driving

Post by **sid2827** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:42 am

hi all, i was wondering if it is legal to drive in Thailand with a USA drivers license? we will be visiting for 7 days in january. is it the same for a car and a motorcycle? also, where can i rent a motorcycle? and how much does renting range in price? (for both motorcycle and car) thanks for all your help

sid

Post by **sid2827** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:45 am

also, not that i am going to get drunk and drive around, but is there a legal limit on drinking and driving? if i go to dinner, and have 2 glasses of wine, should i be worried about being pulled over and arrested? thanks again for any input.

Post by **STEVE G** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:22 am

Technically you need an International driving license to go with your US license to be fully legal. I don’t know how you get one in the US, but in Europe they are issued by Automobile associations for a small fee.
You can get away without one generally as far as the police are concerned, but if you have an accident you will most likely have insurance problems.
Small motorcycles can be rented all over the place for about 200 bt a day, and cars are available for around about 1000 bt a day upwards from Avis and Budget as well as some local companies.
I don’t know what the legal alcohol limit for driving is, but you won’t have a problem as long as you are not obviously drunk.

Post by **lomuamart** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:06 am

I've been told that the alcohol limit is 50 milligrams. Don't know how accurate that is.

Post by **Huahinian** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:18 am

lomuamart wrote:I've been told that the alcohol limit is 50 milligrams. Don't know how accurate that is.

50 milligrams per ?????????????????????? Seems like 50 per 12 inches of height!

Post by **hhfarang** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:33 am

Sid,

Just to be safe go get the international license. They are issued in the U.S. in any city by the AAA office. It takes ten minutes and when I got mine (5 years ago) they were only $10. They even took my photo at the AAA office I went to so I didn't have to go elsewhere for that.

There's no test or anything. It's just the information from your U.S. license translated into other languages on a folding piece of thick paper with a photo. Nothing to it really but they seem to like them better here along with a U.S. license.

Phone the nearest AAA office first to see if any requirements or pricing has changed but I think that is your best bet.

Post by **charlesh** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:48 pm

I recollect from my driving exam at pranburi that 50 milligram/ml or 0.05%.
Just a wiff of maeKong will have U blowing that ha, ha.
Yeap drink and drive with discretion in LOS!
Charles H

Post by **Big Boy** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:03 pm

Huahinian wrote:
lomuamart wrote:I've been told that the alcohol limit is 50 milligrams. Don't know how accurate that is.
50 milligrams per ?????????????????????? Seems like 50 per 12 inches of height!

I'm 6'5" - how many pints is that before I'm illegal?

Post by **Nereus** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:09 pm

Big Boy wrote:
Huahinian wrote:
lomuamart wrote:I've been told that the alcohol limit is 50 milligrams. Don't know how accurate that is.
50 milligrams per ?????????????????????? Seems like 50 per 12 inches of height!
I'm 6'5" - how many pints is that before I'm illegal?

It is a very complex calculation involving quantum mathmatics---but maybe this will give you a ball park figure.

http://www.cleavebooks.co.uk/scol/calbarr.htm

Post by **Takiap** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 12:12 am

As far as I know, the limit here in LOS is 1ltr of Sangsom and not less than 8 large Chang - common sense prevails in most cases depending on where you get stopped..........lol

Post by **dtaai-maai** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:04 pm

Big Boy wrote: I'm 6'5" - how many pints is that before I'm illegal?

Included in the recent amendments to immigration rules is that anyone over 6' 2" is illegal as it causes neck ache to all Thai people (and me). Apparently you may be allowed entry at the discretion of the immigration officer, but if seen in public you will be liable to a 400 baht fine. For every kg you weigh over 100 that fine will be increased by 100 baht...

Post by **hhfarang** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:21 pm

What if you're under 6'2" but weigh over 100 kilos?

Post by **dtaai-maai** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:24 pm

No problem. In fact, it's positively encouraged.

Post by **cookmanchef** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 9:17 pm

Personal opinion here Sid, but for a 7 day visit I wouldn't bother with the international licence. I have spent 5/6 months a year here for the last few years and still haven't got around to it yet.

When I have been pulled over on a spot check 9/10 they wave me on because they don't want the bother of trying to speak English, 1/10 I show my UK licence, smile and say khrap a lot, and up till now they have just said OK, just be patient and don't get your wallet out of your pocket.

Drink wise, knock it on the head when you reach whatever you believe your limit to be, unless you cause an accident you will not get done for drink driving. Hope you have a great time here.

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:18 am

dtaai-maai wrote:
Big Boy wrote: I'm 6'5" - how many pints is that before I'm illegal?
Included in the recent amendments to immigration rules is that anyone over 6' 2" is illegal as it causes neck ache to all Thai people (and me). Apparently you may be allowed entry at the discretion of the immigration officer, but if seen in public you will be liable to a 400 baht fine. For every kg you weigh over 100 that fine will be increased by 100 baht...

Ouch!!

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