Motocycles can't drive in Bangkok in fastest lines?

[howard ashoul]

Today I was driving at Bangkok, and I was in fastest (4th line). Then stopped by police and fined for it (at first he wanted to fine me 500 Baht for that!!!)

 

According to him motocycles can use only left (slowest line). Theres was no street sign and neither lines weren't marked as a motocycle/car lines. But he was right, every motocycle was driving in slowest line (because all of them was scooters).

I was driving "big bike", I wasn't driving scooter or something like that. I wasn't causing mayhem by slowly anybody down.

It wasn't motorway, just general road.

 

Is there really a rule like this?  Its effective only in Bangkok? Now Im really confused how to drive in Bangkok and about driving motocycle on multi-line roads generally... .

 

Pls no offtopic about police and money, Im just interest in that rule.

 

Here's google street view: google.co.th/maps/@13.8930801,100.5862524,3a,75y,186.86h,69.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4fr7dew-_UrtszqC_SZPEg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[stubuzz]

Motorbikes, buses, and trucks should keep left.

[Peterw42]

I think there is a general "slow vehicles stay to the left" law, but its for noodle carts, tuk tuks, scooters etc. As you say, a big bike isn't exactly a slow vehicle. My wife is always telling me to move to the left lane when we are out on the bike, saying cannot be in middle lane.

You could maybe beat the system if you keep your right turn indicator on when travelling in the right lane, as in you are in that lane to turn right.

Edited May 22, 2017 by Peterw42

[asiaexpat]

Rules are available at the Land Transport Office, but, yes. All motorcycles (they did not have many big bikes when the rule was made) must travel in the slow lane. I learned the hard way also years ago. I just let the cops have my expired IDP and left with paying. You also rode on one of the most congested roads in Bangkok according to the coordinates you posted (lots of cops.)

[stubuzz]

15 minutes ago, howard ashoul said:

Today I was driving at Bangkok, and I was in fastest (4th line)

Also, the speed limit is the same in all lanes.

[Pib]

Glad the OP was actually riding in a lane.  Most motorcycles in Bangkok seem to drive "on the divider lines between lanes" versus actually in the lane.   But yea, my understanding is motorcycles are suppose to drive in the left most lane but few do unless nearing a police checkpoint...that's the point where they turn into model drivers. 

[KhunBENQ]

I must admit I don't know the hard rule, but more than once I read that bike riders having being fined for driving on the fast lanes.

Generally there is no distinction in Thailand between small bikes (scooters) and big bikes in terms of rules.

Which particularly annoys big bike riders not being allowed on motorways/tollways.

[richard_smith237]

I've never actually seen this Law in the land traffic act (but I've never looked hard enough as I don't ride a bike).

 

Perhaps someone can post a link and the section if they have it. 

 

 

I for one find motorcycles a nuisance and am quite happy that they have to stick to the left lanes. That said, I also think for sensible riders they should be permitted to filter into any lane when keeping up with the speed of the traffic, unfortunately most riders on the streets appear not to be sensible, thus the laws appear fit for the common denominator. 

 

I suspect the issue is that many Westerners on Motorcycles also have an original driving license issued in their home countries and they've been taught to drive / ride correctly. Thus, these riders are no hassle to anyone, they ride thoughtfully and intelligently. Unfortunately, they've become tarred with the same 'nuisance' brush as the reckless, thoughtless more dangerous riders. 

 

I've lost count of the amount of times I've had to emergency brake for a motorcycle taking a chance cutting me off, missing my bumper by inches. Guys on Big Bikes don't ride like this and I feel sorry for them having to follow the same regulations as someone uneducated in riding with a scooter. 

 

I do think it is time that an acceptance is made in the Land Traffic Act to allow for Big Bikes - i.e. Bikes over 400cc 

Edited May 22, 2017 by richard_smith237

[SiamBeast]

The police was right - the law says that you must ride in the slow (left) lane if you're riding a bike - but nobody follows that. The police uses this as a legal excuse when they're about to fall short of their quotas or they need a new pair of shoes for the mia noi. A more appropriate law would be to ask scooters to use the slow lane but let big bikes use the faster lanes.

 

Yes I know, the speed limit is the same in all lanes, but speed limits are merely a suggestion here.

[bbi1]

21 hours ago, stubuzz said:

Motorbikes, buses, and trucks should keep left.

By keeping to the left, do you mean they should keep to the very left and drive on the footpath? The motorbikes already do that, hope buses & trucks don't follow! 

[fruitman]

Yup you have to drive the most left lane, probably behind a bus while a bahtbus is cutting you off.

