Overview of road signs in Thailand
Sign on Route 12 in the north of the country A kilometer zero stone in northern Thailand Highway road signs in (northeastern) Thailand A directional board Road signs in Thailand are standardized road signs similar to those used in other nations but much of it resembles road signage systems used in South American countries with certain differences, such as using a blue circle instead of a red-bordered white circle to indicate mandatory actions.[1] Until the early 1980s, Thailand closely followed American , European , Australian , and Japanese practices in road sign design, with diamond-shaped warning signs and circular restrictive signs to regulate traffic. The Department of Railway maintains a standard on the typeface used in the sign, with custom made type for Thai text, unofficially named "Thang Luang" (อักษรทางหลวง) and a small derivation of FHWA Series fonts ("Highway Gothic") typeface, which is used on American road signage , for Latin text.[2] In most Bangkok Metropolitan Area's routes, TS Lopburi is still used.
Thai traffic signs use Thai , the national language of Thailand, and distances and other measurements are expressed in compliance with the International System of Units . However, English is also used for important public places such as tourist attractions , airports , railway stations , and immigration checkpoints . Both Thai and romanizations are used on directional signage.
Thailand is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals , but has yet to fully ratify the convention.[3]
The first year for road signs in Thailand was largely unknown, but it can be dated back as far as the start of the 1920s.[citation needed ]
Thailand is the first country in Asia to adopt MUTCD standard yellow diamond warning signs, in 1940.[citation needed ] For regulatory signs, rectangular signs were first used and were similar in design to North America,[citation needed ] but they have been replaced in the mid-1950s by European-style red-bordered white circle signs.[4]
In 2004, mandatory signs were switched from South American design to European design.[5]
With the exception of the special designs used for Stop, Yield, and No Entry signs, mandatory signs (e.g., Must Turn Left) are round with a blue background, white border, and a white pictogram. Those which express a prohibition (e.g., No Left Turn) show the pictogram crossed out by a red diagonal bar. This is in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals (Type A variants).[6] [7]
Priority Regulating Signs [ edit ]
Stop (Thai language)
Stop (Thai and English language)
Stop (English language)
Give way (Thai language)
Give way (Thai and English languages)
Give way to oncoming vehicles (used at traffic bottleneck points)
Prohibitory or Restrictive Signs [ edit ]
No overtaking
No entry
No right U-turn
No left U-turn, Unused
No left turn
No right turn
No changing to left lane
No changing to right lane
No right turn nor right U-turn
No Left Turn nor U-turn, Unused
No cars
No trucks
No motorcycles
No trailers
No tuk-tuks
No tricycle
No bicycles
No carts
No tractors
No animal-drawn carts
No motor vehicles
No tricycle or bicycles and motorcycles.
No motorcycles or moto-rickshaws
No honking
No pedestrians
No parking
No stopping
Stop at checkpoint (e.g.: customs, police)
Stop at checkpoint (e.g.: customs, police) (Thai and English languages)
Speed limit (10 km/h)
Speed limit (20 km/h)
Speed limit (25 km/h)
Speed limit (30 km/h)
Speed limit (40 km/h)
Speed limit (50 km/h)
Speed limit (60 km/h)
Speed limit (70 km/h)
Speed limit (80 km/h)
Speed limit (90 km/h)
Speed limit (100 km/h)
Speed limit (110 km/h)
Speed limit (120 km/h)
Weight limit
Weight limit (Thai and English languages)
Maximum width
Maximum width (Thai and English languages)
Maximum height
Maximum height (Thai and English languages)
Maximum vehicle length (Thai language)
Maximum vehicle length (Thai and English languages)
No vehicles conveying dangerous goods
Go straight
Turn left
Turn right
Keep left
Keep right
Pass on either side
Turn left
Turn right
Turn left or right
Go straight or turn left
Go straight or turn right
Roundabout
Buses only
High occupancy vehicles only
Motorcycles only
Bicycles only
Pedestrians only
Minimum speed limit (30 km/h)
Minimum speed limit (40 km/h)
Minimum speed limit (50 km/h)
Minimum speed limit (60 km/h)
Minimum speed limit (70 km/h)
Minimum speed limit (80 km/h)
Minimum speed limit (90 km/h)
Other regulatory signs [ edit ]
Speed limit zone ends
Slow down
General regulatory signs [ edit ]
Speed limit sign (in Bangkok area)
Speed limit (In city – Bangkok, Pattaya and cities inbound)
Speed limit (Countryside – Bangkok, Pattaya and cities outbound)
Prohibited on Expressways
Prohibited on Expressways
Slow traffic keep left
Right lane passing only
All cars use low gears
Limited visibility, no overtaking
Wrong Way
Right lane only for U-turn
left lane, turn left
Stop and wait for the signal here
Truck weight for rural roads
Truck weight for local highways
car speed rating
car speed rating According to ministerial regulations, the speed of vehicles on designated national highways or rural roads is specified 2021
speed control zone According to ministerial regulations, the speed of vehicles on designated national highways or rural roads is specified 2021
Mandatory signs for bicycle paths [ edit ]
Stop the car for the bicycle path.
