Driving in China vs. Thailand: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the roads of China and Thailand reveals significant contrasts in traffic regulations and driving practices. While China mandates right-side driving, Thailand steers left. Speed limits, lane usage, and overtaking rules further diverge, impacting overall road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
thailand:
Prohibited
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
thailand:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
thailand:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
thailand:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Thailand |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
thailand:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Alcohol
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
| 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
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
thailand:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
china:
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
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days