Some useful tips on driving in Thailand.

= If you are hiring a car and have forgotten your driving licence then your credit card is a useful replacement.

= Never start in first gear. Astonishing why car manufacturers put a 1st gear when everyone starts in 2nd or rd.

= Never shift down a gear, even if your gearbox sounds like a bag of marbles being kicked around, just increase the revs.

= Do not drive slowly as this confuses other drivers and is a cause of accidents.

= Traffic lights are merely a point of view, apart from at major intersection where taking the opposite view could be fatal.

= All traffic signs and road markings are for illustrative purposes only.

= Every road has at least one extra unmarked lane, use it.

= If traffic seems a bit too slow, just overtake on the hard shoulder.

= If the U-turn you require seems a drag to drive backwards for a while, just use the hard shoulder to drive against the traffic flow and a more convenient U-turn will soon appear.

= If a U-turn has a slip-road, ignore it and wait 5 minutes for the traffic to completely clear.

= If you see something up ahead that could possibly be a pot-hole, it is.

= If you see cars swerving in front of you then be prepared to do the same as it too was a pothole.

= If you see in your rear-view mirror what appears to be a flashing jukebox the size of a house, that's a private coach and they do not have brakes fitted.

= Never ask for directions as this shows ignorance and is a loss of status, just enjoy the drive, even if you're completely lost.

= Maps tend to show rivers and provincial boundaries far more prominently than roads, so use with care.

= If you are stopped by the police or military, it is local custom to show your appreciation for their concern at your well-being.

Thailand - The Drive Of Your Next Life