Thai Roads
Thailand has a good network of well maintained roads and highways between
all main centers. Most of the north-south route is dual carriage way. Road
signage follows international convention and is in both Thai and English.
Night driving is not recommended on the open road due to heavy truck
traffic, who tend to have a poor respect for cars. Motor bikes can on
occasion be a hazard, particularly as they are often ridden into oncoming
traffic. Driving on the more major routes outside Bangkok and around resort
areas is both a safe and an enjoyable experience. A self drive holiday
offers the opportunity to experience wonderful Thai culture and the
opportunity for travelers to stop as long as they like at the many points of
interest in the Kingdom.
Bangkok has a poor reputation for traffic conditions and this is justified
except on the expressways. The city is very overcrowded with traffic and
this makes driving difficult for drivers unfamiliar with the city. Whilst
Thai drivers are exceedingly courteous and considerate to other road users
(horns are used very rarely), traffic directions, and entry and exit
locations often change during the day. These changes are seldom advised by
signs, and none are in English, hence unfamiliar drivers can end up a
considerable distance from their desired location due to enforced traffic
flows. An increasingly extensive network of expressways within Bangkok now
makes entry and exit of the city a simple task. Accordingly, one way rentals
from or to Bangkok International Airport is not a difficult undertaking.
Fuel Availability and Prices
All Budget cars in Thailand use unleaded petrol, which is sold by the liter.
Budget's vans use diesel. Both fuels are freely available throughout
Thailand and prices generally range between Baht 15 to Baht 18 per liter for
them. Fuel stations are plentiful and most of the larger ones accept major
international credit cards. In more remote locations cash will be required.
Road Rules
In Thailand you are required to drive on the left hand side of the road. The
maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h (35 mph) and varies
between 90 and 120 km/h (52-60 mph) on expressways and country roads. Police
regularly check motorists speed. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory and
drink driving laws apply. All insurance is invalid if drivers exceed the
legal alcohol limit.
Mobile Phones
Renters should be advised that Thailand has nationwide GSM mobile telephone
coverage. Provided international roaming has been obtained in their home
country, renters personal telephones will work in all but the most remote
parts of Thailand.
Drivers License
All drivers must hold a current, non-probationary license. The license may
either be Thai, or from a renter's country of residence (with an English
translation) or an international drivers permit. Licenses (and a valid
passport) must be carried at all times when driving.
Additional Drivers
No charge is made for additional drivers, however, they must be nominated
and have their names entered on the rental agreement at the time of rental.
Age
Budget Car and Truck Rental of Thailand require drivers to be at least 21
years of age, and there are no age surcharges or maximum age limitations.
Taxes
All self drive rental transactions in Thailand are subject to Value Added
Tax (VAT) on the total sum billed. VAT is included in the net rates.
Currently VAT is seven percent.
Motor Vehicle Insurance
Inclusive
daily rental rates include vehicle insurance and third party liability,
including property cover, and Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). Please note that
an excess applies to all rentals. If a customer is involved in an accident
that cannot be recovered from a third party or there is a loss, they will
need to pay a Baht 5,000 excess. Insurance coverage is subject to
the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, but follows generally
accepted international standards.
Detailed below are the coverages of international standard
Insurance Protection available in Thailand from Budget:
Compulsory Third Party (CTP)
Insurance - Included in all Rates
The Road Protection Act provides limited injury and death cover to
anyone injured or killed in an accident. All parties are covered up to Baht
80,000 per person, except the driver of the vehicle, who (if at fault) is
limited to Baht 15,000.
Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) -
Included in Net Rates
LDW provides comprehensive coverage to the renter for own vehicle
damage, as well as liability protection against third party injury, death or
vehicle and property damage. Liability for bodily injury or death of any
third person, including passengers, caused by accident is covered up to Baht
5 million per person or not exceeding Baht 20 million per accident. All
claims shall be determined by the courts in the Kingdom of Thailand.
This coverage limits the renters responsibility to a
maximum of Baht 8,000 in the event of loss or damage to the rented
vehicle where recovery cannot be made from a third party, subject to the
renters compliance with the Rental Agreement. In other words, the maximum
exposure that a renter will have in the event of non-recoverable loss or
damage is Baht 5,000, providing the Details of Use Restrictions at Item 3 of
the Rental Agreement are not contravened. If Use Restrictions are
contravened, the LDW is void.
Terms and Conditions on the Rental
Agreement for Use
The wording on the rental agreement for use
is as follows:
3) USE RESTRICTIONS: The Vehicle will not be
used or operated by anyone:
A. who is not an Authorized Driver;
B. who allows more passengers to occupy the Vehicle than there are seat
belts or who does not require all occupants to comply with applicable
seat-belt and child-restraint laws;
C. off regularly maintained and paved roadways; outside the Kingdom of
Thailand;
D. who leaves the Vehicle and fails to remove the keys, close and lock all
doors and close all windows and the trunk, or otherwise aids in vandalism or
theft of the Vehicle;
E. who does not know how to operate a manual transmission (if Vehicle has
manual transmission);
F. when continued operation of the Vehicle is likely to cause damage to the
Vehicle; to engage in any speed contest;
G. to carry people or property for hire (unless otherwise agreed by Budget);
to push anything; to tow anything;
H. who improperly fuels the Vehicle (gasoline in a diesel-powered vehicle or
diesel fuel in a gasoline-powered vehicle); who improperly loads the Vehicle
or transports weight exceeding the Vehicle's maximum capacity; to carry
hazardous or explosive substances;
I. if the Vehicle is obtained upon the basis of false or misleading
information;
J. who, as a result of reckless misconduct, damages the Vehicle or causes
personal injury or property damage to others;
K. while intoxicated or under the influence of any substance that impairs
driving ability;
L. during the commission of a felony or for the trans-portation of illegal
drugs or contraband;
M. where insufficient height or width exists).
4) VEHICLE LOSS AND DAMAGE: Renter is not
responsible for Vehicle loss or damage caused by acts of God or accidental
fire that is not the result of a collision....
....if there is a violation of a use
restriction, LDW is void and renter is responsible for all vehicle loss and
damage, related expenses, loss of use, and an administrative charge as
described above.
5) LIABILITY PROTECTION: if there is no
violation of a use restriction (paragraph 3), Budget provides automobil
liability protection to authorized drivers for causing bodily injury
(including death) and property damage to others resulting from use of the
Vehicle....
Personal Accident and
Effects (PAE) Insurance
Personal Accident and Effects Insurance coverage is available for drivers
and passengers with protection up to Baht 1 million available at Baht 100
per day. This insurance can be purchased when collecting the vehicle.
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TAT License 12/00221