Indicating Indicators

[ChiangMaiFun]

Am I the only one that the lack of basic indicating when driving drives me NUTZ? I just do not get why they just pull over relying on:

1/ that I can mind read or

2/ that they are demonstrating their total belief in reincarnation?

It's a really basic and curteous safe - I would love to stop one of them and just ask what were they thinking? (or not thinking) - it's probably just pure laziness I guess but bloody dangerous

[dave_boo]

You don't understand!

Each time the indicator blinks it uses a little bit of battery. Each time it blinks it has that many fewer blinks left in its life; which could mean it would need to be replaced when the vehicle is resold at stupifingly artifically high prices!

Don't wolly, it's Thai style and you're just a guest in country and can't bring your silly falang logic.....

[harrry]

But they give you such a nice smile when you have to swerve to miss them when they pass you on the wrong side even though you have your turn indicator going.

[ScubaBuddha]

Oh how I love threads about the insanity on the roads here.

You were probably joking, but you have actually hit on a valid point with the "reincarnation" bit. I struggle everyday to understand some of the behaviors I see on the roads here, and how it seems to be contradictory to many of the values this society holds so dear. The problems are many-fold, (lack of education, lack of enforcement, police corruption, and, I believe, tinted windows to avoid losing face!!!) but there is definitely a cultural element to this type of behavior.

It is a known fact that those who believe in "external controls" in their life, (i.e. they believe their fate is predetermined and bad things happen to them because, for example, they wronged someone in a previous life) will tend not to prepare for emergencies or natural disasters or take a pro-active approach to safety. Those who believe in "internal controls" (i.e. they believe they have the power to control their own path in life,) tend to prepare more and take a more proactive approach to their safety and future. As my Thai GF has repeatedly told me, she is not afraid of death, she only fears being severely injured or worse, being reincarnated as a lessor species. This is because of what the Monk tells her.

As much as there is to love about Buddhism, but it is not perfect. This is one area where it fails us a bit, and unfortunately that failure is, in my opinion, partly to blame for the behaviors we see on the roadways here.

[CDNinKS]

Not using indicators I can live with.

It is the suicidal pulling out to pass when clearly there is no room to do so, forcing the oncoming driver (me) to swerve out of the way (if there is room to do so). Also why does the Thai gov spend good money painting lines on roads when nobody obeys them?

[paulfromphuket]

Oh how I love threads about the insanity on the roads here.

You were probably joking, but you have actually hit on a valid point with the "reincarnation" bit. I struggle everyday to understand some of the behaviors I see on the roads here, and how it seems to be contradictory to many of the values this society holds so dear. The problems are many-fold, (lack of education, lack of enforcement, police corruption, and, I believe, tinted windows to avoid losing face!!!) but there is definitely a cultural element to this type of behavior.

It is a known fact that those who believe in "external controls" in their life, (i.e. they believe their fate is predetermined and bad things happen to them because, for example, they wronged someone in a previous life) will tend not to prepare for emergencies or natural disasters or take a pro-active approach to safety. Those who believe in "internal controls" (i.e. they believe they have the power to control their own path in life,) tend to prepare more and take a more proactive approach to their safety and future. As my Thai GF has repeatedly told me, she is not afraid of death, she only fears being severely injured or worse, being reincarnated as a lessor species. This is because of what the Monk tells her.

As much as there is to love about Buddhism, but it is not perfect. This is one area where it fails us a bit, and unfortunately that failure is, in my opinion, partly to blame for the behaviors we see on the roadways here.

If Thai"s actually believed in Budda then they they would be tee total vegitarians, they use the whole regligious nonesence to justify their stupidity and do what ever they like and blame it on karama.

It is <deleted> thay are just playing the same game as chalothcs, muslims and crazy evangalish nutters

[tartempion]

Not using indicators, what a minor issue.

I love the motorbikes at night whose red tail light gave up years ago. Well I guess they don't know the tail light has given up, they are excused by this.

Or even better the motorbike drivers driving in absolute darkness, they must have seen the light or will soon in Buddha heaven. Not joking, I see them each night I dare koming out of my house.

The best thing on the high way at night however are the slow driving unlit samlors.

Until now I managed to avoid all of them. The day, sorry night I will hit one I won't stop neither: In Rome......

[apetley]

There seems to be a local craze where we live to put a red cover over the headlight!

Insane. What appears to be a motorcycle going away from you at night is in fact some guy coming at you.

[ignis]

Not using indicators I can live with.

