What are some of the most important things to know about traffic in Bangkok?
Living in Bangkok can be very easy going and convenient, and the city offers you wonderful things to do and places to see. However, before you venture on your excursions, there are a few things you’ll need to know about the traffic in Bangkok, including the laws and regulations, in order to make your time in Bangkok less stressful.
Like the saying goes, safety first. Wearing a helmet while on a bike or scooter is a must while in traffic in Bangkok, this goes for both the driver and passengers. While driving in the traffic in Bangkok you will still see that many Thais ride their motorcycles without helmets, but just because they do it does not mean it is legal or safe. It’s better not to take any chances, especially in a city such as Bangkok where the Thai police are very prominent, more so towards foreigners.
Rush hour in Bangkok is not for the faint hearted, and to make it worse, rush hour is not even an hour long! Rush hour for traffic in Bangkok is about 2 to 2h30 hours long. If you want to avoid this, which is a good idea if you’re in a hurry or have somewhere important to be, than make sure you are not in traffic at 7:30 to 9:30 in the morning, or leave early so that you have enough time to get to your destination. As for evenings, the traffic in Bangkok picks up between 17:00 to 19:30, and these are the times to avoid it if you are not in the mood for heavy traffic.
Regarding parking spots, parking on the side of a main road is strictly prohibited. You may only park in a designated parking lot or in the parking lot of your hotel. Parking lots are usually easy to come by near shopping malls, clubs, and restaurants. In Bangkok, scooter theft is almost non-existent; however, if the police seize your motorcycle because you parked it illegally, there is a good chance you will not be able to recover it or alternatively you will have to pay a hefty fine. There is a lot of traffic in Bangkok, so the police are very alert in order to keep the traffic moving.
It is no secret that the fastest way to move around Bangkok is by motorcycle. It is a fact that the traffic in Bangkok is among the worst in the world, which is why you, if you can, you should rent a motorcycle. With renting a motorcycle comes convenience, freedom, time saving, and transport cost cutting. It is the best way to escape all the hassle that comes with the traffic in Bangkok.
Bangkok and traffic go hand in hand, and it will always be that way. It is up to you to adjust and learn how to work with it instead of against it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Traffic in Bangkok can be challenging, and most times very frustrating, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your time here.
