Transport - Thailand - page 1556

Hire & Purchase
Cars, jeeps and vans can be rented in most major cities and airports from local companies as well as international chains.
Local companies tend to have cheaper rates, but the quality of their fleet varies. Check the tyre treads and general up-
keep of the vehicle before committing.
Motorcycles can be rented in major towns and tourist centres from guesthouses and small mum-and-dad businesses.
Renting a motorcycle in Thailand is relatively easy and a great way to independently tour the countryside. For daily
rentals, most businesses will ask that you leave your passport as a deposit. Before renting a motorcycle, check the
vehicle's condition and ask for a helmet (which is required by law).
Insurance
Thailand requires a minimum of liability insurance for all registered vehicles on the road. The better hire companies in-
clude comprehensive coverage for their vehicles. Always verify that a vehicle is insured for liability before signing a
rental contract; you should also ask to see the dated insurance documents. If you have an accident while driving an unin-
sured vehicle, you're in for some major hassles.
Road Rules & Hazards
Thais drive on the left-hand side of the road (most of the time!). Other than that, just about anything goes, in spite of
road signs and speed limits.
The main rule to be aware of is that right of way goes to the bigger vehicle; this is not what it says in the Thai traffic
law, but it's the reality. Maximum speed limits are 50km/h on urban roads and 80km/h to 100km/h on most highways -
but on any given stretch of highway you'll see various vehicles travelling as slowly as 30km/h and as fast as 150km/h.
Indicators are often used to warn passing drivers about oncoming traffic. A flashing left indicator means it's OK to
pass, while a right indicator means that someone's approaching from the other direction. Horns are used to tell other
vehicles that the driver plans to pass. When drivers flash their lights, they're telling you not to pass.
In Bangkok traffic is chaotic, roads are poorly signposted and motorcycles and random contra flows mean you can
suddenly find yourself facing a wall of cars coming the other way.
Outside of the capital, the principal hazard when driving in Thailand, besides the general disregard for traffic laws, is
having to contend with so many different types of vehicles on the same road - trucks, bicycles, túk-túk ('pronounced
đúk dúk; motorised transport) and motorcycles. This danger is often compounded by the lack of working lights. In vil-
lage areas the vehicular traffic is lighter but you have to contend with stray chickens, dogs and water buffaloes.
Hitching
Hitching is never entirely safe in any country and we don't recommend it. Travellers who decide to hitch should under-
stand that they are taking a small but potentially serious risk. Hitching is rarely seen these days in Thailand, so most
passing motorists might not realise the intentions of the foreigner standing on the side of the road with a thumb out.
Thais don't 'thumb it'; instead, when they want a ride they wave their hand with the palm facing the ground. This is the
same gesture used to flag a taxi or bus, which is why some drivers might stop and point to a bus stop if one is nearby.
In some of the national parks where there isn't public transport, Thais are often willing to pick up a passenger stand-
ing by the side of the road.