Why do they never stop at Zebra Crossings?

[new2here]

Here’s my take.. and it’s not unique to Thailand, nor a condemnation of it either.

 

In no specific order .. 1) I think there’s a general lack of “safety culture” here .. safety is of course talked about - you see all kinds of signs/posters extolling safety.. but in practice, safety and safety compliance just isn’t an ingrained part of the daily life here .

 

2) Overall lack of firm, fair and CONSISTENT enforcement of existing laws.. On the books, Thailand has essentially the same motor vehicle laws as many “western” countries — but the enforcement of these laws is spotty or sporadic at best and out right ignored at worst… combined with a penalty system that is both woefully lacking combined with poorly integrated into the later motor vehicle, driver and public safety systems.

 

I’ve long advocated for seizure and forfeiture to the state, of assets used in crimes resulting in injury or death OR repeated offenders.. Once you start taking away people’s “stuff” you’ll see change .. keep running zebras and narrowly missing pedestrians - loose the bike or car (financed or not) … run an illegal club where drugs are found or fire escapes blocked and people are hurt - loose the building and land.  Harsh? yes.. but in the end, the “state” has the onus to ensure compliance with safety laws. 

[StayinThailand2much]

Why do they never stop at Zebra Crossings?

 

I quote, talking to a few Thais about this: "No zebras in Thailand..."

 

 

What do you expect in a country, where every immigration official, bank clerk, etc., etc., makes up their own rules and/or ignores existing laws and regulations?

[1FinickyOne]

I think you will have to contact them individually

[sikishrory]

Completely different road culture.

Lack of any enforcement from police.

[fredwiggy]

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Several times in uni classes international exchange students have raised this subject.

 

Two common responses from the Thai students:

 

- There's no law to say drivers have to stop.

 

- Cannot be law because it would disrupt the traffic flow too much. 

A country stays third world for a longer time then it should because old school, prejudiced thinking is still in the forefront.The more things that are adopted from other countries who have proven them to be positive changes, the more chance others will follow.

[fredwiggy]

53 minutes ago, new2here said:

Here’s my take.. and it’s not unique to Thailand, nor a condemnation of it either.

 

In no specific order .. 1) I think there’s a general lack of “safety culture” here .. safety is of course talked about - you see all kinds of signs/posters extolling safety.. but in practice, safety and safety compliance just isn’t an ingrained part of the daily life here .

 

2) Overall lack of firm, fair and CONSISTENT enforcement of existing laws.. On the books, Thailand has essentially the same motor vehicle laws as many “western” countries — but the enforcement of these laws is spotty or sporadic at best and out right ignored at worst… combined with a penalty system that is both woefully lacking combined with poorly integrated into the later motor vehicle, driver and public safety systems.

 

I’ve long advocated for seizure and forfeiture to the state, of assets used in crimes resulting in injury or death OR repeated offenders.. Once you start taking away people’s “stuff” you’ll see change .. keep running zebras and narrowly missing pedestrians - loose the bike or car (financed or not) … run an illegal club where drugs are found or fire escapes blocked and people are hurt - loose the building and land.  Harsh? yes.. but in the end, the “state” has the onus to ensure compliance with safety laws. 

Exactly, you take money away from most people they start to learn lessons. Extreme punishment for crimes such as child sexual assault and human trafficking, first offense, sends a signal to others thinking of doing whatever they want, that it won't happen any more.

[ross163103]

Because like a LOT of the laws here, the police don't enforce it. Simple really!

Some times I don't stop because I'll get rear ended by somebody wanting to run through it. I ALWAYS check my rear view mirror when/if I stop at these.

[Snackbar]

Let’s all vote for dystopia 

[trainman34014]

18 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

No consequences.   Just a dead piece of meat in the crosswalk.  Cops take a report that it was an "accident ". 

In western countries there would be possible criminal charges, big lawsuit payouts, loss of license and insurance. 

Here, just drive away.

Just depends how much they are prepared to pay to continue to be A+++holes !

[trainman34014]

Been here nearly 20 years and virtually nothing has improved on the roads.   Indeed; things have actually got a lot worse and it's not just about the innefectiveness of the Thai Cops, who after all, have the same mindset as all other Thai's and the Uniform doesn't change that.

