Police Stopped Me Yesterday...

[Maejo Man]

Learn to read Thai.

If you can't read Thai road signs, you shouldn't be driving in Thailand.

It's not however, it is a condition that you can recognise road signs. There are many signs that are only in Thai and you only have to memorise them.

Crikey mate,i am impressed that you are able to memorise Thai signs,just a shame that you are unable to memorise English as well cos your English grammar is crap, the comma should be after "not" not after "however

Anyway, I'll get onto that one straight away, " darling where's our Thai highway code "

I don't have to memorise them, that was for your edification, as I read Thai and don't have a problem,

[eyecatcher]

Learn to read Thai.

If you can't read Thai road signs, you shouldn't be driving in Thailand.

It's not however, it is a condition that you can recognise road signs. There are many signs that are only in Thai and you only have to memorise them.

Crikey mate,i am impressed that you are able to memorise Thai signs,just a shame that you are unable to memorise English as well cos your English grammar is crap, the comma should be after "not" not after "however

Anyway, I'll get onto that one straight away, " darling where's our Thai highway code "

I don't have to memorise them, that was for your edification, as I read Thai and don't have a problem,

In 20hrs for 15k by any chance....where did I see that

[ripstanley]

Can some one show me the sign that a driver can make a U turn from the left side of cars who are turning right? There must be one because I have seen vehicles do it. They are all driven by non farang.

[mcgriffith]

Selective enforcement at end of month, OP.

Sorry you got nicked, and look around for the fuzz next time.

[AndersSN]

Cheers mate, that's near me. I'll go have a look

Sorry. I drove past today and the sign was gone. (it wasn't a permanent and stood at the roadside)

Maybe it was just there for a special (money) occasion?

[trainman34014]

Just had a discussion with Wifey about this. She's been driving here for 22 years and never even noticed the signs ! Just turns left because everyone else does, normal Thai driver methinks.

[thrilled]

If ya can't read thai,sooner or later you'll be breaking thailand traffic laws.Just be prepared to pay some money

[bristolgeoff]

maybe he was bored and needed something to do

[Tywais]

Source, not formal:

[ripstanley]

The above link is very good and worth reading.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

The above link is very good and worth reading.

However it has a lot of tripe and flamebait:

Thai people rarely have a formulated plan. It is common for any outline plan to change dynamically. This can be witnessed in driving when a manoeuver is amended part way through, e.g. although a right turn indicator is flashing, the driver decides that a left turn may be more appropriate. Planning ahead also appears to be missing from the Thai language therefore manoeuvers are likely to be undertaken at the last minute.

Little bit sad, because there is some reasonable stuff too.

Edited June 2, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai

[kaptainrob]

This appears to be a common "wait for green b4 turning" sign around town, most are attached to a post at the stop line itself. One at Rincome intersection even has a larger A-frame version below it.

[Maejo Man]

This appears to be a common "wait for green b4 turning" sign around town, most are attached to a post at the stop line itself. One at Rincome intersection even has a larger A-frame version below it.

There is no mention of "green" in any of these signs, simply "cars turning left wait for light signal"

They also vary in size quite a lot and are issued by various authorities, so no conformity.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Maejo Man

[uptheos]

Bottom line.....if you can't read Thai and see a little white sign with black Thai writing under the lights......just wait until the light goes green before turning left and let the honker behind, suck lemons.

[stuartd1]

I googled for the thai highway code in english and found it has already been translated on TV some years ago!

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/93763-the-thai-highway-code-translated/

[funcat]

...BTW,if you want some entertainment read this "driving guide" http://www.roseofsuthep.com/articles_humour/humour/driving_in_thailand.php

[Nienke]

Source, not formal:

Great link! Very recognizable, especially those common manouvers, and a *must* read for every foreigner that wants to drive in Thailand, methinks.

Edited June 2, 2012 by Nienke

[thaimiller]

Or just carry on as I have been doing for the past 8 years and pay the 200thb if I get caught out. Simple.

[Gorman]

Why not just learn to read Thai? It really isn't that difficult.

[uptheos]

Why not just learn to read Thai? It really isn't that difficult.

Yes, lots of very good reputable schools around.

Are you planning to one day?

[kaptainrob]

Thailand conforms to International Road Signage according to the Vienna Treaty so that non-Thai speaking persons may drive here.

There is NO requirement to speak or read Thai.

Having acquired a Thai licence I can say that there was never any clear direction given in regards to the matter raised herein by OP. I applaud the OP for raising the topic and providing insight on a topic for which many are now the wiser.

[Maejo Man]

Thailand conforms to International Road Signage according to the Vienna Treaty so that non-Thai speaking persons may drive here.

