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

[ChaiyaTH]

Both myself and friends all had multiple (smaller) accidents here over the years (talking 5-10-15 years) while never anywhere else. I agree entirely that it has become absolute crazy here in CM due to mainly the cars driving on 2 lanes, too slow or crazy fast.

 

But even to take a taxi to the other side of the city here became just like being in Bangkok, in terms of the time it takes. Aside from the fact that a taxi in BKK is actually cheaper than it is here for the same distance too.

 

Guess you should consider to leave like I did too months ago. The burning season is also coming soon.

[RocketDog]

17 hours ago, KannikaP said:

Sorry to correct you but it is 'COULDN'T care less' in proper English.

If he COULD care less he would have a bit more carelessness to go.

And yes I agree, most Thai drivers could not care less about how they drive or who they hurt or inconvenience.  Another English phrase is 'couldn't give a monkeys' or of course a flying 4''k!

Cheers.

It's sad that the upside down version of the phrase is now held as legitimate use. I guess all laguages evolve but this seems an affront to simple logic..

 

So be it, but I will still say 'couldn't care less' because I just feel stupid using the new version.

[KannikaP]

57 minutes ago, RocketDog said:

It's sad that the upside down version of the phrase is now held as legitimate use. I guess all laguages evolve but this seems an affront to simple logic..

 

So be it, but I will still say 'couldn't care less' because I just feel stupid using the new version.

I have never heard anyone SAY they could care less, only here on AN have I seen it written, probably by an American or Aussie.

ChatGPT explains it just as I did in my previous post.

[KannikaP]

3 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

Back at  you or "Touche". Remember, you started it.  

No I did not, whoever said Í could care less' started it.

But let's not argue about it, I really couldn't care less what you or anyone else gets wrong. I just thought that I would point out the error.

[BadBouy]

On 1/25/2025 at 12:13 PM, 1happykamper said:

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... 

I've been in CM 10 yrs no regrets but my exit will be in a couple months. Smokey season, traffic, worst driving I have ever seen, and now road destruction on top of it all. I live in a good spot but air traffic noise is picking up and who ever lives above me has started a 24 hour laundromat so moving was in the cards if I stayed. I've had enough. I already know the next spot, heading there to avoid smokey season to find a place to lease. Just come back pack up and go. CM has a lot to offer but for me but the scales have tipped. I suggest you take a vacation and visit some other places. You might discover a place you like or maybe a holiday is just what you need.

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, BadBouy said:

I already know the next spot, heading there to avoid smokey season

 

 

There's somewhere without a smokey season......in Thailand?

 

[BadBouy]

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

 

There's somewhere without a smokey season......in Thailand?

 

Compared to CM yes.

[sqwakvfr]

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

No I did not, whoever said Í could care less' started it.

But let's not argue about it, I really couldn't care less what you or anyone else gets wrong. I just thought that I would point out the error.

Did I ask for a lesson on grammar from you or anyone?  Therefore you started it.  Your thoughts directed at me were unsolicited. 

[KannikaP]

29 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

Did I ask for a lesson on grammar from you or anyone?  Therefore you started it.  Your thoughts directed at me were unsolicited. 

Oh so sorry Sqwakvfr.

[sqwakvfr]

4 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Oh so sorry Sqwakvfr.

Ok.  Appreciate your sincerity. When were you appointed as the grammar enfrorcer on this forum? 

[1happykamper]

59 minutes ago, BadBouy said:

I've been in CM 10 yrs no regrets but my exit will be in a couple months. Smokey season, traffic, worst driving I have ever seen, and now road destruction on top of it all. I live in a good spot but air traffic noise is picking up and who ever lives above me has started a 24 hour laundromat so moving was in the cards if I stayed. I've had enough. I already know the next spot, heading there to avoid smokey season to find a place to lease. Just come back pack up and go. CM has a lot to offer but for me but the scales have tipped. I suggest you take a vacation and visit some other places. You might discover a place you like or maybe a holiday is just what you need.

OP here.. Greetings from Jomtien! 🤣🤣🤣.. next stop to check out... Hua Hin.. I've lived in both before. It's sooooo very quiet in Jomtien compared to chiang mai! Walking on beach road at 7 am was a pleasure... walking anywhere in chiang mai at that same hour was not a pleasure in the last few years. Best of luck 

[KannikaP]

49 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

Ok.  Appreciate your sincerity. When were you appointed as the grammar enfrorcer on this forum? 

As soon as I joined and noticed so many grammar and spelling mistakes.

If I type a word incorrectly, like enfrocer, it shows up with red underline, doesn't yours?

