1 hour ago, steven100 said:

stupid comment

Reality. Roll the dice often enough and eventually all you'll come up with is snake eyes.

I drove to Udon Thani today, a 3.5 hour return trip, I have never seen such a palling driving standards  in my life. Very few driving under the speed limits, lane changes just for the sake of it, undertaking when there was no need. The list goes on. Not a single policeman in sight. The lack of care and attention is beyond belief.

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

I love riding in Thailand and ironically it's the best part of the country for me but eventually if you're on the road long enough they will ******* kill you.

it's not just thailand.

riding a motorcyle is dangerous anywhere in the world. 

 

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/motorcycle-accident-statistics/

Motorcycle riders account for 14% of all traffic facilities, despite the fact only 3% of all registered vehicles are motorcycles.

Folks passing on blind curves and hills are one thing but what about the idiots in town that like to do a right hand turn at a light in town before oncoming traffic goes through.....

 

Don't these folks know the rules of the road?

28 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

notice how they pass you going around blind curves? So many of these people are absolutely willing to put it all on the line and kill themselves, their family, you, your family etc... if it means they save some time on the drive. They don't have control over their emotions and they're too simple to know any better. Sad truth of the matter it is.

The only thing that we can do is anticipate their behaviour and drive accordingly.

 

E.g.- if someone is attempting to overtake you in a dangerous location, use your mirrors, slow down and just let them pass.

 

E.g.- if a motorbike or sa-ling pulls out in front of you without looking, be prepared to slow down quickly and wait behind them until it's safe to overtake. It will only add a few seconds to your journey. 

 

E.g.- If you see youngsters (or even boy racers) ahead or behind, give them a wide berth. Imagine the <deleted>storm you will face if you get involved in a fatal accident, even if you are not to blame.

 

Etcetera.

 

Sorry to come across as a bit 'preachy', but we need to apply our best standards. Maybe others will copy.

Top 10 Countries With the Deadliest Roads | AutoGuide.com

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

I should't be calling people names, sorry about that. Nonetheless I'm being serious, not here to bash Thai's for the fun of it.

No probs. Cheers.

1 hour ago, bignok said:

I drive slow in mountains. Idiots overtaking. Just low IQ twits.

Or they're better drivers than you. And have better cars.

we drive a pickup truck.

been coming here off and on  since 1968,  

had a HONDA  MC  in 1970  in Udorn,   lasted a month took it back to dealer.

I tell everyone  4 wheels  never two.

Thailand is ranked as the second most dangerous country to drive in. A 2018 World Health Organization report showed that nearly 23,000 people die in traffic accidents every year in Thailand. The ease of renting motorbikes with zero experience puts travelers at a high risk. Although caution is advised, driving in Thailand is not as dangerous as it is made out to be. However, you must take special precautions when riding a motorbike or driving a car in Thailand to ensure your safety. Be Safe and Happy Travels.

6 hours ago, Lemsta69 said:

Swim in shark infested waters, get bitten. The universe is trying to tell you something, best listen up.

Maybe read the topic and stop posting clueless comments.

Do not ride a motorcycle in the world’s deadliest road accident country - Thailand, it’s far too dangerous.

Little or no traffic rule enforcement ensures a huge % of distracted, drunk, drugged, speeding, careless, unlicensed drivers of bigger, often unsafe vehicles are all waiting to kill you.
No amount of riding experience will save you because you cannot control what idiot is going to slam into the back of you when they are playing on their phone, which they ALL do. 

So if you’re a cheap Charlie and can’t afford a car, good luck - you will need it.

6 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

notice how they pass you going around blind curves? So many of these people are absolutely willing to put it all on the line and kill themselves, their family, you, your family etc... if it means they save some time on the drive. They don't have control over their emotions and they're too simple to know any better. Sad truth of the matter it is.

Why they are top 2 for road deaths. Saw 2 near misses on 1 bus trip. Was nearly run into by a car in Loei coming the other way. 

As to the reference in the OP, it does help when you keep your speed below 135 mph ... although that might not have been a factor in the actual incident.

9 hours ago, norfolkandchance said:

Cue. Thai bashing.

