Who says that Thailand is pedestrian friendly?

 

One of the reasons scooter drivers don't ride on the sidewalks.

 

One of the reasons I generally walk carefully, with eyes wide open, on the edge of the streets.

 

......and another reason is potential hazards such as this florescent glass tube.

 

In Thailand people should always be aware where they drive or walk.

If people are careful, and not looking at their screens, then this is not really a big problem. 

1 hour ago, dingdongrb said:

Who says that Thailand is pedestrian friendly?

 

no one. What is your point?

3 minutes ago, madone said:

 

What is your point?

The point is on the top of your head......(and the look is fitting)

13 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

In Thailand people should always be aware where they drive or walk.

If people are careful, and not looking at their screens, then this is not really a big problem. 

Well the area I posted with all the objects impeding a nice clear sidewalk unfortunately is in a high tourist traffic area and it's difficult to maneuver around with other pedestrians.

Plus I really don't like the cobwebs hitting me in the face.

And as for the florescent bulb, my camera happened to lighten the area when actually it was nearly 7pm when the pic was taken and the area was darker making it harder to see it, as well as any dog chit.

10 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

Well the area I posted with all the objects impeding a nice clear sidewalk unfortunately is in a high tourist traffic area and it's difficult to maneuver around with other pedestrians.

Plus I really don't like the cobwebs hitting me in the face.

And as for the florescent bulb, my camera happened to lighten the area when actually it was nearly 7pm when the pic was taken and the area was darker making it harder to see it, as well as any dog chit.

Obviously, it would be nice if the sidewalks would be wide and clear. But unfortunately, there is little space for streets and even less space for sidewalks in Thailand. And that problem won't go away. So, IMHO the best advice is to look and be careful. Because it is unlikely that the situation will change.

1 hour ago, dingdongrb said:

Who says that Thailand is pedestrian friendly?

 

One of the reasons scooter drivers don't ride on the sidewalks.

 

One of the reasons I generally walk carefully, with eyes wide open, on the edge of the streets.

 

 

It's an even bigger problem for wheelchair users.

They put lifts at subway stations, but first they have to navigate streets like this to get there.

19 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Obviously, it would be nice if the sidewalks would be wide and clear. But unfortunately, there is little space for streets and even less space for sidewalks in Thailand. And that problem won't go away. So, IMHO the best advice is to look and be careful. Because it is unlikely that the situation will change.

I understand with what you are saying and tend to agree but......

 

.......the location where this picture was taken is actually a pretty major street and as I said a high tourist area. The street is only one lane in each direction but the lanes are big enough to be two....and each side has large parking areas marked off so there's plenty of space to accommodate a nice fat clear sidewalk. BTW, not only is it a tourist area but that sidewalk pictured is right next to a popular temple.

 

.......if the sidewalk was nice and wide it would probably be cluttered at times with vendors.

 

On a positive note, they are removing many of the overhead lines and putting them underground.

If this thread is considered "Popular In The Pub"....an algorithm needs tweaking..

You need to wear hiking boots navigating the streets of Bangkok , potholes , cracked and 

uneven pavements,  missing manhole covers , thats at ground level , then you have to

beware of dangers at head level.

 

regards worgeordie 

On 1/11/2025 at 12:05 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

In Thailand people should always be aware where they drive or walk.

If people are careful, and not looking at their screens, then this is not really a big problem. 

...unless you're disabled 

err - doesnt he work for the Chidchop family?? 

On 1/11/2025 at 11:59 AM, dingdongrb said:

......and another reason is potential hazards such as this florescent glass tube.

 

 

 

How is that a hazard?  

Those are super nice pavements and you're complaining about a tiny bit of rubbish on the side of the path?  
 

No problem strolling (walking the dog) rurally, as no walkways.

 

Took a stroll yesterday, at Hua Hin, PEA CS to the mall, mere 500 meters.  What a joke.  Up, down, up down, for every soi and driveway.  Uneven walkway, and yea, stump my foot at one point, and possible an older, less agile person would have taken a spill.  

 

Obstacles of course along the way, so walking a straight line was impossible.  Even stepped off the curb and a scooter driving down the wrong way was turning into the driveway, and we both hit the brakes.  How he was driving down the wrong way is amazing, as 4 lane road with parking, and it was gridlock.

