Authorities target dangerous foreign drivers in Chiang Mai

[webfact]

Authorities Target Dangerous Foreign Drivers in Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI: -- The chief of the Chiang Mai transport office, Chanchai Kilapaeng, has announced the opening of a special service centre that will help to ensure foreign drivers and those visiting the city abide by the local traffic laws.

The aim of the centre is to try and help reduce the number of accidents caused by foreign tourists who are unfamiliar with the roads and traffic laws in Chiang Mai. Many of these drivers are also unlicensed.

The plan to introduce the service centre was agreed after multi-agency discussions involving the Chiang Mai transport office, tourist police, traffic police and immigration officials.

During the discussions, Mr Chanchai said the various officials discussed the possibility of introducing measures in order to reduce road traffic accidents and other problems caused on the roads by foreign tourists who are not only unfamiliar with Chiang Mai’s road network, but who also get behind the wheel of a vehicle without having the correct documentation, such as an international driving license.

Mr Chanchai went on to announce the start of an advertising campaign that will be used to promote the new service centre is to be launched by the end of October.

Police will then actively begin cracking down on dangerous foreign drivers who violate traffic laws and/or drive without a valid license from 1st November 2013.


-- 2013-10-08

[JetsetBkk]

Those dämn foreigners again.

[kotsak]

Yeah.. the locals are the pinnacle of driving.. Gmafb

[theblether]

Cheek.

Then again I suppose it must be difficult for Americans and Europeans to get used to driving on the correct side of the road, I could see many of them getting into trouble, unlike we Brits who are naturally superior drivers due to our advanced testing, and knowledge of how to drive on the right.

I don't know why you guys couldn't just follow our lead. We tell you not to form your own government but nope, and look at you now, government is shut down. We tell you not to start the Euro but nope, you had to go ahead and cause a financial crisis, and now your over here annoying the Thais with your bad driving habits.

Strewth. Maybe we should restart the Empire and sort you lot out.

[Pomthai]

Pot, kettle and all that. Cer-ching.......

Narcissism and nepotism all rolled into one.

[Redhawk]

Well, when you want to obscure the ridiculous driving of the thai people that there is only one way left, blame the bloody foreigners and tourists! Yes, they are trying to make friends all over the world!

[GrantSmith]

Cheek.

Then again I suppose it must be difficult for Americans and Europeans to get used to driving on the correct side of the road, I could see many of them getting into trouble, unlike we Brits who are naturally superior drivers due to our advanced testing, and knowledge of how to drive on the right.

I don't know why you guys couldn't just follow our lead. We tell you not to form your own government but nope, and look at you now, government is shut down. We tell you not to start the Euro but nope, you had to go ahead and cause a financial crisis, and now your over here annoying the Thais with your bad driving habits.

Strewth. Maybe we should restart the Empire and sort you lot out.

And in another post about the restive south, you mention being a Scot and voting to liberate your country from the Empire or did I miss something old chap?

[chooka]

A crack down on Farang drivers whilst Thai drivers continue to run red lights, overtake on the left, fail to indicate whilst swerving in and out of traffic, make left hand turns from the right lane cutting across the path on trafiic going straight ahead in the left lane. Children sitting on drivers laps or jumping around unrestrained in the vehicle.

Yep the carnage of Thai roads is all the fault of the bloody tourists and expats.

When are they going to accept some responsibility themselves instead of always shifting blame to others.

[soinowinbkk]

"...but who also get behind the wheel of a vehicle without having the correct documentation, such as an international driving license."

Rental cars do not require international driving licenses ... does anyone know if Thai law does?

[horsewell]

The international licence is once again a law that is rarely enforced. It's probably to do with being able to find fault, of last resort, if anything goes wrong.

[theblether]

Cheek.

Then again I suppose it must be difficult for Americans and Europeans to get used to driving on the correct side of the road, I could see many of them getting into trouble, unlike we Brits who are naturally superior drivers due to our advanced testing, and knowledge of how to drive on the right.

