More Evidence That Some Baht Bus Drivers Are Crazy

[Jingthing]

Anyone else noticed this amazingly anti-social, juvenile behavior from baht bus drivers, who are indeed the primary form of PUBLIC TRANSPORT for our beloved metro area?

You call the bus (I wave my hand, palm down).

They slow down dramatically as if they are going to board you.

They don't stop completely.

You run to board, but they stay just a bit ahead of you, as they are still moving.

They still don't stop.

They press on the gas and zoom away.

Without you.

This has happened to me several times!

In a normal country, not that I'm complaining, public transport drivers pulling such a stunt would not only be fired, but probably arrested. These drivers are clearly seriously mentally unbalanced. Is it yaba brain damage?

What is your story of insane baht bus drivers?

I am sure that a good percentage of these drivers are madmen. Do not risk your life. Do not mess with any of them. They are members of a VIOLENT MAFIA.

Edited May 26, 2008 by Jingthing

[Carib]

mmmmm, you must be slow....hahahaha, Ok ok ok , i will get my coat...

[Jingthing]

mmmmm, you must be slow....hahahaha, Ok ok ok , i will get my coat...

Good joke, but not really. They just speed up as fast as they have to and never stop. They are playing. Must be a boring job.

[ThaiBob]

I bet the bus was empty. This happens to me too. They think we are tourists and don't know the ropes. They were looking for a hire and not our 10 baht.

[Jingthing]

I bet the bus was empty. This happens to me too. They think we are tourists and don't know the ropes. They were looking for a hire and not our 10 baht.

That is correct. Always empty.

[plasticpig]

Baht bus driver beeps the horn when your walking in the opposite direction.

to the way his traveling, bunch of A holes.

[cobra]

... They press on the gas and zoom away without you...

... not that I'm complaining, ....

...They are members of a VIOLENT MAFIA...

They're pulling away because they recognize you, just a matter of time before one accidentally hits you, you being the Elliot Ness thorn in they're side.

Your not complaining ? , all you do is complain.

[plasticpig]

The driver might have worked part time at Simons Fish and chips

[Jingthing]

... They press on the gas and zoom away without you...

... not that I'm complaining, ....

...They are members of a VIOLENT MAFIA...

They're pulling away because they recognize you, just a matter of time before one accidentally hits you, you being the Elliot Ness thorn in they're side.

Your not complaining ? , all you do is complain.

I am not complaining that Thailand is NOT a normal country. That was the context, mate.

Tis true I am complaining about psychopathic baht bus drivers.

Edited May 26, 2008 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

The driver might have worked part time at Simons Fish and chips

Pig and Whistle's version is rather nice. It ain't cod, but then again, they don't CLAIM it is, as does old Simon.

[plasticpig]

A bit off topic but will give Pig and Whistle a go

[crudy21]

I think i would be crazy if i had to drive around Pattaya for 12 hours plus in a clapped out old pick up!

[Jingthing]

I think i would be crazy if i had to drive around Pattaya for 12 hours plus in a clapped out old pick up!

I have to agree with you there. I need to learn to have more compassion. Who knows? Maybe this reincarnation stuff is for real and I will be baht bus driver in my next life?

[plasticpig]

I think i would be crazy if i had to drive around Pattaya for 12 hours plus in a clapped out old pick up!

That’s true I been in loads of baht busses and the guy is driving erratic

All pumped up on Lipo, but that’s no excuse as this is supposed to be a public service.

But its more of a public disservice now..

[monty]

My vote has:

Getting of a taxi, in plain view of the taxi driving behind it, and after you paid your fare, the cab behind (which just saw you pay) is honking to get on his cab!

Nutters.

Along with parking your bike, locking it up, all in plain view of a cab driver, and he'll still honk his horn trying to get you on his bus

Jingthing's experience is 100% the driver not wanting to accept a 10 Baht passenger but rather looking for a hire. They determine this by where your eyes are looking at. You look at the window of his passenger door, he'll stop, but when your gaze is directed at the rear end of the taxi, he'll speed up and zoom of again...

[Mobi]

Jingthing - they know you and your Baht Bus campaigns.

