The Fugitive

Good to hear the right thing was done! Contrary to the unwritten 'law' that the larger vehicle always pays. Obviously being stationary and able to prove it helped a great deal. Dashcam is a most worthwhile investment.

Good idea thanks. Getting her to do that is another matter though!

Turning off your mobile is something almost nobody would do in my experience. As a shopkeeper she receives calls late night/very early morning when the shop is closed and even when we're away on holiday. One phone is for back-up and the most elderly one is for music with her bluetooth speakers. I don't drive/ride in Thailand and don't have or want a Thai driving licence. Definitely don't agree with drinking and driving. However, I've learned to live with it because family and friends drive/ride when well over the limit. If they have an accident I just hope I'm not a passenger at the time.

Absolutely! Move to the left actually driving in the breakdown lane before your left hand turn.

Absolutely agree Lou! Could write a book! To choose just one example; I soon learned to avoid the ends (both) of a vehicle when my Mrs is in the driving seat. Could go in either direction because she doesn't check the position of the gear lever before pressing the accelerator. Almost crushed my legs on one occasion.

Variation on that. You are emerging out of a minor road and joining a major road. Doesn't matter which direction you are turning. A moto riding in the break down lane on the wrong side of the road turns right down the minor road you are emerging from across the front of you. That's diabolical IMHO.

I gather your insurance had to pay in the final reckoning? I understand that the hard shoulder/breakdown lane is regarded as a separate running lane for motos. To turn left in your car you have to cross a continuous white line. That seems to be the 'bone of contention'.

Very wise.

Agree entirely. My Thai neice was making a left hand turn in her car when a moto undertook her. Although she was not responsible, police ordered her to pay for hospital treatment, compensation for injuries and repair of the moto. Plus, of course, she had to pay for repair of her car.

To be fair, have to be aware of that. If you are driving a motor car in the left hand lane within the speed limit moto's will overtake you using the hard shoulder/breakdown lane. Becomes most dangerous when you need to make a left hand turn.

My Mrs has three dual SIM mobiles. Each morning she starts her car then sits in it whilst she checks for calls, SMS, Facebook Messenger, Line and goodness knows what else? Then, she calls people back and replies via message if they don’t answer. Next, calls and messages start arriving. At some point she will decide that she has to get to her shop (only 980 metres distant) and drives off, whilst talking on one of her mobiles. She refuses to use a ‘hands free’ device. Daughter demonstrated to her (and to me) how calls can come through the media player. I’ve pleaded with her to turn her phones off for the 5 minute journey but, of course, she won’t. The danger is that she can’t ‘process’ traffic light information whilst using her mobiles. For example, the right turn arrow may be green but she will go ahead, against a red light. I have to shout ‘Stop here!’.

Two young Thai relatives involved in RTA's, my niece, aged 15 had part of one foot amputated after colliding with a lamp post on a moto. My nephew suffered chest injuries (fortunately no permanent damage). Both were treated at our local Government Community Hospital and then transferred to Regional Hospital. According to my Mrs they were treated without delay and any questions. The family later received bills from the hospital.

Agree, of course, that whilst an ambulance is attending an avoidable moto injury it cannot be in two places at once. As regards payment, both in home Country and in Thailand, the cost of road traffic accidents, in theory, is not bourne by the National Health Service but by motor insurance companies.

Top comment!

It isn't pleasant wearing a helmet in hot Countries. Given that irreplaceable skin loss is a killer too, how many wear leathers, gloves and boots?

Fortunately we're not all the same. My Mrs gave it a 'Buddhist funeral'.

Thanks for asking! No it got worse. The Mrs accidentally drove her car over it so it was put out of it's misery.

Top suggestion! Need to contact someone on the 'inside'. Visa agents, fixers and lawyers will know who to contact.

We take in stray cats, one time having five. One evening a tiny kitten was outside on the window ledge looking in. I felt very sorry but there are limits. Our practice is if it's eating OK we feed it. If it cannot/doesn't want to eat it's probably been poisoned (either deliberately or accidentally) and will soon die. No point in calling for our vet. Incidentally, our guy must be the most honest vet in the World. We called him for one cat. He arrived on a moto and gave it an injection. He said; 'It'll either get better or it won't, nothing else I can do'. He didn't want to accept any money but my Mrs insisted.

Sounds correct because court fines are geared towards Thai people.

Agree! Friend should remove himself from all involvement. Visa Agent will know a fixer if it's beyond their scope. Most everything can be fixed for a fee. It all depends how much and if the guy has the cash?

Thanks very much for the most helpful tips!

Great helpful info! Thanks very much.

Sounds like the best solution. Fixed gratings over the windows and substantial openable 'gates' at front and back doors.

Quite correct, we don't have any grass or flower beds even. Tiles and potted plants for easy maintenance. Enough space to park two vehicles and an area with table and chairs for karaoke.