MangoKorat

Not being rude in any way but you apply far too much science and complicate matters unnecessarily. In my, and I'd guess, a lot of other people's opinions, based on their posts here and on other previous threads, there are only 3 major factors that cause the majority of road accidents in Thailand. These factors are not arrived at scientifically, they are the result of real world observations made by people who have driven in Thailand for many years and they are: 1. An almost total lack of enforcement. 2. The unbelievable stupidity and risk taking of Thai drivers. 3. Selfishness. Enforcement? There is very little, I'm not going to write volumes, most of us here are very aware of that fact. Stupidity, risk taking and selfishness? I'll give 3 of the worst examples I've seen: A). Supidity. Several years ago I was heading towards Bangkok on Highway 2, somewhere around Muak Lek. The road there varies between 3 and 4 lanes I believe and the traffic is fairly fast moving. There are fruit stalls at the side of the road (asking for trouble). I was in the outside (r/h) lane doing around 110kmh I'd guess and I'd describe the traffic as medium. The Toyota Fortuner in front of me suddenly decided he needed some fruit, screeched to a halt (how I managed to stop I know not) then indicated left and crossed the other lanes to the fruit stalls - causing the traffic in those lanes to also brake sharply. Some cars slewed across at an angle but miraculously, nobody hit him. B). Risk Taking. One of the roads leading from Buriram, onto the 24 and onwards to Highway 2 for Bangkok is the 218. Its a normal 2 lane (1 in each direction) road that in the UK would be classed as an A road. It can be quite busy, the traffic generally drives fairly fast and there are few major bends. I've seen several near misses on the 218 over the years, usually the result of frustration when following a slow moving truck and overtaking when its not safe to do so. On this occasion I was approaching a left hand bend, not major but sweeping enough that if you are more than 100m from it, you cannot see around it. The road is also lines with trees and bushes that also add to the lack of visibility around the bend. Just beyond the bend there is a r/h turn. I'd guess there were maybe 8 - 10 cars in front of me when brake lights came on and the traffic stopped. It wasn't possible to see around the bend (in any way) to know the reason for the stop. I queued for a few seconds - maybe 20 and a small queue built up behind me. Looking in my mirror I saw a pick up truck approaching at speed, overtaing the queue behind me. He continued on, past me and round the bend followed by a loud bang/crunch. When the traffic started moving again it became clear what had happened - a car had been waiting for oncoming traffic to clear before turning right - all perfectly normal. Until that is, this idiot, who in no way could see the cause for the queue, came speeding around the corner passing the queue. The right turning car had just started to make the turn when he was hit in the driver's door by that moron. (Note: the 218 may well be a dual carriageway now) 3). Another regular act of stupidity is on the expressways in Bangkok. On any day of the week, as you approach an exit you will get people coming down the left hand margin - in effect undertaking you. If you are leaving at the exit and are in the real l/h lane you're going to be in big trouble if you make that exit without checking your l/h mirror. I don't know what the Highway code says about using your l/h mirror when you are exiting a motorway in the UK (which many expressways are the equivalent of) but until I first drove in Thailand, I don't think that was something I'd ever done. Since driving in Thailand its something I do all the time. Nothing scientific is needed to analyse any of that - simple enforcement and the change of mindset that accompanies being heavily fined or losing your licence would deal with the majority of the above examples, given time. However, there will still be things that you can't change so easily - I cite the thing you'll see many times per trip in built-up areas - motorcyclists pulling out of side roads on your left without even moving their head and therefore, not checking their right. Not sure even proper training would fix that - I'm a biker and my basic survival instincts just wouldn't let me do that. Its as if they have a bracket between their head and the handlebars locking the 2 together and holding their head straight forward. As other people have said, you will see things on Thai roads that you just don't see elsewhere. Until recently I was driving 50,000 miles per year in the UK and I've never seen anyone do such stupid things - ever!

Doing something about road safety and law enforcement instead of talking about it is key to this. Its not so far from Songkran and the carnage that ensues. We will shorlty be bombarded with the annual 'talk' about what the Thai authorities intend doing to reduce the huge amount of road deaths and injuries that happen every year at both Songkran and New Year. Politicians will be spouting off on TV and in the media - as they do every year. Thai politicians and authorities simply talk a lot and do nothing - they are famous for it but this matter has real consequences. Last year there were 480 deaths recorded on Thai roads during Songkran - yet in my 22 years of involvement with Thailand, nothing has been done. Year in year out, the carnage continues.

