Buriram Expats
Buriram Province - General Category => COMMUNITY BLOGS => Topic started by: urleft on October 09, 2012, 11:20:53 PM
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I was headed to Big C today in my Ford Ranger doing about 60 km an hour in the far right lane passing the clueless.
When a lady on a scooter from more than beyond the next left lane just cut across traffic without looking or a turn signal right in front of me. wildman If I did not have ABS she would have been road kill. party13 She did not even look back and I slammed on my brakes. screwy
Scared the crap out of me. jumping8 I find it amazing there are not more accidents here. party13
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I was headed to Big C today in my Ford Ranger doing about 60 km an hour in the far right lane passing the clueless.
When a lady on a scooter from more than beyond the next left lane just cut across traffic without looking or a turn signal right in front of me. wildman If I did not have ABS she would have been road kill. party13 She did not even look back and I slammed on my brakes. screwy
Scared the crap out of me. jumping8 I find it amazing there are not more accidents here. party13
There are many accidents on the roads but you are not always to see them, thats why you see many thais with scars from their motorbike accident in the past...... bike038
I always drive carefully in town and around because the motorbikes are much less predicted than the cars, at least thats how I see it. drivegear
Good to hear you didn't make any accident. sawadi
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She doesn't have to look out for other traffic as she buys a good luck amulet every week. I have twe people in the family that have scars and limps due to motorbike stuff.
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Most motorcy riders have no sense whatsoever.
Apart from driving as if there were m=n other traffic on the road, they pull out and turn into main roads without looking, drive against the flow, and as urleft has said just turn in front of you without a signal or a look.
There really needs to be lawenforcement, with heavy fines and confiscation of bikes where total stupidity comes into play (in most cases!)
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Most motorcy riders have no sense whatsoever.
I resemble that remark, Mister Nick!!!!!
Davu they are not scars, they are called.... Thailand Tattoo's
brick1 bike038
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Most motorcy riders have no sense whatsoever.
I resemble that remark, Mister Nick!!!!!
Davu they are not scars, they are called.... Thailand Tattoo's
brick1 bike038
Apologies to Nobby and all
The paragraph should have read
"Most THAI motorcy riders have no sense whatsoever."
Note to self - Do not post until after 2nd cup of coffee!
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I was headed to Big C today in my Ford Ranger doing about 60 km an hour in the far right lane passing the clueless.
When a lady on a scooter from more than beyond the next left lane just cut across traffic without looking or a turn signal right in front of me. wildman If I did not have ABS she would have been road kill. party13 She did not even look back and I slammed on my brakes. screwy
Scared the crap out of me. jumping8 I find it amazing there are not more accidents here. party13
There are many accidents on the roads but you are not always to see them, thats why you see many thais with scars from their motorbike accident in the past...... bike038
I always drive carefully in town and around because the motorbikes are much less predicted than the cars, at least thats how I see it. drivegear
Good to hear you didn't make any accident. sawadi
Unfortunately I am hearing about them. The built a 7-11 large station just North of town on Rt 219 (I live about there), in the past year we have lost 5 Neighbors, customers, friends, and children to accidents, two boys we killed on their scooter 2 weeks ago.
Last month I slowed and stayed back of 2 boys doing a scooter wheelie for about 500 meters on 219, I was waiting for them to wipe out. Luckily they didn't.
The first time I drove in Thailand I was exiting out local Makro and was watching right for traffic to clear. When an opportunity came I started to move but luckily I looked left just a scooter came the wrong way in front of me. Taught me to alway look both ways before I start.
But on the plus side, because most drivers expect other drivers to do something stupid you are more watchfull.
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Drive cautiously - remember, Italian Tony is out there with no helmet! (although he would never pull out without looking first)
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Almost everyone in our family got accident, because of drunk rider also. buttslap
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Ran across this today. Crotch Rockets scare the crap out of me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XihQeZpwqpE
The hearsay is that this guy is no longer with us to make vids.
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Ran across this today. Crotch Rockets scare the crap out of me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XihQeZpwqpE
The hearsay is that this guy is no longer with us to make vids.
No real surprise there then.
But must say the mans got balls.
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Wow, I wish I could continue to say this.
As I was making a right turn I did not see scooter trying to pass me on the right, so she hit me.
She was dazed but it did not look like a major injury, we took her to the Private hospital.
To avoid the hassle, we agreed to fix the scooter and take care of her hospital bill.
My TG said we needed to see her tonight. I said we are not her friends so we should not. However, my TW's mom said it was the right thing to do, so we went.
Unfortunately things got messy. The victim started demanding pain/suffering etc. We stated we have insurance but were trying to avoid using it. The victim stated she had insider track on insurance.
So my TG shut up and said OK. Called the Insurance company and tomorrow at 11 am we are supposed to be at the Police station, should be really interesting.
The victim has since call and yelled at my TG for calling insurance company. I also told my TG to make sure they have Scooter at Police Station because it does not have a 2556 sticker.
