Take a walk on the right side

THINKBOX

Published: 10/02/2012 at 03:01 AM
Newspaper section: Life

Everyone who can drive might take this rule to heart. You have to take the left lane when you slow down and use the right lane when you want to speed up. You do the same when you drive in certain countries such as Britain and do the opposite when you drive in the US. That is the rule, with a penalty if you break traffic law. You are risking your own _ and others' _ safety, having your driving licence confiscated, a fine or even facing criminal charges if you and your vehicle are involved in an accident.

But what are you going to do when you walk on the street _ Bangkok's cramped footpaths and public walkways _ or escalators or moving walkways at the airport?

Should you stand idle on the right or left side? Which side of the path should you take when you want to increase your speed?

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About the author

: Writer: Anchalee Kongrut; Position: News Reporter

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ron1947
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Discussion 2 : 10/02/2012 at 10:29 AM2
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The benefit for me walking Thai streets is that I've learnt how to dance, particularly the jive. Seriously though, who would want to live in a uniform straight jacket like they do in Japan and many other so called advanced countries?
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visiting
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Discussion 1 : 10/02/2012 at 05:02 AM1
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K Anchalee: Perhaps your confusion arises from your early statement "That is the rule, with a penalty if you break traffic law. You are risking... having your driving licence confiscated, a fine or even facing criminal charges if you and your vehicle are involved in an accident."

I don't mean to kill the messenger, but based on your name, I presume you have lived in Thailand for some time. Are you aware of any instances where a person actually paid a legitimate fine? I read about 2 years ago about a hi-so person's son who -- while driving -- hit a young girl so hard she was decapitated. And what did he do? Fled the scene. Hid out with his family for a few days. Went to temple. And then came to the police to apologize. Would you like to place a wager on the probability this person is not in jail today? How about whether he still holds a valid driver’s license?

With this said, does you still find it surprising that people don't commit to one side of the sidewalk?
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Take a walk on the right side | Bangkok Post: opinion