Motorcyclist Chases Down Foreign Hit-and-Run Driver in Phuket

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, SS1 said:

Yeah I certainly don't agree with it. But it does make sense on e.g. highways where helmetless locals are riding less than 1/3 of the speed limit; simply to keep the road clear. Also in heavy traffic situations, sometimes there is no other viable choice than passing on the left to keep moving forward. 

 

Yep... If someone is 'pottering along' at 1/3rd the speed limit - then I'd agree, out of the way to the left is safer.

 

In this case - the rider had plenty of options - But, he chose to ride quickly undertaking at speed on the 'shoulder'.

 

While that accident itself is clearly not his fault - in riding this way he has placed himself in greater danger.

 

If wishing to 'lane split' he should be riding between the two 'driving lanes'... and not passing when two cars are 'next to each other.... But, the situation in this incident is not one where lane splitting is necessary, the traffic is already moving at 45 kmh which is a reasonable speed for 'town driving'.

 

In 'gridlocked traffic' if there is no other option to lane split and passing on the shoulder is the only remaining option, then I believe doing so is ok, but not at speed.

 

Ignoring the Hyundai drivers actions - the motorcyclist is riding in a very dangerous manner travelling at speed, had he been more defensive and cautious, he'd have been able to react.

 

 

 

[ujayujay]

Overtaking on the left in the emergency lane is prohibited...even in Thailand! My son had a motorcycle accident in Hua Hin last year because of this offense and had to pay a fine and compensation of 50k Baht. The insurance company paid nothing because of negligence! It was a stupid move for the Hyundai driver to commit a hit-and-run!

[ujayujay]

9 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Whilst the foreigner was definitely the major contributor to this accident and deserves to be prosecuted for careless driving, the motorcyclist who was knocked off was

 

i. undertaking

ii. riding on the hard shoulder (normal in Thailand but the foreigner may not have expected that)

iii. certainly riding too fast for traffic conditions, possibly over the speed limit

iv. was definitely slow in beginning braking showing he was not paying attention

v. seemed to brake rather gently with his foot out rather than an emergency stop which was what was required

 

The motorcyclist will justifiably claim it was the Hyundai driver's fault but it is clear to me that he can learn lessons here, particularly regarding undertaking, excessive speed and awareness of both turnings and the movement of other vehicles.

 

I am glad it looked like serious injury was avoided.

 

Overtaking on the Hard Shoulder is strictly forbidden in Thailand. In the event of an accident, the insurance company may refuse to pay due to negligent action.

[stevenl]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

No its not - that 'shoulder' is not actually part of the road - but, many motorcyclists here have 'adapted' and started using it as part of the road

If he would have been riding on the main road he would have been forced off by cars. Bikes there ride on the hard shoulder.

[richard_smith237]

21 minutes ago, stevenl said:

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

No its not - that 'shoulder' is not actually part of the road - but, many motorcyclists here have 'adapted' and started using it as part of the road

If he would have been riding on the main road he would have been forced off by cars. Bikes there ride on the hard shoulder.

 

No he wouldn't... not if he was riding at the same speed as the traffic.

 

I've been riding 'here' for a couple of decades, a car has never forced me off the road onto the shoulder.

 

 

[stevenl]

24 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

No he wouldn't... not if he was riding at the same speed as the traffic.

 

I've been riding 'here' for a couple of decades, a car has never forced me off the road onto the shoulder.

 

 

Sure mate. Just come on down to this road so you can see this situation.

[richard_smith237]

31 minutes ago, stevenl said:

56 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

No he wouldn't... not if he was riding at the same speed as the traffic.

 

I've been riding 'here' for a couple of decades, a car has never forced me off the road onto the shoulder.

Sure mate. Just come on down to this road so you can see this situation.

 

It seems you are suggesting that the road users on this specific road are different from any other road in Thailand.

 

Nope - I don't buy into that at all - this road is no different than any other in Thailand. IF a motorcyclist is travelling at the same speed as the other traffic they won't get 'forced off to the shoulder'...  

