Automotive
Delve into Thailand’s automotive world with our insightful articles that bring you the newest models, industry news, and exciting trends within the Thai car market. Discover everything from luxury vehicles to budget-friendly options, and stay informed on the latest automotive technology and innovations unique to the Land of Smiles. Find the perfect automobile to complement your lifestyle in Thailand.
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Toyota has highest chance of reaching 250,000 miles, study says
An iSeeCars analysis of more than 395 million cars gives Toyota a 19.7% chance of reaching 250,000 miles, well ahead of Lexus and Honda.
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Turning left on red in Thailand: when it’s allowed, and when it isn’t
The rule only applies where a sign says so. Without one, you must wait for green, even if the road ahead is completely clear. One of the most common misunderstandings on Thai roads is the belief that you can always turn left on a red light provided the way is clear. Plenty of drivers do it, and Plenty of drivers…
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Do foreigners need car insurance in Thailand? 73% of claims come from everyday accidents
Driving in Thailand quickly becomes part of daily life for many foreigners, but local road conditions can be very different from what most expats are used to, with dense traffic, heavy motorcycle usage, and unfamiliar driving patterns. Roojai’s internal claims data shows that driving risks in Thailand are shaped less by rare, severe accidents and more by the frequency of…
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Thailand vehicle tax overdue: the penalty at every stage
After three years unpaid, the Department of Land Transport suspends a vehicle's registration and cancels its plate, forcing a full re-registration process.
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Toyota Thailand executive urges stronger EV policy amid Indonesia bid
A senior Toyota Motor Thailand executive has warned the Thai government that the country’s automotive competitiveness is at risk unless EV industry policy improves. Supakorn Ratanawaraha, Senior Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Thailand, made the comments days after Indonesia’s finance minister urged Toyota to relocate its main manufacturing operations there. His remarks are a policy warning aimed at Bangkok,…
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Roojai strengthens EV insurance to support green mobility as Thailand’s EV market surges 74%
Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing rapid growth, driving increasing demand for specialised products and services that support the evolving needs of EV owners. In response to this shift, Roojai Insurance, Thailand’s leading direct-to-consumer (D2C) digital insurer, is strengthening its EV insurance solutions with protection tailored specifically for electric vehicles, supporting both EV owners and Thailand’s transition to greener…
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Renting a scooter or car in Thailand: the costs, the rules and the rental scams that catch foreigners out
Renting a set of wheels is one of the best ways to see Thailand on your own terms. Renting a motorbike opens up the beaches and back roads that tour buses never reach, and a hire car turns a long weekend into a proper road trip. Most rentals go smoothly, and the overwhelming majority of operators are honest. Still, the…
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How Roojai puts drivers behind the wheel of their own coverage
Thailand’s digital economy was already gaining traction before the pandemic, but Covid-19 turned gradual change into an industry-wide reset. The rapid rise of digital platforms, the Internet of Things, and insurtech innovations reshaped customer expectations overnight, forcing businesses to adapt faster than ever before. From its early days as a digital insurance broker to becoming a leading insurtech and online…
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FUSO Thailand reshapes organisational structure with new CEO and CFO appointments, accelerating full-force commercial vehicle strategy
FUSO Commercial Vehicles (Thailand) Ltd. (FCVT) has announced a significant corporate restructuring, adjusting its reporting line directly to the Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) in Japan. The company has appointed two Thai senior executives: Jakkrapong Santirat as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Thitipol Wongthanakul as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to drive the FUSO brand strategy in Thailand’s commercial vehicle…
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How well does your international driving permit work in Thailand?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) works well for short-stay tourists in Thailand, but only if it’s the right document, from the right country, with the right vehicle categories. For anyone staying longer than a few months, the protections start to fade, and then the real danger isn’t a 500-baht police fine but a denied insurance claim after a serious accident.…
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The best EVs in Thailand right now – Our top picks for 2026
Every time oil prices spike (as they currently are with the US-Israel conflict against Iran), fuel market prices respond with jitteriness. And now, more than ever, sentiments of switching to an electric vehicle (EV) in Thailand for 2026 have never echoed this loudly. If I were to present this idea to you as recently as this past year, your answer…
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Lost your license plate in Thailand? Here is what to do next
Your license plate is missing. Maybe the monsoon rains swept it clean off the bracket, maybe it bent beyond recognition in a minor scrape, or maybe you walked back to your parked car and noticed it had simply vanished. Whatever the cause, driving without a plate in Thailand is a legal issue you need to resolve quickly—and the process is…
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GWM discontinues Good Cat, prepares ORA 5 SUV launch for Thai market
Great Wall Motor (Thailand) has announced the discontinuation of its ORA Good Cat electric vehicle after more than four years on the market, making way for the launch of the GWM ORA 5 SUV and other new models in 2026. The ORA Good Cat, which first arrived in Thailand in October 2021, accumulated total sales of 20,827 units before production…
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Inside Thailand’s underground motorcycle racing culture
On certain stretches of Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road, after midnight, you can hear them before you see them. The sound starts as a distant whine, rising in pitch, then suddenly a cluster of motorcycles appears, weaving through sparse traffic at speeds that make the riders look almost horizontal. They lean into turns, engines screaming, exhausts popping. In seconds, they’re gone, leaving…
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The deadly Rama 2 Road: Why Thailand’s ‘Seven-Generation Road’ keeps claiming lives
Dissecting the crisis of ‘Seven-Generation Road’ Rama 2, where repeated construction accidents and crane collapses continue to claim lives, yet contractors keep receiving new projects, exposing legal loopholes that amount to paper tigers. If there is one road in Thailand that has become legendary for both its extraordinary length and the dangers hidden behind its development, Rama 2 Road, or…
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Tesla Model 3 Standard launches in Thailand with a price cut
Tesla has officially launched the Model 3 Standard in Thailand, introducing a more budget-friendly entry point into the electric vehicle (EV) giant’s premium lineup, positioned alongside fierce competition. With a starting price of 1,149,000 baht, this model is now the most affordable Tesla available in the Thai market, opening the door for more EV enthusiasts to join the Tesla ecosystem.…
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Renting a car in Thailand for the Christmas holiday in 2025: What you need to know
As the festive season approaches, many expats and tourists in Thailand are planning their holiday getaways. While flying and public transport are common choices, renting a car offers unmatched freedom, whether you’re heading to the mountains of Chiang Mai, the islands of the south, or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. But before you hit the road, here’s everything you need to know…
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Thailand’s rising stars in global single-seater racing
Thailand has never really been a household name in single-seater racing, not until recently, at least. Formula One’s breakthrough in popularity, thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, As Formula 1 and single-seater racing categories continue to flourish as of late, Thailand’s growing presence in said international racing series has followed suit. With one driver competing at the pinnacle of…
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How to use Thailand’s toll roads: Easy Pass, M-PASS, M-Flow & More
If you’re driving in Thailand, whether as an expat, long-term visitor, or local, you’ll likely encounter tollways. These roads save time, cut through city congestion, and connect provinces. But using them isn’t always intuitive. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating Thailand’s expressways, including when to pay, how to get a pass, and tips to avoid fines or delays. On this…
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How to pay your road tax in Thailand and how much it costs?