All said and done, this looks to me like a lose lose situation. But my insurance (1 st class) should pay regardless of what the Thai's decide. However, I think the "victim" is going to lose over what we were prepared to do.
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Urleft, this is the exact scenario that scares the heck out of me. Seems that they can ask for whatever they want, and sometimes get it. But just to check, if she is passing you on the right, and you were making right turn, she probably is at fault??? Not that fault has any bearing on the issue. Please let us know how this turns out, as it is inevitable that we will have similar issues to deal with.
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Keith,
I know you are a decent guy but I myself would NOT have taken the girl to the hospital & paid any bill because in THAI eyes you have admitted it was your fault by doing so.
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Wow, I wish I could continue to say this.
As I was making a right turn I did not see scooter trying to pass me on the right, so she hit me.
She was dazed but it did not look like a major injury, we took her to the Private hospital.
To avoid the hassle, we agreed to fix the scooter and take care of her hospital bill.
My TG said we needed to see her tonight. I said we are not her friends so we should not. However, my TW's mom said it was the right thing to do, so we went.
Unfortunately things got messy. The victim started demanding pain/suffering etc. We stated we have insurance but were trying to avoid using it. The victim stated she had insider track on insurance.
So my TG shut up and said OK. Called the Insurance company and tomorrow at 11 am we are supposed to be at the Police station, should be really interesting.
The victim has since call and yelled at my TG for calling insurance company. I also told my TG to make sure they have Scooter at Police Station because it does not have a 2556 sticker.
All said and done, this looks to me like a lose lose situation. But my insurance (1 st class) should pay regardless of what the Thai's decide. However, I think the "victim" is going to lose over what we were prepared to do.
Simply solution in future DON'T STOP.
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They, them they're. THEIR COUNTRY !!!!!!!!! bike038 bike037
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They, them they're. THEIR COUNTRY !!!!!!!!! bike038 bike037
Me , me , me. My wife's country. party11 party9 party8 tonguebar2 burp, nice with an early start.
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They, them they're. THEIR COUNTRY !!!!!!!!! bike038 bike037
Simple solution in future DON'T STOP.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KZ4Kfktty4c
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While can agree with Paul somewhat on not stopping, it is not in my nature. I am responsible for my actions, hopefully I will not learn to regret this.
And while Candy's video is correct, TIT.
So we have no accident report, the police were not involved, and witness names were not collected. This means that with time the fault gets vauge (I think in my favor as it was a very minor accident).
The girl called this morning. She is even more upset at us calling the insurance company. But I instructed my TW last night:
1. The 'Victim" gets irate, Hang up, my TW does not have to talk to her.
2. As the "Victim" is irate, let them deal with the insurance company, that is why we have insurance.
On the vehicle damages they are basically scrapes, our car has come blue paint scapes. Her scooter which has over 35,000 kilometers on it and had a broke a mirror (we already fixed) and has scrapes. What is funny is that the Scooter scrapes done by the accident almost match what was already there as it mirrors scrapes on the other side of her scooter. But as Candy's vid says to take pictures, none were taken at the scene. Both vehicles drove off and I did not plan to get my car fixed as the damage is so minor.
I looks to me like the "victim" is in a bad spot. She will have to show up at the police station with an unregistered scooter and deal formally with both the police and the insurance rep. And it has been my experience that when you get the Thai Police involved they will want their cut.
My position to the victim is now to deal with the insurance company. I think she is starting to panic.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KZ4Kfktty4c
Or you could just do this.
http://youtu.be/9ICQ15Es_Ng
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While can agree with Paul somewhat on not stopping, it is not in my nature. I am responsible for my actions, hopefully I will not learn to regret this.
And while Candy's video is correct, TIT.
So we have no accident report, the police were not involved, and witness names were not collected. This means that with time the fault gets vauge (I think in my favor as it was a very minor accident).
The girl called this morning. She is even more upset at us calling the insurance company. But I instructed my TW last night:
1. The 'Victim" gets irate, Hang up, my TW does not have to talk to her.
2. As the "Victim" is irate, let them deal with the insurance company, that is why we have insurance.
On the vehicle damages they are basically scrapes, our car has come blue paint scapes. Her scooter which has over 35,000 kilometers on it and had a broke a mirror (we already fixed) and has scrapes. What is funny is that the Scooter scrapes done by the accident almost match what was already there as it mirrors scrapes on the other side of her scooter. But as Candy's vid says to take pictures, none were taken at the scene. Both vehicles drove off and I did not plan to get my car fixed as the damage is so minor.
I looks to me like the "victim" is in a bad spot. She will have to show up at the police station with an unregistered scooter and deal formally with both the police and the insurance rep. And it has been my experience that when you get the Thai Police involved they will want their cut.
My position to the victim is now to deal with the insurance company. I think she is starting to panic.
I agree. If the victim is trying to get money out of you then refer her to the Insurance company.
If she is trying it on they will soon know.
