Told to get off Minibus,twice !

[drx13]

In the last two weeks I have been told forcefully to get off a minibus (PattayaaRayong Route (303). What was the cause ? I was struggling to release the safety belt, which is usually threaded thro' the headrest and sometimetimes knotted.

I was not saying anything or complaining, but my actions raised the ire of the drivers, indicating it was unnecessary.

Did they see it as a slur on their driving, notwithstanding that the most careful driver can be in a wreck.?

I took no notice and they then indicated that I get off. I did not, and did wonder what they might do.

They drove on, one counting and sorting his takings, which seemed considerable, and using his cellphone.

Needless to say neither driver wore his seatbelt.

Getting off I congratulated the driver on his driving and gave him a tip to get some KratingDaeng, my sarcasm probably not recognised.

[rhythmworx]

They asked you twice before beating you with a stick?

How did you finally get out of the seatbelt?

You was trying to undo your belt as you were getting off but they told you to get off?

Why did you not get off where you wanted to get off?

They drove on, how far away did they drive you before you decided to get off and congratulate the driver?

[neverdie]

You were interfering with the seat belt. It took the driver hours to prepare his vehicle, tie up all the seat belts so they don't get in people's way and then you come along and untie the belt and bang and clang around, probably disrupting other passengers while you were at it. What's wrong with you, no wonder you got kicked off.

Or perhaps you smell, sweaty smelly farang who don't shower or use deodorant and then want to spread their flavour in small confined space?

Or perhaps you fart too much?

Or finally, you are 300 pounds and take up the space of three Thais but you want to only pay for one seat?

Last time you rode with the driver you tried to pay your fare in 25 sating coins?

It's got to be something you did, in all my years I've never seen anyone kicked off a mini bus. In any such case, you'll probably fail to recognise what you did, after all it couldn't be your fault, could it?

Edited March 8, 2014 by neverdie

[Carib]

Have you ever been seen together with JT ??

[chrisinth]

drx13, you need to change the company you use. I use the Bkk (Mor Chit) - Rayong minibus service about 50 times (there and back) a year and have not once seen the driver not wearing his seatbelt. Most times, not all, the driver will tell the passengers the seat belt is there and if you are sitting in the front seat, it is compulsory for that/those passengers to wear the belt.

Over the last 7 years the only person I have seen thrown off the transport was a drunken Thai that was trying to molest a woman.

If the OP is true, you need to look around to get a better service. What was the name of the minibus operator?

[steven100]

drx13, as neverdie commented ... there has to be a reason why the driver told you to get off.

Are you too fat ?

Were you just wearing a singlet ?

Were you smelly of sweat ?

Did you stuff around with the seat belt ?

You were told to get off the bus because of something .....

you figure it out and let us know ..

Edited March 8, 2014 by steven100

[drx13]

I use, and have used these buses, since their inception, plying most weeks to The Navy Hospital and back.

So my attempted ejection was perhaps exceptional, as I'm sure that I have not changed my aspect or demeanour

to any significant degree.

Edited March 8, 2014 by drx13

[Chriso12]

When doing visa runs, sometimes there is "THIS" Farang who simply does not understand why he might get booted from the minibus. Body smell, strongly intoxcicated, non stop complaining, spilling his beer all over the bus etc.

Of course THIS farang feels like a victim...wants his money back yadi yadi yaaa....yeah I had a very annoying experience yesterday while making my visa run.

I have never seen anyone being asked to leave the minibis without a real reason... especially TWICE!

Edited March 8, 2014 by Chriso12

[CharlieH]

Just not fair ! Some people get all the excitement.

[dotpoom]

The trools are deal.........long live the trools..... Wow....some really angry people out there with hugh chips on their shoulders!

[thailiketoo]

I use, and have used these buses, since their inception, plying most weeks to The Navy Hospital and back.

So my attempted ejection was perhaps exceptional, as I'm sure that I have not changed my aspect or demeanour

to any significant degree.

Why not take a big bus. They don't have seat belts so no problem. The big buses do that route every 10 minutes or so I think. Or a song Tau if you like the open air with no seat belts.

[ronrat]

My mate was in Nong Khai and put his seatbelt on as is a automatic reaction. His missus said "No need" and unclipped it. He put it back and she took it off again. BIB saw what happened and fined him, not the the 3 Thai passengers, for not wearing his seatbelt. On the way back BIB pulled him over again and fined brother in law for not wearing seatbelt. BIL no hab job so Kevin was forced to pay that as well.

[Jingthing]

I avoid those buses but I can certainly imagine that what the OP describes could actually happen. For those insulting him, were you there?

[Tchooptip]

I avoid those buses but I can certainly imagine that what the OP describes could actually happen. For those insulting him, were you there?

No but they are on TV, same !

[cooked]

A (Muslim) minibus driver, obviously high on Yabah accused me of getting drunk as I decided to drink a can of beer before it got warm. That so an so nearly killed us in my point of view and was completely insane. Last minibus drive for me, I'd rather walk.

