Saved a Thai from being fined. Good or bad?

[AustinRacing]

A dozen or so police scattered around a busy intersection stopping pick ups carrying workers and bikers with no helmets. After passing, stopped at a shop nearby. Saw a bike riding towards the intersection with no helmet. Hand gestured him about the police operation. He stopped, did a U-turn, several wais in my direction, rode away. Reminded me of in oz motorists high-beaming oncoming traffic of mobile speed cameras. Must admit the comradery, solidarity and helping others is satisfying. Would you, or have you done this?

[richard_smith237]

21 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

A dozen or so police scattered around a busy intersection stopping pick ups carrying workers and bikers with no helmets. After passing, stopped at a shop nearby. Saw a bike riding towards the intersection with no helmet. Hand gestured him about the police operation. He stopped, did a U-turn, several wais in my direction, rode away. Reminded me of in oz motorists high-beaming oncoming traffic of mobile speed cameras. Must admit the comradery, solidarity and helping others is satisfying. Would you, or have you done this?

 

Yep... I think its a decent thing to do... even for a fool who doesn't wear a helmet (the other rider not you).

 

In the UK we flash oncoming traffic when there is a roadside speed camera....  

On a recent UK trip about 10 cars in row flashed their lights - I knew there was a speed camera somewhere up the road - it saved me 3 points and £100 (if I'd have drifted over the 50mph limit or whatever the limit was on that part of the road).

 

 

I 'thought' it also happened once on the expressway in Bangkok heading out of town on the Bang-Na Trat 2nd Level...  There was a mobile speed camera at the 'wider part of the road' about 1km before the toll booths....    before the camera 3 oncoming vehicles flashed their lights. 

I've no idea if this was coincidence, or they were flashing because of the police camera. 

Wife says no way... Thai's do not flash to warn others of a Mobile Speed Camera etc...  the other vehicles were probably coincidental... nevertheless, I slowed down and then observed the cameras so the coincidence saved me a fine.

[Upnotover]

6 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Wife says no way... Thai's do not flash to warn others of a Mobile Speed Camera etc..

They most certainly do, witnessed it many times.  Very nice of them.

[SAFETY FIRST]

28 minutes ago, AustinRacing said:

Saw a bike riding towards the intersection with no helmet. Hand gestured him about the police operation. He stopped, did a U-turn

I'd see a checkpoint on Soi Kophai, see a Thai rider no helmet (no Thai's wear helmets on this road, unless raining), tap my head, they always turn around. 

[JamesPhuket10]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Yep... I think its a decent thing to do... even for a fool who doesn't wear a helmet (the other rider not you).

 

In the UK we flash oncoming traffic when there is a roadside speed camera....  

On a recent UK trip about 10 cars in row flashed their lights - I knew there was a speed camera somewhere up the road - it saved me 3 points and £100 (if I'd have drifted over the 50mph limit or whatever the limit was on that part of the road).

 

 

I 'thought' it also happened once on the expressway in Bangkok heading out of town on the Bang-Na Trat 2nd Level...  There was a mobile speed camera at the 'wider part of the road' about 1km before the toll booths....    before the camera 3 oncoming vehicles flashed their lights. 

I've no idea if this was coincidence, or they were flashing because of the police camera. 

Wife says no way... Thai's do not flash to warn others of a Mobile Speed Camera etc...  the other vehicles were probably coincidental... nevertheless, I slowed down and then observed the cameras so the coincidence saved me a fine.

 

"Thai's do not flash to warn others of a Mobile Speed Camera etc..."

 

They do flash their lights onto oncoming traffic in Phuket if there is a speed camera or a Police roadblock ahead.

 

I say that as I have had cars flash me several times, as I am all legal etc I drive on and arrive at the police check. 

 

The drivers also phone their friends to tell them the info, which is why Police checks are not there for very long. 

 

[JamesPhuket10]

4 minutes ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

"Thai's do not flash to warn others of a Mobile Speed Camera etc..."

 

They do flash their lights onto oncoming traffic in Phuket if there is a speed camera or a Police roadblock ahead.

 

I say that as I have had cars flash me several times, as I am all legal etc I drive on and arrive at the police check. 

