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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- Thailand has a unique way of doing things on the roads! The rules here can be a little confusing, and the way people drive and what is considered normal here can be somewhat overwhelming. If you drive in Bangkok, it can really be hectic at times, so knowing the rules and how things are actually done is very important. SafetyWing Insurance: shorturl.at/CUgQO
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I think I've discovered that I like when you do these road safety videos. I loved the helmet video, too. This is EXTREMELY helpful and insightful. I've lived here since January, have ridden street bikes for over 30 years, was a professional truck driver and stick shift driving instructor in the U.S. But I find it incredibly daunting to drive in Bangkok. Nearly every point you've covered is counterintuitive to my experience. I've done more driving outside the city, but only occasionally since I've been here. Thanks for this. Keep up the great work, Adam. You're my new #1 Thailand YTer for expats. I've been following Paddy and Chris Parker for a long time but they've slowed down a lot. I find your content very valuable. Maybe we can connect in person some time.
Mate, thats a bloody excellent video!!!! After spending a tonne of time in Thailand its easy to overlook the crazy differences between our western road rules and their Étiqutte System' that seems to work quite well. Really good to point out the cultural side of the 'Beeping' etiquette as it very different in Vietnam. Beeping is a safety/ courtesy over there and most foreigners just dont understand it. Nice job buddy!
Excellent description.... a mix of curtsey and assertiveness, I love driving their.... it's like go-karting... fast for a minute then slow and watching out for everything and anything.
Scooters at night going ever which way with no lights on, going flat out ...
The beeping used to be a thing, certainly in Bangkok. I remember our first trip in 2002 and there was lots of constant beeping on the way into BKK. It seemed to just disappear over the years. Very happy about. I have been to Ho Chi Minh City 😮 omg.
Definitely used to be a thing, and thankfully no longer. Also over the years the number or total maniacs who weave across lanes at twice the speed of everyone else has vastly declined.
Been driving my Vespa here over 6 months, even I learned a few things, your right nobody beeps their horn, it’s lovely
cheers
I swear driving out here is the ultimate “if you know, you know” 😅 but like you said, it all makes sense once you learn
This was great man. such a good topic that zero people cover it seems.
9 out of 10 times im on a bolt motorbike taxi out here in pattaya im holding on for dear life knowing if i come off or the rider crashes im done for 🤦♂️😵
Motorcycle in Thailand is like water, It will flow everywhere that have way to go.
Reminds me of skiing, keep your line , don’t make any abrupt sudden turns because more than likely someone is in the process of blowing by you
Beautifully video ❤
Coming from Oz, I learnt along the way. I've done 65000k in Thailand over 3 years.
I concur with everything you've said.
However, I've learnt very short beeps' on the horn is acceptable to warn other vehicles getting too close.
When approaching busy intersections without traffic lights my Thai partner taught me to...slow and go.
There's also a hierarchy when giving way in this order of priority sadly:
1. Trucks and Buses
2. BMW's, Mercs, and European Exotics (no turnings indicators required )
3. Large utes and Suv's
4. Small and medium cars
5. Motorbikes
6.Bicycles
7.Pedestrians and Soi dogs
Another tip...ignore speed limits (within reason) and keep up or down with the flow of traffic.
🤞🤞
The merc’s and BMW’s are the worst here..
It’s the Kerry express and lineman delivery guys that are the craziest
@@keisoneThe Linemen in Bangkok, my gosh!!
I swear they must double the revenue of their chill counterparts in Pattaya
@@keisone I really want a food panda jacket for home , I respect the speedy hustle
Great video mate. It's the wild west on the roads here. But as you said, once you get used to the way it works here it's not too bad.
I was gonna make a similar video, well ill just wait a month or so now, 555. I'd love to hear more about your MX days, I used to ride
ace enduro events when I was younger, loved it!
Traffic Rules in Thailand are mere suggestions to be ignored. Always be on your toes, if you are driving, and always be patient! 😊. Nice wheels Adam!