I mean this, by the way, without reflecting on where we live or what nationalities are involved.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KZ4Kfktty4c
Or you could just do this.
http://youtu.be/9ICQ15Es_Ng
I'm sure that if this dreadful thing happened to yourself or one of your loved ones you would think differently.
As Urleft states ,we must be ''responsible for our actions''.
sawadi
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I'm sure that if this dreadful thing happened to yourself or one of your loved ones you would think differently.
As Urleft states ,we must be ''responsible for our actions''.
sawadi
Candy you really are a funny guy. hahaha hahaha hahaha
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Keith,I didn't advocate not stopping BUT in an incident like this you should look after No 1 Yourself.
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At first read I believed Keith went above and beyond by taking the girl to the hospital and fixing her bike, even though it seemed to me that the collision was the fault of the motorbike rider.
After discussing with TW, I come to learn that rules of the road are secondary to the fact that the truck is bigger and the bike smaller, so no matter who really is at fault, the truck driver will be at fault because the truck is bigger than the bike. OMG< REALLY? TIT
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There is more to the story. I will post the damage to my car soon, most will say "what damage"?
While I do not agree with how Thailand handles things, I can live with it. In this case, I have 1st Class insurance, so they are dealing with the problem.
However, in dealing with the Thai Police, you are going to get screwed, expect it.
So the insurance guy worked with the Police. They got with the "victim" I think. The reason I said I think is that we met at the police station and they kept my car. So while we await some decision, I don't have my car. The police further kept my car driver's license and passport photo. Stupid me does not carry my passport, only a copy of the main page and visa. So I still have my passport.
We do not know the outcome of whom is at fault. I fully expect it to me for being in Thailand. However, that is the insurance company problem, and they have said so.
So I see 2 outcomes:
1. The police say she was stupid to try to pass me on the right while I was making a right turn. Her problem.
2. My Fauth because I am in Thailand. No problem, the bitch now has to negotiate with my insurance company, I am out of it.
Since the victim did not get police involved right away (and I am getting they wanted to avoid that), the day after, there are no witnesses other than the drivers. And all the evidence points towards her trying to pass me on the right as I tried to make a right turn.
In the meantime, I have my truck and scooters to get around.
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Good idea, copy of the Passport. I will do as well. Not sure why they would want to keep your car? There really is no question as to who you are or the circumstances of the collision.
I do hope they resolve this quickly. It must be quite nerve wracking.
UPDATE....TW just told me OH, yes, that is what they do..."Thai concept." 20 years ago her dad was in jail for one night after a girl on a motorcycle hit his truck from behind. Girl was injured. Dad paid over 100,000 bht for "damages, because the truck is bigger." They kept his truck for a few days too.
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I'm sure that if this dreadful thing happened to yourself or one of your loved ones you would think differently.
As Urleft states ,we must be ''responsible for our actions''.
sawadi
Candy you really are a funny guy. hahaha hahaha hahaha
I agree with Candy.....
You are what you do.
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Extensive damage to car that police needed to keep and evaluate:
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I'm sure that if this dreadful thing happened to yourself or one of your loved ones you would think differently.
As Urleft states ,we must be ''responsible for our actions''.
sawadi
Candy you really are a funny guy. hahaha hahaha hahaha
I agree with Candy.....
You are what you do.
No you are what you get away with. drivinggear vespa013 hahaha
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No you are what you get away with. drivinggear vespa013 hahaha
Please explain what you mean?
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No you are what you get away with. drivinggear vespa013 hahaha
Please explain what you mean?
A Lad Isaan you seem somewhat confused1
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Sounds like you are 'related' boatsailing redman wildman thumbup
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Sounds like you are 'related' boatsailing redman wildman thumbup
All i am trying to do is have a nice day character3 thumbup
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OK, I think this is Over. Bottom Line, TIT.
We met at the police station at 1 pm. We sat with the cop, she sat with the cop, both had closed door with cop.
We ended up paying her 10,000 baht, plus an additional 2000 in tea money. She signed off on the cop's book as did I. I got my car and license back, and that is the end.
Understand that if we would not have settled it would have gone to Thai Court. Fair or not, I am glad it is over with. But I am still unclear of several things:
1. Why did the police have to keep our vehicles? So my car took up a parking space for almost a week, if you have tried to park at the police station you know it is a challenge.
2. Why did not my 1st class insurance just fix everthing? Think I will look for another company.
Having to pay to end it did not really surprise or outrage me. I figured if a guy can cut a girl in half with his car and get out of it for 200,000 baht, this should be relatively painless.
If I compare it to the states, this was about even. I was rear ended in Michigan several years ago, clearly the other driver's fault. But Michigan has no fault insurance, so my insurance had to fix my car at $250 deductable.
As I was leaving the station, the cop said "You are Lucky, see you later" As he expects to see me again. Could be as this was my 2nd bush with the law (the other was reporting/recovering a stolen Blackberry) at the same office.
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1. Why did the police have to keep our vehicles? ....... So they could bend you over and screw you for 2000 bht
2. Why did not my 1st class insurance just fix everthing? Think I will look for another company.......that's a great idea in hindsight
And I can almost guarantee you that the young lady that hit you will have parted with some of her "compensation" to the same people you were dealing with.
