Thailand is known for its beautiful landscapes and hospitable culture, but for cycling foreigners, the country is a risky destination. The recent fatal collision of Belgian cyclist Jean Antoine (68) in Chonburi province on March 9, 2025 underlines the danger cyclists face here. This tragic incident is not an isolated case. In recent years, several foreign cyclists have lost their lives on Thai roads, often as a result of collisions with trucks or pick-up trucks.
High traffic risks
Thailand has one of the highest traffic accident rates in the world. In many areas, infrastructure is not designed for cyclists, and traffic laws are often ignored or poorly enforced. Drivers generally have little regard for cyclists, and many roads lack safe cycle paths or clear lane markings. Thailand’s roads are notorious for chaotic traffic, high speeds, and reckless driving.
In the case of Jean Antoine, he was hit by a pick-up truck carrying a cargo container, resulting in a fatal impact. The driver, Mrs. Thip-apa, stated that she did not see the cyclist before hitting him. This points to a larger problem: the low visibility and vulnerability of cyclists in Thai traffic.
A pattern of fatal accidents
The death of the Belgian cyclist fits into a worrying trend. On 18 February 2025, 78-year-old Frenchman Gulsen was killed when he was hit by a truck in Rayong. He was also driving in the leftmost lane, but was overlooked by a turning vehicle.
A year earlier, in 2023, Thailand made British news when British couple Peter and Mary (both 34) were killed in a collision with a pick-up truck in Chachoengsao. They were on a world tour by bike, but their adventure ended in a tragic accident on Thai roads.
Another example is French tourist Camille (26), who was fatally hit by a car in Ayutthaya in 2022. She was cycling with an American friend when she was hit by a vehicle on a busy road. This happened late at night, a time when the roads are extra dangerous due to poor visibility and increased numbers of drunk drivers.
Insecurity due to inadequate regulations and driving behavior
One of the biggest problems in Thailand is the lack of effective traffic enforcement. Many drivers ignore speed limits, traffic lights and priority rules. In addition, drunk driving is a major problem. According to traffic statistics, alcohol and inattention are common causes of fatal accidents in Thailand.
In addition, trucks and pickup trucks are often involved in serious collisions. In many cases, these large vehicles have limited visibility of cyclists, especially when turning. Because heavy goods vehicles are common on Thai roads, cyclists are constantly at risk of being overlooked and hit.
Conclusion
Cycling in Thailand is not without its risks. The combination of poor driving, poor infrastructure and lax enforcement of traffic laws makes the country a risky destination for cycling foreigners. Recent fatal accidents show that cyclists – no matter how experienced and careful they are – remain vulnerable in Thai traffic. Anyone considering cycling in Thailand should be aware of these risks and exercise extreme caution.
In the meantime, I have cycled a good 70.000 km in Thailand, without – touch wood – any accidents. More than 7000 km since October '24. This morning I did another 100 km ride. All this to indicate that I speak from experience and am not just shouting from the couch. No, I am not going to claim that it is safe, you need all your senses and you have to be prepared for all sorts of things. Defensive riding, but also not being too fearful in traffic, is a requirement to stay upright. The biggest risk is the traffic behind you; your visibility is crucial in this. I always wear extremely visible cycling clothing with a bright yellow helmet, and I have a red flashing light under the saddle that is visible from hundreds of meters away, even in daylight. There is not much more I can do about it. Yes, staying at home on the couch is safer, but also a lot more boring. I hope to be 80 this year and I do not intend to let fear spoil my fun for the time I have left!
Yes Cornelius,
On Thai roads you have to be lucky!
You can talk about it with 70.000 cycling kilometers in your legs without any accidents.
By the way, that English couple died in 2012. The story can be read: “twoonfourwheels.com” a report from The Guardian. They had saved for 6 years to make the tour of their lives!
They had arrived in Thailand via Europe, Russia, Mongolia, China, Vietnam, Cambodia. Both were run over and killed. Very sad.
I myself never cycle on the highways in Thailand. The Th driver sticks his mobile phone to his ear before he gets in the car.
Rather explore Isan on gravel and gravel roads. Lovely and quiet in nature. Always fluorescent T-shirt and signal yellow helmet. And a flashing rear light. In addition, there are 2 flags fluttering on the back of my bike.
The number of road deaths in Thailand is apparently among the highest in the world. But to immediately conclude that the number of cyclists who die in accidents is also higher is, to be honest, a farce. I am not saying that it is not dangerous, but there are simply no figures known about the number of cyclists who die in accidents.
There are a few cases mentioned here—about three between 2022 and now.
In Germany, a country with an extensive traffic infrastructure and about the same number of inhabitants as Thailand, there were 474 fatal bicycle accidents. In 2000, there were even 659! I am comparing with Germany and not with the Netherlands, because the number of cyclists per 1.000 inhabitants in the Netherlands is much higher than in Germany.
We all know that there are many road deaths, but the majority of them are motorcyclists—often due to their own behavior, sometimes because they were not seen.
The conclusion that cycling in Thailand is not without danger is correct, but exaggerated in context. Not only cycling is dangerous; participating in traffic always involves risks, and you simply have to pay attention.
A bit of nonsense Sjaak, and certainly a nonsensical comparison, then you also have to compare the number of active cyclists. There are hardly any in Thailand. You don't have to have studied to understand that if there are 1000 cyclists on the road in Thailand every day and 1 million in Germany every day, that there are more victims in Germany. In addition, the number of Thai cyclist victims has not been included here.
You also have readers here who claim that Thailand is not unsafe on the road at all because they have never had an accident themselves. If you have such a limited field of vision, then any rational discussion is a waste of energy.
You are right, the number of cyclists in Thailand is significantly lower, and every (fatal) accident is one too many. It is without a doubt more dangerous than in some other countries, I agree. I am not saying it is not dangerous. But to simply label cycling as “dangerous” here, I think it is a bit exaggerated.
You could say that cycling in the city is riskier than in the countryside, and in Bangkok it is even more challenging. But when I ride on Beach Road in Pak Nam Pran, I would hardly call it dangerous.
As a cyclist, you should of course pay attention. Avoid the main roads where possible, especially if there is no separate space for cyclists. Also, do not cycle two or three abreast, unless you are on a quiet road with little traffic.
Especially the fact that there is no separation, by means of cycle paths, between cars and cyclists is very dangerous. If we in the Netherlands would allow cyclists between cars on the B-roads it would also be very dangerous. Those B-roads are often labelled as a death road even for motorists in the Netherlands.
Life-threatening on the Thai roads with a bicycle. I cycle about 3 hours every day with a fluorescent vest and bicycle helmet. The traffic whizzes around you and mopeds in particular do not take you into account. I try to cross intersections safely, but unfortunately that does not always work. When you see how 3 or 4 people sit on some mopeds without a helmet, you ask yourself how unsafe the traffic in Thailand is
Then I have some good tips for you Didier,
When you type “walking” into Google Maps, you will get trails to enjoy, without the racing mopeds and maniacal car owners.
Come on; you may drive 7% more kilometers, but you will enjoy the peace and quiet twice as much.
So stay off the highways.
What a confusing story.
The words 'bicycles' and 'foreigners' can be replaced by 'two-wheelers' and 'everyone'. Riding on two or three wheels is extremely dangerous in this country because the Thais simply insist on 'might is right' in traffic.
A heavy combination pushes through at traffic lights, uses that big horn and that just when I have a green light on the 110cc and want to open the gas. You are in a bad place in the blind spot and buses have the habit of coming to the left without (wanting to) see you because there is 'money' waiting on the sidewalk... The helper sticks an arm out and that means 'stop quickly, worm, because I'm pushing through nicely...'. And then I haven't even mentioned drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Estimating the speed of another road user also proves to be very difficult, people do not know the traffic rules, when making U-turns they continue driving on the wrong side, all of which is extremely dangerous and as the weakest road user you quickly get into trouble.
I was lucky enough to get out alive and without any wrinkles on both the bicycle and the light motorcycle, but you really need to have eyes in the back of your head…
I cycle almost daily in Thailand. almost 1000 km per month.
Participating in traffic with a two-wheeler is not without danger.
But I wouldn't say that cycling in Thailand is more dangerous than riding a scooter.
It is very strange that with a current heat of 38 degrees C. farang, also pensioners, can be seen on bicycles in Thai traffic. In full swing, without head protection, left and right through all traffic. While in NL/BE a heat plan is announced when the heat exceeds 30 degrees and the elderly have to drink an extra glass of water and especially not go outside, their kind and age-mates in TH can be found unprotected on bicycles in all traffic jams, in the stench of exhaust fumes from pickups, trucks and scooters, and a PM2.5 of I-have-me-you-there. With the motto: exercise - healthy for body and mind. In the city bustle.
I quickly looked up via Google and @Gemini how many cyclists died in TH. No numbers are mentioned. Perhaps too small in number. (However, 50% of all traffic deaths were on a scooter shortly before.) I suspect that the cyclists died in traffic, that they concern foreigners. Either pensioners who are hit by a car, or tourists who are making a round trip. Many Thais do not cycle. There are only a few of them. In full “Tour de Frans” gear. A few elderly people cycle in my neighborhood. Well, cycle: they move their legs up and down on the pedals of a bike that is much too small for them, and keep such a slow speed that they continue their way in a zigzag pattern. Often on the wrong side of the road. So far, things are going well. Also for the neighborhood dogs that cross the road diagonally at a snail's pace.
Oh, what does it matter. One dead person more or less. It's only 60 a day anyway. Sabaai sabaai!
You won't see this 'old man' cycling in 38 degrees, Frans. I get up very early - this morning, for example, at 06.30 - and am back home before the worst of the heat. Adjust the pace as the heat increases, keep drinking and eating enough and then 100 - 120 km is no problem...
Absolutely right. How many I see cycling at 06.00:XNUMX in the morning. During the day, hardly anyone cycles here.
Cycling is here in Thailand on the roads where many cars and especially trucks, buses and pick ups drive life threatening. On smaller quiet roads in the interior it is possible, but Thais have a different driving style than us foreigners. Getting a driving license here, if they do that at all, is a piece of cake compared to what happens in Europe etc.
When will the police take action against drunk drivers? When I come back from the restaurant in the evening, my girlfriend and I NEVER drink alcohol when we participate in traffic, I André never drink alcohol since 2008 and honestly have no need for it, I can also have fun without that filth, I stick to flat water.
Now to the point, how many police do you see performing a check in the evening, I have not seen a single one, I have driven thousands of kilometers here in the evening and during the day, touch wood, but a check what is that. What I also see is that the foreigners (farang) are usually the ones who suffer in a traffic accident. A few weeks ago, a Thai came out of his garage, farang could no longer avoid that good man, I stayed there until the police arrived, the foreigner got all the blame, the Thai could no longer stand properly on his legs because of the alcohol in his body, the foreigner had not drunk anything, only water and coffee but was taken to the police station. The Thai could continue on his way without a single warning, let alone taking away his driver's license if he had one.
Told the foreigner that I wanted to testify if it ever came to a lawsuit. (left phone number and email) Where is the LOGIC in Thailand, as a foreigner you are always the one who gets screwed, twist or turn it however you want, in 99% of the cases we are the ones who get screwed or you have to be lucky that the policeman/woman judges it objectively.
On Thai roads, the law of the strongest applies, be careful and be sure that you will always have too many eyes ...
About those alcohol checks… It probably depends on where you drive. I live in Bangkok. Especially in the evenings there are a lot of alcohol checks. When I drive home on my motorbike in the evening on Sukhumvit I have at least 2 or 3 checks a week.
Best friends,
I'm opening it up a bit more, I think people in Thailand are, how should I say, "less awake" or attentive and aware of possible danger,
When I used to do the 120km trip from Lampang to Chiang Mai every few days, there was NO trip or... on the way there or back that there was no serious accident, from truck to pedestrian,
About 25 years ago, I was once a passenger in my now deceased father-in-law's old Toyota Corolla. Fortunately and unfortunately at the same time, it was "only" a dog that crossed the road, but you could see it strolling across the road from far away and I can say that my father-in-law did not notice it until he was under its wheels.
Many participants in traffic also follow their own standards and rules, at a red light and green for you, it is best to add 2 to 3 seconds before you leave,
So one night I came back from CM and everything was pitch black when suddenly a ghost driver turned on his lights just a few meters in front of me,
He probably wanted to say, watch out, I'm here!
In his mind, he would be better off driving the wrong way for a km with the lights off instead of continuing on the highway for 3 km and taking the U-turn to drive in the correct direction,
As already indicated by other compatriots, in Thai traffic you should never relax your attention.
Safe ride everyone.