Fantastic informative video. Unfortunately, I learned all of this by driving around there and had numerous close calls that were unforgettable learning tools.
This should be a compulsory video for all foreigners to watch before renting any mode of transportation in Thailand.
Great video Adam.
Arrived Vietnam this morning and nearly jumped out my skin with all the cars incessant hooters...
It really makes you appreciate the no horns here
I have heard rumors that most truck drivers have guns as well so road rage is a bad idea.
mostly pick up truck, as many earn enough to buy illegal gun
@@nemoatlantis7148incorrect
@cnxrogueone local news about road rage, especially those pick up truck with alloy wheel.
This is much better summation of Thai driving habits than anything else I've watched. Excellent effort, thanks.
Ozthai, your previous poster answers my sole question, are short polite beeps acceptable to gain a "sleeping" driver's attention? Seems, to be yes.
You could’ve also mentioned how pedestrian crossings mean absolutely nothing there! Which I discovered on my first trip back in 2006 , for the life of me I couldn’t understand why cars weren’t stopping as I was walking across , and I was really freaking out now I see it just as normal
I was surprised when the car stopped for me when I went to Europe for the first time. 😂
A pedestrian crossing in Thailand is just a place to cross the road... if you can... The lines across the road are only a means to guide your way to the other side while trying to avoid flying missiles, cars, trucks, lorries, motorcycles, and tuk tuks. The only way to cross a busy road in Thailand safely is to shave your head and wear saffron orange robes. Chok dee khrap
Ive been in bangkok for a week now, the bikes are nuts here. I did a bike grab and never again. The speed, the weaving in traffic, the no helmet and security risk is just too crazy
I dread roundabouts in Thailand. The official rules are the same as back home but as you said they often give way to those coming on. I got rear ended a couple of months ago as I had to stop quickly as someone cut me off joining quickly when I was on the roundabout already. They follow the rules enough of the time that it makes it very unpredictable. Also yeah the signs for when you can and cannot turn left are usually in Thai even in Bangkok and Chiang Mai so I don't suppose most tourists will be able to tell.
Round abouts are a nightmare here, thankfully there isn’t too many of them!
I have lived here for many years. During my working life, I was co-owner of a transportation
safety consultant specializing in accident analysis in the USA. It took me a while to realize that there are very few stop sings or yield signs in Thailand. The reasons are obvious. First, expense and maintenance and second, the Thais would ignore them anyway.
As a Thai, i always tell my foreign friends to enjoy everything they can.
Except when being near roads by all means, a blink of an eye can cause a life
I saw a pick-up crash into a little girl on her bicycle today. The little girl was riding around the roundabout the wrong way, she didn't die but her bicycle got crushed and I think she broke a leg. Roundabouts confuse Thai drivers as there are hardly any in Thailand, they have no idea who to give way too. I can still see that little girls face now :(
edit Haha I wrote this half way through the video and now you're talking about roundabouts, the roundabouts near me are pretty small.
2nd edit ----- I always see hazard lights being used when they want people to know they are going straight on and not turning right or left, my wife uses them like this, drives me crazy.
flashing your lights mean over here in Holland means cops are having a road controle wach your speed lights working and sometime control on alcohol and drugs
Great summary of Thai road etiquette. Seems chaotic but is actually in some ways quite respectful and common-sense - so different from the general aggression of Australian drivers!
Here in Japan the etiquette is completely different too: incredibly safe with drivers super-cautious about everything, driving slowly, giving wide clearance, often giving way even when they have right of way - the aim is consideration and safety above all else.
Japan is the most amazing country to drive in.. I loved it there
Absolutely excellent video and all spot on. Living just off Lad Phrao Rd I have to do the U-turn thing all the time and its a joy once you get used to the etiquette which is, as you say, barge out once there is a reasonable gap. And people dont mind as everyone knows its the only way it can work! In my home town London, people would go crazy if you tried this!
Oh and one other tip, if you see a number 8 bus, be very afraid! They sometimes race each other and woe betide anyone that gets in the way!
