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

[1happykamper]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Clearly I'm the odd one out.

I find driving in Thailand very easy.

Living in Bangkok you would think the opposite.

Always need to watch out for motorbikes.

If you want a challenge esp re motorbikes give Saigon a try..

I've driven a mb in HCM and Da Nang... Much easier than chiang mai... Yes... Chaotic.. But even pedestrians get their fair chance at crossing six lanes of travel... Just get into the flow viet ride slower in cities. Thai here in cnx.. Ride far to fast for conditions 

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Clearly I'm the odd one out.

I find driving in Thailand very easy.

Living in Bangkok you would think the opposite.

Always need to watch out for motorbikes.

If you want a challenge esp re motorbikes give Saigon a try..

 

Certainly safer to drive in BKK than anywhere else in Thailand......but the drive from BKK to Korat is hair-raising.

[MalcolmB]

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

In Bangkok at least 5 scooters bumped my car trying to pass me.

1 unfortunate, 2 unlucky

5 time to take a good hard look at yourself in mirror and get out of they way.

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, MalcolmB said:

1 unfortunate, 2 unlucky

5 time to take a good hard look at yourself in mirror and get out of they way.

You can't get out of the way if you're stopped in traffic, or driving slow and straight when they get too close then bump into you because a scooter is harder to stay straight in, especially in moving traffic that's slow. People hitting you has nothing to do with your driving. I've avoided many here that thought cutting in front of me was a good idea.

[fredwiggy]

16 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Certainly safer to drive in BKK than anywhere else in Thailand......but the drive from BKK to Korat is hair-raising.

The safest place to drive is in the slow lanes on highways, away from everyone else. You don't trust anyone, you have a better chance to avoid accidents. Thinking they will do something stupid, which they will, not taking for granted the people around you are competent, is the way.

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

In Bangkok at least 5 scooters bumped my car trying to pass me.

 

 

I've learnt to squeeze to one side, leaving the biggest gap you can on the other, simultaneously blocking bikes on the squeezed side.

 

Fold in wing mirrors and squeeze up to the car in front so the bikes don't weave to change lanes right in front of you.

 

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

The safest place to drive is in the slow lanes on highways, away from everyone else. You don't trust anyone, you have a better chance to avoid accidents. Thinking they will do something stupid, which they will, not taking for granted the people around you are competent, is the way.

 

I set off like that....but with a seven hour journey in front of me I'm soon driving worse than the Thais.

[fredwiggy]

Just now, Will B Good said:

 

 

I've learnt to squeeze to one side, leaving the biggest gap you can on the other, simultaneously blocking bikes on the squeezed side.

 

Fold in wing mirrors and squeeze up to the car in front so the bikes don't weave to change lanes right in front of you.

 

They're unpredictable and incompetent. Cutting people off is a major way accidents and fatalities happen here, as many get dragged underneath trucks and bumped into others on the road because they think they can get by. A scooter should stay to the side, driving in the shoulder if possible. A motorcycle should drive the same way a car does, without weaving. It's their lives they lose, as you can\t compete with an automobile.

[fredwiggy]

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

I set off like that....but with a seven hour journey in front of me I'm soon driving worse than the Thais.

When you let down your guard, you allow mishaps. That's why taking breaks every couple of hours is always good advice, even for the best of drivers.

[Will B Good]

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

They're unpredictable and incompetent. Cutting people off is a major way accidents and fatalities happen here, as many get dragged underneath trucks and bumped into others on the road because they think they can get by. A scooter should stay to the side, driving in the shoulder if possible. A motorcycle should drive the same way a car does, without weaving. It's their lives they lose, as you can\t compete with an automobile.

 

I meant to add....but forgot....."as I queue in traffic jams or queue waiting at the lights".....soz!

[Will B Good]

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

When you let down your guard, you allow mishaps. That's why taking breaks every couple of hours is always good advice, even for the best of drivers.

 

I'm lucky.....when I stop and can fall asleep for as little as 5 minutes and feel totally refreshed.

[Samh]

Travelling along the Nakhon Nayok to Rangsit road a few days ago. The gf driving. A kid in school uniform runs across the three lanes of fast traffic. Climbs over the concrete barrier then runs across the other three lanes. There was a pedestrian foot bridge less than 50 m away.

I also think Thai drivers are the most inconsiderate I have seen. But as to getting worse, I have actually seen a few, only a few mind you, move out of the way of an ambulance with its sirens and flashing lights on.

[NoshowJones]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Clearly I'm the odd one out.

I find driving in Thailand very easy.

Living in Bangkok you would think the opposite.

Always need to watch out for motorbikes.

If you want a challenge esp re motorbikes give Saigon a try..

