Is She Stupid, or Stupid?

[aussieinthailand]

This 5 year olds mother drives like this, and she will drive tye exact same way with her 5 year old 15 years from now.

The problem is all laws favor scooters too. If a car hits a scooter even though 99 out of 100 times its the scooters fault the car will get the blame. I live in chiang mai and everyday I see scooters going around parked cars on the roads switching lanes without looking... or they come out of a soi... instead of stopping and looking they just go around the corner... they know u will stop for them. Its what thailand has allowed...

Sent from my GT-I9500

I've heard this that if a car hits a scooter regardless of scooter breaking the road rules, :ie coming out of soi onto main road not stopping looking, or running red lights, or not giving way at a round about, is it really true that if a car hits the scooter, no matter what, the scooter is in the "right" and the road rules are then out the window? or is it just what is accepted?

I carn't see this as true because of the insurance company's would be not ok with the payout on cars, hospital bills, repairs, etc,

and surly this kind of thing can be challenged in court? I have a dash cam with 2 lenses can move in any direction and audio for my own protection against the

"YOU falang you pay" and BIB wanting tea money, they quickly change the " you drive to fast you stay on right to long" you pay me 400 baht, after i show them the cam and say happy to show your boss my video of me on the left and the other cam on my speedo, kinda waiting for them to try to take the cam off me

[cardholder]

Mate, I know I'll get howled down for this, but how someone else in Thailand drives, rides, cycles, whatever ... as long as it doesn't affect me or mine directly ... I don't criticise, I don't berate, I don't judge ... it's not my business ... I move on.

Saves my angst.

.

I f you have not yet been directly affected by 'stupid' Thai driving - you WILL, at some point.

You will then better understand the OP's reaction.

[aussieinthailand]

This 5 year olds mother drives like this, and she will drive tye exact same way with her 5 year old 15 years from now.

The problem is all laws favor scooters too. If a car hits a scooter even though 99 out of 100 times its the scooters fault the car will get the blame. I live in chiang mai and everyday I see scooters going around parked cars on the roads switching lanes without looking... or they come out of a soi... instead of stopping and looking they just go around the corner... they know u will stop for them. Its what thailand has allowed...

I believe you have mistaken Thai road rules.

Most main roads have scooter/bike lanes clearly marked out. You aren't supposed to drive your car in those lanes.

So when a scooter comes out of a soi, it has right of way in the scooter lane. They only have to give way to other scooters already in the lane.

Thai roads are a river, cars are the rocks, scooters are the water that flow around the rocks.

Ok scooter/ bike lanes in Chiang Mai, but almost none here where i live, so now what? scooters still break road rules coming out of soi entering onto main road, running red lights, and not giving way at round-abouts? and is the car driver in the wrong?

[David48]

Mate, I know I'll get howled down for this, but how someone else in Thailand drives, rides, cycles, whatever ... as long as it doesn't affect me or mine directly ... I don't criticise, I don't berate, I don't judge ... it's not my business ... I move on.

Saves my angst.

.

I f you have not yet been directly affected by 'stupid' Thai driving - you WILL, at some point.

You will then better understand the OP's reaction.

Mate, I know you spend a lot of time in Cambodia (or used to) ... how do you compare the driving styles (Thai vs Cambodia).

my exposuse was to driving in Phnom Penh and those guys made the Thais look like saints.

But you've had more experience ... what's your thoughts?

.

[aussieinthailand]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone remember (many years ago) when Thai drivers constantly used their horns? When did that stop?

they all moved too the phillipines

[kannot]

This 5 year olds mother drives like this, and she will drive tye exact same way with her 5 year old 15 years from now.

The problem is all laws favor scooters too. If a car hits a scooter even though 99 out of 100 times its the scooters fault the car will get the blame. I live in chiang mai and everyday I see scooters going around parked cars on the roads switching lanes without looking... or they come out of a soi... instead of stopping and looking they just go around the corner... they know u will stop for them. Its what thailand has allowed...

I believe you have mistaken Thai road rules.

Most main roads have scooter/bike lanes clearly marked out. You aren't supposed to drive your car in those lanes.

So when a scooter comes out of a soi, it has right of way in the scooter lane. They only have to give way to other scooters already in the lane.

Thai roads are a river, cars are the rocks, scooters are the water that flow around the rocks.