I found there weren't really "traffic laws", but more like "traffic suggestions"
You can also drive through a red light upto 5 seconds unofficially 😂
Lol sounds about right 🤣🤣
Love the videos mate, would you be able to do one on activates and recommendations for MTX or ATV and Go karting? I come to Thailand twice a year but Get Your Guide is not the best on these activities.
good more videos are appreciated :D I planned to rent a car next time but especially those roundabout and give way rules leave me a bit confused
great info. I`ll be in Phuket from Sunday and plan to ride a bike for a bit.. eyes need to be everywhere...
Adam it looked like you have a leaking rear wheel hub on the ute there. Probably a bad wheel bearing.
Keisy this was a fantastic educational vlog i wish i saw it last month when i was in thailand.
I was offered so many times to drive on a few road trips but i just turn them down as i wasnt educated on how they follow their rules.
Just after this i would feel more confident. Ps your ute is looking great interior looks amazing and your 12 inch sub lol.thanks for a really educational vlog...thoes Fruiting body mushrooms are like a life saver enjoying flying high.😂
How timely is your video. I live near Udom Suk, bought a car last week, sat the online road rules test today and going for my Thai licence tomorrow. Wish me luck. And…. I have experienced everything you mentioned in your video. Sometimes I think the traffic is ludicrous, but… it does make sence and I think there is waaaaay less traffic lights because of it. In Australia, my 10km commute to work had 30 sets of traffic lights.
When you applied sabuy sabuy culture to all aspects of life including driving culture. But if someone got honk then no more sabuy, so many road rage start from one long honk😅
I only ride in Hua Hin or Chiang Mai. Some things I've noticed - bikes taking off at traffic lights before the colour changes from red to green. Cars and Motorbikes driving through a pedestrian crossing once someone has crossed, even if the light is still red. Parking cars in car parks across other cars but leaving the handbrake off so that it can be pushed out of the way. Turning left on a red light - bah got fined for that despite many other riders before me doing the exact same thing. In the road rules (I have a Thai License) its illegal beep your horn unless there is danger.
Dashcam warriors in Australia would have a meltdown attempting this stuff in Bangkok. Similar etiquette in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Very good and well explained video with examples thrown in.
G'day....I've been coming to Thailand since I was 20 (now 61) and lived here full time for 18 and a half years.
I love driving here. It's just so much more laid back than back in Oz.....you put your indicator on to change lanes and more often than not you will be let in as opposed to having them accelerate to close the gap back in Oz.
I will use the horn but just a light double tap to maybe let someone know it's a green light, not a long angry horn blow.
Whilst road rage isn't the norm here it does happen and quite often when it happens, guns come out. Never seen it myself but it is in the news regularly. But if you drive courteously as depicted in this video, then you also will likely never encounter it.
Cheers from Chiang Mai :)
Super interesting video, I think there should be enough material for a whole series of videos like this.
I remember visiting from sydney for the first time in 2009. Our thai inlaws picked us up and the road trip back to BangNa was a bonkers experience.
Do you like most cars are automatic there or not I don’t mind the driving aspect but I’d prefer a manual over an automatic for “control”
Nice! Now do one for the pedestrians please, a walker's guide to Bangkok :)
It’s a short video, it’s called everyone is trying to kill you haha
Awsome content Adam,,, yeah the driving is having your head on a swivel at all times and never assume.... rather than "blasting the horn" I have gotten away with little "toots" of the horn and is usually to get someone still stopped at a now green light as they play on their phone... 555 /// congrats on 90k,,,, just need that little push to 100K then its smooth sailing to 250K ///
Also, the lights change from amber to red quickly. Be careful if you run an amber light.
Excellent video. I’m here in Bangkok and drive exactly as you explained. Thanks 🙏
As a westerner… I leave driving me to the locals. Yup, it cuts your wings down a little, but it also saves lives (including mine 5555) compared to me riding a bike there on my own causing havoc.
