Will Myanmar eventually switch back to right hand drive like American Samoa did?

[badshah]

^Trade with India and Thailand should be lucrative enough for the Burmese.

so you think trade does not yet exist?

Increased trade should help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left to better harmonalize traffic with its western and eastern neighbors.

Heck, even Rwanda has been considering to switch to the left http://www.independent.co.ug/index.php/news/regional-news/78-regional-news/1458-rwanda-wants-to-drive-on-the-left

Most recent article I found regarding Rwanda and Burundi switching to the left:

ublished on Saturday, 27 July 2013 00:56 Written by MARC NKWAME in Arusha Hits: 4424

RWANDA and its Burundi neighbour have always been driving on the ‘right’ side of the road while the other three East African member states were accused of driving on the ‘wrong’ site; this, however, is soon going to change.

Rwanda is now in the process of channeling the country’s motorists into the left side of the road and already a number of studies have been launched to aid the proposed traffic transition.

This is according to the Deputy Director General of Rwanda Bureau of Standards, Mr Patrice Ntiyamira who is currently in Arusha. Mr Ntiyamira was speaking exclusively to the ‘Daily News on saturday’ during the on-going 17th East African Standards Committee (EASC) meeting taking place here which is being attended by the heads of National Standards Bodies from the five East African Community Member states.

The Rwandan official revealed that the issue of conflicting road and traffic regulations in the five EAC member states was among the topics being discussed in the EASC meeting whose sessions are being held behind closed doors.

Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda drive on the left side of the road having inherited the traffic regulations from their former Anglophonic rulers while the Francophone Rwanda and Burundi maintained their right driving. As a result, motorists operating in the East African Member countries found themselves ‘driving on the wrong sides of the road,’ whenever crossing onto other territories.

While heads of National Bureaus of Standards are in Arusha discussing the harmonisation of quality certification of goods, it has come to light that so far there have been no efforts to harmonise traffic regulations in the East African Community.

Driving on different sides of the road is also proving to be expensive for Rwanda and Burundi the two land-locked countries that depend on Tanzania and Kenya coastline to ship in their vehicles all of which, being destined for East Africa come with the driving wheels fixed on the right.

Once in Rwanda or Burundi, the owners are forced to spend over US $ 500 (700,000/-) to shift the cars’ driving systems from the right to the left in order for the vehicles to blend with the right-side of the road driving.

A few weeks ago, the East African Community’s Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Enos Bukuku said while the EAC is harmonising a number of regulations that currently impede trade, business and free movement of people in the region, the issue of which side of the road should all five countries adopt, hasn’t been decided yet.

“But the five East African Member States will eventually blend automatically,” said Dr Bukuku citing the case of Nigeria and Ghana, countries that were compelled to change from driving on the left to the right in order to merge their traffic regulations with other West and Central African countries,” said Dr Bukuku.

Dr Bukuku’s office apparently, is in charge of planning and infrastructural development in the East African region in which there are on-going projects to build common road and rail networks linking the five member states.

Highways built under the coordination of the EAC Secretariat especially those linking countries with different driving sides, such as Tanzania and Burundi or Uganda and Rwanda do not even have special inter-connecting hubs to switch motorists from the left to the right and vice-versa.

Edited August 27, 2014 by badshah

[SeaVisionBurma]

Increased trade should help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left to better harmonalize traffic with its western and eastern neighbors.

But why should it (increased trade) 'help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left'??

In your opinion perhaps - you personally want this, but what compelling reasons are there for the largest contiguous SE Asian country to switch the side of the road they drive on in the current age?

Can't see it happening. You might want to consider some grassroots campaign or something.

[DagonKhan]

Somewhat relevant (but not very!):- http://www.ummid.com/news/2014/August/26.04.2014/india-myanmar-road.html

[DagonKhan]

The motorcycles will come back to Yangon...