There are no doubt, many issues that need attention but if the existing rules were enforced and proper punishments issued, it would make a massive difference. Even the decision makers are guilty. Where the road from my home meets the main road leading from Highway 2 to Khao Yai there used to be a set of traffic lights. There were many accidents there - 99% of which were caused by people on the main road running red lights, sometimes long after they had changed. I believe one year there was a total of 5 deaths there. The local authority's answer - take out the lights and put in 2 U-turns. We all know that U-turns are also very unsafe and there have already been several accidents at the U-turns. I find it ridiculous that they can't (maybe won't) make Thai drivers stop running red lights. I regularly see people in the UK run red or amber lights but not 10 seconds afterwards. They have laws, they have a police force (rarely seen after 5pm), I really can't understand the problem. I repeat - enforcement would make a massive difference.

Who knows? I will be visiting a shipping agent in Bangkok soon, I will ask them to call their customs contact and try to find out.

There is no need for long explanations of what makes Thailand's roads so dangerous. The country does have quite stringent rules about driving standards. 5 words are all that's needed to identify the biggest danger by far - a complete lack of enforcement.

I think I can see why.

I'm sure that his son and partner back in the UK would feel much better if they read your 'optimistic' posts - especially the ones that suggest he's indulging in the P4P side of Bangkok. Well done, you should be proud.

Do you have any idea how stupid you appear - making such arrogant statements? Probably as poor as a church mouse.

With the cost of a one way flight to the UK being around £5-600 with a decent airline, I can't see him intentionally missing a flight. You may have missed a lot of flights, I've put in over 150 long haul flights and only ever missed 1. Most people don't miss their flights and when they do, the usually book another and let those waiting for them know.

The problem is, this man had a return flight booked that he failed to turn up for.

I've been lost on there many times - but not for 11 days.

Lefty? If being compassionate and reasonable then yes, I am a lefty. However, I suspect that most of my mates would totally disagree with you.

All you guys making jibes about this. Do you realise that you could be joking (and worse) about a man who may have come to serious harm? He hasn't been heard of for 11 days.

The title contains a deleted expletive. If that's the way you usually refer to Brits - expect a beating before too long.

There'll be plenty of Lao Khao around - they'll have been wrecked since 7am.

A distinct possibility 😁.

Somehow, I think a parallel exists.

I predict that it won't be too long before voters are also experiencing remorse. A reminder Donald, you said you would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours - you're late!

Serious about buying Greenland? Trump needs to wind his damned neck in.

A Thai friend who is officiating at her local polling station tells me that voter turnout today is very low. Local/Provincial elections regularly have low turnouts but she says that so far, this is the lowest she's seen. Considering what happened in the General Election, if this turnout is a reflected in other areas, who could blame voters for being apathetic.

Living in 'the stcks' with few public charging points and needing to travel long distances in a reasonable time, I'll be buying another diesel shortly. Technology is moving very fast but not fast enough for me. When I can charge overnight at home and obtain a range of 500km without a special charger and still do the same in 5 years time, EV's will be back on the menu. Bangkok may be OK but I'm not convinced that an EV is the way to go for those living in the countryside that need to travel considerable distances regularly quite yet. BYD do make some very good looking models though.

The facts about how hostages were treated are unlikely to be known until they have all been released. The Israeli government are likely to ask for silence so as not to prejudice the release of those still being held.

More likely.

No, it could indicate many things.

Personal Effects Personal effects are private owned goods that importer brings into or out of the Kingdom of Thailand. These goods applied for the duty and tax exemption must be imported within the specific period of time (1 month prior or 6 months after the arrival of the importer). Please note that these do not include the goods that imported by person who reside in the Kingdom of Thailand or goods that sent from another country as a gift. Household Effects Household Effects are goods which are normally necessary to equip a self-contained home e.g. furniture, home appliances, kitchenwares, and similar household furnishing, etc. that importer brings into the Kingdom of Thailand in case of changing residence. These household effects must be imported within 1 month prior or 6 months after the arrival of the importer. To be eligible for tax and duty free allowance, the importer is required to have owned, possessed, and used the household effects before the importer return to the Kingdom of Thailand to resume residence. The goods imported for commercial purpose are not eligible as household effects. https://apps.customs.go.th/list_strc_simple_neted.php?ini_content=pbc_01&ini_menu=menu_pbc&left_menu=menu_pbc_01&&root_left_menu=menu_pbc&xleft_menu=menu_pbc_01&lang=en&left_menu=nmenu_esevice_180531_01