What are the "rules" for circumnavigating this atttractive landmark?

 

I think I need a Thai native to explain it to me please.

 

I cycle round it often, and am flumoxed when I see drivers stop dead in front of me, as if anybody wishing to enter the roundabout has right of way.

 

If that is the unspoken rule, fine, I'll do my best to obey it, but it surely doesn't come naturally.

 

Am I seen a rude if I don't stop to permit another vehicle to enter?

 

Does anyone else have uncertainty negotiating this obstacle?

 

People on the round about have. right of way. Thai people up north do not know the rules . Good luck.

Many people on Thanon Baanpa Pragarn (the main road) think that they have the right of way, but that's not necessarily true. Whoever is already in the roundabout has the right of way, as Ripstanley mentioned. I am extremely careful when I'm in the roundabout because probably 25% of the drivers there don't understand the rule and blow through it.

 

On 8/9/2025 at 9:06 PM, ripstanley said:

People on the round about have. right of way. Thai people up north do not know the rules . Good luck.

It's not just the people up north...

On 8/10/2025 at 11:50 AM, FarangRimPing said:

Many people on Thanon Baanpa Pragarn (the main road) think that they have the right of way, but that's not necessarily true. Whoever is already in the roundabout has the right of way, as Ripstanley mentioned. I am extremely careful when I'm in the roundabout because probably 25% of the drivers there don't understand the rule and blow through it.

 

I agree with most of what you write but we go through there quite often and based on my experience I would estimate that 40-50% of the drivers on the main road blow right through it.

Unofficial Translation.

 

ROAD TRAFFIC ACT, B.E. 2522 (1979).

BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, REX.

Given on the 18th January B.E. 2522 (1979)

Being the 34th Year of the Present Reign.

 

Section 73.

In the case where any roundabout has installed traffic signals or traffic signs, the driver must follow such traffic signals or traffic signs.

If there is no traffic signal or traffic sign under paragraph one, when a driver arrives at the roundabout, he or she must give way to the driver driving on his or her right side in the roundabout to pass first.

In case the competent official deems it appropriate for safety or traffic convenience, he or she may give traffic signal other than that provided in paragraph one or paragraph two. In this case the drive shall follow the traffic signal given by the competent official.

Thank you for clarifying and confirming commonsense.

 

Yes, I'd say ALL dirvers entering the roundabout do indeed ignore Rule 73, in which case Halt- Stop signs are required, plus white lines across the entering roads.

 

I shall pop into the Highway Dept next time I pass through, and suggest if this can be done.

 

Last time I went in, to inform them of a loose drain cover outside BigC, it was fixed the next time I looked.

 

The highway dept. do seem to have a massive budget allocation.

ie. Annually scraping off and repainting roadmarkings for example.

 

Meanwhile, take care when on the ClockTower roundabout, use first gear and be ready to stop.

 

Assume approaching drivers think they have right of way.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, cmjc said:

Thank you for clarifying and confirming commonsense.

 

Yes, I'd say ALL dirvers entering the roundabout do indeed ignore Rule 73, in which case Halt- Stop signs are required, plus white lines across the entering roads.

 

I shall pop into the Highway Dept next time I pass through, and suggest if this can be done.

 

Last time I went in, to inform them of a loose drain cover outside BigC, it was fixed the next time I looked.

 

The highway dept. do seem to have a massive budget allocation.

ie. Annually scraping off and repainting roadmarkings for example.

 

Meanwhile, take care when on the ClockTower roundabout, use first gear and be ready to stop.

 

Assume approaching drivers think they have right of way.

 

 

 

Perhaps, You could suggest to the head of RTP, "Competent Officer" for the "Chiang Rai City" responsible for "Road Transport Policing", and advise them of this dilemna, whilst also enabling them a remedy towards this  dangerous anomaly. 

Perhaps provision for solution would be "Give Way" signage in Thai / English, for all approaches to the roundabout, and could be formulated and exacted within 48 hours.  

11 minutes ago, Paul Catton said:

Perhaps, You could suggest to the head of RTP, "Competent Officer" for the "Chiang Rai City" responsible for "Road Transport Policing", and advise them of this dilemna, whilst also enabling them a remedy towards the dangerous anomaly. 

Perhaps provision for solution would be "Give Way" signage in Thai / English, for all approaches to the roundabout, and could be formulated and exacted within 48 hours.  

 

Yes, that's my plan Paul, but feel free to pop in yourself and pass on your thoughts. I don't go into town often.

 

Looks like the forum software has indigestion, it double posted your reply, let's see if my response goes through.

On 8/9/2025 at 8:34 PM, cmjc said:

What are the "rules" for circumnavigating this atttractive landmark?

Pay attention and go with the flow.

On 8/9/2025 at 8:34 PM, cmjc said:

I cycle round it often, and am flumoxed when I see drivers stop dead in front of me, as if anybody wishing to enter the roundabout has right of way.

You’re on a bicycle, the same rules and considerations apply as with any other vehicle.

On 8/9/2025 at 8:34 PM, cmjc said:

If that is the unspoken rule, fine, I'll do my best to obey it, but it surely doesn't come naturally.

Why do some of you bicyclist believe that you have special privileges and exemptions on the road?!

On 8/9/2025 at 8:34 PM, cmjc said:

Am I seen a rude if I don't stop to permit another vehicle to enter?

Depending on the situation and right-of-way and if another driver is breaking the rules then yield right-of-way, though from your post it appears that you are probably rude since it’s difficult for you given your statement…“but it surely doesn’t come naturally”, so the answer to your question is yes, you’re a rude bicyclist and probably the same when you ride your scooter or whatever.

If you’re not too far gone set in your ways, then exercise foresight and patience and be a polite person on the road, then everything will be a breeze.

Two off topic posts removed.

One reply to it removed 

 

@cmjc

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