In some respects they already are. They've been popping up in Thingangyun, North and South Okklapa, Insein and Hlaing Tharyar. Slowly it seems they're creeping closer and closer to downtown, I see the Police make no effort to stop them at their roadside checks.

Personally I hope they don't allow them, I can't see how it could possibly make the traffic situation any better. There's loads more they can do with the buses if the political will was there.

[wilcopops]

Increased trade should help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left to better harmonalize traffic with its western and eastern neighbors.

But why should it (increased trade) 'help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left'??

In your opinion perhaps - you personally want this, but what compelling reasons are there for the largest contiguous SE Asian country to switch the side of the road they drive on in the current age?

Can't see it happening. You might want to consider some grassroots campaign or something.

the reasons are laid out earlier. (I don't think that your comments on trade are actually a correct interpretation on bad shah's comments.) I interpret them as increased trade will mean increased traffic and more money and increased cars...I think the LHD rule is very sad.

[Naam]

Increased trade should help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left to better harmonalize traffic with its western and eastern neighbors.

But why should it (increased trade) 'help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left'??

In your opinion perhaps - you personally want this, but what compelling reasons are there for the largest contiguous SE Asian country to switch the side of the road they drive on in the current age?

Can't see it happening. You might want to consider some grassroots campaign or something.

perhaps the Brits should abandon driving on the wrong side to "harmonalize" traffic with continental Europe?

[DagonKhan]

• BRIEF – Govt to fine 50 percent on unlicensed motorbikes

  Burma’s government has announced that users of unlicensed motorbikes will be arrested and charged 50 percent of the market value of the bike. It said the penalty would act as a fee or a tax, and would thereafter qualify the motorbike owner to apply for a regional license and registration. Non-payment will result in the motorcycle being impounded and auctioned, state media said.

  from http://www.dvb.no/

Police will be rubbing their hands with glee!

[badshah]

Increased trade should help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left to better harmonalize traffic with its western and eastern neighbors.

But why should it (increased trade) 'help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left'??

In your opinion perhaps - you personally want this, but what compelling reasons are there for the largest contiguous SE Asian country to switch the side of the road they drive on in the current age?

Can't see it happening. You might want to consider some grassroots campaign or something.

perhaps the Brits should abandon driving on the wrong side to "harmonalize" traffic with continental Europe?

It's an island and the Brits will never ever do such a thing lol

[Tomtomtom69]

Agreed, slim to bugger all chance of Myanmar switching the side of the road that they drive on, but I don't see why driving from Singapore to Pakistan is not possible.

In fact with some proper forward planning, along with resigning yourself to months of bureaucracy, form filling, and letter writing - I should think that driving from Singapore to Pakistan is entirely achievable.

The only reason why Myanmar might not want to change back is cost. But I agree that it would make sense for Myanmar to change back because much of Myanmar's trade is with Thailand and most of it's cars are RHD. Also, many of it's workers, in fact most overseas Burmese workers go to Thailand, followed by Malaysia and only at some distance later, China.

As for driving between Singapore and Pakistan, in the next few years I agree that it will become a lot easier. Quite a few caravan tours have passed from Thailand to India and in the reverse direction recently, with many more to come. It's not as difficult as it used to be. In any case, the side of the road that Myanmar drives on has very little to do with why it's been restricted so far, but rather, ethnic turmoil and almost non-existant infrastructure in many places.

[Tomtomtom69]

Increased trade should help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left to better harmonalize traffic with its western and eastern neighbors.

But why should it (increased trade) 'help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left'??

In your opinion perhaps - you personally want this, but what compelling reasons are there for the largest contiguous SE Asian country to switch the side of the road they drive on in the current age?

Can't see it happening. You might want to consider some grassroots campaign or something.

the reasons are laid out earlier. (I don't think that your comments on trade are actually a correct interpretation on bad shah's comments.) I interpret them as increased trade will mean increased traffic and more money and increased cars...I think the LHD rule is very sad.