If you really need to get on yer own two wheels and roam the Kingdom - get the insurance and the HELMET!
Be safe
hello sir, "I'm planning to move to Southeast Asia soon, and as part of my research, I'm curious about the reliability of the power grid. Could you tell me how often, if at all, power outages occur in Thailand?"
Great video. Very informative. The Thai DMV or what it is called should use that for international drivers. Also maybe rental shops…
Haha I’m sure there are real rules that no one pays attention to already 🤣🤣
Great lvog mate. Yup. Driving or riding around is a Very different experience. I've found it best to expect the unexpected to how I learnt being on the road in the west. One of my biggest fears is the kids on their motorbikes at night with no lights on tearing down the road. I have to be super vigilant at all times. Thanks for the advice & sharing Adam. 🤗
Yeah that’s a point I missed!! Bikes with no lights at night.. it’s insane how many bikes don’t have lights, it’s sooo dangerous
I would say getting use to the motorbikes was the hardest thing, as I almost hit a few my first time driving. They weave in and out of traffic so much it's hard to know what they are going to do, and even on the highways. Also I didn't realize they have cameras for speeding, luckily the rental company never came after me for money as I was flying on the highway when I drove from Chiang Mai to Surin and back.
Great video! I will be retiring to Jomtien in about 4 1/2 years but I will NEVER drive when visiting Bangkok 😊
Hey mate, sorry its off vlog topic but where was that bike speedway you were at a while back, was it the Pathum Thani speedway, im in Bang Pa In keen to check it out
it's Bangkok Drag Avenue.. worth checking out!!
@keisone cool thanks
I got a 500 baht fine for parking FACING the wrong way… perfect parking, in a parking spot butttt facing the wrong way 😂. (If driving north you need to park facing the north!)
Good
that you didn't mention giving way to pedestrians crossing the road also explains their approach...
Yeah I don’t understand the pedestrian thing.. a Thai friend once told me, road is for car, people have to move haha
@@keisone Things have improved noticeably (but not nearly enough) since the cop on a bike killed a doctor crossing the road outside her hospital in 2022. The Appeals Court this year increased his prison sentence from 1 year to 5 years, which is a good sign that at least some parts of Thai society do not agree that it's ok to just ignore pedestrians on crossings.
Road signs and markings are mere sugestions in Thailand.
One thing to remember is the bike riding mentality seems to crossover into cars. Don't be surprised to see cars on the wrong side of the road instead of going a bit further and doing a U-Turn
I ride a lot of electric unicycles in Bangkok. It's the coolest city to ride in. It's hectic but at the same time incredibly calm, everyone works together and gives space to each other. Unlike in the West where it's me me me first...
The more Im on the roads here (20 years) the more I appreciate the efficiency of the system. All the crap unnecessary rules are ignored. Sure a few people win the Darwin award but overall a lot easier considering the amount of people on the roads. As an aussie its all done, in general, with so much more chill than in Australia which is appreciated.
Still yet to see the traffic code or rules published anywhere
so easy to get caught out with someone passing on the inside .... I almost cleaned a thai up 1 mth ago , lucky for me though , nothing happened but scared the shit outa me !!
Yeah they catch you off guard every time.. I hate it when I’m on the bike and another bike squeezes up the left too
Nearly 100k mate
You’ll blink and soon have that silver plaque for your studio 🎉
Excellent advice
you missed the right of way vehicle turning right onto a side street, yielding to a car coming from said side street to turn. (rather than overtaking them and making the turn past them, in thailand many cars will stop to let them go before making the turn)
I`d like to add from my personal experience that most minor accidents will always be the farangs fault, no matter how many cameras you have there will be ten witnesses saying differently. I was involved in two minors last year but on the plus side, my insurance premiums dropped when I needed to renew.
A tuk tuk hit my Dmax while I was stationary, had no issues with him admitting fault, but of course the driver didn't have any insurance. He popped my (new) front tire and damaged the wheel, but was able to pay for most of the damage himself. I didn't ask him to pay for the damaged wheel as it was already scratched up from the previous owner(s).
