Bangkok To Impose Stricter Traffic Laws

[lmaxv]

Is it that the LAWS are lax or really a lack of enforcement?

[Atoosa07]

The Highway Police and the Traffic Police are at least 50 yrs behind Europe when it comes to traffic laws......

[brianb1944]

It seems that the money for the London trip was a waste, as TV has so many experts on traffic control. Why of why dont the Thai Government consult TV posters instead of employing consultants to study the multifactorial problems it faces.

[cup-O-coffee]

Meanwhile, a representative from the BMC's traffic department has commented that London has a higher road safety because its people strictly abide by traffic rules, which is in contrast to motorists in Bangkok, who tend to flout the rules, making traffic jam even worse.

Well, I suppose that if you ignore the fact that people's driving behaviors do indeed reflect their level of intellect, self-restraint, self-discipline, conscientiousness and character, among other references to their being, then you might have the method to a solution if you copy the foreigner.

And that brings to mind the question: Are Thai people, who operate vehicles on the roads, up to the challenge of meeting British driving standards and requirements without reference to the above mentioned human factors?

Go figure...

[easybullet3]

its NOT traffic law this country needs!! its law enforcement !!!!

the police only give fines for more simple laws that they know about. and things that are easy for them to catch!

the law seems to be just a convenience for police officers to get some good pocket money (for themselves).

they dont actually do much to ENFORCE it.

i regularly see police bike drivers breaking the law. going over red lights etc..

Edited September 12, 2012 by easybullet3

[bigbamboo]

It seems that the money for the London trip was a waste, as TV has so many experts on traffic control. Why of why dont the Thai Government consult TV posters instead of employing consultants to study the multifactorial problems it faces.

I've heard worse ideas!

[MaxYakov]

Meanwhile, a representative from the BMC's traffic department has commented that London has a higher road safety because its people strictly abide by traffic rules, which is in contrast to motorists in Bangkok, who tend to flout the rules, making traffic jam even worse.

Well, I suppose that if you ignore the fact that people's driving behaviors do indeed reflect their level of intellect, self-restraint, self-discipline, conscientiousness and character, among other references to their being, then you might have the method to a solution if you copy the foreigner.

And that brings to mind the question: Are Thai people, who operate vehicles on the roads, up to the challenge of meeting British driving standards and requirements without reference to the above mentioned human factors?

Go figure...

You have something there. Without most drivers conscientiously obeying the laws it would be impossible to enforce them in any country. I also suspect the enforcement infrastructure from the traffic cop right up through the courts is very weak.

[bkkjames]

It seems that the money for the London trip was a waste, as TV has so many experts on traffic control. Why of why dont the Thai Government consult TV posters instead of employing consultants to study the multifactorial problems it faces.

Perhaps a former governor of Bkk can return to fix it's traffic woes in 6 months, again.

[jimbeam1]

They should have asked for a few of Londons traffic Cops on loan for a couple of months. To show them how it's done Talk about loss of face?

jb1

[davejones]

On a positive note, at least BMC Chairman Suthichai Weerakulsunthorn and his entourage got themselves a jolly to London.

And the London entourage went to Japan to see how things worked there before redesigning the Oxford Street & Regent Street crossing. Maybe the Thais should have cut out the middleman and just gone to Japan.

[lensta]

Good, perhaps we can see driving license suspension and enforcement of it too. That would solve the traffic jam problems quite effectively

You can't suspend what they don't have.

[americaninbangkok]

"BMC Chairman Suthichai Weerakulsunthorn and his entourage have visited London to observe the works of the UK Department for Transport. The department has since set up a road planning and safety system that helps reduce road accidents and casualties."

Really... <deleted> was the department doing before this trip to the UK? Just making up stupid traffic signs and painting one way signs on roads haphazardly?

Also... I wonder how many delegates had to go to London to figure this out.

[americaninbangkok]

... it would help to keep the traffic moving as it does in both Thailand and America.

Umm... traffic moves in Thailand?

[americaninbangkok]

It seems that the money for the London trip was a waste, as TV has so many experts on traffic control. Why of why dont the Thai Government consult TV posters instead of employing consultants to study the multifactorial problems it faces.

As the Brits would say: Brilliant!

