New police crack down on motorists in CM.

[MESmith]

While I'm in a moaning mood about the roads and driving. The number of times I see absolute muppets stopping at lights on a 3 lane dual carriageway waiting to turn right in the wrong (middle) lane thats for going straight on ONLY!!

I wouldn't mind it but its clearly marked with huge white arrows. This means all the cars have to squeeze over to the far left-hand lane to proceed. So shortsighted and mindless.

Even more amazing few people honk the offenders!

Go with the flow. 2 lanes can turn right into a 2 lane road. Left lane & hard shoulder for straight on. "On yer bike", sorry you haven't got one yet

Not correct, read my post again. The lanes are clearly marked as to where you should be depending on your direction. At this junction anyway. I know its the law of the jungle here but hopefully for not much longer.

Maybe some lives will be saved and I hope the crackdown continues on the really poor driving. We see it every day here so many drivers only see what's in front of them and no awareness what's around them. Some of you may enjoy this relaxed Thai attitude but how many lives has it cost so far?

I do have to laugh though when I arrived here in June I was appaled at the poor driving now I've noticed I'm beginning to drive like a Thai. Got to stop IT!

Sent from my C6833 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You just don't get it, do you? They're "cracking down" on insignificant traffic "violations". They totally ignore the life threatening actions of total <removed> idiots that happen right under their noses. Why? Because that would be too much of effort for them. also, those "total <removed> idiots" might be "influential" & get them removed from their "money grabbing" position. Target the m/c waiting in front of the line at traffic lights. Carnage on the roads sorted

My round trip from out of town to take my boys to school in the morning is 20 km. Mostly on the superhighway. You cannot count the "total <removed> idiots" in that journey on two hands.

They either haven't a clue how to tackle the mayhem on the roads, or they're just can't be bothered....

[Chiengmaijoe]

ME Smith is right. There are now two cops on Loi Kroh , past Mc Donald's in the night bazaar, hiding down the street waiting for motorbikes to come straight across the Changklan/Loi Kroh intersection. There is very little danger in this, especially at the time of day that they are there, usually midday till 4pm-ish. Meanwhile around the corner, at the intersection of Nawarat bridge near the governors house. chaos reigns as cars continuously go through red lights and end up blocking the intersection for cars coming into town. The lights change 2 or 3 times and each time the cars coming onto the bridge block the intersection knowing there is no way out.

Moving traffic offences are never punished in Chiang Mai . Traffic cops sit in their aircon offices fiddling with the computer-controlled lights because they can do it better, or set up road blocks in the city and check helmets, papers etc. or, like today at Thapae gate, set up alcohol check points at 7pm!

Fortunately I don't do much day to day driving on the highways, especially during rush hour, but I do pity those that do. Around town, which is where I do most of my driving, there is the potential for fender-benders and the occasional motorbike death, but most deaths and serious injuries are on the highways. In more than twenty years of driving here I've only had one serious accident, which I always expected. The law of averages says that you're going to cop it one day.

The biggest change I've seen that has prevented more deaths is the introduction of divided highways. Prior to them, the frequency of head-ons was much higher. That is where my near fatal crash happened, on a two lane undivided highway. I avoid them as much as possible. Time was when Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai was one lane each way, as was Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Absolute nightmares, with buses overtaking trucks and heading straight at you. The last sentence in serious multiple death accidents was always...... "The driver fled the scene".

[dave2]

re

today at Thapae gate, set up alcohol check points at 7pm!

ahhhh is that what it was for ?

i had my weekly burger fries at loco elvis and came round the corner on my bike by starbucks at 9 pm last night and there they were

there must have been ten army people . ten regular police and even some of the border patrol people stoping almost anyone by the look of it and ive never seen a police check point so busy for years

dave2

ps ... they didnt stop me coz they dont want to deal with doddery old farts like me

pps ... doi suthep looks good this morning

[CMNightRider]

Maya/Nimanhamin/Superhighway intersection

I hope they make a million baht at this intersection. I am so sick and tired of waiting in line to make a right turn off Huay Kaew onto super highway while a steady stream of traffic turns right from the left lane. I don't know if they realize that the right lane is also a through lane, or if they don't care, but I've seen many near accidents there.

