Every year, the authorities in Phuket are tightening control over parking regulations on the island. To steer clear of fines and wheel clamps, it’s enough to remember just a few basic rules.

Curb markings

• Red-and-white curb – no stopping, no parking under any circumstances
• Yellow-and-white curb – parking prohibited, but brief stops for passenger pick-up/drop-off are allowed
• Black-and-white curb – not related to parking; painted simply to improve curb visibility
• Yellow grid on the road surface – no stopping, no parking under any circumstances
• White markings for parking spaces – indicate the correct position for cars or motorbikes

Parking signs in Thailand follow international standards and comply with the Vienna Convention. You’ll recognize them right away!

Road signs

• Blue circle with a red border and a red cross – no stopping, no parking
• Blue circle with a red border and a red diagonal slash – no parking, but stopping is allowed
• Supplementary plate with time – restriction applies only during the specified hours
• Supplementary plate with the words “วัน คู่” – restriction applies on even days
• Supplementary plate with the words “วัน คี่” – restriction applies on odd days

If you violate the rules, the police or local officials will issue a fine and secure your wheel with a clamp. Do not attempt to remove it yourself – you risk another fine and unwanted fame on social media.