Is turning left at the traffic lights illegal now?

[stevenl]

24 minutes ago, moogradod said:

This - and ONLY this - is the correct answer as far as I know.

 

Could everybody pretending otherwise please post a source / link for that ?

Check the traffic code. Unless indicated otherwise you have to stop at a red light.

[ChipButty]

1 hour ago, Bogbrush said:

The junction of Soi SaiYuan 1 and Vigit Rd - I think this is the area you’re referring to - is an authorised ‘U Turn’  junction for traffic traveling on Vigit, and the sign is clearly visible on both sides of the lights.

The signs I am referring to would be the ones on Sai Yuan about turning left are no longer there people still go on red which also makes it difficult for people wanting to do a U=turn on the main road

[stevenl]

20 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

I suspect the regulation varies from province to province and even junction to junction - hence the debate and numerous threads and blogs on this very subject. 

 

 

In Bangkok its seems legal to turn left at all junctions with a red traffic light unless there sign which states otherwise that you can’t turn left on a red light - it seems fairly consistent in Bangkok

 

In Pattaya it seems there is more confusions, a lot of people believe it is illegal turn left unless at a red traffic unless there is a sign which states you can, but this is only applied at a handful of junctions, thus there is a strong degree of inconsistency.

 

A person could have turned left at a traffic light for 5 years or more only to find themselves pulled over by the BiB to be told, its illegal to turn left at a red light that specific junction !!.. 

 

Sometimes the BiB are not 100% sure themselves and are just following orders of their boss, who, in turn is following the orders of his boss, who hasn’t really double checked but is going with what I call a ‘legacy crackdown’ where someone at some point decided that was a rule and since then it was periodically enforced without there being an actual real law.

 

As usual the inconstancy in road regulations has caused confusion - Very much SOP in Thailand. 

 

For anyone who has been driving here any length of time, we’ve learned to simply learn individual junctions, roll with it and do what we want !!... for the most part, unless I see the sign (white sign below), I turn left at all red traffic lights in Thailand if / when its clear and don’t wait for a green light. Its been years since I’ve been stopped in my car (in Bangkok) but suspect the Police are a little more active at pulling people over in certain areas (i.e. area’s of Pattaya) - some area’s become more notorious for getting pulled over than others.

 

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/262275-car-can-turn-left-at-red-stop-light/page/3/#comments

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/502137-turning-left-on-a-red-light/

 

 

 

These are the signs: 

 

 

Here on Phuket I have only ever seen the top 2 (or similar), never the bottom, white one.

[Agusts]

54 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Here on Phuket I have only ever seen the top 2 (or similar), never the bottom, white one.

 

That's correct, in Phuket I have only seen the blue sign, however, in Trang they only had two types of red ones, in Thai, I suspect that meant wait for green to turn left...(unfortunately can't see an example to post).

 

As @richard_smith237   mentioned I suspect rules maybe different in different province or city, it's possible...????

 

Most of the time you are okay to do what Thais do, when in Rome do as .... and all that, but BiBs are sometimes only particular about farangs to apply rules, so could get unlucky...! 

 

[Gandtee]

On 12/14/2020 at 8:39 AM, Old Croc said:

December 25 is just another working day in non Christian Thailand.

 

But what about the p**s up dosh? It don't grow on trees you know.????

[digger70]

On 12/14/2020 at 8:28 AM, Moonlover said:

I've just quizzed Madam Moon on this. She actually did a course at a well known driving school in Udon Thani. She confirmed what I've always thought, that you may turn left against a red light if the road is clear.

 

Unless, that is, there is a sign prohibiting such a move! As I understand it, most Thais believe that to be the case so I can understand the driver's irritation at your wife's behaviour.

 

Maybe the policeman you observed was stopping cars for a completely different reason, or he was a newbie who didn't understand the rules. ????

 

One can only turn left on a red light when the sign says that one can turn Left if the road is Clear . If there's No sign one Must wait till light turns Green. ????

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, digger70 said:

One can only turn left on a red light when the sign says that one can turn Left if the road is Clear . If there's No sign one Must wait till light turns Green. ????