 

But, if a rider is travelling slower than the traffic, then yes, I can see that they would get bullied out of the way.

 

Do you ride a motorcycle ? its seems you have guessed and are now doubling down on that guess.

 

 

3 hours ago, Moonlover said:

7 hours ago, stevenl said:

Motorbike riders driving in the left lane will be forced off that lane onto the hard shoulder. 

I've been riding here for 10 years now and I have never been 'forced off' the road as you suggest happens.

 

Whenever I'm riding, I'm in left or right lane (of a two lane road), or Left, middle or right (of a 3 lane road) - this is mainly in Bangkok, where traffic is heavy and fairly aggressive - but its not really in the Thai psyche to bully motorcyclists out of their way unless the motorcyclist is slowing them. 

[stevenl]

5 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

It seems you are suggesting that the road users on this specific road are different from any other road in Thailand.

 

Nope - I don't buy into that at all - this road is no different than any other in Thailand. IF a motorcyclist is travelling at the same speed as the other traffic they won't get 'forced off to the shoulder'...  

 

But, if a rider is travelling slower than the traffic, then yes, I can see that they would get bullied out of the way.

 

Do you ride a motorcycle ? its seems you have guessed and are now doubling down on that guess.

 

 

 

Whenever I'm riding, I'm in left or right lane (of a two lane road), or Left, middle or right (of a 3 lane road) - this is mainly in Bangkok, where traffic is heavy and fairly aggressive - but its not really in the Thai psyche to bully motorcyclists out of their way unless the motorcyclist is slowing them. 

I'm not suggesting anything, simply stating i know this area and driving habits, you clearly don't. 

 

Riding a bike for 40+ years.

[richard_smith237]

7 minutes ago, stevenl said:

16 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

It seems you are suggesting that the road users on this specific road are different from any other road in Thailand.

 

Nope - I don't buy into that at all - this road is no different than any other in Thailand. IF a motorcyclist is travelling at the same speed as the other traffic they won't get 'forced off to the shoulder'...  

 

But, if a rider is travelling slower than the traffic, then yes, I can see that they would get bullied out of the way.

 

Do you ride a motorcycle ? its seems you have guessed and are now doubling down on that guess.

 

 

 

Whenever I'm riding, I'm in left or right lane (of a two lane road), or Left, middle or right (of a 3 lane road) - this is mainly in Bangkok, where traffic is heavy and fairly aggressive - but its not really in the Thai psyche to bully motorcyclists out of their way unless the motorcyclist is slowing them. 

Expand  

I'm not suggesting anything, simply stating i know this area and driving habits, you clearly don't. 

 

Riding a bike for 40+ years.

 

Fair enough - you have plenty of riding experience (more than I) and seem to know this area better than I.

 

But... you are certainly suggesting that any motorcyclist on that road will always get forced onto the 'shoulder' by the other cars.

 

 

The google maps photos below show two things: 

1) Motorcycles riding down the centre (not getting pushed off the road - contradicting your statement).

 

and...  something more of note to the topic.

2) Cars using the 'left shoulder' as a full lane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Moonlover]

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

If he would have been riding on the main road he would have been forced off by cars. Bikes there ride on the hard shoulder.

If the motorcyclist had been riding on the main road (as you call it) where he should have been, there would not have been an accident, despite the car driver's stupid behaviour.

[Briggsy]

@Patong2021

 

Completely agree. The accident was caused by the Hyundai driver.

[Gottfrid]

7 hours ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

im interested how you decide which laws to  follow and which to not  follow?

Like the one on major  roads where there is a service road and all the Thais drive on it as a 2  way road despite signs saying NO ENTRY making it one way only.

I do like them, as I am in Thailand, I have to adjust to how people deal with things here. Same as I did in home.

[Gottfrid]

9 hours ago, Briggsy said:

You cannot be seen from the outside lane if you are riding on the hard shoulder.

I only have to answer this one. 