The Thaiger key takeaways Road tax is mandatory for all vehicles in Thailand and must be renewed yearly. Expats need a blue book, Por Ror Bor, and inspection documents before paying. Costs vary by engine size, and EVs enjoy a five-year road tax exemption. Paying your road tax in Thailand is a crucial part of owning a car or motorbike…
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A foreigner’s guide to getting a Thai driver’s license in Thailand
Getting a driver’s license in Thailand as a foreigner is a structured process managed by the Department of Land Transport (DLT). There is a complex process of proving your legal status and residency in the country. This guide breaks down the exact requirements and steps you must follow. 1. The first hurdle: Visa and residency requirements Before you even book…
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Formula 1 in schools? STEM Racing concludes the 2025 national finals at Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel
The 2025 STEM Racing Thailand National Finals concluded with resounding success at the Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel, marking another milestone in Thailand’s growing leadership in STEM education and motorsport innovation. The opening ceremony of the three-day competition was presided over by Chitrlada Chanyaem, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, who…
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CHERY enters the Thai EV market with a grand premiere
CHERY, a leading automotive brand under the globally recognised innovation leader Chery Automobile, unveiled the Chery Thailand Grand Premiere Launch, marking the official price announcement of the V23, a 100% electric SUV with a stylish design for urbanites, as well as the debut of the TIGGO8 CSH, a 7-seat premium SUV crafted for modern families. The launch event, which took…
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Phuket’s fuel consumption soars over 1 million litres daily
Phuket’s residents are consuming over a million litres of fuel daily, with expectations for this figure to rise, according to Rattakorn Klinchan, Chief of the Ministry of Energy Phuket Office. Last year, fuel expenditure in Phuket reached 13.7 billion baht, averaging 37.534 million baht daily. This accounts for 37.5% of the nation’s total fuel purchases. Rattakorn emphasised the need for…
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Why trucks and buses in Thailand are moving works of art
Light bouncing off six dozen chrome-coated side-view mirrors. Rows of Michelin Man figurines sit proudly on the cabin roof. Sprawling intricate murals depicting anime characters, cartoon superheroes, and fantastical dreamscapes. If any of these images are familiar to you, then you’ve likely seen the elaborately decorated and modified lorries and buses in Thailand. Perhaps you’ve also wondered why these Thai…
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How Thailand’s new traffic fines are playing out?
Now that some time has passed since the Royal Thai Police (RTP) formalised their list of new traffic fines and sanctions, in effect since June 1, 2025, it would be an understatement to say that this change has done much to quench the scepticism of the public. The core of the new fines are the motorcycle helmet laws and operating…
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Mercedes-Benz bus shakes hands with THACO for assembly alliance
Reinforcing its commitment to elevate the standards of premium intercity transport in Thailand, Daimler Commercial Vehicles Thailand (DCVT) has officially launched the Mercedes-Benz RS1936, a new-generation fully built-up (FBU) coach that combines cutting-edge engineering, safety, and passenger comfort. This significant milestone also marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration with THACO AUTO, a long-standing partner within the Daimler Bus and…
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Motorbike accidents in Thailand: Why most insurance won’t cover you
Motorbike accidents in Thailand are a major problem, with the country being one of the most dangerous places for riders. Motorbikes are the most common way to get around for both locals and tourists, but they also make up over 70% of traffic deaths. Having insurance is important, but many travellers and expats don’t know that most regular insurance policies…
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SafetyWing: The only insurance that covers motorbike accidents for digital nomads
Motorbikes are a common way for digital nomads to get around, especially in Southeast Asia. Many travel insurance plans do not cover motorbike accidents, leaving nomads with high medical costs if something goes wrong. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance includes motorbike accident coverage, helping with medical bills, hospital stays, and emergencies. It’s a smart choice for nomads who rely on motorbikes while…
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What travel insurance covers motorbike accidents?
Riding a motorbike while travelling in Thailand is a great way to explore new places, but it also comes with risks. Road conditions can be unpredictable, and traffic laws may be different from what travellers are used to. Accidents happen, and they can lead to injuries, high medical bills, or even worse. Travel insurance helps cover these risks by paying…
