I am going to Thailand this Sunday the 23rd of May. I've been
several times before and have always rented motorbikes. Maybe
it's just me getting older and more cautious but I'm now
wondering about the legality of riding a motorbike in
Thailand when I don't hold a motorbike licence in my home
country (Australia). The latest lp says that to rent a
motorbike in Bangkok you need an International licence but
they don't differentiate between car and bike. In places such
as Phuket I know they don't ask to see an international
licence when you rent (sometimes no licence at all). I assume
some people have contact with the police as a result of
traffic accidents. Does anyone know what the deal is.
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The deal's the same as the law is in the west: you need a
licence to legally ride / drive.
However, in practice most motorcycle hire shops don't ask
you for a licence.
Hence the illusion that you don't need a licence to ride in
Thai.
You don't, but if something goes wrong (an accident) or the
police stop you it can cost you a small fine.
The shop does not care - if the police stop you & ask for a
licence then it's your problem. If you smash up the bike
it's your problem & you pay for it.
In North Thai the police are very lenient & normally don't
hassle farang on bikes. Many tourists ride without a
licence: they know North Thai is a motorcycle paradise.
However down south in Bkk / Pattaya, & often Phuket, they do
stop you & ask for a few hundred (150 - 500) baht "fine," if
you have not got a licence.
Take a look at the Golden Triangle Rider home page for a
full run down on motorcycle touring in North Thai & the
Golden Triangle at
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/5354
Odd things can happen. I was in Phuket with a buddy and we
wanted to rent a jeep. They looked at his International
Licence and said no way! He showed his UK licence and the
same answer. Fortunately, I had a Thai licence. So I rented
the jeep and let him do the driving!