Driving Practice

[Lobo4819]

The missus has saved her satang and taken driving lessons from one of the "schools" here. Problem is, after 16 hours of behind-the-wheel, they only taught her to start the car and proceed (very) slowly forward. She does not know how to turn, back up, park, etc. (They turned for her during her "instruction.") Appears that the "deal" was that the teacher "had a friend" who could get her license for her without having to drive or take the written test - only 5000 baht - probably 3000 for the teacher as procurer and 2000 for the corrupt official. So she found someone else who could do the same for 2000.

Faced with yet another Thai driver on the road who can't drive, I'd like to take her to someplace to teach her things like slalom and figure-8 turns, backing up, parking, and the like.

700 Year sports complex would be perfect, but they have guards on the prowl who won't allow it. Anyone know of any "safe" areas where I could set up a few garbage cans for a course and teach her how to actually drive?

[Thighlander]

Is there a big parking lot where they have the weekend horse races?

[Loaded]

I know women in the UK who passed the UK driving test 30 years ago and have been driving ever since who do not "know how to turn, back up, park, etc.". Don't think too much.

[KRS1]

turn down the bangkok bank soi on nimanheimin and keep going straight until you see a huge concrete lot on your left, its called Prasertland.

[Thighlander]

Not knowing how to drive has clearly not stopped anyone in this province.

[kcore]

Behind the the goverment house between the Mai Rimm road and canal. It is all set up. Teachers and students. I took my my girl to 700 and the guards said no way. They refered us to this location. It is designed for driving practice. In my case, I wound up sending her to the little driving school over here in San sai behind the tesco mini mart. Just drove by one day and stopped in. He did a great job actually teaching her how to drive. Cheap.

[Countryman]

Not knowing how to park, reverse,use indicators,I think she will

make a fine Thai driver!.

relax Countryman

[Mapguy]

OP,

Prasertland is an excellent idea. You reach it from Nimmenhamen (Can't remember the soi number offhand; it is the one with "Bake 'n Bite'), or you can reach it from the Irrigation Canal Road (about 1km south of Huay Kaew Road. You might take along some traffic cones in the boot, to practice turning and parking. Kscore seems to have found a great place, too! I'd like to know a bit more about where it is.

There are some other areas along the Canal Road. Yes, you do get chased out of the stadium area, and don't even try the new convention center! But just north of the convention center is another property. It is basically a wholesale market area with a large central building, not apparently currently used and not guarded. It has plenty of space to practice various manoeuvers.

Otherwise, it is always sad to hear from you and others about rackets to pick up extra bucks. That's part of the reality --- but not always ! --- of living in Thailand or most anywhere, actually. Everyone has friends for favors, sometimes for a bit of dash. This sort of minor graft is unfortunate, but it is not particularly Thai. Why did you bother to include those comments ?

In many years in Thailand I have never been offered "under the table" opportunities --- and I am not a sucker. But, when it comes to my helping someone to drive in the future, please keep me in mind because it seems your wife hangs out with people who can get things done cheap. I have always appreciated bargains!

Hope you have adequate insurance!

[arunsakda]

turn down the bangkok bank soi on nimanheimin and keep going straight until you see a huge concrete lot on your left, its called Prasertland.

People practise here frequently. Come early in the day before the space is filled up

with the Pit Bike crowd and BMX kidz,

[lachiplo]

drive over to tesco lotus at 10pm on weekday. usually it would be relatively empty. lined car park slots for parking practices. the lane around are reasonable, not too broad or narrow, great to practice driving and turning within a lane

[BuriramRes]

I taught my wife myself. She then took up the offer of a policeman friend to escort her through the testing experience (cost 1,500B all up). She has now been driving the Fortuner for five years & is a very good driver.

Note: Some people can never drive adequately!

[Cuban]

My instruction for my wife started on empty roads of a large industrial estate down South, then more guidance on rural roads in Issan where she now drives freely after passing her test a few years ago.

