Driving On The Left!......

[BKK90210]

She’s from BKK. I met her while she’s studying at the same university in the US – 25 yrs ago. Since she came here when she’s only 15 therefore didn’t have an opportunity to learn how to drive in Thailand beforehand. We have been living and working here ever since, and only been back to Thailand occasionally but even then either the family’s driver or her uncle always chauffeured us around. So we thought it would be quite a nice change to go everywhere just the 2 of us this time.

We have thought also about taking a lesson from some driving school there during first few days before venturing out and around by ourselves. But if it’s going to be that much of the hazards, having to concentrate on your own technical ability of how to drive correctly while worrying about other drivers might hit you at the same time, then we might have to forego this little adventure and get them to drive for us again.

Sometime it’s just too much without having some privacy for ourselves. And her family will never allow us to spend our money hiring someone else while in Thailand. While in Thailand they always think of us as their guests and feel obligated in taking care of us. Sine we’re planning to relocate to Thailand in 2008, her family said we can do everything by ourselves when that time comes, but not before, - including learn how to drive because we will be in a better position and more familiarized with the streets.

Thanks guys for all those advices technically and including those who’re against me driving. After having much long thoughts we might have to scrape this idea for now until next time. In 2008 – Watch out! – no roads will be off limit to us!

Cheers guys and many thanks again

BKK

[wilko]

Which side of the road you drive on and where the controls are shouldn't be either...if you feel it might be perhaps you shouldn't attempt it. any driver with an modicum of common sense can adapt to driving on the other side of the road. 40% of the worlds roads are "drive-on-the-left".

However if you drive in Thaialnd there are much greater problems than which side of the road you drive on.

If you do decide to drive in my opinion and experience there is one major time of risk when "converting" to driving on the other side that you should be wary of, and that is after your first few hours/days and you get into the vehicle finally feeling relaxed and comfortable about your ability to drive.......and off you go ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!

But seriously, if you have to think so much about doing it...don't. A minibus and driver can be hires for about 2000 baht a day...you and your family can go anywhere in comfort. If you tip the driver he may even drive slowly!

[ray23]

Old habits just die hard