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Published on October 10, 2007

 A lot of people have been asking me questions about headlights, so I would like to continue with this topic this week.

Some readers say they want to upgrade the lights on their vehicles so they will have better night-time visibility while driving up-country, because the standard lighting doesn't seem to be bright enough. However, they're afraid that changing the bulbs or using spotlights is illegal.

According to Thai traffic law, every vehicle should have one headlight on either side, and they should be at least 60cm from the ground and no higher than 1.35m. So those who have the suspension of their cars either lowered or raised in an extreme fashion may be breaking the law by setting their headlights above or beneath these limits.

High-beam lights must not be stronger than 50 watts and both sides must be located at exactly the same level. If one is higher than the other, for example, oncoming traffic may believe the vehicle is in fact two motorcycles. Moreover, the law says high-beam lights must not be directed to the right, and they must offer at least 100 metres of visibility under normal conditions.

The same rules also apply to low-beam lights. Bulbs for high and low beams can share the same lamp.

The law also requires that every vehicle must have corner lights on either side of the vehicle. They must not be located further than 40cm from the edge of the vehicle's body. The corner lights can be white or yellow, but the bulbs must not be over 10 watts.

As for the controversial spotlights or fog lights, they are allowed under Thai law, but they must only be white or yellow, and the bulbs must not be rated at more than 55 watts. One spotlight is allowed on either side of a vehicle and if there are two, they must both be at the same height. An important note is that they must not be mounted higher than the regular high and low beam lights, and they must not be directed to the right.

There are more restrictions concerning spotlights. The law allows them to be used only when there is fog, dust or smoke that limits visibility. When they're in use, the vehicle must not be following other traffic and there must be no oncoming traffic.

Rear lights must be located on the left and right sides of the vehicle, and must only be coloured red - brake lights included. So for those young people with blinking brake lights, be aware that they are not allowed by law, because brake lights should be illuminated continually when the brake pedal is depressed and go off when the brake pedal is released.

It is interesting to note that Thai traffic rules do not mention front and rear flashing direction lights. In practice, it is generally accepted that front flashers must be either white or yellow. Red is not allowed. For the rear flashers, only yellow or red are allowed, but not white. Flashers of other colours may cause confusion and lead to accidents.

Small red or blue lights mounted on windshield washer nozzles are an illegal modification under Thai law and could lead drivers into problems with traffic police.

The same applies to lights of various colours mounted underneath cars. Vehicles with these lights usually strike problems when they pass through police checkpoints.

For licence plate illumination, only white light is allowed. There must also be a lamp cover to prevent the light from irritating the eyes of other motorists.

You can see that there are many regulations concerning the use of lights on vehicles in Thailand. Most importantly, using lights with consideration for other motorists is the priority issue.

It is commonplace in Thailand to see drivers over-using high beam, using spotlights unnecessarily, and flashing high beam at other drivers. If these things were stopped or reduced, and drivers recognised the need for consideration for other road users, then the letter of the law might never need to be raised.

By Asasappakij

 E-mail your motoring questions to Pattanadesh@nationgroup.com.

Ultimate in Luxury

The Luxury LS 460 is a wonderfully comfaortable car fitted with all mod cons, althoough not necessarily the most fun vehicle to drive.