Things that make me go aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhh in LOS.

[thaibeachlovers]

Returning to the house at night and about to pull over to overtake a motorcyclist when I noticed something in the gloom ( headlights dipped ) and didn't. Seconds later a guy on a m'bike comes the other way with NO lights, NO light clothing and driving in the MIDDLE of his lane, not on the side.

Thank the deity, shake head in wonder and drive on. No way I want to spend rest of my life in a Thai jail, but the more I drive the more I expect my luck to run out one day.

I'm sure any of us that live in Thailand have a few stories like that to tell.

[AlexRRR]

Yep i can relate to that, I've told the TGF I'm not buying a car when i eventually move there.

[johnnybgood]

I hear you..........personally I let the wife be the pilot and mainly driving daytime.

I haven't driven for over 5 years, just listen to my sounds and top up with tinnies at the ubiquitous 7/11.

Too many drunk drivers here.

[MatteoBassini]

You should think about installing a dashcam. I've heard many farangs walking away from an accident without having to pay for anything (unless they were at fault of course) because they had footage of the incident and the police could review it.

[daveAustin]

People that still call Thailand los.

[cooked]

When I saw the topic title I was going to write the two words 'bloody motorbikes'. Confirmed.

[wprime]

You should flick your highbeams before such a maneuver next time.

[Tonto21]

The list of dangers on Thai roads is long, m/bikes at night without light has to be up at the top of that list for me.

I've driven all over the world and driving has never held any fear for me, but I have to say night driving here is like playing Russian roulette, not only do a high percentage not fix there rear light when it goes out but they think for some strange reason they are luminous and late at night they are off there face driving home!

My last encounter with a bike at night, (no lights, coming wrong way...head on to me) on the 107 near got my wife killed, (biker wobbles off into the dark never to be scene again)

I keep meaning to get a dash cam...... Can anyone recommend a good place to get one in Chiangmai?

[thaibeachlovers]

I hear you..........personally I let the wife be the pilot and mainly driving daytime.

I haven't driven for over 5 years, just listen to my sounds and top up with tinnies at the ubiquitous 7/11.

Too many drunk drivers here.

My wife's driving scares me- which is why I drive. Other than to the local shops I refuse to drive long distance without her to explain what happened when my serious accident happens.

[Trentham]

Yep i can relate to that, I've told the TGF I'm not buying a car when i eventually move there.

So you want to use buses, minivans and motorcycle taxis do you? You won't live any longer.

[Trentham]

People that still call Thailand los.

Of course they do............

LO Suicides

LO stupidity

LO selfishness

[thaibeachlovers]

Yep i can relate to that, I've told the TGF I'm not buying a car when i eventually move there.

So you want to use buses, minivans and motorcycle taxis do you? You won't live any longer.

In all the years that I came to LOS I used buses- no problems except one minor collision.

Don't use minivans unless I'm desperate, but I will use songteaws. Only used a m'bike taxi once in a city- that was enough. However, where I live there are no taxis so have to use them, reluctantly.

[mihalis]

you may like to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia, hmmm had many experiences in Rome too...

[Thakkar]

Things that make me go aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhh in LOS:

Those damned rubber bands on plastic bags.

T

[thaibeachlovers]

you may like to visit Vietnam, Cambodia, Russia, hmmm had many experiences in Rome too...

Yes, they do, but this is a THAI forum.

[brucegoniners]

I refuse to get a car (despite the wife's protests) and will not drive in this crazy place.

These people are nuts!

[slipperylobster]

I hear you..........personally I let the wife be the pilot and mainly driving daytime.

I haven't driven for over 5 years, just listen to my sounds and top up with tinnies at the ubiquitous 7/11.

Too many drunk drivers here.

My wife has the patience...and discipline to drive on roads here in Chiang Mai. She has done 7 or 8 runs from Mae Hong Son onwards to Udon....and back. She just understands the other drivers on the road....much more than I do. She even wai's them and excuses herself, although they cannot see her through our tinted windows. We have plenty of airbags, and I try to distract myself with the IPad or whatever.

