Motorcycle Roadcraft in Thailand

[CarolJadzia]

The wise man tells you where you have fallen and where you yet may fall. Invaluable secrets, Follow him, follow the way.

-Buddha.

There are many things that make the UK similar to Thailand. Both countries have a Monarchy and we are about the same size. We all drive on the left and Thailand has adopted many aspects of the UK Highway code. One thing that differs greatly however is road safety.

For the links to Roadcraft and further information please PM

(DELETED)

Edited May 22, 2015 by seedy
spam

[WitawatWatawit]

I either suffer from an attention deficit disorder, or that OP was bloody long.

But one thing caught my eye: "The Thai Coach Driver does not wish anyone harm or malice, far from it." I'm sorry, but you did say you'd been to Thailand, didn't you? As I look at all the coaches for Chinese tourists plugging up the roads of Pattaya, Jomtien, I can't think of anything more that they intend.

[CarolJadzia]

As I look at all the coaches for Chinese tourists plugging up the roads of Pattaya, Jomtien, I can't think of anything more that they intend.

S lets just get this clear. You are suggesting that these coach drivers go to work each day with the intentions of killing their passengers and other road users?

[prestburypark]

Its hell out there, watch your back...precis

[Seligne2]

I wish you would put this someplace like https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Thailand#Motorbike where it could be seen by a great many more people. I will help you move it if you wish.

[CarolJadzia]

I wish you would put this someplace like https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Thailand#Motorbike where it could be seen by a great many more people. I will help you move it if you wish.

Thank you.

You and anybody else are welcome to share this, I normally share from Linkedin as it gives plenty of options and contains the links to source material.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/defensive-riding-roadcraft-thailand-carol-jadzia

Please feel free to share anywhere

[Rhys]

simply amazing... writing school 101....why use one word, when 50,000 can do..

The writer.... sorry pal... not impressed... be careful...

[prestburypark]

I kinda lost it after:

"Thailand has adapted many aspects of the UK Highway Code"

No, it has not.

Civil Service are you? I applaud the intent but its really patronising to bikers who have ridden here for years and get it, Thai driving, that is.

[CarolJadzia]

I kinda lost it after:

"Thailand has adapted many aspects of the UK Highway Code"

No, it has not.

Civil Service are you? I applaud the intent but its really patronising to bikers who have ridden here for years and get it, Thai driving, that is.

Actually, I just did some research. You should try it sometime.

http://freebeerforyorky.com/driving.html

It has been mentioned on Thai Visa a lot and I know it is not exactly the same.

But as I have also studied the British Highway code I know they are very similar.

Why not read them both as I have and tell me how they are so different?

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0140_5.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code

[seedy]

post #1 edited - link with spam included.

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[CarolJadzia]

So just to get this right, you think my post is spam? Wow. That just about says it all.

[NoshowJones]

I would say the low mentality of Thai drivers and motorcyclists compared to the UK ones would be the biggest thing. I am not

deliberately being a Thai basher here, just calling it as I see it.

[NoshowJones]

As I look at all the coaches for Chinese tourists plugging up the roads of Pattaya, Jomtien, I can't think of anything more that they intend.

S lets just get this clear. You are suggesting that these coach drivers go to work each day with the intentions of killing their passengers and other road users?

I would not say that, it's just that their mentality is very low, and common sense almost non existant.

[NoshowJones]

I kinda lost it after:

"Thailand has adapted many aspects of the UK Highway Code"

No, it has not.

Civil Service are you? I applaud the intent but its really patronising to bikers who have ridden here for years and get it, Thai driving, that is.

Actually, I just did some research. You should try it sometime.

http://freebeerforyorky.com/driving.html

It has been mentioned on Thai Visa a lot and I know it is not exactly the same.

But as I have also studied the British Highway code I know they are very similar.

Why not read them both as I have and tell me how they are so different?

http://thailaws.com/law/t_laws/tlaw0140_5.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code

The difference is the British Highway Code is enforced and the Thai highway code is not, except when it is tea money time.

[CarolJadzia]

I would say the low mentality of Thai drivers and motorcyclists compared to the UK ones would be the biggest thing. I am not

deliberately being a Thai basher here, just calling it as I see it.

So do you consider the Thai's to not be as intelligent as Europeans? Sorry not seen any evidence for that statement. In fact the evidence suggests that they are generally highly intelligent.

Or by mentality are you referring to their attitudes to driving? Although Thailand is far more dangerous to drive in than the UK, I would much prefer riding in Thailand as there is non of the road rage that plagues the UK highways. Non of the aggressive horn use.

The biggest problem I can see is beliefs. Reincarnation and Spirits being responsible.

New thinking around the 'No Surprise - No Accident' theory is about stepping back and using empathy to avoid accidents in the first place. Rather than the current situation of finger pointing after the accident has happened. Work with what is. I have heard defensive riding mentioned elsewhere. Roadcraft is formal defensive rider training aimed at professional Riders. I am not on about making Thai's change the way they think. Just about taking that into consideration in the way we use the roads because of it.

I see your comments as just the way you have come to terms in your own mind about how to deal with using the Roads of Thailand. In the same way as in the UK a common term is "All car drivers are out to kill Bikers". It's opposite to the truth of course but if you ride around with that on your mind then at least you will not be caught out by the one that does.