When Driving A Car In Thailand Please Look Out For.....

[AlexLah]

Was driving to Khon Kean this evening at a steady 120 KM/H.

Darkness already entering so the headlights switched on.

Passed a couple of police checks without being stopped, and managed to not hit a few pedestrians that were crossing the highway at places where no live is expected to be.

The usual crazy passing manouvres from trucks were anticipated and a few motosai drivers most likely experienced a temporary adrenalin rush as they just escaped a bloody death due to my swift reaction while they suddenly decided to sway the highway from left to right trying to get to the u-turn choosing the most unlogical route.

And then it happened, in the blink of a second I noticed something crawling on the road trying to cross it.

Looked in the backmirror and it was safe to hit the brakes and while slowing down I steered to the right trying to avoid that thing.

And there it was, a huge snake!

It must have been at least 2-3 meters long as it streched one complete lane.

Never seen that before and was amazed by the sheer size of it.

I was about 50-60 KM from KK.

So please be prepared when driving in Thailand to expect the unexpected.

Cheers all!

Alie

[PattayaParent]

Have had a similar experience when driving to Nakhon Sawon and thought I saw a crocodile crossing the road from one of those irrigation ditches along the side.

Mate's missus explained that it was likely a large lizard (a Heeyah?). I hope so for the sake of all those kids I saw swimming in the canal!

[esprit]

Was driving to Khon Kean this evening at a steady 120 KM/H.

Darkness already entering so the headlights switched on.

Passed a couple of police checks without being stopped, and managed to not hit a few pedestrians that were crossing the highway at places where no live is expected to be.

The usual crazy passing manouvres from trucks were anticipated and a few motosai drivers most likely experienced a temporary adrenalin rush as they just escaped a bloody death due to my swift reaction while they suddenly decided to sway the highway from left to right trying to get to the u-turn choosing the most unlogical route.

And then it happened, in the blink of a second I noticed something crawling on the road trying to cross it.

Looked in the backmirror and it was safe to hit the brakes and while slowing down I steered to the right trying to avoid that thing.

Sure it was a snake and not a Thaksin supporter

And there it was, a huge snake!

It must have been at least 2-3 meters long as it streched one complete lane.

Never seen that before and was amazed by the sheer size of it.

I was about 50-60 KM from KK.

So please be prepared when driving in Thailand to expect the unexpected.

Cheers all!

Alie

[TheDon]

driving in Thailand is alot of fun, after getting used to how everyone drive I just cut in front of people and also cut them off without anyone wanting to rip my head off.

Thai drivers never get angry, if i did that here in Sydney I would probaly would of been stabbed by now a few times

[jingjoe]

Spot on Don, if you can't beat 'em join 'em.

Driver education is taken to the brink of obsession in Oz, but it's that learning that really pays off when driving on Thai roads.

I'd go so far as to say Aussie drivers aged 30-60, driving in Thailand are the least likely to come unstuck too often.

Almost worth a poll to find out.

[soundman]

Hitting snakes, dogs and the occasional buffalo is fairly common.

A few years ago one of our staff cleaned up an ostrich. Totally buggered the car.

[AlexLah]

Later I found myself so stupid for not stopping and dumping it in the trunk.

Would have been a great meal, ha ha ha.

Today visited a customer and noticed lot's of cats around the place so I suggested we choose one and barbeque it.

Cannot, cannot they yelled.

OK Ok I agree I said, we just have to wait a few months untill they are fully grown.

You should have seen the look on their face, ha ha ha, priceless.

I told the snake story and they all agreed, I should have brought the snake with me.

[t.s]

i hit a BIG monitor at 140 on the chaeng wattana expressway heading out towards bang pa in. it ran out onto the road and i just managed to get cetered over it but it still must have made contact with the undercarrige. i see them often on that expressway

[roamer]

driving in Thailand is alot of fun, after getting used to how everyone drive I just cut in front of people and also cut them off without anyone wanting to rip my head off.

Thai drivers never get angry, if i did that here in Sydney I would probaly would of been stabbed by now a few times

Spot on Don, if you can't beat 'em join 'em.

Driver education is taken to the brink of obsession in Oz, but it's that learning that really pays off when driving on Thai roads.

I'd go so far as to say Aussie drivers aged 30-60, driving in Thailand are the least likely to come unstuck too often.

Almost worth a poll to find out.

