Driving in Estonia vs. Thailand: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Estonia and Thailand, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and unique traffic signaling systems. Explore these vital differences to ensure your driving experience abroad remains smooth and secure.
Lanes
| Estonia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
estonia:
Right
thailand:
Left
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
estonia:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
thailand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
thailand:
N/A
Signals
| Estonia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
thailand:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Estonia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Estonia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | 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
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Estonia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Estonia | 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
estonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
estonia:
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
| Estonia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 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 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
estonia:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days