This page is a work in progress! The content is likely incomplete, inaccurate or empty.
The user-base in Thailand is growing therefore we need to start coordinating to ensure consistent and high-quality map data across the country.
As OpenStreetMap is a wiki-like project, every user is basically free to choose whatever tags they likes. Over the time some key/value pairs had become standardized in the way to tag things. These are documented in the wiki, a good starting point is the Map Features page.
This page outlines tagging practices specific to Thailand. Finalized discussed conventions are listed here, while proposals and ongoing discussions are available on the Talk page or on the community forum.
These conventions are not permanent and may evolve over time. As a community, we can discuss, add, change, or retire conventions as needed. You are encouraged to share your thoughts or suggestions—every contribution helps improve the map.
While it's appreciated if you follow these guidelines, you're also welcome to propose new tagging schemes. See the Any tags you like page to learn more about that concept. New tags can be created for verifiable and mappable features that aren't covered by existing schemes. Just be mindful not to misuse established tags or redefine them unilaterally.
Thai language is the primary and sole official language in Thailand, is undoubtedly the local language and should be used in name=*. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.[1]
In this section, we primarily refer to the following name tags: name=*, name:th=*, name:th-Latn=*, and name:en=*, as Thai and English are the most commonly used languages in Thailand, and are frequently seen on road signs. However, this does not mean that there are limited to using only these tags—you are encouraged to add other language tags (e.g. name:zh, name:ja, name:fr) as appropriate.
The maps Mapnik and Osmarender at OpenStreetMap.org use name=* e.g. the local names for rendering. There are maps available where the language can be chosen:
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: Billingual, local (e.g. Thai) and English
Should be tagged with Thai script, as they appear on signs. Unless a sign explicitly displays another language.[1] (Such as Park LanePark Lane in One Bangkok.)
Many rural roads lack official names or are simply referred to generically by the authority. While some major rural roads have official names, they should not be confused with route names.
In urban areas, some named roads may not have any signs displaying their names. In such cases, the name can only be discovered by inquiring with locals, checking posted business addresses or traffic advisories, or consulting local government records.
For prefixes such as Thanon (ถนน, meaning "road") or highways, expressways, use the direct translation of the Thai prefix.[2]
In general, feature names in Thailand used in the name=* tag should be written in Thai script. However, there is an exception, as the rule of thumb. If the owner of the place (a business, for example) prefers another language than Thai (usually English), as indicated by signage, that language should be used instead.
In general, feature names in Thailand used in the name=* tag should be written in Thai script. However, there is an exception to this rule, If the owner of the place (for instance, a business, a branded name) prefers a language other than Thai (usually English), as indicated by signage, that language should be used instead.
Numeral system
Thai numerals (๐๑๒๓๔๕๖๗๘๙) are theoretically part of the Thai script writing system. Notably, they can be used interchangeably with Arabic numbers. Although Thai numbers are preferred in government documents, Arabic numbers are more commonly used in general writing.
In general, name=* and name:th=* should use Arabic numerals, while official_name=* should use Thai numerals. (With the exception of the very rare instances where either numeral system is used intentionally.)
Thai Transcription
In linguistics, romanization or latinization, also spelled as romanisation or latinisation (see spelling differences), refers to the representation of a written word or spoken speech using the Roman alphabet (Latin scripts) , or a system for doing so, where the original word or language uses a different writing system (or none). Methods of romanization include transliteration, which represents written text, and transcription, for representing the spoken word." [4] The Royal Thai General System of Transcription on Wikipedia (RTGS) is the official system for rendering Thai language words in the Latin alphabet, published by The Royal Society of Thailand on Wikipedia. It is used in road signs and government publications, and is the closest thing to a standard of transcription for Thai, though its use by even the government is inconsistent. [5][6]
Getting the transcription:
Collect it from signs when collecting data. Map users will compare to signs.
