Driving in Madagascar vs. Thailand: Key Safety Tips
Exploring the roadways of Madagascar and Thailand reveals intriguing contrasts in driving practices and regulations. From the distinct sides of the road each country favors to varying speed limits, understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Prepare to navigate the unique driving landscapes of these fascinating nations!
Lanes
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
thailand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
thailand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Thailand |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
thailand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
thailand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
thailand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
thailand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 for all vehicles | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | 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
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
thailand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
thailand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
thailand:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to 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
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
thailand:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
madagascar:
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
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days