Farang-Thai road accident and discrimination

[dotpoom]

I have lived in Thailand for 11 years now and love being here. I am well aware of the prejudice and discrimination that goes on from reading TV and stories my friends have told me. But it's not until it landed at my own doorstep did it's significants really hit me.

I was involved in a road accident recently, I was driving my pick-up along Sukhumvit road and had pulled into the outer lane in order to make a right turn. Suddenly from the hard-shoulder on my left side came a woman on a motorbike tearing straight across the two lanes of traffic and directly into my path without so much as a glance to see if there were any oncoming traffic. I jammed on my brakes, skidded and then hit her. The impact threw her off her bike and into the center gully (had I been speeding she would have been dead). Luckily my Thai wife was with me and she dealt with all the events that followed. It was a hugh shock to think that possibly this person could be dead. Almost instantly passers by helped the woman up and she was taken to the hospital by the rescue team for a check up.....she is fine , thank God, a few minor scratches. An hour later the police came and did their stuff, marking the road and photos etc., An hour after that my insurance guy came and he, myself and my wife went to the police station to make a report. I had no doubt that I was in no way at fault so my only concerns were for the woman at that point. While at the police station I had to go to my pick-up to get my passport copy and my wife later told me that while I was out the police told he "if a Farang is in the wrong he is sent home". Was this a sign of things to come, I wondered? When we left the police station all agreed that it was she alone that was at fault.

It turned out (and I guessed as much) that the woman had no insurance, no tax, no driving license and not even wearing a helmet. Any contact I have had from my insurance company since that day has been at my instigation, despite numerous promises from their rep. who came to the scene of the accident that he would call my wife and keep us up to date with developments, they have never done so. They say the woman is claiming she was in the right. I tried to point out to him that she was in the wrong from the moment she started the engine of the motorbike having no papers. He agrees.

He agrees with all the points I make to him but nothing seems to be happening. I don't even know if I can go ahead and have my pick-up repaired. I'm aware that it will be me that will have to pay for those repairs as going to court over it would be a complete waste of energy. The latest that has really brought all this discrimination thing home to me was when I asked the rep. last night if the woman had been brought to the police yet. He didn't know so he called the police and the answer he got was..........."The lady wasn't ready to meet them yet". ...I thought to myself...what if the shoe was on the other foot and I was in the wrong with no papers what-so-ever.....could I have told the police "I'm not ready to go see you yet".

Unfortunately all this has left a very sour taste in my mouth and wonder is it's worth staying in a country that so obviously doesn't want you here or just get a laugh out of ripping you off. Either that or just give up driving here altogether because as far as I can see with the standard of driving over here the chances are very high of another accident happening with could have far worse consequences.

PS. I have emailed the insurance head office in Bangkok but received no reply. I will have to call the later but am putting that off hoping to avoid the run-around I'll get there.

Really sorry for the long post but needed to hear a few opinions.

[Jasun]

Don't expect the insurance assessor to submit his report based on facts. I once had a motorbike drive into my parked car, and my own insurance guy suggested I claim responsibility for the accident. They figure farangs are more able to take the immediate hit, but it gets complicated if the other party takes it further once guilt has been established. Good luck.

[NBD]

In fairness, accidents and insurance claims can be a murky business in lots of places. If it was in the UK you'd have some little scroat claiming whiplash.

[Langsuan Man]

Why are you surprised that The lady wasn't ready to meet them yet". This is a typical tactic when dealing with the police here in Thailand. The Red Bull heir who ran over a cop was not ready to meet with the police........The teenager who caused the accident that killed 9 people in Bangkok was not ready to meet with the police yet..Cheralems son who shot a cop was not ready to meet with the police,.... the former miss Thailands son who plowed into a group of pedestrians at a bus stop in a case of road rage was not ready to meet with the police

This is the way Thailand works and after 11 years here I am surprised that you don't know that already. I'm not saying that is it right, just that this is the way it is

[jmccarty]

One of my falang office colleagues was hit by a Thai motorcycle rider in front of the office with 3 of our security guards watching. My falang colleague is a lawyer and very aware of protocol with anything documented. He was in the far lane with turn indicator on and just starting to turn across the oncoming lane. The Thai motorcycle rider was approaching from behind and decided to gun it and try and pass in front of my colleague in the oncoming traffic lane. The motorcycle bounced off of his right front fender and the rider and bike lost balance and came to a crashing halt in 2 places further down the oncoming lane. The police were called and an ambulance took the rider to the hospital. The rider had a broken wrist and some road rash.