 

The drivers also phone their friends to tell them the info, which is why Police checks are not there for very long. 

 

 

PS to myself.

 

I have been waiting for months for the police to pull me over where they expect me to produce my UK licence and an easy 500 baht to be had, but I have not been stopped yet, hence my brand new Thai driving licence has not seen the light of day. 

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, AustinRacing said:

 Must admit the comradery, solidarity and helping others is satisfying. Would you, or have you done this?

 

Nah.  I'd feel guilty each time I read about yet another motorcyclist dying from head injuries or suffering permanent brain damage, wondering if........

[rattlesnake]

2 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

Must admit the comradery, solidarity and helping others is satisfying. Would you, or have you done this?

 

Yeah definitely, we do it all the time in France. I was surprised by @richard_smith237's account that they do in the UK too, I though it was essentially a South-European thing. I would be interested in knowing whether Germans do it (I would think not).

[JamesPhuket10]

2 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

 

PS to myself.

 

I have been waiting for months for the police to pull me over where they expect me to produce my UK licence and an easy 500 baht to be had, but I have not been stopped yet, hence my brand new Thai driving licence has not seen the light of day. 

 

I just realised, the chances are even less now as I have had all of my car windows tinted in silver, 40% windscreen, and 60% side windows and back, I can still see out as the windows are not black but the police can not see inside so my white farang face will not be seen, maybe I should put a British flag on the car roof so I have a better chance of being stopped. 😄

[JamesPhuket10]

2 hours ago, rattlesnake said:

 

Yeah definitely, we do it all the time in France. I was surprised by @richard_smith237's account that they do in the UK too, I though it was essentially a South-European thing. I would be interested in knowing whether Germans do it (I would think not).

 

The Germans do it, I have worked there a few times over the years for six six-month to a-year stints. 

 

I was once given a parking ticket by the police (well I had 27 hidden in the glove compartment but I kept that quiet), as I did not have my passport with me I was handcuffed and put in the back of the police car and driven to my apartment, once they saw the Brit passport, the nice apartment and saw I was a software engineer they treated me like a very welcome guest in Germany. 

[it is what it is]

 

it's not about the legality, it's about the safety. the law is there to protect idiots from themselves

[Kinok Farang]

Common courtesy and the reactions of the guilty parties is priceless.Always a big smile and a thank you wave.Feelgood and reminds us why we are here in the first place.

[Kinok Farang]

Watched the police on Theprasit rd.They let helmetless and 4 on a bike Thais sail through because they had spotted a blond haired rider without a helmet in the distance.Sure enough they pulled the Russian lady in.

Guaranteed money!

[Andre0720]

11 hours ago, AustinRacing said:

A dozen or so police scattered around a busy intersection stopping pick ups carrying workers and bikers with no helmets. After passing, stopped at a shop nearby. Saw a bike riding towards the intersection with no helmet. Hand gestured him about the police operation. He stopped, did a U-turn, several wais in my direction, rode away. Reminded me of in oz motorists high-beaming oncoming traffic of mobile speed cameras. Must admit the comradery, solidarity and helping others is satisfying. Would you, or have you done this?

I always do the same.

 

Because road laws are applied unfairly. Getting a fine is simply an 'out of luck' situation.

 

If the laws were written, applied consistently, and all would follow these laws, then an exception should be penalized, to indicate to all others that they are doing the 'right thing', such as wearing a helmet.

[thailand49]

Here in Pattaya!  Ive never seen a police or anyone on the road using one. 

[fredwiggy]

9 hours ago, rattlesnake said:

 

Yeah definitely, we do it all the time in France. I was surprised by @richard_smith237's account that they do in the UK too, I though it was essentially a South-European thing. I would be interested in knowing whether Germans do it (I would think not).

All the time in the US, and I have saved many of them from tickets, as they have saved me. truckers show their appreciation by flashing back, knowing you saved them from a money loss. They do it here but not as much as back home.

[impulse]

10 hours ago, JamesPhuket10 said:

The drivers also phone their friends to tell them the info, which is why Police checks are not there for very long. 