It is but your final comment is a bit inaccurate. There is no LHD rule in Myanmar. Traffic moves on the right. Cars, trucks and buses can either be LHD or RHD but most tend to be RHD leading to the unique situation whereby 90%+ of all vehicles have their steering wheels on the opposite side of which is normal for a country that drives on the right.

[Tomtomtom69]

Do Anglo-Burmese not hold any sway still in the country?

Did they before? The country was under strict military rule from the 60's until very recently, I don't think any political or legislative decisions were made on account of pressure from Burmese in the UK. Certainly not in traffic regulations

Okay how about increased trade between Thailand and India? Surely that would help influence the possibility to switch back to the left?

In a perfect world perhaps - but Myanmar is the largest contiguous country in SE Asia, and it would be a nightmare now to try and change which side of the road they drive on just to keep in with their neighbours. Hasn't affected them in the last few decades, why should they change now?

And the flipside to this is one you haven't addressed. You say that due to increased trade between Thailand and India that Myanmar should switch the side of the road they drive on. Surely the other point of view is valid - Thailand and India should change to driving on the right side of the road instead.

It would still be far easier for Myanmar to change due to the lack of infrastructure. It's relatively large size is offset by the fact that there are basically no roads in much of the borderlands, for example in the south, far north and west. And also there are so few vehicles it's a doodle compared to Thailand.

No way Thailand or India could change simply due to cost and logistics. There would be far too much road infrastructure in either Thailand or India to convert. Both countries have too many roads, too many road signs, too many intersections, on/off ramps, cars, trucks and buses (both have local car manufacturing industries) etc. to convert. It will never happen.

However, Myanmar is in the unique position of having experience converting. Now I'm not saying it would be easy given how many more vehicles are on the roads now than in 1970, but surely given that 90% of Burmese vehicles have RHD and there is far less road infrastructure, far fewer road signs, overpasses etc. to convert it would be a lot easier for Myanmar to convert than any of it's neighbors?

However, I realize that a country as poor as Myanmar wouldn't be in the financial position to do so, so it's unlikely it will happen but a remote possibility remains.

[Tomtomtom69]

I have to also mention a little history about the Japanese secondhand cars. When I got to Myanmar in 1980 there was hardly any salon cars in the country. There were old 1950s cars with petrol rationing of 5 gallons per month. The first car I ever rode in Yangon was a Chevrolet Taxi Cuban style which had no synchromesh and someone got out to push at traffic lights to get it rolling to pull second gear. And lots and lots of willey's jeeps and GMC trucks from WW2.

General Ne Win had a Landrover Defender which someone I know acquired at auction from the army in 2010 for $60,000 US before import restrictions were lifted.

Then until 1990's it was only merchant seaman and others who worked overseas who had the right to import one car a year.

They mostly bought them secondhand in Singapore and obviously RHD. They used to import utilities as they only had 100% import duties, instead of sedans which were 300%. In this period the Toyota Hilux became a workhorse vehicle of choice and the Nissan sunny ute was the vehicle of the upperclass elite. The govt also assembled Mazda jeeps and other Mazda cars which where all LHD and were govt. cars. I rode in a Mazda 626 once belonging to a State Councillor. The merchant seaman imports was the only way for them to get there money back into the country to bypass the 7 kyat to the dollar exchange rate. The cars where bought straight off the docks as they arrived for the real current exchange rate anything up to 150 kyat to the dollar.

Then after the 1988 uprising and end of the Socialist one party age and the beginning of Martial Law that went till 2010. 22 years of Martial Law. During that period around 1990 the govt. allowed imports till I think 1995 before they were stopped till 2011. At that time the Toyota Corrolla station wagon was the big mover direct secondhand from Japan. I knew a guy who brought in 2 and flipped them and bought and sold until he had within a year or two about 1000 cars sitting in a yard outside Yangon. I think he now is the principle of Max Myanmar. Then all imports stopped for a long long time. Those cars held their value and increased in value over time to around $20,000 per vehicle. We also got a whole heap of old singapore taxis past their permit period in Singapore at that time. So this was a time of non depreciating car values which lasted so long Myanmar people thought that was normal.

