What essential safe riding habits from back home could put you in danger in Thailand?

[soi3eddie]

On 8/15/2024 at 3:50 AM, Moonlover said:

When turning right, having taken all right precautions (mirror, signal, maneuver) never assume that no one will pass you on the right!

 

When turning right, Thais usually go to the left and then do the hard right turn. Recipe for disaster across the traffic.

 

[freedomnow]

logic

[watchcat]

On 8/12/2024 at 3:23 PM, BangkokReady said:

What are some things that are essential for safe riding back home that might get you in trouble in Thailand?

 

Thinking that they (Thais) knows how to drive.

[Will B Good]

On 9/17/2024 at 2:48 AM, soi3eddie said:

 

When turning right, Thais usually go to the left and then do the hard right turn. Recipe for disaster across the traffic.

 

 

True......where we are I have never seen a cyclist right turn from the middle of the road.

 

Even when I've been in car about to turn right I've had cars over take me....frickin loons.

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, watchcat said:

 

Thinking that they (Thais) knows how to drive.

 

Easy to dismiss as humour or hyperbole, but actually quite true. Knowing how to drive means more than just being able to get the vehicle moving.

 

A lot of Thais drive as though they are riding a bicycle on a country lane, especially motorcycles. Weaving around without a care in the world.

 

You really have to assume that they could do anything at any moment. I'm not sure how anyone can feel comfortable riding a motorbike at speed, given how likely it is for a Thai to cut them off with zero warning.

[papa al]

aahh

seems pretty safe;

papa hasnt been clipped by a car

since January..

 

[Patong2021]

On 8/14/2024 at 8:16 PM, bbbb1952 said:

If a Thai driver flashes his head lights at you he is telling you not to move in the UK it means the opposite 

 

In the civilized world it also means the opposite. I think that I  have only seen this in  Thailand. In India and Vietnam they  don't  do anything and will just run you down and then drive off.

[NoshowJones]

On 8/15/2024 at 7:35 AM, Gsxrnz said:

Assume that every driver on the road woke up that day with the sole intention of seeking you out and unaliving you - take the appropriate action.

 

In my case, that means that any idea of western "defensive driving" technique is totally worthless and will result in your demise. 

 

Drive aggressively, take every opportunity to remove other driver's options to kill you. 

Never mind any rules, just use common sense, if you do not have that then just stay off the motorbikes altogether as you will not survive on a Thai road.

[NoshowJones]

51 minutes ago, NoshowJones said:

Never mind any rules, just use common sense, if you do not have that then just stay off the motorbikes altogether as you will not survive on a Thai road.

You with the confused emo, you obviously don't ride a motorbike, be sure and keep it that way.

[JimmyTobacco]

At home, I always learned to check my mirrors and next to me, then signal direction, then check my mirrors and next to me again, and then go. Here, especially on a motorbike, I would say it can be dangerous to check your mirrors too much. It's better to keep an eye on the road in front of you and if you want to change lanes, just look over your shoulder, accelerate and go. I also stopped using the indicator unless I end up in the wrong lane completely, for example completely on the right and I want to exit left in 100 meters or smth.

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, JimmyTobacco said:

At home, I always learned to check my mirrors and next to me, then signal direction, then check my mirrors and next to me again, and then go. Here, especially on a motorbike, I would say it can be dangerous to check your mirrors too much. It's better to keep an eye on the road in front of you and if you want to change lanes, just look over your shoulder, accelerate and go. I also stopped using the indicator unless I end up in the wrong lane completely, for example completely on the right and I want to exit left in 100 meters or smth.

 

 

In the UK the mantra....."mirrors, signal, maneuver"......... is drummed into learners.....or used to be