When your baht bus driver is crazy, do not cross him

[Jingthing]

This is (another?) case of not practicing what I have long preached.

 

Any regular user of the baht bus system knows that while most drivers are at least OK, a certain percentage are seriously deranged bad mangoes. My guesstimate of the percentage of insane drivers is about 15 percent. A minority, but a dangerous minority.

 

Anyway, over the years, including one incident of an explicit violent assault, and other less serious but still scary incidents, I have preached repeatedly -- AVOID any conflict with these crazy drivers. They can be violent and sometimes they are violent and it's just not worth it. 

 

Also as we know there is a culture here of the more thuggish element of the locals ganging up on people when called to act. Like when a taxi driver has a conflict he can often stir up a bunch of locals to actively take his side. So a potential violent conflict might not only be with one person, but a gang of locals sticking up for their fellow Thai people. 

 

So this in no joke.

 

Anyway, enough about what I know to advise to others. Occasionally, being human, I don't follow my own advice.

 

All this leading up to the account of an incident.

 

I was riding in a bus and the driver was clearly insane. Multiple rapid jerking stops, forcing people to do extreme slides in their seats, then very rapid accelerations. Repeated multiple times. I even had an item fly out of my shopping bag. Any regular rider has experienced this. In a civilized transport system, such insane drivers would be weeded out for public safety. Not here of course.

 

Anyway, what I would advise in such instances is to just grin and bear it, or if you can't, just leave the bus early.

 

But this time I didn't do that.

 

So I hit the bell and for some reason decided to be kind of passive aggressive and get back at this crazy driver in some small way. It's not like I thought it through, but I figured if it was all subtle enough he might not even realize there was a message.

 

But it wasn't subtle enough and I picked the wrong insane driver to play with.

 

I did three "wrong" things for the situation.

 

One -- on leaving the bus instead of rushing to the cab to pay, I kind of nonchalantly moseyed up there. I guess I figured he might just think I'm a slow walker. There are slow people riding the buses.

 

Two -- I paid him with a 5 baht coin and five ones. I have never had any pushback from doing that (it's just a way of using all my change) but in the context of the situation, I consider it the second offense.

 

Three -- (the big one I think) I tried to subtly kind of push the coins into his hand. But I miscalculated. It wasn't subtle. It was more like a slap the coins into his hand. I knew when it happened it was worse than I intended. But too late, he was paid, rudely yes, but still paid, time to move on.

 

But not for him.

 

He didn't move the bus. He reversed the truck back and forth (like the madman he obviously was). He started screaming very loudly F. YOU multiple times, very threatening, and seemed to be considering leaving the bus to attack me.

 

To the unaware, while in the U.S. saying F. YOU can be a friendly casual greeting, here in Thailand people can be murdered over it. So he wasn't kidding around. 

 

I thought maybe he thought I shortchanged him (I didn't) but going anywhere near the cab was out of question. He seemed to be eyeing me to size me up, remember what I looked like, etc.

 

I can't identify him.

 

So yes, there is a driver out there that might be out to get me. I take full responsibility for triggering him, but I don't think I did anything deserving of being violently assaulted. 

 

To add, awhile back there was a report of a driver getting insanely abusive when someone paid with two five baht coins as if that's wrong. It's not wrong. The fare is 10 baht. You can pay with 10 baht, two fives, or using ones if you want (but I have never handed over ten ones unless in a pack). It may well be the same driver.

 

I can't know exactly what triggered him but I'm guessing mostly the way I pushed the coins into his hand. 

 

So, anyway, I know some people will diss me over this topic. I already admit I made the mistake so others dissing me is kind of overkill, but I know it will happen anyway. I'm hoping this story well help others if ever tempted think twice before pushing back in any way against insane drivers. Ultimately, we can't win. There isn't any accountability for the actions of bad drivers and we're not the ones in power to make that happen.

Edited June 8, 2018 by Jingthing

[simon43]

Maybe it was the 'ding-dong merrily on high' tune that you played on the bell when you wanted the bus to stop? :)

Seriously, I have met drivers like that. As you say, for your own safety, nothing you can do but give an apologetic smile and back away slowly....