Balls ( sorry to be blunt) they dont even look for other motorcycles and I dont see it marked as "motorcycles only" show me the law that says its for motorcycles only to change my opinion.

[cardholder]

Mate, I know I'll get howled down for this, but how someone else in Thailand drives, rides, cycles, whatever ... as long as it doesn't affect me or mine directly ... I don't criticise, I don't berate, I don't judge ... it's not my business ... I move on.

Saves my angst.

.

I f you have not yet been directly affected by 'stupid' Thai driving - you WILL, at some point.

You will then better understand the OP's reaction.

Mate, I know you spend a lot of time in Cambodia (or used to) ... how do you compare the driving styles (Thai vs Cambodia).

my exposuse was to driving in Phnom Penh and those guys made the Thais look like saints.

But you've had more experience ... what's your thoughts?

.

I agree - it looks like the madhouse in PP - I imagine Vietnam would be similar.

I have a theory that the reason that you rarely see an accident is that (a) they drive more slowly than in Thailand and ( there seems to be some inbred understanding of the ability to criss-cross over a road (rather like the wall of death riders in a circus!).

It is like the Thai joining traffic - they don't look but instinctively turn in sharpely left to hug the left hand edge of the road (unless they are shooting straight across to reach a U-turn junction - then it is in the lap of the Gods!).

I did notice in Siem Reap recentlt that there were more 'close shaves' - I THINK because the tuk-tuk drivers and m/cycles are going faster and the volume of traffic is heavier.

It remains a mystery to me that the Thais have a pefectly good Highway Code that nobody bothers to learn and the authorities fail to enforce. Either side of 8a.m. and 6 p.m. there should be public safety announcements. Start with (a) Drive in the left hand lane and position yourselfto the nearside of the carriageway ( STOP (or at least pause) at all intersections and LOOK RIGHT to ensure it is clear to enter the traffic.

Having said all that I do admire the Thais rule of being able to make a left turn against a red light (if it is clear!).

[HeijoshinCool]

When turning right, you need to position your bike very close to the centre of the road, i.e. just left of the white lane. This is if the traffic conditions permit. If you cannot achieve this safely, then pull in to the kerb and stop. Wait for clear traffic in both directions and then execute your right turn.

The OP did a bizarre right turn sweeping to the kerb before swinging right. I don't know where he learnt to drive but this is an insane manouevre and probably gave the shock of her life to the woman behind.

Indeed. I lost it with "I pulled left/inside to make a right turn"

Absolutely idiotic way to make a turn knowing there is someone close behind you.

QUOTE:

When turning right, you need to position your bike very close to the centre of the road, i.e. just left of the white lane. This is if the traffic conditions permit.

White lane? Do you mean the yellow centerline, dividing oncoming lanes of traffic?

Nowhere did I state I swept to the curb. "Inside" is towards the yellow centerline. "Outside" is towards the white fog line.

I followed Thai law. Read the OP again. She was not "close" to me. I was already into my turn, signal flashing, and into the opposite lane, when she throttled it and passed me like a tornado. i.e., she passed me after I started the turn, "sweeping" (which you apparently misunderstand), or otherwise.

Where did I learn to drive?

I learned to drive through driver's education in high school, a six month course back in those days.

I learned to drive in the LAPD academy's Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, which covers pursuit and defensive driving techniques.

I learned to drive at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

[HeijoshinCool]

Folks, if you are in the north or Bangkok and think the driving is bad, try visiting the deep south sometime. Believe me, the former are the most astute, saintly drivers in comparison.

Exactly where I am.

[HeijoshinCool]

When turning right, you need to position your bike very close to the centre of the road, i.e. just left of the white lane. This is if the traffic conditions permit. If you cannot achieve this safely, then pull in to the kerb and stop. Wait for clear traffic in both directions and then execute your right turn.

The OP did a bizarre right turn sweeping to the kerb before swinging right. I don't know where he learnt to drive but this is an insane manouevre and probably gave the shock of her life to the woman behind.

Indeed. I lost it with "I pulled left/inside to make a right turn"

Absolutely idiotic way to make a turn knowing there is someone close behind you.

The OP didn't go left and then turn right. He used the wrong description of "pulled inside", but meant that he moved towards the right. I clarified it with him in an earlier post. To him, "inside" means towards the centre of the road - I think he's using drive on the right terminology.

