I hopped into the rear seat of a Bangkok cab two days ago and reached for the seat belt.

It didn't take long to realize this vehicle was not fitted with rear seat belts.

It was a typical cab (light blue) with all the markings, lights, meter, drivers photo i.d. etc.

The front seats were equipped but the driver wasn't using his.

Is this legal?

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by rockyysdt

My oh my. Hello, this is THAILAND!

Very rare to find any rear seatbelts in use. Many drivers only put the front ones on when they're approaching an intersection known to be police haunts.

If it's of importance to you, then check the cab out before you get in, simple.

My oh my. Hello, this is THAILAND!

Very rare to find any rear seatbelts in use. Many drivers only put the front ones on when they're approaching an intersection known to be police haunts.

If it's of importance to you, then check the cab out before you get in, simple.

I always wear belts, not to avoid fines, but to reduce the road toll, especially when it involves yours truly and those I accompany.

My oh my. Hello, this is THAILAND!

Very rare to find any rear seatbelts in use. Many drivers only put the front ones on when they're approaching an intersection known to be police haunts.

If it's of importance to you, then check the cab out before you get in, simple.

I always wear belts, not to avoid fines, but to reduce the road toll, especially when it involves yours truly and those I accompany.

In a car, I'll only wear a seat belt if it's provided.

In Thailand, I tip the driver extra, and make a point of relating the extra to the seat belt, if they are provided in the back seat.

If I'm on my own, I prefer to sit in the front anyway, and always put the seat belt on.

SC

Ive never seen a seat belt in the back of a taxi in Thailand.

Read seat belts are not mandatory in Thailand, but we have the choice to sit in front.

I find it even less acceptable in busses where 50 people will be killed and where there is no front sit with belt where to sit.

Only some buses from airport seem to have belts ?

Ive never seen a seat belt in the back of a taxi in Thailand.

-

I have, remember explaining to my kids what they are and how to use them, but maybe only a few times over the years.

They'll have to get used to mandatory kid's seats when they get home. . .

I often see seat belts but the seat covers prevent from clipping them in.

Edited June 16, 201313 yr by c411um

I've seen more and more seatbelts in the back, but truth be told they are rare. Best sit in the front seat for the safest spot. I do.

I jumped in a Bluebird Taxi (Biggest taxi firm) in Indo yesterday and put my seat belt on, the driver told me "no problem" but I kept it on anyway.

We then drove off and he didnt put his seat belt on, after 5 minutes I had to tell him to stop or put his seat belt on as the constant and increasing volume of the DING...DING...DING was driving me mad.

I had to ask myself why the heck would he prefer to be driven mad by the DING...DING...DING...DING...DING than the easier option of using a seat belt. Even if he cut the belt in the rear and just used the male part in the female part to stop the DING...etc etc

Go figure.

Rear seat belts? I've seen lots of taxis with them, but usually stuck way down under the back of the seat, need to dig them out if wanting to use.

Mac

In a car, I'll only wear a seat belt if it's provided.

In Thailand, I tip the driver extra, and make a point of relating the extra to the seat belt, if they are provided in the back seat.

If I'm on my own, I prefer to sit in the front anyway, and always put the seat belt on.

SC

... WOOSH ...

I've seen more and more seatbelts in the back, but truth be told they are rare. Best sit in the front seat for the safest spot. I do.

Actually I believe that statistically the front passenger seat of any car is the most dangerous place to sit.

Also I never let my children sit in that seat - in the event of an accident and the Airbag deploys it has the force almost equivalent to being hit by a professional boxer - young children have been severely injured in that way.

Patrick

I've seen more and more seatbelts in the back, but truth be told they are rare. Best sit in the front seat for the safest spot. I do.

Actually I believe that statistically the front passenger seat of any car is the most dangerous place to sit.

Also I never let my children sit in that seat - in the event of an accident and the Airbag deploys it has the force almost equivalent to being hit by a professional boxer - young children have been severely injured in that way.

Patrick

your last point is one of the reasons why we have a car, so they aren't in a taxi. I get nervous each time we are in a taxi with kids. Take your point about the front seat, I guess I'm betting on the fact that front seat with a seatbelt is better than none in a back seat.

Bkk taxi's have belts that are often too short for non Thai frames.

Well, at least you can take solace in the fact that Taxi drivers are usually the safest and most experienced drivers on the road.

Yes I'd rather be in the back seat without a belt for safety's sake, low-speed fender-benders make that more safe.

Highway speed driving yes need a belt to survive a head-on.

I also feel free to comment to the driver to slow down and take it easy if I think they're driving too fast or erratically within the city, and have had them pull over and get out if they continue.