Thailand (Southeast Asia)

Useful information and history:

Officially titled as the Kingdom of Thailand, Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula. It is known for its rich culture, stunning landscapes (from tropical beaches and lush jungles to mountainous regions in the north), ancient temples, and warm hospitality (including its cuisine, bustling street markets, and vibrant festivals). It shares borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia, and has coastlines along the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, with a long history and deep cultural traditions influenced by Buddhism, which is practiced by the majority of the population.

Its capital, Bangkok, is the largest city in the country; a bustling metropolis known for its modern skyline mixed with historic temples and palaces, the Grand Palace (a former royal residence), important Buddhist temples like Wat Arun and Wat Phra Kaew, and floating markets and lively street food culture. Bangkok serves as the political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub of Thailand, attracting millions of tourists each year.

Time difference:

UTC+7.

Natural Hazards:

Primarily floods and droughts, but tsunamis, storms, landslides, forest fires, and epidemics can occur.

Fines:

Fines for traffic offences in Thailand can reach thousands, like the following:

• Driving without a seatbelt on: ฿500 – ฿2,000 (~£11 - £46)
• Speeding, running red lights, or ignoring zebra crossings: up to ฿4,000 (~£92)
• Driving without a licence or insurance: ฿500 – ฿2,000 (~£11 - £46), but serious incidents (e.g., DUI) may attract ฿5,000 – ฿20,000 (~£114 - £458) plus potential prison time.
• Drunk driving: ฿10,000 – ฿20,000 (~£229 - £458) plus license suspension up to 6 months for first offence, but ฿50,000+ (~£1145+) and possible jail and extended bans for repeated offences.

Other offences to keep in mind include:

• Public smoking (specifically on beaches) is prohibited: ฿5,000 - ฿100,000 (~£114 - £2289) and/or a year in prison.
• Carrying, importing, or even using vapes and e-cigarettes: up to ฿30,000 (~£687) and/or imprisonment for up to 10 years.
• Public indecency (such as engaging in sexual acts in public): up to ฿5,000 (~£114), or ฿100,000 (~£2289) and imprisonment up to 10 years if content of the event is distributed.
• T-Shirt Tax: driving shirtless can result in fines up to ฿500 (~£11).
• Royal Defamation: 3 to 15 years imprisonment per offence.
• Overstaying a tourist visa: ฿500 (~£11) per day, capping at ฿20,000 (~£458), plus potential detention, deportation, or a re-entry ban up to 10 years.

Also, be careful of scams where tourists are falsely accused of theft (e.g., at airports) and pressured to pay "fines" to avoid arrest. These have been widely reported and involve fake officials or manipulated CCTV footage.

Additional Information:

The official language of Thailand is Thai, but Isan (Northeastern Thai), Lanna (Northern Thai), Dambro (Southern Thai), Karen, Pattani Malay, Bangkok Malay, Teochew and Hokkien are also spoken.

Motor information to keep in mind:

Vehicles drive on the left in Thailand. The minimum age is 18 years old for cars, but it is 21 in order to rent one. However, some rental companies may have different age requirements, and some may impose additional fees for drivers under 25. UK drivers are required to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive legally in the country, though some rental companies would accept UK driving licences. If you have been staying in Thailand for over 60 days, the IDP will no longer be valid, and you must get a Thai licence.

Chaotic driving habits such as frequent lane changes, tailgating, and minimal signalling are common, especially in cities like Bangkok. Defensive driving is essential. Also, roads may be poorly lit and conditions can deteriorate, especially outside urban centres.

Fuel:

Various gasoline and diesel options, including different grades of gasohol (a blend of gasoline and ethanol) and biodiesel.

Most rentals operate under a full-to-full policy: receive the car full, return it full. Failure to do so may result in high refuelling fees.

Speed Limits:

• Built-up areas: 60 km/h (~37 mph)
• Rural roads: 80 km/h (~50 mph)
• Highways/Expressways: 110 km/h (~68 mph) or 120 km/h (~75 mph) on selected stretches

Drinking & Driving:

The legal limit is 0.05%, with a limit of 0.02% for new and unlicenced drivers.

Seat Belts:

Compulsory for all passengers including driver.

Items/Documents Required when Driving:

• Valid driving licence
• International Driving Permit (IDP)
• Car insurance documents