Sad but true.... :wacko:
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Unfortunately you really won't find out how good your insurance company is until you use them.
In the States I have used the same insurance company for over 35 years (still have a car and house insured with them). Unfortunately they don't do Thailand.
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OK, I think this is Over. Bottom Line, TIT.
We met at the police station at 1 pm. We sat with the cop, she sat with the cop, both had closed door with cop.
We ended up paying her 10,000 baht, plus an additional 2000 in tea money. She signed off on the cop's book as did I. I got my car and license back, and that is the end.
Understand that if we would not have settled it would have gone to Thai Court. Fair or not, I am glad it is over with. But I am still unclear of several things:
1. Why did the police have to keep our vehicles? So my car took up a parking space for almost a week, if you have tried to park at the police station you know it is a challenge.
2. Why did not my 1st class insurance just fix everthing? Think I will look for another company.
Having to pay to end it did not really surprise or outrage me. I figured if a guy can cut a girl in half with his car and get out of it for 200,000 baht, this should be relatively painless.
If I compare it to the states, this was about even. I was rear ended in Michigan several years ago, clearly the other driver's fault. But Michigan has no fault insurance, so my insurance had to fix my car at $250 deductable.
As I was leaving the station, the cop said "You are Lucky, see you later" As he expects to see me again. Could be as this was my 2nd bush with the law (the other was reporting/recovering a stolen Blackberry) at the same office.
If it would ever happen again,what would you do,stop or just drive off?
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I'm stupid, I would stop.
I accept the rules of living in Thailand.
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Of course, good answer. Stop and render aid. Pay as required due to TIT law. Understanding this in advance will probably save me jail time (thanks by the way). Do this as hit and run will probably require jail time (just guessing, but dont want to test the waters.) Thanks for sharing urleft.
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Of course, good answer. Stop and render aid. Pay as required due to TIT law. Understanding this in advance will probably save me jail time (thanks by the way). Do this as hit and run will probably require jail time (just guessing, but dont want to test the waters.) Thanks for sharing urleft.
Quote= Pay as required due to TIT law. hahaha
Nobody does jail time here as long as you have money.
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I'm stupid, I would stop.
I accept the rules of living in Thailand.
Unbelievable.
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Of course, good answer. Stop and render aid. Pay as required due to TIT law. Understanding this in advance will probably save me jail time (thanks by the way). Do this as hit and run will probably require jail time (just guessing, but dont want to test the waters.) Thanks for sharing urleft.
Dave,
Read this posting:
http://www.buriramexpats.com/forum/index.php/topic,4416.0.html
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Of course, good answer. Stop and render aid. Pay as required due to TIT law. Understanding this in advance will probably save me jail time (thanks by the way). Do this as hit and run will probably require jail time (just guessing, but dont want to test the waters.) Thanks for sharing urleft.
Dave,
Read this posting:
http://www.buriramexpats.com/forum/index.php/topic,4416.0.html
Unbelievable to do that and not serve any time.
Still the law is the law. thumbup
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Well today I think I missed hitting a Thai with his bicycle by about an inch.
I entered town from the north along side cut in, I crossed the RR tracks and was turing right on Lukmuang Road and traffic was very heavy. I had to pull up around a car to go wide into the turn, I was watching the car blocking me from turning, and the on coming traffic.
As I made the turn, a Thai was walking his bicycle across the street (I had not seen him), I made a quick turn and just missed hitting him and he continued walking into my path of travel and was not watching where he was going.
My TG berated me for almost hitting him and asked what I would have done it I hit him?
I honestly replied I would have kept going as he made no attempt to avoid me or watch traffic.
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Blimey. For about 40 years about 25% of my working day was driving in all sorts of traffic, never an accident (apart from that police car but I don't talk about that) and about 600Km a week for three years in Thailand now without having an accident. I'm beginning to think that it isn't a question of 'if' you have an accident, but 'when'.
A year or two ago I took a few miles of driving off the tyres doing an emergency stop for a cyclist that shot out of an entrance and fell over in front of the car. We had seat belts. My wife stopped me getting out of the car which I didn't like. Eventually the guy got up, didn't even look around and went on his way. Nasty suspicious mind that I have, I reckon he had seen me going through the every day at the same time and was looking for some ready cash. Can anyone recommend a reliable carcam, and where to buy, please?
In reply to your wife's question about what you would have done if you had hit him, I might add the Yorkshire option of getting out of the car and hitting him again before driving on.
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Have a look at Lazada Thailand for car cams.
My only accident so far in Thailand was earlier this year when I reversed into a small Honda car at traffic lights in Bangkok.
Poor bugger wasn't expecting that !!
Nice chap, took it well, I gave him and his wife 500 Baht to get themselves a meal on me.
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May I first say that having read all of this post - urleft you are a very patient and honourable man .
