Driving Differences: Bangladesh vs Thailand Explained
When venturing into the roads of Bangladesh and Thailand, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a secure journey. Notable distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels. By grasping these variations, travelers can navigate each country’s driving landscape with confidence and prioritize their road safety.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Prohibited |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
thailand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | Not used in Thailand |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
thailand:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lane Usage: Left
bangladesh:
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
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days