Yup. But no doubt this tread will soon turn into one about how dangerous it is to drive in LOS, how many fatalities there are etc, whilst conveniently forgetting that skulls and tarmac don't go well together anymore than do 20 people in a pick up etc. I spend about 3 months a year driving in Thailand but see more aggressive driving in London during one morning rush hour. I think KL has far worse drivers, the truck driver who missed his roundabout exit so decided to reverse back around the roundabout whilst using his mobile did startle me somewhat..

[Cuban]

...BIG monitor at 140 on the chaeng wattana expressway heading out towards bang pa in. it ran out onto the road and i just managed to get cetered over it but it still must have made contact with the undercarrige. i see them often on that expressway

If you see a 21" LCD that hasn't been run over pick it up for me please.

....sorry I'll leave now.

[toybits]

Ha ha... In north America, this would be called road kill. Different continent, different species. A 3 meter snake is unusual however. Most of the road kill I see are dogs that have wandered onto the super highway. Lots of them along Thonburi-Pakthor highway that connects to Petchkasem.

[toybits]

There used to be lots of elephants begging for dole outs from Bangkok pedestrians and motorists. Some of the elephants had flashing lights attached to their tails and reflector stickers to warn motorists at night. A few of these pachyderms have been hit and maimed by motorists that failed to see the elephants at night.

Hitting snakes, dogs and the occasional buffalo is fairly common.

A few years ago one of our staff cleaned up an ostrich. Totally buggered the car.

[Dave the Dude]

Spot on Don, if you can't beat 'em join 'em.

I spend about 3 months a year driving in Thailand but see more aggressive driving in London during one morning rush hour.

Yes I remember it well jingjoe.

Often wondered where the UK motorcycle/bike couriers/Pizza and Ruby deliverers trained . A year driving in and around Issan has made me reconsider the skills of drivers back home ( and thats not even mentioning the fairer sex (female not ladyboy BTW)).

Dave

Good one Cuban, Thanks for the first laugh of the day!!!

Edited January 30, 2008 by Dave the Dude

[initiala4]

I think its better than hitting deers during the winter season.

[thaihome]

Was driving to Khon Kean this evening at a steady 120 KM/H.

Darkness already entering so the headlights switched on.

....

You were doing 120km/h on a country road? in the dark? That’s something like 75mph.

You are lucky you didn’t kill anyone, inlcuding yourself and whoever was in your vehicle with you.

Going that fast on those roads, in the dark, is criminal.

TH

[Gimbo]

Later I found myself so stupid for not stopping and dumping it in the trunk.

Would have been a great meal, ha ha ha.

Today visited a customer and noticed lot's of cats around the place so I suggested we choose one and barbeque it.

Cannot, cannot they yelled.

OK Ok I agree I said, we just have to wait a few months untill they are fully grown.

You should have seen the look on their face, ha ha ha, priceless.

I told the snake story and they all agreed, I should have brought the snake with me.

Told this one to the wife. She went all serious and informed me that killing a cat is the same as killing a monk. So I suggest you don't even mention that one in the future

Asd for driving and snakes. Almost hit a 1 meter rat smake the other day. The wifey was all upset becouse I did not hit it. Asked if I was not hungry...snake aroy mahk mahk.

[draggons]

Had a close encounter with a big one this morning on the bike, thought it was a piece of bamboo before I noticed it moving

quick swerve round it, last thing I wanted was a big nobbly tire throwing it up onto me.

[tom yum goong]

You were doing 120km/h on a country road? in the dark? That’s something like 75mph.

You are lucky you didn’t kill anyone, inlcuding yourself and whoever was in your vehicle with you.

Going that fast on those roads, in the dark, is criminal.

TH

how do you know it was a country road? ever been up that way? some decent motorways in Isaan.

in fact Alex mentions u-turns, not something you normally find on a country road. 120 km/h is the legal limit for motorways.

calm down TH, don't drive angry

[Thanyaburi Mac]

You were doing 120km/h on a country road? in the dark? That's something like 75mph.

You are lucky you didn't kill anyone, inlcuding yourself and whoever was in your vehicle with you.

Going that fast on those roads, in the dark, is criminal.

TH

how do you know it was a country road? ever been up that way? some decent motorways in Isaan.

in fact Alex mentions u-turns, not something you normally find on a country road. 120 km/h is the legal limit for motorways.

 

Speed limits?  Where's the "motorway" in Issan?  After you exit the Eastern Ring Road, Hwy 9, in the Wang Noi area, about Km 67 or so, it's another550 +- km to Nong Khai on the 4-10 lane divided highway, not a "motorway," no controlled access.  Speed limit still 90 kph, altho I do get passed when I'm doing 100.

