Driving in Bahrain vs. Thailand: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Thailand, it's essential to understand the unique regulations and customs that shape their driving environments. From the distinct side of the road each country adheres to, to varying speed limits and overtaking rules, grasping these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Stay informed and drive safely!
Lanes
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
thailand:
Prohibited
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
thailand:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Thailand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
thailand:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
thailand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
thailand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
thailand:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during nighttime | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
thailand:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
bahrain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days