Thailand changed how it enforces its traffic laws in 2026. After a warning period from January to March, police have issued fines instead of warnings since 1 April 2026. The maximum fine for common offences such as speeding and running a red light is 4,000 THB. This guide covers the documents, rules and fines that matter if you rent a car or scooter, and what to do if something goes wrong. All figures were checked in September 2026; rules and fines can change, so treat the amounts as a guide.
Driving Requirements for Foreigners
International Driving Permit and home licence
To drive in Thailand as a visitor, carry both your home driving licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP). The UK government specifies the IDP based on the 1968 convention, and UK drivers must buy it before they travel. Get yours at home before you fly.
Keep three points in mind:
- The IDP is valid only together with a valid home licence.
- The IDP must show the right vehicle class. A car-only IDP does not cover a motorbike or scooter.
- To ride a rented scooter legally, you need a home licence that covers motorcycles and an IDP that shows the motorcycle category.
What happens if you drive without an IDP
A 2026 car-rental guide gives a fine of 2,000 THB for driving without an IDP. The bigger risk is insurance: driving on your home licence alone can void your vehicle and travel insurance. After an accident, you could then have to pay the costs yourself.
Renting a car or scooter
Self-drive car rental counters at Suvarnabhumi Airport are on Level 2, at Gate 7 of the main terminal. For scooters and motorbikes, be careful: many hire motorbikes in tourist areas are unregistered and cannot legally be ridden on public roads. Never leave your passport as a deposit with a motorbike or jet-ski renter. Offer a copy of your passport and a cash deposit instead.
Key Traffic Rules in Thailand
Drive on the left
Traffic in Thailand drives on the left. If you are used to driving on the right, take extra care at junctions and when turning.
Speed limits
Unless signs show a lower limit, these are the default limits for cars:
| Road type | Default limit for cars |
|---|---|
| Built-up areas | 80 km/h |
| Outside built-up areas | 90 km/h |
| Motorways | 120 km/h |
Always follow the posted sign. Motorbikes are not allowed on motorways.
Seatbelts for everyone
All occupants must wear a seatbelt, including passengers in the back seats. This rule comes from the Road Traffic Act No. 13 of 2022, and the maximum fine is 2,000 THB.
Child seats
Since 17 August 2023, children under 6 must ride in a child seat, and passengers shorter than 135 cm need a seatbelt or a special seat. The maximum fine is 2,000 THB. Public vehicles such as buses, public vans and taxis are exempt, which also means they usually do not supply a child seat. If you travel with young children, bring your own seat or book a transfer that fits one.
Phones
Holding a phone while driving is an offence and costs 1 demerit point. Sources in 2026 disagree on the fine, so simply do not hold your phone while you drive.
Alcohol Limits and Drink-Driving Penalties
The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.05% (50 mg%). For drivers under 20 and for drivers who hold a temporary licence, the limit is 0.02% (20 mg%). In practice, the safest rule is not to drink at all before driving.
Drink-driving penalties are heavy, and refusing the test carries the same penalty as failing it:
| Offence | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| First offence | Up to 1 year | 5,000–20,000 THB (prison, fine or both) |
| Repeat offence within 2 years | Up to 2 years | 50,000–100,000 THB (prison, fine or both) |
| Causing injury | 1–5 years | 20,000–100,000 THB |
| Causing serious injury | 2–6 years | 40,000–120,000 THB |
| Causing death | 3–10 years | 60,000–200,000 THB, licence revoked |
A first offence also brings a licence suspension of at least 6 months. Every drink-driving offence costs 4 demerit points.
Motorbike and Scooter Rules
Helmets are compulsory for motorbike riders and their passengers. Since 1 June 2025 police have enforced this with fines of up to 2,000 THB. The fine is doubled when the rider and the passenger both ride without a helmet. The same rule applies when you ride as a passenger on a motorbike taxi, so always wear the helmet the rider gives you.
Before you ride, check that your licence and IDP cover motorbikes and that the bike is registered.
