Why Are Thais So Impatient On Public Transportation?

[MaxwellsDemon]

I thought I'd try making one of these ever-so-popular "why are Thais X" threads.

I spend a lot of time riding buses and taking the BTS, and one thing that I keep on noticing is how over-eager and impatient they can be when a free seat opens up, or when a new bus/car arrives.

I've seen young adults (who should know better) dash across half the bus to snag a seat despite the hobbling old woman two feet away from it. Often times there's someone already sitting on the seat before the previous occupant has fully stood up. There's no shame when it comes to grabbing a seat. They just rush in with their bums sticking out to plop down on some pre-warmed plastic.

And when I reach the terminal bus stop there's a crowd of people waiting to get on the bus, and even if there's someone coming down the stairs they have no problem trying to climb up the same narrow stairs to get on before the bus is even empty.

Same goes for BTS (and MRT I assume) cars, where few people seem to have heard of the whole "let passengers alight first before boarding" mantra, and try and charge through. Calm down, man, the train's not going to leave without you. Getting on that escalator at Siam also seems to be a hot point.

Thais are almost always generally most of the time often very polite and pleasant, but when it comes to public transportation, push comes to shove. Why? I can't be the only one experiencing this. Where's the sabai sabai?

[Semper]

but when it comes to public transportation, push comes to shove

What do you say about 'personal transportation' (driving their own car)?

[SlyAnimal]

I'd have to say, I often notice the opposite regarding seats becoming free. Where often people will leave a seat free on the BTS, or on buses, because they are waiting for someone who's more in need to take one. I've often been on Songtaews where the guys on the songtaew, would stand up and offer their seat to any random girl which got on (Made me almost feel like an impolite prick a few times lol, as I only offer up my seat to old people, not just to some random woman who gets on lol)

Although in regards to getting on and off a bus, yes the queues are often reasonably pushy and what not. But you can't really blame them lol, sometimes you end up standing for the next 2-3 h (or longer) on some buses if you don't get a seat when you first hop on (I mistakenly took a second class bus once, rather than 1st/vip, I got a seat as I arrived a little early, but a guy standing in the aisle who got on at a later pickup, was standing for the entire 10hours I was on the bus (Not sure if he got a seat or not after I got off, I hope he managed to get one))

[Fookhaht]

When I'm trying to get off the BTS and get rushed by the crowd, I stand tall, square my shoulders and do a couple of rugby body-blocks as I exit (staying perfectly within that middle supposedly "safe" zone for exiting passengers).

I'm hoping that a couple of shocked cretins with sore shoulders will become educated for the first time about public courtesy. Yes, I'm fighting fire with fire. Some people just can't be educated by reading signs and following arrows. I'm happy to try other methods to educate.

[maxme]

but when it comes to public transportation, push comes to shove

What do you say about 'personal transportation' (driving their own car)?

Hit 5 pedestrians and buy 1 get 1 free at 7eleven?

[nottocus]

You should try China.

[smokie36]

Its cos they are human.

[DrTuner]

I too would try to rush through the experience if I had to use public transport. Most unpleasant.

[Payboy]

You should try China.

Surely can't be worse. All hi-so well mannered Thais come from China, no?

[IMA_FARANG]

To cut through all the B.S. that will probably be generated on this subject just let say:

For many "average" working Thais daily life is a constant struggle (Bangkok being a prime example)....and the weak and slow lose in that daily struggle.

That's not only just true in Thailand....just spend a week visiting New York city to also see that daily struggle also put into practice.

However, I have seen some people getting up and offering their seats to older women on the BTS before.

[pokerkid]

When i was in Singapore i encountered the same attitudes. They call it kiasu overthere

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiasu

[HeavyDrinker]

I only travel by taxi or private car but thank you for sharing an insight into how the English Teachers of the Bangkok live...

[toybits]

It's called bad manners...

[thequietman]

I only travel by taxi or private car but thank you for sharing an insight into how the English Teachers of the Bangkok live...

Richard.

[ThaidDown]

I've often been on Songtaews where the guys on the songtaew, would stand up and offer their seat to any random girl which got on

Yeah, only so that when the girl sits down they can look down her top

( some foreigners do it as well... offer up their seats that is )

[MaxwellsDemon]

I've found in other big cities that most of the time the bus and trains are filled with the overworked, tired commuters who would like seats versus standing up but couldn't give a rat's behind whether or not they get one. It's like their miserable expressions are collectively saying, "we're all in this shit together, let's just try to make it through another day..."

[HeavyDrinker]

Richard.

Close, but no Beetroot....

[Kananga]

They're better here than China, or Singapore for that matter. But then more and more people in Singapore are from China...

Don't ever take the bus but use the skytrain and never had a problem with people giving up their seats when we have had our young children with us, and always see people give up their seats for others who need them more.

[Briggsy]

When all around is somewhat disordered, when a conductor is screaming at you, "Get on/off the bus, chop chop," when the driver is revving the the engine pretending he is about to go this instant, it takes a certain nerve to alight or embark in a cool manner. Most lack this and fear being too slow.

[HeavyDrinker]

Taxis....

It always gives I a chuckle when I see all these "businessmen" English Teachers cramming themselves onto the BTS.....

[aehn]

I'd have to say, I often notice the opposite regarding seats becoming free.

I agree with this...

[KED]

Taxis....

It always gives I a chuckle when I see all these "businessmen" English Teachers cramming themselves onto the BTS.....

and I always return your chuckle as the BTS speeds past all the taxis stuck in traffic

[robblok]

People are the same everywhere in Amsterdam i saw the same thing happening. I cant inmagine its any different in other major citties

I do wonder why the hate towards English teachers.