cooked Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Spending a few days near Asok we discovered a soi dog that was very traffic canny. We followed him across the roads. Meaning that if you can't get across the roads maybe you need a guide dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatteoBassini Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Simple way of thinking. "It's not my business, therefore I do not interfere", why they don't stop to help people involved accident is the same reason why they don't slow down to let people walk across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inyourendo Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Actually I think it's the thainess kicking in ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 An issue I deal with regularly is actually at red lights, with drivers making left turns after them. I understand they can do that, but what I don't understand is that they don't stop for pedestrians, or even slow down to make sure it's OK to turn. So even with a red light, you're basically crossing a live road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripstanley Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 (edited) It appears from comments on this thread that it is not only Thais that have no respect for pedestrians. The tittle should be changed and read Why is it that drivers never slow down for pedestrians Edited March 20, 2016 by seedy font Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ardokano Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Law of economics . It costs nothing for a pedestrian to stop and wait , it costs a lot for motorvehicules to stop and drive off again. Look at your gas/diesel comsumption meter as you drive off from stopping. In my stupid country , you have to stop when a pedestrian comes near a crossing , so 1 to 20 vehicules (or more) have to brake and drive again for 1 pedestrian ( or bicycle) ...ridiculous , insane ! Be glad you live in Thailand ! I don't stop for pedestrians either. They are the lowest in the traffic food chain. ( I stop for dogs & cats though). What economic? SO for this is reason in Thai some not on light at night on highway? You do same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Friend of mine emailed me a few days ago, got caught walking on a pedestrian crossing against the red light. Fine was over $100. I drove through a pedestrian crossing (no pedestrians on it) in Adelaide, got fined over $300 and that was 7 years ago. You lost me - why would you have to stop if no one crossing the road ? Or is it the law to stop for them all ? Somebody had already crossed but the lights were still red. I jumped the gun and paid the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgordo38 Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 I would say it is that a lack of understanding of the law regarding zebra crossings. Not bashing but everyone who I have spoken with didn't know the law, regarding zebra crossings or roundabouts and many other things. Hope it answers your question. Even putting up a set of lights at the crossing does little good. You get 10 seconds or so to run for your life. The leap from the bicycle to the motorcar came faster than what they could adjust to. The zebra crossing at KSK is almost gone. I noticed they are painting strips in small back Soi's that have little traffic but seem to disregard high traffic areas where the white markings disappear in short order. Thainess its a cultural thingee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 It appears from comments on this thread that it is not only Thais that have no respect for pedestrians. The tittle should be changed and read Why is it that drivers never slow down for pedestrians Oh, please. He's talking about traffic conditions in Thailand. It's a given that most drivers here are Thai. I also don't doubt that non-That drivers are pressured into behaving the same way. Like in my example (which I deal with often) of drivers not even slowing down for pedestrians at RED LIGHTS, I'm sure all drivers feel if they did stop when not expected in this crazy driving culture that they would be at risk of being rear ended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asheron Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 It appears from comments on this thread that it is not only Thais that have no respect for pedestrians. The tittle should be changed and read Why is it that drivers never slow down for pedestrians Don't know about your country but in my country it basicly never happens that drivers wont slow down and let pedestrians walk over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seedy Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 Derogatory posts Removed. Many Forums available to post such Trash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpokaneAl Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 (edited) There needs to be an increased emphasis on this issue throughout Thailand, with robust monetary penalties. And while this would take time - it is not an overnight fix - it is the only way to change ingrained habits. Edited March 20, 2016 by SpokaneAl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpokaneAl Posted March 20, 2016 Share Posted March 20, 2016 (edited) Law of economics . It costs nothing for a pedestrian to stop and wait , it costs a lot for motorvehicules to stop and drive off again. Look at your gas/diesel comsumption meter as you drive off from stopping. In my stupid country , you have to stop when a pedestrian comes near a crossing , so 1 to 20 vehicules (or more) have to