On the car cam - I use a free app - iblackbox on my iphone and have a gopro on the dash when driving in Thailand.
The app records speed , audio and video for every journey and I use it every journey no matter how short.
Happy new year sir.
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I'll hit someone, one day, it is only a matter of time, and the wife will blame me even though it will not be my fault!!
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My apologies re : dash cam app - it is icarblackbox
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Have a look at Lazada Thailand for car cams.
My only accident so far in Thailand was earlier this year when I reversed into a small Honda car at traffic lights in Bangkok.
Poor bugger wasn't expecting that !!
Nice chap, took it well, I gave him and his wife 500 Baht to get themselves a meal on me.
Thanks, I am giving Lazada a go, cash on delivery, middle of the range model. About ฿1000.- Invadeit is often recommended but they don't accept my credit card and don't answer my mail when I asked what I should do about that.
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I've bought quite a few items from InvadeIT, but I usually pay by bank transfer via internet banking. I have also paid via paypal but this incurs a small surcharge. Never tried paying by credit card. Always found them to be helpful.
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Well it was a very good day, no encounters with Thai Scooters.
But it might have something with me not driving anywhere today.
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Just a footnote really, I bought a ฿1000.- carcam from Lazada, took me a week to work out the crappy 'instructions' in a google translate English in very tiny print, buy a mini SD card (฿1000.-) and get it working. Well, you get what you pay for, and you can't even read number plates, the HD option in an abbreviation for highly doubtful. By the time I had got around to complaining, the TWO WEEKS guarantee had run out. I now use the iPhone as a webcam, still in a free app. version but now willing to pay for a 'pro' version. Apparently Android has an app that will GPS you to your destination AND record your drive, I might end up with that instead of having two phones stuck to the wind shield as at present. (One of which now contains the SD card).
Evil mind that I have, I may consider turning the cam in the direction of any cop that stops me in Chonburi next time I go there.
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Buy a Go Pro
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:)
Buy a Go Pro
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Well today twice I was making a right turn with my turn signal engaged when the scooter behind me passed me on the right by going into the on coming traffic lane. Luckily I saw them both coming and did not complete my turn.
In the first case the two boys were traveling at high speed, they would have been road kill.
Thailand is teaching me to look behind me when turning or passing.
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Wow, it has been a rough 2 weeks. Since I moved here in 2011 I really try to avoid being on the roads from 7-8 am and 4-530 pm. However with my angel in school I have to drive at those times. What a nightmare.
Like today I had lady on the scooter taking her daughter to school driving slow in the middle between the right and left lane, she would not choose a lane, just continued there for about 500 meters.
Or this evening I was making a right turn out of the back gate of the catholic school at about 5 pm, very heavy traffic, the right side on coming traffic seemed to clear, and a hole open on the left side on coming traffic. What I did not account for was 3 Thai boys on a scooter the kept increasing their speed. My initial estimate was I could make it, but I failed to account for the scooter accerating to about 100 KM an hour, but I was committed and turned. The scooter finally braked and all was well.
But it brings to mind that teenage males have little common sense, and with no driver's education, expect them to be real real stupid.
The TW berated me all the home saying it would have been my fault if they hit me. (Yes I know she was correct)
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Another day another successful not hitting a scooter.
I was making a right turn by the bus station onto Thani road about 4 pm, of course heavy traffic. Just as an opening cleared and started to turn my TW screamed Scooter Scooter. So I stopped just as 2 girls on a scooter passed me (and the 3 other cars) on the right continuing straight through the intersection.
Even driving here for over 5 years I have trouble believing how stupid these scooters can be.
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Not meaning to be mean, but I always expect this kind of thing to happen, I certainly let the all bikes and miscellaneous crap get out of the f£$%ing way before I start to gingerly edge forward. I go through that intersection four times a day and it's a BUGGER.
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My problem is that in a heavy traffic situation it is all I can do to keep track of the vehicles on coming and immediately around my area. In a low traffic situation I have taught myself to check to the rear before turning, but I can't comprehend how anyone can try passing a string of cars all indicating they are going to turn in front of them.
More practice and more patience needed on my part, don't try to rationalize it, it happens, deal with it and try to do better.
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When I'm on top of things, I feel like I am gliding through a computer game without being hit, no noticeable quick brakings or swearing, nice sensation. However there definitely are days when I can say to the wife after a kilometre or so that 'this is going to be one of those days'. And it generally is. Today was a day like that, a cyclist turned abruptly to his right in front of me without looking, and I mean I can't believe how he changed his forwards trajectory into a 90°one in milliseconds, without looking. Plus a few others.
I have long claimed that weather, or evil spirits or evil computer behaviour control programs influence how people drive on certain days. At least I notice it and apply the lesson to myself... maybe I should start buying amulets at the cross roads, my magic car cam doesn't seem to be of much use.
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And others have successfully avoided:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJDig3A5u_Q
https://youtu.be/VJDig3A5u_Q
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Another good reason for keeping your distance.