My colleague was brought to the cop shop and he gave his statement. One of our security guards and an HR staffer also went and the cops agreed it was the riders fault.

Not so. A week later, my colleague is called to the cop shop again. The rider insists it was the falangs fault. The cops say, the rider is very poor, falang pay hospital bill and lost wages now that rider is at home recovering. My colleague insists that all agreed already that it was clearly the riders' fault and nothing to do with the rider's poverty.

The HR staffer takes him aside and says, this will not go away and will get worse unless it is closed out today. My colleague says, he will pay no money for this! The HR staffer tells the police, our company will give Bht 1,000 and my colleague will agree to 50/50 fault.

Case Closed!

[CharlieH]

Waiting for someone on the forum to ask .." what is the law" , like it makes any difference here, in this or any other case, they do what they want and 9 times out of ten the ferang will be the one who loses face and has to pay regardless of facts or fault.

Accept it, it is what it is, I'm not saying its right but it is what WILL happen most of the time.

As for "not ready to talk with Police", they are Nationals and resident here, good chance they are not going anywhere, you are and always will be an ALIEN.

[robblok]

So this was a dual carriage way and you were crossing into the lane going into the opposite direction when a bike hit you. Was she coming from the correct direction ?

Just don't really get what has happened here.

But the fact that she has no license and no helmet does not make her in the wrong automatically she could be right but I need to know more. But remember this is Thailand often the bike is protected against the car.

[anon210]

But remember this is Thailand often the bike is protected against the car.

True also in Belgium and other European countries (there it is a law providing systematic coverage for the physical damage to the biker, not the material damage).

[robblok]

But remember this is Thailand often the bike is protected against the car.

True also in Belgium and other European countries (there it is a law providing systematic coverage for the physical damage to the biker, not the material damage).

Actually I am not sure what to make of this as I drive both a car and a bike. I see some cars do pretty stupid things then I think when I am on my bike good thing the protection. Then I drive my car and see bikes doing stupid things and I think hope I don't hit one. I do have a dash cam but that is only limited protection.

Anyway the fact that the richer party pays for the poor also happens among Thais its not unusual for the party with the right insurance to take the hit. Its not only farangs who get done in. But then to ask for payment that is not reimbursed by insurance for missed working days is over the top.

[i claudius]

I was hit by a motorcycle who tried to undertake me as i was turning left into my service station , of course "it was my fault and money was wanted" i just said no ,in the end after about an hour ,my insurance guy had not turned up ,but my wife had "you dont want to get on the wrong side of her" anyway long story short ,i ended paying for my own repairs , i got rid of my insurance company and too get rid of the girs ,who by now i felt sorry for ,i gave them 1000 baht. waste of time here relying on anyone from the police to the insurance ,sort it out yourself. but stand your ground.

[overherebc]

Why are you surprised that The lady wasn't ready to meet them yet". This is a typical tactic when dealing with the police here in Thailand. The Red Bull heir who ran over a cop was not ready to meet with the police........The teenager who caused the accident that killed 9 people in Bangkok was not ready to meet with the police yet..Cheralems son who shot a cop was not ready to meet with the police,.... the former miss Thailands son who plowed into a group of pedestrians at a bus stop in a case of road rage was not ready to meet with the police

This is the way Thailand works and after 11 years here I am surprised that you don't know that already. I'm not saying that is it right, just that this is the way it is

True that's the way it is. We are just rewarding them for their stupidity.

[Forethat]

I got involved in a minor accident in 2011 where I was hit by a minibus who was trying to squeeze his way between mine and another car. I was stationary and had been for a minute when he hit me. The result was a four foot long scraping on the minibus from when he tried to squeeze by.

The driver of the minibus called the police to the scene, and the chaos that followed caused the attention of other drivers. Basically, the driver of the minibus wanted money. A lot of money. I got the impression others got interested when they heard the amounts being discussed, and for this reason another driver came forward and claimed I had hit his car. He also wanted money. Soon the police officers decided to have a go; if they're getting money, we're having some as well!

