Does Your Neighbour Leave His/her Car Blocking The Main Entrance Of Your House?

[kensingto]

I live in a mooban. There are parking space in every houses, but since my neighbors are quite lazy to move their cars on their space so they leave them outside in front of their neighbor's. Occasionally the neighbors friends leave their cars blocking the main entrance at the front of mine, I yelled at them to park somewhere or else I will leave some scratches. Does your neighbor leave his/her car blocking your house? What would you do?

[way2muchcoffee]

I can tell you what I wouldn't do. I would neither yell at them nor threaten to damage their property.

I live in a moo baan as well. Parking is limited and occasionally we are blocked into our carport. When this happens I open the gate and start the truck. This usually catches the attention of the car owner and they come out and move the vehicle. I thank them. If the neighbors don't notice, I will ring the bell. When they come to the door they can see what's required and they come out and move the vehicle immediately. I thank them and go about my business.

If you'll allow me to reverse the adage: 'good neighbors make good fences'. They do this by keeping a watchful eye on the neighborhood and providing additional security for our home and property inside the moo baan. It is important to be on good terms with neighbors. I realize that sometimes this is impossible, but I also believe that every effort should be made.

[BigWheelMan]

This is Thailand, making threats to physically damage property will get you nowhere except create more problems with your neighbours.

Solving the problem is easy; if people parking in front of your house irritate you, than put some bright coloured road cones in front of the entrance.

Maybe you are not apt to the lifestyle in Thailand? Or should learn to lose your Western aggression.

[kartman]

I would think the Thai/Falang reaction to 'I will leave some scratches' is pretty universal ie '<deleted> you' so expect lots of blockages in future plus some damage to your vehicle probably.

[kensingto]

I can tell you what I wouldn't do. I would neither yell at them nor threaten to damage their property.

I live in a moo baan as well. Parking is limited and occasionally we are blocked into our carport. When this happens I open the gate and start the truck. This usually catches the attention of the car owner and they come out and move the vehicle. I thank them. If the neighbors don't notice, I will ring the bell. When they come to the door they can see what's required and they come out and move the vehicle immediately. I thank them and go about my business.

If you'll allow me to reverse the adage: 'good neighbors make good fences'. They do this by keeping a watchful eye on the neighborhood and providing additional security for our home and property inside the moo baan. It is important to be on good terms with neighbors. I realize that sometimes this is impossible, but I also believe that every effort should be made.

Your neighbor is pretty decent. Mine isn't, I use to be very polite to them in the beginning. I spoke to them gently about the problem of leaving their vehicles blocking my entrance, but again and again they seem to ignore my problem but park their cars infront of my house for their own convenience. They have an open parking space in front of their house so why don't they leave them at their own space? It made me blood boil. I am sure you will do the same like I did if your neighbor is neglect even if they knew of your inconvenience of getting in and out of your own house.

[onnut]

It happens, sometimes when I come home there is a car blocking the road somehow, during the day I leave my car parked behind there's but at night I do ring there bell as I will not leave my car on the street. This only happens a couple of times a year though so not a big deal.

Check out my thread tittled idiots living oposite me. You may learn something! Lol

[gameon]

My neighbor as of yet has not blocked my entrance, and i not his, however i would not mind blocking his wifes entrance

[wintermute]

This thread is a prime example of why some Thais detest all farang.

[LennyW]

I yelled at them to park somewhere or else I will leave some scratches

Not clever, put some bins or something in "your" space, but whatever you do, do not start mouthing off or physical abuse, you will lose!!, big style and quicker than you could imagine!

[Garry9999]

"Does your neighbor leave his/her car blocking your house?"

Yes sometimes. T.I.T.

[garyh]

For 150 baht a day you could get someone to stay out the front with a cap and a whistle and move them on if they park there.

[Tanaka]

My neighbor as of yet has not blocked my entrance, and i not his, however i would not mind blocking his wifes entrance

Now THAT could easily and very swiftly get you into real serious trouble! At least try find a neighbor not so close!

[docholiday123]

Did you check to see if the car was left in neutral and able to be pushed out of the way? sometimes, someone might have been parked infront/behind them and they had to park where they parked.

You could always buy a home with more land/parking space.

Good job telling them you will damage their property. That must have worked like a charm. LOL.

