Driving in Thailand vs Tonga: Key Safety Differences

Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Thailand and Tonga. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols, each country presents unique driving norms. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and smooth journey, whether navigating bustling city streets or tranquil rural roads.

thailandtonga

LEFT

Driving Side

The driving side in thailand is the Left Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in thailand is 25

1.348 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for thailand is 1.348 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	Thailand	Tonga
Markings: Solid Yellow Line	Marks the left edge on divided roads.	Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right	Prohibited	Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence	Yes	No
Bus Lanes: Usage	Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.	N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings	Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.	N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence	Yes	No
Cycle Lanes: Usage	Exclusive for bicycles.	N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings	Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.	N/A

Markings: Solid Yellow Line

thailand:

Marks the left edge on divided roads.

tonga:

Often used to separate traffic directions.

Overtaking: On Right

thailand:

Prohibited

tonga:

Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.

Bus Lanes: Presence

thailand:

Yes

tonga:

Bus Lanes: Usage

thailand:

Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.

tonga:

N/A

Bus Lanes: Markings

thailand:

Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.

tonga:

N/A

Cycle Lanes: Presence

thailand:

Yes

tonga:

Cycle Lanes: Usage

thailand:

Exclusive for bicycles.

tonga:

N/A

Cycle Lanes: Markings

thailand:

Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.

tonga:

N/A

Speeds Limits

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	Thailand	Tonga
Urban Areas: Standard	50-60 km/h	40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones	50 km/h	40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles	90 km/h	70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans	80 km/h	70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers	60-80 km/h	70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles	90-120 km/h	No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans	90 km/h	N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers	80-90 km/h	N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras	Yes	No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines	Yes	Common; paid directly to traffic officers

Urban Areas: Standard

thailand:

50-60 km/h

tonga:

40-50 km/h

Urban Areas: Residential Zones

thailand:

50 km/h

tonga:

40 km/h

Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles

thailand:

90 km/h

tonga:

70-80 km/h

Rural Areas: Buses And Vans

thailand:

80 km/h

tonga:

70-80 km/h

Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers

thailand:

60-80 km/h

tonga:

70-80 km/h

Highways: Cars And Motorcycles

thailand:

90-120 km/h

tonga:

No specific highways with designated higher speed limits

Highways: Buses And Vans

thailand:

90 km/h

tonga:

N/A

Highways: Trucks And Trailers

thailand:

80-90 km/h

tonga:

N/A

Enforcement: Speed Cameras

thailand:

Yes

tonga:

No widespread use

Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines

thailand:

Yes

tonga:

Common; paid directly to traffic officers

Signals

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	Thailand	Tonga
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together	Not used in Thailand	Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts	Signal when exiting	Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language	Thai; some signs include English	English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning	Warning signs are triangular	Diamond-shaped with yellow background

Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together

thailand:

Not used in Thailand

tonga:

Not commonly used in Tonga

Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts

thailand:

Signal when exiting

tonga:

Use indicators appropriately

Traffic Signs: Language

thailand:

Thai; some signs include English

tonga:

English and Tongan; symbols are standard

Traffic Signs: Warning

thailand:

Warning signs are triangular

tonga:

Diamond-shaped with yellow background

Turns

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	Thailand		Tonga
Right Turn On Red	Not allowed		Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed	Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs		Varies by location; check for signs

Right Turn On Red

thailand:

Not allowed

tonga:

Prohibited

U- Turns Allowed

thailand:

Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs

tonga:

Varies by location; check for signs

Documentation

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	Thailand		Tonga
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement	Mandatory for registration renewal		Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker	Displayed on windshield after passing inspection		Displayed on windshield

Vehicle Inspection: Requirement

thailand:

Mandatory for registration renewal

tonga:

Required; proof may be required

Vehicle Inspection: Sticker

thailand:

Displayed on windshield after passing inspection

tonga:

Displayed on windshield

Road Etiquette

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	Thailand		Tonga
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm	Frequent use to alert other drivers		Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol	Pull over to the side and stop if necessary		Pull over to the left and stop if necessary

Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm

thailand:

Frequent use to alert other drivers

tonga:

Less frequent use compared to some countries

Emergency Vehicles: Protocol

thailand:

Pull over to the side and stop if necessary

tonga:

Pull over to the left and stop if necessary

Alcohol

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	Thailand	Tonga
Limits: General Drivers	0.05%	0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers	0.03%	0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers	0.00%; zero tolerance	Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks	Common, especially during holidays	Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines	Substantial fines and possible imprisonment	Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal	Can result in license suspension and fines	Can result in license suspension

Limits: General Drivers

thailand:

0.05%

tonga:

0.08%

Limits: Professional Drivers

thailand:

0.03%

tonga:

0.04%

Limits: Underage Drivers

thailand:

0.00%; zero tolerance

tonga:

Zero tolerance

Enforcement: Random Checks

thailand:

Common, especially during holidays

tonga:

Common at specific times or checkpoints

Enforcement: Fines

thailand:

Substantial fines and possible imprisonment

tonga:

Varies; can be substantial

Test Refusal

thailand:

Can result in license suspension and fines

tonga:

Can result in license suspension

Roundabouts

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	Thailand		Tonga
Lane Usage: Left	Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe		Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe

Lane Usage: Left

thailand:

Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe

tonga:

Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe

Emergency Services

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	Thailand	Tonga
Contact: General Emergency	191	911
Contact: Traffic Police	1193	Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance	Check with your insurance provider or local authorities	Check with your insurance provider

Contact: General Emergency

thailand:

191

tonga:

911

Contact: Traffic Police

thailand:

1193

tonga:

Contact local police

Contact: Roadside Assistance

thailand:

Check with your insurance provider or local authorities

tonga:

Check with your insurance provider

Penalties And Fines

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	Thailand	Tonga
Common Fines: Speeding	Varies; fines start from ฿500	Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol	Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment	Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts	Fines up to ฿500	Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use	Fines up to ฿500	Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation	Fines start from ฿500	Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot	Common; fines can be paid at the scene	Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline	Varies; typically within 7 days	Immediate payment preferred

Common Fines: Speeding

thailand:

Varies; fines start from ฿500

tonga:

Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police

Common Fines: Alcohol

thailand:

Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment

tonga:

Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time

Common Fines: Seat Belts

thailand:

Fines up to ฿500

tonga:

Mandatory; fines for non-compliance

Common Fines: Phone Use

thailand:

Fines up to ฿500

tonga:

Fines for handheld phone use while driving

Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation

thailand:

Fines start from ฿500

tonga:

Fines apply

Payment: On The Spot

thailand:

Common; fines can be paid at the scene

tonga:

Common; fines usually paid immediately

Payment: Deadline

thailand:

Varies; typically within 7 days

tonga:

Immediate payment preferred