 

You have presented this comment as a statement of fact without it being fact. 

 

I can’t find any such ‘fact’ in the Road Traffic Act B.E., 2522 (1979).

 

The reason is this is such a debated topic is because ultimately there is no right answer.

[digger70]

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

You have presented this comment as a statement of fact without it being fact. 

 

I can’t find any such ‘fact’ in the Road Traffic Act B.E., 2522 (1979).

 

The reason is this is such a debated topic is because ultimately there is no right answer.

I just gave you the answer.

Go ask the coppers they will tell you same. we have been booked Twice and debated this at the cop shop. 

   

[KhaoYai]

I could be wrong but I believe this being able to turn left at a red light is an 'import' from the USA?  Although obviously its the opposite there as they drive on the other (wrong ????) side of the road.

 

Its a well intentioned concession and I believe the rule is actually 'you can turn left if its safe to do so but you must give way to traffic from the right'. However, given the attitude of many Thai drivers, it would probably be safer not to allow it at all. They just turn left whether its safe to do so or not.

[lavender19]

On 12/14/2020 at 8:39 AM, Old Croc said:

December 25 is just another working day in non Christian Thailand.

 

Don't worry they will be adding that to their enormous list of holidays soon

[richard_smith237]

25 minutes ago, digger70 said:

I just gave you the answer.

Go ask the coppers they will tell you same. we have been booked Twice and debated this at the cop shop. 

   

 

No you’ve presented a personal anecdote which given many comments in this thread is not representative of Thailand. 

 

Were you by chance, booked twice at the same intersection?

 

 

Guys (in Pattaya) also get fined for the ‘passengers footpegs’ being left open, yet there is no such law for that either, but guys will argue that they have been fined for such so such a law must exist - Welcome to Thailand !!!

 

------

 

There are junctions where one cannot turn left on a red light, there is often a sign saying so. 

There are also junctions where once can turn left on a red light, there is often a sign saying so.

It is also common for no signs to exist at traffic light junctions at all, yet turning left on red is not illegal, then there are junctions with no signs where turning left on red is illegal (welcome to Thailand again!).

 

 

The law actual remains unclear to the point that there may not be an actual law on this issue (I can’t find such a law in the Road Traffic Act) - thus. I suspect the police in each province or even each town may have their own regulation at these traffic light junctions. 

 

There certainly seems to be a great lack of clarity. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[digger70]

11 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No you’ve presented a personal anecdote which given many comments in this thread is not representative of Thailand. 

 

Were you by chance, booked twice at the same intersection?

 

 

Guys (in Pattaya) also get fined for the ‘passengers footpegs’ being left open, yet there is no such law for that either, but guys will argue that they have been fined for such so such a law must exist - Welcome to Thailand !!!

 

------

 

There are junctions where one cannot turn left on a red light, there is usually a sign saying so. 

There are also junctions where once can turn left on a red light, there is usually a sign saying so.

 

The law actual remains unclear to the point that there may not be an actual law on this issue (I can’t find such a law in the Road Traffic Act) - thus. I suspect the police in each province or even each town may have their own regulation at these traffic light junctions. 

 

There certainly seems to be a great lack of clarity. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

 

No not same crossing . I know the signs ,We Debated all that at the Cop Shop

You're in Thailand ,what the Cops say Is Law ,Thai law ,Legal or not  It is what it is , Right.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Moonlover]

1 hour ago, digger70 said:

One can only turn left on a red light when the sign says that one can turn Left if the road is Clear . If there's No sign one Must wait till light turns Green. ????

That would, in fact be more in accord with the traffic rules as written. Which simply says 'stop at a red light. There's no mention of any qualifying signs.

 

But, like the long running debate on the legality of overtaking on the left, this one could run on and on.

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

You have presented this comment as a statement of fact without it being fact. 

 

I can’t find any such ‘fact’ in the Road Traffic Act B.E., 2522 (1979).

 

The reason is this is such a debated topic is because ultimately there is no right answer.

