Driving in Samoa vs. Thailand: Key Safety Differences
Samoa and Thailand present distinct driving landscapes that every traveler should understand. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, with Samoa favoring more relaxed regulations compared to Thailand's stricter protocols. By familiarizing yourself with these contrasts, you can enhance your safety and navigate the roads with confidence.
Lanes
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Signals
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | 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
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | 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: General Drivers
samoa:
0.08%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lane Usage: Left
samoa:
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
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, 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 | ST$100 to ST$200 | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days