Things That Wind Me Up Driving In Thailand

[hhinner]

At least that indicates traffic was flowing easily

Bet it wasn't so freely in Cha-Am.

[buksida]

Wasn't very free from Chumphon to HH either, lots of roadworks again on those never-ending repairs and flyover construction projects that rarely have any actual workers present.

[Big Boy]

Motorcyclists who think the dotted line between lanes along the stretch of road in front of the new station is for riding along

[404cameljockey]

Motorcyclists who think the dotted line between lanes along the stretch of road in front of the new station is for riding along

I may have one as a bonnet mascot soon. I'm not prepared to veer over into the left lane if there's a bike in it.

[Big Boy]

Been there, done that - it gets a bit messy though

[Ralfredo]

Been there, done that - it gets a bit messy though

Doesn't the car wash on Soi 94 fix that problem?

[Big Boy]

Seriously, many years ago when I said on this forum that when I moved to Thailand I wanted a pickup truck, many asked why. At the time, it was just something I'd always fancied. Being such a big guy, I wanted a larger vehicle, purely for comfort.

Thirteen years of driving in Thailand, I've been hit my many motorcyclists (never my fault) - they basically just bounce off my truck. Its always a bit of a pain (even a worry the first few times) waiting for police/insurance agents, but they barely mark the truck. Such a good move owning a pickup truck in Thailand.

Fortunately, despite having driven to all 4 corners of Thailand, it has only ever been in Hua Hin where I've been hit. Not one of the offenders has been insured, but that has always been a problem for my insurance company, not me.

[Dannie Boy]

Friends of ours got rear ended by a motorcyclist in the HH area a few weeks back, sufficiently hard enough to do damage to the car and motorcycle but no personal injuries - motorcyclist had no insurance, our friends did, so it was decided it was the car drivers fault!!


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[404cameljockey]

Been there, done that - it gets a bit messy though

Yes I've had a Win taxi man as a hood mascot.He was flying down Pala U Road at terrific speed close to the centre of the road, I was turning right off the main road I didn't even notice the small bike maybe 50-60 metres away as I wasn't looking for a little bike in the right hand lane travelling like a rocket (I though they were supposed to stay in the left lane?).

Bike embedded deep in my bonnet, much injury to the old Win guy's internals. My fault of course, no mitigating factors because I'm a farang with full insurance.

[Big Boy]

That is not a good decision. It will eventually hit your friend's renewal status. Too many claims like that, and the company will not renew the policy.

I had that when my son had a serious accident (his fault). The insurance sorted everything correctly - were very good in fact. However, at renewal time, the company did not want to know. Not a problem, just switch companies.

I think we're drifting from the topic.

[migrant]

Probably a bit off topic but in the past month I've had a motorcycle accident and a auto collision. Went to the police station each time and after describing the accident in both cases the officer said " Not your fault, you want money?"

On the other hand a friend had a bike to bike collision. It was on security cam and 2 witnesses all said not his fault. The police said his fault, you're falang you pay. My friend said what do you mean I've cam footage and witnesses. Officer said you can pay me 1,400 baht and go to court but judge is Thai so who wins??

[Big Boy]

Didn't your friend let his insurance sort it out? Of course, he's probably riding his bike the Thai way, with minimal or no insurance. All that I can say is motorcycle insurance is cheap - I insist my son has it. It can save a lot of hassle.

[migrant]

Didn't your friend let his insurance sort it out? Of course, he's probably riding his bike the Thai way, with minimal or no insurance. All that I can say is motorcycle insurance is cheap - I insist my son has it. It can save a lot of hassle.

You are correct, no insurance, an expensive lesson!

[Big Boy]

I have never been hit by a motorcyclist yet who had insurance.

[Big Boy]

Yellow strobe lights at major road works.

What is that all about? Lets try to blind the drivers to ensure the accident happens!

I first noticed the hideous lights driving out of Bangkok, where roadworks are always part of the landscape. They are now building a new flyover just South of Ratchaburi where they have installed similar lights.

Road markings at major roadworks are obviously quite dubious because of the nature of the work that is going on, requiring extra attention as to where you are driving. These yellow strobe lights basically blind drivers, making driving very difficult.

I suppose the question has to be, is this an international standard at roadworks throughout the world these days, or has a politician somewhere found himself lumbered with a batch of yellow strobe lights, and has used their initiative to find a use for them?

Maybe its just me, and my eyes, but I find it very difficult to see the road with flashing yellow strobe lights.

Anybody who has driven either of those roads at night must have encountered them. I'd be interested to know what others think of them.