Driving in Thailand vs United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
Explore the unique nuances of road navigation in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. From varied driving sides to distinct speed regulations, this comparison uncovers essential distinctions that every traveler should know. Understanding these contrasts not only enriches your travel experience but also enhances your safety on foreign streets.
Lanes
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
thailand:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
thailand:
Prohibited
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
thailand:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
thailand:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
thailand:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
thailand:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
thailand:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
thailand:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
thailand:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
thailand:
50-60 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
thailand:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
thailand:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
thailand:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
thailand:
90-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
thailand:
90 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
thailand:
80-90 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
thailand:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
thailand:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
thailand:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Thailand | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Thai; some signs include English | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Warning signs are triangular | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
thailand:
Not allowed
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for registration renewal | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
thailand:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
thailand:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use to alert other drivers | Moderate use, not excessively |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| 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%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
thailand:
0.03%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| 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 |
Signaling: Exiting
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
united arab emirates:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 191 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 1193 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
thailand:
191
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
thailand:
1193
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Thailand | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from ฿500 | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines up to ฿500 | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines up to ฿500 | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines start from ฿500 | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can be paid at the scene | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 days | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay