On Phuket, the rules are a bit of a mixed story. Formally — they exist and are quite strict. In reality — there’s also local practice, which sometimes differs from what’s written in the law.

Fines are issued regularly here. Especially to tourists. And not necessarily for anything serious — чаще всего it’s for basic things: no helmet, no license, or parking incorrectly.

If you understand what people are most often fined for, you can drive спокойно and avoid wasting money and time dealing with it.

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Table of Main Fines

Prices may vary slightly depending on the situation and the officer, but overall this is the general range.

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Riding Without a License

This is the most common fine tourists get.

The process is simple: you get stopped at a checkpoint, asked to show your license — and if you don’t have a local or international license with category A, you’ll get a fine.

Usually it’s 1000 THB.

Many people ride without a license and “nothing happens”, but that’s only until the first police checkpoint. Sometimes you can hit several checks in one day.

You can read more about riding without a license here: Do You Need a License to Rent a Scooter in Thailand

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Parking: Where You Get Fined Most Often

Parking in Phuket is a bit more complicated than it seems.

Main points:

1. Red-white markings — no parking If you see a red and white curb or markings — it’s almost guaranteed you’ll get fined.

2. Zoning A common mistake:

• parking a scooter in a car space
• parking a car in a scooter zone

Simple rule:

• wide markings — for cars
• narrow — for scooters

3. No parking signs Everything is simple here: if there’s a no parking sign — parking is not allowed.

Even if everyone else is parked there — it doesn’t mean it’s allowed. Tourists often follow others and get fined.

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What Happens If You Park Wrong

There are three possible outcomes:

• you get a fine
• your vehicle gets towed
• a wheel lock (chain) is installed (most common)

And an important detail — the chain can be installed very quickly. Sometimes within 3–5 minutes after you leave.

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What to Do If Your Wheel Is Locked

This is a standard situation in Phuket.

It looks like this: you come back to your bike or car — and there’s a chain on the wheel and a paper notice.

What to do:

• don’t try to remove the chain yourself
• check the notice (sometimes there’s a phone number)
• if there is a number — call it
• if there’s no number — you need to go to the police station
• after paying the fine, the lock will be removed

From experience:

There are almost always motorbike taxi drivers nearby. This is very common — they already know where to take you.

• they’ll take you to the station
• wait for you
• bring you back

It usually costs 100–200 THB. It’s faster and easier than trying to figure it out yourself.

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Riding Without a Helmet

One of the most misleading things.

You look around — half of the locals ride without helmets. It feels like it’s normal.

But for tourists, it’s almost a guaranteed fine.

• 1000 THB per person
• both driver and passenger are fined

So if there are two of you without helmets — that’s already 2000 THB.

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Running a Red Light

This one is more serious — around 4000 THB.

But there’s a nuance that often confuses newcomers.

At many intersections, turning left on red is allowed. This is normal in Thailand.

How to tell:

• there is a sign (usually in Thai and English)
• when turning, you must give way to all traffic

Practical tip:

If you’re going straight — don’t stay in the far left lane. People behind you will definitely start honking because they want to turn.

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Riding in Tunnels

There are several tunnels in Phuket — they really save time, especially during rush hours.

But there is an important rule:

• motorbikes (scooters) are not allowed

There is always a sign before entering, but it’s easy to miss.

What happens next:

• fine up to 5000 THB
• officers are often waiting at the exit

So you can easily enter — and get caught on the way out.

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Practical Tips

A few things that really help avoid problems:

• keep 500 THB separately (sometimes things can be settled on the spot)
• always carry your license (a photo is not accepted)
• check the tax sticker on the bike/car (it must be valid)
• don’t rely on others when parking
• don’t argue with the police
• smile — it actually helps

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Conclusion

Fines in Phuket are not something unusual. It’s part of the system, which works in its own way here.

The good news is that most problems are easy to avoid. You just need to know the basics and not rely on luck.

Drive calmly, follow simple rules — and you won’t run into неприятные surprises.