The Bangkok Ring Road, Hwy 9, yes 120 kph, also the Motorway from Praram IX to Chon Buri, but isn't that about it?

Mac

Mac

[lazeeboy]

you not only have to look out for other lunatic driver but piles of sand in the road ,last night i did an evel kinevel on a mound in side/middle of the road ,lucky i landed it ,scared the shit out of me though

[Eff1n2ret]

I spend about 3 months a year driving in Thailand but see more aggressive driving in London during one morning rush hour. I think KL has far worse drivers, the truck driver who missed his roundabout exit so decided to reverse back around the roundabout whilst using his mobile did startle me somewhat..

Totally agree, and I've seen someone trying the same thing on a roundabout (albeit without mobile phone) in the UK. The lack of aggression makes driving in Thailand less stressful, in my opinion - but I wouldn't want to drive in BKK.

[kmart]

Was driving to Khon Kean this evening at a steady 120 KM/H.

Darkness already entering so the headlights switched on.

....

You were doing 120km/h on a country road? in the dark? That’s something like 75mph.

You are lucky you didn’t kill anyone, inlcuding yourself and whoever was in your vehicle with you.

Going that fast on those roads, in the dark, is criminal.

TH

Going that fast, on drugs, and having recently necked 2 bottles of whisky is probably criminal.

[Thaiboxer]

You guys made a good point about Australia and the UK; despite all the tough regulations and driving tests, there are big problems with roadrage. Here, you probably wouldn't be pulled out of your car at the next light and beaten like Rodney King for cutting somebody off. Road rage is a big problem in my country (USA) as well and some people have even been shot in these situations. With the crazy driving here, joining them is a lot easier than trying to drive as you would in the West. Of course, you have to draw the line between joining them versus the complete insanity many drivers exhibit on the roads.

As for roadkill, check out the hilarious book titled "Roadkill Cookbook", which was written by a guy who's flattened a lot of critters over the years. There's even an "international" version according to the website, although it's not geared towards Thailand. Perhaps they could have a Thai roadkill cookbook with entres' like "mashed monitor on rice".

[PattayaParent]

I think its better than hitting deers during the winter season.

Or a camel

[thaihome]

You were doing 120km/h on a country road? in the dark? That’s something like 75mph.

You are lucky you didn’t kill anyone, inlcuding yourself and whoever was in your vehicle with you.

Going that fast on those roads, in the dark, is criminal.

TH

how do you know it was a country road? ever been up that way? some decent motorways in Isaan.

in fact Alex mentions u-turns, not something you normally find on a country road. 120 km/h is the legal limit for motorways.

calm down TH, don't drive angry

Been on plenty of upcountry roads, including 4 lane divided one. Not a single one of them would I do 75mph on, even in daylight.

I just found it ironic that he started out with some sarcastic remarks about other people driving habits when he is tearing down the road at 75mph.

TH

[Spee]

Snakes and other critters on the road are very common around our place, especially in the cool season where the road holds the heat through the night. While driving last visit, I squished one little 1m snake and dodged another fairly good sized 2m one.

And of course moving cattle up and down the road is an everyday thing, though often when you least expect it. I came upon this gent and his herd just over a rise in the road.

[AlexLah]

Thanks!

[Richard W]

And of course moving cattle up and down the road is an everyday thing, though often when you least expect it. I came upon this gent and his herd just over a rise in the road.

Just like England, eh? Except that in England the herders often illegally sit in a landrover instead of being on foot or on a bicycle.

[Mosha]

Later I found myself so stupid for not stopping and dumping it in the trunk.

Would have been a great meal, ha ha ha.

Today visited a customer and noticed lot's of cats around the place so I suggested we choose one and barbeque it.

Cannot, cannot they yelled.

OK Ok I agree I said, we just have to wait a few months untill they are fully grown.

You should have seen the look on their face, ha ha ha, priceless.

I told the snake story and they all agreed, I should have brought the snake with me.

A couple of years back I was at my sister in laws house. She only lives a couple of hundred yards away. Our mut followed me there and was laid down at my feet. I was sat by their stock pond. Their cat came up and started spittind and swiping at the dog. To avoid a fight I tried to slide the cat away with my foot so I could grab the dog. The cat slid all the way into the pond. I was doubled over laughing. The family were not amused. "Farang mai dee".