Nienke Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 How about that foreign man I saw riding a bike the other day; one young child in the front and one on the back. I assume he just collected his children from school as it was around that time. None of them were wearing helmets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieH Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 good shout on the not-riding-on-the-left-side-of-a-saengthaw. they're apt to swerve over to pick up a fare at any nanosecond so you're always best off being on their right side. well, better off, at least. since visiting vietnam i've found myself using my horn far more to make people aware of where you are. thais don't use the beep-beep anything like as much as the vietnamese do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasseru Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 How about that foreign man I saw riding a bike the other day; one young child in the front and one on the back. I assume he just collected his children from school as it was around that time. None of them were wearing helmets. You will find it at least equally shocking, I would imagine, but I have seen people riding on scooters with pet dogs who were not wearing helmets either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tipsy Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 How about that foreign man I saw riding a bike the other day; one young child in the front and one on the back. I assume he just collected his children from school as it was around that time. None of them were wearing helmets. You will find it at least equally shocking, I would imagine, but I have seen people riding on scooters with pet dogs who were not wearing helmets either. My dog always wears his helmet, He can't afford the fine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kan Win Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Try avoiding VIP convoys in future. I always move over for them and ambulances. I would second one of the above comments.Anytime you see a Thai policeman on a motorbike, whether he be the lead for a VIP motorcade, or just riding solo....and he exhibits aggressive riding behavior- just get to the side, move over. Full Stop. TIT. Sorry you got your cage rattled and I'm glad you were not clipped by him, and went down. Everyday here many of us who ride motorsai have similar close calls; it just goes with the territory. everytime i see a huge silver vigo on my rear view mirror, i do the same! Why "tigerbeer", I drive me old 4x4 Tiger (4 years old) and still leave them standing Back on the BiB topic - was pulled over at a Highway Patrol check on the Chiang Mai Lampang road, no plates, no tax sticker on display, no insurance sticker on display, was asked to show my licence, did so and was sent on my way - I drove away mildly confused but counting my blessings!JxP Why do this "JuniorExPat"? I have all the above that you do not have. good shout on the not-riding-on-the-left-side-of-a-saengthaw. they're apt to swerve over to pick up a fare at any nanosecond so you're always best off being on their right side. well, better off, at least.since visiting vietnam i've found myself using my horn far more to make people aware of where you are. thais don't use the beep-beep anything like as much as the vietnamese do. And a very good Shout "StevieH". One problem is Thailand folks dislike the horn bit. Got pulled over by the BIB for doing that as I was passing me miss-use in her car. Charged me for being in the right hand lane for too long as there is no law for beebing any one. Just honked a couple of times and had a 400 baht fine and the miss-use went and paid it at the local Cop Station. Please drive safe and sound all of you, only been driving in Thailand for over 17 years. Kan Win Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingdongrb Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 good shout on the not-riding-on-the-left-side-of-a-saengthaw. they're apt to swerve over to pick up a fare at any nanosecond so you're always best off being on their right side. well, better off, at least.since visiting vietnam i've found myself using my horn far more to make people aware of where you are. thais don't use the beep-beep anything like as much as the vietnamese do. And in China the prerequisite for getting a driver's license is knowing how to use the horn. (Well actually if you've seen them drive in China there probably isn't anything required to get license except paying a few rmb.) But about the horn, I think they honk it just to hear the sound. I, on the other hand, tend to 'crank' up my stereo to the max and drive with my windows down. I do get the looks but hey, they know I'm coming! I always hate it when I'm driving the car and I'm the first one in the right hand lane at a red light ready to turn right. The scooters always like to be in front of me and on the right side of the car. Then when the light turns red they cross right in front of me, without looking, to get to the left side of the road after the turn. Well, what I do now is get as close to the median as I can so they can't get to my right. And I pull as far ahead as I can before stopping at the red light without actually being in the intersection. This works great and I'm usually the first one through the right hand turn when the light changes without having to worry about the gang of scooters that are now behind me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Well, what I do now is get as close to the median as I can so they can't get to my right. Funny that, I do the same at one especially busy intersection. At the Suthep/canal intersection coming from the uni they will also take the right lane at the divider (driving the wrong way) to get around that technique so have to watch my side mirror for fast upcoming motorbikes on my right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mild7even Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Nah... You just take all the crazy stuff as being normal. Expect people to drive on the wrong side of the road, jump red lights, cut corners, drive without lights wearing black at midnight, react at random at every intersection despite any indications of right of way, do their hair in the mirror at 80 while making a phone call etc, etc. Must admit I just discovered the joy of using my phone while riding my motorcycle. What a convenience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuniorExPat Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Back on the BiB topic - was pulled over at a Highway Patrol check on the Chiang Mai Lampang road, no plates, no tax sticker on display, no insurance sticker on display, was asked to show my licence, did so and was sent on my way - I drove away mildly confused but counting my blessings!JxP Why do this "JuniorExPat"? I have all the above that you do not have. Kan Win As the great guide says "Don't Panic" Kan Win - I have and had all of the above, at the time it was a brand new truck awaiting plates and stickers all dues had been paid just no proof on display. JxP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cophen Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Was just driving north on the outer moat road towards Huay Keaw. All of a sudden a motorcade approached from the rear, approximately 10 or so vehicles. Not sure what it was all about, but it didnt look overly important. There's your mistake. Police escorted motorcades are always important. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerbeer Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Back on the BiB topic - was pulled over at a Highway Patrol check on the Chiang Mai Lampang road, no plates, no tax sticker on display, no insurance sticker on display, was asked to show my licence, did so and was sent on my way - I drove away mildly confused but counting my blessings!JxP Why do this "JuniorExPat"? I have all the above that you do not have. Kan Win As the great guide says "Don't Panic" Kan Win - I have and had all of the above, at the time it was a brand new truck awaiting plates and stickers all dues had been paid just no proof on display. JxP we just bought a suzuki pickup thing and didn't have plates as well. the shop drivers got caught twice at the same place, chiangmai-lampang road near don chan. red plates are actually a must but most car dealers seem to be short of it. (unless you fork out THB3,000 as deposit). tip: next time you guys see a police block on the highway (chiangmai-lampang rd, don chan intersection), stick to the frontage road the cops assume all law offending drivers would pass them right on the highway ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onnut Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 sell the bikes and buy a car! there, problem solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papajohn Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 sell the bikes and buy a car!there, problem solved. Easier said than done for a lot of people, plus after 2 years on a bike in Chiang Mai I never want to own a car again. I would like to offer a quick tutorial to new comers to CM. The first month is the scariest, you will have a death grip on the handle bars and say "o" God many times. This is normal. Most important is the bike you choose. I rented for the first month. They gave me a BRD. It ran good had no problems but it has small wheels front and back. small wheels will get you in trouble big time. I won't bore you with my experience. Stick with Honda Dreams or better yet CBR,s if you can find one. Good in the city and can take the big mountains no problem. You must forget road rules you learn in the west. Except for red lights and stop signs ( most stop signs are in Thai) learn to recognize them. Practice driving around the moat. learn how the local folks drive. Some are a little crazy and go to fast but most are good and courtious to you. Be very careful around the Red taxies (songtaws) they are unpredictable. Practice driving up and down Doi Suthap mountain road. It teaches you the riding and handling charactoristics of your bike. It will build your confidence. Very little traffic and the ride is nice. Always wear a helmit (lid). save money and big inconvienance. The Thai Traffic Police set up their control points everyday somewhere around the city. You will get caught and then it isn't "cool" to ride without. A motorbike is like any other tool, you must learn how to use it. It takes time and practise. Last tip , never be in a hurry, go slow, (it beats walking) and be safe. Enjoy your bike it is a great way to travel in the LOS. Sawadee Kup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justcruisin Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Easier said than done for a lot of people, plus after 2 years on a bike in Chiang Mai I never want to own a car again. I would like to offer a quick tutorial to new comers to CM.The first month is the scariest, you will have a death grip on the handle bars and say "o" God many times. This is normal. Most important is the bike you choose. I rented for the first month. They gave me a BRD.(JRD I think you mean,sorry to nitpick) It ran good had no problems but it has small wheels front and back. small wheels will get you in trouble big time. I won't bore you with my experience. Stick with Honda Dreams or better yet CBR,s if you can find one. Good in the city and can take the big mountains no problem. You must forget road rules you learn in the west. Except for red lights and stop signs ( most stop signs are in Thai) learn to recognize them. Practice driving around the moat. learn how the local folks drive. Some are a little crazy and go to fast but most are good and courtious to you. Be very careful around the Red taxies (songtaws) they are unpredictable. Practice driving up and down Doi Suthap mountain road. It teaches you the riding and handling charactoristics of your bike. It will build your confidence. Very little traffic and the ride is nice. Always wear a helmit (lid). save money and big inconvienance. The Thai Traffic Police set up their control points everyday somewhere around the city. You will get caught and then it isn't "cool" to ride without. A motorbike is like any other tool, you must learn how to use it. It takes time and practise. Last tip , never be in a hurry, go slow, (it beats walking) and be safe. Enjoy your bike it is a great way to travel in the LOS. Sawadee Kup. Good post Papa, My sentiments exactly..I have raced and ridden bikes non stop for 36 years except for 2 years after one horrific bike accident.(A whole different thread!) Call me crazy but it worries me when i see farang do the no helmet/talk on the phone/supercool attitude adopted by most locals. A lot of people living here for the first time ,some never ridden a bike before decide to assimilate quickly with the local population and for economic/whatever reasons decide on a bike for primary transport. BIG mistake. Learn to ride first before mixing it with crazy traffic Riding is not a game,check rear view mirrors constantly for the vigo/motorcade bearing down on you,be aware of your safety zone around you. For the most part Thai's have this down pat,watch how they ride and you will learn to adopt to local conditions.Also be forgiving to the red light runners and speedsters with a death wish,it just reinforces your need to be aware every second of what is happening around you. A fortnight ago I come across an accident where a man lost his life after being hit by a car on the outer moat road,he probably would not have survived,even if he was wearing a helmet,the other driver was probably over the limit.(time very early AM) In the 70s Bell helmets US had an ad that run..."If you have a $10 head wear a $10 helmet" still applies,buy a ice cream poly container for a helmet and see how you fare! I ride a Honda Africa 750 Twin now,occasionally a JRD or Honda Wave.Flame me if you want but above all Ride Safe and ENJOY P.S I was witness to that motorcade travelling in the same direction as I was at the time,TiT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinky Bill Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 (edited) Good post Papa,My sentiments exactly..I have raced and ridden bikes non stop for 36 years except for 2 years after one horrific bike accident.(A whole different thread!) Call me crazy ....................................... Flame me if you want but above all Ride Safe and ENJOY P.S I was witness to that motorcade travelling in the same direction as I was at the time,TiT. You must be extremely tired by now. Edited July 13, 2008 by Blinky Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasseru Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 You must be extremely tired by now. Of you? Don't sell yourself so short! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justcruisin Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 ridden bikes non stop for 36 years You must be extremely tired by now. Whoops,oh well BB at least the spelling was ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blinky Bill Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 ridden bikes non stop for 36 years You must be extremely tired by now. Whoops,oh well BB at least the spelling was ok? Good boy. Glad to see the English lessons are paying off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcgriffith Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Blinky, justcruisin is Oz.... Strine is a form of English, I reckon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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