[Garry9999]

My neighbor as of yet has not blocked my entrance, and i not his, however i would not mind blocking his wifes entrance

:D

[neverdie]

It happens, sometimes when I come home there is a car blocking the road somehow, during the day I leave my car parked behind there's but at night I do ring there bell as I will not leave my car on the street. This only happens a couple of times a year though so not a big deal.

Check out my thread tittled idiots living oposite me. You may learn something! Lol

Yes, wait until the grannies start moving pots into your parking space, then PM onnut, he'll set you straight.

A mate of mine had a problem with this back in Oz, he warned the neighbour several times before hooking a drag chain up to the back of his landcruiser and dragging the offending car down the road about 40 yards.....strangely then never did it again & you could always hear them approaching with their squared off tyres......maybe try that method

[lazygourmet]

What is your definition of Moo Baan?

Because, I am living in a Moo Baan - or village - or gated community- all the properties (as ours) have at least three garages plus five parking spaces inside for guests. In case of big party there is at least ten more parking spaces available just on the sub-soi in front of our wall and this, without disturbing any neighbors.

[neverdie]

What is your definition of Moo Baan?

Because, I am living in a Moo Baan - or village - or gated community- all the properties (as ours) have at least three garages plus five parking spaces inside for guests. In case of big party there is at least ten more parking spaces available just on the sub-soi in front of our wall and this, without disturbing any neighbors.

^Hi-So moo baan.

In the OP's Moo Baan, they all share one bathroom. Such is life.

[Heng]

Yeah, all that type of threat implies is that you probably don't have any influence whatsoever and that you accept that they clearly are in the right in affording you no respect whatsoever.

[garyh]

What is your definition of Moo Baan?

Because, I am living in a Moo Baan - or village - or gated community- all the properties (as ours) have at least three garages plus five parking spaces inside for guests. In case of big party there is at least ten more parking spaces available just on the sub-soi in front of our wall and this, without disturbing any neighbors.

^Hi-So moo baan.

In the OP's Moo Baan, they all share one bathroom. Such is life.

I hear in some they have to share beds too.

[docholiday123]

What is your definition of Moo Baan?

Because, I am living in a Moo Baan - or village - or gated community- all the properties (as ours) have at least three garages plus five parking spaces inside for guests. In case of big party there is at least ten more parking spaces available just on the sub-soi in front of our wall and this, without disturbing any neighbors.

5555555.

[IanForbes]

It is the Thai way... EVERYWHERE! Thai people grew up riding bicycles and motorbikes. When they became more affluent they bought cars and trucks, but still expected to park them where they park motorcycles. I see vehicle blocking every road in Chiang Mai, but nobody has a problem with it. Tuk Tuk drivers double and triple park, and so do trucks and vans.

Threatening a Thai is a recipe for disaster. There are more subtle ways of dealing with issues. Try parking your vehicle a few times in front of their place just before they expect to leave. they might eventually get the message.

[NancyL]

We don't have a car and we live in a soi, not a moo baan, but some of the Thais in the soi handle this in several ways. A few use the bright colored cones (which tend to disappear) and several use large potted plants. Those don't seem to get disturbed.

We had this problem when we lived in a subdivision in the U.S. and we put a couple of sawhorses supporting an 8 ft long two-by-four at the end of our driveway. Once someone parked in the street and I came out and picked up the 2-by-4. The driver moved the car in a hurry. I think he thought I was going to bash his car with the 2-by-4. Actually, I was just planning to move the blockade closer to the road, but it did the trick.

[Donnyboy]

doesnt happen to me but some somchai left his water buffalo on my paddyfield

[docholiday123]

the internet lets people be different people on a day to day basis. maybe today he is a girl, 20 years old, Thai knockout. tomorrow he is back to himself, farang, senile, 150 stone, etc.

[sanook2me]

Did you check to see if the car was left in neutral and able to be pushed out of the way? sometimes, someone might have been parked infront/behind them and they had to park where they parked.

You could always buy a home with more land/parking space.

Good job telling them you will damage their property. That must have worked like a charm. LOL.

I was thinking about the old neutral and push job and then read your post..... I don't think the OP did... think or try to push...

I will scratch your car.. i bet the old army general or police captain was shaking in his black boots...

[wamberal]

The basic problem is that the OP does not realise that he has a totally different way of thinking to his Thai neighbour. Lighten up, my friend - you are in a totally different culture. Your Thai neighbour parks his car in a place that is easy for him. It doesn't occur to him that this affects you. And it doesn't really, does it? You can always get him to move away when you need access. So what's the big deal?