The road traffic act, as per your link, make no exception for turning left on red. So the rule stands: stop on red. From section 22:

Quote

for red light traffic signal, or red traffic sign with the word “stop”, the driver must stop the conveyance behind the line drawn for stopping conveyance;

 

[digger70]

45 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

That would, in fact be more in accord with the traffic rules as written. Which simply says 'stop at a red light. There's no mention of any qualifying signs.

 

But, like the long running debate on the legality of overtaking on the left, this one could run on and on.

Nah ,For us down here it's as clear as Mud Do as the local fuz sets the Law .

As for Undertaking  Left that's ok if there's 2 or more lanes. 

 Usually at own risk,if bad you go to the Undertaker. ????

[Inepto Cracy]

As has been said in previous posts here, the bib have to get money for the Christmas party.

They have a new thing on Phuket...Do you want to buy a ticket to a policeman's ball ? But sir I can't dance.

Don't worry if you cant dance, it's a raffle.

[Susco]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

There are also junctions where once can turn left on a red light, there is often a sign saying so.

 

That is also how I know it when I arrived in Pattaya, now almost 3 decades ago, that there was a blue sign (at most traffic lights) when you were allowed to turn left on red.

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

It is also common for no signs to exist at traffic light junctions at all, yet turning left on red is not illegal,

 

Several years later, those blue signs were removed, and you could turn left at every traffic light, while it was red.

 

Then some years  ago ( maybe 5 or so) they put signs at almost every traffic light in Pattaya that said, turn left stop on red. (or something like that)

 

Now many of those signs have disappeared, so don't know it they have been nicked or if it is allowed again to turn left at some trafic lights.

 

To me it would only be logic that turn left on red is allowed, as long as you look to the right to make sure the road is free, and it only improves traffic flow

[moogradod]

1. Turning left from Sukhumvit into North Road at a red light: Explicitely allowed since there is a blue sign that says so.

2. Turning left from 3rd Road into Pattaya Klang at a red light: Explicitely not allowed since there is a white sign saying so.

3. For all other crossings at a red light: As they say - Up to you.

[Traubert]

11 hours ago, Brayka said:

Seems like generalisation is the hobby for most people here about” they need money”!

About everything.

[Tapster]

Signs or no signs, that particular junction: turning left on Soi Sai Yuan, onto Viset Road, is now a haunt for BiB who stop people who turn left on red.

 

I have witnessed it twice. I sometimes still turn left on red as do many people, but I have a very good look round for BiB. 

 

Good luck! 

[fakser]

On 12/14/2020 at 2:15 AM, ChipButty said:

If you are driving along Sai Yuan road to the traffic lights and turn left towards Chalong many people turn left on Red,

There was a sign that did say turn left if clear, thats gone a while ago,

Twice this week as you turn left, the police are there and they pulled every car over that had come through the red lights,

The one day I was on the other side waiting to turn left into Sai Yuan watching what was happening and plus a few more doing that mad U-turn.

Saturday morning a policeman was parked at the side of 7/11 stopping mostly bikes jumping the lights to turn right into Sai Yuan.

When I got home I told my wife, later she had to go that way she stopped on red waiting, some guy banging on his horn for her to move, she didnt move

What city are we talking about here? 

[bodga]

if they removed every road sign in Thailand it  would  make not  one scrap of difference to anything

[bodga]

On 12/15/2020 at 8:16 PM, Traubert said:

About everything.

thats  a  bit  general  isnt  it

[ChipButty]

4 hours ago, fakser said:

What city are we talking about here? 

In Rawai Phuket

[ChipButty]

18 hours ago, Tapster said:

Signs or no signs, that particular junction: turning left on Soi Sai Yuan, onto Viset Road, is now a haunt for BiB who stop people who turn left on red.

 

I have witnessed it twice. I sometimes still turn left on red as do many people, but I have a very good look round for BiB. 

 

Good luck! 

The first time a couple of weeks ago I heard them blowing their whistles I had the window open but couldn't see them, still many people drive through on red,