I agree. It is even worst trying to walk across this intersection without getting run over. Pedestrians are at the bottom of the food chain in Thailand. :-)

[kalbo123]

Today I was stopped for the 3rd time this week just over Narawat bridge.

I do think they target foreigners in specific these days, I always cross the bridge in a big group of motorbike drivers,

but I am every time the only one they stop.

Of course I wear a helmet and have my driving license and other papers on me.

Edited July 24, 2014 by kalbo123

[Jdiddy]

Funny stuff today during my morning ride, was waiting at a red light at the big Festival plaza intersection, some car was too impatient to wait for the green light so went into the left slip lane and then smashed it across the intersection to turn right while dodging traffic, copper on a bike loitering in the area watched him then just simply shook his head and went back to monitoring traffic lol

heck im bored, ill draw it out, copper in blue, impatient car in red, enjoy

So going over the line abit is more dangerous?

Edited July 24, 2014 by Jdiddy

[grin]

ME Smith is right. There are now two cops on Loi Kroh , past Mc Donald's in the night bazaar, hiding down the street waiting for motorbikes to come straight across the Changklan/Loi Kroh intersection. There is very little danger in this, especially at the time of day that they are there, usually midday till 4pm-ish. Meanwhile around the corner, at the intersection of Nawarat bridge near the governors house. chaos reigns as cars continuously go through red lights and end up blocking the intersection for cars coming into town. The lights change 2 or 3 times and each time the cars coming onto the bridge block the intersection knowing there is no way out.

This is not a new thing. They've been doing this at this intersection for at least 15 years.

Grin

(still signing my posts)

[Thighlander]

Yep, I had to enlist the help of BiB when I witnessed a Brit beating his Thai "Girlfriend" in the Mcdonalds, back in 2006. There were two of them standing their at the intersection as always.

[Trujillo]

I've been zigging and zagging through traffic in SE Asia in several countries on a scooter and Vespa for just over 29 years now (virtually every day on a bike going somewhere). Never had an accident and to be frank, I don't ever recall seeing an accident as a result of that. I'm not saying that they don't happen; they do, but we're pretty good at zigging and zagging, if I do say so myself. hehe...

Are you allowed to take photos of the cops taking photos of you?

[FolkGuitar]

I've been zigging and zagging through traffic in SE Asia in several countries on a scooter and Vespa for just over 29 years now (virtually every day on a bike going somewhere). Never had an accident and to be frank, I don't ever recall seeing an accident as a result of that. I'm not saying that they don't happen; they do, but we're pretty good at zigging and zagging, if I do say so myself. hehe...

A couple of months ago someone posted a video here of two foreigners involved in an accident on Heaw Kaew Rd. One was splitting lanes going straight up the middle while the other zigged and zagged into him. The zigger got very upset about this and punched the fellow going straight. I guess he decided that zigging has the right of way and was upset that the fellow going straight had the audacity to be in front of him.

[MESmith]

Some of the worst offenders I've witnessed are traffic cops escorting "VIPs" on twisting rural roads. Sorry fools, but you cannot escort a minibus on the wrong side of a blind bend at high speed, when no one knows you're coming.

[mesquite]

Yep, I had to enlist the help of BiB when I witnessed a Brit beating his Thai "Girlfriend" in the Mcdonalds, back in 2006. There were two of them standing their at the intersection as always.

Did they break it up?

[dave2]

re

Today I was stopped for the 3rd time this week just over Narawat bridge.

they were having a field day with a bunch of at least 20 teens on bikes at meechock plaza junction this afternoon !

dave2

[Trujillo]

A couple of months ago someone posted a video here of two foreigners involved in an accident...

Actually, it was a big nose and a local.

Yes, I said, it happens. But the fact is, and take it from me, it's pretty rare.

[Saan]

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While I'm in a moaning mood about the roads and driving. The number of times I see absolute muppets stopping at lights on a 3 lane dual carriageway waiting to turn right in the wrong (middle) lane thats for going straight on ONLY!!

