10 tips for riding a motorbike in Thailand

Renting a motorbike in Thailand is quite easy, but it is also a dangerous act, every year many tourists end up in hospitals after an accident.

If you stick to the basics - drive within the speed limit, wear a helmet, obey the rules of the road and don't drink and drive - it's still a very reliable way to travel.

It will be cheaper and you will see more. BUT make sure you have the right insurance before you go near a scooter or motorbike!

Here are ten tips to make your motorbike trip safer and more comfortable.

If you are not used to driving a motorbike, it is better to avoid it in Thailand, as people do not drive on the same side of the road, they do not respect the rules of the road as in France and it takes some time to adapt to the "customs of the road".

1. Wear appropriate clothing

You will see tourists riding around on their rental motorbikes in just their swimming shorts, but it's not a good idea to imitate them, you'll be much safer if you wear some clothes.

Falling off a motorbike with your knees and elbows exposed is painful enough.

Having at least one cloth between you and the road will reduce the damage somewhat.

Long trousers and a long shirt are a good start.

Always wear shoes for the same reason.

And a motorbike helmet too - it's the law and could save your life.

Plastic 'lid' type helmets cost around 200 baht and will get you through the checkpoints, but spending a little more on a better helmet will offer extra protection in the unlikely event of head contact with the road.

If you have an accident and your skin is broken, think about honey:
Honey to heal wounds

2. Keep your vehicle in good condition

As strong and reliable as modern motorbikes are, they will run better and longer if you follow the maintenance schedule and change the oil about once a month.

As well as changing the engine oil, keep an eye on the tyres, as the road surface in most of Thailand, as well as the heat and humidity, will wear out your tread quickly.

Good tread and keeping your tyres at the prescribed pressure is your best way of staying in control at all times.

Your brakes will also need to be checked although, like the rest of the parts on these bikes, the brakes seem to last forever.

Every time you have your oil changed, ask the technician to check the brakes, tyres and make sure the nuts and bolts are tight - they sometimes come loose.

And then there are the headlights and tail lights, which are your best way of letting other drivers know what you're doing in traffic.

Indicators may not be used much by local people but you should do it.

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3. Make sure you have a proper permit

Your car licence in your home country is not legal in Thailand to drive a motorbike.

Your international driving licence for cars issued in your home country will not be enough either.

Legally, the only document that officially satisfies the Thai legal system is a Thai motorbike licence.

It does not matter until a situation of accident and blockage of the law arises.

If you live in Thailand, you simply need to obtain an appropriate motorbike licence to be able to drive a motorbike here.

For tourists, local motorbike rental shops will gladly rent you a bike, usually just by showing them your passport and paying a deposit.

Some will even tell you that their 'insurance' will cover you in case of an accident - it just won't happen.

YOU are responsible for your health if you ride a motorbike in Thailand.

4. Check your travel and health insurance

Every week we hear about tourists stuck in a Thai hospital with mounting bills and an insurance company that refuses to pay because they don't have a valid driving licence.

Or no insurance at all.

And even if you have travel or health insurance, check the details, because Some insurance policies prohibit the use of motorbikes in Thailand.

Your insurance details, licences from different countries and the police officer who turns up at your accident will all play a part in how your accident unfolds.

The ONLY way to prove your legal ability to drive on a Thai road is with a Thai motorbike licence.

5. Driving is different in Thailand

Motorbike in Thailand

Most of the rules are the same as in countries that also drive on the right side of the road.

But you have to add the Thai-attitude to the traffic mix.

This is different.

Apart from the insane who drive too fast, on the kerb against the direction of the road, drunk or on methamphetamine, there is a different way of driving.

It's a bit like swimming in a school of fish - if you just go with the flow and stay in the flow, you'll do fine.

The Western attitude of driving defensively will run counter to the Thai traffic movement where "personal driving space" is not really respected.

And in Thailand, it's often the biggest vehicle that has the right of way, so don't think that the 4×4 coming at you will slow down or brake when you see it, avoid it!

This also applies as a pedestrian if you are crossing a road.

In France we are used to seeing cars stop when we cross, but in Thailand they will calculate your movement, go around you, slow down or speed up to pass before you!

It is best to know the intricacies of Thai traffic before immersing yourself in the centre.

6. Green lights mean go. Red lights also mean go!

The colour of the light should not be relied upon before moving on.

Many drivers speed up when they see the light turn amber, so when the light turns green on your side, make sure there are no vehicles coming at high speed that will run the red light.

7. Have practice

If you are new to motorcycling in Thailand, don't immediately embark on a busy stretch of road.

Try something a little quieter and slower to get an idea of the subtle differences in traffic in Thailand.

You share the road with trucks, cars, buses and vans.

You are supposed to stay on the left side and you would be well advised to do so, despite the behaviour of some Thai motorbike drivers who want to mix with the "big boys".

Practice on a quiet road and or at times with little traffic before tackling the main roads.

8. There are potholes, then holes

Thailand's roads have really improved over the last decade, but you'll still find potholes in places you didn't know existed the day before.

If you want a very good reason to leave enough distance between you and the car in front, it's to see the hole before you get into it.

While car tyres may slide over these holes in the road, your motorbike will stop abruptly, throwing you onto the front of the handlebars, which has something to do with Newton's first law of motion.

9. If you are not sure, don't do it

Never ridden a motorbike in your own country?

There are good reasons not to try it for the first time in Thailand.

This can be a bit of a challenge for even experienced motorbike riders.

Just because your friends did it when they went to Thailand doesn't mean you should.

10. Police often referee at the scene of an accident

If you make a mistake and someone else's bike is damaged, you will probably have to pay.

Now, there is the "official" way of dealing with the problem in this case and the "unofficial" one.

The police will arrive at the scene early on and will often decide on the spot who is at fault.

The urban myth is that the Thai police are always on the side of the locals - which is not always the case although if you get it wrong, you're at fault!

As a tourist, you should always ask to deal with the tourist police rather than local police.

If you are worried that locals will order you to deal with a simple motorbike accident, call the tourist police or your consulate immediately.

Do not agree to pay money to anyone until you have spoken to at least the tourist police.

Engaging in a dispute with the local police will almost certainly guarantee your classification as guilty.

Be patient and don't lose your temper. You are in a foreign country, you are a guest and they do things differently.

All the little problems here can be solved with a smile.

Source: thethaiger.com