They're playing with you

[Cuban]

The 'play with farang mind' game is not an offical policy of the Baht Bus Driver's Federation (Pattaya Sub-Section) but it also does not receive any form of sanction from the governing council. But the chatter on the streets is that this hot gossip has resulted in the most active threads on the Baht Bus Drivers Internet Forum and the secret pictures, mostly captured by driver's mobile phones, of farangs running to catch a BB that has no intention of stopping. So this situation is observed fact.

It has been noticed that drivers will often operate in pairs, the bus ahead isolating a lonely looking farang waiting at the side of the road with the camera man waiting in a second BB just far enough back to not interfer with the mind of the target. If the traffic allows, the first driver will slow enough to set the hook that he will stop but just pull out at the last moment, then slow again to get a second bite from the unsuspecting farang, judging by the camera shake and laughter captured on a some of the video clips submitted this 'bait and switch' trick provides the most personal enjoyment of BB drivers during these brief moments of fun during their hard working day.

I can't believe that the BB drivers themselves can dedicate the time to process the video, but someone with the online handle "Lelli Bug 01' had spent time adding a typical Thai comedy soundtrack and commentary to some of the longer clips, the rather overweight gentleman in the blue vest is probably unaware of his cult status amoung Pattaya's transportation classes.

There is in fact a "Best of farang...' video is currently being copied between BB drivers mobile phones. I doubt they see the irony of the source of their income to buy such phones - but what does one honestly expect?

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Edit: To remove links to other internet forums as per Thai Visa rules.

Edited May 27, 2008 by Cuban

[libya 115]

It is annoying when empty songthaew pass by, but they are looking for daft tourists who might like to charter. I have noticed that this is becoming more frequent now. Gasoline prices I guess. Plus the fare is now 10 baht for all (Thai and farang).

As arule of thumb, I avoid getting into an empty songthaew, because the driver might just treat it as charter; so when I flag an empty one down by mistake I then wave him on. How is that for 'revenge'?

[threelegcowboy]

One time I was comming into Pattaya from the North bus station with a couple of bags. The one baht bus was almost full and I just got on as it pulled out of parking. It was on a multi-stop run around in Pattaya and I felt lucky to not having had to wait but still not having said anything to the driver.

The first stop the driver noticed me for the first time. He got out and ordered me off the bus. He collected his forty baht and drove off in disgust with most passengers still on the bus. Another bus came by and I got on with my bags etc and off we went and passed the first baht bus. I smiled and wavied and you could see the hate in his eyes. The first bus started honking and got the attention of the second baht bus driver. Just some quick words between them and my driver turned the corner. He thought I would want off but NO this was the best path to my destination. He went a bit futher and pulled over. I was told to get out. I paid my ten baht. I still could not help smiling.

He had just let me off at the place I normally rent a motobike. Ten steps away I rented my motobike and off to my hotel. So they played thier game but I WAS TOO LUCKY THIS TIME.

[chuckd]

Anyone else noticed this amazingly anti-social, juvenile behavior from baht bus drivers, who are indeed the primary form of PUBLIC TRANSPORT for our beloved metro area?

You call the bus (I wave my hand, palm down).

They slow down dramatically as if they are going to board you.

They don't stop completely.

I am merely playing the devil's advocate here.

You say you wave your hand "palm down".

How do you wave your hand palm down, anyway? Is it a side to side motion or an up and down motion?

Depending on the movement of your hand, they might be interpreting this as your attempt to slow them down only and not be asking them to stop and let you on.

Next time, try using the tried and true method of waving your hand with your palm facing them. See if this works any better. I would be interested in the results.

If this method fails, you might try a human sacrifice type thing of stepping in front of the offending baht bus to get them to stop. This has been proven to be 87.34% effective in stopping baht buses.

[sweetchariot]

One time I was comming into Pattaya from the North bus station with a couple of bags. The one baht bus was almost full and I just got on as it pulled out of parking. It was on a multi-stop run around in Pattaya and I felt lucky to not having had to wait but still not having said anything to the driver.