I don't know why you guys couldn't just follow our lead. We tell you not to form your own government but nope, and look at you now, government is shut down. We tell you not to start the Euro but nope, you had to go ahead and cause a financial crisis, and now your over here annoying the Thais with your bad driving habits.

Strewth. Maybe we should restart the Empire and sort you lot out.

And in another post about the restive south, you mention being a Scot and voting to liberate your country from the Empire or did I miss something old chap?

I'm just being opportunistic. Can't help myself.

[kurnell]

Foreigners need to know when to jump out of the way when bikes are driving down the footpath.

[chooka]

"...but who also get behind the wheel of a vehicle without having the correct documentation, such as an international driving license."

Rental cars do not require international driving licenses ... does anyone know if Thai law does?

From my understanding you do require an international licence that is translated into Thai and if you are in the country for 3 months or more then you require a Thai driver licence. Australia has the same laws. I have also heard that if you are involved in a collision then the Thai insurance companies will only accept a Thai driver licence but I will stand corrected.

[chooka]

"discussed the possibility of introducing measures in order to reduce road traffic accidents and other problems caused on the roads by foreign tourists"

So what are these measures they discussed apart from the obvious in this story about cracking down on tourists and collecting money. All that is going to due is reduce is the debt on the BIB's bar tab and not reduce road accidents.

What about streamlining the process for expats to obtain a Thai driver licence for a start. Instead of making them jump through hoops, roll over and beg whilst balancing a baby elephant on their nose simply accept their international licence or countries licence showing yrs of experience. In Australia the process is very simple, you go along to the Roads Corp office produce your licence and if you possess at least 12 months of driving experience you can obtain a licence on the spot. My wife did it in Melbourne, Aust simply filled out some basic documentation, produced identification and her Thai licence showing 5 yrs experience paid the fee and walked out with her new licence. Road Rules are pretty much universal apart from some obscure ones such as those involving trams in the Melbourne CBD.

It is not the Farangs not knowing the road rules in Thailand or lack of driving experience that causes accidents it is the lack of knowledge on how the thais disrespect the laws and drive as tho they are the only ones on the road.

My wife tells me that they have started the advertising campaign for tourists on T.V already, the only problem is that it is in Thai and not many tourists watch Thai television.

Edited October 8, 2013 by chooka

[overherebc]

"...but who also get behind the wheel of a vehicle without having the correct documentation, such as an international driving license."

Rental cars do not require international driving licenses ... does anyone know if Thai law does?

From my understanding you do require an international licence that is translated into Thai and if you are in the country for 3 months or more then you require a Thai driver licence. Australia has the same laws. I have also heard that if you are involved in a collision then the Thai insurance companies will only accept a Thai driver licence but I will stand corrected.

That's what I've been told, but, on the tollway was once told that I had to have an International licence because my Thai licence was only really for Thais. No, I didn't pay the requested 200 after my wife argued with the cop.

[casindonet]

Dangerous FOREIGN DRIVERS? What about the dangerous THAI DRIVERS? Again blamming everything on the foreigners.

Sent from my GT-I9200 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Patje]

He wants to say that if you are willing to spend 200 Thai B for thee money, it's ok to carry on and mingle with the natives !!

[A1Str8]

Cool. It has been announced by the police dep. peviously that most accidents are caused by thais who are drunk, think they own the roads and violate traffic laws even tho they are well aware of them. So now they are going to target foreigners to reduce the number of accidents that are mostly caused by careless thai drivers who got their licenses for 400thb after being able to tell the difference btw the steering wheel and the windshield to the instructor.

I believe it is going to solve the problem.

[uty6543]

I know its a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway. does anybody know if there Is there such a publication as the Highway code (in English) here in Thailand. I have asked my wife more than once but cannot get an answer out of her as to whether there is or isn't .

[Songhua]

"...but who also get behind the wheel of a vehicle without having the correct documentation, such as an international driving license."

