Driving In Pattaya!

[daveb1]

We will be taking to the roads of Pattaya for the first time in a couple of weeks. We have all the right documents including an international driving permit. We will be renting a 4x4 (thought it might be a bit safer) anyone got any tips on how to deal with the police if we get stopped! And generally about driving in and around pattaya as we are a tad apprehensive

Thanks

[Gary A]

We will be taking to the roads of Pattaya for the first time in a couple of weeks. We have all the right documents including an international driving permit. We will be renting a 4x4 (thought it might be a bit safer) anyone got any tips on how to deal with the police if we get stopped! And generally about driving in and around pattaya as we are a tad apprehensive

Thanks

Driving in Pattaya for the most part is the pits. No place to park and suicidal motorbike drivers greatly contribute to the tension. I happily take a baht bus and leave my vehicle in Jomtien. Going to Tesco Lotus or Big C on Sukhumvit is as crazy as I want to get. The police have never been a problem for me.

[Maximilian]

We will be taking to the roads of Pattaya for the first time in a couple of weeks. We have all the right documents including an international driving permit. We will be renting a 4x4 (thought it might be a bit safer) anyone got any tips on how to deal with the police if we get stopped! And generally about driving in and around pattaya as we are a tad apprehensive

Thanks

Just go with the flow but observe speed limits than you should have no problems with the police. And yes, parking in Pattaya

sucks and so does the system of one-way roads.

[PhilHarries]

Just take things easy, driving in Pattaya ain't as bad as some people would have you believe. The traffic moves so slowly that mistakes can be accommodated without fuss. Just expect the unexpected, look at every situation and think "what would be the craziest thing that driver ahead of me can do?" Then expect him/her to do it but slowly.

Watch out for the Baht busses, they stop and start without any consideration for other traffic.

One danger is farangs on supercharged motorcycles who don't understand that the throttle is a control not an on/off switch. These menaces are a danger to themselves and everybody around them. Fortunately these things make so much bluddy noise you can hear them three blocks away.

As for dealing with the police. Why would you expect to deal with them? Are you intending to attract their attention? The chances are that, unless you do have an accident, you will never speak to a policeman. But if you do get pulled up just be polite, smile and ask them what the problem is. If you have transgressed you may wish to ask "is there a spot fine officer", even if you haven't broken any rule sometimes it's easier to just pay up and move on. This will attract the wrath of the TV keyboard warriors with their self righteous pontifications regarding rights, honesty, anti-corruption blah blah blah. I personally think a couple of hundred Baht is better than a few hours down the station arguing the toss, but that's my personal opinion.

Although not essential, 360 degree vision is an aid to driving in Thailand. That and a crystal ball.

Just relax, take it easy and you'll be fine.

[daveb1]

thanks very much guys esp Phill for all your advice

cheers

[davethailand]

Just take things easy, driving in Pattaya ain't as bad as some people would have you believe. The traffic moves so slowly that mistakes can be accommodated without fuss. Just expect the unexpected, look at every situation and think "what would be the craziest thing that driver ahead of me can do?" Then expect him/her to do it but slowly.

Watch out for the Baht busses, they stop and start without any consideration for other traffic.

One danger is farangs on supercharged motorcycles who don't understand that the throttle is a control not an on/off switch. These menaces are a danger to themselves and everybody around them. Fortunately these things make so much bluddy noise you can hear them three blocks away.

As for dealing with the police. Why would you expect to deal with them? Are you intending to attract their attention? The chances are that, unless you do have an accident, you will never speak to a policeman. But if you do get pulled up just be polite, smile and ask them what the problem is. If you have transgressed you may wish to ask "is there a spot fine officer", even if you haven't broken any rule sometimes it's easier to just pay up and move on. This will attract the wrath of the TV keyboard warriors with their self righteous pontifications regarding rights, honesty, anti-corruption blah blah blah. I personally think a couple of hundred Baht is better than a few hours down the station arguing the toss, but that's my personal opinion.

Although not essential, 360 degree vision is an aid to driving in Thailand. That and a crystal ball.

Just relax, take it easy and you'll be fine.

Agreed, I drive in Pattaya everyday, by truck and by bike in the evenings and i've never really had a problem.

[wilko]

Actually there are a lot of police about at the moment and they are setting up a couple of breath-test blocks...e.g. Sukumvit...so don't drive drunk! Not that you would anyway.

Parking is available at the shopping malls etc...You could try Tops for a central place but it's a good idea to tip the attendant a couple of baht if you're not using the shop.

Make sure you know what to do if you have a bump.

Normally it is expected that everyone will wait until the insurance man arrives. Make sure you have good insurance and that it is valid with your international DL....usually is, and have the company phone number handy

Remember when turning left THERE IS A MOTORBIKE PASSING YOU ON THE INSIDE - this is not a possibility...it is a CERTAINTY!!!!

Carry 200 baht handy for the "on-the-spot" fines...not a good idea to have to open a bulging wallet...the fine might go up!

[helicoptor]

First couple of days you are thinking .. 'What the F**?' especially when you are waiting at lights and all the scooters come swarming around you like mosquitos but remember you are in 4x4 so boss them - don't let them boss you! My missus had to take to the Pattaya road AND get used to driving an auto as she had no previous experience of this but now, after 4 weeks here we have no problem.

Regarding being stopped by the police, I doubt it will happen unless you are driving like a Numpty. I always keep a few hundred baht in the car just in case...more effective than IPD so I'm told...

[rocky]

If you are staying here long term, or many small trips over the coming years, if you have the time obtain a Thai driving license. It is not difficult. Will cost with all the extra costs no more than 500bht.

The Thai license is treated as ID so you will not have to take you passport out with you.

