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| Home > City Guide - Bangkok - Getting There By Road | ||
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Getting There By Road Thailand has a reasonable network of roads and highways throughout the country, designated by numbers. Traffic drives on the left and the wearing of seat belts is compulsory with on-the-spot fines for offenders. The speed limits are 60kph (37mph) in the city, 90kph (56mph) on main country roads and 130kph (81mph) on expressways. A national driving licence and International Driving Permit are required, but long-term visitors staying over three months would need to obtain a Thai driving licence. The minimum age for driving is 21 years. It is illegal to drink and drive in Thailand. Driving in Thailand is not for the faint-hearted as drivers tend to take risks and overtake on bends and hills, while buses and lorries drive as if they own the road. Driving at night is to be avoided as most heavy trucks travel at this time. The incidence of traffic accidents is high and if foreigners are involved it is always assumed that they are at fault and expected to pay the costs. Having said all that, driving is the best way to see the country and reach out-of-the-way places. Emergency breakdown service: There is no national breakdown service but all car hire companies will provide a telephone number to their clients for use in case of a breakdown or emergency. Routes to the city: The national highways are all designated by numbers. National Highway Number 4 goes south to Hua Hin; National Highway Number 3 goes to east to Pattaya; and National Highway Numbers 32 and 117 go to Phitsanulok. Driving times to Bangkok: From Hua Hin – 3 hours; Pattaya – 3 hours; Phitsanulok – 5 hours 30 minutes. Coach services: Bangkok has three main bus terminals serving different areas of the country. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses operate, but the air-conditioned ones tend to be faster and to make less stops en route. Buses south to Hua Hin, Phuket and the Thai–Malaysian border operate from the Southern Bus Terminal, Pinklao-Nakonchaisri Road (tel: (02) 435 1200). Buses to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north and Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai in the northeast operate from the North/northeastern Bus Terminal, Kampaeng Petch 2 Road (tel: (02) 272 0296). Buses to Pattaya and Trat in the east operate from the Eastern Bus Terminal, Sukhumvit Road Soi 40 (tel: (02) 391 2504). |
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