I wouldn't mind it but its clearly marked with huge white arrows. This means all the cars have to squeeze over to the far left-hand lane to proceed. So shortsighted and mindless.

Even more amazing few people honk the offenders!

Go with the flow. 2 lanes can turn right into a 2 lane road. Left lane & hard shoulder for straight on. "On yer bike", sorry you haven't got one yet

Not correct, read my post again. The lanes are clearly marked as to where you should be depending on your direction. At this junction anyway. I know its the law of the jungle here but hopefully for not much longer.

Maybe some lives will be saved and I hope the crackdown continues on the really poor driving. We see it every day here so many drivers only see what's in front of them and no awareness what's around them. Some of you may enjoy this relaxed Thai attitude but how many lives has it cost so far?

I do have to laugh though when I arrived here in June I was appaled at the poor driving now I've noticed I'm beginning to drive like a Thai. Got to stop IT!

Sent from my C6833 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Hmm, someone been here a month telling us how it should be.

He makes some valid points. Besides, what's this nonsense about gaining wisdom in direct proportion to your length of stay in Thailand. If that's the case, I know some long termers who must have started out with single digit IQs.

[Lancelot]

So I suspect Thai police will probably not notice the homicidal moron driving an SUV while texting on a mobile,

Yes, the Cops have to be out patrolling the streets to catch these offenders...

[FolkGuitar]

A couple of months ago someone posted a video here of two foreigners involved in an accident...

Actually, it was a big nose and a local.

Yes, I said, it happens. But the fact is, and take it from me, it's pretty rare.

Hmmmm... I wish I could find that video. I seem to remember it being two foreigners, though I could be mistaken. Would someone with more search skills than I have please link to this?

Please excuse me if I don't 'take it from you,' but...

[mesquite]

A couple of months ago someone posted a video here of two foreigners involved in an accident...

Actually, it was a big nose and a local.

Yes, I said, it happens. But the fact is, and take it from me, it's pretty rare.

Hmmmm... I wish I could find that video. I seem to remember it being two foreigners, though I could be mistaken. Would someone with more search skills than I have please link to this?

Please excuse me if I don't 'take it from you,' but...

This one? http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705107-farang-road-rage/ along with http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=3233

video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qISBEtrrRCc

Edited July 25, 2014 by mesquite

[beau thai]

re

today at Thapae gate, set up alcohol check points at 7pm!

ahhhh is that what it was for ?

i had my weekly burger fries at loco elvis and came round the corner on my bike by starbucks at 9 pm last night and there they were

there must have been ten army people . ten regular police and even some of the border patrol people stoping almost anyone by the look of it and ive never seen a police check point so busy for years

dave2

ps ... they didnt stop me coz they dont want to deal with doddery old farts like me

pps ... doi suthep looks good this morning

Great photos again Dave.

Doi Suthep looks great but your burger looks rather nude- or maybe that is how you called for it. Ohh- off topic again. Sorry.

[FolkGuitar]

A couple of months ago someone posted a video here of two foreigners involved in an accident...

Actually, it was a big nose and a local.

Yes, I said, it happens. But the fact is, and take it from me, it's pretty rare.

Hmmmm... I wish I could find that video. I seem to remember it being two foreigners, though I could be mistaken. Would someone with more search skills than I have please link to this?

Please excuse me if I don't 'take it from you,' but...

This one? http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705107-farang-road-rage/ along with http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=3233

video is here:

Yes, that's the one that I had in mind... Two foreigners, one zig-zagging into the other, then getting upset that the other was going straight in what to him clearly was 'his' rightful place. Laws? We don' need no steenkin' laws!

Actually, what the guy who was going straight needs is a lesson in how to deliver an effective 'shuffle side thrust' kick, to take out the other guy's spleen!

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[andreandre]

A couple of months ago someone posted a video here of two foreigners involved in an accident...

Actually, it was a big nose and a local.

Yes, I said, it happens. But the fact is, and take it from me, it's pretty rare.

Hmmmm... I wish I could find that video. I seem to remember it being two foreigners, though I could be mistaken. Would someone with more search skills than I have please link to this?

