Thais and horn use on the road

[Robinhood]

Something I've learnt is that Thais are very horny and in a friendly way. In my own country, if you come up to someone from behind and peep your horn, you're likely to get the finger. But in Thailand, I've noticed they use the horn correctly, to warn others that they are approaching out of sight, or when entering a blind bend.
I've just got my 5-year license at Ch-am Road Transport Office. Be aware they now have a booking system.

[Mod edit: title changed to reflect content.]

[buksida]

I've found it the complete opposite, use the horn against a Thai driver and they get very angry very quickly.

Now in Nepal or Vietnam, you never really take your hand off the horn - it's a part of being on the road!

[Big Boy]

The use of the horn back in the 80s/90s was proper. Use the horn now, and you're probable going to find somebody taking offence.

Out of interest Robinhood, do you live centrally or out of town somewhere?

[brianks]

My wife gets angry at me when I toot the horn. She says it gets people angry.

Yes, and the DMV has an appointment system now as I just renewed my Dr. License down here in the south. Quite slikc and makes the visit quite smooth and short. Surprising such an improvement was made.

[Groodman]

I was told that the use of the horn in Thailand was to warn other drivers 'I am coming through', so keep out of my way.

[handdrummer]

When I was in Isreal, my friend told me that when the light changed from red to green, that was the signal for everyone to blow their horn. She was being facetious but it was true.

[HHTel]

I've found it the complete opposite, use the horn against a Thai driver and they get very angry very quickly.

Now in Nepal or Vietnam, you never really take your hand off the horn - it's a part of being on the road!

In India every truck displays a sign at the back 'Sound your Horn', 'Horn Please' etc etc.

I do a short 'toot' to thank someone for giving way and I've found many Thais do the same. Sometimes needed to wake the guy in front to the fact the lights are now green!

I will use the horn 'angrily' when the situation calls for it. e.g. cutting in front of you causing you to brake hard and hoping the car behind is not too close.

[Gregjam]

When driving around Hua Hin I rarely use the horn. The most common place is the circulatory where the bypass meets the Pala-U road. Normally Hua Hin bound when drivers coming off the bypass totally ignore the give way sign and drive out in front of traffic using the circulatory ( I would say roundabout but it is more figure of 8 shaped). The wife hates this as she is afraid the other driver might pull a gun on me (not unknown in this fair country) but so far nothing untoward has happened.

[HHTel]

The gun certainly comes into play during road rage here. There are many videos of road rage where the driver will exit his vehicle with a sword or machete. A few years ago, a Thai driver was cut up on a road in BKK. He caught up with the culprit at the traffic lights and shot him in the head!

[buksida]

Those stories are all too common, and can be seen on the news daily now that everyone has a dashcam. Thai men often behave like spoilt 8-year-olds when behind the wheel - be careful out there!

[handdrummer]

Those stories are all too common, and can be seen on the news daily now that everyone has a dashcam. Thai men often behave like spoilt 8-year-olds when behind the wheel - be careful out there!

A nation of very spiritual people with highly developed egos.

[buksida]

In all the years I've lived here, I've never understood what changes mentally when they get behind the wheel. Thais are usually easy-going, friendly people that are compassionate about others. But that all changes rapidly when they're in a vehicle as they turn into utter lunatics, endangering the lives of others because of their new overblown sense of self-importance (and probably the protection of the shiny metal box they're cocooned in).

[handdrummer]

In all the years I've lived here, I've never understood what changes mentally when they get behind the wheel. Thais are usually easy-going, friendly people that are compassionate about others. But that all changes rapidly when they're in a vehicle as they turn into utter lunatics, endangering the lives of others because of their new overblown sense of self-importance (and probably the protection of the shiny metal box they're cocooned in).

There's an old Warner Bros. cartoon, from the 1950s, called Mr. Walker and Mr. Wheeler that illustrates that behavior perfectly. it's not a new or local phenomenon.

[Big Boy]

I still remember my first bus trip from Bangkok to Pattaya back in the 80s. Every vehicle we passed, 2 honks. Every vehicle that passed us, 2 honks. That was a lot of honks.

[buksida]

Maybe social media has turned everyone into "rage monsters" now.