 

I have spoken to many Thai Drivers about this particular problem at Crossings and almost to a Man/Woman their 'Attitude' is predominently that they (drivers) are more 'Important' than Pedestrians  and people who want to cross the road should wait until the road is clear !

 

Echo's of what my good Wife told me when we first met...''Biggest problem in Thailand is 'Attitude' ''

 

 

[khunphil]

20 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

The worst is the left turn. Even with a red light, apparently you can turn left.

 

You can... if no other car, and no pedestrian crossing ... but of course... not many care !

[khunphil]

And of course you have some/many foreigners, to be fair, who are saying : "If the Thai can do, why not me ". OK, maybe not the majority, but they are often the same ones who keep saying "Thai do not respect anything" 😉

What surprises me is :
- 1  Thailand has nice roads, often well marked, not same a 3rd class country.
- 2  Even if you are educated, as 5 or 7 years in high school/master degree, the way they are driving often does not improve ... well, as they are Hi-so now, they can do.
- 3 Thai people as pedestrian, in everyday life, will be the ones helping you, smiling to you, try to let you go first if you are older ... Put them on a motorbike or in a car, they act opposite ! Sad...

Drive safe, stop 20m before pedestrian crossing, open your warning lights, and try to warn the pedestrian if you see someone fast coming. If you stop too close, this is a death trap for the pedestrian.

[mahjongguy]

9 minutes ago, khunphil said:

You can... if no other car, and no pedestrian crossing ... but of course... not many care !

 

The correct answer is:   you may turn left on a red light 

- IF it is safe to do  so, AND

- IF there is no sign prohibiting it at this location, AND 

- ONLY after coming to a full stop.

 

 

[superal]

19 hours ago, henryford1958 said:

Another problem is that people park their cars right up to the edge of the crossing so when you are approaching you can't see if anyone is about to cross. By the time you can see anyone crossing it's too late to stop.

I have seen cars parked on a crossing  . If a crossing has not got traffic light controls , vehicles will not stop , even if you are half way across . Nearly got run down on a Thai crossing when I first came to Thailand . My assumption was that Thais treated crossings in the same way as the UK . Little if any highway driving  law enforcement in Thailand . Only road block check points for tea money .

[scorecard]

19 hours ago, baansgr said:

Why don't pedestrians.look where they are going..wondering around with their head up their backsides...

 

 Sad man.

[Ralf001]

21 hours ago, Robert_Smith said:

I'm sick to death of seeing it.

 

.

I find it amusing.

 

 

[Acharn]

21 hours ago, Robert_Smith said:

It's an absolute disgrace.

 

Children cross these roads, and are expected to do so in safety when the green man shines bright.

 

But then some ignorant <deleted> blazes through, probably on his phone, whilst the little child is in a state of bewilderment.

 

this country has far too many flaws that need to be addressed!

 

regards,

bob.

 

Errr... the children in Thailand seem to be able to cross the roads safely. If you don't have the trick of it, Thailand is probably not a good place for you to be.

[erectem]

21 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

The worst is the left turn. Even with a red light, apparently you can turn left.

 

Why not?  If you are in the far left lane and there is no oncoming traffic or people in the crosswalk (read safe) you can proceed to turn left.  Unless, of course, there is a posted  sign probhibiting this. 

[Freddy42OZ]

22 hours ago, fredwiggy said:

When something is actually done, meaning harsh punishment like they do in America at such crossings and school crossings, and enough money is taken from them, they might slow down the next time, especially if signs are put up 100 meters from the crossing posting the penalties and cameras are installed if they aren't already there.

 

 

I suspect that the vast majority of these people simply can't afford to pay the fines or lose access to their vehicle.  

*if* the police really clamped down on things like multiple people on a scooter, loads of people in the back of a pickup and even just bad driving, then so may low income Thais would be hit with even more economic hardships. 

That is why I think the Police and Government don't really do much.   They are walking a tightrope between keeping the poor people happy and doing something about road accidents etc

Also don't forget that you can't have different rules for different classes of people.   You can't let a poor Thai off just because he's poor and would be in deep financial s**t if you took his vehicle even for a few days.   So instead they let just about everyone off, unless there is an actual serious accident.

 

[fredwiggy]

5 minutes ago, Freddy42OZ said:

 

 

I suspect that the vast majority of these people simply can't afford to pay the fines or lose access to their vehicle.  

