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What do expats and tourists in Thailand need to know about traffic laws and parking regulations?

Thai Traffic Laws Parking Regulations in Thailand Driving in Chiang Mai Tourist Driving Guidelines Motorbike Safety in Thailand Expats in Thailand

Nov 25, 2025

3 days ago

Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey if you are planning to come here and operate a any vehicle PLEASE make sure you read the traffic laws where you can and cant park - thai police at least in chiang mai have been ramping up parking enforcement to the point ive seen videos of tourist posting 

"Since when did you make a law that you cant park next to red and white stripes" 

"when were they going to let people know" 

Its called driving class - they tell you all that - so many bikes have been locked up and cars for double parking - they been hitting locals as well. Seen it all day today - so if you are coming even as a tourist and you plan to rent car or motorbike please know the rules before you operate - if you dont please dont make a video or posts complaining that you were not informed of the driving rules here - thats your responsibility to find out.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

This post emphasizes the importance for tourists and expats to understand traffic laws and parking regulations in Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai. It highlights recent increases in parking enforcement, with local police cracking down on illegal parking practices, such as parking near red and white stripes. The community comments provide additional perspectives and insights into driving rules and behaviors observed in Thailand.

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Jack *****

if you are on a motorbike... your "right of way" is second to drivers in cars.. always always check your six... oncoming cars that are passing... expect motorbike drivers to get outside the white line...

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Andrew ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

im guilty of that at times get around cars or even side walks

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Andrew ********

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Sheen ************

Love the way you foreigners always these questions around to bitch about the Thais. Colonial mindset

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Frank **********

@Sheen ***********

what are you talking about. Some of these comments are true. There are a lot of terrible drivers in Thailand.

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Frank **********

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Kim *******

That's a good thing.

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Jeff *************

A Red line in any country always means no parking, Thailand isn't different, they also require you to wear a helmet on a bike, just in case you didn't know

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Johan ***************

Jeff HoffmeisterPlease do not post about things you do not know. Maybe red line means "parking" in some country,but by far not all.

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Jeff *************

@Johan **************

which country would that be, I've been to many, never seen a red line that its ok to park

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Johan ***************

@Jeff ************

You have edited your comment. Goodbye.

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Johan ***************

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Frank **********

There are traffic rules in Thailand? Someone needs to let the Thai people know. I have seen triple parking, tailgating, driving down the wrong side of the road and people blowing through redlights to name a few.

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Floyd ******

@Frank *********

so that doesn't make it legal for you to do it just because somebody else is breaking the law doesn't mean you have to

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Frank **********

I don't do any of that.

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Frank **********

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Sue **********

@Frank *********

you‘re right of course, the problem here is traffic laws exist but are not enforced enough and fines are two low so nobody cares.

I was in Vietnam few weeks ago, although the traffic there is also bad, everybody wears helmets and never drive over the limit, because fines are as high as a month salary and if caught twice DL is gone. Perhaps it should be the same here

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Sue **********

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Martin *******

Driving rules in Thailand? Tell it to a Thai

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Colin ********

Please send these police to the uk to stop the bimbettes in their Chelsea tractors parking everywhere near a school!!!

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John *********

Red & White stripes indicate no parking

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Ron ******

The clue is in the red aye!

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Ron ******

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Damo ***********

🙄🙄

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Rene ******

I made handouts from the video they show at the driving license..

**************************************************************************************************

*******

/extract_handouts_vdo_driving_license_thailand.pdf

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Russell *******

So is raising your hand and nodding your head considered rude? I wouldn't have thought so.

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Rene ******

@Russell ******

it's a while that I made it, so I need to look up what you mean

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Rene ******

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