brake and drive again for 1 pedestrian ( or bicycle) ...ridiculous , insane ! Be glad you live in Thailand ! I don't stop for pedestrians either. They are the lowest in the traffic food chain. ( I stop for dogs & cats though).Really? Watching families with small children and/or the elderly putting their lives at risk just to cross the street in a marked crosswalk is a good thing because we wouldn't want to inconvenience a driver for a few seconds? A bit of petrol and a few moments of lost travel time have more value than that of a human life? That sounds like the definition of insanity to me. Edited March 20, 2016 by SpokaneAl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Estrada Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Friend of mine emailed me a few days ago, got caught walking on a pedestrian crossing against the red light. Fine was over $100. I drove through a pedestrian crossing (no pedestrians on it) in Adelaide, got fined over $300 and that was 7 years ago. You lost me - why would you have to stop if no one crossing the road ? Or is it the law to stop for them all ? Did you pass your test? If any traffic light is on red you cannot proceed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotpoom Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I would say it is that a lack of understanding of the law regarding zebra crossings. Not bashing but everyone who I have spoken with didn't know the law, regarding zebra crossings or roundabouts and many other things. Hope it answers your question.That's it I think...just like when to use "fog lights"...."full lights"....or any lights at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suradit69 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 (edited) I have seen them many times crossing the road in heavy traffic or in any traffic that Thai drivers never seem to slow down and would rather hit you or slow down at the last minute. I've had many Thai drivers including taxi drivers and song taow drivers slow done or stop to allow me to cross the street and more than a few farang, especially on motorbikes/cycles but also in cars. barrel on through without regard to who or what's in their path. Rather than assuming that as soon as Khun Farang steps into the road that trumpets should blare and all other activity grind to a halt, you have to be a bit more alert and proceed with caution. As Dorothy so famously said, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." But then even in the farang nanny states pedestrians don't fare that well ... In 2013, 4,735 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States.This averages to one crash-related pedestrian death every 2 hours. Additionally, more than 150,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments for non-fatal crash-related injuries in 2013. http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pedestrian_safety/ Edited March 21, 2016 by Suradit69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English 1 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 It's quite simple as are the populace too! Thai are chronically IMPATIENT and hate waiting for 1 second for anything. Hence the carnage on the roads as they take a chance instead of waiting only 1 second! You see it everywhere .... in shops they stand waiting ( unless they push in front.....looking puzzled....why am I waiting! In a lift ( Elevator for any Yanks reading this ) they always press the CLOSE doors button again to save 1 second. So Dumb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorG Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 When I first lived in China I was wondering how I was going to get across the 6 lane road in the middle of city. It was obvious that nobody was stopping for the peds at the crossing. I soon figured out that I should join the crowd of Chinese as they inched their way across. I put myself in the middle and moved when they moved. You just needed to suspend all notions of safety. It was both thrilling and chilling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English 1 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 I would say it is that a lack of understanding of the law regarding zebra crossings. Not bashing but everyone who I have spoken with didn't know the law, regarding zebra crossings or roundabouts and many other things. Hope it answers your question.That's it I think...just like when to use "fog lights"...."full lights"....or any lights at all? LIGHTS on Cars....No sense at all Full beam in daytime. As for Safety I have even seen a car with RED Headlights....Ah!? Usual dumb answer..... 'I like!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlQaholic Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Road+pedestrian = unsolvable equation in Asia. A road is for cars, period. You see many places in Thailand where there is a bridge over the road exclusively for pedestrians.