There is NO requirement to speak or read Thai.

Having acquired a Thai licence I can say that there was never any clear direction given in regards to the matter raised herein by OP. I applaud the OP for raising the topic and providing insight on a topic for which many are now the wiser.

The Thai stop sign in in Thai and does not conform, all the others are self explanatery. There is always one exception I suppose.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Thailand conforms to International Road Signage according to the Vienna Treaty so that non-Thai speaking persons may drive here.

There is NO requirement to speak or read Thai.

Having acquired a Thai licence I can say that there was never any clear direction given in regards to the matter raised herein by OP. I applaud the OP for raising the topic and providing insight on a topic for which many are now the wiser.

The Thai stop sign in in Thai and does not conform, all the others are self explanatery. There is always one exception I suppose.

In most non-English speaking countries they use their own language, which only makes sense I suppose. And for foreign drivers, the color and shape should not make it too difficult to figure out.

Edited June 4, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Beetlejuice]

It`s a sort of cultural thing.

Usually the police and the law turns a blind eye to those turning left at a red traffic signal providing they consider the action as safe. The same applies in many American states.

But technically it is breaking the law and is up to the discretion of the police whether or not they pull someone over for it. Also if this causes an accident the vehicle that ran the red light will be brought to book for it.

So it`s a case of, some you win, some you lose and is completely up to your own judgement.

[thaimiller]

It`s a sort of cultural thing.

Usually the police and the law turns a blind eye to those turning left at a red traffic signal providing they consider the action as safe. The same applies in many American states.

But technically it is breaking the law and is up to the discretion of the police whether or not they pull someone over for it. Also if this causes an accident the vehicle that ran the red light will be brought to book for it.

So it`s a case of, some you win, some you lose and is completely up to your own judgement.

Didn't think you could turn left at a red light in America??

[Beetlejuice]

It`s a sort of cultural thing.

Usually the police and the law turns a blind eye to those turning left at a red traffic signal providing they consider the action as safe. The same applies in many American states.

But technically it is breaking the law and is up to the discretion of the police whether or not they pull someone over for it. Also if this causes an accident the vehicle that ran the red light will be brought to book for it.

So it`s a case of, some you win, some you lose and is completely up to your own judgement.

Didn't think you could turn left at a red light in America??

You havn`t lived. Those who dares, wins.

[dazk]

What are us un-educated people who can't read thai suppose to do ?

Learn to read Thai.

If you can't read Thai road signs, you shouldn't be driving in Thailand.

thais can read thai but a big percentage shouldnt be driving

[mcgriffith]

A small note.

In the US, each state (50 states) has a completely different traffic law.

In California, where I am from, it is entirely legal after stopping at an intersection, to turn right on a red light (my emphasis added), unless there is a sign forbidding same. The default traffic code in CA always allows a turn on red, when safe and the road is clear.

Likewise CA permits lane splitting by motorcycles, everywhere except through an intersection. Other states will not permit same.

I noticed today the small sign in Thai, detailed above, westbound on Huay Kaew at the Nimmenhaemin intersection forbidding a turn.

I must have ignored this sign 1000 times in past years.

Good to know per the OP's post that this is illegal.

[Tywais]

In the US, each state (50 states) has a completely different traffic law.

In California, where I am from, it is entirely legal after stopping at an intersection, to turn right on a red light (my emphasis added), unless there is a sign forbidding same. The default traffic code in CA always allows a turn on red, when safe and the road is clear.

Actually some states allow turning left (my emphasis added) at a red with the following conditions.

All states permit drivers to turn right on a red signal after a complete stop if the intersection is not designated otherwise by posted signs. New York City now is the only major jurisdiction that prohibits the turn. According to the Federal Highway Administration, fewer accidents occur when drivers turn right on a red light than when they turn right on a green light. The statute also saves each driver an average of 14 seconds at a turn, cuts gasoline consumption and exhaust emissions, and allows intersections to handle more traffic.

Forty-one states permit left turns on a red signal, but only after a complete stop and only from a one-way street into another one-way street. Those states that prohibit the turn are: Connecticut, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The District of Columbia and New York City also prohibit the turn.

Read more: http://www.answers.c...t#ixzz1wpe6M0Qd

Sorry for being off topic, just an interesting tidbit.

On topic - I first drove in Thailand in 1968-1969 but with a military truck so I could pretty much turn anyway I wanted.

[uptheos]

On topic - I first drove in Thailand in 1968-1969 but with a military vehicle so I could pretty much turn anyway I wanted.

No songtell's back then......bet you scared the som tam out of those state of the art samlor drivers.