You don´t need to be seen from the outside lane, as the person who is turning should already be on the inside lane.

[Briggsy]

4 hours ago, gomangosteen said:

Mixed messages in different provinces, there's a lack of consistency in what passes as 'rules'

 

Plenty of examples in Chanthaburi of the hard shoulder being designated for use by motorcycles and cycles, or cycles only (but used by motorcycles anyway)

 

 

 

 

 

Excellent post. That is a bicycle lane not a hard shoulder, also not a designated motorcycle lane. Whoever made the road sign has acquiesced to the norm of motorcycles using bicycle lanes.

 

However the law states they shouldn't. Bicycle lanes are for bicycles, not for pedestrians, not for motorcycles.

 

I would urge you to register a complaint with Chantaburi Highway Maintenance. This is clearly incorrect and as you point out a "mixed message".

[Briggsy]

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

I only have to answer this one. 

You don´t need to be seen from the outside lane, as the person who is turning should already be on the inside lane.

You are completely missing the point and continuing in your vein of posting very non-constructive posts. Always picking out something you can contradict.

 

I have repeatedly stated that the blame lies with the Hyundai driver. Please acknowledge this.

 

I have then go on to talk about defensive driving. This is a technique in which despite the dangerous driving of others, you can increase the chance of avoiding an accident. This is particularly important when riding a motorcycle. You continue to ignore this point. Defensive driving is what you can do to minimise the risk to yourself despite the idiocy of others.

 

Please have a good look in the mirror and consider what you are hoping to achieve by posting here. Currently your posts are really not positive, constructive, helpful, balanced or contributing anything worthwhile. Now would be an excellent time to change your ways.

[black tabby12345]

From the accident to crime case.

One misjudgment in a critical moment, makes all the difference.

Jumping proper care, then he is the Bad Guy cops come for.

[GammaGlobulin]

Passing ON THE LEFT....in this kind of situation is NEVER a safe idea.

 

Let this be a lesson to all motoSAI riders.

 

Too many at fault, in this case.

 

This is why I do not drive in Thailand.

 

You could not pay me enough.....

 

Thankfully, I have a safe driver that drives me where I need to go in Thailand.

She is a godsend.

 

[snowgard]

13 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Looks to me, that the foreign driver, was in the wrong lane for making the turn. Also, I can not see any blinkers on.

Please do not talk about that people are driving on the hard shoulder as something wrong. They do that in all Asia, and it is we, the foreigners, that must adjust our driving to theirs. Not the other way around. To add to the faults, the foreign driver also tries to flee.

Where did he drive too quick? Seems to me, he have time to stop and survive the crash without injuries. What paying attention??? You should not need to pay attention to someone who crosses over 2 lanes when turning.

Stupid answer!!! Driving on the hard shoulder is against Thai law. Overtaking on the hard shoulder is even more so. There are Thais & some Farangs who do this, but the consequences are accidents that are their own fault. We Farangs don't have to accept this and drive just as stupidly.

Both Farangs/Thais broke the traffic rules and should be held accountable.

[richard_smith237]

3 minutes ago, snowgard said:

Stupid answer!!! Driving on the hard shoulder is against Thai law. Overtaking on the hard shoulder is even more so. There are Thais & some Farangs who do this, but the consequences are accidents that are their own fault. We Farangs don't have to accept this and drive just as stupidly.

Both Farangs/Thais broke the traffic rules and should be held accountable.

 

Look at the photo's above... 

 

This actually looks like a dedicated motorcycle lane rather than a 'shoulder'...  Cars are also using this narrower lane.

It seems to be somewhat of a free-for all.

 

So.. I'm not convinced that its actually illegal to ride a motorcycle on this part of the road in at this location.

 

It actually appears to me as though local authorities have applied their own idea of what a road should be and added this lane for some misguided safety of motorcyclists.

