Meeting to ensure road safety as tourists now travel more on personal cars to Thailand

[webfact]

Meeting to ensure road safety as tourists now travel more on personal cars to Thailand



BANGKOK: -- The Ministry of Tourism and Transport today hosted a meeting with relevant government agencies and with the private sector operating tourism business and car rental services in an effort to regulate the driving of personal cars into the country by tourists.

The move came as there is growing trend of tourists driving on their own cars, causing road safety concerns among local motorists because of different traffic lane systems, particularly tourists from China where driving is on the left while on the right in Thailand.

Increasing numbers of Chinese tourists driving through several Thailand’s northern checkpoints during the Chinese festival prompted necessity by Thai authorities to do something as the number of accidents caused by different driving traffic is also increasing.

Minister of Tourism and Transport Mrs Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said at present ASEAN tourists preferred driving on their own cars to visit Thailand to public transport, attributing to arrival figures of personal cars at almost all immigration checkpoints.

Particularly during the Chinese New Year festival, Chinese tourists drove into Thailand’s Chiang Khong border checkpoint in large number, and further their trips to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, she said.

Authorities will discuss the matter and see whether it is possible for them to leave their personal cars at the checkpoint and travel on rental car services instead, she said.

According to immigration authorities, Chinese tourists continue to come to Thailand, with most opting to drive into the northern region to tour the country on their own.

The record showed that over 4,000 Chinese vehicles have already passed through the northern immigration checkpoint in the past two weeks.

Their unfamiliarity with the right hand drive traffic system in Thailand has caused numerous accidents.

This has brought about legal difficulties for Thai motorists and is becoming a new problem that needed to be addressed.

Authorities said since the beginning of the year, many provinces in the Thai north have seen an increasing number of Chinese vehicles touring around town.

Chiang Mai province for instance, is now crowded with Chinese vehicles of various makers and models, and most have been traveling in a caravan.

In the past four months, over 6,000 Chinese cars have passed through the Chiang Khong checkpoint to Chiang Rai. But only the Chinese New Year festival, over 4,000 Chinese vehicles have entered Thailand.

One Chinese motorist Shi Yuan Ke, who has brought his family for a personal tour in Chiang Mai from Yunnan admitted at first it was kind of hard driving here, as he drives on the different lane of the road.

So he said he had to drive with caution on the right lane traffic system here.

Authorities said apart from their unfamiliarity with roads and finding their way around, most Chinese vehicles have been using the GPS which is not compatible with the Thai current road conditions or traffic regulations, prompting accidents to always happen.

One Thai driver who was hit by a Chinese driver about 3 weeks ago said his car was heavily damaged and the garage has estimated the repair cost at 200,000 baht.

He said that negotiation with the Chinese driver was also hard, as he needed a translator to do the talking for him.

But most importantly, he said the Chinese vehicles had no insurance coverage.

Until today, he has not received any payments for the damages caused, as the Chinese driver has already flown home.

What he could do now is to contact the local Chinese Consulate General to follow up on the situation for him.

Authorities said Chinese vehicles passing through checkpoints to Thailand usually have only a Compulsory Motor Insurance, which only covers compensations for when the driver is injured or die, meaning this does not cover any damages to the vehicles and causing following problematic situations.

Primarily, suggestions have been proposed to the Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai province to advise all Chinese vehicles passing into and out of Thailand to get a third-class insurance to ensure coverage for at least the other party in case of accidents.

Chiang Mai transport office Charnchai Keelapang said if they at least have third-class insurance, the Thai drivers who got into the accidents with them would be covered.

Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association chairman Pornchai Jitnawasatien also stressed the need to regulate driving by tourists by requiring that all foreign vehicles driving in the country must be insured for the safety of both sides.

He also said he didn’t think this would really increase the travel expenses for the tourists, as most of the Chinese motorists who drove their cars into Thailand are from the middle class and could afford the insurance premium.

Meanwhile the Department of Land Transportation is now writing new regulations requiring Chinese motorists to inform of their plans to travel in Thailand with their own vehicles ahead of time, as well as for them to have an international insurance coverages.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/151618


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-19

[Ceruhe]

I can't see the issue at all. Thais are already perfectly overly massively well adjusted to wrong way drivers as it stands and can make up for others genuine mistakes.

However, if they can get a handle on that problem, great, if they do however, I'm still going to blow my shit about them priorities...

[FloridaExport]

This thread is gonna be good. When Thailand takes the number 1 spot this year for road fatalities, and less than 0.01% were caused by the foreigners, I'm sure we'll still see articles blaming the foreigners.

Edited February 19, 2016 by FloridaExport

[mortenaa]

Someone are not doing their job. Insurance should be checked at the border on entry.

[jaywalker]

I doubt it would be a leap of faith if they decided that everybody should drive on the right side of the road in Thailand.

They do it all the time now.

Getting them to adhere to one side or the other would be a major feat.