One important thing to know (not sure if you touched it?), is that when your traffic light goes from red to green, you still need to watch out to see if it is actually clear and safe to go. There are always those who come in late, and still go on red light, just because the last bike or car did.. They`re thinking one more, just one more.. This can go on for many seconds. I have seen many accidents because people just drive when their light got green, without looking at the total picture. Thai traffic is not like in European, American or Australian countries.. Many good points here, keis. Oh, btw, going left when the traffic light is red, is common as you say. You will not get fined, unless there is a sign saying not to go left (when red). There are a few such signs in the bigger cities. When no signs at all, you can assume it`s okey to go, when the traffic allows it. In Pattaya the police use to give tickets right after those turns, where those "no go"-signs are (a left sign with a "slash") 😊😊
Great video !
Every new resident should watch this.
Don’t drive a motorcycle is also a good idea.
The rules for a roundabout are the same as Australia, but going back some years it was the opposite hence the reason for confusion.
Good video have driven my gf car a few times and she hates me driving in Thailand. Philippines is worse like you say they beep their horn every 10 seconds for everything and it is super annoying and makes it so loud in the city.
One thing that annoys me on left turn is when you are crossing as a pedestrian they still just go.
My girlfriend always tries to save me, where as I am always trying to block the car, and pointing "fingers" at them when they don't give me way.
Love the new wheels Keis👍
Thanks matey!!
I agree with your comments of driving in Thailand. However I found even crazier motorcycle driving in Vietnam.
Epic!
I knew you were perfect for this…
It is nuts especially in Bangkok I tend to use the MRT or BTS system and only ride motorcycle in small towns or islands as it is more convenient.
Maybe if I retire then that would be a different matter but on holidays nah there is enough danger sports around to keep me happy 😂.
How about a video on traffic cops and what to do if pulled over. Everything regarding law enforcement. Thanks for the great content!
💰 haha
50% of Thais do not have a driving license, the others ignore what they learned from the driving license test. Expect the unexpected and you will rarely be surprised. As a foreigner, be sure to drive extremely defensively and always be alert - and ALWAYS wear a helmet.
Always wear a helmet 10000%
Be slow and predictable to everyone else around you too
On Facebook, I regularly see add that promise a driver license but not having to take one.
another one was the roundabout in Bang Saray after leaving the Hwy , it has a stop sign and I was left in the middle waiting for everyone to give way to me which never happened ! would have been 15 vechiles just kept coming and not slowing down
Yeah sometimes I get stuck like that too, then you just gotta start pushing your way out.. it’s a weird feeling!
@@keisone so true
I live in Costa Rica and 80% of what you said is the same here, except for flashing of lights, roundabouts and beeping of horns.
Thailand is the same as in Ukraine. We don't really have road rules, they are more like suggestions... No real road rage here either, but I am doing my best to make it a thing. It's slowly catching on.
Spot on man. Those bikes are like ants that surround your car, it actually makes me laugh at times it's that crazy, but definitely you need eyes in the back of your head. Driving in BKK isn't for the faint hearted
Good vid 🚗 🚲 🚦
I tend to think of it as like you're riding on a bush track or a trail where, expecting someone to come against the flow of traffic is normal. Always stay alert, indicators and pedestrian crossings are optional. 555. Stay safe na.
I was on the expressway recently and got pulled over because my tax was out of date. I had no cash on me. They asked if I wanted to go to the station, or pay the fine there. He charged me 1000bt, which was transferred to his wife's bank account😂 You should always keep 500 bt on you for these situations. That's the going rate.
Turn left on a red light except where there’s a sign saying you can’t. Roundabouts are priority for those already on the roundabout, but no one seems to follow this rule so it’s a free for all.
Spot on with not getting into a rage either. It could end in serious trouble for you or even worse.