In Thailand, roads and streets are classified under two parallel systems depending on the context: urban street and intercity roads. These systems help determine which tags to use when mapping and ensure consistency in how different types of roads are represented.
Completely controlled-access, tolled, with no at-grade intersections. Access is only available at interchanges. Pedestrians, bikes, and motorcycles are prohibited.
Uncontrolled-access Motorway
All 1-2-digit national highways
Noted that A 1-2-digit national highway section shorter than 5km and a hanging end shall be downgraded secondary.
All 3-digit national highway
Noted that A 3-digit national highway section shorter than 5km and a hanging end shall be downgraded tertiary.
Any road section
over 90% dual carriageway, with a physical or painted median (wider than 1m, not just a double solid line), with shoulder, and over 25km long (length can be extended to different road references).
All 4-digit national highways
Road links to most other towns
Any rural/local road
of equal or greater importance than nearby secondary roads in terms of performance, width, number of traffic lights, or total length.
All rural roads
ref=pv.nnnn where pv is the provincial prefix in Thai characters followed by a dot and the reference number. Avoid spaces in the value.
Any local road
of equal or greater importance in terms of performance, width, number of traffic lights, or total length compared to nearby tertiary roads. (Usually, a major registered local road.)
All local road
unsigned_ref=pv.ถn-nnnn Avoid spaces in the value.
Completely controlled-access, tolled, with no at-grade intersections.
A major urban road that connects the city’s trunk roads, or a road of equal or greater importance than the primary intercity highway that passes through the city.
Main urban road connecting primary to primary or higher, or road of equal or greater importance than the secondary intercity highway that runs through that city.
Roads that are more important than regular unclassified or residential roads, or roads that connect several unclassified or residential roads.
A significant thru-traffic road used to reach the next settlement or another road of equal or higher importance regardless of its physical conditions. Or makor road that gives access to places outside a residential area such as an industrial estate, attraction site, or a specific part of a large estate such as university campus.
A road within a residential area that gives the public access to one or multiple residences. Also used for roads within a gated housing estate (add access=private). Residential roads are typically short in length and often named.
A minor road that gives access to buildings/places outside a residential area such as religious site, attraction site, or a specific part of a large estate such as an industrial estate or university campus.
Note: highway=service alone or combined with any of its subtags does not imply private access, so access=* tag must be added when access is restricted.
Situations where other tags should be used:
minor roads giving access to residences within a residential area should be tagged as highway=residential.
minor roads that do not give particular access to any particular places/objects should be tagged as highway=track
A narrow service road usually located between the rear sides of buildings to provide access to utilities such as back gardens, rear entrances, fire exits, and storage areas.
Situations where other tags should be used:
narrow residential roads that provide access to the front entrances of residences should be tagged as highway=residential[7]
pathways used by motorcycles but not wide enough for motor cars should be tagged as highway=path.
A service road leading to a specific building, residence, property, or place of business. For example, each house's private road that branches off the residential road (add access=private).
A road or area that once or seem to be wide enought for motorcar but designated mainly or exclusively for pedestrians.
A road whose only function is to provide access to the surrounding land (agricultural, forestry purposes). Most of the time unpaved.
A road for which the classification cannot be identified without further ground information.
Multi-purpose paths intended for all non-motorized vehicles (with the exception of motorcycles.)
Use instead highway=footway if the path is sign-posted for exclusive or main pedestrian access.
Do not use legal access tags (foot=*, bicycle=*) to indicate the suitability of the path for a specific activity. Instead use the corresponding scale tags(sac_scale=* for hiking, mtb:scale=* for mountain biking, and dirtbike:scale=* for dirt biking).
If the path has a sign that motocycle are forbidden or allowed, add the corresponding access tags. e.g. highway=path + motorcycle=no or + motorcycle=yes respectively.