I will not go into detail of the ugly and unfortunate events that followed (though sdk here on TV actually knows the details), but this event triggered a decision to fly my family out of Thailand (which they did within 48 hours), close my business and sell my two houses and leave Thailand. Which I did soon after my business was closed.

I have always wondered what triggers someone to lie, cheat, bend the rules or even use criminal actions to extort money from others, and it's clear that jealousy is a huge factor. In my case, being a farang and driving a new BMW 5-series probably didn't help. In Europe, youngsters are getting robbed of their mobile phones by school kid bullies. Thailand is no different, only here it's grown ups doing the bullying..

[I knew this would happen]

Yes what you are saying mirrors what I have heard about bikes and cars and it also goes for Thais.. not a anti farang thing.

Anyway some of those idiots on bikes drive crazy, i hate the ones with no taillights. I drive a bike too and there are plenty of idiot car drivers too. Actually still the majority drives ok. Just more idiots then back home.

I don´t mind the cars at all in Thailand. Some drive not bad at all and some are real lthreats. But the risk of a deadly accident doesn´t scare me a lot when i think of cars here. So far i had two minor accidents with my cars, both were handled from the insurance guy in my favour. One guy rammed my parked car and some gal busy talking on her phone hit me in stop and go traffic. No problems and everything fair.

The bikers really worry me, there´s nothing you can do to avoid them, especially the so called dhek vään (young <deleted> with tuned loud bikes, no helmet and no brain driving around like lunatics while trying to impress the gals). Or whole families one on bike, 4 persons without a helmet carrying a little baby perfoming dangerous manouvers I pray everytime i go for a ride that i will not kill one of them........even if it wouldn´t be my fault, i dunno how i would feel afterwards.

[I knew this would happen]

I got involved in a minor accident in 2011 where I was hit by a minibus who was trying to squeeze his way between mine and another car. I was stationary and had been for a minute when he hit me. The result was a four foot long scraping on the minibus from when he tried to squeeze by.

The driver of the minibus called the police to the scene, and the chaos that followed caused the attention of other drivers. Basically, the driver of the minibus wanted money. A lot of money. I got the impression others got interested when they heard the amounts being discussed, and for this reason another driver came forward and claimed I had hit his car. He also wanted money. Soon the police officers decided to have a go; if they're getting money, we're having some as well!

I will not go into detail of the ugly and unfortunate events that followed (though sdk here on TV actually knows the details), but this event triggered a decision to fly my family out of Thailand (which they did within 48 hours), close my business and sell my two houses and leave Thailand. Which I did soon after my business was closed.

I have always wondered what triggers someone to lie, cheat, bend the rules or even use criminal actions to extort money from others, and it's clear that jealousy is a huge factor. In my case, being a farang and driving a new BMW 5-series probably didn't help. In Europe, youngsters are getting robbed of their mobile phones by school kid bullies. Thailand is no different, only here it's grown ups doing the bullying..

Really? That sounds horrible, it sounds like LOS, but still unbelieveable.

Got a bimmer too, maybe i´ll switch to a rusty pickup with no insurance to avoid trouble.

[Berkshire]

Slightly off-topic, but I couldn't help but notice this in the OP:

"Almost instantly passers by helped the woman up and she was taken to the hospital by the rescue team for a check up.....she is fine , thank God, a few minor scratches."

Wait a minute, but didn't the TV know-it-alls insists that this never happens in Thailand? That the Thais never help victims of accidents? Another myth debunk.

As for the OP, no worries. If you have Class I insurance, your insurance company will "take care."

[evadgib]

The OP would have been in a much stronger position if he had a dashcam!

[StateSix]

I got hit on the highway by a van who drove off. I was entering the highway from a slip road and the markings indicated I had right of way but he came into my lane and scraped the side of my wing. I chased him and got him to stop. We called the police who told us to call the insurance and sort out between ourselves.

We both blamed each other, so the insurance said we should both claim on each others insurance or we would have to go to the police station to sort it out. Believeing ThaiVisa wisdom, I thought I would get stitched up at the station, so agreed. He initially agreed, then changed his mind so off we went to the cop shop.

The first policeman listened to both of our stories and agreed with me. He knew the slip road and that I had right of way. The Thai guy was having none of it, so we called in a senior officer, which would cost Bt 500 to the loser. He listened and agreed with me also. The guy still wasn't having it so the police drove us to the slip road and showed the markings and that I had right of way.