The first stop the driver noticed me for the first time. He got out and ordered me off the bus. He collected his forty baht and drove off in disgust with most passengers still on the bus. Another bus came by and I got on with my bags etc and off we went and passed the first baht bus. I smiled and wavied and you could see the hate in his eyes. The first bus started honking and got the attention of the second baht bus driver. Just some quick words between them and my driver turned the corner. He thought I would want off but NO this was the best path to my destination. He went a bit futher and pulled over. I was told to get out. I paid my ten baht. I still could not help smiling.

He had just let me off at the place I normally rent a motobike. Ten steps away I rented my motobike and off to my hotel. So they played thier game but I WAS TOO LUCKY THIS TIME.

I don't understand this at all. Why were you thrown off TWO baht busses in quick succession? What did you do or say that offended them so much?

[farangtingtong]

I think i would be crazy if i had to drive around Pattaya for 12 hours plus in a clapped out old pick up!

I have to agree with you there. I need to learn to have more compassion. Who knows? Maybe this reincarnation stuff is for real and I will be baht bus driver in my next life?

Jingting, reincarnation usually takes care of returning as a BETTER person than that you were in the last life.

Coming back as a baht-bus driver means.............shall I continue?

[pumpuiman]

How do you wave your hand palm down, anyway? Is it a side to side motion or an up and down motion?

Thais will signal palm down. To signal palm up is rude...it's how you would call a dog.

[britmaveric]

Perhaps baht driver is having a laff after people act like they will get on, and then use baht bus driver to cross street?

[raro]

You guys are all beginners!

Try this:

Got on a Baht bus around Royal Garden on Beach Road with some other guy from Germany on a visit. The big lady on the pessenger seat is yelling "where you go, where you go?"..I signal around the block.

They stop at Second Road, just past the South Pattaya intersection, the big lady gets out of the car. "WHERE YOU GO!!???" I said further down the road, signalling it to her, and pointing on the Baht bus tarriff making it clear that both farangs on this bus will pay 5 baht each.

In that moment hubby got out of the car..."NONONO 5 Baht ....you farnag...." etc.

There is a phone number for complaints in the back of the bus. I take the mobile, dial the number by calling out the digits loud in Thai. With the other hand, i get my camera and take pictures of the driver, teh license plate etc.

they fled the scene...

[raro]

okokok.....her's another one:

we are four of us, getting out at Tim's Beer bar. 20 Baht for the driver.

Driver follows into the go-go bar, making noise. I tell him in Thai that we the fare is 5 Baht and that 4 tims 5 equals 20 and that there is no way ripping another Satang out of me. The girls around us start giggling and the driver gets red ears....running out of the bar.

priceless...

[rockyysdt]

okokok.....her's another one:

we are four of us, getting out at Tim's Beer bar. 20 Baht for the driver.

Driver follows into the go-go bar, making noise. I tell him in Thai that we the fare is 5 Baht and that 4 tims 5 equals 20 and that there is no way ripping another Satang out of me. The girls around us start giggling and the driver gets red ears....running out of the bar.

priceless...

I found, If you treat the driver with respect he'll accept any amount of money you tender.

What I do is have the money ready, walk up to the passenger side window, smile, bow with my hands clasped together in front of my face and say, "Korp khun krap", which loosly translated means "thank you".

My response everytime, is to receive a beaming smile of acceptance as if from a friend.

I then hand over the 10B or more if I feel like giving a tip.

Edited May 27, 2008 by rockyysdt

[raro]

I then hand over the 10B or more if I feel like giving a tip.

those days the fare used to be 5 Baht. So no point handing over 10.

[thaiman]

i used to always give 5 baht for a ride and get into verbal arguments with the driver. Had drivers threaten to kill me, get mafia, etc. I always fled the scene unharmed. Also had guys stop the car and get out and approach me to give the full 10 baht fare after I'd given 5. I now pay 10 for all trips. Life is to short to absorb the negative energy that these low level scum want to pass off to me.

IMO, they are not madmen, but just greedy low level thais who hate themselves as well as all tourists. Sucks to be them!

Edited May 27, 2008 by thaiman

[raro]

Except for the two occasions mentioned below, I never had any argument whatsoever with them. Got always the change ready, hand it through the window with a smile, turn around and go.

I must admit, I do not use the Baht bus that often...