Rental cars do not require international driving licenses ... does anyone know if Thai law does?

From my understanding you do require an international licence that is translated into Thai and if you are in the country for 3 months or more then you require a Thai driver licence. Australia has the same laws. I have also heard that if you are involved in a collision then the Thai insurance companies will only accept a Thai driver licence but I will stand corrected.

I rented a van from Budget a few weeks ago to drive from Bangkok to Phuket.

Although, fortunately, we were not involved in any accident, I scratched the roof on a low-hanging sign and was told upon returning it that it was not a problem as they had 'been able to' provide no-excess insurance because I had originally presented an IDP OR a Thai licence - although they would still have rented me the car without it.

The reason I now always get an IDP is because, on a previous trip (several years ago) I was fined a receipted ฿400 on a tollway .. not for breaking any road law but because I was carrying my Aussie licence only and no IDP.

[Cam Khao]

Pure comedy.

Cam

[TheGhostWithin]

Cool. It has been announced by the police dep. peviously that most accidents are caused by thais who are drunk, think they own the roads and violate traffic laws even tho they are well aware of them. So now they are going to target foreigners to reduce the number of accidents that are mostly caused by careless thai drivers who got their licenses for 400thb after being able to tell the difference btw the steering wheel and the windshield to the instructor.

I believe it is going to solve the problem.

It is easier to target the white guy, give him a ticket then raise whiskey glasses and say "cheer" for a big success. Meanwhile Somchai heading home after drinking with the local Police, hammered from bottles and bottles of Leo drives on the wrong side of the road, and hits another driver killing them instantly, then getting off the next day after a brown envelope carrying a fee of innocence is exchanged.

[rollrunna]

when I was pulled over on an arterial road on the way to a ferry, driving well and within the speed limits, one of the two policemen said he couldn't understand my English licence, but if I were to pay 200bht I would be allowed to continue my journey, I of course paid,.... and counted the number of cars behind and in front of me... I estimated that they were making approx. 12000+ bht per hour.. ( split x 2 )... nice wages...

Edited October 8, 2013 by metisdead
Oversize font reset to normal. Do not post using overly large font.

[Gruntfuttock]

Rental cars do not require international driving licenses ... does anyone know if Thai law does.?

I've had two long term contracts with Avis. They require a drivers license or in my case an International drivers license.

[eddie61]

I know its a stupid question but I'll ask it anyway. does anybody know if there Is there such a publication as the Highway code (in English) here in Thailand. I have asked my wife more than once but cannot get an answer out of her as to whether there is or isn't .

Yes, there is.

2 red notes allows driving at excess speed, shooting a red light, parking where you want, and other minor infractions.

3 copper notes allows driving under the influence, and just about anything else, unless you have an accident. Then we are in to 10s of copper notes.

3 million allows you to kill a policeman when doing 170 km/h in your Ferrari, coked up, drunk, and then doing a runner.

Edited October 8, 2013 by eddie61

[terminatorchiangmai]

Fantasialand comes to mind

[bender92]

Crack down on people renting vehicles to people without a license.

[Mr Yim]

I was stopped at a check point this morning. I showed the officer my UK driving license and he seemed happy enough with that. But the Police here in Mahasarakham seem a good bunch - friendly and always smiling.

[Soi Dog]

There are traffic rules!!?!!! Who knew?

[Torrens54]

Top Marks to Khun Chanchai for having the guts to do it.

Sure, there are plenty of Thai drivers/ motor cycle and push-bike riders who should never be allowed on the roads, but just take a look at how many Foreign Clowns are out there too. No helmets, no manners, no idea and NO BRAINS.

They seem to think they can come to Thailand and just do as they please. They'd never dream of trying the same rubbish in their home country, but "ah well, this is Thailand and I can show the locals how smart I am," seems to be the attitude of far too many of these characters.

Yes, I'm all for a crackdown on Idiots on our roads, starting with the Foreigners and then to show good faith, doing the same with the locals.