Back at the police station the guiy still wouldnt have it and the senior office got pretty angry with him. The guy refused to sign the form admitting fault so the office threatened to send it to the court to adjudicate. He pointed out he would still lose and it would cost him a lot more than Bt 500. In the end I paid the Bt 500 for him and the copper made him wai and thank me.

On the way out the copper thanked me for my patience and was extremely professional and polite throughout. It would have been very easy to blame me, but he didnt and applied the law without fear or favour.

In other words, íts not a given that you will be stitched up in the event of an accident.

[kikoman]

Different countries have different laws and dealing with its legal system, In the U.S. it is a civil violation and is dealt with by who the police state was at fault, through insurance companies, or in civil court. In Mexico if you are in an accident and someone got hurt and you were at fault, it is a criminal offence and you could end up in prison..

In the U.S. you are innocent until proven guilty, in Mexico under the Napoleonic code You are considered guilty until proven innocence.

Before driving one must know something about that countries laws as it may be completely different than in your home country, Your home countries laws do not protect you outside of your home country national borders.

Insurance companies all over the world tried to minimize the liability payout for an accident, it is not a action only by Thai insurance companies, a case may seem to be an open and shut case, until someone claims they were injured by your recklessness, every one is covered by the legal code of their country their charges have to be fully investigated and could change due to their side of the story.

I made it a point when I came to Thailand to not drive on Thailand's streets because it could lead to financial disaster, just the mere fact that you drive a car in Thailand, increases your possibilities of becoming involved with the the Legal system. and bears a great deal of responsibility, as a consequence of hurting someone in an accident.

I advised my brother to sell his truck because of his reckless U.S. driving habits, tied in with his version of road rage and the fact that every time he drove me somewhere he would become involve in a fender bender, That he was bound sooner, more than later being killed in a accident or killing someone else in an accident because of his depth perception problems due to the loss of sight in one eye.

Transportation cost are very reasonable nation wide, I pay 200 baht for a round trip to the local hospital, 14 kilometers away, 750 baht for a 120 kilometer monthly shopping round trip to Nakhon Sawan.

Cheers:

[Forethat]

Transportation cost are very reasonable nation wide, I pay 200 baht for a round trip to the local hospital, 14 kilometers away, 750 baht for a 120 kilometer monthly shopping round trip to Nakhon Sawan.

So your solution to the problem is to hop on a minibus...?

Right...

[Soutpeel]

something I didnt see in the OP, does the OP have a Thai DL ?

[richard_smith237]

The OP would have been in a much stronger position if he had a dashcam!

Indeed - A Dash Cam is the way to go. I have one installed in both my Wife's and My car for this very purpose.

The Police here tend to be more sympathetic to the poorer party, thus, between a bike rider and car driver the Police are likely to try and favour the rider. However, the Police also favour the path of least resistance.

Op: Ultimately your insurance will take care of everything - You've no need to rush or worry too much. It will take more than a month or so to fix your car anyway.

If you have signed something from your Insurance guy at the scene just double check to either signed a) not your fault or you accept only partial blame 50:50.

Usually: 50:50 acceptance of blame is the quickest way of dealing with things and the Police will prefer that, you both pay a small fine (i.e. 500 baht) and thats it.

[Honkie]

I got involved in a minor accident in 2011 where I was hit by a minibus who was trying to squeeze his way between mine and another car. I was stationary and had been for a minute when he hit me. The result was a four foot long scraping on the minibus from when he tried to squeeze by.

The driver of the minibus called the police to the scene, and the chaos that followed caused the attention of other drivers. Basically, the driver of the minibus wanted money. A lot of money. I got the impression others got interested when they heard the amounts being discussed, and for this reason another driver came forward and claimed I had hit his car. He also wanted money. Soon the police officers decided to have a go; if they're getting money, we're having some as well!

I will not go into detail of the ugly and unfortunate events that followed (though sdk here on TV actually knows the details), but this event triggered a decision to fly my family out of Thailand (which they did within 48 hours), close my business and sell my two houses and leave Thailand. Which I did soon after my business was closed.