If you came to Myanmar during that era you would have seen all these old bombs and never would you know their true value. They would be worth less than $500 where I am from, but in Myanmar $20000 or more.

Then the Govt. in 2010 let in a couple of thousand secondhand cars leak through the border from Thailand direct from Japan. That led to a whole pile of used cars in Mae Sot and Myawaddi. Then they stopped that. The used cars left over got drowned in a flood of the Moei river and where dissasembled and sold as used parts as they could not be imported by that route.

Then they changed their mind and we got the big exchange program. Give your car to the govt for a permit to import a new one.

Permit was worth $15000. The imports where restricted to used cars older than 2006 and then within a year they changed that to 2010. Each time they changed these rules and taxes and duties the people who had already brought in cars lost money.

200,000 cars where exchanged like this. All these cars have to be imported by Sea. Giving the govt. the handle on the tax and corruption and enforcement which they never can do on the Thai burmese border.

So now we have two systems buy a new car from a dealer all LHD or buy a secondhand one from Japan RHD. Proboxs etc now with all taxes paid under $10000.

Then you have some other exemptions during this period for UMEHL and other big shots who seemed to pay no taxes.

In 2010 if you saw a new Prado or Landcruiser it could cost $200,000 US. Now they would be less than half that.

So now you only have to work out when the motorbikes disappeared from Yangon? That was before the move to Naypyidaw and was reasoned as a security fear because of the possibility of a suicide bomber taking out the big boys as they travelled around Yangon. Once they moved the govt to Naypyidaw the law got left behind. They introduced the same rule in Naypyidaw but relaxed it because that place is so big and so vast no workers could get to work. Oh they forgot a public transport system there! Whoops.

Then since 2010 the capital that was left behind to decay Yangon has slowly been rebuilt pothole by pothole till you have some roads now that you can drive on without destroying your suspension on. Of course it is always worth looking under the fence of U Teza's house in Inya rd to see the line of Lambo's and Ferraris and super low cars that you could not drive out of his driveway without doing serious damage to the undercarraige. Now we have traffic jams so bad it is almost grid lock just like Thailand before they put in the Overhead freeways in 1995.

So looking and experiencing the haphazard nature of Myanmar policy. Changing the side of the road to drive on is not on the agenda. No matter how many cars are RHD or how sensible it seems. It makes sense. I have thought of it myself, but LHD of new cars is the policy and they will stick with that for a while.

The motorcycles will come back to Yangon because there is no way to create a public transport system to suffice and no other way to relieve the stress on the bus system in the immediate future. Thats the rumour.

Almost new Ford Rangers sold in Tachilek at official looking showrooms are still RHD.

My feeling is that the expense of converting now is keeping Myanmar from moving back to the left although I hope it will (despite the small chance). They should have never moved to the right in the first place - a dumb and pointless decision.

[Tomtomtom69]

I sincerely doubt it. http://chartsbin.com/view/edr . Your chances of being allowed to drive from Singapore to Pakistan, regardless of which side of the road. are also quite slim.

I figured the drive from there to Pak would be a pipe dream haha

But even then though, given the large number of RHD imports in the country, I'm sure a switch will have to be inevitable. American Samoa switched on the basis of RHD cars from NZ being substantially cheaper than the LHD ones, and given the western and eastern neighbors being RHD, it would be in its best interests for Burma/Myanmar to switch back to the left, especially if they want to foster closer ties to Thailand, India and the UK.

Driving from Singapore to Pak may become quite realistic soon. Myanmar just needs to open up more but that is starting to happen. Give it another year or two though. But the reason why it has always been difficult was always due to insurgency and never due to which side of the road one drives on.