It is the suicidal pulling out to pass when clearly there is no room to do so, forcing the oncoming driver (me) to swerve out of the way (if there is room to do so). Also why does the Thai gov spend good money painting lines on roads when nobody obeys them?

They normally flash there headlights = here in Thailand look out I am coming get out of my way

[ignis]

Am I the only one that the lack of basic indicating when driving drives me NUTZ? I just do not get why they just pull over relying on:

1/ that I can mind read or

2/ that they are demonstrating their total belief in reincarnation?

It's a really basic and curteous safe - I would love to stop one of them and just ask what were they thinking? (or not thinking) - it's probably just pure laziness I guess but bloody dangerous

On a PLUS side it would appear that most Benz driver do use indicates here, in the UK most Benz drivers have no idea where they are. so it is rare to see a Benz indicate at all as they only know the red triangle button when all flash so the can stop in a No parking area...

Far far worse here is the local bus that is in the middle or outside lane that indicates left and stops, and all the people at the Bus stop and on the bus getting off must run across 1 or 2 lanes of cars.... see it almost every time I go out...... Still total belief after 6 years driving here

[ScubaBuddha]

Not using indicators I can live with.

It is the suicidal pulling out to pass when clearly there is no room to do so, forcing the oncoming driver (me) to swerve out of the way (if there is room to do so). Also why does the Thai gov spend good money painting lines on roads when nobody obeys them?

The road in front of my house was recently paved, (3 weeks ago) and they have yet to paint any lanes whatsoever, so naturally people feel that the entire roadway is for their use. It's quite entertaining when you see cars and motorbikes coming at each other 3 wide, each taking up 3/4 of the roadway in a deadly game of chicken, i.e. the "middle half" of the roadway is for vehicles traveling in both directions!! Fantastic!! Overtake overtake overtake!!! That's what having a car means to Thai people!!

I also enjoy the use of indicators when moving slightly left or right within a single lane, yet if you are driving on a 4 lane roadway that is ever so curvy, don't try to pass them in the other lane, as they will inevitably drift into you, apexing the curve, no indicators whatsoever!

[MrSnrang]

Not using indicators I can live with.

It is the suicidal pulling out to pass when clearly there is no room to do so, forcing the oncoming driver (me) to swerve out of the way (if there is room to do so). Also why does the Thai gov spend good money painting lines on roads when nobody obeys them?

They gave up with painting lines on Sathorn and Rama III...

[ScubaBuddha]

There seems to be a local craze where we live to put a red cover over the headlight!

Insane. What appears to be a motorcycle going away from you at night is in fact some guy coming at you.

After reading your reply, I began to notice the opposite of this, people putting in clear break lights, here in Phuket. It seems to be popular but it sure makes it difficult to see whether you coming or going!

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi.

You never noticed this? If you dare to use the indicators you will NEVER change the lane or get out from anywhere. To Thais, a flashing indicator is a signal to speed up and block that vehicle or at least get in front of it before it makes the lane change. As they drive bumper-to-bumper you will have a hundred cars pass you before you can change the lane - and missed the soi you wanted to turn into.

I don't use them, too, for that exact reason. Wait for a gap about as long as half a car and pull out, they WILL slow down as they know "who comes from behind is at fault".

Best regards......

Thanh

[basjke]

Cars and motorbikes here in thailand could be produced way cheaper if they didn't waste so much money on all those useless items like side mirrors,indicators,tail lights,head lights and so on.

[onnut]

Hi.

You never noticed this? If you dare to use the indicators you will NEVER change the lane or get out from anywhere. To Thais, a flashing indicator is a signal to speed up and block that vehicle or at least get in front of it before it makes the lane change. As they drive bumper-to-bumper you will have a hundred cars pass you before you can change the lane - and missed the soi you wanted to turn into.

I don't use them, too, for that exact reason. Wait for a gap about as long as half a car and pull out, they WILL slow down as they know "who comes from behind is at fault".

Best regards......

Thanh

thats not from behind, its into your side! I get what you mean though, its the only way to get somewhere most of the time.

[ChiangMaiFun]

Hi.

You never noticed this? If you dare to use the indicators you will NEVER change the lane or get out from anywhere. To Thais, a flashing indicator is a signal to speed up and block that vehicle or at least get in front of it before it makes the lane change. As they drive bumper-to-bumper you will have a hundred cars pass you before you can change the lane - and missed the soi you wanted to turn into.

I don't use them, too, for that exact reason. Wait for a gap about as long as half a car and pull out, they WILL slow down as they know "who comes from behind is at fault".

Best regards......