[iReason]

"Authorities will discuss the matter and see whether it is possible for them to leave their personal cars at the checkpoint and travel on rental car services instead, she said"

I wonder if she has any recommendations? Perhaps a relative?

"Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association chairman Pornchai Jitnawasatien also stressed the need to regulate driving by tourists,

by requiring that all foreign vehicles driving in the country must be insured for the safety of both sides."

And will the Thais reciprocate with the guests in their country?

Seems only fair...

Edited February 19, 2016 by iReason

[daveAustin]

Stop allowing the pricks to drive their own vehicles in and make them rent from local car hire firms like most others.

[jaywalker]

"He also said he didn’t think this would really increase the travel expenses for the tourists, as most of the Chinese motorists who drove their cars into Thailand are from the middle class and could afford the insurance premium."

Translation = You no Thai. You have big money. Must to pay. You give me now!

[Bluespunk]

"The move came as there is growing trend of tourists driving on their own cars, causing road safety concerns among local motorists because of different traffic lane systems, particularly tourists from China where driving is on the left while on the right in Thailand."

​Erm, is it not the left you drive on in Thailand?

[jaltsc]

"Their unfamiliarity with the right hand drive traffic system in Thailand has caused numerous accidents..."

Yeah....That's it. Unfamiliarity with the right hand drive traffic system. It's amazing that tourists from every other country with a left hand system adapt quite quickly to driving in Thailand.

If you see everyone driving directly at you and you are too stupid to realize that it is you and not everyone else who's driving on the wrong side of the road, you are too freakin' stupid to be operating anything more complex than your feet...and that is even questionable.

I am getting tired of certain drivers of cars, motorbikes and bicycles coming directly at me on a regular basis. The only solution...If you come from a country where the license plates are blue, you are required to take public transportation. As scary as that sounds, they make the van driver who is drunk, sleep deprived and hopped up on 10 bottles of Red Bull, look like the poster child for safety.

Edited February 19, 2016 by jaltsc

[khunyod]

The drivers in Chinese cars are necessarily not only driving on a side of the road that is not familiar, but the driver's side is on the opposite as well. This makes it especially dangerous as one's vision is different. This is not to mention the very different driving behavior found in Thailand.

The best suggestion is made by @daveAustin as there is no need to allow differently-handed cars into the country (Viet Nam does not, for one). The idea that a bare minimum of insurance should be required is also a no-brainer. As far as the government being able to implement any improvements, of course it can, as there is nothing stopping the military government from doing anything it wants with laws and regulations.

Will it do something? Wouldn't bet on it.

[Snackbar]

There was a who haa in Phuket last year when an expat collected family from the airport then gave them a tour of the island.

This is an 'occupation' reserved for Thais.

A Chinese driver would need a work permit to drive his family on a tour of Thailand.

He'd be exacerbated reading here that in Thailand we drive on the right!

#As clear as mud.

[hansnl]

If I go to Laos, with my RHD car, and drive there on the right I have no problems adjusting.

Same, in another life, I had no problems driving my LHD car pulling a big trailer in England on the left.

It all boils down to adjusting your driving to the situation you are in.

As for insurance, before entering Laos with my Thai car I have to take out a short term Lao insurance.

Thailand could do the same.

As for driving styles, guess there us nit much difference in quality between Thai drivers and Chinese drivers.

Which spells trouble.

[tingtongfarang]

Have spent half my life driving between left and right hand drive countries in both left and right hand drive cars, never had a problem with it apart from the odd moment when trying to change gear with the window winder or getting into the passenger seat with the keys in my hand,

I have noticed that thais often get confused with left and right which ever language is used

[soalbundy]

"The move came as there is growing trend of tourists driving on their own cars, causing road safety concerns among local motorists because of different traffic lane systems, particularly tourists from China where driving is on the left while on the right in Thailand."

​Erm, is it not the left you drive on in Thailand?

That isn't mandatory for many Thais

[chainarong]

The trouble with these tourists is that they don't do their research on the country they are going to visit, for as sure as god made little apples, no one is silly enough who without due guidance, drive on Thai roads , as a matter of fact most would stay at home after doing research on some counties and I don't know why they even have Google if they don't use it, having said that I drive often on Thai roads, it is a skill you adopt , like skydiving without a parachute , ..............................

[Srikcir]

leave their personal cars at the checkpoint and travel on rental car services instead

This violates the ASEAN Community whose members have not proposed similar rules against Thai tourists.

Maybe Thailand should pull out of ASEAN and become the Hub of One.

[swerver]

"The move came as there is growing trend of tourists driving on their own cars, causing road safety concerns among local motorists because of different traffic lane systems, particularly tourists from China where driving is on the left while on the right in Thailand."

​Erm, is it not the left you drive on in Thailand?

ONLY time Thais (and many farangs) drive on the left is when they are on an Asia Hiway i.e. AH-9 AH-23 aka RR-7 and that is ONLY because there is a DOUBLE row 1-ton reinforced concrete block stopping them from crossing over to the others side of the road.