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, simon43 said:

Maybe it was the 'ding-dong merrily on high' tune that you played on the bell when you wanted the bus to stop? ?

Seriously, I have met drivers like that. As you say, for your own safety, nothing you can do but give an apologetic smile and back away slowly....

Yeah, I definitely blew it. Things can get dark here really fast. 

[observer90210]

Very true. Because even when not crazy, quite a few drivers can be lethal on the roads !! ?

[digbeth]

Maybe they're really bad at maths and can't count to 10

[Pat in Pattaya]

You have been on here talking about baht buses/drivers for years now. Pretty sad really. 

 

I assume you don't believe in evolution?

[KneeDeep]

When your baht bus driver is crazy, do not cross him....if you are a big girl's blouse.

 

Just helping you out with your title.

If you don't have a pair or don't have the abilty to grow a pair, then don't go playing the tough guy...like you did.

 

As they say in your part of the world; "Don't go writing cheques that you can't cash".

[morrobay]

Did it occur to you to include the number on the bus in your post?? Or just pm. Best to have a list of good drivers by number to save you the grief 

Edited June 8, 2018 by morrobay
Add

[BobBKK]

Why all the drama? we know you are like that but it's very dangerous and dumb.

 

Ring bell, get off, pay and none of the walking slowly, slapping it in his hand drama. Hope you learned your lesson but like others here I doubt it.

Edited June 8, 2018 by BobBKK

[Jingthing]

When your baht bus driver is crazy, do not cross him....if you are a big girl's blouse.
 
Just helping you out with your title.
If you don't have a pair or don't have the abilty to grow a pair, then don't go playing the tough guy...like you did.
 
As they say in your part of the world; "Don't go writing cheques that you can't cash".

Thanks for being predictable.

I have never suggested that anyone risk conflict with violently insane Thais.

Even macho macho men possibly like you are that are so brave insulting people behind your keyboard shouldn't because you might be dealing with a mob.

As I said I temporary lapsed from my usual just accept the crap here policy which I also preach and the post is merely to remind others to think twice before they find themselves doing similar.

Cheers Rocky.


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[Jingthing]

You have been on here talking about baht buses/drivers for years now. Pretty sad really. 
 
I assume you don't believe in evolution?

I do but I had a temporary lapse of common sense. Maybe hard for you as a perfect Saint to relate to.

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[faraday]

1 hour ago, KneeDeep said:

When your baht bus driver is crazy, do not cross him....if you are a big girl's blouse.

 

Just helping you out with your title.

If you don't have a pair or don't have the abilty to grow a pair, then don't go playing the tough guy...like you did.

 

As they say in your part of the world; "Don't go writing cheques that you can't cash".

Bit rude.

[Jingthing]

Maybe they're really bad at maths and can't count to 10

Hard to know. Maybe he dropped the coins and thought the many coins and slap hand over was a trick to shortchange him. In any case all he said screamed actually was F. You several times and if he really wanted more payment that was a funny way of saying it. In keeping with common sense I don't regret that I did not approach the truck to have a polite discussion about whether he was paid the full fare or not. I knew he was. This wasn't a fare issue. It was a case of an unambiguous 10 baht route.

 

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[Jingthing]

Bit rude.

Also we don't say cheques.

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[faraday]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Hard to know. Maybe he dropped the coins and thought it was a trick to shortchanged him. In any case all he said was F. You several times and if he really wanted more payment that was a funny way of saying it.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Perhaps he thought that was your name.

 

Do you look Chinese?

 

 

[Briggsy]

Jingthing

 

Yes, the driver was being a complete dick.

You escalated to show your displeasure.

The driver then escalated massively and almost certainly was itching for any excuse to assault you.

 

It has happened to me a couple of times (not baht buses but very aggressive drivers who then try to run you off the road). It is a tricky situation and you have to remove yourself from it. These people who may well be drunk and/or on amphetamines are very highly strung, resort to aggression at the slightest provocation and they have no fear of the law or self-restraint.

