When driving in Pattaya you will be using a system loosely based on the British highway code, but remember it is very loosely based, and you might be inclined to think that only rules of the road are—every man for himself.
Although it’s a convenient way of getting around Pattaya, it can be very frustrating, especially on holiday weekends when Pattaya is flooded with holidaymakers from Bangkok.
Don’t expect to be anywhere fast, tailbacks can be hundreds of meters long, so allow more than enough time to complete your journey.
Another problem is parking; unless you are going to a large shopping mall or other complex that provides parking, you will struggle to find a parking space.
In Pattaya or any large city in Thailand, it’s best to drive defensively and remember that the standard required to obtain a driving license in Thailand is not as high as in most Western countries. Besides, many drivers in Thailand don’t even have a license.
Things to watch out for when driving in Pattaya
- Motorcycles cutting in front of you as they weave through traffic, and passing on the same side you are indicating to turn.
- Large vehicles generally assume the right of way.
- Traffic, typically motorcycles, often emerges from junctions, usually from a smaller road or street, without looking.
- If an oncoming vehicle flashes its lights at you, it usually means it’s not stopping.
- Vehicles coming towards you on the wrong side of the road.
- Be wary of drivers who disregard stop signs or run through traffic lights.
- Large potholes and uncovered manholes, especially during and after heavy rain, when the roads are waterlogged.
- Drivers who use their hazard lights to indicate they are going straight on at a junction.
- Baht buses suddenly coming to a stop in the middle of the road or pulling in and out without indicating when they collect and drop off passengers.
- Trucks with billboards and a P.A. system, traveling slowly and causing traffic jams.
- Random police checkpoints as you head out of town, usually collecting tea money.
- When riding a motorcycle, be cautious of parked motorists who may not see you before opening their door. That exact thing happened to my son. Fortunately, he came out of it with nothing more than scratches and bruises.
When Not to Drive in Pattaya
I recommend you avoid driving during heavy rain, when flooding can occur within 30 minutes. Problem areas such as Soi Buakhao, the junction of 3rd Road and Central Road, and Sukhumvit just north of South Pattaya Road are well documented in local news. But flooding or the widespread tailbacks it causes can affect most roads.
Unless you want to view the spectacle of Songkran in Pattaya close up in the safety of your car, forget driving in Pattaya on April 19—the main Songkran day. Most roads will be gridlocked, much like Sukhumvit Highway as seen in the photo above.
Before driving in Pattaya, be sure you have either an international driving permit or a Thai driver’s license. If you are allowed to hire a car on your original license from your home country, be sure that the insurance covers you.