What is motorway breakdown protocol?

[HauptmannUK]

I've driven many thousands of miles over the years here in Thailand. Never had a breakdown or accident (touch wood!) - just a puncture once up by Nong Han, which was easily sorted with the spare.

Nowadays I'm on the motorways around Bangkok quite often and, since my car has done 400k km, I suspect I will break down sooner or later.

What is the protocol if the car breaks down on a motorway. A Thai taxi driver I'm friendly with told me to just open up the bonnet (hood) and someone will turn up with a recovery truck. Or the police will come along to assist!  I know there are phones on some stretches - where do they connect to?

[Nyezhov]

dont get out of your car into traffic

[Just Weird]

7 hours ago, HauptmannUK said:

I know there are phones on some stretches - where do they connect to?

They connect you to the people who will assist you, i.e. the motorway authorities/police.

[richard_smith237]

The Tollway and Expressways have fairly extensive camera coverage which would usually spot a breakdown - in the event of a breakdown a Highway Policeman will usually be with you fairly quickly.

 

Tollway: There are phones every 500m - or use your mobile to call 1233 

http://www.tollway.co.th/en/our_service/assistanace_sevice

 

Expressway: There are phones every 1km - or use your mobile to call 02-664-6400

https://expressway.bemplc.co.th/Service?lang=en

 

Or call Highway Police on 1193 (you'll probably need to speak Thai though)

 

 

Should you breakdown, pull over to the left (as far left as possible)....

A Policeman on a Motorcycle will be with you shortly (usually) i.e. less than 10mins. 

The Policeman will arrange for you to be towed off the motorway - this towing service is free, but its only as far as the off-ramp (or safe and close proximity to it) from where you will have to arrange for your own towing service. 

 

 

With regards to 'getting out vs staying in your car'.. IF safe to do so, get out and stay as far left as possible. Stay in front of your car (i.e. the approaching traffic side) so that if your car is hit its not shunted into you (opinion on this will vary). 

 

Also note: getting out of your car into traffic is obviously very dangerous, if you can, get out on the left hand side of your vehicle. 

 

-----------

 

We broke down about 8 years ago - After pulling over as far as possible to the left we couldn't get out (we were too close to the left hand barrier) and getting out to the right was too dangerous, cars were passing too frequently and too closely.  

We opted to stay in the car, seatbelts on - I didn't like this but it was the safest thing to do at the time. 

With hindsight, I'd pull over to the left but leave enough room to get out (on the left).

 

We didn't call anyone, a policeman on a motorcycle was with us within about 7 mins or so. A tow truck was with us within about 15mins. 

We were in a 4x4 which couldn't be put in neutral. The rear wheels were placed on 'dollys' and the front wheels hitch up conventionally by the tow truck. We were off the expressway within 30mins. While all this was going on we'd arranged for another tow truck to meet us at the off ramp. 

 

Apart from the PITA of breaking down I found the system remarkably efficient. 

 

 

 

 

[Colabamumbai]

Put a tree branch on the road 5 metres behind vechiles, Thai style. 

[thailand49]

Personally, I would never stay in the vehicle here in Thailand since drivers seem to overtake and undertake on the roads. I would get over as far as I can if possible pop up the hood or truck.  Although I've never had a breakdown I'm well prepared with cones and battery operated lights if necessary. 

Sitting inside a broken down car here to me is a ticking time bomb, I get out get help then stay a good distant in front of the vehicle and stay away from the railings if you are on a ramp!

[Crossy]

The one time my car has stopped on the expressway I made it to a junction and stopped on the hatched area. I had barely got the bonnet (hood) open before an emergency vehicle showed up. As noted before there are cameras everywhere.

 

The driver fixed the car (it was an electrical problem I knew about anyway), refused to take any tip and assisted me back into the traffic flow.

 

Most impressed.

 

[Burma Bill]

2 hours ago, Colabamumbai said:

Put a tree branch on the road 5 metres behind vechiles, Thai style. 

Yes, seriously, this IS common practice here in rural Isaan on major and minor roads. Can be dangerous at night on unlit roads. My personal advice is not to sit in your car but to seek safer refuge among trees, bushes or buildings nearby. Call local police on 191 or Highway Police on 1193. Your insurance company may have a 24 hour breakdown/recovery service phone number.

Edited October 29, 2019 by Burma Bill
additional information

[Pedrogaz]

Buy a Toyota....they don't break down.

[KhunBENQ]

5 hours ago, thailand49 said:

Although I've never had a breakdown I'm well prepared with cones and battery operated lights if necessary.

If only Thai motorists would follow that advice.

Branches and shrub is the norm.

 

[thailand49]

1 hour ago, KhunBENQ said:

If only Thai motorists would follow that advice.

Branches and shrub is the norm.

 

You are right I do have an advantage of being able to afford the luxury!  I don't concern myself with sticks and branches I do want is right to protect myself and other people that is really all that matters if I hold my breathe and wait for the government to do or teach it we all know the results.  I don't follow the pipe piper nor do I " monkey see monkey do " I have a bit more learning provided and take advantage of it.????

[Lacessit]

First action - turn on the flashing emergency lights.

Second action - get out of the car when it is safe to do so.

Third action - raise the bonnet when safe, so everyone knows you are broken down.

Fourth action - find a safe vantage point until help arrives.

[Wiggy]

Exit from the passenger side, hop over the barrier, if there is one, then move away from the vehicle and watch as some halfwit undertaking in the hard shoulder drives into the back of your car.

[Chazar]

On 10/28/2019 at 4:22 PM, Nyezhov said:

dont get out of your car into traffic

get out of  your car and totally off the highway by at least 100 metres, theyll hit you stationary as well as moving  here.

[Chazar]

18 hours ago, Pedrogaz said:

Buy a Toyota....they don't break down.

Dont tell the Australian class action lawsuit against Toyota that for dpf  failures  then and thats only one of two out there

[Chazar]

21 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

Yes, seriously, this IS common practice here in rural Isaan on major and minor roads. Can be dangerous at night on unlit roads. My personal advice is not to sit in your car but to seek safer refuge among trees, bushes or buildings nearby. Call local police on 191 or Highway Police on 1193. Your insurance company may have a 24 hour breakdown/recovery service phone number.

Hide behind an electric  pole, theyll hit that first