Why do YOU think the Thais are such bad drivers?

[VincentD]

OK - so whilst we are at it ..........
Can somebody tell me why some local drivers have the infuriating habit of 'flicking' their indicators left / right / left,

Many of them do this to say to the traffic immediately behind them, 'Don't Overtake'. Used to be very common with the heavy truck drivers on winding roads as they could see the road ahead was not clear for traffic to overtake.
when the traffic finally clears they will signal a 'left hand indicator' signal saying you can go now. The way to say thanks was, after you passed with a right hand signal, a quick left hand flash was sufficient.

Used to do the inner winding road to Lopburi every week for years. Doesn't happen much these days with the newer drivers...
The new breed turn on every light they have including front and rear fogs(probably haven't got a clue, so lets put all of them on just in case ) And flash the headlights for good measure..

[Ginjaninja]

It's actually a real life event, although the wife says the sign is in Thai script warning rather than arrows. It's a narrow beach road near me with plenty of pull over spaces and we sit at a small restaurant place trying to get cool and watch the cars coming down the lane from opposite directions, and not having a clue what to do, and not wanting to give in. Afternoon drama show at the beach. Pete

Driving courtesy and etiquette is virtually zero here and that's one of the main problems. Simply giving way would help ease the traffic and create a more efficient drive for all parties... but that's asking too much for most drivers here.
What a relief driving back home in Scotland/U.K./a few parts in Europe....

GN.

[Big Boy]

Blatant ignorance/ignoring of road signs does it for me. Yesterday, using the rear exit from market Village we were sat there ages waiting for the car in front to turn right. It's a one way road (OK he only wanted to go one way), and the signs clearly direct traffic left.

Then there's the Soi 94 element going past Saxophone Lounge - clearly marked one way, but how many ignore it, including police officers? There is a constant abuse of traffic regulations here.

Thailand needs a police force prepared to enforce the law.

[HHTel]

Was that a pig I saw flying overhead!!!

[usual suspect]

Do Thai drivers actually know about 'traffic rules'? Do they comprehend 'driving laws'..?
It's pretty obvious that once mobile, be it 2 wheels or 4 it's a case of each person does as they please.

As B.B. stated earlier..they will not obey a one-way sign or recognise a 'no-entry' sign..they do as they wish.
How many times have we seen a Thai on a m/bike come out of a side St to a main Rd then sit and wait till traffic is clear for them to
venture across the road & join the far-side carrigeway..? Not very often, 'cos both Sonchai & his Mrs (& their 12-14yr old kid) will simply get to the main road, turn to their right , & come out (going against the flow of traffic)..then merge across after 50-100m. Classic Thai driving..'Can't wait, Won't wait'.

Next time you're out on the road & you witness some bad driving just say to yourself..
..'Cannot wait, Will not wait' ...& that will probably sum up what's just gone off in front of you.

But don't get angry with them..it's the Thai-way, & will not change for many yrs to come.

[Big Boy]

I've been thinking for a while, about making a compilation video of Thai driving traits - still at the 'thinking about it stage' at the moment.

It'll take a while to compile, but not sure if it will be a horror story, or a comedy

[usual suspect]

B.B...if you're video is aimed at the Westerners it will need sinister background music to make the point clear.
BUT..
...If your vid is for Thais it will have to include pantomime sound-effects all the way thru' it..

[Spitfire]

It's not so complicated really.

To be frank......it's nothing more than the total disregard for authority that most locals hold and the belief that they are individually special and that the rules/laws only apply to other people...not them.

Could just trim-it-down to ridiculous personal arrogance and indifference towards others, mixed with a commonly found overly inflated opinion of themselves....the word 'supercilious' springs to mind.

Mix that with a woefully silly system that administrates this area of endeavour ineptly and chaos is what you get. Anyone who goes to get a driving license here can see it with all the completely unsuitable people waiting that are granted such things.

I will resist from going on and on and on.

[Gregjam]

I don't think all Thai drivers are bad, just the majority and in most cases it is simply a result of a system where getting a licence is too easy and despite having all the laws in place an almost total lack of enforcement. Some drivers are very skilled but without enforcement of the rules and discipline they will carry out manouvers that are frightening at best. One benefit of this is that parking a truck in places like MV is easy due to the width of the spaces required for the average driver of a Vios although I am sorely tempted to leave a big crease in the doors of the idiots who move the cones and park where you U turn to leave if you park in the bay's towards the rear of the upper levels. Again ignorance and lack of enforcement by the guards.

[HHTel]

Traffic laws are not valid on private property (i.e. MV car park). The police have no ability to enforce real traffic laws on the public roads so what chance do privately paid 'guards' have?

[Homer]

... Could just trim-it-down to ridiculous personal arrogance and indifference towards others, mixed with a commonly found overly inflated opinion of themselves....the word 'supercilious' springs to mind. ...

That explains all the videos and personal experience of Thais crossing a stream of traffic without checking for oncoming vehicles. Liveleak dot com is littered with CCTV and dash cam vids of Thais on motorbikes appearing (because the vids have no sound) to look only when they hear the vehicle that is about to modify their personal arrogance.

[buksida]

Have been in Indonesia for the past few weeks, the driving here is shocking also but I have yet to see an accident whereas I see them almost daily when on the road in Thailand. The major difference seems to be speed - Thais simply drive too fast for the road conditions or their ability behind the wheel, hence the repetitive losses of control and meetings with ditches or other vehicles.

[hhinner]

^^ Maybe they have better brakes, fewer brake failures, in Indo?

[Spitfire]

I guess preventive maintenance is a abstract concept in many places.

[Bristolian]

^^ Darwin's theory is also not accepted '"
The inanely stupid and careless will also suffer. Unfortunately the innocent will be also culled as a consequence. Approx 250,000 stopped and charged for DUI!!! WT.....F.