Also days out in places like Nung Nuk garden are half price.

Never had any problems with the police. But the 200bht is handy to pay and move on, you may make a mistake like entering a one way street the wrong way, some of the sois this is easily done as some of the signs are obstructed by other signs.

If you have a crash, do not get involved with who’s fault it is, give the insurance details out and phone them, if the police arrive explain about the insurance and that the will pay. I have heard some horror stories where the farang says it is not his fault and his is not paying. Let the insurance sort it out.

Driving is a lot easier here than it first looks, in the west we drive on an organized system set out 2000 years ago by the Romans, therefore we adhere to the road. The Thais use the road like a river, flowing moving from side to cutting in and out and weaving. But you soon get used to the craziness of it all.

If you think that you cannot park in Pattaya city, then parking is not a problem.

[undercover]

Can't understand that comment about driving slowly ? there's only one speed Ive seen on the sukhumvit and thats as fast as their 4x4s will go.

[LivinLOS]

Driving is simply a case of adjusting to the lack of rules or sanity.. Bikes coming the wrong way, under taking, over taking while your turning right with indicator on, slip streaming out from any junction, the majority of drivers being drunk after dark etc..

You do adjust to it all fairly rapidly and its a lot better than some places like india or Bali..

If you dont have an excellent camera phone then purchase one of those super cheap disposable cameras, in the event of any accident immediately photograph, the number plate of the offendor (and anyone who is on your side), as well as the driver.. then start snapping the scene and the damage. I have given this suggestion to many expats over the years and two have come back to thank me for how that changed the situation on the scene and makes the jumping back in the car and running off less likely. Its a cheap bit of added insurance.

[Cuban]

Parking a 4x4 in Pattaya is less easy than a smaller car, however the coments above about a 4x4 having a greater road "presence" is true. I tend to park in one of the controlled car parks then walk or songthaew to get around. Big C on Second Road are now charging a parking fee, 10 Baht per hour or there abouts, Royal Shopping Mall is about 20 Baht an hour. (Details printed on your ticket etc.)

Apart form the Red Bull wired loonies driving Songthaews and wannabe racing drivers on big bikes there are plenty of things moving on the streets and sois that will cause you grief, unlit elephants, sleeping dogs, hand pushed trolleys covered in soft-toys and missing draincovers to name a few. Overtaking on all sides is the norm. as is the non use of indictors.

On some sections of road are white painted bars that resemble European "Zebra" crossings, these are often mistaken by newbie tourists as places that allow them to safely cross the busy roads, a newbie driver might be tempted to stop and allow people to cross the road... "Somchai" driving the songthaew behind you will not be watching the side of the road for people crossing and so will not expect/antsipate you stopping in the middle of what to him is an open free flowing road. The comment about 360 degree vision should be considered along side thinking what your actions will be seen as by other road users.

When you get moving on the main roads you will encounter the Thai love of U turns and driving on the wrong side of the road. The U turns in the middle of dual carriageways are an oft cause of accidents involving farang, the problem is Thais expect cars to break sharply while travelling in the "fast" lane when a U turn is indicated ahead, new farang drivers will miss the clues/signs. (flashing amber light)

For toll-ways carry a hand full of 10 Baht coins and 20 Baht notes in the armrest, saves time.

Keep you IDP etc to hand in the car, better than digging through a bag at check points; these are found outside the build up areas of Pattaya but are found all over the country and a generally no hassle at all. If driving a decent car and looking like a tourist you will often just be waved on. You do not need to wai police, just smile, you are often just asked where you are coming from and going to.

Point of information; I was fined for being in the wrong lane while drining through Bangkok some years ago, leason learned in that case, just answer that you are drining around at random sight seeing - and therefore can not be in the "wrong" lane.

For out of town driving get a few good maps, Bookazine in Royal Garden shopping mall has a few good ones. Note that there has been quite a few new roads built over the past 5 years that are still not shown on 2006/2549 maps, GPS units are good, I've not seen/looked for them in Pattaya, but BKK has some with Thai road and POI data.

Thai roads can be a bit rough, expect lorries to pull into the fast lane without notice if they see a pot hole ahead. Punchers occur often and are repaired at any of the many repair shops along most roads, you will see the large tractor tyre painted red/white outside. Just drive in and 50-100 Baht and a few minutes later you will be on your way, easy.

Most gas/petrol stations accept cash more easily than credit cards but larger places do. A typical fill up will cost you 1,000 Baht (depending etc etc.), I budget 2 Baht a km in fuel for the diesel Ranger I drive, and consider the 200 Baht "on the spot" fees part of the motoring budget. Typical fines paid at a police station are 400 Baht and take a chunk out of your day, 200 Baht for quick service is better unless you are counting your satang, but with 1,000 Baht a day for your car you need a sense of perspective.

If you are doing some longer trips bring some music with you, CD players are common but an MP3 player with small RF transmitter is easier to use. Also for longer trips, take toilet rolls, soap and a nail brush with you for "comfort" breaks while driving, a small point but you will be glad of it. "Wet Wipes" from the baby good section of the supermarket are useful. Unless you car is destintive consider marking the arieal with a coloured ribbon.

As in the US at many junctions you can turn left through a red light, there are some exceptions to this in Bangkok for example that are badly or not marked in symbols or English - this "seems" to be something of a farang fine trap.

Generally a car behind you flashing it's lights means get the <deleted> out of MY way, but oncoming traffic may be warning of police laying in wait just ahead of you, not all Thais are self centred and pig headed.

Enjoy your holiday - driving in Thailand is fun and cheap, once you have explored Pattaya take a long trip upcountry, there is so much more to see and do and other road users are less agressive etc.