Tailgaters on deserted road at night.

[Khunangkaro]

Early morning of 27th around midnight / 2am, driving on rd.202 coming from Bkk to Amnat Charoen driving at 80-85, no other traffic nearby only one car behind approaching at 90-100 slows down and hangs on my tale at 5-10m for 10 kilometers or so, then passes and driving away.

The same happened before on highway 2, plain dangerous stupid, with more traffic involved, and plenty opportunities to pass.

But now I wonder why do people this at least TWICE at a deserted interprovincial road in the middle of no where at that time ?

It happened to a relative this way who then was involved in a provoked accident and forced to pay ฿6000. He used to drive taxis in Bkk and often transports cargoes with his pickup truck back and forth from Amnat Charoen. He says it is common practice to do with old already damaged cars for making money.

In my case these cars involved where all undamaged and pretty new. Just tailgating...? Why?

I experienced this once from a very aggressive way of selling hashish in the Low Atlas near Ketama, Morocco.

Is it in Thailand also a fashion of selling drugs or prostitution?

Have you same experience or ideas of what's going on? How to react playing safe?

[Briggsy]

1) They are not anticipating more than 1 second ahead. Lack of anticipation is a very common error in untrained drivers

2) They feel a drop in speed of 15 kmh is acceptable. A drop of 40 kmh would lead to an immediate overtake.

3) Tailgating is very common here. It is related to reason 1 more than impatience and is also related to a lack of driver training.

4) You did not slow down, pull over and indicate left inviting them to overtake.

5) They are drunk and tired.

Take your pick of the above reasons, Use a combo if you like.

[geronimo]

it is possible that they do not know the road (pot holes etc) and are using you as an early warning system. Just a thought.

[Loaded]

One more to add to Briggsy's list.

6. If you crash, your number plate can be used to buy a lottery ticket that will make them rich.

[kannot]

Tug the handbrake hard and wait for the squeal of their tyres.

I get sick of these ********** go kill yourself but leave me alone.

[simon43]

Perhaps they are trying to 'save' their battery power by following close behind you and switching off their headlights

[keestha]

It is the easiest way to drive on a dark road, just closely follow a car in front of you, you don't have to strain your eyes detecting curves and potholes.

[wprime]

They only look 5 metres ahead, if you're more than 5 metres ahead, how will they see you?

[WarpSpeed]

It is the easiest way to drive on a dark road, just closely follow a car in front of you, you don't have to strain your eyes detecting curves and potholes.

Erm but not right on someone's bumper, to do this you need to be a short distance behind to see their avoidance and have time to react yourself.

[David48]

Saves fuel because you are breaking wind.

[transam]

I recall similar stuff in the UK, my ploy was to turn on the rear fog lamps which were inside the red tail lights, gave the impression of braking, usually made them back off...........

[WarpSpeed]

I just drive and ignore them, not much different than racing so doesn't phase me in the least.

[kannot]

Saves fuel because you are breaking wind.

Its generally my Wife doing that but always claims it was "a bit"

[SDM0712]

If is worrying.

I have a CCTV front and rear system fitted (only 5000 baht) that starts and stops automatically and 90% tints on all apart from the front window. I don't want them to know a Farang is driving and I want everything they do recorded.

SDM

[Sviss Geez]

Tug the handbrake hard and wait for the squeal of their tyres.

I get sick of these ********** go kill yourself but leave me alone.

Very sensible action, "..go kill yourself but leave me alone" . But you'll try your best to make them run into the back of your car and possibly kill you and all your passengers first. Genius.

Edited November 30, 2014 by Sviss Geez

[vtjforyou]

if you have the correct car you just push and they are 1 mile behind in few seconds...

[fullcave]

They want you to pull to the left and let them pass.

[Briggsy]

You weren't driving slowly in the offside lane, were you?

[NanLaew]

only 5-10 meters behind? weren't tuna drivers then. no problem.

[fish fingers]

If is worrying.

I have a CCTV front and rear system fitted (only 5000 baht) that starts and stops automatically and 90% tints on all apart from the front window. I don't want them to know a Farang is driving and I want everything they do recorded.

SDM

Both of these i want to add when i buy a car next year, also worried about my lack of language skills in the event of a prang or misshap. I do have an army connection, which helps with police. Where did you get your camera set up, if you dont mind me asking?

[SDM0712]

If is worrying.

I have a CCTV front and rear system fitted (only 5000 baht) that starts and stops automatically and 90% tints on all apart from the front window. I don't want them to know a Farang is driving and I want everything they do recorded.

SDM

Both of these i want to add when i buy a car next year, also worried about my lack of language skills in the event of a prang or misshap. I do have an army connection, which helps with police. Where did you get your camera set up, if you dont mind me asking?

An accessory shop in Phuket, happy to give the details if you live on the island, but I think most accessory /car radio shops will do this.

My car also has a Songkla plate, not a part of Thailand well known for its friendliness!!!