Authorities target dangerous foreign drivers in Chiang Mai

[Arjay]

HaHa! What they mean is to target "wealthy foreign drivers" . Anyone that has lived in Thailand knows that Thais have total disregard for traffic laws and safety while driving. Most horrific accidents are caused by negligent and intoxicated Thais...

[flamesfan]

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.

I am not from any of the places you mentioned, however, from where I sit the Brits are no better than anyone else! What a crock!! I see more Brits in accidents here in Chiang Mai than any other country. I guess you will have to put a hold on restarting the Empire!

[Alwyn]

If they were talking about just the Chinese I would agree - wow they really cannot drive.. But they do a mean hacked up phlegm spit though!

[Jim walker]

All these deaths on the Thai roads I am sure most are mostly caused by the bad driving foreigners teaching the blameless Thai drivers bad habits, better if all aliens were banned from driving on the wonderfully safe Thai roads altogether Stop the carnage,

[happysanook]

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!

First special courts set up to scam foreigners. Now this. What a joke of a country. A special task force for foreign drivers?

[FiestyFarang]

Is this some kind of joke. Many Thais do not have licenses and are also terrible drivers and make up a higher percentage of road users. Another idea to hit the tourists for money perhaps?

[SamDezeure]

"...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?

Did you seriously just said that rental cars don't require international driving licenses? well actually you are correct... THE CAR DOESN'T but the person DRIVING THE CAR needs one!

whether its a car, truck, or a motorbike, rented, borrowed or even stolen (might get an extra fine for that one) you, the driver, needs the proper documentation, which is either a driving license issued in the country where the vehicle is being operated and registered, or an international driving license from your own country, which will indicate the countries in which the driving license is valid.

Technically any European or American driving license is NOT valid in Thailand, as is vice versa. a Thai driving license DOES NOT work in Europe, unless you have acquired the Thai International Driving license (valid one year)

[stickylies]

there's plenty of farang tourists who have NEVER driven a bike who decide to rent a 100cc scooter or honda wave and get into accidents/trouble. sure, thai drivers are not the best of the world, but at least most thai kids have been driving a motorcycle since the age of 11. farang have not.

[Carl64]

^{Another useless waste of resources. They have all the statistics under the sun to show were their problems are, and yet they totally disregard this.}

[livinglife]

guys guys,i'm afraid of everyone is commenting with out knowing a single fact, the post relates to chinese tourists which are by far much worse than thai drivers. i live in chiang mai and see the mess they cause everyday. the post did not mention farang drivers,it says foreign drivers which is obviously not the same meaning.

i agree thai drivers are bad but the chinese make them look like proffesionals

[laurentbkk]

That's normal , everybody knows that foreigners are the cause of all the accident in Thailand , the foreigner bus drivers , the foreigners pick up drivers , train drivers too most probably ... I just wonder what will be next as it seems foreigners are the cause of all Thailand problems .

[Card]

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.

Drive on the RIGHT? Seems like you are one of those foreigners causing havoc on the roads.

[uty6543]

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.

I love posts from guys like you. You claim you are the perfect guest here in Thailand but when the police stop you they will not think you are anything special and fine you same as the rest of us.

[mayday49]

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.

Oh be quiet Meatpie , before your kettle boils Over ...

[laurentbkk]

there's plenty of farang tourists who have NEVER driven a bike who decide to rent a 100cc scooter or honda wave and get into accidents/trouble. sure, thai drivers are not the best of the world, but at least most thai kids have been driving a motorcycle since the age of 11. farang have not.

I just hope you are only ironic in your comment .

[mancub]

there's plenty of farang tourists who have NEVER driven a bike who decide to rent a 100cc scooter or honda wave and get into accidents/trouble. sure, thai drivers are not the best of the world, but at least most thai kids have been driving a motorcycle since the age of 11. farang have not.

In Krabi it's age 7.......unfortunately their driving skills don't progress much further with age .

[laurentbkk]

There is nothing worse than a farang who wants to be more Thai tan Thai themselves .

[FiestyFarang]

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.

Great Britain and the previous colonial countries, Singapore, Malaysia, drive on the left. This is almost certainly the reason Thailand does as well.

Edited October 8, 2013 by FiestyFarang

[mayday49]

Oh be Quiet Meat Pie , before your kettle boils Over ...

[haybilly]

As a previous poster has mentioned--I am sure that he is referring to the recent influx of Chinese tourists--fresh from their home town and driving probably like they do in China--he can't mean us law abiding 'Farang', surely??

[laobali]

Drive on the RIGHT? Seems like you are one of those foreigners causing havoc on the roads.

I think Blether meant vehicles with the steering wheel on the right.

In Laos we just have corruption without the added hypocrisy of the Thais. Laughable.

Edited October 8, 2013 by laobali

[mayday49]

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.

Hear , Hear , !!! +1

[purrboat]

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!

Yes buy if we pay 30 bucks for a worthless "International Drivers License" everything is fine? OMB that has to go down as one to the ever growing list of dumb statements

[dansan]

This is mainly about the Chinese scooter drivers up here which are really out of control. Pai the same.

They get here, jump on a scooter with their lovely little yellow helmets and proceed to drive the wrong way down a one way street.

In Pai I saw one get on a bike outside the hire center and proceed to pull the accelerator and crash straight into the opposite wall.

It really needs to be seen to be believed. And it's not only scooters, they are a bloody nightmare on bicycles up here too.

And this is low season, can't wait to see what the high season brings...

Edited October 8, 2013 by dansan

[luckyluke]

"...dangerous foreign drivers..."

Something equivalent :

In my area(Pattaya) they punt boards with the mention not to through garbage, text only in English.

Edited October 8, 2013 by luckyluke

[chooka]

That's normal , everybody knows that foreigners are the cause of all the accident in Thailand , the foreigner bus drivers , the foreigners pick up drivers , train drivers too most probably ... I just wonder what will be next as it seems foreigners are the cause of all Thailand problems .

They are just assuming that the drivers are foreign but there is no real evidence because the drivers normally do a runner.

[deecee10]

'Authorities Target Dangerous Foreign Drivers in Chiang Mai'

So what do the Authorities look for first, dangerous drivers or foreign drivers ? Or are dangerous and foreign synonymous?

[pgrahmm]

Maybe they should start by culling out automobile/motorcyle renters that do no have the proper credentials.....AND prosecute the people/companies that do rent to them.....

[tragickingdom]

I always thought that those damned pick up drivers with 20-25 people in the back of their cars were foreigners. Just like all those people buying their drivers licenses.

[cjars]

They mean da Chinese right ?