Seriously now... what if we could get a coalition of TV forum contributors together to sit down with these clowns Ministers of Road Planning, Flood Stopping, Girly Bar Raiding, etc... and have a consultation session on what the general populace thinks might be effective in cleaning things up a bit around here? After all, these ministers aren't doing much with their time besides flying out to see Thaksin or watching porn during parliamentary sessions anyways.

[sirchai]

Safety is the priority for this system. The streets and vehicles are frequently inspected to make sure they are in good condition.

Got all reasons to be sad, but that made me laugh.......

[Andre0720]

Would be nice to see traffic rule enforcement that wasn't just about making money for individual police.

How about starting with a severe penalty for drivers who flee the scene of an accident?

Have to be careful here, I may be wrong, but some drivers flee to avoid being attacked by locals near the scene of the accident, also it is well known when there is about four or five Thai guys against one, they are very brave, but not so brave when there is one on one.

Well, that is often said, fleeing because of fear of being attacked by locals. It does happen.

I have seen only once a case where a Thai man attacked a farang because his sister got hit on her motorbike. He was looking for anyone to relieve his anger on, but the culprit was actually another Thai man.

But this happened in Kata centre, lots of people on the street, and possibly relatives of someone involved in an accident. So someone might not take any chances, and run away.

But I do question why locals on a highway would go and beat down a stranger involved in an accident. Sounds to me like a rationalisation for escaping responsibility.

But a severe penalty for those not remaining on the scene of an accident is long overdue.

And regarding ticketing for purposes of enriching police officers, I do not see that. It does happen, but not so when police are on road block, on the orders of captains. They issue tickets....

But then, a truck damaging a motorbike, the driver not wanting his employer to know about it, police comes, makes agreeable arrangements between the 2 parties, and the truck driver slips 2,000 as a reward to te police officer...yes of course.

And a student being checked for license and helmet, and pleading that he or she does not have money, 100 or 200 bahts will convinve the officer to let it go....yes of course.

[indyuk]

London also has more sensible road systems without U-turns where vision is blocked by police signs turning them into black spots, flyovers that force traffic to filter into lanes of fast moving traffic, thousands of brain dead motor cyclists and utterly corrupt police.

There is one way that London, in fact the whole of the UK would do well to copy Thailand. They should allow vehicles to do a left turn if it is safe to do so on a red light, it would help to keep the traffic moving as it does in both Thailand and America.

Here in Pattaya the freedom to turn left on a Red Light causes accidents because in the rush hour many motorcyclists are hurtling toward the Junction to join the other 50 or so motorcyclists that are already there encroaching the margin of Sukumvit Road. Left turning vehicles tuning off of Sukumvit are faced with the motorcyclists racing for the junction on the wrong side of the road. Inevitably some motorcyclists ride right into left turning cars. Then the traffic countdown reaches two and the encroaching mob, all ready revving up engage their clutches flying out onto Sukumvit Road where rush hour traffic is still flying through the junction at speed after ignoring a Red light that has been visible for three to five seconds. We have two junctions like this one on Sukumvit Road. Each of them hosts several spectacular accidents every month because of this MO. At times Police in uniform can be seem behaving the same irresponsible way as the public way as the public.

[scorecard]

You Want to improve road safety ? Easy , send Thais to driving school , nothing else . Why in other countries everybody have to go to learn and not in Thailand ? I wonder ... Cars are more powerfull than ever , when you don't know what to do or how to react in front of danger , learning how to is a necessity . No need to send a group of export to London for holidays paid by tax payers to understand this. Of course not all Thais are bad drivers ... But the biggest majority, sorry .

We all know that a very high percentage of Thai drivers are really bad, so where would you get good Thai driving instructors? Before someone says use Farangs as they do to teach English, I can't see that happening.

I wonder if you are assuming that all farang would make good driving instructors.

Where I live in Thailand there are numerous farang whose driving behavior would score about 2/10. Just one example, one local bi-lingual school has banned two farang from driving onto the school grounds, because they drive so fast, often yelling on their mobile phone, and with no attempt to watch for little kids in the school yard. The school owner asked both of them several times to drive much more slowly on the school property and to watch for kids. Both responded with abuse.

