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Driving in a different country can often be a daunting experience. To help you adjust to the Thailand road rules, we provide Budget's guide to safe driving as following:
Thai Road
Thailand has a good network of well maintained roads and highways
between all main centers. Most of the north-south route is dual carriage way. Road
signage follows international convention and is in both Thai and English. Night
driving is not recommended on the open road due to heavy truck traffic, who tend to
have a poor respect for cars. Motor bikes can on occasion be a hazard, particularly
as they are often ridden into oncoming traffic. Driving on the more major routes
outside Bangkok and around resort areas is both a safe and an enjoyable experience.
A self drive holiday offers the opportunity to experience wonderful Thai culture
and the opportunity for travelers to stop as long as they like at the many points
of interest in the Kingdom.
Bangkok has a poor reputation for traffic conditions and this is justified except
on the expressways. The city is very overcrowded with traffic and this makes driving
difficult for drivers unfamiliar with the city. Whilst Thai drivers are exceedingly
courteous and considerate to other road users (horns are used very rarely), traffic
directions, and entry and exit locations often change during the day. These changes
are seldom advised by signs, and none are in English, hence unfamiliar drivers can
end up a considerable distance from their desired location due to enforced traffic
flows. An increasingly extensive network of expressways within Bangkok now
makes entry and exit of the city a simple task. Accordingly, one way rentals from or
to Bangkok International Airport is not a difficult undertaking.
Fuel Availability and Prices
All Budget cars in Thailand use unleaded petrol, which is sold by the liter.
Budget's vans use diesel. Both fuels are freely available throughout Thailand and
prices generally range around 30 Baht per liter for them. Fuel stations are plentiful
and most of the larger ones accept major international credit cards. In more remote
locations cash will be required.
Road Rules
In Thailand you are required to drive on the left hand side of the road. The
maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h (35 mph) and varies between
90 and 120 km/h (52-60 mph) on expressways and country roads. Police regularly
check motorists speed. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory and drink driving laws
apply. All insurance is invalid if drivers exceed the legal alcohol limit.
Mobile Phones
Renters should be advised that Thailand has nationwide GSM mobile telephone
coverage. Provided international roaming has been obtained in their home country,
renters personal telephones will work in all but the most remote parts of Thailand.
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