Driving Differences: Ireland vs. Thailand Explained
Driving in Ireland and Thailand presents unique challenges and rules that every traveler should understand. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, these two countries differ significantly in their roadway regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on the roads of either nation.
Lanes
| Ireland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Prohibited |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
thailand:
Prohibited
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | 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 | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Ireland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Thailand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
thailand:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
thailand:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Ireland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ireland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | 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 left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | 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: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Ireland | 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
ireland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
ireland:
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
| Ireland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days