Edited September 12, 2012 by scorecard

[indyuk]

Would be nice to see traffic rule enforcement that wasn't just about making money for individual police.

How about starting with a severe penalty for drivers who flee the scene of an accident?

Have to be careful here, I may be wrong, but some drivers flee to avoid being attacked by locals near the scene of the accident, also it is well known when there is about four or five Thai guys against one, they are very brave, but not so brave when there is one on one.

Well, that is often said, fleeing because of fear of being attacked by locals. It does happen.

I have seen only once a case where a Thai man attacked a farang because his sister got hit on her motorbike. He was looking for anyone to relieve his anger on, but the culprit was actually another Thai man.

But this happened in Kata centre, lots of people on the street, and possibly relatives of someone involved in an accident. So someone might not take any chances, and run away.

But I do question why locals on a highway would go and beat down a stranger involved in an accident. Sounds to me like a rationalisation for escaping responsibility.

But a severe penalty for those not remaining on the scene of an accident is long overdue.

And regarding ticketing for purposes of enriching police officers, I do not see that. It does happen, but not so when police are on road block, on the orders of captains. They issue tickets....

But then, a truck damaging a motorbike, the driver not wanting his employer to know about it, police comes, makes agreeable arrangements between the 2 parties, and the truck driver slips 2,000 as a reward to te police officer...yes of course.

And a student being checked for license and helmet, and pleading that he or she does not have money, 100 or 200 bahts will convinve the officer to let it go....yes of course.

Pattaya's Traffic Police seem to issue tickets anyway most of the time. If the offender doesn't have cash his/her driving license is taken, they have to go to the Police Station on Beach Road and pay the fine upon which their license is returned. If the offender does not have a driving License or cash their motor cycle is impounded until they have paid the fine and got themselves licensed. In this respect the BIB and the Traffic cops in Pattaya seem doing grand job these days.

[fakename]

Something that I havent seen mentioned yet, is the adds on television for cars. In EVERY add, there is either illegal driving, or driving like an idiot. That has to have an affect on the immature person, that is wanting to buy a car. Yes, this type of advertising is in other countries too, but probably the people are a bit more mature, and this add doesnt affect them as much. n

Unfortunately the infrastructure here is not helping the matter of bad driving. U turns that start in the fast lane, and some dont even have an exit lane, no visibility, just pull out into the oncoming traffic and see if you can make it. If a bus or truck make a U turn, it will block all the oncoming traffic, and of course there might be 3 cars making the U turn at the same time, each making his own lane.

The overpass U turns are another very dangerous place, high speed and at the end, someone has stopped, and traffic backed up in back.

Oh, and cant forget the hazard lights at an intersection, if the car is going straight. Good idea, but a car coming from a right angle cannot see if both lites are blinking or he is turning, just a hell of a lot of confusion.

[Payboy]

BMC Chairman Suthichai Weerakulsunthorn and his entourage have visited London

Okay, he's got that off his chest now. Expect nothing more until the next tour.

[ripstanley]

When i read the article I went back and read again. I still could not see the words SATIRE and Source: Not the Nation

[yourauntbob]

does anyone believe anything will change? really? complete waste of time and money going to london.

[telco]

I would much prefer to drive in Bangkok than Leicester where the class of driving is appaling.

[Cardiff1963]

Go for it and good luck

[Udox]

London also has more sensible road systems without U-turns where vision is blocked by police signs turning them into black spots, flyovers that force traffic to filter into lanes of fast moving traffic, thousands of brain dead motor cyclists and utterly corrupt police.

There is one way that London, in fact the whole of the UK would do well to copy Thailand. They should allow vehicles to do a left turn if it is safe to do so on a red light, it would help to keep the traffic moving as it does in both Thailand and America.

Not every junction allows you to turn left. I, myself and other colleagues have been stopped by the bib after turning left on a red light. The problem is that some junctions you can , and some you cannot, but of course its a secret known only to the locals which ones you can or cannot - as there are very few signs. The same applies to multi lane carriageways where the left lane (only) is allowed to go through a red light - but again not all roads and only local drivers seem to know which you can and which you can't. About 100 metres outside my house there is a police traffic box next to traffic lights. It's generally accepted that you can drive through the red light in the left hand lane - however drivers unfamiliar with this area don't know that and when they stop at the red light (in front of the police box) - there are dozens of drivers honking their horns for him to drive through the red light. What the heck is he supposed to do - if theres no sign to say he can?.

