I was driving in Chiang Mai a few years ago.

My Thai/Chinese wife by my side.

OK. She is from Bangkok.

We passed the corner of Chiang Moi road and the moat

I saw an old lady by the side of the road

looking to cross to the other side

I STOPPED the car.

My wife said "Why the fuc_k are you stopping the car?"

I said:

"For the old lady to cross the road!"

She said:

"But haven't you thought about all the drivers behind"

"Now, they have to brake all because of YOU!"

I thought I was being considerate to the old Lady

My wife thought I was being inconsiderate to all the drivers behind me!

You just can't win.

I was under the impression that the more typical Thai driving logic was not to care about EITHER the old lady OR the following drivers. Am I wrong about that?

I was under the impression that the more typical Thai driving logic was not to care about EITHER the old lady OR the following drivers. Am I wrong about that?

No Jingthing, your absolutely right, spot on.

I have found that trying to keep a Farang standard of driving like letting old ladies cross the road, even on a crossing, or allowing a vehicle to enter the traffic stream will result in total chaos as these actions are not understood and likely to cause accidents.

Better drive like the locals and stay out of trouble

True,a fair comment & observation

I was driving in Chiang Mai a few years ago.

My Thai/Chinese wife by my side.

OK. She is from Bangkok.

We passed the corner of Chiang Moi road and the moat

I saw an old lady by the side of the road

looking to cross to the other side

I STOPPED the car.

My wife said "Why the fuc_k are you stopping the car?"

I said:

"For the old lady to cross the road!"

She said:

"But haven't you thought about all the drivers behind"

"Now, they have to brake all because of YOU!"

I thought I was being considerate to the old Lady

My wife thought I was being inconsiderate to all the drivers behind me!

You just can't win.

I love Thailand, but sadly there is no other way to describe the driving here than child selfishness exponentially worsened by pure stupidity.

If my wife ever talked the way you say your wife did, no matter the reason, I would seriously wonder if I made the right choice....of wife!

Now, I think that stopping to let an old lady to cross the street is definitely THE thing to do....

If my wife uses the word <deleted> in anger or irritation then that would mean she is seriously pissed off. She has NEVER sworn at me.

Other than that: Thais are just human. Like my better half says: People are different.

Doubling the prices in a recession!

I was driving in Chiang Mai a few years ago. My Thai/Chinese wife by my side. OK. She is from Bangkok. We passed the corner of Chiang Moi road and the moat I saw an old lady by the side of the road looking to cross to the other side I STOPPED the car. My wife said "Why the fuc_k are you stopping the car?" I said: "For the old lady to cross the road!" She said: "But haven't you thought about all the drivers behind" "Now, they have to brake all because of YOU!" I thought I was being considerate to the old Lady My wife thought I was being inconsiderate to all the drivers behind me! You just can't win.

I love Thailand, but sadly there is no other way to describe the driving here than child selfishness exponentially worsened by pure stupidity.

Wait 'til you visit Vietnam...

child selfishness exponentially worsened by pure stupidity.

About the most accurate statement I have come across while reading about drivers here. Although before the rose tinted folks speak up, yes, other countries are worse...

stopping to let an old lady to cross the street is definitely THE thing to do....

Agreed, and regardless of what others think everyone should aspire to do the same. Thai's know the rules, I know enough who all know the rules, its a choice they make when they choose to be selfish and careless.

Doubling the prices in a recession!

or even during a cyclical business slowdown.

Easy to get away vilolating the rules therefore rules don't matter

I was driving in Chiang Mai a few years ago.

My Thai/Chinese wife by my side.

OK. She is from Bangkok.

We passed the corner of Chiang Moi road and the moat

I saw an old lady by the side of the road

looking to cross to the other side

I STOPPED the car.

My wife said "Why the fuc_k are you stopping the car?"

I said:

"For the old lady to cross the road!"

She said:

"But haven't you thought about all the drivers behind"

"Now, they have to brake all because of YOU!"

I thought I was being considerate to the old Lady

My wife thought I was being inconsiderate to all the drivers behind me!

You just can't win.

I love Thailand, but sadly there is no other way to describe the driving here than child selfishness exponentially worsened by pure stupidity.

Driving is one of my favorite parts about going to Thailand. No road rage, just look strait ahead and hit the gas.

I was driving in Chiang Mai a few years ago.

My Thai/Chinese wife by my side.

OK. She is from Bangkok.

We passed the corner of Chiang Moi road and the moat

I saw an old lady by the side of the road

looking to cross to the other side

I STOPPED the car.

My wife said "Why the fuc_k are you stopping the car?"

I said:

"For the old lady to cross the road!"

She said:

"But haven't you thought about all the drivers behind"

"Now, they have to brake all because of YOU!"

I thought I was being considerate to the old Lady

My wife thought I was being inconsiderate to all the drivers behind me!

You just can't win.

It was on my driving licence test.

You shall not stop to let someone cross the street.

Someone might overtake you and run over the old lady while passing the street.