When the RR-7was originally constructed it had a grass divider strip, well that didn't lasted too long before they had to make the decision to separate with not single but double row 1-ton reinforced concrete blocks, remember this is the Asia Highway I talk about 42,300 km long Tokyo to Moscow were it connects with the Europe M-Roads all the way to London. These roads are internationally financed, not just by the country they pass thru.

LOL in LOS

[tomyumchai]

If you see everyone driving directly at you and you are too stupid to realize that it is you and not everyone else who's driving on the wrong side of the road, you are too freakin' stupid to be operating anything more complex than your feet...and that is even questionable.

i was thinking that when i drove past the bus and truck crash in kamphang phet. the road was straight for miles but the bus didnt seem to think a lorry coming right at him was a problem.

[CLW]

It's quite sad to blame a few foreigners for the massive number of road accidents in Thailand.

They should better educate and enforce the Thai drivers as they are the majority and therefore also responsible for more accidents.

Apart from that I learned driving on the right side, driving like this for 20 years. Now here in Thailand I had only little problems to adjust. And recently back from Vietnam where's right traffic. Again no problem. I think if you learned driving properly you can easily adjust both sides.

Edited February 19, 2016 by CLW

[Khon Kaen Dave]

Our beloved leader has decided that Thailand will change to driving on the right side of the road,in an effort to cut down on traffic accidents.On this Monday all buses and trucks will drive on the right hand side of the road.If this works out successfully,on Tuesday,all other vehicles will follow suit!

[DavisH]

leave their personal cars at the checkpoint and travel on rental car services instead

This violates the ASEAN Community whose members have not proposed similar rules against Thai tourists.

Maybe Thailand should pull out of ASEAN and become the Hub of One.

But China isn't an ASEAN member.

Other's have it right. Charge them a fee to cover the insurance for the duration of their trip. Let them deal with the uninsured motocy guy who runs into them

[Gandtee]

"The move came as there is growing trend of tourists driving on their own cars, causing road safety concerns among local motorists because of different traffic lane systems, particularly tourists from China where driving is on the left while on the right in Thailand."

​Erm, is it not the left you drive on in Thailand?

The other left. No, wait a minute. Any side that takes your fancy.

[mikosan]

"Their unfamiliarity with the right hand drive traffic system in Thailand has caused numerous accidents..."

Yeah....That's it. Unfamiliarity with the right hand drive traffic system. It's amazing that tourists from every other country with a left hand system adapt quite quickly to driving in Thailand.

If you see everyone driving directly at you and you are too stupid to realize that it is you and not everyone else who's driving on the wrong side of the road, you are too freakin' stupid to be operating anything more complex than your feet...and that is even questionable.

I am getting tired of certain drivers of cars, motorbikes and bicycles coming directly at me on a regular basis. The only solution...If you come from a country where the license plates are blue, you are required to take public transportation. As scary as that sounds, they make the van driver who is drunk, sleep deprived and hopped up on 10 bottles of Red Bull, look like the poster child for safety.

Just a moment, on the subject of being 'too freaking stupid' since when did Thailand drive on the right hand side of the road? Actually, as everyone should know, including you, they drive on the left hand side of the road and here in Thailand that is right, sorry, better say correct, or someone else might get confused. Hence those people coming from countries where they drive on the left hand side of the road have absolutely NO difficulty in adapting, because they're used to it.

[kartman]

Probably a lot of accidents with the Chinese is that they drive in convoys together and don't want to be split up so take risks avoid that .

[Nbarch]

But, but the Chinese in their own cars are Quality tourist and should be allowed to drive in any lane they choose, like the small buses.

I am thinking road signs in Chinese next, to help make them feel at home.

[NCC1701A]

It's everyone else's fault in the world! No problem here in Thailand with ultra dangerous roads. Wake up world and become like Thailand.

[berybert]

I want to own the car park that has to find space for 4000 Chinese drivers cars.

And I want to be the one that rents out 4000 Thai cars for the Chinese to rent.

And I want to be the one that points out the damage the Chinese drivers have caused to my cars when they return them to my parking lot.

And I want to be the one that owns the local policeman that comes out and drop the fine by a few thousand baht.

[Geoffggi]

Having worked in China the thought fills me with horror, the Thais are bad enough drivers without the influence of the Chinese, in China getting motorcycles (mostly Electric bikes) to stop at traffic lights, there are many road accidents due to this practice, in addition I have seen a car make a three point turn in the middle of a traffic light intersection.

This brings me to the point of insurance, who is verifying that these cars have suitable insurance to drive in Thailand and where are any claims to be made, are motorists involved in accidents to be held in Thailand until payment is made, this does affect Thai's as much as Foreigners....!!

[DLock]

No insurance coverage?

Welcome to our world Somchai....neither do you.

...and good luck with the Chinese consulate...now you know how we feel when we have to try to get money out of you.