 

Driving there is asking to get killed so nobody does it. It's the lane where all the mototaxi's love to drive against traffic.

 

If you still want to drive the fast lane than just do it and don't even look what's going on at the left lanes. So you won't even see the police at all. They can't stop you there and also won't follow you on another bike or so.

[aussie11950]

I believe there is also a rule that you must overtake on the right. 

It's illegal to overtake on the left.

On my bike, I like to overtake on the right, which means using a more right lane.

 

Also busses and trucks like to stay in the right lane, ( missing bumps of badly filled potholes) so other car drivers have to overtake using the flat medium strip, or unbroken lines.

The road traffic is never policed because traffic police are busy at check stops so they don't see the crazy driving on the roads.

 

[asiaexpat]

4 hours ago, aussie11950 said:

I believe there is also a rule that you must overtake on the right. 

It's illegal to overtake on the left.

On my bike, I like to overtake on the right, which means using a more right lane.

 

Also busses and trucks like to stay in the right lane, ( missing bumps of badly filled potholes) so other car drivers have to overtake using the flat medium strip, or unbroken lines.

The road traffic is never policed because traffic police are busy at check stops so they don't see the crazy driving on the roads.

 

Passing (overtaking) on the left when in center or fast lane is not smart even if legal. However, if riding a motorcycle in the proper lane (curb side lane) and cars are parked in that lane as frequently they are, the motorcycle rider should pass on the left rather than on the sidewalk I am told.

[howard ashoul]

4 hours ago, asiaexpat said:

Passing (overtaking) on the left when in center or fast lane is not smart even if legal. However, if riding a motorcycle in the proper lane (curb side lane) and cars are parked in that lane as frequently they are, the motorcycle rider should pass on the left rather than on the sidewalk I am told.

Do you mean on the right?

[anono222]

Boy am I confused.  I have three big bikes, a PCX and  a Honda Spark.  So if I am riding one of the big bikes, I should ride in any lane so as not to run over those slower bikes in the left lane.  And, I should ride in the left lane because I am on a smaller bike and that is safer because people drive better there.  When I drive the really big bike, I can't drive in the right lane because it is for cars faster than my bike; not many of those cars around.  But the police will give me a ticket in every lane because it is quota time.  So, when and where can I ride any of my bikes safely and legally in Thailand.  Sheesh!  I'm staying home!

[madtrucker]

Now it's really not. Making sense anymore...

 

pcx is is a big bike

 

i have a 300cc Benelli and  compared to my Suzuki B-king 1340cc naked bike I n Canada.  I concider my Benelli to be a scooter lol

Edited May 25, 2017 by madtrucker

[ICECOOL]

Interesting only 2 weeks ago I am heading into Hua Hin and I hear sirens behind. I move left and watch as 20 or so big bikes cruise by in the right lane with some sort of van as escort.

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[NoshowJones]

On 5/22/2017 at 9:20 PM, Pib said:

Glad the OP was actually riding in a lane.  Most motorcycles in Bangkok seem to drive "on the divider lines between lanes" versus actually in the lane.   But yea, my understanding is motorcycles are suppose to drive in the left most lane but few do unless nearing a police checkpoint...that's the point where they turn into model drivers. 

I believe in using common sense rather than peoples stupid laws, ie if you want to turn right or do a U turn when the roads are busy, you have to get out to the outside lane in plenty of time, as there is no way any driver will slow down just because you are riding a motorbike if you want to turn right, and yes, keep your right hand indicator on, that is just common sense.

[hml367]

Land Traffic Act, 1979, Section 35:

[LammyTS1]

My scooter can travel over the speed limit so I will use all lanes.

 

I will not ride in the left lane due to car, bus & van drivers suddenly either pulling straight out in front of you or cutting in front of you upon then immediately turning into a side soi.

 

I can also mention the so called drivers who undertake into the left lane & then try to push you out over to the side or drive right up your arse within inches & try to force u out of the lane! 

 

[fruitman]

5 hours ago, madtrucker said:

Now it's really not. Making sense anymore...

 

pcx is is a big bike

 

i have a 300cc Benelli and  compared to my Suzuki B-king 1340cc naked bike I n Canada.  I concider my Benelli to be a scooter lol

I thought that PCX is under 150cc so it's a small bike....

151cc and more are big bikes.

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

It's the law. I don't think it has changed. Same as you are not allowed on the Tollways.

25 years ago there were very few "big bikes" apart for a few for rent in Pattaya or Phuket.

It was a favorite trick of the police to put a road block across the inside two lanes and then stop and fine all the bikes that were forced into the outside to pass.

