Road Closure Soi 88 Railway Crossing to Station

[Big Boy]

Well guys, TITT (This Is Truly Thailand). They've changed priorities/created a one way system (I think) with no warning/advisory road signs. I have concluded that you can no longer legally travel West between the 2 7-11s. This will be a pain for me, either sending me down to the Soi 94 crossroads, or taking me past Permsup. Yes, there are a few rat runs, but not really suitable for regular traffic.

I doubt motorcycles will take notice of the change, and there'll be many cars/lorries doing exactly what I did today .

[Big Boy]

Thinking about it, knowing Thai drivers, they need more than paint on the road - proper traffic islands would be more effective or maybe landmines.

[PeteC]

Is there a drop bar/gate at that crossing? I've looked at the clip a few times and can't tell for sure. I hope there is as drivers will be busy navigating the circle rather than looking up/down a RR track IMO. Pete

[hhinner]

I came up Soi 88 from Petchkasem across the roundabout and between the 7-11s.

They have painted road markings now, and I got the distinct impression that I was not allowed between the 7-11s and had to go right or left. However, unlike yesterday, somebody gave way, so I did what didn't feel right.

I'll review the dashcam footage later, and if the road markings are clear, you can all decide whether my driving has gone native with today's manoeuvre.

It remains to be seen, but I don't think you did anything wrong although the road between the two 7s is a bit narrow due to repairs at the moment. The road markings don't look like permanent ones either.

Well guys, TITT (This Is Truly Thailand). They've changed priorities/created a one way system (I think) with no warning/advisory road signs. I have concluded that you can no longer legally travel West between the 2 7-11s. This will be a pain for me, either sending me down to the Soi 94 crossroads, or taking me past Permsup. Yes, there are a few rat runs, but not really suitable for regular traffic.

I doubt motorcycles will take notice of the change, and there'll be many cars/lorries doing exactly what I did today .

[hhinner]

^^ Oops! No idea why BB's post got quote twice.

[Big Boy]

Is there a drop bar/gate at that crossing? I've looked at the clip a few times and can't tell for sure. I hope there is as drivers will be busy navigating the circle rather than looking up/down a RR track IMO. Pete

Yes, it's a full width bar, so no nipping around it either.

[Big Boy]

It remains to be seen, but I don't think you did anything wrong although the road between the two 7s is a bit narrow due to repairs at the moment. The road markings don't look like permanent ones either.

I was definitely at fault crossing the yellow hatched area. Permanent? No idea, but it's unusual to put any markings down anyway.

The narrow bit is usually a car/bike parking area.

[hhinner]

Sometimes you have to cross yellow hatched areas, such as on Petchkasem northbound to turn right into the soi next to the palace to get to Golden Place. I know that would be illegal in other places, but very often road markings in Thailand just don't make sense, as if all scenarios haven't been considered. Maybe you should have given way to the traffic coming from the left there though?

[Big Boy]

Maybe you should have given way to the traffic coming from the left there though?

As you can see on the video, the white van was stationary for a while, and the motorcycle joined him. I try to drive courteously, but I don't hang around if the guy with the right of way hasn't grown a pair.

[cookie102]

The way that I read the hatched area is that you must not stop on it (the same as the UK) and you should not enter it unless your exit is clear. I do appreciate that it would be almost impossible in Thailand as there will always be someone that has to push to the front.

[Big Boy]

It was Thai workmanship. They've burnt up yesterday's markings, and have now put them in the right place - only in Thailand

[Big Boy]

Hopefully, this is the last video from this location. You can clearly see where yesterday's markings have been (almost) lifted. In fact, as far as road markings in Thailand go, these are quite good.

One typically Thailand bit though, on the one way road that goes past Tesco (which many ignore the restriction on), the painted lines on the roadworks have put in a lane for traffic joining from the wrong one way street direction i.e. traffic should only enter that road there, not exit.

[HHTel]

Hopefully, this is the last video from this location. You can clearly see where yesterday's markings have been (almost) lifted. In fact, as far as road markings in Thailand go, these are quite good.

One typically Thailand bit though, on the one way road that goes past Tesco (which many ignore the restriction on), the painted lines on the roadworks have put in a lane for traffic joining from the wrong one way street direction i.e. traffic should only enter that road there, not exit.

I checked this with the police some time back as I was annoyed having to face oncoming motorbikes after leaving Tesco to Soi 94. I was told that it's only one-way for cars and is clearly marked as such at the Soi 94 end. Motorbikes can legally travel in both directions!

[Big Boy]

It isn't that clear, given the number of Farangs here that can't read Thai. The road signs at the Soi 94 end and Tesco rear entrance are quite clear though.

That aside, I've also encountered plenty of cars going in the wrong direction also.

[HHTel]

Agree BB. The instruction is in Thai and I can't read Thai so can't argue otherwise. I have occasionally met a car going the wrong way and I just refuse to give any ground forcing them to reverse. I do get bloody minded at times.