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emster23 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 My take on this has to do with status. If you have a car, then it appears you have money and status. No Thai would walk when they could ride, so pedestrian must be poor to be on foot. Lower status must defer to higher status, and get the heck out of the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpokaneAl Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Road+pedestrian = unsolvable equation in Asia. A road is for cars, period. You see many places in Thailand where there is a bridge over the road exclusively for pedestrians.... Just because that is the way it currently is does not mean that is the way it always should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr jim Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 It's simple, really. All over Asia, not just in Thailand, the rule is this: the bigger vehicle has the right of way, and smaller vehicles must defer. Period. Think how low one is in this hierarchy when you're on the road (walking) without a vehicle at all... This is correct. But to my shame, I've started to ignore people on crossings too. In my defence, I figure that if I stop then I may "blind side" someone else and they will sweep through and hit them. All who live here know the score and act accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgphuket Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Not long ago only wealthy people in Thailand had cars. Thailand always gives the right of way to the wealthy. Today, people in cars feel they mus be superior to those walking so the ones on foot should defer to them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akentryan Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 For the same reason they come around a blind corner straddling the center line stripe. For the same reason they have to ride the brakes into, during and coming out of a corner at a horrendous speed of not more than two km per hour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masuk Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 It's simple, really. All over Asia, not just in Thailand, the rule is this: the bigger vehicle has the right of way, and smaller vehicles must defer. Period. Think how low one is in this hierarchy when you're on the road (walking) without a vehicle at all... Same in other parts of Asia. A truck has right of way over everything; a cyclist or pedestrian is at the bottom of the scale. Maybe nobody has ever explained the law to drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawker9000 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 It's simple, really. All over Asia, not just in Thailand, the rule is this: the bigger vehicle has the right of way, and smaller vehicles must defer. Period. Think how low one is in this hierarchy when you're on the road (walking) without a vehicle at all... Exactly. As a pedestrian you're at the BOTTOM of the food chain in Thailand. Right-of-way is simply a matter of vehicle size & horsepower, which Thais have come to see as bestowing status. As well I think there's this "me-first" thing at work. A Thai driver sees a pedestrian starting to cross in front of him, and has to try and either prevent that or "make them scurry" out of their way by speeding up. It's patently juvenile, but just something that as a foreigner you're expected to consider culturally charming. It might be true in other parts of Asia - I can't say I've noticed it much in Laos, but then Laos just isn't as crowded a place (and those with "true status" there aren't shy about running around with high-vis police escort). And to be fair, I think a lot of expats quickly pick up the same aggressive driving habits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike324 Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 There are some iniquities in road use in Thailand that's for sure but I think car drivers here are generally more sensitive to and more aware of motorcyclists than in the UK, allowing space for bikes to filter and even moving over to allow one to get through. Thai drivers will also often stop to let one cross the road especially if one employs eye contact and judicious use of the 'hand wave'! The stupid etiquette of zebra crossings is such that drivers will often only stop at zebra crossings when a red light is displayed even if there are no pedestrians. Conversely and ironically they often don't stop at zebra crossings that are being used if there is no red light! I tend to stop at crossings in use but often fear rear-ending. I do not wait at those displaying a red light if there are no pedestrians and in a nutshell that is the difference between most Thai people and some farangs. some of use our own initiative whatever the law says. Thai people are strongly discouraged from that kind of thought or action. If you think crossing the road in Bangkok is difficult, try Saigon! I have seen many Thais drive through zebra crossings located in the middle of the road where it is not close to any intersections, many just blindly miss the light, or brake when its too late as they don't expect traffic lights anywhere else other than at interesections. There are also many roads in Bangkok where even with the red light on, the left most lane is consider as a through lane where cars don't stop, only the middle lane and right lane cars have to stop. Although a zebra crossing with a green light for the pedestrian is lited, I seen all too many times, either the left lane or the adjacent lane that turns left on to the zebra crossing lane - many times cars don't stop or fail to see that the pedestrians have the right of way because the crossing light is lit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazydrummerpauly Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 they dont value your life only their own................its called "selfish" where i come from Judging solely by behaviour, i'm not even sure they value their own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khrab Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 . 1) No. They don't slow down but they hunk the horn. 2) These white stripes on the roads? Just street graffiti...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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