[Rampant Rabbit]

6 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

I do like them, as I am in Thailand, I have to adjust to how people deal with things here. Same as I did in home.

so no helmets, driving the wrong way up one way streets, driving too close, throwing rubbish anywhere etc etc

[Gottfrid]

6 hours ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

so no helmets, driving the wrong way up one way streets, driving too close, throwing rubbish anywhere etc etc

I didn´t expect a more clever reply from you. Just go on. As you were, Sir!

[Gottfrid]

9 hours ago, snowgard said:

Driving on the hard shoulder is against Thai law. Overtaking on the hard shoulder is even more so.

Please feel free to point that out.

[mdr224]

Alot of arguing about the right and wrong way to drive in thailand. My experience is anything goes. Highways are a free for all

[Gottfrid]

13 hours ago, Briggsy said:

You are completely missing the point and continuing in your vein of posting very non-constructive posts. Always picking out something you can contradict.

 

I have repeatedly stated that the blame lies with the Hyundai driver. Please acknowledge this.

 

I have then go on to talk about defensive driving. This is a technique in which despite the dangerous driving of others, you can increase the chance of avoiding an accident. This is particularly important when riding a motorcycle. You continue to ignore this point. Defensive driving is what you can do to minimise the risk to yourself despite the idiocy of others.

 

Please have a good look in the mirror and consider what you are hoping to achieve by posting here. Currently your posts are really not positive, constructive, helpful, balanced or contributing anything worthwhile. Now would be an excellent time to change your ways.

I can not care less if you feel like you have to use defensive driving. You are probably scared and insecure in traffic, as you can not adjust to the way they drive here. I have been driving over 18 years in Thailand, both MC and car, without any accident whatsoever. If you do not agree with my post or reply, does not bother me either.

You, also decide that it´s a good time for me to look at what I post, as well as in mirror and change my ways. You, believe it would be an excellent time for that. My suggestion is that you go on posting your things, and I go on posting what I want. As long as moderation do not have any problem with anyone of us, it would be an excellent time for you, to focus on yourself.

[Gottfrid]

13 hours ago, Briggsy said:

I would urge you to register a complaint with Chantaburi Highway Maintenance.

Right! That will really get them to change everything. They will just look at him, smile, take the complaint. After that, they will talk all day about the crazy foreigner that came in and think he can tell them, the Thais, how to do their work in their own country. 😂

[snowgard]

On 1/14/2025 at 10:02 AM, Gottfrid said:

Please feel free to point that out.

 

Go to a driving school. They will teach & explain it to you. 😉

[Yellowtail]

Anyone not watching for motorcycles on the shoulder should not be driving in Thailand. 

 

The <deleted> driving the Hyundai illegally cut across traffic like he owned the road, caused an accident and fled the scene. 

 

He should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. 

[lordgrinz]

On 1/13/2025 at 4:19 PM, SS1 said:

 

Despite what you or the official law says, motorcyclists have been consistently taught to ride on the hard shoulder and even fined for not doing so. I have been personally fined in Bangkok at a police checkpoint for "correctly" overtaking a row of trailer trucks. According to the cop, I should have undertaken the trucks on the curbside instead. Only a suicidal person would do that. 

 

Here in Thailand, the official law is all that matters, go to court and you'll find that out. Thailand isn't like the West where laws are interpreted,  what's on the books is all that matters.

[lordgrinz]

On 1/13/2025 at 5:51 PM, ujayujay said:

Overtaking on the left in the emergency lane is prohibited...even in Thailand! My son had a motorcycle accident in Hua Hin last year because of this offense and had to pay a fine and compensation of 50k Baht. The insurance company paid nothing because of negligence! It was a stupid move for the Hyundai driver to commit a hit-and-run!

 

Exactly, the hit and run is the only offense here, the motorcycle is the one who caused this accident by undertaking illegally using the shoulder (Emergency) lane.

[lordgrinz]

On 1/14/2025 at 10:07 AM, mdr224 said:

Alot of arguing about the right and wrong way to drive in thailand. My experience is anything goes. Highways are a free for all

 

Until you get in an accident while pretending its a "free-for-all", then all the laws apply, that's what people seem to forget.