I have always wondered what triggers someone to lie, cheat, bend the rules or even use criminal actions to extort money from others, and it's clear that jealousy is a huge factor. In my case, being a farang and driving a new BMW 5-series probably didn't help. In Europe, youngsters are getting robbed of their mobile phones by school kid bullies. Thailand is no different, only here it's grown ups doing the bullying..

And you let them !!! ???

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[Neeranam]

Firstly, I'm surprised you don't know the way things work here after living here for 11 years. Also, you need your wife to do the talking?

This is not a Thai farang issue. When an accident happens the 2 parties size each other up. It is to do with how much 'power' you have. Granted, at first most Thais will see a foreigner, especially white one, and think they know nothing/nobody, especially if they are in Pattaya or tourist area. These stupid farang can't even speak the language - of course they won't know 'the law' or the procedure. I wouldn't be surprised if the OP didn't know what 'Boon Khun' is, for example.

I've had accidents here - one time the pick up was on the wrong side of the road and had a head on with me. As I was limping about with a broken foot I heard them say that I was at fault. What to do? Boon Khun time! I called someone and they came and I ended up getting 1 months salary compensation, my car fixed and hospital costs. The guy was also fined 400 baht.

But, my car took 3 months to get fixed and the insurance didn't pay for my rented car so what now? Sue the pricks. A police friend was going to help. Delay - my friend became senator of the region so wait a month until he's in office. Delay, Taxsin and his government is booted out. Plan 2 - settle for half the money by bribing someone in the insurance company.

Usually the bigger vehicle pays. It has all to do with positioning on the social ladder. Thais look at the woman that foreigners are with and know instantly if the farang could have any power.

I hear people talking about having a get out of jail card. I have used these before and can't stress the importance of getting to 'know' people here if you plan on living happily for years. Learn the language, have Thai friends, join clubs etc.

I can't believe that some people leave the country because another car hits theirs.

I do have a buddy who was hit from behind by an off duty soldier. The soldier attacked him with a machete as he lost face when he approached my friend's car and said it was his fault and tried to grab his keys. My mate grabbed his hand and would give them. He said if he hadn't been a black belt in karate and ex army, he'd have been dead as the machete weilder was trying to kill him. Warning - never toot your horn to show someone is in the wrong. It could cost you your life. 3 months ago In khon kaen central street a man was shot dead for hooting his horn. I have a friend who's son's friend was shot in the head for tooting his horn.

Integrate, learn the language, learn the ways to get out of trouble. Don't think it of them and us. I can't emphasize how important it is to learn the language - how the hell are you going to know what's going on if you don't?

[richard_smith237]

One of my falang office colleagues was hit by a Thai motorcycle rider in front of the office with 3 of our security guards watching. My falang colleague is a lawyer and very aware of protocol with anything documented. He was in the far lane with turn indicator on and just starting to turn across the oncoming lane. The Thai motorcycle rider was approaching from behind and decided to gun it and try and pass in front of my colleague in the oncoming traffic lane. The motorcycle bounced off of his right front fender and the rider and bike lost balance and came to a crashing halt in 2 places further down the oncoming lane. The police were called and an ambulance took the rider to the hospital. The rider had a broken wrist and some road rash.

My colleague was brought to the cop shop and he gave his statement. One of our security guards and an HR staffer also went and the cops agreed it was the riders fault.

Not so. A week later, my colleague is called to the cop shop again. The rider insists it was the falangs fault. The cops say, the rider is very poor, falang pay hospital bill and lost wages now that rider is at home recovering. My colleague insists that all agreed already that it was clearly the riders' fault and nothing to do with the rider's poverty.

The HR staffer takes him aside and says, this will not go away and will get worse unless it is closed out today. My colleague says, he will pay no money for this! The HR staffer tells the police, our company will give Bht 1,000 and my colleague will agree to 50/50 fault.

Case Closed!

I was in an accident with a Mini-Van (The van was operating a bus route illegally, had no insurance).

I was turning right into an office, indicating, the van-tried to overtake me while I was making the turn.

I refused to accept blame. BiB suggested it was my fault, I'd taken lots of photos so every time they suggested it was my fault I had a counter argument as to why I wasn't at fault.

When the BiB suggested that Thai Law identifies it was my fault as I was making the manoeuvre to turn, I countered that in that case it was also the Mini-Van drivers fault as he too was making a manoeuvre to over take.