The eldest girl almost 18 yo (not allowed to drive until 18yo) has been getting lessons from me on our land and some very deserted rural roads, she will be ready to take & pass the Thai test shortly after her birthday. Then I can do some more proper instruction on the main roads and nearby Highway.

Both can park perfectly, when not distracted !

[pete66]

Are there not any "straight" driving schools in Chiang Mai? That actually teach driving and not just take bribes.

The irony is the test is actually incredibly easy so why people feel to need to set up (or attend) a "bribe school" is beyond me. She'd only need a few lessons to be as competent as anyone else on Thai roads, and have the satisfaction of passing the test properly.

[brianb1944]

Are there not any "straight" driving schools in Chiang Mai? That actually teach driving and not just take bribes.

The irony is the test is actually incredibly easy so why people feel to need to set up (or attend) a "bribe school" is beyond me. She'd only need a few lessons to be as competent as anyone else on Thai roads, and have the satisfaction of passing the test properly.

Yes, there are good and inexpensive driving schools in CM, my daughter learned to drive a truck with one at a cost of 2000 baht for 10 hours, II made her take 20 hours and can happily sit with her anywhere. My wife learned in an automatic, as that is what we have, 3500 baht for 10 hours, again she had 20 hours and is a competent driver. Niece started with a school, and refused to continue with them after 6 hours. Sent her to the instructor with the truck, and she is also competent.

[pete66]

Are there not any "straight" driving schools in Chiang Mai? That actually teach driving and not just take bribes.

The irony is the test is actually incredibly easy so why people feel to need to set up (or attend) a "bribe school" is beyond me. She'd only need a few lessons to be as competent as anyone else on Thai roads, and have the satisfaction of passing the test properly.

Yes, there are good and inexpensive driving schools in CM, my daughter learned to drive a truck with one at a cost of 2000 baht for 10 hours, II made her take 20 hours and can happily sit with her anywhere. My wife learned in an automatic, as that is what we have, 3500 baht for 10 hours, again she had 20 hours and is a competent driver. Niece started with a school, and refused to continue with them after 6 hours. Sent her to the instructor with the truck, and she is also competent.

Perhaps your niece was too pretty for the instructor and was getting hassled. Pure speculation of course on my part but some Thai men seem to have trouble controlling themselves when close to pretty young girls, hence all the "touching up" events that happen on Thai buses

[Zumteufel]

I know women in the UK who passed the UK driving test 30 years ago and have been driving ever since who do not "know how to turn, back up, park, etc.". Don't think too much.

Problem is, nobody else here knows how to drive, so better for her to prepare in the best manner possible.

[NoshowJones]

I know women in the UK who passed the UK driving test 30 years ago and have been driving ever since who do not "know how to turn, back up, park, etc.". Don't think too much.

Stand in a carpark at a Supermarket in the UK, and watch women drivers trying to reverse. On the other hand, women are safer on the roads than men as they don't speed so much.

[onthedarkside]

I know women in the UK who passed the UK driving test 30 years ago and have been driving ever since who do not "know how to turn, back up, park, etc.". Don't think too much.

Stand in a carpark at a Supermarket in the UK, and watch women drivers trying to reverse. On the other hand, women are safer on the roads than men as they don't speed so much.

This made me laugh. My wife passed her test almost 20 years ago. she is a good and confident driver - in forward mode. But she still cannot park the car in shopping car park. Always has to ask the car park attendant to back the car into the space.

[jimmysjo]

Thai driving teachers

My friend was told after two lessons that she had to get an automatic as she couldn't learn how to shift gears.

It took me 10 minutes to teach her how to use a stick shift, and 15 minutes to do it smoothly. Then a bit of slalom and learning where the corners of the car are with the help of cones I put up on the parking lot at Airport Plaza, CM.

Well, have one taught conscripts how to drive Centurion tanks so .........

[nosatisfaction]

Is there a big parking lot where they have the weekend horse races?

does she need to drive or be ,as what i understand, a full proof body guard driver?

[proovms]

You're meant to go and drive around the mountains at Pai in the rain. Adapt or die.