Fines and Demerit Points
Thailand uses a demerit-point system. Every licence holder starts with 12 points. Losing all of them within one year means a 90-day licence suspension.
| Offence | Maximum fine (2026) | Demerit points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding | 4,000 THB | 1 |
| Running a red light | 4,000 THB | 2 |
| Not stopping at a pedestrian crossing | 4,000 THB | not confirmed |
| Driving the wrong way | 2,000 THB | 2 |
| No helmet or no seatbelt | 2,000 THB | 1 |
| Holding a phone while driving | sources disagree | 1 |
| Drink-driving | see the table above | 4 |
Police gave 196,028 warnings between January and March 2026; since 1 April 2026 they issue fines instead.
Tolls on Booth-Free Motorways
Some motorways now use M-Flow, a barrier-free toll system: there are no booths, and cameras read the number plate. As of September 2026, M-Flow runs on Motorway 9 (the outer ring road) and, since 16 January 2026, on Motorway 81 (Bang Yai–Kanchanaburi). Motorway 7 (Bangkok–Pattaya) and Motorway 6 (Bang Pa-in–Nakhon Ratchasima) are planned to follow.
As of September 2026, you must pay an M-Flow toll within 7 days, on the M-Flow website or app or through an Easy Pass Plus account. Late payment costs 10 times the toll plus 200 THB. Check the current rules on the M-Flow website. If you drive a rental car, ask the rental company how it handles M-Flow bills before you leave the counter.
What to Do After an Accident
- Stop in a safe place and check whether anyone is hurt.
- Call the right number (see the table below). For injuries, call an ambulance first.
- Take photos of the vehicles, number plates and the scene.
- Exchange names, phone numbers and insurance details with the other driver.
- Call your rental company and your insurer as soon as you can, and keep every document.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 191 |
| Ambulance | 1669 |
| Fire | 199 |
| Tourist Police (24 hours) | 1155 |
The "Thailand Tourist Police" app lets you contact the Tourist Police online, even without a Thai SIM card. To report a taxi, motorbike taxi or bus driver, call the Department of Land Transport on 1584 (24 hours) with the plate number, date, time and place.
Pre-Driving Checklist
- Home driving licence, valid for the vehicle you will drive
- International Driving Permit showing the same vehicle class
- Passport (keep it with you; give renters a copy, never the original)
- Insurance that covers you as a driver or rider in Thailand
- A helmet for the rider and for every passenger on a motorbike
- A child seat for children under 6
- Emergency numbers saved in your phone
- A plan for M-Flow tolls if you use a rental car
Prefer Not to Drive?
If you would rather not drive in Thailand, Smile Taxi Service drives you door to door at a fixed price per vehicle, one way, with expressway tolls included and no meter. For example, Bangkok to Pattaya costs 1,500 THB by sedan, 1,700 THB by SUV and 2,000 THB by van, and Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya costs 1,200 / 1,500 / 1,800 THB. A sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, an SUV up to 5 and 4, and a van up to 7 and 5.
A child seat costs +100 THB on request. You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip; if you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (a 5% fee is added). Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details).
- Book a sedan from Bangkok to Pattaya
- Book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya
- See all routes and prices
- Compare every way to get from Bangkok to Pattaya
FAQ
Can I drive in Thailand with my home licence only?
No. Carry an International Driving Permit together with your home licence. Without an IDP you risk a fine (a 2026 guide gives 2,000 THB), and your insurance may refuse to pay.
What is the drink-driving limit in Thailand?
The limit is 0.05%, or 0.02% for drivers under 20 and temporary-licence holders. A first offence can bring a fine of 5,000–20,000 THB, up to 1 year in prison, or both.
How much are traffic fines in 2026?
Up to 4,000 THB for speeding, running a red light or not stopping at a pedestrian crossing, and up to 2,000 THB for no helmet or no seatbelt. Since 1 April 2026 police issue fines instead of warnings.
Do passengers in the back seat need a seatbelt?
Yes. All occupants must wear a seatbelt, with a maximum fine of 2,000 THB. Children under 6 need a child seat, although taxis and public vans are exempt.
Does my car IDP let me ride a scooter?
No. You need a home licence that covers motorcycles and an IDP that shows the motorcycle category.
To travel without driving yourself, use the Smile Taxi Service booking page or message us on WhatsApp or LINE.