I found that when driving or riding in Bangkok it was much easier than in any other Thai city like Nakhon Sawan or Phitsanulok. Maybe it's because Bangkok's roads are much more busier and people are forced to go much slower and be more careful.

[Kenneth White]

I am from South Florida, USA, and the driving habits there are horrendous. If walking around Miami Dade and choosing to cross the street, it is advisable to use a crosswalk. Otherwise, you will be taking your life into your own hands. I have lived in Thailand for 10 years and still have not grown accustomed to Thai drivers; they don't mind tailgating, I mean, right on your ass. They will come racing up in the right turn lane and then cut you off to go straight. It is advisable to have a car cam; it will save you if needed. And then there are motorbikes. Someone must teach these idiots [I can't emphasize IGIOTS enough] proper riding skills with some common sense riding. I rode for many years living in South Florida and respect the rules and laws of the road. Here, they think they own the road and have no respect. Then, the Thai people and government wonder why there are so many traffic fatalities. Okay, I have said enough.

[1happykamper]

23 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Smile, wave, walk on ........

Anger gets you nowhere so best to put it aside.

I've been hit twice, as a pedestrian, by cars. Fk that.. "smile wave and walk on".🤦🤣🤣🤣 Er... No... Thai need to learn to drive and respect pedestrians! 

[ignore it]

Yeah, 

Driving and traffic is getting worse.

With no knowledge of Mexico or Bali

I can say that driving/traffic in Thailand is like swimming in the pool

whilst driving/traffic in Vietnam is like swimming with sharks.

[Merrill]

I have an issue that has always bothered me. My wife is a backseat driver, we live in the UK at the moment and whenever we go out her head is going ten to the dozen when reversing out the drive she watches everything and comments on lights people crossing etc. however when we are in Thailand she in the front her brother beer can in hand almost taking out the old chap on a bike she doesn’t batter an eye. Not a word said, through the red lights he drives and the last time she laughed and said lights on orange means go faster in Thailand. What gives with this mentality? When challenged she replies oh I didn’t see. This is not just my wife I have seen it with other Thai friends when a Farang drives everyone gives advice yet,  the Thai drive reverses at dusk on a dual carriageway in the fast lane and not a word is said. 

[RocketDog]

On 1/27/2025 at 9:39 AM, Surasak said:

My experience of Saigon, was to just step out into the road and the motorbikes will go round. Or was I just lucky!?

I was all over VN for three weeks. The Vietnamese friend I traveled with kept telling me to just start walking slowly in a straight line and let them flow around you. Seemed crazy to me but it worked, that is I'm still alive and walking.

 

There's absolutely no way in heaven or hell I would try that here. I'd be a flattened corpse in seconds with my wallet and phone gone.

[Ralf001]

On 1/27/2025 at 8:36 AM, Bruce Aussie Chiang Mai said:

Driving here in Chiang Mai very easy.

No police or road rules to think about.

Old saying is true.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Just make sure your will is up to date 😄

 

 

I too find it easy. Love driving to the limit of the vehicle every time I get behind the wheel

[KannikaP]

On 1/25/2025 at 3:27 PM, sqwakvfr said:

As usual the driver could care less.

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.

[KannikaP]

On 1/27/2025 at 10:51 AM, fredwiggy said:

When you let down your guard, you allow mishaps. That's why taking breaks every couple of hours is always good advice, even for the best of drivers.

But someone else could hit you in the first five minutes of your journey.

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Another English phrase is 'couldn't give a monkeys' or of course a flying 4''k!

 

 

they most definately do when you run them off the road.

[KannikaP]

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

 

they most definately do when you run them off the road.

So don't do that!

The thread is about the way THEY drive, not the way YOU retaliate.

[Ralf001]

8 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

So don't do that!

The thread is about the way THEY drive, not the way YOU retaliate.

 

I drive the way THEY drive.

[Lacessit]

The first company vehicle I got, I was required to pass a defensive driving course. That has been a useful skill in Thailand.

 

I just assume everyone else on the road is an idiot trying to kill me, and drive accordingly.

 

Advice to the OP - take up golf. No cars or scooters there, except for the ground staff, who will bow to you, and wai.

 

It's a walk of 7-8 km, with no uneven pavements to trip over.

[KannikaP]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

 

I drive the way THEY drive.

So you will possibly be one of the 50 odd killed per day eventually.

[sqwakvfr]

10 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.

Why apologize?  Because i could care less.  

[Ralf001]

8 hours ago, KannikaP said:

So you will possibly be one of the 50 odd killed per day eventually.

 

Possibly.

When its time to leave this earth I have several methods in mind, vehicular suicie is oe of them.