So what is the secret? Unlike western countries where you really need to know the traffic rules if you don’t want to get into trouble quickly, in Thailand you might be better off not knowing too much about the traffic rules. This might be a little tongue-in-cheek, but there is definitely some truth to it.

When you drive in Thailand, the rules change, and some of them are quite curious. Here is a collection of driving and traffic tidbits.

Q: How many people fit on a small scooter in Thailand?

A: 3 or 4 is not uncommon, but I have seen 5. Only two are legal, by the way, but nobody cares about that.

Q: What kind of helmet is the most popular in Thailand?

A: The one that prevents you from  getting a fine. This is mostly a super cheap proforma helmet which costs about $3.- or 4.- God forbid you need it to protect yourself in an accident. Read the rest of this entry

Traffic in Thailand - there are motorcycles everywhere, and car drivers need 360 degree vision

Many first time visitors to Thailand are complaining about the chaotic traffic and tell me they would not dare to drive here. Yet I have been driving in Thailand for many years and I do not see any chaos. Why is that?

The answer lies in your expectations. In the west traffic rules are strictly enforced, fines are very expensive, and people mostly follow the rules. Therefore when they drive, they expect others to follow the rules. Anyone breaking the rules makes people upset. Read the rest of this entry