Driving in Bangkok!

[Ian Wensor]

My Thai wife tells me it's legal to ride a motorbike in Thailand and carry 2 passengers so how is it police don't stop riders who carry 3 passengers - sometimes more. ? Furthermore, how do victims of an accidents stand if it's caused by one of the countless kids who weave in and out of traffic and don't have a licence. Seems police are more intersted in issuing tickets - (or obtaining bribes ) from adults stopped ... for not wearing crash helmets !!!

[Jason McDonald]

"So what I would like to see is the compulsory fitting of seat belts for rear-seat passengers in taxis. Wearing them could remain optional though I personally always would."

Hi I have been in hundreds of taxis and all of them have rear seat belts fitted. However the fittings you clip them into are tucked away under the seat and you probably have to remove the seat to access them. I have asked many drivers why they do this and they tell me that they don't need them as it is only a legal requirement to wear them in the front seats. Also it makes it uncomfortable for people in the back seat when you try to fit more than 6 people in the back.

Motorcyclists are starting to wear helmets becasue the cops keep pulling them over and fining them. But this only seems to apply to the rider not to any of the passengers or the dog. I have seen dad, mum, three kids and a dog on one bike. But nothing compared to Vietnam. I have ridden motorbikes there any to have contact on foot pegs and handlebars all the time. You get used to riding with your hands well away from the ends of the bars.

Cheers and enjoy Thailand. i am in Australia now and really miss bangkok. My wife being there might have something to do with that??

jason

[Limey]

That's a useful insight Jason, so thank you for that!

[mrnecros]

I have ridden a motorbike in Thailand for a bit over 2 years and actually feel safer riding there than I do in London or Sydney.
People drive much slower and once you realise that the white line in the middle of the road is just a suggestion and not the invisible wall you are taught in British/US/etc...driving schools, then it's not so difficult to read the traffic.
Only real worry I have is with large trucks and SUVs travelling at 120km+ on the major highways.
Driving at that sort of speed is insane here because the roads are not up to it.
Obviously this is still largely a 3rd world country and a lot could be done to reduce the death toll by making helmets and safety gear more readily available and more importantly fashionable.
Vanity prohibits a lot of young men and women from putting a lid on their noggen.
I must be the only guy in Thailand who owns motorcross style armor - people are forever taking photos of me.

[saensing]

Just hard to imagine i can drive in BKK ,
I do in C mai
worst driving in the world.
Young children can drive motor bike
Low never force .
Parking, is bad
No indicator
Test is joke
M. Saensing

[inmyebox]

There is a Swedish very useful handbook Körkort with tips and information, how to drive in Thailand, how to get a Thai driving license and more. The guide can be downloaded for free as a PDF file from their website. Unfortunately it's just available in Swedish language but a very good resource for all Scandinavians!

Good luck and Drive safe!

Stefan Holm

[Limey]

Perhaps Stefan you could translate it... ?

[Teninchpianist]

Hi to everybody, i am new to this forum, but would like to say thet the most frightening mistake i have ever made was to hop on the back of a motorbike taxi at 5pm one afternoon in Bangkok !
And what has happened to my old mate............. Villager ?

[taurus]

Hi to everybody, i am new to this forum, but would like to say thet the most frightening mistake i have ever made was to hop on the back of a motorbike taxi at 5pm one afternoon in Bangkok !
And what has happened to my old mate............. Villager ?

Still here mate, just swopped my "handle" to taurus (my birth sign) no reason in particular just fancied a change, as for the driving standards here in Thailand ,to put it bluntly it is non existent (standards) I mean

[NangrongJ]

It's not just Bangkok but all over Thailand. As one who lives in Thailand but gains an income from travelling through Asia and the Middle East to provide specialist driver training and road safety I am dissapointed that no one person will assume responsibility for road safety in Thailand. I have written to many who seem to be in a position to take about driving and road safety but I have yet to receive the dignity of a reply. Quite simply the Ostrich mentality works as it provides income for the police and it's less hassle for Thai's having to be trained and tested.

I've seen many things in my travels (38 countries) and Thailand is not the worst but that is no consolation for a country pretending to be civilised and trying to attract quality tourists!