Driving Differences: Pakistan vs Thailand Explained
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Pakistan and Thailand as we delve into their distinct road regulations and traffic norms. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol consumption, the disparities between these nations are striking. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Let's explore the key contrasts in driving practices that can affect your safety on the road.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | Prohibited |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Thailand |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
thailand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | 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: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
thailand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| 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 fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Pakistan | 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
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
pakistan:
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
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days