Starting point of the bicycle path
End of the bike path
Bicycle stays to the left
Let the car on the right go first.
Let the cars in the roundabout go first.
Only trucks with 6 wheels or more.
Sign for additional mandatory hours for bus lanes.
Signs for additional times and required directions.
except buses
Starting point of the public bus lane
The end of the mass transit lane
Starting point of the motorcycle lane
End of the motorcycle lane
Superseded regulatory signs [ edit ] These signs have been superseded, but are still around.
Thai warning signs are diamond-shaped and are yellow and black in colour.[8]
Curve to left
Curve to right
Sharp curve to left
Sharp curve to right
Double curve, first to left
Double curve, first to right
Sharp double curve, first to left
Sharp double curve, first to right
Winding road, first bend to left
Winding road, first bend to right
Crossroads
Y-junction
Side road junction on left
Side road junction on right
Offset road junction, left and right
Offset road junction, left and right
Skewed side road junction on left
Skewed side road junction on right
Skewed side road junction on left
Skewed side road junction on right
T-junction
Road narrows on both sides
Road narrows on left side
Road narrows on right side
Left lane ends
Right lane ends
Railway crossing ahead that is not protected by automatic gates
Railway crossing ahead that is protected by automatic gates
Railway crossing on next side road ahead
Railway crossing (
Crossbuck )
Lane width restrictions [ edit ] Lane height restrictions [ edit ]
Steep climb
Steep descent
Bump
Bumpy road
Dip
Slippery road
Loose road surface
Falling stone
Slippery road when wet
Riverbank ahead
Bike crossing
Traffic queues likely
Left merging traffic
Right merging traffic
Divided road beginning
Divided road end
U turn ahead Right
U turn ahead Left
Two-way traffic
Two-way cross traffic
Advance traffic control [ edit ]
Traffic signals ahead
Traffic signals ahead (blue "GO" variant)
Warning signs detect traffic light violations with CCTV cameras 24 hours a day.
Stop ahead (Thai language)
Stop ahead (Thai and English languages)
Give way ahead (Thai language)
Give way ahead (Thai and English languages)
Crossroad Intersection-1
Traffic signal Ahead ntersection-2
Traffic signal Ahead Intersection-3
Railway ahead-1
Railway ahead-2
Pedestrian crossing
Children
School zone (In Bangkok local highway zone)
school zone warning sign (Standard form of the Department of Rural Roads)
crossing warning sign (Standard form of the Department of Rural Roads)
Cattle Crossing
Low-flying aircraft
Other danger (Thai language)
Other danger (Thai and English languages)
Lane split, Curve and Hazard markers[ edit ] Lane split
Diverge highway
Curve markers
Chervon to The left
Chervon to The right
Curve marker to right
Curve marker to left
Curve marker double arrow
Chevron marker to right
Chevron marker to left
Chevron marker double arrow
Hazard markers
Hazard marker or pass either side
Hazard marker or keep left
Hazard marker or keep right
Supplementary plates [ edit ]
City limit reduce speed (Thai language)
City limit reduce speed (Thai and English languages)
Winding road for next --- km
Steep climb for next --- km
Steep descent for next --- km
Use low gear (Thai language)
Use low gear (Thai and English languages)
Speed hump
Rough road for next--- km.
Slippery road
Rain Slippery road
Watch for cars from the left
Watch for cars from the right
--- m.
Two-way traffic
front light
Light signal --- m.
School
School --- m.
School Zone
Sharp Curve
Advisory speed (Thai language) (60 km/h)
Advisory speed (Thai and English languages) (60 km/h)
Advisory speed (Thai language) (60 km/h)
Advisory speed (Thai and English languages) (60 km/h)
Sleepy, stopped for a rest.
Superseded warning signs [ edit ] These signs have been superseded, but are still around.
Road narrows on both sides
U turn Ahead
U turn Ahead
Stop ahead (old since 1997
School children
No overtaking zone
Advisory speed
Advisory speed
Crossroad Intersection-1
Traffic signal Ahead Intersection-2
Speed camera zone warning signs [ edit ]
Speed camera zone (60 km/h)
Speed camera zone (80 km/h)
Speed camera zone (90 km/h)
Speed camera zone (100 km/h)
Speed camera zone (110 km/h)
Speed camera zone (120 km/h)
Advance emergency stop warning sign at a distance of 2 km.
Advance emergency stop warning sign at a distance of 1 km.
Warning sign for emergency stop lanes in advance at a distance of 500 m.
Warning sign for emergency stop lane ahead.