Either get to know your neighbour well enough to have a philosophical discussion with him, in which you try to explain western concepts of property rights, and so on, and talk him into seeing things your way, or go to live in a country where people think exactly like you.

[caf]

The basic problem is that the OP does not realise that he has a totally different way of thinking to his Thai neighbour. Lighten up, my friend - you are in a totally different culture. Your Thai neighbour parks his car in a place that is easy for him. It doesn't occur to him that this affects you. And it doesn't really, does it? You can always get him to move away when you need access. So what's the big deal?

Either get to know your neighbour well enough to have a philosophical discussion with him, in which you try to explain western concepts of property rights, and so on, and talk him into seeing things your way, or go to live in a country where people think exactly like you.

I agree. Not all, but certainly many, foreigners here want things to be done according to their culture and ways of doing things.

[Donnyboy]

The basic problem is that the OP does not realise that he has a totally different way of thinking to his Thai neighbour. Lighten up, my friend - you are in a totally different culture. Your Thai neighbour parks his car in a place that is easy for him. It doesn't occur to him that this affects you. And it doesn't really, does it? You can always get him to move away when you need access. So what's the big deal?

Either get to know your neighbour well enough to have a philosophical discussion with him, in which you try to explain western concepts of property rights, and so on, and talk him into seeing things your way, or go to live in a country where people think exactly like you.

I agree. Not all, but certainly many, foreigners here want things to be done according to their culture and ways of doing things.

so true as expressed by the number of threads whinging about things here

[bonobo]

In my condo, there are plenty of parking spots.  But one guy with a huge pick-up refuses to park only 15 meters away in the main parking area and always parks in the smaller area directly in front of the condo entrance.  These spots are usually taken first, so he ends up parking in the middle of the lane, blocking the parked cars on both sides of lane from getting out.  On more than one occasion, I have had to help women move his beast out of the way as it is too heavy for many people to move. And I know he has had notes left on his windshield twice, but he refuses to walk the 15 meters from the open parking spots.  THai culture or not, this is plain wrong, in my humble opinion, and I know this view is shared by at least three Thais, so maybe it is not really "Thai culture" but mere bad manners.

The only time I ever did anything in a like situation, though, was in Jomtien at the King's Cup jetski tournament.  I parked in a small pay lot. Another couple came in and parked, blocking me, but leaving their parking brake engaged.  I went to leave, but there was no way I could possible get out.  I told the attendant, but he could do nothing.  After an hour, I even told the police, but they pretty much ignored me. Finally, after two-and-a-half hours, the couple came back.  My date told the we had been waiting for all that time to leave, and neither one even acknowledged us. The thing is, after two hours, I let half of the air out of two of their tires. Neither of them noticed it as they crept out of the lot, with us following them as we were heading in the same direction, but as we picked up speed on the main drag, they stopped and looked out at the tires, then pulled over.  I merely smiled at them as we passed.

Call me petty, but I think my actions were justifiable (and were perhaps the only time in my life I have ever done anything like that.)

[Scott]

I live in a moo ban and experience the same problem, rather consistently. I have never found a solution, but I have managed to minimize the problem. First, always smile and always act unperturbed. They are your neighbors and they can make your life a living nightmare if they chose--and they won't do alone, they'll get everyone to join in on the fun. The offending party is usually not too far away and the wait to get the car moved is usually not too long.

For me it's a pet peeve and I smile while cussing under my breath. Once inside I rant, rave and swear at the dog. I also make sure that I make it quite inconvenient for them at times. I go to work very early and I love getting them up at 5:00 to move their car the 2 metres forward so I can get out of the driveway. I also enjoy waiting until I see their lights go off to ring the bell and ask them to move it from in front of my house. We have two vehicles. One goes in the driveway and one on the street in front of the house.

If the neighbors are having a party (or house blessing), I make sure and park my vehicle at the end of the soi and tell them to park in both the driveway and in front of my house. I am not being kind, but I can tell you they will get the whole road blocked so that you will be an hour trying to get out--if at all. If I want to go somewhere, my vehicle is free and clear.

It's a pain, it's frustrating, but they are the neighbors, this is Thailand and I just want a reasonably easy life.

Good luck to you.