Also beware as motorbikes are mostly banned from the overpasses at junctions and there is often a cop at the far end just waiting for you.

Happy biking!

 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2017 by George FmplesdaCosteedback

[whaleboneman]

1 hour ago, LammyTS1 said:

My scooter can travel over the speed limit so I will use all lanes.

 

I will not ride in the left lane due to car, bus & van drivers suddenly either pulling straight out in front of you or cutting in front of you upon then immediately turning into a side soi.

 

I can also mention the so called drivers who undertake into the left lane & then try to push you out over to the side or drive right up your arse within inches & try to force u out of the lane! 

 

Well you'll probably have to pay an occasional fine but you'll also probably live longer than the average Thai rider.

[whaleboneman]

6 hours ago, madtrucker said:

Now it's really not. Making sense anymore...

 

pcx is is a big bike

 

i have a 300cc Benelli and  compared to my Suzuki B-king 1340cc naked bike I n Canada.  I concider my Benelli to be a scooter lol

I believe the poster has 5 bikes. Only tiny people consider a PCX a big bike. (by the way, I have one and love it)

[HEKA01]

I had the same trouble - I was in lane 3 and got stopped with my "big" bike (PCX 150) ... ;-)
My arguments that I had to turn right in around 300 meters were thrown away by the officer - I would only be allowed 30 meters before to start going right (which by the way is incorrect - as per Section 36 it is AT LEAST 60 METERS !!!).

 

So - I did not want to take that - I looked up the Thai Traffic law - and see and wow:

 

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0140_5.pdf

 

SECTION 34 states it:

 

... the driver shall keep to the uttermost left-hand side lane. ... Except following situations:

 

d. when overtaking another vehicle   (OK that does not work if the road is empty !!)

e. when driving faster than vehicles in the left-hand side lane

 

I went to the police station and told them I do not agree to the ticket as per Section 34 d & e - as I was overtaking slower vehicles ... AND - I GOT THRU WITH IT ... !!!

 

Since then I do always have a printout of the above law text in my "BIG" bike. ;-)

 

I can't promise you that they will accept it - but it is worth a try !!!! 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2017 by HEKA01

[HEKA01]

... and by the way - 

2 hours ago, George FmplesdaCosteedback said:

It was a favorite trick of the police to put a road block across the inside two lanes and then stop and fine all the bikes that were forced into the outside to pass.

This was the situation I was running into - 6 trucks on the left lane, 8 SUVs in the middle and cars being able to drive on the right lane. 

 

That would fit SECTION 34 a. there is obstruction on the road plus d. and e. (see above !!)

Edited May 25, 2017 by HEKA01

[howard ashoul]

16 minutes ago, HEKA01 said:

I had the same trouble - I was in lane 3 and got stopped with my "big" bike (PCX 150) ... ;-)
My arguments that I had to turn right in around 300 meters were thrown away by the officer - I would only be allowed 30 meters before to start going right (which by the way is incorrect - as per Section 36 it is AT LEAST 60 METERS !!!).

 

So - I did not want to take that - I looked up the Thai Traffic law - and see and wow:

 

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0140_5.pdf

 

SECTION 34 states it:

 

... the driver shall keep to the uttermost left-hand side lane. ... Except following situations:

 

d. when overtaking another vehicle   (OK that does not work if the road is empty !!)

e. when driving faster than vehicles in the left-hand side lane

 

I went to the police station and told them I do not agree to the ticket as per Section 34 d & e - as I was overtaking slower vehicles ... AND - I GOT THRU WITH IT ... !!!

 

Since then I do always have a printout of the above law text in my "BIG" bike. ;-)

 

I can't promise you that they will accept it - but it is worth a try !!!! 

 

 

It would definitely be a good thing to get this law in a thai language.

[HEKA01]

2 minutes ago, howard ashoul said:

It would definitely be a good thing to get this law in a thai language.

Nee - you don't want that ... as he can point you out into Thai passages of the law that you don't understand !!!

Show him the English and let him struggle ... ;-) 

[howard ashoul]

25 minutes ago, HEKA01 said:

Nee - you don't want that ... as he can point you out into Thai passages of the law that you don't understand !!!

Show him the English and let him struggle ... ;-) 

Yeah, but Im living in north Thailand. Where cop's english starts and ends with "Oh, Herro farang".

Edited May 25, 2017 by howard ashoul

[LammyTS1]

Thanks for sharing the traffic laws.

I notice though that these laws apply to all vehicles.
It does not specify motorcycles, just that all vehicles must keep to the left lane.


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