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found this vid that demonstrates the start of this thread:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzVlpzFI3Ho
https://youtu.be/PzVlpzFI3Ho
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While you are delving, look out for some Thai Road Safety videos, will you? I found TWO and that's it. I wonder what the Thai road safety council does apart from telling people they will lose their car for a few days if they get caught drunk driving once year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGps3ZEEb04
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mwl-uE2EzE
and of course, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/868462-hahahahhaha-wipeout/
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Not that I will be telling anyone anything they don't already know, having just returned from Phuket via Hua Hin on the drive back, I can confirm the the scooter riders and car/truck drivers are bloody mental everywhere south of Buriram. A 3,200km round trip including the running around at resorts. Quite an experience and very enjoyable.
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So this morning I am driving into town from the Private Hospital, just before the RR tracks I signal to make a left turn. However, I had to wait for the scooter coming the wrong way down the road that did not stop. Then as I had almost completed the turn a scooter appeared in front of me causing me to slam on the brakes. I said where the f$$k did that come from? I figured out that the scooter made a right turn after crossing the tracks and decided they had right of way cut in front of me.
And I still have at least 2 more trips into Buriram today, looks like extra caution is needed.
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I just don't get it. Do stop signs not apply to those on scooters? They come out of the side streets making a left turn, I assume praying all the while that they don't get hit, without looking or slowing at all. Is there some unknown rule that scooters have the right of way regardless? I get videos nearly every day online that show the carnage from scooter drivers/riders getting killed for absolutely no good reason.
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DD, I meant to post last week where I was heading into the town and as I was getting to a T intersection where I was going straight a scooter stopped to make a left turn, looked directly at my car and waited for me to clear the intersection. This was the 1st time I clearly remember a Thai doing that.
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Amazing.
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In most countries, pedestrians have the right of way; that is not true in Thailand; motorcycles seem to always have the right of way; TiT.
Also, in most countries the size of the vehicle has nothing to do with who has the right of way; not in Thailand. TiT.
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In most countries, pedestrians have the right of way; that is not true in Thailand; motorcycles seem to always have the right of way; TiT.
Also, in most countries the size of the vehicle has nothing to do with who has the right of way; not in Thailand. TiT.
The easy answer is that many motorbike riders are under age, so don't have a license OR insurance. The adults don't necessarily have insurance either. If one of these drives into the back of your truck the police will decide that it is your fault because you have 1st class insurance to cover, plus, obviously, millions in the bank to cover any 'extra costs' involved. I look on them as being more dangerous than a rampaging bull elephant.
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In most countries, pedestrians have the right of way; that is not true in Thailand; motorcycles seem to always have the right of way; TiT.
Also, in most countries the size of the vehicle has nothing to do with who has the right of way; not in Thailand. TiT.
The easy answer is that many motorbike riders are under age, so don't have a license OR insurance. The adults don't necessarily have insurance either. If one of these drives into the back of your truck the police will decide that it is your fault because you have 1st class insurance to cover, plus, obviously, millions in the bank to cover any 'extra costs' involved. I look on them as being more dangerous than a rampaging bull elephant.
What about installing a driving recorder / dash cam in your car, would that help in case of an accident?
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The above is scary stuff. I must get cameras in the truck.
Just for arguments sake.......should the worst happen I.e. Serious injury/death of let's say, under aged and in-insured rider. If you have camera footage showing not your fault and get a lawyer to represent you.......would it help or would you still end up bending over and taking the blame and cost purely by virtue of being a Farang and having a bigger vehicle?
The assumption of Thais may well be that all Farang are filthy rich with millions just waited to be paid out. For many though, we know that isn't the case and what are they meant to do if they simply cannot pay what is being demanded?
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Simple.......follow the law. Don't move your car when you have an accident. Call your insurance company and they will come to the scene. You will only be blamed if it is your fault. Speaking from experience.
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In most countries, pedestrians have the right of way; that is not true in Thailand; motorcycles seem to always have the right of way; TiT.
Also, in most countries the size of the vehicle has nothing to do with who has the right of way; not in Thailand. TiT.
The easy answer is that many motorbike riders are under age, so don't have a license OR insurance. The adults don't necessarily have insurance either. If one of these drives into the back of your truck the police will decide that it is your fault because you have 1st class insurance to cover, plus, obviously, millions in the bank to cover any 'extra costs' involved. I look on them as being more dangerous than a rampaging bull elephant.
What about installing a driving recorder / dash cam in your car, would that help in case of an accident?
Up to a point. My cheap one (can't read number plates) has a rear view and a front view. No side view.
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Wow, when will I learn? Very close one today. I was making a right turn into the back gate of the Catholic School about 4 pm, as the car in front of me turned right I started but I caught a flash of red to my right just a scooter going about 40 kph passed me on the right. They swerved or else they would have been road kill. And to top it off they looked back at me like they had right of way.
Duplicate note to Self. Always check to your right mirror for passing scooters before starting a right turn. BTW, it seems that all the scooters doing that are being driven by school kids in uniform.