Thailand and India both having big automotive production industries would be one reason why Myanmar could benefit from switching to the left, despite the fact that quite obviously both countries also have LHD production lines too. But it would certainly make trade easier, with most trade in the future between Thailand and Myanmar for example, likely to be conducted by Thai trucks which are RHD, like in Laos. Currently Thai trucks only travel a few km inside Myanmar to pickup/drop off goods but hopefully soon they'll be able to drive all over the country, not just near the border.

[Morakot]

Funny argument!

Trade with the two neighbouring countries, which is supposed to be hindered by driving on different sides.

If this were really the case, what about "trade" with China and Laos?

Edited September 4, 2014 by Morakot

[Tomtomtom69]

Every day in Europe thousands of RH drive vehicles from the UK manage to negotiate European mainland roads without many incidents.

Trucks from the UK travel all the way to Turkey. Just what seems to be the problem here? A competent driver can drive on either side of the road, just watch the Thais.

With the hundreds of millions of vehicles in India, I hardly see them changing over to LH drive to suit Myanmar.

To be honest that's true, despite the fact that it would be desirable to some extent to make the switchover, but it's not absolutely necessary either.

Hundreds of Lao vehicles cross into Thailand daily and I too have driven a LHD Lao vehicle into Thailand on three occasions. Drove from Vientiane to Bangkok and then to Dalat in Vietnam via Pakse and back the same way in early 2012, followed by trips from Vientiane to Mae Sot and northern Thailand and southern Laos between late 2012 and 2013. There was very little that was difficult about driving with my steering wheel on the "wrong" side. While I wouldn't want to own a LHD vehicle in Thailand for long term driving, for a few days or a couple of weeks it's not difficult to get used to leaving a bit more space between the vehicle in front when overtaking or leaning into your seat to check for visibility. And with the proliferation of 4-lane or even 6-lane roads in Thailand there's even less reason to worry about overtaking into oncoming traffic. Similarly, hundreds of Thai cars/trucks and some buses cross into Cambodia, Laos and border regions of Myanmar daily with very few incidents.

[Tomtomtom69]

Funny argument!

Trade with the two neighbouring countries, which is supposed to hindered by driving on different sides.

If this were really the case, what about "trade" with China and Laos?

Good point. However, it should be noted that up until now the border with Laos was closed and since the Mekong river forms the border between Myanmar and Laos anyway, all trade between the two countries, which is tiny anyway would have to use boats. There is a bridge being constructed across the Mekong between the two countries, which once complete sometime next year will become the first ever overland link and border crossing between the two countries. But even so, trade volume between the two countries is the smallest of all of Myanmar's neighbors.

As for China, I have been to the main Ruili-Muse border crossing. There is certainly a substantial amount of trade between Myanmar and China and in fact, until the recent reforms and opening up of Myanmar to the west everything was pointing towards China becoming Myanmar's main trading partner (after Thailand) and even more so due to China's policy of political non-interference and being the main political ally of Myanmar. However, as far as trade goes, China does not permit Burmese vehicles to cross more than 2km inside Chinese territory (and never did despite the warm ties the countries enjoyed) and similarly, Myanmar doesn't allow Chinese vehicles more than 10km inside it's territory. Therefore it doesn't really matter what side of the road either country drives on because driving a foreign registered vehicle onto Chinese soil has always been restricted. For all intents and purposes trade between the two countries must be offloaded at the border and then re-loaded onto local trucks on the other side of the border.

I have direct experience in this. I have shipped agricultural goods from Hpa-an to Ruili and beyond last year. The Burmese registered truck we hired from Hpa-an drove to Muse and was allowed to enter China at Jiegao and proceed to a park 1km from the border where the goods were offloaded onto a Chinese truck for the remaining 100km to the destination. I waited in Muse next to the Chinese border and eventually returned back to Mandalay from where I caught my flight out of the country.

