Cars are a major problem in Thailand, the world leader in road accidents and fatalities.

 

However, the personal effects of cars more often are endless traffic jams with engines humming and air conditioning blasting. Mostly full stop.

 

So why do city folk own cars? A lot of it is status. Almost everyone who owns a Benz can find a way to justify it. Those people will usually be at least a two-car family with others for driving-age offspring.

 

The Toyota folks are also looking for upward mobility. That means they’re living in a five square meter condo and driving a car they can’t afford which is really owned by the bank.

 

And then there’s parking. There are very few Park & Ride lots at public transit.

 

So a single driver takes his car to work on a minimum one hour commute. When he gets there, again, parking is both difficult and costly.

 

I’ve lived in Bangkok for 35 years and never owned a car. I’ve always used public transit or taxis if I had things to bring home. Grab and its like certainly make not owning a car much easier.

 

All the above does not even consider the environmental effects of fossil fuels, manufacturing and battery production. Hybrids or electrics generate just as much pollution in their life cycle.

 

Do you really want to be breathing that <deleted> every day? And your loved ones.

 

Then cars reach their end of life. Many parts cannot be recycled so their microplastics fill the oceans and junkyards grow mountains of rusting hulks.

 

Take a walk, the simplest exercise. Do the right thing: Give up your car!

 

Read “The Surprisingly Convincing Case Against Cars”, The New Republic, December 9

My life will never be without cars and they all consume fossil fuel.

Don't blame the cars ,it's the drivers , they are the ones that cause the accidents

and deaths on the roads ,

 

regards worgeordie

Everybody can not live in cities ! Transport is necessary to reach everyone and also for proper distribution of goods and also public safety and health. 

I don't like cars, much prefer a motorbike, things will get better when driverless cars take over, much safer

Had a buddy of mine, never owned a car or MC, him or wife.  Always blew my mind.  Moved from city to suburbia, and still never had one.   Everything needed was in walking distance, and it is a major monthly expense, no matter how thrifty you try to be.

 

Presently don't need a car, and probably never did, but can't imagine life without it.  Don't even need a MC now, but wouldn't be without one, if not having a car.  Udon Thani, living out of town, so at least a MC was mandatory, due to school commute.  Car more realistic, due to rainy season.

 

USA, very thrifty, with 1 exception, always 2nd hand and keep till they die or kill /crash 'em 🙄

TH, all new, as 2nd hand are a bit silly priced, but still thrifty till last 2, and far from luxury or expensive.

 

But cost, buy in, petrol & insurance does add up for most folks, especially locals with limited funds.

10 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I’ve lived in Bangkok for 35 years and never owned a car.

Yeah, sure. Everybody lives in the city.

 

Try to unblockyourmind

What about living without smartphones in Australia, which has now banned smartphones for kids under 16, with most of the kids complaining 

17 minutes ago, still kicking said:

What about living without smartphones in Australia, which has now banned smartphones for kids under 16, with most of the kids complaining 

 

Don't be dumb - thats utter bo!!ox.

2 hours ago, still kicking said:

What about living without smartphones in Australia, which has now banned smartphones for kids under 16, with most of the kids complaining 

 

Australia has not banned smart phones for under 16's.

4 hours ago, still kicking said:

What about living without smartphones in Australia, which has now banned smartphones for kids under 16, with most of the kids complaining 

I like your comments, they're always outside the box 😂

 

25 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I like your comments, they're always outside the box 😂

 

And always inaccurate.

On 12/10/2025 at 1:26 PM, KhunLA said:

Had a buddy of mine, never owned a car or MC, him or wife.  Always blew my mind.  Moved from city to suburbia, and still never had one.   Everything needed was in walking distance, and it is a major monthly expense, no matter how thrifty you try to be.

 

Presently don't need a car, and probably never did, but can't imagine life without it.  Don't even need a MC now, but wouldn't be without one, if not having a car.  Udon Thani, living out of town, so at least a MC was mandatory, due to school commute.  Car more realistic, due to rainy season.

 

USA, very thrifty, with 1 exception, always 2nd hand and keep till they die or kill /crash 'em 🙄

TH, all new, as 2nd hand are a bit silly priced, but still thrifty till last 2, and far from luxury or expensive.

 

But cost, buy in, petrol & insurance does add up for most folks, especially locals with limited funds.

Very thoughtful comment, thank you. Yes, I live in the city where transport is more convenient than even provincial capitals. Places with actual nature a great but somewhat removed.

 

I did the same in both the US and Canada. Had old campervans and drove them to death, yeah, or crashed them! I sold my 1982 a few years ago. Young couple bought it, and all they cared about was trying out the bed!

 

I figure owning a car in Bangkok would double my expences for all the reason you list. Moreover, it would be hellish for my mental health. Seriously, drive in this hellhole? It's just too frustrating. When need be, taxis are cheap.

 

The only advantage to owning a car here is, a fresh change of clothes and your own tunes.

 

When we need a car for out of town, we rent. In town, usually Grab MC or car when raining or both of us. Had a couple of electric cars & an electric bike, too. Completely soundless but just as polluting.

17 hours ago, Schoggibueb said:

Yeah, sure. Everybody lives in the city.

 

Try to unblockyourmind

Hehe, last time I unblockedmymind, I was felled by pollution and went deaf from traffic noise!

 

I get it. If you live in the sticks, there's no choice. Sorry, we city dwellers get in our own world. 

Sure no cars. 

 

But for that you need a 24/7 running, efficient and affordable network of public transport that covers every square of a city or town.

 

Yes, that is the case in Bangkok where the public transport network is good and of course can and does get better. 

 

But look at the smaller popular beach towns with tourists and retirees living. Like the overpriced Hua Hin. Absolutely no proper public transport that covers all the area. Fine if in the city downton limits. But if you want to venture a bit out of town, nothing. 

 

Not surprising why cars still rule and all the pollution and inconveniences that go with it. 

Sad but true. Phuket. Krabi. 

 

The capital is a parking lot. Those street vendors are walking ads for lung cancer.