Small pathways designed mainly or exclusively for pedestrian access. For example, designated footpaths in urban and attraction areas (market, tourist sites, etc.), If other means are legally allowed, add the corresponding access tags e.g. highway=footway + bicycle=yes
Do not use for hiking trails, use instead highway=path with the appropriate sac_scale=* scale tag.
A road or area that once or seem to be wide enought for motorcar but designated mainly or exclusively for pedestrians.
Highway Route Numbers
Highway route numbers can be mapped by using ref=* (or unsigned_ref=* for numbered local road}}
The first digit of national highway and motorway route numbers corresponds to the region of Thailand to which the route primarily links to: 1 and 5 for the Northern region, 2 and 6 for the Northeast region, 3 and 7 for the Central region, 4 and 8 for the South region, and 9 for the Bangkok ring road. (See Thai highway network)
Example of outdated road sign
Rural road numbers consist of a two-letter province abbreviation followed by four digits. The first digit indicates the level of highway to which the road is connected, while the remaining three digits represent provincial index numbers. Consequently, the first digit may undergo changes in response to changes to the connecting highway, while the final three digits generally remain unchanged. The numbering system for the first digit is as follows: 1 indicates a connection to 1-digit national highways, and likewise for 2, 3, and 4. 5 indicates a connection to other rural roads or local highways, while 6 indicates that the road connects to locations that do not form part of a larger network.
Occasionally, one may come across roads bearing reference numbers that include two-letter province abbreviations, but do not otherwise conform to the rural road numbering system or are not found in the Department of Rural Road’s index (see #Official sources below). These are typically outdated reference numbers belonging to the Public Works Department or the Office of Accelerated Rural Development, which were responsible for the roads prior to their transfer to the Department of Rural Roads in 2002. These outdated numbers may be qualified by the words “โยธาธิการ” (ยธ.) or “เร่งรัดพัฒนาชนบท” (รพช.), respectively.
Useful tag combinations with highways
weight limit sign
While highway classifications suggest suitability for routing, in many cases additional details help routing.
Adding surface=* tags to ways where it’s unclear from tagging. This is especially helpful for unpaved roads, preventing unsuitable vehicles from being routed there. If a way is narrow and two cars from different direction cannot pass, add lanes=* to indicate a single lane. If there are signs indicating a speed limit (maxspeed=*) or a weight limit (maxweight=*) then add it. Be aware that the weight limit sign might look like a speed limit sign, if you can’t read Thai. Note the additional characters (ตัน) below the numbers to indicate tons.
Fuel Dispensing Facilities
In Thailand, there are three primary types of fuel-dispensing facilities: fuel stations, fuel vending machines, and drummed fuel shops. Distinguishing between these categories is essential for accurate mapping.[8]
Conventional fuel stations in Thailand are equipped with sizable underground fuel storage tanks that can accommodate most types of motor vehicles. These establishments offer a range of services beyond simple fuel dispensing. Trained attendants are usually available to assist customers with refueling, and many stations also provide supplementary conveniences such as convenience stores, restroom facilities, car wash services, and automotive repair options.
Fuel Vending Machines in Thailand are small automated fuel dispensing points, prevalent in remote or less-traveled areas. These machines provide fuel without additional services and are typically situated on roadways or in front of shops. Customers can self-serve by inserting cash or coin and pumping fuel. It's important to note that these vending machines have limited fuel capacity and can sometimes be out of order. These facilities primarily serve motorcycles.
Drummed fuel shops in Thailand are small establishments that primarily sell and dispense fuel from barrels. These shops are often located in remote or less-traveled areas. They primarily provide fuel without offering additional services and are typically manned during the day as long as fuel is available. Drummed fuel shops typically serve small quantities of fuel, around 7 liters at a time, making them a popular choice among motorcycle users.
↑On April 21st, 2024, the local community reached a strong consensus, with 89% of the votes, to tag narrow residential roads as highway=residential and include additional tags such as lanes=1, width=* and narrow=yes, rather than using service=alley.
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