Why Some Thais Drive At Night With Their Lights Off

[infinity11]

in regards to motorcycles (maybe not so much in the cities)

someone once told me that they think they are saving on fuel

i am not sure if it is true but i believe it

[muythai2013]

maybe that's why they never wear helmets, the added weight burns fuel.

maybe they should turn the lights on and take 4 people off the bike to even it out.

[Songhua]

To save power

[overherebc]

Heard that in Phillipines they reckon it saves the battery.

In general it's just a mind set, I can see you so why can't you see me sort of thing. Forget the fact that you are in a white car and I'm in a black pick-up, I can see you so-------?

Or ref the motorbike, most of the lights don't work anyway but It's not due for a check for 8 months so I will replace the bulb then.

[NomadJoe]

Yes, there is a belief that it reduces fuel efficiency. They are also worried about having to replace the bulb.

Another funny one I have seen is all the plastic protectors left on the seats and head rests to improve resale value, and opening the hood after driving long distances. My ex's father did both of those things.

[Payboy]

To avoid the ghosts from spotting them, I think.

[lomatopo]

Maybe since they often drive the wrong way, on divided highways anyway, it helps to keep on-coming auto/truck drivers from freaking out?

[Berkshire]

Why do some farangs drive at night with their lights off? I would imagine for the same reasons.

[i claudius]

Yes it's to save fuel ,the bonus is when a truck hits and kills you ,you never have to ever buy fuel again .

[impulse]

Back in 1999 when I first moved to China, taxis were so bad they had to turn their lights off when idling or the engine would die.

Caused 2 problems: 1) Taxis running around with no lights and 2) Taxis don't stop and idle, even at red lights.

They've gotten better since then, so now most just turn off their A/C when idling (or the engines die). Used to be the taxis could charge extra if they had (and ran) their A/C's but I think that's gone by the wayside. That wasn't in all cities, BTW, just the cities where they manufactured crap cars that were then dictated to be the local taxis.

Over there, the lights are off to save fuel. I suspect there's a similar mindset in Thailand.

[lomatopo]

Why do some farangs drive at night with their lights off? I would imagine for the same reasons.

Wow, where did this come from? I doubt that many foreigners driver here at night with their lights off, but would welcome being proven wrong.

I can't imagine ever driving any vehicle at night with the lights off. But I have seen many, many, many people here driving motorcycles, cars and pick-ups at night with their lights off. I assume they're Thai, but maybe that assumption is flawed?

The idea that some might think that they are saving power and or conserving their battery might hold sway in rural areas where the people may be less informed, or are willing to trade off a few amps and lumens for their life?

[qdinthailand]

They do the same all over Africa and South America; not a Thai phenomenon. They're saving 'battery stuff' not using their lights.

[Berkshire]

Why do some farangs drive at night with their lights off? I would imagine for the same reasons.

Wow, where did this come from? I doubt that many foreigners driver here at night with their lights off, but would welcome being proven wrong.

I can't imagine ever driving any vehicle at night with the lights off. But I have seen many, many, many people here driving motorcycles, cars and pick-ups at night with their lights off. I assume they're Thai, but maybe that assumption is flawed?

The idea that some might think that they are saving power and or conserving their battery might hold sway in rural areas where the people may be less informed, or are willing to trade off a few amps and lumens for their life?

The point being that most people, Thai or foreigner, do drive with their lights on at nights. Some, here or in other places, do not. Those that do not, I'd tend to believe their lights are probably not working. Very dangerous driving around at night without lights. I would think most, if not all drivers, are aware.

[trainman34014]

I know a really nice Thai fella who runs a Village Bike repair shop. About 40% or more of Bikes in the Village have no working rear lamp so i said to him one day, 'When you get these Bikes in for various repairs why don't you check the rear lamps and fit new bulbs if needed as it could save lives?' He replied...'I used to do that but got tired of people telling me to take out the 10 Baht bulb from the bill as they didn't care about their lights'. That's Thai mentality for you....save 10 Baht and lose your life !

We also have a Woman in the Village who owns one of these somewhat posh battery powered Bikes that you plug in overnight. She also runs around every night with no lights on so i asked her why. She said she doesn't want to use too much electricity....so again a few Bahts worth of electricity is worth more than her life ! How will it ever be possible to understand the workings of the Thai mind? I've given up.

[barrybankruad]

Most motor cycles sold nowadays the lights come on as soon as you start the engine. They are permanently on, cannot be switched off. When you see a bike without lights at night (specially the rear) then almost certainly the bulb has blown. Many Thais are too tight or too lazy to replace the bulb, and are willing (especially when it's raining) to risk their lives for the sake of 30baht, the price of a new fitted bulb.

[Jasun]

So they won't be spotted sneaking back from the mia noi/chow at night.