Please excuse me if I don't 'take it from you,' but...

This one? http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/705107-farang-road-rage/ along with http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=3233

video is here:

Yes, that's the one that I had in mind... Two foreigners, one zig-zagging into the other, then getting upset that the other was going straight in what to him clearly was 'his' rightful place. Laws? We don' need no steenkin' laws!

Actually, what the guy who was going straight needs is a lesson in how to deliver an effective 'shuffle side thrust' kick, to take out the other guy's spleen!

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

" needs is a lesson in how to deliver an effective 'shuffle side thrust' kick, to take out the other guy's spleen!"

Really? What point of time was he in a position to successfully execute this move?

[FolkGuitar]

He wasn't. That's why he needs lessons. But that's not the point, is it.

It was two foreigners involved in an accident because of weaving in and out of the lines of traffic.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

He wasn't. That's why he needs lessons. But that's not the point, is it.

It was two foreigners involved in an accident because of weaving in and out of the lines of traffic.

Guy with helmet was Thai.

Guy with helmet needs to learn "helmet head butt".

[FolkGuitar]

He wasn't. That's why he needs lessons. But that's not the point, is it.

It was two foreigners involved in an accident because of weaving in and out of the lines of traffic.

Guy with helmet was Thai.

Guy with helmet needs to learn "helmet head butt".

Are you sure? Here is a 'cut and paste' from the news report:

CityNews - A fight broke out after an accident on Huay Kaew Road near the Rincome intersection around 4:20p.m. on February 15th.

Both foreign riders got into an argument following the crash.

At 2:07-2:08 frame-by-frame shows the rider with his face shield up.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

At 2:07-2:08 frame-by-frame shows the rider with his face shield up.

Maybe you're right.

[andreandre]

He wasn't. That's why he needs lessons. But that's not the point, is it.

It was two foreigners involved in an accident because of weaving in and out of the lines of traffic.

Well Bruce Lee, ..FG ,it is not the point indeed, but after all it was you that made that undo-able statement ..

Even if he had had lessons it was undo-able..so why say it?

You tried to add spice to your post, but obviously you used the wrong spice..

Edited July 25, 2014 by andreandre

[FolkGuitar]

He wasn't. That's why he needs lessons. But that's not the point, is it.

It was two foreigners involved in an accident because of weaving in and out of the lines of traffic.

Well Bruce Lee, ..FG ,it is not the point indeed, but after all it was you that made that undo-able statement ..

Even if he had had lessons it was undo-able..so why say it?

You tried to add spice to your post, but obviously you used the wrong spice..

I don't know where you studied, but any reputable dojo doesn't just teach a move. It teaches how to set up the move. The kick is 'part' of a sequence of actions, not something on its own. It flows through from the preparation into the delivery and finishes with the follow-though which sets up for the next action.

Perhaps you might try a different teacher next time. (BTW, the back of a comic book is not a reliable teacher.)

Edited July 25, 2014 by FolkGuitar

[FolkGuitar]

At 2:07-2:08 frame-by-frame shows the rider with his face shield up.

Maybe you're right.

Not me. I wasn't there myself. I was just repeating what was said in the news report.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

At 2:07-2:08 frame-by-frame shows the rider with his face shield up.

Maybe you're right.

Not me. I wasn't there myself. I was just repeating what was said in the news report.

Maybe they're right!

[andreandre]

He wasn't. That's why he needs lessons. But that's not the point, is it.

It was two foreigners involved in an accident because of weaving in and out of the lines of traffic.

Well Bruce Lee, ..FG ,it is not the point indeed, but after all it was you that made that undo-able statement ..

Even if he had had lessons it was undo-able..so why say it?

You tried to add spice to your post, but obviously you used the wrong spice..

I don't know where you studied, but any reputable dojo doesn't just teach a move. It teaches how to set up the move. The kick is 'part' of a sequence of actions, not something on its own. It flows through from the preparation into the delivery and finishes with the follow-though which sets up for the next action.

Perhaps you might try a different teacher next time. (BTW, the back of a comic book is not a reliable teacher.)

Yeh ,right FG

Love your lectures man...