Driving in Bangkok!

[ricoaj22]

so serious question, is it possible for a foreigner to drive in central bangkok and not crash (be crashed into)?

I consider myself a confident guy who has reasonable driving skills, and I don't think its do able personally.

I have met loads of nice people here but the driving standard i have seen is abysmally poor across the board. Frighteningly bad at times. I hope government here gets a grip of actual driver training at some stage in future

[bobbyd]

by ricoaj22 on Wed Nov 21, 2012 8:14 pm
so serious question, is it possible for a foreigner to drive in central bangkok and not crash (be crashed into)?

I consider myself a confident guy who has reasonable driving skills, and I don't think its do able personally.

I have met loads of nice people here but the driving standard i have seen is abysmally poor across the board. Frighteningly bad at times. I hope government here gets a grip of actual driver training at some stage in future

It was strange in the initial days when I first got behind the wheel in Bangkok. I felt Thai driving habits were awkward and selfish but after awhile I found drivers to be much more accommodating and for the most part considerate when on the roads compared to American drivers.

I don’t agree that driving standards are abysmally poor, at least in the capital that is!

In general, Bangkok drivers realize they’re not going to get where they want quickly due to the congested roads and so they don’t get wound up about it.

People here are more conscious of driving safely in Bangkok as cars cost a hell of a lot of money. They also don’t want an accident in what they consider a very prestigious item.

When I return to the American roads I find the drivers impatient, hostile with a ‘it’s-my-road’ get out of the way attitude!

My advice is don’t exhibit aggressive driving habits, leave your driving expectations at home, try to get into the rhythm, (there is one) and you’ll find you’ll fit in with the flow just find.

[robins]

Yes, it is possible but to drive in Bangkok you must learn the individual streets, stuff that no map can tell you. For a long time I would park at the airport and take a taxi into the City, now I drive. Suggest you find a taxi driver you like, sit in the front seat and have him drive on the roads you intend to drive. I have to admit, I find it stressful to the point of not being very pleasant to be around when I drive there, that childish "cut you off if I can, drive like it's a competition" attitude many of the Thais have is infuriating. I still leave the car at the hotel and take taxis around town, parking is so hard to find, you're better off in a taxi for most short trips.

[ricoaj22]

Thanks for the reply, good points are made about people not wanting to dent their expensive toys.

However I am still unconvinced, the driving standard is unbelievably dire like i said. I refer to the tailgating and undertaking at will. As an Englishman where we drive on the left too, people overtaking you on the left IS a guaranteed reckless maneuvre and is punishable by 4 penalty points and a court appearance for undue care.

I understand the need to be aggressive to a degree but don't understand how this supercedes safety. I think as a rule of thumb i will never ever drive there, it is like a computer game just seeing it. A truly frightening computer game haha

[james48]

I love driving in Thailand i have no problems with it at all. I can drive on the toll roads over 240km if stopped which is very rare 500bht in a hand and of you go again (cant do that in the UK) yes there are some cameras around but you know where they are and even the mobile ones people warn you.
Driving in BKK is fun to as long as you have your thai head in place if you are cut up smile and swear under your smile, if you have a accident and you will some time stand back and let the insurance guys fight its good fun to watch.
Ok i have been driving here for 14years i have had two accidents not serious one of them on my motor bike, yes i drive fast expensive cars and when i drive them the thais give me respect even taxi drivers..but then i drive the truck complete opposite.