Driving in Bhutan vs Thailand: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Bhutan and Thailand, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key contrasts include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated lanes for buses and bicycles. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
bhutan:
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
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days