Chinese Car Convoys

[Dazinoz]

Hi All,

Anybody know what the go is with the convoys of Chinese vehicles (I assume Chinese as they have Chinese looking number plates and are left hand drive) driving around Chiang Mai in convoys with their hazard lights flashing?

Are they somebody important or just think they are. Not really the correct use hazard lights. Then again maybe they are a hazard.

[Thailand]

They are on holiday having driven down from China for the CNY, often seen here at holiday time.

[Dazinoz]

They are on holiday having driven down from China for the CNY, often seen here at holiday time.

Ok thanks. Don't know the use of all them driving with hazards lights good idea, but only my opinion.

[mesquite]

The word on the street, if you'll pardon the expression, is that they are scouting out and buying businesses and land. Yes they are tourists, but tourists with an agenda.

I've seen them on and off for over a year here in CM and the surrounding area.

Edited February 23, 2015 by mesquite

[giibaht]

Ok thanks. Don't know the use of all them driving with hazards lights good idea, but only my opinion.

I think the hazard lights is to indicate to other motorists that the convoy wants to keep together as a group.

Sometimes you see long convoys of tuk tuks zipping round town with the same group of tourists. No hazard lights needed as clearly its hazardous to get in their way

[Dazinoz]

The word on the street, if you'll pardon the expression, is that they are scouting out and buying businesses and land. Yes they are tourists, but tourists with an agenda.

I've seen them on and off for over a year here in CM and the surrounding area.

Seeing a lot more of them lately here. Like Australia where I came from. Buying everything up ready to take over. lol

[khwaibah]

The word on the street, if you'll pardon the expression, is that they are scouting out and buying businesses and land. Yes they are tourists, but tourists with an agenda.

I've seen them on and off for over a year here in CM and the surrounding area.

They have been driving down from China to Chiang Mai for the past 6 years. This is not new but has gotten a lot worse will get worse.

[NickJ]

Soon they will start exporting Thai brides to China....there driving around looking for the good now. Early vird gets the worm deal

[worgeordie]

Yes they can come to Thailand,but Thai drivers and cars not allowed

to go into China, they must have heard how good Thai drivers are.

regards Worgeordie

[T_Dog]

CH 7 TV just had a news story on the hazard they are creating. I have had to avoid them at intersections where they seem to park in the most dangerous position possible. Was interesting to see the police briefing they had on these drivers.

[NancyL]

These are expensive, big cars - Land Rovers, BMWs, usually some sort of big SUV. Often they have the same bumper stickers or decals. Are they rental vehicles used just for the "expedition" or are they standard personal vehicles in China?

[augustwest]

Saw a Cadillac among the convoy. All real expensive autos

[Puwa]

Saw a Cadillac among the convoy. All real expensive autos

Are you sure they weren't just stumbling around, drunk on burgundy wine?

[augustwest]

You must be thinking of The Other One

[Songhua]

Is there a leading car with a flag?

[FolkGuitar]

I had a nice talk with a family in one of these convoys, a young husband and wife, both teachers, and their two daughters. They told me that they were part of a 'package tour group.' The package included a rental car, lodging with breakfast and dinner, entry fees for various venues, and a guide during the day for the group. They also get one or two 'free days' (depending upon the length of the package tour they signed on to,) to explore on their own or just hang out at the pool in their hotel. It seems that these package tours are really being touted all over southern China in the larger cities as an affordable alternative to flying with a large family. Their package tour included Chiang Mai and Sukkothai, and the Golden Triangle.

As a result of the 'free days,' two or three car-loads often get together to walk around town, hence the large groups we see often at intersections and in restaurants. I eat lunch in the same guest house restaurant every day (which is where we met,) and is common now to see two tables being pulled together for the group, and several other tables to fill with other tour-group members as they walk past and see 'friends' eating there.

I asked if there was any sort of 'theme' offered by these tours, and they said that it was generally cultural and recreational... temples, hill tribe villages, the usual umbrella factory/silk factory tours here in Chiang Mai, elephant rides, rafting, etc., etc. I asked how many were looking at condos to buy, but the family I spoke with didn't know of any in their tour who were looking. The husband and wife had both traveled quite a bit before getting married, and realized the need to learn the cultural 'manners' of the places they visited. They were ashamed at some of the behavior they were seeing from other members of their tour group...

Edited February 23, 2015 by FolkGuitar

[Thakkar]

I had a nice talk with a family in one of these convoys, a young husband and wife, both teachers, and their two daughters. They told me that they were part of a 'package tour group.' The package included a rental car, lodging with breakfast and dinner, entry fees for various venues, and a guide during the day for the group. They also get one or two 'free days' (depending upon the length of the package tour they signed on to,) to explore on their own or just hang out at the pool in their hotel. It seems that these package tours are really being touted all over southern China in the larger cities as an affordable alternative to flying with a large family. Their package tour included Chiang Mai and Sukkothai, and the Golden Triangle.

As a result of the 'free days,' two or three car-loads often get together to walk around town, hence the large groups we see often at intersections and in restaurants. I eat lunch in the same guest house restaurant every day (which is where we met,) and is common now to see two tables being pulled together for the group, and several other tables to fill with other tour-group members as they walk past and see 'friends' eating there.