[worgeordie]

So if you end up in a soi somewhere with wheel marks

down your back,we will know it was the mad baht bus

driver, remember like elephants ,baht bus drivers dont

forget,your a marked man,you'll need to wear a disguise if you venture out.

regards Worgeordie

[Jingthing]

So if you end up in a soi somewhere with wheel marks
down your back,we will know it was the mad baht bus
driver, remember like elephants ,baht bus drivers dont
forget,your a marked man,you'll need to wear a disguise if you venture out.
regards Worgeordie

Yeah, maybe.

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[petermik]

Ever thought of owning a bicycle JT?......saves you getting on the wrong side of these dastardly songtaew drivers that continually seem to irritate your goodself

[DrTuner]

I was waiting for at least an amputated leg or something. A Thai driving like a nutter is just daily life.

[Jingthing]

Ever thought of owning a bicycle JT?......saves you getting on the wrong side of these dastardly songtaew drivers that continually seem to irritate your goodself

Never.

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[Jingthing]

I was waiting for at least an amputated leg or something. A Thai driving like a nutter is just daily life.

No doubt. Sorry to disappoint.

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[impulse]

I am appalled at the OP's reference to a human being as a "mango". 

 

While I have no clue of the origin of that obviously nasty characterization, I'm sure it's some kind of ethnic or religious slur.  And I, for one, find it extremely offensive.  If I only knew which specific group it referred to, I'd demand an apology on their behalf.

 

[Jingthing]

I am appalled at the OP's reference to a human being as a "mango". 
 
While I have no clue of the origin of that obviously nasty characterization, I'm sure it's some kind of ethnic or religious slur.  And I, for one, find it extremely offensive.  If I only knew which specific group it referred to, I'd demand an apology on their behalf.
 

It was a local play on bad apples. Mango is more of a local fruit than apple. That's all. I don't really believe you're deeply offended but cute try.

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[Jingthing]

I want to add that although I don't think drivers like the madman one described in this incident should be allowed to work as commercial drivers I don't lack sympathy or gratitude for those doing the job in general. It seems to be soul crushing work even if decently paid and the service most of them provide to the riding public has great social value.

Maybe there should be an annual baht bus driver parade?

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[mugaly]

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

for some reason decided to be kind of passive aggressive and get back at this crazy driver in some small way

Insanity has many faces.

[Jingthing]

Insanity has many faces.

No doubt. I wouldn't recommend myself as a bus driver either. But he took the job and he has the public under his care and he clearly doesn't care.

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[impulse]

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

It was a local play on bad apples. Mango is more of a local fruit than apple. That's all. I don't really believe you're deeply offended but cute try.

 

And next you're going to claim there's nothing behind your choice of an orange colored fruit.

[pegman]

16 hours ago, worgeordie said:

So if you end up in a soi somewhere with wheel marks

down your back,we will know it was the mad baht bus

driver, remember like elephants ,baht bus drivers dont

forget,your a marked man,you'll need to wear a disguise if you venture out.

regards Worgeordie

Safer bet is to move. At least 100 miles, if not out of country.

[1FinickyOne]

Well, under the rule of 3 wrongs don't make a right or right a wrong or whatever... at least you are kind enough to warn others not to make a big deal over a small inconvenience... 

 

**^ Rule one - when paying 10 baht for a service, don't expect much service - - if you want great service call a limo. 

 

Rule 2 - when doing business with people who have horrible jobs like driving around in Pattaya traffic all day and barely making enough to feed their families who are living upcountry and they have to live in Pattaya and drive around angry farang for 10 baht - give them some rope if they get testy... 

 

Rule 3 - he probably was not so crazy when he woke in the morning - but for your discomfort, he only has to be crazy for a short while during the duration of your ride... 

18 hours ago, Jingthing said:

sometimes they are violent and it's just not worth it.

And in case you are not thinking correctly - I doubt that there are also sometimes when it is worth it to get into a violent altercation, especially when paying a pittance for taxi service home... there are surely never times that it is worth the violence.

Simply never fight is probably better and never ever fight with a crazy person who is having a deranged moment... guaranteed you lose... even if you lose one tooth and he loses 3 teeth - you still lose.