Back and forth continued until I saw the Van-drivers boss come to the Police Station and hand over money (I know this as I saw it and was told that he was the boss of the illegal van company).

The BiB stared to get frustrated with the situation, while I remained calm the other driver kept changing the story, each time I could show with a photo that he was lying to the BiB. I asked the BiB why they accept his lies.... eventually they lost it and shouted at the Van driver - All the time they were very polite and respectful to me.

Ultimately I knew that the BiB couldn't make a decision against the Mini-Van company, they had already been paid off. I provided the BiB with an out: If they were unable to come to a satisfactory conclusion I want to take it up to a higher level. The BiB showed relief that they didn't have to make a decision.

We were directed to another station (Bkk head office) where the cars and photos were to be looked at and a conclusion could be reached. I was asked if I could accept a 50:50 decision, I would incur a 400 baht fine. My Insurance guy advised me that this was the most reasonable solution without wasting a great deal of time.

I accepted the 50:50 - Went back to the original police station paid the 400 baht fine.

I left feeling that while the Police are not what they are in the West (I never expected them to be) if I act politely, with reason and with a degree of proof that I will be treated fairly (I also had an 'ace' in my back pocket in the way of a handful of senior friends in the BiB, I never felt the need to rely on them).

Thus: In summary: Act Calmly, if you believe you are correct be firm, let the insurance deal with the situation but keep an eye on them, be prepared to accept a 50:50 solution. This becomes a trickier situation if there are injuries to the other party.

[richard_smith237]

I got involved in a minor accident in 2011 where I was hit by a minibus who was trying to squeeze his way between mine and another car. I was stationary and had been for a minute when he hit me. The result was a four foot long scraping on the minibus from when he tried to squeeze by.

The driver of the minibus called the police to the scene, and the chaos that followed caused the attention of other drivers. Basically, the driver of the minibus wanted money. A lot of money. I got the impression others got interested when they heard the amounts being discussed, and for this reason another driver came forward and claimed I had hit his car. He also wanted money. Soon the police officers decided to have a go; if they're getting money, we're having some as well!

I will not go into detail of the ugly and unfortunate events that followed (though sdk here on TV actually knows the details), but this event triggered a decision to fly my family out of Thailand (which they did within 48 hours), close my business and sell my two houses and leave Thailand. Which I did soon after my business was closed.

I have always wondered what triggers someone to lie, cheat, bend the rules or even use criminal actions to extort money from others, and it's clear that jealousy is a huge factor. In my case, being a farang and driving a new BMW 5-series probably didn't help. In Europe, youngsters are getting robbed of their mobile phones by school kid bullies. Thailand is no different, only here it's grown ups doing the bullying..

And you let them !!! ???

Was this somewhere like Samui ?

The reason I ask is that the law and locals are a different breed on some of the Islands - the mob-greed mentality is still readily visible.

In areas such as Bangkok things are handled in a much fairer manner (with a handful of newsworthy exceptions).

[Forethat]

I got involved in a minor accident in 2011 where I was hit by a minibus who was trying to squeeze his way between mine and another car. I was stationary and had been for a minute when he hit me. The result was a four foot long scraping on the minibus from when he tried to squeeze by.

The driver of the minibus called the police to the scene, and the chaos that followed caused the attention of other drivers. Basically, the driver of the minibus wanted money. A lot of money. I got the impression others got interested when they heard the amounts being discussed, and for this reason another driver came forward and claimed I had hit his car. He also wanted money. Soon the police officers decided to have a go; if they're getting money, we're having some as well!

I will not go into detail of the ugly and unfortunate events that followed (though sdk here on TV actually knows the details), but this event triggered a decision to fly my family out of Thailand (which they did within 48 hours), close my business and sell my two houses and leave Thailand. Which I did soon after my business was closed.

I have always wondered what triggers someone to lie, cheat, bend the rules or even use criminal actions to extort money from others, and it's clear that jealousy is a huge factor. In my case, being a farang and driving a new BMW 5-series probably didn't help. In Europe, youngsters are getting robbed of their mobile phones by school kid bullies. Thailand is no different, only here it's grown ups doing the bullying..

And you let them !!! ???

Was this somewhere like Samui ?

The reason I ask is that the law and locals are a different breed on some of the Islands - the mob-greed mentality is still readily visible.

