Driving advice

[ryanhull]

Hey,

I have been driving in Bangkok for the last few months and although it is crazy I find it ok if you take it easy and make sure you keep an eye out for bikes...

One thing I am wondering, in the UK if you flash at someone it means your letting them go, in Thailand it means your not letting them go and a warning your coming...

If you want to let someone know go, your giving way to them how do you do this?

Also why are bus drivers so angry here? almost like they want to crash into you... I saw one bus last week litterally changing lanes every second with sharp turns, almost like he wanted to batter a few cars out of the way. Seems strange that they do not crack down on these as its pretty much every bus I see.

Cheers

[CharlieH]

You dont, there is rarely any courtesy on Thai roads, you stop to let someone go, good chance you'll get rear-ended. As for bus drivers, they are just bullies cos they are bigger than you.

[Costas2008]

"If you want to let someone know go, your giving way to them how do you do this?"

Just stop, and let them go, although I would advise, as Thais do, always flash your lights and go, otherwise somebody will smash at the back of your car, as Charlie said.

[ATF]

Some but not all Thai drivers understand the single or double flash of headlights means you are letting them go, most don't. A light double tap on your horn is more generally accepted. When you are driving fast through a junction or past a U-Turn give your headlights a constant full flash to show you are coming through. Triple check before changing lanes whatever speed you are doing because bikes can come from anywhere.

[ryanhull]

Fair enough... cheers for the answers, I definitly stay well clear of buses but why they drive with such fury confuses me, but then again I am not sat in a hot bus all day being paid peanuts!

[samran]

Out of habit from driving in Australia if someone indicates to change lane I slow down to create a gap for them.

Most times drivers don't take it as what we define as courtesy in the west isn't expected here. So now i just drive given they will be expecting to push in elsehwere.

So to the OP, most times if I want someone to go first it is usually at an intersection and I make it obvious, sticking my hand out the window and gesturing for them to go. Otherwise, they won't get it.

[stoneyboy]

I used to try and be courteous on the roads then also realised that it was completely alien to those around me and that I was actually endangering myself even more.

The same can even be said for giving way to pedestrians,they just don't expect anyone in a car to be so kind as to let them walk out,you can see the cautiousness in their faces just in the Tesco car park at 15 kmh.