Driving in Thailand is one subject and driving in Bangkok is another. Bangkok usually makes every list for the worst traffic jams in the world. And the city certainly deserves this reputation. Unfortunately, traffic in the Thai capital seems to only be getting worse. Although the city has invested in public transportation in the past decade, it hasn’t been as much of a help as was hoped. To counter any relief public transit might have brought, the Thai government introduced a tax refund policy for first time car buyers. It isn’t surprising that this has only resulted in an increase in cars.
Congestion in Bangkok has become so bad that people avoid driving downtown altogether unless they absolutely must. Of course, not everyone can avoid driving in Thailand’s capital. Couriers and the drivers of utility vehicles do not have much of a choice.
In 2012 there were 6.8 million vehicles in Bangkok, but the city can only adequately cope with about 2 million. The most recent population estimate (from 2010) is 8.28 million. There are simply too many cars in Bangkok.
When driving in Thailand’s larger cities in general, it is wise to avoid the left lane as it is generally reserved for loading and parking. When stopping at an intersection, leave some room between you and the car in front of you. No matter how tight of a squeeze it is, a motorcyclist will inevitably try to weave through. So you might as well give your car a bit of a break.
Mopeds and bicycles seem to have developed their own system of road rules and abide neither by traffic signals nor one-way street signs. Their goal is to get to their destination as quickly as possible. Unfortunately this often includes dangerous driving habits more often than not resulting in deadly accidents with larger vehicles. Accidents involving motorcycles make up 70% of all road traffic deaths.