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Wow, when will I learn? Very close one today. I was making a right turn into the back gate of the Catholic School about 4 pm, as the car in front of me turned right I started but I caught a flash of red to my right just a scooter going about 40 kph passed me on the right. They swerved or else they would have been road kill. And to top it off they looked back at me like they had right of way.
Duplicate note to Self. Always check to your right mirror for passing scooters before starting a right turn. BTW, it seems that all the scooters doing that are being driven by school kids in uniform.
Once, driving down the single lane dirt road (village) to my GF's house, I collided with a motor-biker who was overtaking me on the right.
I was just poodling along at a crawl, because of all the kids around, and I even turned my signal on prior to starting the turn into our driveway.
Everyone around knew who I was and where I was going (home), and the guy on the motorbike was her uncle...lives next door! Surely, he knew that I'd be turning in!
Anyway, just as I began the slow right turn into the driveway, he tries overtaking me on the right side? (He HAD to know that I was turning in)
Being that we were going so slow, there was no injury or damage, but he did a short slide to a stop after dumping his bike.
He looked up at me with puppy dog eyes, as if to say "Why did you run me down?"
Got him picked up and his bike "righted", two packs of American ciggies and a tall cold beer for him, all was well.
Unreal?
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If you drive every day, things aren't too bad. Myself I would have expected this guy to overtake me on the right, I hope so anyway.
People that drive once or twice a week will have more problems, when I went back to Switzerland a few weeks ago I decided not to drive at all for the same reasons,
A car cam only shows the view in front of your car, most problems seem to be caused by motorbikes crossing your path coming at you from the rear on the right, less often from the left and occasionally both at once.
In Switzerland, people will risk their lives in order to insist on their right of way... not sure how that applies to learning again to drive in Thailand.
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Todays theme would be "I successfully avoided getting run over by a truck while on my scooter this morning".
Wow, I was in the left "scooter lane" headed towards the Catholic School when a truck decided to pass cars on the left by using the scooter lane, he missed me by a good 3 inches. Even the passangers in the bed looked in shock as the driver just missed me. Luckily I had room on my left to turn away from the truck and my hands we on the brake.
It was just lucky I was not roadkill. Plus I had slowed because there was a bicycle in the lane and I was not sure what they were going do as they were slowing.
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I overtake, about twice a week, the same girl on her motor bike. I recognise her and keep away, she's seems determined to visit an ER as soon as possible. Not comparing you with her of course but I am dreading the day when our brat wants to ride a bike on the roads.
Buy a black jacket, pants and visored helmet, put a bulky holster on your hip (phone) and get a jacket with 'Police' on the back. Works wonders I'm told.
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What continues to amaze me is that the majority of Thai Scooter drivers to not seem to realize that in an accident with a car/truck, they are going to lose. They seem to drive like there are no other vehicles on the road. Me, I will gladly give way even if they are in the wrong when I'm on a scooter, there used to be a safety saying in USA, "You can be right. Dead right!"
In addition I was talking to my Brit Bud today and we agreed that in the last 6 years car/truck traffice has probably quadupled making it even more dangerous.
But even my TW is suspect. I kept noticing that every time I got on a scooter after her the left mirror was really at an odd angle. I finally figured out is that she believes that it's a vanity mirror to check her face rather check for traffic. Also next time you are out, take a look at how many scooters do not have mirrors, a lot of Thais think they make the scooter look bad so they remove them. So it's just not the old scooters without mirrors, it is new ones also.
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You're Dead right urleft!
My brother in law to be got himself a Honda Cub a while ago. Classy ride for a rough dude slaving mechanic on tractors I must add. He got the (hello kitty pink) machine kitted out with a stick-it-on lamp-pole exhaust, marie biscuit wheels, anodized bits and tricks and a rear shock that can handle a baby elephant. Yes, of course he removed the mirrors, when I asked him about that modification...He recon it will make the bike go much faster on the straightaway and more stable around corners. screwy
I always thought a red bikes goes faster, even with their mirrors on - guess you are never to daft to learn from a Thai!
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Keith, glad you survived.
Never ceases to amaze me the silly crap that many Thais buy into. Lights off saves fuel and electric and truck/car/bike goes faster. Mirrors off makes bike faster and handle better. Don't get insurance because it means you think your going to have an accident and are more likely to. Don't service car/truck/bike because it means you think it will break down and therefore more likely to.
And yet, 30,000 die on the roads every year with very few Thais connecting the dots. Mind boggling!!
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its Global Road Safety report 2015, and named Libya as the nation with the highest rate of road traffic deaths ? some 73.4 deaths per 100,000 people every year.
The following charts show the countries with the highest and lowest road traffic death rates, according to 2015 WHO estimates.
Following Libya in second place is Thailand, with a rate of 36.2 ? more than half Libya?s. The top three is completed by Malawi, with a rate of 35 deaths per 100,000.
African nations dominate the list, with the WHO highlighting the gap between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries. Of all road traffic deaths, 90% occur in developing countries, despite them having just 54% of the world?s vehicles.
