kwilco

totally illogical and irrelevant observation

You aren't answering the point I made - the type of incident, pedestrian, motor=bike, car it is irrelevant to what I said

Most foreign drivers on 2 or 4 wheels fail to learn and adapt to driving in Thailand. Many are just too old or set in their ways.

I would have thought twice about 3rd party only. No medical cover for yourself there.

The NHS costs nearer to £3500 per capita. This is 18% less than countries like Germany and France. It is one of the best systems in the world. When you measure this against taxes the average UK person has a very low tax level....similar to middle income America which has the worst healthcare system in the Western world. Standarts of training and care in the UK are uniformly the highest in the world. However the current government has a personal vested interest in running down the NHS in order to justify privatisation. This is not only dogma but many Tory MPs have interests in private healthcare companies. I have personal experience and knowledge of several healthcare systems around the world and few are as competent of accessible to the highest level as the UK NHS. It is a universal system who's primary function is to treat and save patients.

Why does everyone think it's never their fault but someone else's?

So is the hospital refusing to do the next 2 ops unless they are paid in advance?

Interesting that the haze is still s far South as Hua Hin. I was surprised last month to see evidence of the haze in Prachuap. A lot of people see beautiful sunsets and fail to realise that they too are a result of the haze. as for "white smoke" - that may just be normal clouds?

Be aware that visibility is not a reliable factor - Visibility - At high concentrations, PM2.5 these particles become visible to the naked eye as ‘haze’, but they are harmful to us long before we can see evidence of air pollution in the sky.

Actually, that's misleading the main biomass burning is from crops like rice and sugar cane. THe burning is actively encouraged by the giant ago-businesses that dominate the production of these commodities in the North (and Central) Thailand - as production has increased, so has burning. Forest fires are a problem and always have been so they don't account for the increase in pollution. THe Forest fires are man-made as they clear undergrowth for harvesting mushrooms and "pay wan". Also traditionally smallholders and households traditionally use the dry season to burn all their rubbish etc. THe reason they blame forest fires is to detract attention from agro-business and it is they who have great influence with the government to slow down any legislation or enforcement that might interfere with their profits.

March to June is called the hot season. You're right about Khaopansa... Meteorological speaking, May is the change from the Northeast to Southwest Monsoon that brings about the wet weather. The change depends on what part of the country you are in....... its more obvious in the South This year it's very likely to be an El Nino year...... this usually heralds hotter weather and droughts. It can have a dramatic effect on weather around the world.

The wet always begins in May, not July

I've spent many a happy Songkhran driving around the country over the holiday period - largely to get away from the frenetic water fights in the built up urban areas. It is rather pleasant driving through the country or a small town and parents brings their kids onto the side of the road with water etc. You slow the car down or come to a stand still and the family "anoints" your car or smears it with talc. It' a nice way of saying happy Songkhran. However the other side is the safety factor of holding activities by the side of a road - it is sadly an invitation for disaster. one of the most memorable sights for me is watching two picks full of revellers converging towards each other on a road - as they meet there is an explosion of water and powder - it is very reminiscent of two galleons engaging at sea. It is unfortunate that despite being a national holiday, some people seem to be unaware and don't make adjustments to the unusual road conditions.

What is the date on that?

No I can't see - however the ratification of the Vienna Convention was in 2020. I can't see which amendment is to do with the driving licences - either IDP or 60 or 90 days.

...and so does everyone else.

However it changed the need for and type of IDP required and stipulated a few exceptions for Thailand re classification of "motorcycle" Which page/paragraph is the driving licence referred to? As far as I can see the section in English you refer to is from 1979 but there has been amendments - do you know anything about these?

No mention of the Vienna Convention either. When was this updated?

The example I had was an IDP held by a Thai citizen in the UK. It was issued by DLT.

Well this is what I'm asking, but just a gsunsay isn't sufficient. What is the law? Where can we fund it?

Here's an interesting article from Reuters as El Nino returns... https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/world-could-face-record-temperatures-2023-el-nino-returns-2023-04-20/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=Daily-Briefing&utm_term=042023

Nothing to do with Brexit - IDPs are issued according to the treaty of the country you are visiting. Thailand has ratified the Vienna convention and the IDP is related to that. There are 5 year IDPs for some countries all available in the EU - but an EU D/L gets it just as easily and you don't need one for EU countries with one of them.. UK holders don't yet need an IDP for the EU - but they can only drive for limited periods on a UK licence. If you live and drive in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will eventually need to exchange your driving licence for a local one. If you have a Thai D/L - you can get a 5 yr IDP for visiting the UK. However, regardless of the length of time on your IDP. it is only valid as long as the licence it covers and for the categories on the IDP. I believe here are a lot of expats whose home licence has expired but they incorrectly think their IDP is still valid.

Since Thailand ratified the 1968 Vienna convention in May 2020, I don't think your point about IDP stands anymore.. That "legal period seems to be 60 days!?!?! There is the issue of enforcement of any law in Thailand But the other issue arises in the case of an incident - the insurances company may decide not to cover you if your licence has gone over this period or you don't have an IDP. If police or insurance wanted to check - (e.g. after a crash) they could just look at your passport and stamps and the issue date on your IDP?

According to the Land Traffic Act, B.E. 2522 (1979) and its amendments, the 60-day period for driving in Thailand with a foreign driving license or IDP does not have to be continuous. In other words, if a foreigner enters Thailand and drives a motor vehicle using their foreign driving license or IDP for 30 days, leaves the country, and then returns at a later date, they can continue to drive for another 30 days on the same license or IDP. However, it's important to note that the 60-day period is cumulative and cannot be reset by leaving and re-entering the country multiple times. For example, if a foreigner enters Thailand and drives for 30 days, leaves and returns a week later, and then drives for another 30 days, they will have exceeded the 60-day limit and will need to obtain a Thai driving license to continue driving legally in Thailand.. I wonder if this is still in force?

Anyone know about this? Apparently after 60 days you must have a Thai driving licence. This is meant to be a cumulative thing too? I hear its in the highway code book.