Hua Hin to Cha-Am - Don't spare the horses! ;)

Post by **Rider** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:42 am

Not much of a road trip this brothers, just a quick blast to Cha-am.

Got to be careful on this road. It's arrow-straight but there are people just swerving and u-turning up on ahead in front of you. Be wary, a biker buddy from websters was nearly killed when he hit a 'pull-out' bike as he rocketed along at 260kph!!!! People out in Thailand aren't quite used to those speeds when doing their u-turns and the like.
But no such craziness on this vid, more 'sober' speed of around 130-140 kph

Post by **lomuamart** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:22 am

Not surprised he was nearly killed doing 260kph. That's 160mph.
Appreciate he's a mate, but really anyone doing that sort of speed anywhere should be locked up.

Post by **Wanderlust** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:24 pm

Rider,
It is possibly one of the roads in the best condition in Thailand, and has been for a long time, but the national speed limit applies. While I appreciate that many Thais ignore the limit, I don't think it is a good idea to encourage others to do so, especially as that road does not have any bridges for pedestrians to cross it, and there are several places where they do frequently (markets, popular restaurants etc). One final safety point is that there are frequently teams of workers in the outside lanes tending to and watering the flowers etc in the central reservation, often with no warning cones or signs - at the speeds you are talking about there may not be enough time to avoid collisions. The watchword in Thailand (and everywhere) should be defensive driving, to avoid both accidents and police involvement.

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:02 pm

What is the national speed limit, 80? I been driving the upper deck of the Chonburi/Bang Na tollway recently and they had the '80' signs flashing, but only once. Other times the signs were not activated. Pete

Post by **Wanderlust** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:25 pm

As far as I am aware on toll highways it is 120 kph, and elsewhere 80 unless marked different. I think some dual or triple carriageways might be 100 but not sure. I do know if I am ever going at 100 or slightly over my wife tells me to slow down!

Post by **hhfarang** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:27 pm

...and if you do drive at 80 on a Bangkok tollway, you better stay on the left shoulder or you will be run over by taxis and others doing 140!

BTW... Bangkok traffic cops have found a new way to get tea money. I've seen radar traps on the freeways and tollways up there the last couple of times I've driven through.

Post by **PeteC** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 3:42 pm

[quote="hhfarang BTW... Bangkok traffic cops have found a new way to get tea money. I've seen radar traps on the freeways and tollways up there the last couple of times I've driven through.[/quote]

Yes, if you enter the Bang Na/Chonburi going East at the first entrance off the expessway, you have a good 8KM before you get to the toll booth to get your ticket. They set themselves up in a small alcove between lanes, beach umbrella and all

with their radar gun. The man with the ticket book is waiting at the toll booth and points you over after you pick up your ticket. Pete

Post by **Rider** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:20 pm

Wanderlust wrote:Rider,
It is possibly one of the roads in the best condition in Thailand, and has been for a long time, but the national speed limit applies. While I appreciate that many Thais ignore the limit, I don't think it is a good idea to encourage others to do so, especially as that road does not have any bridges for pedestrians to cross it, and there are several places where they do frequently (markets, popular restaurants etc). One final safety point is that there are frequently teams of workers in the outside lanes tending to and watering the flowers etc in the central reservation, often with no warning cones or signs - at the speeds you are talking about there may not be enough time to avoid collisions. The watchword in Thailand (and everywhere) should be defensive driving, to avoid both accidents and police involvement.

Your comments have been duly noted, considered and rejected.
The reasons being:
I ride with other bikers out Bang Saphan and if you go slower than 120 kph you will be left behind.
On a clear open road 80kph is for scooters and low cc bikes. Bigger cc bikes are more than safe at faster speeds.
Going at about 140 kph still gives you enough time to sight oncoming drivers in the opposite direction and take action. Defensive Driving is applicable at all speeds.
I've had less danger at 160kph++ than I have at slower speeds in rush-hour traffic with cross-filter bikers buzzing around

Besides, there is an old adage that going faster than traffic behind you keeps it behind you, if you catch my drift

Post by **STEVE G** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:04 am

prcscct wrote:What is the national speed limit, 80? I been driving the upper deck of the Chonburi/Bang Na tollway recently and they had the '80' signs flashing, but only once. Other times the signs were not activated. Pete

It was always my understanding that the speed limit was 90 on the tollway, and they activate the 80 signs just before a speed trap; thats how they caught me anyway!