Sweeping RH turns from anywhere on the road are suicidal anyway. Best advice is to always filter safely to the right hand lane well before the intended point of exit as close to the centre line as possible. Try and judge speed and traffic so you can get across the road without having to go too slow or stop. And if you think anything behind you may be confused by your actions, use hand signals in addition to indicators.

Absolutely. Sweeping turns going right are not a very good idea on these chaotic roads. Get in position as early as possible and take your time.

Again, read the OP. The traffic was not "chaotic."

And I think you have a genuine misunderstanding of what "sweeping" means, to me anyway, just as other posters think "inside" refers to the, uhm, outside of the traffic lane.

Perhaps this is an honest misunderstanding, due to differences in British and American terminology.

Sorry if I caused you confusion.

[transam]

Hmmmmmmmm, every single day when I go out on 2 or 4 wheels there is a problem, that l probably will not experience in farangland. THAT is the way it is here. Nobody is taught road sense here, everyone has to deal with ''their'' face thing on the road, and with everything else for that matter. Farangs must put aside normality, do your chore and get home safe, that's it.

[stevenl]

This 5 year olds mother drives like this, and she will drive tye exact same way with her 5 year old 15 years from now.

The problem is all laws favor scooters too. If a car hits a scooter even though 99 out of 100 times its the scooters fault the car will get the blame. I live in chiang mai and everyday I see scooters going around parked cars on the roads switching lanes without looking... or they come out of a soi... instead of stopping and looking they just go around the corner... they know u will stop for them. Its what thailand has allowed...

Sent from my GT-I9500

I've heard this that if a car hits a scooter regardless of scooter breaking the road rules, :ie coming out of soi onto main road not stopping looking, or running red lights, or not giving way at a round about, is it really true that if a car hits the scooter, no matter what, the scooter is in the "right" and the road rules are then out the window? or is it just what is accepted?

I carn't see this as true because of the insurance company's would be not ok with the payout on cars, hospital bills, repairs, etc,

and surly this kind of thing can be challenged in court? I have a dash cam with 2 lenses can move in any direction and audio for my own protection against the

"YOU falang you pay" and BIB wanting tea money, they quickly change the " you drive to fast you stay on right to long" you pay me 400 baht, after i show them the cam and say happy to show your boss my video of me on the left and the other cam on my speedo, kinda waiting for them to try to take the cam off me

Both not true: car is not automatically guilty and 'farang always pay' is most certainly not true.

[stevenl]

I rarely see marked scooter lanes in chiang mai... most roads in tue city are either 2 or 3 lanes wide and cars always park in the far left lane so that doesnt count.... so that leaves a middle lane open and a right lane open... or in most cases just the right lane open.... my biggest beef with the thai scooter drivers is when they enter the road... no hesitation, no looking... they just expect u to see them and yield. Or when they have a parked car in the left lane... do they look for an open chance to come over? No, never... they just get in your lane... they never get hit because the car drivers know that they will be cut off by this idiot scooter driver....

Sent from my GT-I9500

That left lane is the marked scooter lane, so they are forced to the middle lane.

[stevenl]

The op looked, signaled and changed direction. There was however somebody behind him in the same lane and position he was riding in. She could have been speeding up, was closer to the Op than he thought or she did not see him in time, so suddenly she sees him directly in front of him, avoids him and is not happy with his riding style.

Nothing special, and the OP could have easily avoided the situation, just as she probably could have avoided the situation.

[HeijoshinCool]

The op looked, signaled and changed direction. There was however somebody behind him in the same lane and position he was riding in. She could have been speeding up, was closer to the Op than he thought or she did not see him in time, so suddenly she sees him directly in front of him, avoids him and is not happy with his riding style.

Nothing special, and the OP could have easily avoided the situation, just as she probably could have avoided the situation.

I could have easily avoided the situation?

Okay, I'll do that from now on.

That means I'll have to stay home, though.

[stevenl]

The op looked, signaled and changed direction. There was however somebody behind him in the same lane and position he was riding in. She could have been speeding up, was closer to the Op than he thought or she did not see him in time, so suddenly she sees him directly in front of him, avoids him and is not happy with his riding style.

Nothing special, and the OP could have easily avoided the situation, just as she probably could have avoided the situation.

I could have easily avoided the situation?

The way I read it, yes.

[anon210]

This 5 year olds mother drives like this, and she will drive tye exact same way with her 5 year old 15 years from now.

