Driving Differences: South Korea vs. Thailand
When exploring the roads of South Korea and Thailand, understanding their unique driving customs is vital for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and unique regulations around emergency vehicle protocols. Equip yourself with knowledge about these diverse practices to navigate confidently and securely in both countries.
Lanes
| South korea | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during specified hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
south korea:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
south korea:
Yes
thailand:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| South korea | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
south korea:
60 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
south korea:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south korea:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south korea:
100-120 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
south korea:
100-110 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south korea:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south korea:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Signals
| South korea | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Korea | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Korean; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| South korea | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| South korea | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof must be displayed | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| South korea | 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
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| South korea | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
Enforcement: Random Checks
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Roundabouts
| South korea | 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
south korea:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
south korea:
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
| South korea | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network | 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 | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south korea:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south korea:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South korea | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and license points given | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines and license points given | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and license points given | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points given | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south korea:
Fines and license points given
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
south korea:
Fines and license points given
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
south korea:
Yes
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days