[impulse]

Related topic- I've been told it's illegal to drive with headlights on during the day in Thailand. True, or fear mongering urban legend?

I normally always keep my lights on, just so oncoming traffic can see my car better. But I've been afraid to leave them on here in Thailand.

[Farma]

To avoid the ghosts from spotting them, I think.

Many years ago when I lived in Malaysia on nights of the hungry ghost this was common.

Theory being the ghosts can hitch a ride on the light beam. No light = no ghost.

Bikes would indicate one way then turn the other to confuse the ghosts.

Most scary was when bikes would overtake cars then cut in close to knock any ghosts riding on the tail light off.

[RakJungTorlae]

i have stopped number of times next to bikes and asked <deleted> is your Lights off? with a simple replayed. BROKEN.

[rott]

Why do some farangs drive at night with their lights off? I would imagine for the same reasons.

Wow, where did this come from? I doubt that many foreigners driver here at night with their lights off, but would welcome being proven wrong.

I can't imagine ever driving any vehicle at night with the lights off. But I have seen many, many, many people here driving motorcycles, cars and pick-ups at night with their lights off. I assume they're Thai, but maybe that assumption is flawed?

The idea that some might think that they are saving power and or conserving their battery might hold sway in rural areas where the people may be less informed, or are willing to trade off a few amps and lumens for their life?

I think that friend Berkshire was just feeling a bit liverish and in a "don't you dare be negative about thais" mood.

This subject came up in a conversation with a (farang) friend a few nights ago and he said that it is "the perceived wisdom/common knowledge" amongst thais that lights reduce fuel consumption and that bulbs are expensive to replace.

At least it is "the perceived wisdom/common knowledge" amongst farangs that this is how thais think.

[rene123]

My best guess is the bulb burned out and they are too cheap to replace it. I've given up all thought why Thai people do the things they do and it no longer concerns me. I just accept it and deal with how they treat me... which has mostly been very good. In fact I can't really remember a bad experience directed towards me in 6 months. I've heard all the bad stories but so far it hasn't happened to me. I just survive by expecting the unexpected.

[evadgib]

Most motor cycles sold nowadays the lights come on as soon as you start the engine. They are permanently on, cannot be switched off. When you see a bike without lights at night (specially the rear) then almost certainly the bulb has blown. Many Thais are too tight or too lazy to replace the bulb, and are willing (especially when it's raining) to risk their lives for the sake of 30baht, the price of a new fitted bulb.

When this rule came in I was stopped at a routine roadblock where in minutes a Honda mechanic removed my handgrip and ensured my lights were permanently switched on.

A few weeks later when I took the bike to Honda for a routine service the same mechanic changed them back again!

You couldn't make it up:)

[muythai2013]

My best guess is the bulb burned out and they are too cheap to replace it. I've given up all thought why Thai people do the things they do and it no longer concerns me. I just accept it and deal with how they treat me... which has mostly been very good. In fact I can't really remember a bad experience directed towards me in 6 months. I've heard all the bad stories but so far it hasn't happened to me. I just survive by expecting the unexpected.

They should take the bulbs out of there fridge, They only keep water in there anyway.

Never seen much other then water in a Thai fridge.

[thequietman]

Surprisingly, you are all wrong.

The reason for turning off the lights at night is the bugs. They don't wear helmets or eye guards, so the bugs are many as they are attracted to the light. Turn off the light and less bugs.

Saving fuel ! Most bikes don't have alternators, so the battery isn't being charged while the bike is running. Turning off the light saves no fuel.

Be careful out there.

[HeijoshinCool]

Because the drivers think they alone are bright enough.

[CharlieH]

If the Police actually did there job for once there would be alot less getting away with the nonsense and lives probably saved.

[HeijoshinCool]

If the Police actually did there job for once there would be alot less getting away with the nonsense and lives probably saved.

They did do it for once, then got bored and said never again.

[poanoi]

 

Related topic- I've been told it's illegal to drive with headlights on during the day in Thailand. True, or fear mongering urban legend?

I normally always keep my lights on, just so oncoming traffic can see my car better. But I've been afraid to leave them on here in Thailand.

 

It was illegal up until a few years ago,

now it is illegal not to have some kind of light.

In Cambodia they still have it illegal to use light in daytime

[infinity11]

Surprisingly, you are all wrong.

The reason for turning off the lights at night is the bugs. They don't wear helmets or eye guards, so the bugs are many as they are attracted to the light. Turn off the light and less bugs.

Saving fuel ! Most bikes don't have alternators, so the battery isn't being charged while the bike is running. Turning off the light saves no fuel.

Be careful out there.

I had a hard time making any sense out of this post.

You putting us on?

[Rocking Robert]

Had a girlfriend in USA ,driving to the beach I told her she was low on gas and she turned the radio off. Yes she was A blonde