Riding around Phuket in your favorite motorbike can be an enjoyable experience, but it’s essential that you know how to keep yourself safe while you’re on the road. You never want to have to deal with any type of injury while you’re on vacation, as that can be a major waste of time and money. What’s more, you won’t get to make the most of your trip or see everything that Phuket has to offer. To help you avoid this problem, here are ten safety tips you need to keep in mind when riding around in Phuket:

 

1. Look right and then left!

If you come from a country that drives on the right side of the road (in other words, if the steering wheel of your car is on the left), you may be used to looking from left to right, as that’s where other cars will be approaching you from. However, people in Thailand drive on the left side of the road, which means that you will have to do the opposite. Always look right first then left!

 

2. Always wear protective gear

You can never be too careful when you’re riding a motorbike, so you should always wear protective gear even if you’re just going on a short ride. It’s never a bad thing to be careful, especially when you’re not used to the road conditions and the driving habits of the locals.

 

3. Be careful of mad drivers

Thai people aren’t known to be the best drivers, as some don’t pay any attention to other vehicles on the road. You need to be careful and go slowly to minimize the risk of colliding with a careless driver.

 

4. Always assume the worst

When you’re riding a motorbike, you should assume that the other drivers can’t see you, as it’s always better to err on the side of caution. This will help you to avoid trailing cars too closely or cutting into a lane from the wrong angle.

 

5. Use the front brake when driving on a sandy road

Some roads in Phuket are quite sandy, especially those located next to beaches. You need to use the front brake instead of the rear one in these situations, as that will help slow down the bike without taking away too much from the handles.

 

6. Don’t drink and drive

Never, get on a bike after you’ve had any alcoholic drinks, regardless of the amount. If you plan to drink, take a cab or hitch a ride with someone else who doesn’t drink. It’s alright for you to have as much fun as possible, but that doesn’t mean that you should put people’s lives at risk, including your own.

 

7. Take a photo of the plate number

Thai plate numbers have Thai letters on them, which means that you may not be able to remember them. Therefore, it’s best that you take a photo of your bike’s plate number so that you have something to refer to in case it gets stolen. If you ever get in an accident, you should also take a photo of the license plate of the other car to make sure that you have some evidence to give to the police.

 

8. Go slow at first

If you’re not used to riding motorbikes, we recommend that you rent one with a smaller engine, as such motorbikes are much easier to handle than those with powerful engines.

 

9. Look out for potholes

The conditions of the roads in Thailand are not very good, so it’s always better to try to drive slowly, especially in the backroads where there are a lot of potholes and sand pits.

 

If you’re looking to book a trip to Phuket, Mamy Booking is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.