 

Usually look for that, people driving the wrong way, and strange we need to look behind us, when walking against traffic on one way lane, but a necessity here.  Due to gridlock and small lanes, didn't think it possible for some to squeeze through ... oops.

 

Walking in urban areas is not pleasurable sometimes.  Hua Hin being one of them.

2 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

How is that a hazard?  

Those are super nice pavements and you're complaining about a tiny bit of rubbish on the side of the path?  
 

Are you for real or just real high?

Too many places selling stuff on the pavement, bikes usually parked up flower pots scattered around dodgy paving slabs and manhole covers nearly forgot the dangling cables which may or may not be live.

Best though was when looking at stalls selling on the pavement on 2nd road Pattaya in the evening after dark, about 20 years ago. I stumbled into an elephant coming the other way. Very fast and silent. Luckily it stopped and was very placid, I even bought sugar cane for it as a thank you for not squashing me.

6 minutes ago, LittleBear57 said:

Too many places selling stuff on the pavement, bikes usually parked up flower pots scattered around dodgy paving slabs and manhole covers nearly forgot the dangling cables which may or may not be live.

 

Yes, when there are nice wide sidewalks they are typically cluttered with items the stores drag outside during business hours displaying their goods.

On 1/11/2025 at 11:10 AM, dingdongrb said:

Who says that Thailand is pedestrian friendly?

 

Yea right They are so friendly they just run you over and Smile.   🙏

2 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

Are you for real or just real high?

 

I've lived in Bangkok for 16+ years.  

I see nothing wrong with the picture you posted.  Maybe it's a you problem.

Apparently you live in the wrong country

5 hours ago, ujayujay said:

Apparently you live in the wrong country

....and just why do you say that?

Who says that Thailand is pedestrian friendly?

 

no one's ever said that to me...

What can I say, it is as it is, the daily hazards of life. I live in the Isaan countryside and like to go for a walk on the concrete path around the temple lake in the early morning when it's still dark. I once tripped over a water buffalo who was sleeping on the path.

On 1/11/2025 at 12:38 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

Obviously, it would be nice if the sidewalks would be wide and clear. But unfortunately, there is little space for streets and even less space for sidewalks in Thailand. And that problem won't go away. So, IMHO the best advice is to look and be careful. Because it is unlikely that the situation will change.

Another good reason for not grow old in Thailand, due to what you said. Can't solve simple problems, or there is no will to solve problems. 

 

Same as the yearly pollution by fires

19 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

I've lived in Bangkok for 16+ years.  

I see nothing wrong with the picture you posted.  Maybe it's a you problem.

Exactly, you guys have been here to long, 

23 hours ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

How is that a hazard?  

Those are super nice pavements and you're complaining about a tiny bit of rubbish on the side of the path?  
 

In Detroit, I guess this is normal, in most developed countries it is not.

 

 

Just now, Hummin said:

Another good reason for not grow old in Thailand, due to what you said. Can't solve simple problems, or there is no will to solve problems. 

 

Same as the yearly pollution by fires

 

The question is obviously what's the alternative.

Recently I was "back home". In theory the living standards are better and there is law enforcement and many other good things. But do I want to live there permanently? No! 

And when I am old, I don't think I want to start all over in a place where I never lived before. 

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Exactly, you guys have been here to long, 

 

Is that bad? Because many of us just get used to the way things are here. Obviously, we could complain that this and that is better back home. But then, if we would like it so much back home, then we would live there and not here.

There are always compromises.

1 minute ago, OneMoreFarang said:

 

Is that bad? Because many of us just get used to the way things are here. Obviously, we could complain that this and that is better back home. But then, if we would like it so much back home, then we would live there and not here.

There are always compromises.

We have choices, and we do not need to choose the same,  but I agree with OP, this is not good. I have been here more then 20 years visiting, and living 8 years, and there is no changes what so ever in traffic safety or accessibility walking, and I feel the pollution have become worse. 

 

I have invested as much I want here, and no more, because I se no improvements. To make it better for me, I need to invest in better facilities, and I'm not willing to do that.