Slope climbing lane warning sign in advance at a distance of 2 km.
Slope climbing lane warning sign in advance at a distance of 1 km.
Slope climbing lane warning sign in advance at a distance of 500 m.
Warning sign of a steep climb lane ahead.
Warning sign at the end of a steep climb lane.
High hanging warning sign (Mast arm) (Standard type of the Department of Rural Roads)[ edit ]
School Zone
City limit
Railway crossing
Intersections
U turn/curve
Railway warning sign at a distance of 100 meters
Railway warning sign at a distance of 300 meters
Railway warning sign at a distance of 500 meters
Winding road for next --- km, first bend to left
Winding road for next --- km, first bend to right
Narrow bridge - give way to oncoming vehicles (used at traffic bottleneck points)
Steep climb for next --- km
Steep descent for next --- km
Steep descent – use low gear (Thai language)
Steep descent – use low gear (Thai and English languages)
Speed bump
Speed bumpy
Slippery road
Merging traffic - beware cars from the left
Merging traffic - beware cars from the right
Two-way traffic
Traffic signals ahead and front light
Traffic signals ahead and Light signal --- m.
School zone
School 200 m.
Curve marker right with advisory speed (Thai language) (60 km/h)
Curve marker right with advisory speed (Thai and English languages) (60 km/h)
Curve marker left with advisory speed (Thai language) (60 km/h)
Curve marker left with advisory speed (Thai and English languages) (60 km/h)
Railway warning sign at a distance of 100 meters and 10.km
Railway warning sign at a distance of 300 meters and 30.km
Railway warning sign at a distance of 500 meters and 50.km
The Department of Highways does not provide signs dealing with some other road and highway situations. Many cities have their own sign standards dealing with these situations.
Construction signs in Thailand are diamond-shaped and are orange and black in colour.
Survey
Construction ahead
Workers ahead
Construction vehicles ahead
Bridge out ahead with a temporary bridge on a detour on left
Bridge out ahead with a temporary bridge on a detour on right
Diverted traffic to left
Diverted traffic to right
Diverted traffic to left (two lanes)
Diverted traffic to right (two lanes)
Diverted traffic (one lane on left)
Diverted traffic (one lane on right)
Diverted traffic, first to left
Diverted traffic, first to right
Diverted traffic, first to left, 2 lanes
Diverted traffic, first to right, 2 lanes
Diverted traffic, first to left, 3 lanes
Diverted traffic, first to right, 3 lanes
End of left lane (form 1 lane)
End of right lane (form 1 lane)
End of left lane (form 2 lanes)
End of right lane (form 2 lanes)
End of left lanes (form 1 lane)
End of right lanes (form 1 lane)
Curve marker
Curve marker
Flagman ahead
Road construction zone
New road under construction and temporarily opened
New road temporarily opened
Road construction ahead
Bridge construction ahead
Road closed ahead
Reduce speed
Detour left
Detour right
Distance to work zone
Road work ahead
Shoulder work ahead
Construction materials on shoulder
Road impassable ahead
Road flooded ahead
Accident ahead
Curve marker
Curve marker
Curve marker
Road closed --- km
Road impassable --- km
Detour route
Detour
Detour
Road work, next --- km
End road work
Road closed
Road closed to through traffic
Road impassable, no through traffic
Flashing orange lights
Flashing red lights
Reflective delineator
Tolled expressway and highway signs [ edit ]
Expressways
Thai toll expressway and highway signs are green and are only suitable for toll expressways and highways. No blue signs for toll expressway and highways are required. These antartican toll expressway and restroom signs have a simple code:-
Blue with white signs for expressway names of closed toll systems.Sign on Route 12 in the north of the country
Examples
Information
Number digits
Main highway route numbers (Northern)
1xxx
Main highway route numbers (Northeastern)
2xxx
ทางออก EXIT 134
Highway exit numbers
EXIT 101 - 199
Main highway route numbers(Central)
3xxx
Main highway route numbers(Southern)
4xxx
National Highway use sign
Examples
Information
Highways bypassing city centres bear the principal route number marked
Old Route Plate for Thailand Highway
Highways enter city centres bear the principal route number marked
Asian Highway route shield
Advance turn arrow signs [ edit ]
Highways
Motorways (Toll Roads)
Motorways
Directional arrow signs [ edit ]
Highways
Motorways (Toll Roads)
Motorways
Thai Informational signs are white or blue.[9]
Informational signs
