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101
Road Safety in Thailand – a summary of Perceptions and Reality
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 and risk taking? I'll give 3 of the most unbelievable examples I've ever 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 - let alone checking their right. Not sure 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! -
50
The seat hurt my bum. Who's fault was it?
Always a Cheap Charlie, aye bob? What happened to that US$800K you had in cash in your safe? Did someone take it from you when you absconded to Spain with those three suitcases full of overworked ladyboy panties? -
1
Non-O and being out of the country for a 30 day report
The 90-day report is done when you've been in the kingdom for 90 days. If you leave before the due date, you don't report. Clock resets when you return. -
153
Trump Moves Forward with Tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Citing Trade Deficit and Border Issue
So Bidenflation was caused by Trump? Got it. -
153
Trump Moves Forward with Tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Citing Trade Deficit and Border Issue
And the Illegals? Better a MAGA troll than a Vichy apologist -
65
Will DOGE Be Effective In Cutting Wasteful Spending?
Makes you wonder why Biden pardoned Fauci.
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