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What continues to amaze me is that the majority of Thai Scooter drivers to not seem to realize that in an accident with a car/truck, they are going to lose. They seem to drive like there are no other vehicles on the road. Me, I will gladly give way even if they are in the wrong when I'm on a scooter, there used to be a safety saying in USA, "You can be right. Dead right!"
In addition I was talking to my Brit Bud today and we agreed that in the last 6 years car/truck traffice has probably quadupled making it even more dangerous.
But even my TW is suspect. I kept noticing that every time I got on a scooter after her the left mirror was really at an odd angle. I finally figured out is that she believes that it's a vanity mirror to check her face rather check for traffic. Also next time you are out, take a look at how many scooters do not have mirrors, a lot of Thais think they make the scooter look bad so they remove them. So it's just not the old scooters without mirrors, it is new ones also.
The number of cars, pick ups and trucks registered in 2009 was approx 9,400,000.
That has risen to approx 15,450,000 today.
An increase of about 60%.
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Count the number of students on motor bikes waiting at the lights at a busy intersection and work out how many cars will be bought when these guys get a job. Car possession goes up exponentially up to a certain saturation point.
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So there I was, driving through Korat. Stalled cement truck in the left lane, I was in the lane to the right of it, doing about 12KPH with the flow of traffic. Copper steps out to stop traffic, car in front of me takes no mind, but I slow down only to be hit by the rather large lory carrying several tons of cement block. Now he had signaled to change lanes and was in the process of doing so when he hit me. He was nearly in the next lane and I guess he thought he hit something on his right so he turned towards me making matters only worse. So guess who did the runner........THE COPPER!!!!! But not before I got a photo of him and his name tag. Thank goodness for front and rear cameras! Gave it all to the insurance company to deal with.
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Something amazing happened, my usual mantra when driving that "Thai's don't give an inch". There is no courtesy, no stopping to let someone in, if you meet on a narrow road and you have right of way, the on coming car will move up as far as possible rather than stop a few feet back to allow easy movement.
So I was on the scooter coming back from picking up my daughter at school, there is a back way into the village, and another back way to that back way. Traffic cleared both on-coming and behind me so I took the opportunity and the back back way. But when I got to road there were several cars and scooters backed up at a sharp turn. I was prepared to wait, where the guy in a scooter truck motioned me to go ahead of him. Of course it turned out it was an Expat and not a Thai.
BTW, went to pick up the brat at school today just after 3 pm and wow was traffic backed up, past the Thepnakon Hotel. Not sure what was causing the problem.
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I going to need a single malt to calm me down. Truly amazing.
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I going to need a single malt to calm me down. Truly amazing.
Great sneer SM, good to see you are recovering.
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Hacked Traffic sign in the USA. bike038
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/caution-asian-drivers-napa-traffic-sign_us_595ef341e4b0d5b458e9678e?utm_campaign=hp_fb_pages&utm_source=main_fb&utm_medium=facebook&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063
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As the title says I successfully avoided a scooter today because I was driving slow (about 20 KPH), anti-lock brakes, and luck. I was on a village road when a scooter came out of a side road (almost an alley) without looking. Missed him be at least a foot. This was not a cross street.
Luckily I take it slow on these roads. Two days ago I was approaching a cross-street and even though I had right of way I always prepare to stop, good thing as a Pick up truck came speeding thru ignoring the speed bumps.
And last week 3 village boys were road kill on the main road while scooter riding.
Hope my luck continues to hold.
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I must be getting better. Just before the elephant circle I was about to turn left into the bike shop when I checked my side mirror seeing a scooter hellbent down the shoulder seemingly ignorant about what a turn signal means. So I just stopped not turning and waited for the scooter to pass, which they did without slowing. The TW yelped as they passed and said "WTF is wrong with them", but I was not even indignant or surprised, TIT.
Be very careful, they are out there.
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Shades of last year.
Was exiting Tops and had to wait for 4 scooters of school boys playing around oblivious to the dangerous U Turn area, luckily there was no incident. I was able to complete the exit and got in the right lane and passed them. Continued past Big C in the left lane and signaled for a left turn, but was watchful of the scooters that by now had spread out about 50 meters behind me. I was trying to ease to the shoulder and make the turn but the scooters came on like I wasn't there. I stopped and all 4 just passed me on the left without slowing. The TW was highly agitated yelling at me the scooters weren't stopping.
Just another day in Thailand.
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Just another day in Thailand.
:biggrin:
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Had another incident 2 days ago on 219, was headed north passing a double trailer truck. The truck starting merging right forcing me to move right into the yellow medium. Unfortunately there was an on coming motorcycle hot rodding down the medium (no cars to his left) and he would not move left. He passed me at high speed with about a foot clearance never moving left. The TW was again very agitated, can't really blame her.
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Looks like TW should TTW and let FT learn HTFD .
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Looks like TW should TTW and let FT learn HTFD .
I think I have most of that. Had a little chuckle. Working out the last bit. Wife says 5555