The problem is all laws favor scooters too. If a car hits a scooter even though 99 out of 100 times its the scooters fault the car will get the blame. I live in chiang mai and everyday I see scooters going around parked cars on the roads switching lanes without looking... or they come out of a soi... instead of stopping and looking they just go around the corner... they know u will stop for them. Its what thailand has allowed...

Sent from my GT-I9500

I've heard this that if a car hits a scooter regardless of scooter breaking the road rules, :ie coming out of soi onto main road not stopping looking, or running red lights, or not giving way at a round about, is it really true that if a car hits the scooter, no matter what, the scooter is in the "right" and the road rules are then out the window? or is it just what is accepted?

I carn't see this as true because of the insurance company's would be not ok with the payout on cars, hospital bills, repairs, etc,

and surly this kind of thing can be challenged in court? I have a dash cam with 2 lenses can move in any direction and audio for my own protection against the

"YOU falang you pay" and BIB wanting tea money, they quickly change the " you drive to fast you stay on right to long" you pay me 400 baht, after i show them the cam and say happy to show your boss my video of me on the left and the other cam on my speedo, kinda waiting for them to try to take the cam off me

Both not true: car is not automatically guilty and 'farang always pay' is most certainly not true.

I mentioned I think earlier the near miss I had when a biker decided to pass in front of me while turning across Sukhumvit into soi 40 (if you are around thonglor, you know the famous shortcut to Rama IV). Well, checked with my teacher, and apparently, the biker had teh right of way, and I should have let her pass. If I had hit her, regardless of her recklessness, and regardless of the fact I was almost in the soi, I would have been found liable.

Conversely, as she almost lost her equilibrium (without me touching her), if she had hit the curb or lost her balance and fell, I would not have been found responsible as she did not control her engine.

[WarpSpeed]

Mate, I know I'll get howled down for this, but how someone else in Thailand drives, rides, cycles, whatever ... as long as it doesn't affect me or mine directly ... I don't criticise, I don't berate, I don't judge ... it's not my business ... I move on.

Saves my angst.

.

If that child fell off in front of you and went rolling down the pavement and even IF you're lucky enough not to hit her, your heart wouldn't sink at the sight of that then what would? Forget what it would cost you monetarily and morally IF you hit her... It should most certainly be your concern if one has any humanity left in them..

[WarpSpeed]

This 5 year olds mother drives like this, and she will drive tye exact same way with her 5 year old 15 years from now.

The problem is all laws favor scooters too. If a car hits a scooter even though 99 out of 100 times its the scooters fault the car will get the blame. I live in chiang mai and everyday I see scooters going around parked cars on the roads switching lanes without looking... or they come out of a soi... instead of stopping and looking they just go around the corner... they know u will stop for them. Its what thailand has allowed...

Sent from my GT-I9500

I've heard this that if a car hits a scooter regardless of scooter breaking the road rules, :ie coming out of soi onto main road not stopping looking, or running red lights, or not giving way at a round about, is it really true that if a car hits the scooter, no matter what, the scooter is in the "right" and the road rules are then out the window? or is it just what is accepted?

I carn't see this as true because of the insurance company's would be not ok with the payout on cars, hospital bills, repairs, etc,

and surly this kind of thing can be challenged in court? I have a dash cam with 2 lenses can move in any direction and audio for my own protection against the

"YOU falang you pay" and BIB wanting tea money, they quickly change the " you drive to fast you stay on right to long" you pay me 400 baht, after i show them the cam and say happy to show your boss my video of me on the left and the other cam on my speedo, kinda waiting for them to try to take the cam off me

Both not true: car is not automatically guilty and 'farang always pay' is most certainly not true.

I wouldn't want to test that presumption it's a luck of the draw there and moreover especially where a child is concerned..

[arthurwait]

This 5 year olds mother drives like this, and she will drive tye exact same way with her 5 year old 15 years from now.

The problem is all laws favor scooters too. If a car hits a scooter even though 99 out of 100 times its the scooters fault the car will get the blame. I live in chiang mai and everyday I see scooters going around parked cars on the roads switching lanes without looking... or they come out of a soi... instead of stopping and looking they just go around the corner... they know u will stop for them. Its what thailand has allowed...

