Help With Driving in Thailand

[charmsticks]

Hi All,

I am based in the UK but i am spending new year with my fiances family in khon kaen.

I will be expected to drive the family car again (a big mitsi warrior SUV! :-) whilst we are there.

I've done this the last few times and never been particularly happy, given the standard of thai driving and the fact i guessed i wasnt insured. (the first time i thought i was covered on travel insurance, i since found i wasnt!)

Obviously the missus just says 'its fine this is thailand' but i would be a lot more comfortable if was insured which i am happy to pay for, so 2 questions please

A) Am i covered 3rd party on her mum's CMI insurance by defaul, .e. is it named drivers, or just specific to the vehicle, is being farang an exclusiont? (the missus hasnt got a clue about car insurance as she doesnt drive and tbh just doesnt see it as an issue to bother asking her mum)

Are there any options to pay for insurance online? I cant find anything that covers a vehicle, just the standard travel insurance options

Thanks for any help!

charmsticks

[Supaluke]

I don't have an answer to your Insurance question BUT ...

Despite the naysayers, driving in Thailand is fine.

It's just like driving in the UK, only different, learn the local variants, the unwritten rules/driving style.

Personally, I've lived and driven/ridden extensively in the UK (I wasn't born there) and you guys are amongst the best drivers in the world IMHO.

Just learn to adapt to the local style here, as crazy as it may first appear.

Good Luck and safe driving.

Luke

[optad]

Confusing OP. Are you asking about personal insurance or vehicular insurance?

If you have travel insurance you should be covered for personal injury [motor cycle excepted] in the event of a traffic accident. This has no personal property extensions to car et al.

And you also mention the mother's CMI 3 rd party motor insurance. This should cover personal injury as well as property costs to others in the event you hit something [given you are a valid UK driver short term visitor] but the mothers car SUV is not covered. If you are asking about a covering note for this event whilst here, I just would not drive. If they have an oldish vehicle and deem it not worthwhile to upbraid the policy I would not put myself into any compromising situation. Something happens to the car you may get hit up for the costs. You know the family best there.

There may be these types of short period policy notes and you may want to send a clean message about money, risk and your relationship but i just would not bother. Keep it clean if it is only a few weeks, don't drive and tell them why.

[onetime]

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

[optad]

Try these guys.

http://www.directasia.co.th/en/online-car-insurance/

[Aussieroaming]

Why are you expected to drive their vehicle. In regards to being insured you would need to firstly ensure that the vehicle owners policy allows for additional drivers if nominated. If they can add you as a driver then you need to ensure that you have a valid home country drivers licence, international drivers permit and make sure you have been legally added to the policy as an additional driver. Driving in Thailand isn't stressful as long as you don't expect western style driving.

[topt]

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

You have a link to that story? I am sceptical that if that was the case there was not more to it but happy to be proved wrong.

[topt]

Why are you expected to drive their vehicle. In regards to being insured you would need to firstly ensure that the vehicle owners policy allows for additional drivers if nominated. If they can add you as a driver then you need to ensure that you have a valid home country drivers licence, international drivers permit and make sure you have been legally added to the policy as an additional driver. Driving in Thailand isn't stressful as long as you don't expect western style driving.

OP the first thing is to check that they actually have insurance. Secondly what type. If all drivers as is often then you are covered - but depends on type of insurance what you are covered for and how much.

Aussieroaming you do not need to be specifically added unless it is named drivers on the policy.

[CharlieH]

Just remember, if someone flashes the lights at you it means they are "coming through" NOT you can go !!! as you would in the UK.

Drive like you expect everyone around you to not have passed a test and knows NO highway code and WILL do the opposite at any moment and you'll be fine.

[stevenl]

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

"To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault."

Please stop spreading these urban myths.

@ the op: it would depend on the kind of insurance. The only compulsory insurance is really, really limited and won't help very much in case of a real accident. So get at least a good 3rd party insurance.

[stevenl]

Why are you expected to drive their vehicle. In regards to being insured you would need to firstly ensure that the vehicle owners policy allows for additional drivers if nominated. If they can add you as a driver then you need to ensure that you have a valid home country drivers licence, international drivers permit and make sure you have been legally added to the policy as an additional driver. Driving in Thailand isn't stressful as long as you don't expect western style driving.

Standard here is that everybody is covered, named driver policies are possible but not the norm.

[onetime]

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

You have a link to that story? I am sceptical that if that was the case there was not more to it but happy to be proved wrong.

I wish I did. I have searched for it. The story was told to me by a guy who is just as pragmatic and cynical as I am. He had no reason to lie. Given the big picture, it behooves me to believe it and to err on the side of caution.

To the OP; there are to many unknown variables. I would find a regular driver that you can call, and play it safe.

[autanic]

I am from the UK.

Before you leave visit the Post Office and get a International Driving Permit. To get one all you need to show is you driving licence and counterpart to the post office and they will (for a fee), issue it then and there.

Despite contradictory advice, In Thailand it is a legal requirement to have a full UK licence and the Permit to drive on Thai roads. Anyone that thinks you can drive here for 90 days isn't up to speed (pardon the pun) on the new rules.

You will need insurance for the car and to cover you personally to drive it. Ensure you have a spare tyre, flash light and mobile phone and preferably a good map.

Driving in Thailand is not like driving in England. Moped and Scooter frequently ride on the wrong side of the road, cars pull out in front of you and at traffic lights, you will swarmed by mopeds and scooter.

Keep your cool, show respect to other drivers. Keep to the speed limit. EXPECT TO BE STOPPED FOR NO REASON BY THE POLICE. Its nothing personal, they just want to be seen to be doing there job and maybe thirsty too.