Also..she does not drink alcohol (I do). The car and Insurance is in her name...and she is so nice, that I cannot ever see a situation that would turn into a violent confrontation. Not to mention, she knows how to handle the police at checkpoints, as well.

I would be a damn fool to drive.......and put everything at risk. I get upset too easily.

[Thakkar]

Things that make me go aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhh in LOS:

Salesmen who go off to check something for you and never come back.

T

[TSF]

Things that make me go aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhh in LOS:

Those damned rubber bands on plastic bags.

T

I been living here for over 30 years and I've still not not worked out how to remove those damn rubber bands from plastic bags, most of the time I just cut the top off with a pair of scissors. I guess when farang can easily take the rubber bands from a bag of gaeng they're really assimilated into Thai culture ;-)

[Thakkar]

Things that make me go aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhh in LOS:

Those damned rubber bands on plastic bags.

T

I been living here for over 30 years and I've still not not worked out how to remove those damn rubber bands from plastic bags, most of the time I just cut the top off with a pair of scissors. I guess when farang can easily take the rubber bands from a bag of gaeng they're really assimilated into Thai culture ;-)

I've always wanted to organise a Thailand Expat Olympics where one of the events would be how quickly participants can nearly undo a rubber band from a plastic bag.

T

[edwardflory]

My GF gets off work at midnight. ( Pattaya ) I have never seen such INSANE drivers in my life, car or bike. Last night on the way home, a bike driver shoots out of a soi on my left, right in front of me - I didn't see him even look, missing us by CM's, crossing 3 traffic lanes, going his merry way, there was very little trafic thank God for him. If I was not on both brakes, I would be writing from a hospital. GF's face was smashed into the back of my helmet.

Most scooter drivers just......Goooooooooo.

[bazza40]

Yes, I'd like to know where to get a dashcam in CM too.

Solution 1: Defensive driving to the max.

Solution 2: Don't drive at night.

I've been on a scooter for 6 years, and in a car for 2 years. Basically, I think there are NO road rules here. But look on the bright side - it's quite hard to develop a sense of complacency, keeps you on your toes all the time.

[NoshowJones]

Things that make me go aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhh in LOS:

Salesmen who go off to check something for you and never come back.

T

Standing on an elephants shit.

[SoiBiker]

What a novel idea for a thread.

[Thakkar]

Things that make me go aaaarrrrrrggggggghhhhhh in LOS:

White guys living in Thailand who are married to brown people complaining about immigrants to their countries while simultaneously lamenting how hard it is to get resident visas for their partners.

[peterb17]

Yep i can relate to that, I've told the TGF I'm not buying a car when i eventually move there.

Driving can be a bit hairy sometimes. The girlfriend will probably think cheap Charlie ( or what ever the equivalent is in Thai)

However, 10 airbags ( have to spend a bit of money here) ABS, stability control , pretensioned seat belts etc etc will help.

How are you going to get around? Minibus - never. Scooter - no protection- death trap.

Perhaps a bicycle - keep you fit and your girlfriend will be the envy of town.

Clearly you don't know how it works here?

[elgordo38]

Yep i can relate to that, I've told the TGF I'm not buying a car when i eventually move there.

Good idea save yourself a lot of grief. I even refuse to buy a motorbike. Push bike for me and her.

[Swedenlars]

There are even more idiots like this in the Philippines. I lived there for a couple of years and especially country side they often drive without lights. Can be trucks, cars and more often motorbikes. Do you like to hear the insane reason why they do that ? OK, maybe not all of them, but some really do it to save gasoline or conserve the light bulb. I think a normal human brain would never understand that somebody would risk their and other lives for such a reason. What are the slogans Wow! Philippines or Amazing Thailand ? I could suggest a few more. Unfortunately not allowed in this forum.

[nemrut]

Welcome to a developing country where most are just getting by and cant afford to fix things immediately nor sport the latest reflective gear.

Most seasoned travelers know this is not unique to Thailand but encountered often in all developing countries, even in relatively wealthy Russia and eastern Europe.

[Muhendis]

Dashcams are available online from Lazada

http://www.lazada.co.th/shop-cameras/?q=dash

It is the most important gadget you will ever need.