Sent from my GT-I9500

I've heard this that if a car hits a scooter regardless of scooter breaking the road rules, :ie coming out of soi onto main road not stopping looking, or running red lights, or not giving way at a round about, is it really true that if a car hits the scooter, no matter what, the scooter is in the "right" and the road rules are then out the window? or is it just what is accepted?

I carn't see this as true because of the insurance company's would be not ok with the payout on cars, hospital bills, repairs, etc,

and surly this kind of thing can be challenged in court? I have a dash cam with 2 lenses can move in any direction and audio for my own protection against the

"YOU falang you pay" and BIB wanting tea money, they quickly change the " you drive to fast you stay on right to long" you pay me 400 baht, after i show them the cam and say happy to show your boss my video of me on the left and the other cam on my speedo, kinda waiting for them to try to take the cam off me

Both not true: car is not automatically guilty and 'farang always pay' is most certainly not true.

I mentioned I think earlier the near miss I had when a biker decided to pass in front of me while turning across Sukhumvit into soi 40 (if you are around thonglor, you know the famous shortcut to Rama IV). Well, checked with my teacher, and apparently, the biker had teh right of way, and I should have let her pass. If I had hit her, regardless of her recklessness, and regardless of the fact I was almost in the soi, I would have been found liable.

Conversely, as she almost lost her equilibrium (without me touching her), if she had hit the curb or lost her balance and fell, I would not have been found responsible as she did not control her engine.

It is a myth perpetuated by laziness. Do you know any Thais that actually studied for their driving test or at any time have ever bothered to learn the rules of the road ?

Even police will go along with it because they are too lazy to do their job.

Get first class insurance and watch the myth disappear when your insurance agent deals with it.

[stevenl]

This 5 year olds mother drives like this, and she will drive tye exact same way with her 5 year old 15 years from now.

The problem is all laws favor scooters too. If a car hits a scooter even though 99 out of 100 times its the scooters fault the car will get the blame. I live in chiang mai and everyday I see scooters going around parked cars on the roads switching lanes without looking... or they come out of a soi... instead of stopping and looking they just go around the corner... they know u will stop for them. Its what thailand has allowed...

Sent from my GT-I9500

I've heard this that if a car hits a scooter regardless of scooter breaking the road rules, :ie coming out of soi onto main road not stopping looking, or running red lights, or not giving way at a round about, is it really true that if a car hits the scooter, no matter what, the scooter is in the "right" and the road rules are then out the window? or is it just what is accepted?

I carn't see this as true because of the insurance company's would be not ok with the payout on cars, hospital bills, repairs, etc,

and surly this kind of thing can be challenged in court? I have a dash cam with 2 lenses can move in any direction and audio for my own protection against the

"YOU falang you pay" and BIB wanting tea money, they quickly change the " you drive to fast you stay on right to long" you pay me 400 baht, after i show them the cam and say happy to show your boss my video of me on the left and the other cam on my speedo, kinda waiting for them to try to take the cam off me

Both not true: car is not automatically guilty and 'farang always pay' is most certainly not true.

I wouldn't want to test that presumption it's a luck of the draw there and moreover especially where a child is concerned..

Many people test that on a daily basis, and guess what: if they are not guilty of the accident the car is not declared guilty, and on the same basis many Thais get blamed for an accident where a foreigner was involved.

[mogandave]

It is a myth perpetuated by laziness. Do you know any Thais that actually studied for their driving test or at any time have ever bothered to learn the rules of the road ?

Even police will go along with it because they are too lazy to do their job.

Get first class insurance and watch the myth disappear when your insurance agent deals with it.

I’ve known 10-20 Thais that have gotten their license where I work, and it seems they all studied for the test.

I think the big difference between Thai and US drivers is:

Thais generally start driving much later in life than US drivers.

Many (most?) Thais will never own or even drive a car.

In the US we grow up driving, and traffic laws are generally enforced.

I think they say it’s the car fault not because they are lazy or stupid, but because they empathize with the motorcycle rider. All too often, the rich guy is ranting about a scratch in his precious car while their friend is bleeding out on the side of the road.

[transam]

It is a myth perpetuated by laziness. Do you know any Thais that actually studied for their driving test or at any time have ever bothered to learn the rules of the road ?

Even police will go along with it because they are too lazy to do their job.

Get first class insurance and watch the myth disappear when your insurance agent deals with it.

I’ve known 10-20 Thais that have gotten their license where I work, and it seems they all studied for the test.