Leave plenty of times for journeys and above all else, keep some small notes in the car, I won;t say why on here but you will know when and how to pay to get out of tricky legal situations.

[Don Mega]

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

Huge pile of buffalo excrement right there.

[autanic]

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

Huge pile of buffalo excrement right there.

Sorry old chap, but "onetime" in my opinion has nailed it. Maybe you do not want to accept it, but he/she speaks the truth.

[giddyup]

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

You have a link to that story? I am sceptical that if that was the case there was not more to it but happy to be proved wrong.

I wish I did. I have searched for it. The story was told to me by a guy who is just as pragmatic and cynical as I am. He had no reason to lie. Given the big picture, it behooves me to believe it and to err on the side of caution.

To the OP; there are to many unknown variables. I would find a regular driver that you can call, and play it safe.

A "guy" told you the story, who told him? Sounds like an urban myth to me.

[giddyup]

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

Huge pile of buffalo excrement right there.

Sorry old chap, but "onetime" in my opinion has nailed it. Maybe you do not want to accept it, but he/she speaks the truth.

Unless it can be verified, what truth?

[autanic]

I do not think this story need verify to the foreigners who live here do you ?

Do not, for a thin second, believe Supaluke's post. Yo will need an insurance policy that gives you bail money in the event that you hurt or kill anyone.

The bail amount is typically 200,000 baht.

If it is your car, don't let anyone drive it, because you are responsible for what they do in it. If it isn't your car, take taxi's. (I can just see it now; engine blows up and you have to make a choice between your relationship, and buying a new car for the family. You'd be the kee nok farang if you didn't))

So you understand, you are not Thai, and having a car here is just one more way that they can stick their grubby paws in your pocket, police included. If you get into a scrape, or kill someone, you are at fault, because you a rich foreigner.

To give an example; There was a case years ago where a foreigner was sitting at a light on an exit ramp to the freeway in BKK at 2 or 3 in the A M. A Thai girl lit out of her skull came racing down the exit ramp and rear-ended the car with the foreigner. She went through the back window and halfway through the front window. She was DOA.

The case went to court. The judge ruled that if the foreigner hadn't been in Thailand, it would not have happened, so it was his fault.

You're not really buying insurance to pay for damages to another person, you're buying insurance to protect you from this kind of thinking. (if you can call it that)

There are plenty of companies that will take your money. Read the fine print. Fail at you own peril.

Huge pile of buffalo excrement right there.

Sorry old chap, but "onetime" in my opinion has nailed it. Maybe you do not want to accept it, but he/she speaks the truth.

Unless it can be verified, what truth?

[Don Mega]

I do not think this story need verify to the foreigners who live here do you ?

I live here and it cannot be verified because it is a steaming pile off manure.

[brewsterbudgen]

As someone who lives here and drives regularly, mainly in Bangkok and Pattaya, my experience is that driving here is exciting and often frustrating but certainly not as bad as some suggest it is. The many urban myths are exactly that - myths.

[giddyup]

I do not think this story need verify to the foreigners who live here do you ?

Yes I do. I don't believe everything I read here, especially when there's nothing to back it up. "A guy told me" doesn't cut it.

[Gary A]

Quite often the police here bend the rules, sometimes to your favor and other times to the other driver. For instance, a lady here in our village on a motorbike ran into the side of my wife's car. It was obviously the motorcycle's fault. We have number one insurance and the lady on the motorcycle had no insurance except the mandatory that pays nothing on vehicle damages. The policeman told my wife that this lady had no insurance and no money. If my wife wanted her car repaired she should claim it on her insurance or wait for the lady to pay a hundred baht a month for repairs. Fortunately no one was hurt. The car was repaired and the lady had to take care of the small amount of damage to the motorbike.

The insurance agent was aware of the circumstances and had no problem fixing the car. Usually if you have first class insurance and the other driver has none, your insurance will at least pay for your vehicle repair.

[hkt83100]

With a driving experience of more than 20 years here, adding up to roughly half a million kms (combined car and motorbike), I must say that I prefer driving in Thailand to driving in Europe, especially Germany, where I come from. Yes, there are some exciting moments, but with a reasonable experience you will find out that Thai drivers are more predictable than many others. The worst IMHO are the Chinese quality tourists on rented scooters, followed closely by Italians on Big Bikes.

This myth about "Farang always wrong" is utter nonsense.

[neitmoj]

Don't rely on a local to give you reliable information on insurance. "Yes" or "Up to you" are the two most likely answers. Go in person to the broker who did the deal and ask to see the mention of "any driver" in the contract. Get your gf/wife to translate the key words on Google Translate. And watch out for Thai drivers, especially young men on motorbikes and especially at festive (i.e., heavy drinking) times. Thais really are among the worst drivers in the world. Don't believe me? Take a look at this: http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A997. Thailand: 38.1/100,000 (pipped at the post only by the Dominican Republic: 41.7). UK: 3.7. Convinced?

[seajae]

mate, not sure on your insurance but our cars are in my wifes name and I am covered in case of an accident by the insurance companies. The driving part is easy, just expect the opposite of what you are used to in the west, red lights mean go faster/or are optional, stop signs have no meaning at all, indicators are also optional, right of way goes to the one that forces their way through the others, double lines mean nothing even on blind corners, always be prepared to go bush. The centre lines are also optional, many drivers will want to use your side of the road and will not indicate to let you know, they will flash their lights which means get off the road I am not going to stop, just drive carefully and expect the unexpected as most drivers have no clue as to what the road rules actually are and in many cases do not have licences.