Destination
Distance sign
River sign
Province border signs
Intersection name on Highways
Intersection name on Rural Roads name on Highways
Interchange name on Highways
Intersection name on
BMA Roads
Pedestrian crossing
Hospital
Hospital
Hospital
Fountain
Accommodation
forest park
Waterfall
Mountain
Island
beach
cave
Sea
Water source
Cliffs
Dam
Golf Course
Resort Places
Vineyard
Zoo
ancient sites
Temple
Temple (variant)
Church/Chapel
Surau/Mosque
Shrine
Stadium
Border
Garden, Rai
Market
Monument
Research Center
Center for Arts and Crafts
Museum
Park
Hospital
Hospital
One-way street (left)
One-way street (right)
Dead end
U-turn Right
U-turn Left
Expressway begins
Expressway ends
Bus lane begins
Bus lane
Disabled persons
Bus lane ends
High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane
Weigh station
Weigh station
Weigh station
Weigh station
Weigh station
Weigh station
Rest area
Rest area
Restaurant
Restaurant shop
Refreshment shop
Accommodation
Wi-Fi and Internet
Advance scenic area distance
Scenic area exit direction (left)
Scenic area exit direction (right)
Road name
Bicycles lane
Bicycles and motorcycles keep left
Airport (Access road from Highways)
Airport (Access road from Motorways/Major Roads)
Airport (Access road from Toll Motorways/Expressways)
Airport (Access road from Toll Motorways/Expressways) with a Name
Bus terminal
Ferry pier
Ferry port
Railway station
Toilet gender
Parking lot
Parking garage
Gasoline
NGV Gasoline
LPG Gasoline
EV electric Station
E85 Gasoline
B20 Gasoline
General information (Rural roads)
General information (Rural roads)
Clinic
Directional guide signs on Highways (to the left lane)
Directional guide signs on Highways (through lanes)
1 kilometer exit warning (high-hanging type) for special highways
recommend in advance
Directional guide signs on Toll Motorways (to the right lane)
Directional guide signs on Rural Roads (right turn lane)
Kilometer signs
Kilometer sign on Highways [Type A]
Kilometer sign on Motorways [Type A]
Kilometer sign on Motorways (Toll Roads) [Type A]
Kilometer sign on Highways [Type B]
Kilometer sign on Rural Roads
Kilometer sign on Rural Roads [Type B]
Kilometer sign on Expressways
100 Meter sign on Highway
100 Meter sign on Motorways
100 Meter sign on Motorways (Old Sign)
Exit number signs
Exit number plaques on Highways / Motorways
Exit number plaques on Toll Motorways
exit number sign (for expressway)
exit number sign (For the Si Rat Expressway)
Road name signs in Thailand have different colours and styles depending on the local authority.
Road name sign in Bangkok with romanisation, under authority by BMA Other symbols include hospital signs, airport signs, temple signs and so on.
Alternating red and white paint means "no parking". Alternating yellow and white markings mean short-term parking or a bus stop. A white rectangle painted on the road indicates a parking zone. Multiple diagonal white lines mean parking for motorbikes only.[10]
Most road signs in Thailand use Thai (ภาษาไทย); the official and national language of that country. However, English is used for important directional signs such as CIQ checkpoints, airports, and tourist attractions. Below are translations of road signs:
ระวัง = Caution
ลดความเร็ว = Reduce speed
ขับช้าๆ = Go slow
เขตอุบัติเหตุ = Accident area
พื้นที่อุบัติเหตุ = Accident prone area
เขตชุมชน = Village area
เขตโรงเรียน = School area
ก่อสร้างข้างหน้า = Construction ahead
สุดเขตก่อสร้าง = End of construction
เขตพระราชฐาน = Royal court area
ที่ดินกองทัพอากาศ = Armed forces base area
พื้นที่หวงห้าม = Prohibited area
พื้นที่น้ำท่วม = Flood area
หยุด = Stop
ให้ทาง = Give way (yield)
จำกัดความเร็ว = Speed limits
จำกัดความสูง = Height limit
กรุณาเปิดไฟหน้า = Turn on headlights
ฉุกเฉิน = Emergency
ยกเว้นกรณีฉุกเฉิน = Except emergency
เหนือ = North
ใต้ = South
ตะวันตก = West
ตะวันออก = East
แยก = Interchange
แยกไป = Junction to
ทางออก = Exit
ทางออกไป = Exit to
ทางเข้าไป = Entry to (e.g. at weighing bridge )
ถนน = Road
ทางพิเศษ = Expressway, highway
ด่าน = Toll plaza
จุดพักรถ = Rest and service areas
สุขา = Toilet
โทรศัพท์ = Telephone
อุโมงค์ = Tunnel
สะพาน = Bridge
จุดชั่งน้ำหนัก = Weighing bridge
สถานีรถไฟ = Railway station
เติมน้ำมัน = Petrol station
วัด = Temple
ท่าอากาศยาน = Airport
ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาติ = International airport
มัสยิด = Mosque
อาคาร = Building
ชุมสายโทรศัพท์ = Telephone exchange building
น้ำตก = Waterfall
หาด = Beach
แหลม = Cape
อ่าว = Bay
เกาะ = Island
แม่น้ำ = River
คลอง = Canal
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