*if* the police really clamped down on things like multiple people on a scooter, loads of people in the back of a pickup and even just bad driving, then so may low income Thais would be hit with even more economic hardships. 

That is why I think the Police and Government don't really do much.   They are walking a tightrope between keeping the poor people happy and doing something about road accidents etc

Also don't forget that you can't have different rules for different classes of people.   You can't let a poor Thai off just because he's poor and would be in deep financial s**t if you took his vehicle even for a few days.   So instead they let just about everyone off, unless there is an actual serious accident.

 

Exactly, and it would save lives. There is such a thing as giving warnings, putting it into a computer, and the next time they violate the same law, they're fined, knowing in advance this will happen, as we all do in the west. Laziness kills people, and those in charge are responsible.First offense not causing death or injury, a fine, second and afterwards, fines increase and maybe jail time, just like back home. You're drunk and you kill, you go to jail,lose your license and vehicle is taken if it;s yours. You get caught driving without a license, it takes away your chances of getting one, same as in the west.

[Photoguy21]

21 hours ago, jwest10 said:

not true

Where I live it is. Maybe not where you are.

 

[Jumbo1968]

Pedestrian crossings with lights were only installed in Pattaya after the doctor got killed in Bangkok, Drivers are unaware of the high level lights or know they are  approaching a pedestrian crossing the lights  at the sidewalks are not visible to drivers, as well as lights there should a loud noise when the lights are on red as well and warning signs placed 10 metres from the lights warning drivers they are approaching a pedestrian crossing.

The ones with no lights are just a waste of paint, most drivers don’t understand or want to understand what they mean.Is ever any campaigns about road safety on Thai tv ? Similar the yellow boxes, I constantly see drivers entering them blocking of exits at junctions.

[digger70]

Why do they never stop at Zebra Crossings? 

 

Because it's Me first no matter what. 

The worst one is that Traffic laws are not enforced here  and the people are not aducated enough on the road rules.

[Robert_Smith]

1 hour ago, trainman34014 said:

have spoken to many Thai Drivers about this particular problem at Crossings and almost to a Man/Woman their 'Attitude' is predominently that they (drivers) are more 'Important' than Pedestrians  and people who want to cross the road should wait until the road is clear !

I've also heard this and it's downright disgusting.

 

People say thai's are compassionate and caring???

 

to that I say, MY AR$E!

 

regards,

bob.

[jwest10]

17 minutes ago, Robert_Smith said:

I've also heard this and it's downright disgusting.

 

People say thai's are compassionate and caring???

 

to that I say, MY AR$E!

 

regards,

bob.

I get screamed at even if I slow down and life is cheap here and they can do A Wai and a couple of hundred part at most!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[thailand49]

Simple!

Education and enforcement 24/7, 

The driver education you look at the booklet their videos it is nothing more than getting them to pass in simplist terms same with all their test question. The question should have critical think but of course that isn't taught or neuture in Thailand.

The driving test go in circles no pedestrian crosswalk the whole test doesn't test the intent or decision making of the driver only can a road type test can.

Then even with the best education the major factor in all is enforcement that is a built in education. 

No country has enough police force the factor of doubt is the major enforcement create enough, cost, time, to make driver think twice.

Today, in the States major cities who went defunding police I notice more and more driver breaking the law. My last visit there are more delivery services like Grab, these scooter drivers are now like drivers here in Thailand, stop signs mean nothing.

[Caldera]

On 3/4/2025 at 2:41 PM, Robert_Smith said:

Thais have got to be among the most inconsiderate people in the world when it comes to driving.

 

On the bright side, they're pretty cheerful and don't spend their days whinging on an internet forum.

[chuang]

Bad enforcement....

[Thingamabob]

Thais, be they drivers or pedestrians, tend to be thinking about things other than what they are doing i.e. not concentrating. Having said that I was not exactly impressed by the road manners in the UK the last time I was there.

[advancebooking]

On 3/4/2025 at 3:14 PM, scubascuba3 said:

I don't stop unless a bozo has walked straight out, others might not stop.

 

So basically you are as bad as the average thai. You could stop and put on yr hazard lights so you dont get rear ended. Its what i do. Start to educate the drivers in your city. Ive been doing this for yrs in my small city.