I asked if there was any sort of 'theme' offered by these tours, and they said that it was generally cultural and recreational... temples, hill tribe villages, the usual umbrella factory/silk factory tours here in Chiang Mai, elephant rides, rafting, etc., etc. I asked how many were looking at condos to buy, but the family I spoke with didn't know of any in their tour who were looking. The husband and wife had both traveled quite a bit before getting married, and realized the need to learn the cultural 'manners' of the places they visited. They were ashamed at some of the behavior they were seeing from other members of their tour group...

Finally, a comment based on actually knowing a little something. What are you, some kinda reasonable person? Don't you know they're here for the womens and virgin unspat grounds to spit on??

T

[sfokevin]

The word on the street, if you'll pardon the expression, is that they are scouting out and buying businesses and land. Yes they are tourists, but tourists with an agenda.

I've seen them on and off for over a year here in CM and the surrounding area.

Seeing a lot more of them lately here. Like Australia where I came from. Buying everything up ready to take over. lol

I have seen no evidence that individual Chinese are buying anything in Thailand... Edited February 23, 2015 by sfokevin

[Gonzo the Face]

I had a nice talk with a family in one of these convoys, a young husband and wife, both teachers, and their two daughters. They told me that they were part of a 'package tour group.' The package included a rental car, lodging with breakfast and dinner, entry fees for various venues, and a guide during the day for the group. They also get one or two 'free days' (depending upon the length of the package tour they signed on to,) to explore on their own or just hang out at the pool in their hotel. It seems that these package tours are really being touted all over southern China in the larger cities as an affordable alternative to flying with a large family. Their package tour included Chiang Mai and Sukkothai, and the Golden Triangle.

As a result of the 'free days,' two or three car-loads often get together to walk around town, hence the large groups we see often at intersections and in restaurants. I eat lunch in the same guest house restaurant every day (which is where we met,) and is common now to see two tables being pulled together for the group, and several other tables to fill with other tour-group members as they walk past and see 'friends' eating there.

I asked if there was any sort of 'theme' offered by these tours, and they said that it was generally cultural and recreational... temples, hill tribe villages, the usual umbrella factory/silk factory tours here in Chiang Mai, elephant rides, rafting, etc., etc. I asked how many were looking at condos to buy, but the family I spoke with didn't know of any in their tour who were looking. The husband and wife had both traveled quite a bit before getting married, and realized the need to learn the cultural 'manners' of the places they visited. They were ashamed at some of the behavior they were seeing from other members of their tour group...

Finally, a comment based on actually knowing a little something. What are you, some kinda reasonable person? Don't you know they're here for the womens and virgin unspat grounds to spit on??

T

???? Spit.... Spaate......Spat ????

[roo860]

They are on holiday having driven down from China for the CNY, often seen here at holiday time.

Ok thanks. Don't know the use of all them driving with hazards lights good idea, but only my opinion.

All goes tits up when they turn left or right!!

[hml367]

There was a thread somewhere on ThaiVisa about these caravans traveling to Chiang Rai from China. That must give a good reason for China to help with roads and railroads through everywhere.

[Tomtomtom69]

The word on the street, if you'll pardon the expression, is that they are scouting out and buying businesses and land. Yes they are tourists, but tourists with an agenda.

I've seen them on and off for over a year here in CM and the surrounding area.

How can Chinese buy land? Foreigners can't buy land in Thailand. I think you mean they want to rent land.

You won't be seeing them (Chinese cars) in CM or anywhere in Thailand for that matter for much longer because they are effectively about to be banned. Starting May 23rd, strict new regulations will be implemented, which will see campervans gone and individual cars weighing a max. of 3500kg requiring advance permission to enter, with travel restricted to the border provinces. No more convoys either, unless they have a police escort and guide.

Thai people have been complaining about these freeloaders for years, pointing out the hypocrisy that has allowed Chinese cars to enter Thailand, with no insurance except basic minimum coverage that covers only third party injury and death (but not third party damages) while they drive around either too slowly or too fast, cutting off other vehicles, causing accidents and additional traffic congestion and environmental problems. On the other hand, Thai vehicles haven't been allowed to enter China so after plenty of media coverage, including on social media, the Land Transport Department, after months of wrangling and proposing everything from 3rd party insurance coverage to customs talking about a maximum of 100 vehicles allowed in per day has finally said "enough is enough" and implemented new regulations that will prevent all but the most determined from driving into Thailand.

I think I'll have a few beers to celebrate when May 23rd comes around, can't wait long enough for these blue plated menaces to be off Thai roads. Thai customs should never have allowed them in, in the first place.

[Tomtomtom69]

There was a thread somewhere on ThaiVisa about these caravans traveling to Chiang Rai from China. That must give a good reason for China to help with roads and railroads through everywhere.

Plenty of threads on TV about this. Most of them talking about how Chinese caravans will be banned from entering Thailand and Chinese vehicles will require advance permission. Check the news stories.

Oh, here's one. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/899337-tighter-control-for-tourists-to-bring-in-their-cars-during-their-stay-in-thailand/page-2

[metisdead]

Resurrection of an almost 14 month old thread.

Closed