 

On an aside, is there an app for that in Thailand?  Back home, there are apps (maybe even Google maps) where people can post up a speedtrap or other enforcement like DUI checkpoints.

 

[Theforgotten1]

Do you think the guy will go to airport to wave you goodbye if police catch you breaking the law by telling people of the check point , do think the guys family will be happy with you if he loses his life because no helmet , are you one of those that criticize others for breaking the laws and yet do it yourself 

[brianthainess]

26 minutes ago, Theforgotten1 said:

Do you think the guy will go to airport to wave you goodbye if police catch you breaking the law by telling people of the check point ,

Wow so it's against the law to tell people there is a checkpoint. What utter nonsense.

[brianthainess]

12 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I'd see a checkpoint on Soi Kophai, see a Thai rider no helmet (no Thai's wear helmets on this road, unless raining), tap my head, they always turn around.

Where I am you will see a group of Thais all sitting under a tree, waiting for the all clear that the checkpoint ahead has gone. They all telephone each other as well.

[Surasak]

10 hours ago, rattlesnake said:

 

Yeah definitely, we do it all the time in France. I was surprised by @richard_smith237's account that they do in the UK too, I though it was essentially a South-European thing. I would be interested in knowing whether Germans do it (I would think not).

It has been the thing to do in the UK for at least 60+ years since I got my UK license. It is also a thing truckers do when one overtakes another. The one being past will flash to passer, so he knows he can pull back into the left lane.

[Surasak]

6 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Wow so it's against the law to tell people there is a checkpoint. What utter nonsense.

In point of fact it is against the law in the UK.

[brianthainess]

2 minutes ago, Surasak said:

In point of fact it is against the law in the UK.

We are not in the UK, and just because you flash your lights at oncoming traffic does not mean your warning people of a checkpoint, how would that be proved, I flash my lights for many reasons, like recognizing a friends car. etc.

[Upnotover]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

On an aside, is there an app for that in Thailand?  Back home, there are apps (maybe even Google maps) where people can post up a speedtrap or other enforcement like DUI checkpoints.

 

Google maps definitely does, the traps (and other reported issues) can be seen once your searched a route.

[BangkokReady]

11 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

Nah.  I'd feel guilty each time I read about yet another motorcyclist dying from head injuries or suffering permanent brain damage, wondering if........

 

I thought the same.  The "comradery" here comes from preventing another rider from something that might make him consider wearing a helmet more often, which is very much a good thing. 

 

People seem to get a little confused when it comes to the police and the reason for having fines.  Surprising, given how dangerous the roads are in Thailand (and how often people complain about this fact).

[RemyDog]

11 hours ago, rattlesnake said:

 

Yeah definitely, we do it all the time in France. I was surprised by @richard_smith237's account that they do in the UK too, I though it was essentially a South-European thing. I would be interested in knowing whether Germans do it (I would think not).

Very common practice to share such useful intelligence in Australia.

 

[Njoku]

Well I never flashed in AU, youre doing the wrong thing or over the limit what ever you deserve to get caught, irresponsible people take out others that are doing the right thing, as for here id do the same, since I have an extremely poor opinion of motorbike riders in general here id let them meet there fate.

[RayWright]

In the UK been flashing oncoming traffic to warn of Cops Ahead since the late '60's. My dad taught me. Although technically illegal by the Highway Code.

Also as a country bumkin, warn oncoming traffic of horses on country lanes. Do the two hands off the wheel and up & down in parallel,  as if using reigns manoeuvre. 

 

[Chris Daley]

Pays taxes and whines about immigrants on a daily basis.  Hates wearing a helmet.

[KhunLA]

Mixed thoughts on that.  I'll warn folks on the overpass without a helmet headed toward a check point.

 

The other day coming back from Hua Hin on highway, I'm passing a truck/trailer, with cruise control set @ 89 kph, and a pick up comes up behind me, way too fast behind me, flashes lights while I'm passing.

 

I ignore him, and if having another coat of paint, he'd hit me 

 

So as soon as I'm able, I pass the truck and move over, knowing there's a speed camera ahead, and he probably hit about 120 kph in a 90 kph zone as he passed it