[sqwakvfr]

2 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

As soon as I joined and noticed so many grammar and spelling mistakes.

If I type a word incorrectly, like enfrocer, it shows up with red underline, doesn't yours?

No and what is the consequence for making a spelling error? 

[KannikaP]

20 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

No and what is the consequence for making a spelling error? 

Nohtign ecxetp a relpy form me. 555

No but seriously, I got my A Level in English, and that's how I like it to be.

A bit like someone playing a bum note in a Beatles' song! Or Beethoven !

 

[richard_smith237]

On 1/27/2025 at 7:20 AM, bkk6060 said:

I think they are the most disrespectful, selfish, terrible, uneducated drivers in the world.  Just look at all the accidents and deaths.  Human life seems worthless.

 

I don't think its disrespect, selfishness, a lack of education or terrible character..... 

 

Its pure and simple indifference to the value of life....     other people simply do not enter into their psyche - the mind works a different way, thats all it is...  not to overthink it - it appears selfish, disrespectful and terrible - but its not deliberate... 

 

... I classify is as simple innocent ignorance - 'they' know no better, which is shame because it showcases an ugly facet of what otherwise is a very well natured polite caring and considerate society - something weird happens when they get in a car !

[kwilco]

On 1/25/2025 at 4:13 AM, 1happykamper said:

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... 

Basically blaming Thai people for his old age.

[1happykamper]

5 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Basically blaming Thai people for his old age.

What? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Get grip cupcake 

[kwilco]

16 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Basically blaming Thai people for his old age.

 

10 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

What? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Get grip cupcake 

he obviously doesn't realise how he's losing it as he gets older and doesn't understand Thai vculure (e.g. laughing and smiling at mistakes) and rather than admit he can't adjust, toes to blame oters.

[1happykamper]

2 minutes ago, kwilco said:

 

he obviously doesn't realise how he's losing it as he gets older and doesn't understand Thai vculure (e.g. laughing and smiling at mistakes) and rather than admit he can't adjust, toes to blame oters.

Wrong. I know the drill. Your assumptions are wrong . My post was about pathetic drivings skills.. It wasn't about not understanding Thai culture. 

 

Try to keep up 

[kwilco]

35 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

Wrong. I know the drill. Your assumptions are wrong . My post was about pathetic drivings skills.. It wasn't about not understanding Thai culture. 

 

Try to keep up 

Usual rubbish and tittle-tattle about "bd driving " in Thailand - just cynicism covering ignorance

 

[kwilco]

43 minutes ago, 1happykamper said:

Wrong. I know the drill. Your assumptions are wrong . My post was about pathetic drivings skills.. It wasn't about not understanding Thai culture. 

 

Try to keep up 

 

"It wasn't about not understanding Thai culture. " - that's where you are wrong...

Whilst Chiang Mai indeed has traffic issues, and pedestrian conditions can be challenging. However, the idea that driving is getting “much worse” or that “these people” are uniquely inconsiderate is an unfair and narrow perspective. With a better understanding of Thai road culture, safer walking habits, and a more patient approach, much of this frustration could be alleviated. Ultimately, if someone finds themselves overwhelmed with anger every time they step outside, the issue may not be the city—it may be your own mindset

[1happykamper]

9 hours ago, kwilco said:

 

"It wasn't about not understanding Thai culture. " - that's where you are wrong...

Whilst Chiang Mai indeed has traffic issues, and pedestrian conditions can be challenging. However, the idea that driving is getting “much worse” or that “these people” are uniquely inconsiderate is an unfair and narrow perspective. With a better understanding of Thai road culture, safer walking habits, and a more patient approach, much of this frustration could be alleviated. Ultimately, if someone finds themselves overwhelmed with anger every time they step outside, the issue may not be the city—it may be your own mindset

You need to be enlightened more. Allow me... these are facts.. not an opinion : I've lived around the world.. 7 countries and traveled to 41. I've been living in Thailand 10 years and chiang mai just 2 years. I've only ever been hit by a vehicle in chiang mai.. three times! 🤣🤣🤣... one fairly seriously and it was a hit and run! 

 

Nope.. it's certainly not me. it's definitely chiang mai! 

[hotsun]

9 hours ago, kwilco said:

Usual rubbish and tittle-tattle about "bd driving " in Thailand - just cynicism covering ignorance

 

Thai people are generally unskilled at driving. Thats a fact

[kwilco]

On 2/2/2025 at 12:17 AM, hotsun said:

Thats a fact

You really dont know what a fact is?