Rules of the Road - Thai Style
- A vehicle following you no closer than 10 cm is not considered to be tailgating.
- If the driver in front of you, especially a truck, flashes his left turn signal a few times, he may be telling you that it is safe to pass. But he may be wrong .. or may simply bored.
- If the driver in front of you, especially a truck, flashes his right turn signal a few times, he may be telling you that it is not safe to pass. And he will usually be right.
- If a driver approaching from the opposite direction flashes his headlights it may mean
- "police ahead, watch your speed"
- or "don't pass that car, you fool, I'm coming too fast!"
- or "I have screwed up big time by trying pass this vehicle so please give me some room by heading for the shoulder .. even the rice paddy isn't a bad idea"
- The largest vehicle has the right of way, except elephants always have the right of way and water buffaloes come second.
- Expect buses, especially orange ones, to overtake on curves, hills and as you are approaching from the opposite direction.
- If you are on a motorcycle and see an oncoming bus, expect another bus to overtake it; especially if the road has no shoulders.
- If you are overtaking a vehicle, expect another driver to decide to overtake you at the same time.
- If you are on a motorcycle or bicycle, keep as careful a watch behind as in front of you.
- If you have an accident, you will most likely be blamed.
- Learn to read the Thai script for "Man" and "Lady" for service station restrooms