I think the big difference between Thai and US drivers is:

Thais generally start driving much later in life than US drivers.

Many (most?) Thais will never own or even drive a car.

In the US we grow up driving, and traffic laws are generally enforced.

I think they say it’s the car fault not because they are lazy or stupid, but because they empathize with the motorcycle rider. All too often, the rich guy is ranting about a scratch in his precious car while their friend is bleeding out on the side of the road.

Actually Thai folk ''learn'' to ride or drive at a really early age. Where I am kids who can barely see over the handle bars are given the keys by their parents. Go to any school and see the age's of kids arriving, and of course no helmet, in full view of a traffic cop. How many times here have we read about under age hi-so kids killing folk with a car.

[WarpSpeed]

I've heard this that if a car hits a scooter regardless of scooter breaking the road rules, :ie coming out of soi onto main road not stopping looking, or running red lights, or not giving way at a round about, is it really true that if a car hits the scooter, no matter what, the scooter is in the "right" and the road rules are then out the window? or is it just what is accepted?

I carn't see this as true because of the insurance company's would be not ok with the payout on cars, hospital bills, repairs, etc,

and surly this kind of thing can be challenged in court? I have a dash cam with 2 lenses can move in any direction and audio for my own protection against the

"YOU falang you pay" and BIB wanting tea money, they quickly change the " you drive to fast you stay on right to long" you pay me 400 baht, after i show them the cam and say happy to show your boss my video of me on the left and the other cam on my speedo, kinda waiting for them to try to take the cam off me

Both not true: car is not automatically guilty and 'farang always pay' is most certainly not true.

I wouldn't want to test that presumption it's a luck of the draw there and moreover especially where a child is concerned..

Many people test that on a daily basis, and guess what: if they are not guilty of the accident the car is not declared guilty, and on the same basis many Thais get blamed for an accident where a foreigner was involved.

Nonsense, I'm a living example of the opposite, I was in essence rear ended some years ago in Phuket in my work truck by a Thai on a scooter who wasn't paying attention, I had my turn signal on (regardless, a rear end collision is always the trailing vehicles fault for not paying attention or keeping safe distance). The scooter was riding on the rocky side path and I made a right turn onto a side street after signalling my intentions and he panic braked on a rocky surface and laid his scooter down with his Gf on the back and thankfully they hit my rear tire and suffered only minor injuries (scrapes) instead of going under the truck, I almost didn't feel it as it was a solid hit on the rear tire on the bumpy road, thought it was just a bump, the road was under construction, it was their fault but I had to pay, Incredibly the cop was immediately on the scene, almost like a set up..

JFYI the scooter was never in front of me so I didn't pass him and cut him off either, he had plenty of notice of my impending turn..If he was paying attention...

So that crap don't fly with me, it DOES happen...

[Ace of Pop]

I pulled out of a PTT/7.11 Garage in front of a Superbike.Didn't see him,Police said not surprised,look how far up the road he landed.50 /50 in my book,but the Cops took my side when my Insurance Chap turned up..We all have a different tale.Luckey Fluke thats all.He was badley injured but i heard no more.

[WarpSpeed]

I pulled out of a PTT/7.11 Garage in front of a Superbike.Didn't see him,Police said not surprised,look how far up the road he landed.50 /50 in my book,but the Cops took my side when my Insurance Chap turned up..We all have a different tale.Luckey Fluke thats all.He was badley injured but i heard no more.

Yes but not to be prepared and well informed of the possibility is at a minimum complacent, foolish and shortsighted..

[stevenl]

Both not true: car is not automatically guilty and 'farang always pay' is most certainly not true.

I wouldn't want to test that presumption it's a luck of the draw there and moreover especially where a child is concerned..

Many people test that on a daily basis, and guess what: if they are not guilty of the accident the car is not declared guilty, and on the same basis many Thais get blamed for an accident where a foreigner was involved.

Nonsense, I'm a living example of the opposite, I was in essence rear ended some years ago in Phuket in my work truck by a Thai on a scooter who wasn't paying attention, I had my turn signal on (regardless, a rear end collision is always the trailing vehicles fault for not paying attention or keeping safe distance). The scooter was riding on the rocky side path and I made a right turn onto a side street after signalling my intentions and he panic braked on a rocky surface and laid his scooter down with his Gf on the back and thankfully they hit my rear tire and suffered only minor injuries (scrapes) instead of going under the truck, I almost didn't feel it as it was a solid hit on the rear tire on the bumpy road, thought it was just a bump, the road was under construction, it was their fault but I had to pay, Incredibly the cop was immediately on the scene, almost like a set up..

