Which Roads Off Limits To Motorcycles?

[Khon Baan Nok]

This is a question about where motorcycles can and cannot be legally driven in Thailand. Specifically:

1. Is it correct that they are not allowed on the expressways (tollways) no matter what the displacement? (I have custody of a Triumph Daytona that is well able to "keep up with" the traffic.) If so, how do you get out of town if you are headed, say, to Pattaya/Jomtien or up to Ayutthaya or out toward Hua Hin/Cha Am?

2. In Bangkok, are motorcycles allowed to go over the flyovers, such as the ones on T. Petchaburi/Phitsanulok? I know that they do it regularly, but I was snagged in a police round-up last week and had to pay a 100B "fine". The explanation of the offense was that I (and dozens of other hapless riders) were not allowed on the flyover...

Tks in advance for the enlightenment...

Khon Baan Nok

[HDRIDER]

This is a question about where motorcycles can and cannot be legally driven in Thailand. Specifically:

1. Is it correct that they are not allowed on the expressways (tollways) no matter what the displacement? (I have custody of a Triumph Daytona that is well able to "keep up with" the traffic.) If so, how do you get out of town if you are headed, say, to Pattaya/Jomtien or up to Ayutthaya or out toward Hua Hin/Cha Am?

2. In Bangkok, are motorcycles allowed to go over the flyovers, such as the ones on T. Petchaburi/Phitsanulok? I know that they do it regularly, but I was snagged in a police round-up last week and had to pay a 100B "fine". The explanation of the offense was that I (and dozens of other hapless riders) were not allowed on the flyover...

Tks in advance for the enlightenment...

Khon Baan Nok

You cant drive any bike on tollways, i tried it did not work..

[lingling]

This is a question about where motorcycles can and cannot be legally driven in Thailand. Specifically:

1. Is it correct that they are not allowed on the expressways (tollways) no matter what the displacement? (I have custody of a Triumph Daytona that is well able to "keep up with" the traffic.) If so, how do you get out of town if you are headed, say, to Pattaya/Jomtien or up to Ayutthaya or out toward Hua Hin/Cha Am?

2. In Bangkok, are motorcycles allowed to go over the flyovers, such as the ones on T. Petchaburi/Phitsanulok? I know that they do it regularly, but I was snagged in a police round-up last week and had to pay a 100B "fine". The explanation of the offense was that I (and dozens of other hapless riders) were not allowed on the flyover...

Tks in advance for the enlightenment...

Khon Baan Nok

There are very clear "no motorbikes" signs at the entrances of the flyovers and tollways. So no, not allowed. I think it has nothing to do with the displacement etc, but more to do with reducing the number of accidents on flyovers and tollways.

[Moonfruit]

Stick to the rule that you arent allowed on any road that is elevated and you wont go wrong. You are also not allowed to ride on any main road that has a frontage road, example the main 3/4 lanes of the Bang-na Trad road, or Viphavadee-Rangsit.

There are exceptions to this rule (Rama 4 - Sathorn (belgian friendship bridge)) but they are not the norm.

[Etrigan]

Bikes are not allowed on expressways nor motorways nor elevated roads such as the Boromrachachonani Rd to Nakorn Pathom. Where there is both a frontage road and a main road, bikes must use the frontage road. Where there are flyovers, there will be a sign posted prohibiting bikes (such as Pantip Plaza). Should the sign not be there, you can negotiate your way out of the ticket.

However it doesn't end there. Bikes must stay left at all times, the only exception is within 30 metres of a right turn, then you are allowed right in order to manouvre at the intersection.

Moonfruit, sorry mate, but that Thai Belgian bridge is also off limits, I was stopped there more than 6 years ago, still, doesn't stop me from using it as that was the only time I've ever seen cops waiting there.

Edited January 11, 2007 by AjarnRuss

[Moonfruit]

Bikes are not allowed on expressways nor motorways nor elevated roads such as the Boromrachachonani Rd to Nakorn Pathom. Where there is both a frontage road and a main road, bikes must use the frontage road. Where there are flyovers, there will be a sign posted prohibiting bikes (such as Pantip Plaza). Should the sign not be there, you can negotiate your way out of the ticket.

However it doesn't end there. Bikes must stay left at all times, the only exception is within 30 metres of a right turn, then you are allowed right in order to manouvre at the intersection.

Moonfruit, sorry mate, but that Thai Belgian bridge is also off limits, I was stopped there more than 6 years ago, still, doesn't stop me from using it as that was the only time I've ever seen cops waiting there.

Hey Russ,

Sorry to contradict you, but there is a sign at the Thai Belgian bridge (or was, the last time i used it, which was every day until around 6 months ago) showing that motorcycles are allowed. In fact, the lane to the left even had a motorcycle painted on it. I dont notice now as i always go over in the car due to work.

I think maybe you are thinking of the elevated section between Silom and Hualamphong which bikes are not allowed to use. I got a ticket there once also, but like you continued to use it anyway as it saves at least 15 mins in the hellish traffic below at Suriwong and Sam Yarn intersections.

On another note, the short cut from Sukhumvit 50 to Soi 71, which is actually the entrance ramp to the Ram Intra expressway was staffed by the boys in brown yesterday hading out tickets to motorbikes, even though there is no signage that motorbikes arent allowed to use it. In fact it is regularly used by all those going to Pridi Banomyong from Soi 50. Ive used that one every day for the last 2 years and have never seen them there before.

[Tony Clifton]

Had they been allowed to drive motorcycles on the expressway, how many Thais would have flown to their death down below on Sukhumvit by now?

[Etrigan]

I stand corrected . It was the long section, I forgot about the normal part of the road outside Lumpini Park. Though I once got stopped under that bridge for turning right in a right hand lane instead of the left! Got away with it though!

[Briggsy]

A couple of flyovers that are very handy and I think motorbikes can use are

Rama 9 inbound, a long run from around RCA, over Ratchadaphisek, coming down before Prachasongkhro.

Outbound, the road that runs from Sri Ayuthaya above the canal, under the expressway, take the ramp just before Asoke, comes down on Rama 9.

2 great time-savers and you won't get nicked probably.

[jumnien]

Motorcycles larger than 500cc are not allowed to travel at more than 60kph on the sidewalks. This strictly enforced!

[besth]

Motorcycles larger than 500cc are not allowed to travel at more than 60kph on the sidewalks. This strictly enforced!

Not THAT strictly

Does anyone know what the rules are in theory for riding on the roads to Hua Hin or Pattaya, for example? Overtaking cars by using the right lanes, driving on the shoulder (which some of the small scooters seem to do as a reasonable safety measure), etc.?

The reality is that "anything goes" and police will hardly ever stop you.

[PeaceBlondie]

Outside of Bangkok, you might get away with using the fast lane, assuming you're overtaking slower traffic. I commuted long distance for two years on the superhighway, repeatedly at 129 kph in the left lane, and never was questioned. Okay, big speedometer error: it said 139 and I only was doing about 122.