On the other hand, Thailand and India are far more likely to allow trade to pass through using vehicles registered in neighboring countries, they don't have the same restrictions that China has. It also appears that Thailand is far more efficient and less bureaucratic than China when it comes to trade flows and that helps too. India is said to be hopelessly bureaucratic but because of corruption, paperwork is waived and goods speed through.

Thailand only places restrictions on Burmese vehicles in a tit for tat since Myanmar does the same to Thailand. This means that Burmese vehicles can enter Thailand, but can't proceed far inside the country nor stay long. Similarly for Thai vehicles entering Myanmar. This could change if Myanmar decided to scrap these restrictions. However, if you look at say Malaysia and Laos, you'll find that it's quite easy for vehicles registered in those two countries to cross into Thailand to pick up and drop off goods and similarly for Thai vehicles to enter those countries. Also Cambodia to some extent but with a few more restrictions (thanks to a new agreement).

Edited September 4, 2014 by Tomtomtom69

[Morakot]

Thank you Tom for this informative post.

[wilcopops]

I don't think trade is a key issue here...i just think as the country's road infrastructure - such as it is was built for RHD and the majority of vehicles in both Myanmar AND ASEAN are RHD then it is a good idea.

The dropping of of goods at borders is nothing to do with being LHD or RHD, it'll be to do with the need to keep logistics done by home country companies.. It doesn't make a significant difference driving a large vehicle on the left or right as such a large amount of visibility is down to mirrors (or even TV!)

it would be nice if Myanmar saw sense...........they are whether they like it or not part of a block of drive on the left roads.

[wilcopops]

Increased trade should help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left to better harmonalize traffic with its western and eastern neighbors.

But why should it (increased trade) 'help spur the Burmese to switch back to the left'??

In your opinion perhaps - you personally want this, but what compelling reasons are there for the largest contiguous SE Asian country to switch the side of the road they drive on in the current age?

Can't see it happening. You might want to consider some grassroots campaign or something.

the reasons are laid out earlier. (I don't think that your comments on trade are actually a correct interpretation on bad shah's comments.) I interpret them as increased trade will mean increased traffic and more money and increased cars...I think the LHD rule is very sad.

It is but your final comment is a bit inaccurate. There is no LHD rule in Myanmar. Traffic moves on the right. Cars, trucks and buses can either be LHD or RHD but most tend to be RHD leading to the unique situation whereby 90%+ of all vehicles have their steering wheels on the opposite side of which is normal for a country that drives on the right.

apparently there IS ta LHD rule - all new imported cars must be LHD.

[Naam]

I don't think trade is a key issue here...i just think as the country's road infrastructure - such as it is was built for RHD and the majority of vehicles in both Myanmar AND ASEAN are RHD then it is a good idea.

The dropping of of goods at borders is nothing to do with being LHD or RHD, it'll be to do with the need to keep logistics done by home country companies.. It doesn't make a significant difference driving a large vehicle on the left or right as such a large amount of visibility is down to mirrors (or even TV!)

it would be nice if Myanmar saw sense...........they are whether they like it or not part of a block of drive on the left roads.

you mean Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam where one drives on the right and not on the wrong side of the road do not belong to this "block"?

give me a break man!

[wilcopops]

I don't think trade is a key issue here...i just think as the country's road infrastructure - such as it is was built for RHD and the majority of vehicles in both Myanmar AND ASEAN are RHD then it is a good idea.

The dropping of of goods at borders is nothing to do with being LHD or RHD, it'll be to do with the need to keep logistics done by home country companies.. It doesn't make a significant difference driving a large vehicle on the left or right as such a large amount of visibility is down to mirrors (or even TV!)

it would be nice if Myanmar saw sense...........they are whether they like it or not part of a block of drive on the left roads.

you mean Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam where one drives on the right and not on the wrong side of the road do not belong to this "block"?

give me a break man!

No - I mean the block that runs from Pakistan to Tasmania.

Furthermore the majority of vehicles in ASEAN will be RHD.

now take your break.

