| When you drive in Thailand, the rules change, and | | | | Q: Do you need a drivers license to drive a |
| some of them are quite curious. Here is a | | | | motorbike in Thailand? |
| collection of driving and traffic tidbits, a little | | | | A: Yes you need a license, but many drivers just |
| tongue-in-cheek, but still facts of life in Thailand. | | | | don't bother getting one. After all it is a hassle. |
| Q: How many people fit on a small scooter in | | | | You have to take a test, spend money, learn the |
| Thailand? | | | | rules - so why bother. In most cases the test |
| A: 3 or 4 is not uncommon, but I have seen 5. | | | | does not make anyone a better driver anyway. |
| Only two are legal, by the way, but nobody cares | | | | In Thailand most 12 year olds are capable of |
| about that. One friend of mine, after reading my | | | | driving a small motorbike, and I have seen even |
| article, told me he had seen 7 on one bike. Now | | | | younger ones drive. Legally you have to be 15 |
| that is really rare! | | | | years old to drive a bike. |
| Q: What kind of helmet is the most popular in | | | | I know people who have been driving their bikes |
| Thailand? | | | | for decades without a license. If they get stopped |
| A: The one that prevents you from getting a fine. | | | | by the cops, they will be asked for their license. |
| This is mostly a super cheap proforma helmet | | | | But if you don't have one, you just pay a little |
| which costs about $3.- or 4.- God forbid you need | | | | fine and that's it. Car drivers however generally |
| it to protect yourself in an accident. | | | | do have driving licenses. |
| Q: Why do so many Thais not wear a helmet on | | | | Q: Whose fault is that accident? |
| their motorbikes? | | | | A: In most cases whoever has the bigger vehicle |
| A: For the girls - it messes up their hair. For the | | | | has to pay. If a truck hits a car, the truck is at |
| guys - it is not cool. Helmets cost money. Helmets | | | | fault unless the car is so blatantly wrong that the |
| get stolen. As you see there are many excellent | | | | truck driver could not avoid the accident. If a car |
| reasons not to wear one. | | | | hits a motorbike, the car driver is automatically at |
| Q: Is there a law in Thailand that requires you to | | | | fault even if the motorbike driver did something |
| wear a helmet? | | | | totally wrong and illegal. Don't ask me to explain |
| A: Yes there is. Here in Chiang Mai the fine is 400 | | | | that one! |
| baht, or about US$12.- In reality few people pay | | | | Q: Pedestrian only traffic lights - do you have to |
| that since you can often slip the cop 100 baht, or | | | | stop? |
| US$3.-, and the problem is solved. You spend less | | | | A: Theoretically yes. In practice most drivers will |
| money and the cop supplements his meager | | | | stop if they see someone attempting to cross |
| salary. Everyone happy. | | | | the road. If they don't see anyone they will just |
| Many riders keep a helmet in their little basket in | | | | drive through the red light. |
| front of the handlebar so they can put it on if it | | | | Q: Do motorbikes get stolen easily? |
| looks like there is a police check ahead. | | | | A: Yes, it is a booming business. Since most of |
| Q: Do the cops stop motorbike riders who do not | | | | the bikes are small and light, two men can easily |
| wear helmets? | | | | grab one of them and throw it in the back of a |
| A: It depends on the area. In Bangkok the rules | | | | pickup truck. Your lock does not help at all. The |
| are pretty strictly enforced. In many rural areas | | | | bikes can be sold easily in areas with little or no |
| they are not enforced at all. Here in Chiang Mai | | | | police presence or abroad to Burma, Laos or |
| you often see a whole group of police at an | | | | Cambodia (neighboring third world countries), or |
| intersection and they stop every single bike rider | | | | they can be stripped down and sold as parts. My |
| without helmet. But this happens only during the | | | | solution is to drive a bike that is so heavy that it |
| official stop-the-helmetless-riders hour. As soon as | | | | takes at least 4 men to lift it. I hope it helps. By |
| the cops leave their official ticket-writing | | | | the way, you cannot buy theft insurance for |
| assignment and continue with their regular duties, | | | | motorbikes when they are more than two years |
| they could not care less if you wear a helmet or | | | | old. |
| not. You could be riding a little moped with 4 | | | | In summary, traffic rules in Thailand differ from |
| people on it and no helmet anywhere in sight, and | | | | the west. Some may sound strange, but once |
| the same cop who just stopped everyone at the | | | | you get used to those rules or idiosyncrasies, you |
| intersection, pulls up next to you at the light and | | | | can drive here with no problem. I have been |
| does not even blink an eye. It is truly selective | | | | driving in Thailand for 10 years accident free. |
| enforcement. | | | | Knock on wood! |