 14, 2014 by cooked

[spidermike007]

What really cracks me up is the use of the turn signal to indicate a lane change. That is a good one.

In civilised countries that's what you learn to do. Maybe you missed that.Or do you prefer them to just swerve out into your path as one guy did to me today?

It's 'manoeuvre, mirror, signal' here.

Flashing headlights means 'get out of my way or we both die, dog'.

I specifically meant when they are passing you. I find this odd.

[BernieOnTour]

What really cracks me up is the use of the turn signal to indicate a lane change. That is a good one.

In civilised countries that's what you learn to do. Maybe you missed that.Or do you prefer them to just swerve out into your path as one guy did to me today?

It's 'manoeuvre, mirror, signal' here.

Flashing headlights means 'get out of my way or we both die, dog'.

I specifically meant when they are passing you. I find this odd.

Same as in continental Europe:

Wake up, you old geezer driving like a snail - I am overtaking, do not even think about changing the lane!

[DinoSabanovic]

I really don't care about cars. Motorbikes without rear lights and sometimes both, rear and front are VERY dangerous!

I must add that trucks and buses are also very dangerous also as they don't respect anything.

I seen allot of them who pass on bridge, passing WITHOUT looking if someone comes from opposite direction and most of the time driving at the right lane while doing 100 km/hr.

[janpharma]

They drive just like they did 100 years before with their buffalo's...when there were no llights, no indicators, no difference between left or right side...

A lot of education to do here again too.

[Bredbury Blue]

There's a fault somewhere in my car as when I indicate to let the car behind me on my right know I'm coming out, it makes that car behind me accelerate and cut me off. Must get it fixed.

[LoZth]

There is only one thing that you can be 100% sure of when you see a flashing indicator.

It means that the bulb is working, nothing else!

[masuk]

What really cracks me up is the use of the turn signal to indicate a lane change. That is a good one.

That's the law in Australia! Changing lanes? - then indicate.

Same as when leaving a roundabout. Indicate when you are leaving (turning left in Thailand) so the guy giving way to you knows that he can enter the roundabout.

[wilcopops]

They drive just like they did 100 years before with their buffalo's...when there were no llights, no indicators, no difference between left or right side...

A lot of education to do here again too.

Actually this is a bit of a misconception - Thai driving is based on BOATS - river transport.

[dotpoom]

And the wrong use of fog lights.

[Pungdo]

I have noticed while driving on the motorways here, that the use of the indicator to change lanes, means only one thing, get out of the way, I'm coming whether you like it or not, otherwise they don't indicate, they just drift in and out of lanes like there are no line markings at all.

I had a guy in a Merc yakking on his phone do it to me the other day, he was right beside me, just turned on his indicator and started moving over, they don't even bother to look before they do it.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Pungdo

[Craig351]

I find it really easy to drive here

Once you understand the indicator system mainly on the highway you know what their thinking

The magical 3rd lane, going up the wrong way with the indicators on, as I read someone saying about the truck communication all good for me when you understand it

Plus they don't hold up the lanes if your in the right lane flash them they get out of the way or tell you hey I'm not moving go around me!

I find it great to drive here better than my home country with too many rules and regulations plus crazy speed limits if you go 3 k's over the limit gone on a camera for bullshit

For all those square heads that can't drive and will say ok your one of those insane crazy drivers in Thailand,

no I'm not I stick to the limits and drive carefully here as its so dangerous and I have kids but I love the freedom of driving here and not have to worry about cops, speed cameras, big fines and all the other stuff they come up with. As I said when you understand how they drive its a easy driving here