In areas such as Bangkok things are handled in a much fairer manner (with a handful of newsworthy exceptions).

Middle of Bangkok.

[kannot]

Firstly, I'm surprised you don't know the way things work here after living here for 11 years. Also, you need your wife to do the talking?

This is not a Thai farang issue. When an accident happens the 2 parties size each other up. It is to do with how much 'power' you have. Granted, at first most Thais will see a foreigner, especially white one, and think they know nothing/nobody, especially if they are in Pattaya or tourist area. These stupid farang can't even speak the language - of course they won't know 'the law' or the procedure. I wouldn't be surprised if the OP didn't know what 'Boon Khun' is, for example.

I've had accidents here - one time the pick up was on the wrong side of the road and had a head on with me. As I was limping about with a broken foot I heard them say that I was at fault. What to do? Boon Khun time! I called someone and they came and I ended up getting 1 months salary compensation, my car fixed and hospital costs. The guy was also fined 400 baht.

But, my car took 3 months to get fixed and the insurance didn't pay for my rented car so what now? Sue the pricks. A police friend was going to help. Delay - my friend became senator of the region so wait a month until he's in office. Delay, Taxsin and his government is booted out. Plan 2 - settle for half the money by bribing someone in the insurance company.

Usually the bigger vehicle pays. It has all to do with positioning on the social ladder. Thais look at the woman that foreigners are with and know instantly if the farang could have any power.

I hear people talking about having a get out of jail card. I have used these before and can't stress the importance of getting to 'know' people here if you plan on living happily for years. Learn the language, have Thai friends, join clubs etc.

I can't believe that some people leave the country because another car hits theirs.

I do have a buddy who was hit from behind by an off duty soldier. The soldier attacked him with a machete as he lost face when he approached my friend's car and said it was his fault and tried to grab his keys. My mate grabbed his hand and would give them. He said if he hadn't been a black belt in karate and ex army, he'd have been dead as the machete weilder was trying to kill him. Warning - never toot your horn to show someone is in the wrong. It could cost you your life. 3 months ago In khon kaen central street a man was shot dead for hooting his horn. I have a friend who's son's friend was shot in the head for tooting his horn.

Integrate, learn the language, learn the ways to get out of trouble. Don't think it of them and us. I can't emphasize how important it is to learn the language - how the hell are you going to know what's going on if you don't?

My Wif e often toots the horn she isnt dead yet.........................please!!!

[Forethat]

I can't believe that some people leave the country because another car hits theirs.

Me neither. Let me know if you hear of someone who actually left because of this.

[cpofc]

Many years ago (30 actually) I had a mate who worked for Australian Department of Foreign Affairs in the AUSTEMB BKK. I was staying with him, briefly, when he explained to me the Thai logic when it comes to Motor Vehicle Accidents involving farangs.

Put simply. As a farang you are only a visitor in Thailand, it is not your country, so, if you weren't here in the first place, like you're not meant to be, then the accident would never have occurred. Whether you be in the 'right' or in the 'wrong'. This 'logic' has been compounded even further over the years by the lead from the top attitude of, rich farang, fair game concept.

Naturally I was pretty appalled when he told me this, and I never forgot it.

Armed with that knowlege I have avoided buying or driving a car in the LOS ever since, and choose to live in a place where I can get away with not owning one, where transport and taxis are plentiful.

My Thai friends jibe me sometimes they think I can't drive a car. When I explain this to them, and tell them I was driving a car when they were riding around on buffalos in the provinces, they understand and cannot help but agree with me. Some even voice their disdain for it.

I have often thought about whether or not I should get a car. But it is what I say about understanding the rules of the game before you play. I choose not to play.

I am certainly not defending the Thais, I think it is a disgraceful attitude, but most unfortunately it is the way it is. God I hate thieves and people who are unable to take responsibility for their own actions.

I am glad it is not me. I feel for you, and all the others who have been ripped. I wish you luck OP.

[CanInBKK]

I can't believe that some people leave the country because another car hits theirs.

Me neither. Let me know if you hear of someone who actually left because of this.

Didn't you post that the event "triggered" you and your family to up and leave the country? I interpreted this to mean you left because the mini-bus hit scraped your car (probably the same as how Neeranam interpreted it). Maybe the whole "mysteriousness" of your post is what caused the confusion....