Edited September 6, 2014 by wilcopops

[Naam]

I don't think trade is a key issue here...i just think as the country's road infrastructure - such as it is was built for RHD and the majority of vehicles in both Myanmar AND ASEAN are RHD then it is a good idea.

The dropping of of goods at borders is nothing to do with being LHD or RHD, it'll be to do with the need to keep logistics done by home country companies.. It doesn't make a significant difference driving a large vehicle on the left or right as such a large amount of visibility is down to mirrors (or even TV!)

it would be nice if Myanmar saw sense...........they are whether they like it or not part of a block of drive on the left roads.

you mean Laos, Cambodia and Viet Nam where one drives on the right and not on the wrong side of the road do not belong to this "block"?

give me a break man!

No - I mean the block that runs from Pakistan to Tasmania.

Furthermore the majority of vehicles in ASEAN will be RHD.

now take your break.

i stand corrected. completely forgot that 8-lane highway that connects this block from Islamabad via Delhi, Dhaka, Yangon, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta and Perth to Tasmania.

isn't Auckland and Christchurch connected too?

[onthemoon]

I met the Minister of Transport last year and asked him whether there is a chance that Myanmar changes back from LHD to RHD. Seeing the neighbours (except for China) this would make sense to me.

However, His Excellency was adamant that this won't happen. That's it, I think. Question answered.

[onthemoon]

When in Rome do as the Romans do!

When in Rome do as the Romanians.

[DagonKhan]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/759803-transport-project-linking-india-and-sittwe-75-complete-official-says/

Making progress it would seem.

[DagonKhan]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/760384-car-quirk-poses-quandary-for-the-new-myanmar/

[wilcopops]

I met the Minister of Transport last year and asked him whether there is a chance that Myanmar changes back from LHD to RHD. Seeing the neighbours (except for China) this would make sense to me.

However, His Excellency was adamant that this won't happen. That's it, I think. Question answered.

Question answered? You have to be joking!

[badshah]

So anything can be done to make sure RHD cars continue to flow in the country? I read the Financial Times article and I agree with the long-term observer quoted at the end, to change back to the left.

I hope the leaders next year will realize how important it is to go back to driving on the left. For those driving LHD cars in the country, well tough shit for them.

[wilcopops]

have you got the ref for the FT article?

[Tomtomtom69]

I don't think trade is a key issue here...i just think as the country's road infrastructure - such as it is was built for RHD and the majority of vehicles in both Myanmar AND ASEAN are RHD then it is a good idea.

The dropping of of goods at borders is nothing to do with being LHD or RHD, it'll be to do with the need to keep logistics done by home country companies.. It doesn't make a significant difference driving a large vehicle on the left or right as such a large amount of visibility is down to mirrors (or even TV!)

it would be nice if Myanmar saw sense...........they are whether they like it or not part of a block of drive on the left roads.

Actually trade IS a very big consideration and has been a key reason (probably the main reason) why in the past, some countries in Europe and Africa changed the sides of the road they drive on, mostly around 40 or more years ago. Otherwise why did Nigeria and Ghana change from left to right if it weren't for trade and surrounding countries driving on the same side of the road as they do? Similarly, Rwanda and Burundi are considering changing to the left given their main trading partners and surrounding countries mostly drive on the left and they already have a large number of RHD used inside their countries.

Myanmar is a different story and they originally changed for superstitious reasons all those years ago. However, I think there is good reason for them to change back as you say. This would be partly since much of the infrastructure was developed with driving on the left in mind, while most vehicles are RHD as in Thailand, Bangladesh and India. And yes it doesn't really matter which side of the road large vehicles travel on because all drivers need to do is leave a little bit of extra space with the vehicle in front, and typically drivers don't travel alone anyway, so there's always someone to watch the road when overtaking. Of course on multi-lane roads like in Thailand this is even less of a concern as there's no need to overtake into the lane of oncoming traffic.