Good Vid. I drove car last year from Pattaya to Bangkok, Sisaket, Cambodia boarder and back. aways had to be ready for anything, Potholes, speed,trucks,random lane changing hated Bangkok traffic stressful people coming inside ,outside bikes Lol a lot don't indicator or brake late.I will drive again and 2nd time was much easier..lol n experience
They also flash lights to warn of the BIB (Boys in Brown)
Top and bottom most drivers have never done a driving test therefore have idea what the signs mean.
I prefer driving in Thailand than in the U.K. feel so much safer on motorcycles as everyone awareness of bikes ,in uk car drivers don’t think of motorcycles or just pull out in front of you
The uturns on the highway is the most dangerous driver skill to be learnt in Thailand by far. With motorcycles cars trucks Ute's buses lorries you name it pushing cutting in and obstructing each other's view of on coming speeding traffic. Unwritten law for the largest vehicle is to uturn into on coming traffic and see how good there breaks work. Good job that everyone has a calmness never been seen in the western world.
Yeah the lack of road rage here amazes me.. people do wild things on the road and everyone is just cool with it 🤷♂️
Free left turns are even more confusing. A blue sign usually means it's allowed. However, the white signs can either allow or forbid it. This is not a problem for Thais, because they can read the Thai text. I can't. So I just go, carefully.
I drove in Manila on a motorbike every day for a couple years. I can tell you for sure I almost died 4,648,246 times. I’ve been motorbiking my entire life, so I was confident and enjoyed it. It’s like a video game, but you only get one life.
Yeah I choose not to ride in Manila haha
If you're beeping the horn in Thailand, it might mean you wanna fight.😆😆
Don't want to contradict you but I hear lots of horns when I have been in Thailand, I vaguely remember a person telling me once that they were more or less indicating what they were doing, they weren't going off at someone. Anyway cheers mate,
🙂
Good video.
The round about had a signal!
The road etiquette used to be better than this, not many dare to run the red lights, but since the Covid, cops stop doing their job. The social distancing back in 2020 was the reason the cops stop working. Now it's becoming a rampage, running the red lights, driving on the curbs and going the wrong way, are becoming a norm, out of control. If the cops decided to come back and do its job, i think, it's too late, just out of control situation now. My suggestion for the government and the police is to use CCTV to capture the plates for violators, and charge them with heavy fee when they go to renew their yearly road tax. Failure to pay must result in motorcycle confiscation until the payment is fully paid.
Push bikes are on the left back home.
Any tips on insurance with people that have hit 40 and have existing conditions? $120-200NZD/ a month is a bit rough with all the exclusions of pre-existing conditions. The most likely things you'll need help with, if I disclose they may not cover me. So the premium goes up without cover of the needed things.
A box would be cheaper than a denied major claim.
🤣 Riding in the wet is the goods
I’m not sure, I think it’s really difficult with insurance with pre-existing..
my friends and I all use safetywing so I don’t really know who else to look at..
@@keisone safteywing double when you click over to 40. Then pre-existing is very tricky.
I ended up driving a Silverado (pickup) through half of Thailand, but not least the center of Bangkok, we were going to the Cambodian border to carry out a visa run, it was an exciting trip, it was exciting just having to park a small truck in Bangkok at night :-P it went well. I was with others who were better known than me, but we found out along the way that I was the only one with a valid driver's license :-P so I ended up as the driver 😛
dude... like your truck!
I have never driven in Thailand but i lived in Philippines 3 years and had both bike and car there. According to Chad in CB media he says Philippines is worse then Thailand... I drove a friends car in Manila rush hour. Old Corolla with a worn out clutch and worn down under chassis. If you braked in 70kmh it moved 1-2m to the left :-). I think both countries are very similar when it comes to how they think in traffic. Its pro active and pushy 🙂. So i had a Mitsubishi Strada build with 35" wheels, ironman fenders all around and 7inch lift. No one tried pushing me around 🙂. Also had a C5 Corvette in perfect shape with only 17.000miles... Did not drive it in city traffic much🙂
glad to see you have such a small speaker in your cab.
Hahahaha getting ready for Songkran lol