JFYI the scooter was never in front of me so I didn't pass him and cut him off either, he had plenty of notice of my impending turn..If he was paying attention...

So that crap don't fly with me, it DOES happen...

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but in general if you're to blame you are blamed, if not to blame you don't get blamed. Your experience is just one experience. But there are always exceptions, and the often cried 'farang always to blame' is simply not true.

Did you get insurance involved BTW?

[BSJ]

I could say a lot on this subject, but I won't. It's a waste of time.

[WarpSpeed]

I wouldn't want to test that presumption it's a luck of the draw there and moreover especially where a child is concerned..

Many people test that on a daily basis, and guess what: if they are not guilty of the accident the car is not declared guilty, and on the same basis many Thais get blamed for an accident where a foreigner was involved.

Nonsense, I'm a living example of the opposite, I was in essence rear ended some years ago in Phuket in my work truck by a Thai on a scooter who wasn't paying attention, I had my turn signal on (regardless, a rear end collision is always the trailing vehicles fault for not paying attention or keeping safe distance). The scooter was riding on the rocky side path and I made a right turn onto a side street after signalling my intentions and he panic braked on a rocky surface and laid his scooter down with his Gf on the back and thankfully they hit my rear tire and suffered only minor injuries (scrapes) instead of going under the truck, I almost didn't feel it as it was a solid hit on the rear tire on the bumpy road, thought it was just a bump, the road was under construction, it was their fault but I had to pay, Incredibly the cop was immediately on the scene, almost like a set up..

JFYI the scooter was never in front of me so I didn't pass him and cut him off either, he had plenty of notice of my impending turn..If he was paying attention...

So that crap don't fly with me, it DOES happen...

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but in general if you're to blame you are blamed, if not to blame you don't get blamed. Your experience is just one experience. But there are always exceptions, and the often cried 'farang always to blame' is simply not true.

Did you get insurance involved BTW?

Yes but your original post insinuated that it doesn't happen and it does..

No insurance involvement, just ponied up a few thousand baht, but it's the principle, my boss was also in the truck, new job and so forth he also asked me why I paid up when I got back in the truck but there was no truck damage only slight scooter damage and as I said minor scrapes to the riders (God forbid if it were worse) and I thought it better to get on with the day and my life and besides he never even got out of the truck, the companies truck!

[stevenl]

Many people test that on a daily basis, and guess what: if they are not guilty of the accident the car is not declared guilty, and on the same basis many Thais get blamed for an accident where a foreigner was involved.

Nonsense, I'm a living example of the opposite, I was in essence rear ended some years ago in Phuket in my work truck by a Thai on a scooter who wasn't paying attention, I had my turn signal on (regardless, a rear end collision is always the trailing vehicles fault for not paying attention or keeping safe distance). The scooter was riding on the rocky side path and I made a right turn onto a side street after signalling my intentions and he panic braked on a rocky surface and laid his scooter down with his Gf on the back and thankfully they hit my rear tire and suffered only minor injuries (scrapes) instead of going under the truck, I almost didn't feel it as it was a solid hit on the rear tire on the bumpy road, thought it was just a bump, the road was under construction, it was their fault but I had to pay, Incredibly the cop was immediately on the scene, almost like a set up..

JFYI the scooter was never in front of me so I didn't pass him and cut him off either, he had plenty of notice of my impending turn..If he was paying attention...

So that crap don't fly with me, it DOES happen...

I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but in general if you're to blame you are blamed, if not to blame you don't get blamed. Your experience is just one experience. But there are always exceptions, and the often cried 'farang always to blame' is simply not true.

Did you get insurance involved BTW?

Yes but your original post insinuated that it doesn't happen and it does..

No insurance involvement, just ponied up a few thousand baht, but it's the principle, my boss was also in the truck, new job and so forth he also asked me why I paid up when I got back in the truck but there was no truck damage only slight scooter damage and as I said minor scrapes to the riders (God forbid if it were worse) and I thought it better to get on with the day and my life and besides he never even got out of the truck, the companies truck!

Get insurance involved. They really don't want to pay if they don't have to.

Edit: general remark, not aimed at a specific poster.