MangoKorat

Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok? How long would you suggest someone waits for a gap? We all know that things are unlikely to change - that doesn't make it right or remove anyone's ability to raise the issue. Things certainly won't change if nobody complains.

Then how are people to cross the road safely? Take the lights down rather than enforce the law.......bizarre! It is also, nothing about not being in 'farangland', Thai people are sick of the lack of enforcement too.

We often seem to think that Thai drivers are worse than most. Whilst there is a degree of truth in that - due to lack of training and a driving test that is way too easy to pass, failing to stop at a red light is just another example of selfishness. In my opinion, selfish driving is behind much of the examples of bad driving in Thailand and is the main factor behind the appalling amount of deaths and injuries on Thai roads. But, would it be any different in other countries if drivers are allowed to do exactly what they want with little fear of punishment? I'd suggest not. Again, its just an opinion but I believe the Thai police are to blame for many of the deaths and injuries on Thai roads. If they actually enforced the existing laws, there would be far fewer. For example, they don't seem to find it difficult to put up checkpoints to catch motorcyclists riding without helmets from time to time - strangely around the end of the month. But even that is not done with any serious road safety reason in mind - the main reason seems to be fund raising. Enforcement is the key - punish people properly, fine them appropriately, take away their licences in serious cases and they will behave far better. Charge them 50 baht, which the rider knows is not going into the public purse and let them ride away, still without a helmet - does nothing. That is very apparent just looking at the bikers on the roads every day. Its corruption, low level maybe but nonetheless, corruption and if you talk to Thai's they will tell you corruption is the main reason they have no respect for the police.

What is being discussed here is light controlled pedestrian crossings, drivers failing to stop at them and the failure of the police to enforce the law that compels them to stop when the lights change to red. It is not about zebra crossings. You are quoting @gargamon's frankly ridiculous comments regarding people's competence in crossing the road. He should also take note of the thread's title. Why anybody should need to be competent to cross the road at a light controlled crossing is beyond me. The fact is that in Thailand, drivers ignore such lights, the law says you must stop when the lights change to red, people are killed or injured and the police have consistently failed to enforce the law.

Thankfully your views are very much in the minority. Although I have to say that I think you post such nonsense simply to provoke a response.

What I mean is not accept in concept - i.e. the police should be enforcing all laws and to push for them to do so. In everyday life - of course, realise that's the way things are and act accordingly. I learned as a kid in the UK, that I needed 'eyes in my a@%e' to stay safe riding my motorbike. In Thailand I double that and I don't think "that car might pull out on me" - I know it will. That attitude, I have not the slightest doubt, has kept me alive. I used to think I was doing the right thing by stopping at a pedestrian crossing in Thailand to allow people to cross. I've since realised that doing that can actually create a dangerous situation because when you stop, the cars and bikes behind you will come down the side of you and flatten anyone who takes advantage of your courtesy. That doesn't its acceptable for drivers to break the law and people should still push for enforcement - however, for now, its what you have to do.

Which in the long term will actually be harmful.

Hopefully the fact that this thread has been 'published' signals that the people who run and moderate this site are looking at all aspects where improvements can be made. I've been a member of sites where this would never have been posted and making a complaint about a moderator would result in an instant ban without any consideration given to whether the complaint was valid. I wouldn't like to do a moderator's job but if I did, the first thing I'd put a stop to is petty sniping and name calling such as the term above that you mention. Its not at all difficult to simply say you don't agree without resorting to cheap snipes and obvious attempts at point scoring, its just childish. Surely that's not what this forum is about? I've met quite a few people who used to be members here and when you ask them why they don't visit anymore, without exception they point to the behaviour of some members and how the seem to get away with it.

Oh, that's already been dealt with. Its not allowed.

The first 'key' issue should be creating a real democracy - one where election results and the will of the people are respected.

I'm not religious but thank god most people won't hold such views. You don't need to be smart to cross the road in Thailand, you need to either have a death wish or be a magician.

