Driving in Denmark vs. Thailand: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Denmark and Thailand, drivers encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. From the differing sides of the road to varied speed limits and traffic protocols, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe journeys abroad. Explore the key variations that can affect your driving experience in these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
denmark:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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, for minor offenses. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Thailand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
thailand:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
thailand:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent 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
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
denmark:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| 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: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
thailand:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
denmark:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
denmark:
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
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days