Crossing animalsThailand

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Thailand. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


8. Crossing animals

An animals-crossing warning indicates a place or road section where wild animals, livestock or ridden animals may enter or cross the road. Animals may appear suddenly, move unpredictably or be difficult to see in darkness, vegetation or poor weather.

Drivers should reduce speed, scan both sides of the road and remain prepared to stop. The warning sign does not itself give animals priority or impose a numerical speed limit, but drivers must avoid frightening, endangering or colliding with them.

Elephant-crossing warning sign on the road between Patong and Karon. (Phuket, Thailand)
Wikimedia.org • Millevache • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Thailand?

Animal warnings identify a risk of animals on or beside the road. Watch for actual movement and reduce speed enough to respond safely. A warning does not guarantee that animals stay within a short signed section or establish a new numerical speed limit.

🔗 network.doh.go.th • Thailand — 2020 highway-sign Regulation, actual signs/markings and separate controls

🔗 laksong.metro.police.go.th • Official Police-hosted Gazette — full enacted Road Traffic Act amendment 13, 2022

🔗 aipalync.org • Council of State Thai Act consolidation through amendment 12 — read with full amendment 13

Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Thailand set a new speed limit?

A warning of animals is not, by itself, a numerical speed-limit sign. Continue to obey the applicable speed limit, but slow down whenever animals could enter the road or visibility is poor. A separate regulatory speed sign must also be obeyed.

🔗 network.doh.go.th • Thailand — 2020 highway-sign Regulation, actual signs/markings and separate controls

🔗 laksong.metro.police.go.th • Official Police-hosted Gazette — full enacted Road Traffic Act amendment 13, 2022

🔗 aipalync.org • Council of State Thai Act consolidation through amendment 12 — read with full amendment 13

Warning for cattle on the road. Warning for cattle on the road.

English • Traffic sign ต.58 • Domestic animals. Animals may enter or cross the road. Reduce speed and prepare to stop if necessary.

ไทย • ต.58 • ระวังสัตว์เลี้ยง. ข้างหน้าอาจมีสัตว์เลี้ยงเดินขึ้นมาบนทางหรือข้ามทาง ให้ลดความเร็วและเตรียมหยุดหากจำเป็น

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Doh.go.th • กรมทางหลวง • คู่มือ พ.ศ. 2561 • เล่ม 1 • หน้า PDF 114

SVG source: Government of Thailand • Public domain • Original revision 2018-01-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for crossing deer. Warning for crossing deer.

English • Traffic sign ต.58 • wild-animal symbol • Wild animals. The animals shown may enter or cross the road. Reduce speed and take care.

ไทย • ต.58 • รูปสัตว์ป่า • ระวังสัตว์ป่า. ข้างหน้าอาจมีสัตว์ป่าตามรูปในป้ายเดินออกมาบนทางหรือข้ามทาง ให้ลดความเร็วและระมัดระวัง

What should you do if an animal enters the road in Thailand?

Ease off the accelerator, assess the traffic behind and brake smoothly if necessary. Avoid abrupt swerving into opposing traffic or off the road. Give farm animals and ridden animals room, avoid frightening them with unnecessary horn use, and be alert for more animals following.

🔗 network.doh.go.th • Thailand — 2020 highway-sign Regulation, actual signs/markings and separate controls

🔗 laksong.metro.police.go.th • Official Police-hosted Gazette — full enacted Road Traffic Act amendment 13, 2022

🔗 aipalync.org • Council of State Thai Act consolidation through amendment 12 — read with full amendment 13

1 Thailand 2 Speed limit 3 Minimum speed 4 Advisory speed 5 Slope 6 Stop sign 7 School area 8 Crossing animals 9 Curve 10 Roadworks 11 Traffic lights 12 Left-hand traffic 13 Driving licence 14 Reversing 15 Uncontrolled crossroad 16 Licence plate 17 Bus 18 Police 19 Ambulance 20 Pothole 21 Path 22 Particulates 23 Air pollution 24 Rush hour 25 Road code 26 Street gutter 27 Cargo bike 28 Lane splitting 29 Forestry vehicle 30 Construction vehicle 31 Semi-trailer truck 32 Trolleybus 33 Speed pedelec 34 Delivery vehicle 35 Idling 36 Tow truck 37 Four-wheel drive 38 Bicycle 39 Motorcycle equipment 40 Rail track 41 Caravan 42 Trailer 43 Tow hitch 44 Fire truck 45 Siren 46 Convoy 47 Emergency vehicle lighting 48 Agricultural machinery 49 Electric bicycle 50 Electric vehicle 51 Pedelec 52 Quadricycle 53 Microcar 54 All-terrain vehicle 55 Van 56 Recreational vehicle 57 Scooter 58 Trikke 59 Personal mobility device 60 Skateboard 61 Segway 62 Kick scooter 63 Roller skates 64 Mailman 65 Hitchhiker 66 Toddler 67 Child 68 Disability 69 Motorail 70 km/h 71 mph 72 Speedometer 73 Ride height 74 Dirt road 75 Driving 76 Start-stop system 77 Manual transmission 78 Automatic transmission 79 Throttle 80 Tachometer 81 Steering wheel 82 Power steering 83 Visual scanning 84 Mirror 85 Fuel 86 Fuel gauge 87 Petrol 88 Diesel 89 Diesel exhaust fluid 90 Car insurance 91 First aid kit 92 Fire extinguisher 93 High-visibility clothing 94 First aid 95 Concrete step barrier 96 Barriers 97 Vehicle lights 98 Street lights 99 Dipped beam 100 High beam ...