Thanh

But doesnt it seem bizarre to all of you that the Thais preach 'grenge jai' yet when they get in a vehicle they are determined not to give way, not to indicate and to NEVER let you out of a sidelane and certainely NEVER, EVER say 'thank you' when you let them out? or stop for them?

When out of the vehicle they can be very polite (apart from when queuing but that's a different story, and a different moan!) but they lose all of their Buddhist principals when in a vehicle. They just don't give a shit - let's be honest - nothing to do with 'mai pen rai' or being 'laid back' - they just don't care!

Love 'em but they really don't practise Buddhism very much... particularly behind the wheel! I love this place and would not live here if I didn't love it but sometimes I CRAVE the discipline of driving in the West (not saying that's all great either but it IS less chaotic let's be fair).

I have very nearly hit people by accident because they don't indicate - brakes are essential! I'm slowly getting used to it but it's really, really dumb - and of course it would be MY fault if I hit their vehicle! silly farang... expecting them to indicate

[ScubaBuddha]

Cars and motorbikes here in thailand could be produced way cheaper if they didn't waste so much money on all those useless items like side mirrors,indicators,tail lights,head lights and so on.

Don't forget....Brakes.

[ScubaBuddha]

Hi.

You never noticed this? If you dare to use the indicators you will NEVER change the lane or get out from anywhere. To Thais, a flashing indicator is a signal to speed up and block that vehicle or at least get in front of it before it makes the lane change. As they drive bumper-to-bumper you will have a hundred cars pass you before you can change the lane - and missed the soi you wanted to turn into.

I don't use them, too, for that exact reason. Wait for a gap about as long as half a car and pull out, they WILL slow down as they know "who comes from behind is at fault".

Best regards......

Thanh

But doesnt it seem bizarre to all of you that the Thais preach 'grenge jai' yet when they get in a vehicle they are determined not to give way, not to indicate and to NEVER let you out of a sidelane and certainely NEVER, EVER say 'thank you' when you let them out? or stop for them?

When out of the vehicle they can be very polite (apart from when queuing but that's a different story, and a different moan!) but they lose all of their Buddhist principals when in a vehicle. They just don't give a shit - let's be honest - nothing to do with 'mai pen rai' or being 'laid back' - they just don't care!

Love 'em but they really don't practise Buddhism very much... particularly behind the wheel! I love this place and would not live here if I didn't love it but sometimes I CRAVE the discipline of driving in the West (not saying that's all great either but it IS less chaotic let's be fair).

I have very nearly hit people by accident because they don't indicate - brakes are essential! I'm slowly getting used to it but it's really, really dumb - and of course it would be MY fault if I hit their vehicle! silly farang... expecting them to indicate

I don't know, I have had a slightly different experience here in Phuket. Although most seem to think the drivers in Phuket are the most rude, aggressive and dangerous, and I have to agree. (I attribute it to the wealth here and the sense of entitlement that comes with it in a hierarchical society such as this, as well as no concern for minor fines and ability to bribe way out of trouble, and this goes for farang as well) But it is those Buddhist principles you speak of that is partly responsible for me driving (mostly) as I was trained in the west. (don't tailgate, overtake unsafely, excessivly speed (by CBR doesn't count!)) and I routinely let people in and allow pedestrians to cross. (But I am usually not in a hurry.) When I do that I would say usualy Thai's signal thier appreciation one way or another, especially if you have eye contact. (#1 way to improve driving in Thailand, get rid of window tint. Window tint= no loss of face if you can't see

them.)

Instead of not indicating at all, I say indicate as you start to initiate the lane change. You will see mr. Fortuner try to block you, but carry on. As you said, they will break.

[apetley]

I asked wifey to check if the rear indicators on the Triton were working this morning.

When she got to the back I could hear her say, 'Yes they are, no they're not, yes they are, no they're not, yes they are, no they're not, yes they are, no they're not......'

[Lancashirelad]

#1 way to improve driving in Thailand, get rid of window tint. Window tint= no loss of face if you can't see

them.)

Spot on! Its dangerous anyway, there are many occasions in safe driving (in any country) when you need eye contact with another driver.

For instance when they are waiting to pull out of a road on the left, you cannot even see if they are looking in your direction.

I had to drive a rented pick-up at night, it had just a moderate tint. I was in Isaan. I felt very unsafe as it was very difficult to spot the unlit m/cycles, farm tuk tuk's, etc.

[Digitalbanana]

and of course it would be MY fault if I hit their vehicle! silly farang... expecting them to indicate

At last a comment that is correct. Check yourself into a defensive driving school - you'll thank me for it ;-)