[atyclb]

Before I get in i ask if they have seatbelts. they say yes and thus are notified i will use one. i have either cut industrial grade plastic ties or removed the clasp by taking the headrest off momentarily. i guess the thought of paying my fare overrides their time to re-disable the belt. ive had replies like "u dont need it because we pay the police" often police don't use the chin strap on their motorcycle helmet but have seen a few farangs also with no chin strap.

thai passengers take notice of me using the seat belt. on occasion i tell them (thai) us extra-terrestrials use seat belts. problem is most cannot understand sarcastic humor.

[atyclb]

My mate was in Nong Khai and put his seatbelt on as is a automatic reaction. His missus said "No need" and unclipped it. He put it back and she took it off again. BIB saw what happened and fined him, not the the 3 Thai passengers, for not wearing his seatbelt. On the way back BIB pulled him over again and fined brother in law for not wearing seatbelt. BIL no hab job so Kevin was forced to pay that as well.

I can only sympathize with a mans former life in farangland if it compels him to relocate to another country an end up with a "missus" with that kind of brain power.

[lavender19]

Thai macho mini bus driver= Brain dead monkey

[kevvy]

Gee someone comes on here to tell you of his experience and he gets a worst experience on here than the actually story he was trying to tell.

[Jingthing]

Gee someone comes on here to tell you of his experience and he gets a worst experience on here than the actually story he was trying to tell.

Entirely predictable!

[thailiketoo]

In the past ten years I have never seen a person put on a seat belt in a van (I ride a van 20 times a month). Has anyone else seen this amazing act? One doesn't wear them in a taxi or song tau why would one wear them in a van? Back seats of course.

Edited March 8, 2014 by thailiketoo

[ArfurMaggot]

Survivors can become witnesses!

[chingching]

I was told my van was "no longer going to my destination", after I did not sit where the van "assistant" told me to sit. I wanted to sit on the single seat closest to the sliding door. The van was about half full, and I can easily move out of the way of exiting or entering passengers.

[Skytrain2hell]

Even if you speak Thai, sarcasm rarely works. Point out 1 or 2 hard facts about the benefits of seat belt wearing while commending the driver on his driving skills. Then politely ask to use the seat belt while emphasizing that it's not his fault.

Why is Thai Culture 101 so difficult for some people?

[atyclb]

Even if you speak Thai, sarcasm rarely works. Point out 1 or 2 hard facts about the benefits of seat belt wearing while commending the driver on his driving skills. Then politely ask to use the seat belt while emphasizing that it's not his fault.

Why is Thai Culture 101 so difficult for some people?

True. I tell them it is cheaper and hurts a lot less wearing a seatbelt then going to the hospital. They seem to agree but still dont use the belt.

not too long ago a guy well crashed his new Lamborghini and walked away crediting it to his lucky pendants. no credit given to the cars safety design and multiple airbags.

[goatfarmer]

I use, and have used these buses, since their inception, plying most weeks to The Navy Hospital and back.

So my attempted ejection was perhaps exceptional, as I'm sure that I have not changed my aspect or demeanour

to any significant degree.

Well, you certainly weren't ejected for illiteracy.

[neverdie]

Gee someone comes on here to tell you of his experience and he gets a worst experience on here than the actually story he was trying to tell.

What do you want, a group cuddle? Seriously, they say lightning doesn't strike twice, so whys this guy getting kicked off a city mini bus. These guys don't give a damn about who's in the bus, they just like it full as fast as possible and a quick circuit. There has to be something wrong for them to take the time to stop and kick him off.

If he's not fat, sweaty, smelly, farting, snoring or taking up too much room or being unruly, then what is it! driver doesn't like his face? Aliens? There's got to be a reason.

All the best to him, maybe he needs to keep an eye out for this particular driver and not get in his van. There's normally. multiple vans on every route.

[Jingthing]

The OP's story is entirely believable.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[thailiketoo]

The OP's story is entirely believable.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I told a song tau driver I refused to board his song tau till he got seat belts, airbags and washed at least the passenger area. Oh I don't want to tell you all what he did! It was so disgusting.

[Shaunduhpostman]

I think the op is likely correct thinking the driver lost a bit of face. A few times I've noticed milder reactions from taxi drivers and other drivers to my putting on a seatbelt. Usually the reaction seems to be one to the effect of how ridiculous I am for wanting to wear a seat belt and a chuckle and a "no need to use" comment. I point out to them that we don't know what will happen on the road despite our expert driving, we cannot control what other drivers or circumstances may bring and that people get their necks or backs snapped in two by just being thrown around in a minor accident, so better safe than sorry. Some see my point some don't.

That said, it is not being very safety concious stepping into one of those vans in the first place, we read the sad stories almost weekly on here. Probably the only thing worse would be getting on a motorcycle taxi. I'd skip using vans and use some of the somewhat less dangerous options if available. That van driver's attitude that you describe seems indicative of why the vans are notoriously dangerous. I don't think you can be too careful when it comes to having to take transport in Thailand and things won't be improving for awhile yet either.

Edited March 8, 2014 by Shaunduhpostman