Thai Roads
Thailand
has a good network of well maintained roads and highways
between all main centers. Most of the
north-south route is dual carriage way. Road
signage follows international convention
and is in both Thai and English. Night
driving is not recommended on the open
road due to heavy truck traffic, who tend to
have a poor respect for cars. Motor bikes
can on occasion be a hazard, particularly
as they are often ridden into oncoming
traffic. Driving on the more major routes
outside Bangkok and around resort areas
is both a safe and an enjoyable experience.
A self drive holiday offers the opportunity to experience
wonderful Thai culture and
the opportunity for travelers to stop as long as they
like at the many points of
interest in the Kingdom.
Bangkok
has a poor reputation for traffic conditions and this
is justified except on the
expressways. The city is very overcrowded with traffic
and this makes driving difficult
for drivers unfamiliar with the city. Whilst Thai
drivers are exceedingly courteous
and considerate to other road users (horns are used
very rarely), traffic directions,
and entry and exit locations often change during the
day. These changes are seldom
advised by signs, and none are in English, hence unfamiliar
drivers can end up a considerable
distance from their desired location due to enforced
traffic flows. An increasingly
extensive network of expressways within Bangkok now
makes entry and exit of the city
a simple task. Accordingly, one way rentals from or
to Bangkok International Airport is not
a difficult undertaking.
Fuel Availability
and Prices
All
Budget cars in Thailand use unleaded petrol, which
is sold by the liter. Budget's
vans use diesel. Both fuels are freely available throughout
Thailand and prices generally
range around 30 Baht per liter for them. Fuel stations
are plentiful and most of
the larger ones accept major international credit
cards. In more remote locations
cash will be required.
Road Rules
In
Thailand you are required to drive on the left hand
side of the road. The maximum
speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h (35 mph)
and varies between 90 and
120 km/h (52-60 mph) on expressways and country roads.
Police regularly check motorists
speed. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory and drink
driving laws apply. All insurance
is invalid if drivers exceed the legal alcohol limit.
Mobile Phones
Renters
should be advised that Thailand has nationwide GSM
mobile telephone coverage.
Provided international roaming has been obtained in
their home country, renters
personal telephones will work in all but the most
remote parts of Thailand.
Drivers License
All
drivers must hold a current, non-probationary license.
The license may either be
Thai, or from a renter's country of residence (with
an English translation) or
an international drivers permit. Licenses (and a valid
passport) must be carried at all
times when driving.
Age
Budget
Car and Truck Rental of Thailand require drivers to
be at least 21 years of age,
and there are no age surcharges or maximum age limitations.
Additional Drivers
No
charge is made for additional drivers, however, they
must be nominated and have
their names entered on the rental agreement at the
time of rental.
Taxes
All
self drive rental transactions in Thailand are subject
to Value Added Tax (VAT) on
the total sum billed. VAT is included in the net rates.
Currently VAT is seven percent.
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