A rant about Thai driving.. I know.. Yaaaawwwnn

[1happykamper]

I've been living in various parts of Thailand since 2015. I've also lived (retired) in Mexico, Vietnam and Indonesia (Bali) 

 

I'm now a (fit) 74 year old living in chiang mai Mai city on and off for several years 

 

The Thai driving here is getting much worse.. Right? I'm speaking from a pedestrians point of view... it's dangerous now to try to walk around the city! I haven't driven in years but from what I experience via taxi rides... driving skills here are worse than ANY of those afformentioned places. Just awful... from a pedestrian and car passengers pov. 

 

Sidewalks in chiang mai city are downright dangerous leaving little option but to walk the streets... I digress. 

 

This morning... I'm walking next to warorot (Kad Luang market).. walking at the very edge of the street... there are no sidewalks in this area... and a car heading.. at slow speed.. straight for me.. I assumed they would stop. Wrong. They kept driving! The driver got out of the car.. Picking up fruit the lazy c#w.. and laughed at me. I was pissed and gave her my best possible insults in a body language that any mor^n would understand. No apology... She giggles 

 

These situations now are nearly daily. Ive been hit here by moving cars.. Twice .. Once fairly seriously... The merc driver just kept driving. What the hell is wrong with "these people". 

 

My anger levels here are noticeably higher nowadays. So much so that quite often I opt not to go for a walk. So very pathetic that I have to think this way. 

 

Will I really leave chiang mai city because of this? I enjoy city vibes... So rice fields are not my style... 

[novacova]

In the city, most of the population and drivers are not from the area, Bangkokers Chinese & Westerns are among the worst when it comes to operating a car.

3 hours ago, 1happykamper said:

I was pissed and gave her my best possible insults in a body language

Include some boisterous expletives for extra relief.
 

[sqwakvfr]

In CNX for 7 years and this morning had a close call walking back from the gym. I was walking in a small soi and a Honda City veered towards me because cars were parked in the soi.  As most of us know the Soi's are narrow.  I had to turn sideways and missed the car.  As usual the driver could care less. As a cardinal rule I never wear headphones because sometimes "you can hear it before you see it".  That is unless an EV is approaching from behind. Also, "keep your head on swivel" was the mantra while on foot patrol in A-stan.  

[Will B Good]

14 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

In CNX for 7 years and this morning had a close call walking back from the gym. I was walking in a small soi and a Honda City veered towards me because cars were parked in the soi.  As most of us know the Soi's are narrow.  I had to turn sideways and missed the car.  As usual the driver could care less. As a cardinal rule I never wear headphones because sometimes "you can hear it before you see it".  That is unless an EV is approaching from behind. Also, "keep your head on swivel" was the mantra while on foot patrol in A-stan.  

 

It amazes me watching Thais walking along the roads near us.....no pavements (sidewalks).....and they walk 'with the traffic'......and the traffic is fast.

 

At night they do the same and are happy to wear dark clothing and just.....????.....trust their amulets ...weird.