It's not difficult! 

7 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

Folks passing on blind curves and hills are one thing but what about the idiots in town that like to do a right hand turn at a light in town before oncoming traffic goes through.....

 

Don't these folks know the rules of the road?

or what about those who put their left indicator / blinker on and turn right .....

they drive at high speed on the highways and major roads,  while drunk,  in the rain,  zero thought for safety.

 

 

3 minutes ago, steven100 said:

or what about those who put there left indicator / blinker on and turn right .....

they drive at high speed on the highways and major roads,  while drunk,  in the rain,  zero thought for safety.

Buddha protects them! Go to the temple, buy some merit and Som's your uncle!  

 

 

10 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

I'm a road cyclists and motorcyclist in Chiang Mai with over 15 years experience riding the roads here so I've seen just about everything. It's nigh impossible to have a single day where you don't see or experience something shocking and appalling in regards to how the locals drive.

I am also a long time road cyclist & also rode Motorcycles in Thailand

 

One thing I can say is I no longer like to road cycle in Chiang Mai as it is pretty much as you said.

But we have a house in the country & it is completely the opposite. There the farmers & trucks etc that pass us are nice to a degree that I worry for the oncoming cars if any because they give us such a wide berth ????

 

We only spend 3 months or so in Thailand these days & no longer plan on cycling in Chiang Mai which is kinda sad for us as we use to live there & have riding friends there. But even last year doing Suthep & Samoeng was just a bit much & as they say for us  the juice is just not worth the squeeze anymore ????

9 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

the look they give you just kills me. In that guys mind he thinks he should be able to do anything he wants and have the world revolve around him. I really struggle to see Thai people as my equal after I have these experiences. That's what racism feels like I don't like it at all.

I'm not a racist, I don't see anyone as my equal.

 

But back to your OP,

The 3rd world is a dangerous place, and more exciting than our home countries. If you can't accept the added danger that comes with living here, best to go home and live there.

 

IMHO, sudden death is not a bad way to go, better than dementia, walking frame, diabetes, etc.

Nowhere else in the world have I seen people consistency take the kinds of chances and risks in the road, that they take here, with their families in the car. Nowhere. When they could have waited four seconds to make the uturn or turn onto the highway, and have a completely clear path, they instead choose to take a tremendous risk. It is beyond comprehension. I see it all the time. My eyes do not lie to me. This rarely ever happens to me in the US.

 

The only way to survive here on the road, is to be patient, have eyes in the back of your head, drive with caution, and always, and I mean always watch out of the other guy. Chances are, he does not have much driving skill, nor patience, nor reason, nor common sense. You cannot be too careful on the road here. Especially considering that the toy police offer no traffic safety, prevention, enforcement of the law, or concern toward the prosecution of very reckless drivers. 

 

Those of us with driving skill, and a strong desire for not only survival, but the avoidance of terrible injury, are constantly scanning the road, in front of us, beside us, and behind us. There are an exceptionally high number of reckless fools on these roads, and it is the only way to preserve our lives, and those of our families, and friends, who may be driving with us, and depending on us.

 

And cars must yield to trucks, motorbikes must yield to cars, and bicyclists are beyond invisible. 

 

 

You know you've become well adapted to Thai driving and road conditions when you drive at home and feel scared and confused by the rigid orderliness.  

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The only way to survive here on the road, is to be patient, have eyes in the back of your head,

Note: For those without eyes in the back of their head, mirrors are acceptable.

16 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

And cars must yield to trucks, motorbikes must yield to cars, and bicyclists are beyond invisible. 

 

that's the real rule of the road here. I'm bigger and I got here first. If your traffic law is "rule of the jungle" you're not yet a civilized people.

36 minutes ago, mania said:

We only spend 3 months or so in Thailand these days & no longer plan on cycling in Chiang Mai which is kinda sad for us as we use to live there & have riding friends there. But even last year doing Suthep & Samoeng was just a bit much & as they say for us  the juice is just not worth the squeeze anymore ????

and it gets worse every year. I'm in Mae Jo and the roads continue to get more crowded every year. No parking, dangerous, stressful etc... not nice. I have a house in Samoeng and I'm gonna start staying up there more often and let my wife hang out alone in the city during the work week more.

