Interesting driving with another foreigner

[fullcave]

I find Western drivers far more "territorial" than Thais in terms of what space in front of their vehicle they consider to be theirs and that anybody who encroaches into that space is "Cutting them off." Thais seem to be less possessive of the space around their cars.

Of course, there have been exceptions and shootings have occurred over a horn toot or a light flash....or just a look.

I agree, the western drivers get very upset about people driving 80km in the passing lane and will be rather rude but the Thais hardly even notice.

[cumgranosalum]

I find Western drivers far more "territorial" than Thais in terms of what space in front of their vehicle they consider to be theirs and that anybody who encroaches into that space is "Cutting them off." Thais seem to be less possessive of the space around their cars.

Of course, there have been exceptions and shootings have occurred over a horn toot or a light flash....or just a look.

I agree, the western drivers get very upset about people driving 80km in the passing lane and will be rather rude but the Thais hardly even notice.

"passing lane" - ? well part of this is about expecting people to drive as they do "at home" - QED

[ardokano]

It takes a couple of years for a farang to "adjust" to Thai driving....

IF they've figured it out & are bright enough....

Otherwise they bitch/post here about other people/drivers.....

They somehow feel bigger & better for it......

People being people.....Which they don't allow for others away from themselves.....

Superior beings that they believe that they really are.....

over you someone from abused people with white skin(farang)?

Look as you have some obsessions about it.

the fact that the drivers on the roads of Thailand, without respect for private life and even more obvious to someone else's life.

but I can not say that the percentage of such drivers longer among Thais than foreigners.

[ardokano]

It takes a couple of years for a farang to "adjust" to Thai driving....

And if NOT farangs?

it is not necessary to level all people by yourself.

adapted to Thai roads and SOME drivers not big deal and its few week even day possible.

But accept it!!!

Does not on a turn light/ cut and etc this lack of respect for other road users..

like shi t/pee in a restaurant or other public place..

PC

What you mean "adjust''?

[JaseTheBass]

I'm still trying to work out why nearly every poster on here thinks all Westerners are the same. Look at the fatality stats for Farangland and they vary by significant amounts. Your average driver from the UK is not the same as your average driver from, say, Greece or the US.

[JAFO]

I did not intend to start debates with my post, it was an observation and comment made by a fellow American businessman. Yes it was just conversation but he asked me how can I drive over here and not feel anxious all the time. I said because there is really nothing to be anxious about (sans getting lost because Google maps and Nav systems do not work very well). Driving is driving. My point is everyone has a threshold of acceptance and when that is reached or exceeded it usually ends up being a comment that Thais are idiot drivers or they have no care for personal life etc etc. But also as I stated I see the same behavior and the same comments in the states when back there on business or pleasure however there are virtually no motorcycles/scooters, its all autos and people clearly drive outside their capability. Scarily most do not even think about what they are doing. They are texting, talking on the phone, shaving, combing their hair, loading DVD's for their kids, etc etc all while going 50 to 80 mph. What does that say about education? Yes some Thais drive with reckless abandonment but many drive with great care and are courteous. Its no different anywhere I have been.

I asked my colleague if he wanted to drive back to the factory, He said laughed and said no. He said the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car.

[cooked]

I did not intend to start debates with my post, it was an observation and comment made by a fellow American businessman. Yes it was just conversation but he asked me how can I drive over here and not feel anxious all the time. I said because there is really nothing to be anxious about (sans getting lost because Google maps and Nav systems do not work very well). Driving is driving. My point is everyone has a threshold of acceptance and when that is reached or exceeded it usually ends up being a comment that Thais are idiot drivers or they have no care for personal life etc etc. But also as I stated I see the same behavior and the same comments in the states when back there on business or pleasure however there are virtually no motorcycles/scooters, its all autos and people clearly drive outside their capability. Scarily most do not even think about what they are doing. They are texting, talking on the phone, shaving, combing their hair, loading DVD's for their kids, etc etc all while going 50 to 80 mph. What does that say about education? Yes some Thais drive with reckless abandonment but many drive with great care and are courteous. Its no different anywhere I have been.

I asked my colleague if he wanted to drive back to the factory, He said laughed and said no. He said the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car.

Switzerland has very low traffic accidents / capita. When I went back a month ago I decided that I couldn't drive there. My ex wife was sailing along the road confidently assuming that that truck was going to give way to her because she had right of way, wasn't anxiously looking i her side mirrors every 30 seconds, a complete nightmare. They have an excellent train service and I used it.

[Broken Record]

I'm still trying to work out why nearly every poster on here thinks all Westerners are the same. Look at the fatality stats for Farangland and they vary by significant amounts. Your average driver from the UK is not the same as your average driver from, say, Greece or the US.

Drivers from the UK may adapt easier because UK drives on the same side of the road as Thailand, plus UK drivers are sensible, aware, well trained, disciplined, respectful,courteous, bright , highly intelligent and good looking.

[cumgranosalum]

I'm still trying to work out why nearly every poster on here thinks all Westerners are the same. Look at the fatality stats for Farangland and they vary by significant amounts. Your average driver from the UK is not the same as your average driver from, say, Greece or the US.

Drivers from the UK may adapt easier because UK drives on the same side of the road as Thailand, plus UK drivers are sensible, aware, well trained, disciplined, respectful,courteous, bright , highly intelligent and good looking.

JTB's post puts it down to drivers only - which is an incorrect assumption from the start.

the second comment is just an example of how people apply there own home driving expectations onto an alien scenario - both will be disappointed

[Dagnabbit]

Recommend your customer to visit some other countries in Asia and he will find driving in Thailand quite ok.

Phnom Peng at rush hour. While you are stuck in traffic play a game of "spot a car with no dents" to pass the time.

[Cancerian]

i love driving in Thailand can get away with allot more than home. no road rage just pull out in traffic they slow down for you. people don,t expect 3 miles clearance in front of them. they don,t drive like they own the road. most Aussies wont last 5 minutes here 

[giddyup]

On 6/17/2016 at 10:14 PM, Gary A said:

Thai drivers are no different than farang drivers, some are good and some are bad. There is one exception. If you see a young person driving a car with a red plate, watch them closely. It will usually be a rich kid with no experience driving a new car.

If that were the case the road fatalities here would be no more than anywhere else, but they are, much, much more.

[giddyup]

3 hours ago, Cancerian said:

  most Aussies wont last 5 minutes here 

No, probably killed by some drunk, unlicenced Thai.

[giddyup]

Yes some Thais drive with reckless abandonment but many drive with great care and are courteous. Its no different anywhere I have been.

 

Statistically, it is a lot different. Road deaths prove it.

[Cancerian]

19 hours ago, giddyup said:

Yes some Thais drive with reckless abandonment but many drive with great care and are courteous. Its no different anywhere I have been.

 

Statistically, it is a lot different. Road deaths prove it.

Could have something to do with the amount of bikes and the the amount of helmet less people on them

 

19 hours ago, giddyup said:

No, probably killed by some drunk, unlicenced Thai.

And our drunk unlicensed drivers don't?  My cousin died due to drunk driver my drunk friend killed his girlfriend while driving 

[giddyup]

57 minutes ago, Cancerian said:

Could have something to do with the amount of bikes and the the amount of helmet less people on them

 

And our drunk unlicensed drivers don't?  My cousin died due to drunk driver my drunk friend killed his girlfriend while driving 

Deaths are deaths, and I would call helmetless riders foolhardy and irresponsible. A drunk driver in the US, UK or Australia who kills someone would be looking at a lengthy jail sentence and a long suspension. Here, perhaps a small amount of compensation paid to the victim or their family, it's not even in the same ballpark.