In my opinion red means stop and green means go - end of story! The bib here in Bangkok take great delight in taking fines from drivers for commiting an apparent offence when there are no roadsigns to notify the driver and it's as if the 'driver should have known - 'because all the others do (locals)'.

[NoshowJones]

You Want to improve road safety ? Easy , send Thais to driving school , nothing else . Why in other countries everybody have to go to learn and not in Thailand ? I wonder ... Cars are more powerfull than ever , when you don't know what to do or how to react in front of danger , learning how to is a necessity . No need to send a group of export to London for holidays paid by tax payers to understand this. Of course not all Thais are bad drivers ... But the biggest majority, sorry .

We all know that a very high percentage of Thai drivers are really bad, so where would you get good Thai driving instructors? Before someone says use Farangs as they do to teach English, I can't see that happening.

I wonder if you are assuming that all farang would make good driving instructors.

Where I live in Thailand there are numerous farang whose driving behavior would score about 2/10. Just one example, one local bi-lingual school has banned two farang from driving onto the school grounds, because they drive so fast, often yelling on their mobile phone, and with no attempt to watch for little kids in the school yard. The school owner asked both of them several times to drive much more slowly on the school property and to watch for kids. Both responded with abuse.

I certainly do not think all Farangs would make good driving instructors, just as all Farangs don't make good school teachers. But Farangs are taught how to drive properly, but a small majority are idiots.

[NoshowJones]

London also has more sensible road systems without U-turns where vision is blocked by police signs turning them into black spots, flyovers that force traffic to filter into lanes of fast moving traffic, thousands of brain dead motor cyclists and utterly corrupt police.

There is one way that London, in fact the whole of the UK would do well to copy Thailand. They should allow vehicles to do a left turn if it is safe to do so on a red light, it would help to keep the traffic moving as it does in both Thailand and America.

Not every junction allows you to turn left. I, myself and other colleagues have been stopped by the bib after turning left on a red light. The problem is that some junctions you can , and some you cannot, but of course its a secret known only to the locals which ones you can or cannot - as there are very few signs. The same applies to multi lane carriageways where the left lane (only) is allowed to go through a red light - but again not all roads and only local drivers seem to know which you can and which you can't. About 100 metres outside my house there is a police traffic box next to traffic lights. It's generally accepted that you can drive through the red light in the left hand lane - however drivers unfamiliar with this area don't know that and when they stop at the red light (in front of the police box) - there are dozens of drivers honking their horns for him to drive through the red light. What the heck is he supposed to do - if theres no sign to say he can?.

In my opinion red means stop and green means go - end of story! The bib here in Bangkok take great delight in taking fines from drivers for commiting an apparent offence when there are no roadsigns to notify the driver and it's as if the 'driver should have known - 'because all the others do (locals)'.

I agree with you entirely apart from the fact that vehicles should still be allowed to turn left on a red light if it is safe to do so. The problem is TIT, and as you said there is a lack of signposting.

[rogeratkins]

Good Joke . They can maybe start to check the lights of cars and motocycles. A lot of them do not have a backlight at all in the evening - Oh yes when they brake forgot this

This is the first rule of safety see and being seen.I see many police control checking motocycles but I doubt if they check this . Wearing no helmet is more easy of course

[cup-O-coffee]

Police only stem the flow of the chaos and that is about all they are capable of doing; logically speaking. Would YOU wish to be a traffic copper here? I think not. Going further regarding their child-like mentalities, I would infer that they also exact what they feel is fair trade (at the time of engaging in their duties) to putting up with the morally reprehensible and altogether stupid and dangerous behaviors of these people, who have no concept of moral and ethical restraint. In their child-like, stubborn way, perhaps this is a justification that prevents the officers from throwing aside their badges and taking up a job as a motorcycle taxi driver.

When people are unconscious of being observed, they will engage those things uppermost in their minds. As the pattern becomes clear, it is evident to me that the general population is no better equipped to handle moral and ethical restraint and responsibilities at any time during the remainder of my time on this planet.

Call them what you will, but do not idealistically describe these behaviors as human.