Yes and why not? You have the option of stating who the actual driver was. Or should those who commit offences but are not the registered owner be allowed to get away with it? Think what would happen in those circumstances........no owner would ever admit to driving the car. If the owner reveals who the driver is, and you'd think they'd know, they don't have a problem. Tell me, if your kid was killed, wouldn't you want someone prosecuting for it?

So both Foreigners and Thai people should just accept that the roads are highly dangerous and will never change?

Yes, I can see how that would work...........................................NOT! Bu some 'total coincidence' the activity of the Thai Ministry of Stupid Ideas seems to have increased since weed was legalised...........or not legalised...........or legalised...............or................................... Most of us get sleepy when we smoke a joint but.......Amazing Thailand

One thing I haven't mentioned, he's just arrived at a resort in Pak Chong and is pretty sure where he stayed previously didn't register TM30 for him and I believe he'll need that to obtain an extension? I don't think that will be a problem as long as the place he's staying at now registers him?

Yes, sorry if I wan't clear. What I'm asking is that there should be no problem with a 30 day extension at Korat as an alternative? If it was me, that's what I'd go for.

Thanks, I thought I'd read about bribes at Poipet before.......there should be no problem with an extension though???

When have you ever known the Thai police enforce any law. Have you ever been to Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok - the junction with Soi 3/4? There's a manned police box there but cars go through the lights at red all the time. Two foreigners were killed at those lights a few years back but still nothing changes. I sympathise with your concerns but I gave up on things changing in Thailand a long time ago. If they're going to let drivers go through red lights right in front of a police box, they're never going to act on your videos - that would mean actually having to work.

Its not for me but the guy is in Pak Chong at the moment and on a 30 day exempt entry. Nong Khai is a fair distance. I've recommended going to Korat Immigration and getting a 30 day extension but he wants to explore the options. I told him that no matter what is said, things can change by the day with a border bounce. Am I right in saying that an extension needs to be done during the last 7 days of the current stay?

If you want a good night, stay away from the sleepy 'farang' bars. There's quite a lot of good Thai bars and clubs around but you'd be much better with a local to show you where. I haven't been to the city for a while but last time I was there, I noticed a few new (to me) bars around the Soi Sueb Siri area - I wasn't alone so no chance to check them out. Tawan Daeng is always a good night out - especially on your second tower.

I haven't paid attention for a while......anyone know the current position with a same day or overnight border bounce to Cambodia? German national...........30 days on re-entry or 15? Best crossing point?

I didn't say it wasn't but that's moving some - 2 tolls on Highway 9. If there's traffic, not a hope.

I have already given my reasons and I have no intention of summarising. I don't post seeking popularity, if people are interested, they will read. If not, that's fine.

You may well be correct. In fact whilst I was in Thailand in September, a woman hit the back of my car - very gently, no damage - at a traffic lights. She had her phone in her hand when she got out of the car - which sort of gave the game away. Expect to see more of this.

There have been several reports recently regarding the Thai police 'rounding up' foreigners who had overstayed their visa plus reports of people being 'busted at the airport' for overstaying. We never hear anything in the news about people being 'busted' for overstaying in the UK although certain types of businesses in the UK are sometimes targeted by UK Immigration as they are known to employ illegal immigrants and overstayers. Trying to find out the UK's position, I came across a government report from 2017 that includes some staggering figures of known overstaying but naturally doesn't include those who entered illegally. 3.9 As at 31 March 2017, there were 88,134 visa nationals with ISA “identities” whose visa had expired for whom there was no record of departure. At the same time, there was no record of departure for 513,088 identified non-visa nationals. An Inspection of Exit Checks - Independent Inspector of Borders & Immigration https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5abb708440f0b67d67479bb5/An_inspection_of_exit_checks.pdf There will no doubt be some discrepancies and a few deaths etc. but on the face of it, in 2017 there were over 600,000 known overstayers in the UK!