Post by **bluezephyr** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:43 am

And pick out a picture nearest the look of you car and present it to you saying look weve just photgraphed you speeding.
They did this to a friend and was a totally different car and clearly not that new a picture.

I was unlucky enough to witness the toll check mafia on the way to Kampaeng Phet last year, We'd just filled the car and my mate forgot to put his seatbelt on, 1000 baht being asked for and wanting his liscence before he snatched it back, It came down to 200 and a handshake (him smiling too!
Travelling on the toll way one evening we saw 2 ferarri's have a bit of a tussle, It was great to see, Just like need for speed.

Post by **Rider** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:20 am

bluezephyr wrote:And pick out a picture nearest the look of you car and present it to you saying look weve just photgraphed you speeding.
They did this to a friend and was a totally different car and clearly not that new a picture.

I was unlucky enough to witness the toll check mafia on the way to Kampaeng Phet last year, We'd just filled the car and my mate forgot to put his seatbelt on, 1000 baht being asked for and wanting his liscence before he snatched it back, It came down to 200 and a handshake (him smiling too!
Travelling on the toll way one evening we saw 2 ferarri's have a bit of a tussle, It was great to see, Just like need for speed.

Always would be good to capture on video the Ferrari Owners club out here zooming about!

I saw a trio of them on the autobahn in Germany come booming past! You could here them first, like an approaching sonic boom!

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:24 am

Rider - I appreciate that you may feel safer yourself doing 160, and heaven forbid you get left behind, (in what does sound like a pretty dangerous and pointless scramble out of BangSaphan) - the points Wanderlust and others are making is that Thailands roads simply aren't safe as far as the risk to others is concerned.
German autobahns are one thing, but are not usually frequented by pedestrians, chickens, dogs, buffalo and other stray animals, not to mention small bikes going the wrong way, school children, people working on the central reservations, and unsafe loads of coconuts. And Thai rear view mirrors are not known for being adjusted correctly.
Most of us I think like to see gatherings of 'real' bikers, but expect them to drive responsibly and with respect to other road users. In Thailand that covers much more than other drivers.

Super Joe · Post by **Super Joe** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:01 am

Rider, I assume you genuinely believe this is big and clever. It's reckless and endangers lives, and I doubt many on here are that impressed.

Going at about 140 kph still gives you enough time to sight oncoming drivers in the opposite direction and take action

But maybe not enough time for people pulling out of side roads (as Thais do rightly or wrongly), Thais crossing from central reservation across the 3 lanes, dogs crossing the road, kids running acros the Petchakasem, cars changing lanes at the last minute as they do etc etc.
You're don't seem to be taking into account Thai driving norms (which are shocking yes), you're in there country though mate.

I used to speed around on my fizzy too ..... when I was 17.

SJ

Post by **miked** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 9:44 am

agree 100% with super joe. rider, who are you trying to impress.? your actions are stupid and selfish. the roads are for everyone. if you want to race then do so on a race track. thailand has enough late middle aged farangs riding high powered motor bikes that they have little control over.
before you ask i have ridden bikes for 30 years, on road and race track.
miked

Post by **Rider** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 11:03 am

The area I was 'speeding' was in the middle of nowhere, not downtown Petchkasem as some seem to be assuming

But as HHAD is the grey forum I guess as you get older you get cautious, perhaps too cautious but there you go

You've got great expanses of road with a solid wall dividing you and the oncoming traffic.
I often wonder how many of you have made the journey on your bike or are just echoing in Wanderlusts comments.
160kph is a bit in the red for THIS area, but other areas you are safe to do so if you know the road and the area

Hua Hin Forum

Hua Hin to Cha-Am - Don't spare the horses! ;)

Hua Hin to Cha-Am - Don't spare the horses! ;)

HuaHin to ChaAm - Don't spare the horses!