13/05/2026
So what have I learnt about riding in Thailand so far…
Scooters and motorcycles commonly travel on the left shoulder of highways and major roads, but you need to stay alert for vehicles entering from driveways and side streets, the occasional scooter travelling the wrong direction, and parked vehicles partially blocking the shoulder.
When traveling at highway speeds, I’ve generally found riding in the left lane to feel more predictable, with the right lane mainly used when overtaking is necessary.
Also keep an eye out for modern pickup trucks, they’re quite common in Thailand and often travel surprisingly fast.
One important lesson I learnt today is to be extremely cautious when overtaking on single-lane roads. Vehicles do not always indicate before turning right. While overtaking a vehicle today, it began turning right across my path, forcing me to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
In many ways, the mindset required for safe riding is actually very similar to Australia — staying alert, reading the flow of traffic, and expecting the unexpected are essential in both countries. The difference is that in Thailand, the unexpected tends to happen a little more often.