 

Long term I'd like to move out entirely and not see the city more than once a month. If I could get my wife away I'd try to any of the smaller northern cities like Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Nan etc...

11 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

the sad story of the forum member being killed on his bike today

Have the circumstances of the accident been made known to forum members? On the RIP thread, the details seem to have only been shared with known friends and associates via PM. If you are going to go on a racist rant about Thais and their poor driving skills based on this accident, perhaps the details of the accident should be shared openly.

 

Recreational motorcycle riding, particularly long distance touring, in a country with a poor road safety record is ill-advised. Drinking and driving are a disastrous combination. Hyper defensive driving skills are needed for those who choose to engage in motorcycle or any motoring activities. Beyond reminding people of these obvious truths, I don't see the value of this thread.

18 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

that's the real rule of the road here. I'm bigger and I got here first. If your traffic law is "rule of the jungle" you're not yet a civilized people.

Thailand is somewhere between a developing country, and the 3rd world. And many have not driven for long, so the lack of skills combined with a lack of common sense can be lethal. 

18 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

Have the circumstances of the accident been made known to forum members? On the RIP thread, the details seem to have only been shared by known friends and associates. If you are going to go on a racist rant about Thais and their poor driving skills based on this accident, perhaps the details of the accident should be shared openly.

 

Recreational motorcycle riding, particularly long distance touring, in a country with a poor road safety record is ill-advised. Drinking and driving are a disastrous combination. Hyper defensive driving skills are needed for those who choose to engage in motorcycle or any motoring activities. Beyond reminding people of these obvious truths, I don't see the value of this thread.

well pro active or hyper defensive is the question, personally I like active riding where I keep the traffic behind me, create space and room around me, as well being pro active when passing trucks, u turns and expect anything to happen from any directions. 

 

Jumping wehericles from the sides is a huge problem, but staying on the left side of the road, will not give you much room for surprises coming from left. I rather have enough power to stay in the active line to the right which is better in my opinion, but again, then you need to keep traffic behind, which also means driving faster than the traffic. At the end, there is no safe riding in Thailand, just luck, and when your luck bucket is empty, time to quit. 

4 minutes ago, Gecko123 said:

If you are going to go on a racist rant about Thais and their poor driving skills based on this accident, perhaps the details of the accident should be shared openly.

It wouldn't matter if it was his fault, not likely though. Many Thai people behave like uncivilized savages on the road. I don't care if that's racist because it's the truth.

 

Just in case you forgot here's an example. The truck driver had zero intention of stopping because he has no respect for others. These are the people that inhabit Thai roads and you need to deal with them on a daily basis. Savages.

 

 

 

Just now, NorthernRyland said:

It wouldn't matter if it was his fault, not likely though. Many Thai people behave like uncivilized savages on the road. I don't care if that's racist because it's the truth.

 

Just in case you forgot here's an example. The truck driver had zero intention of stopping because he has no respect for others. These are the people that inhabit Thai roads and you need to deal with them on a daily basis. Savages.

 

 

 

So you don't even know if it was a solo one vehicle loss of control accident or possibly negligence on the part of the forum member and you're going on this diatribe about Thai people? Did you see that picture shared of him sitting at a roadside restaurant at what looks like a rest break during a touring trip? Did you notice what appear to be two large cans of Chang beer on the table? If someone wants to report this post and get it removed as disrespectful to the departed so be it, but why aren't you speaking out about that? And I fail to see how going on a rant about how stupid Thai people are is showing respect to the departed's Thai loved ones.

 

11 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

We also have our friends the driving licence people at the DLT who in many cities will make it a point to make a fuss on driver foreigner driver licence conversion and many offices have rude staff who just love hushing foreigners away and find some excuse not to do the foreign licence conversion for Thailand.

Well, take a test, if you are a 'good' driver it should not be problem!

There should not be a 'conversion' from a foreign licence, the qualification of which was 40 years ago!

 

Is there a 'conversion' from a foreign available in your country