Driving in Bangkok

[Perota]

The most challenging thing to do in Bangkok is probably driving. It is not as bad as some people want us to believe. There are rules, not exactly the ones that are written in the manual, but there are rules and once you've manage to lean and understand them things become much more easier and, in some way, more logical.

I believe it is much more easy to learn to drive in Bangkok if you come from a Latin country. The coexistence of total disrespect for the official code and the existence of generally accepted "grey" rules is something that Thailand and Latin countries have in common.

[klong toey]

I haven't got the patience to sit in all those traffic jams can't be bothered to drive in Bangkok.

[peterpan]

I drove in Bangkok for 20 yrs, mostly on bikes but also cars, then I moved to Udon, fkn paradise.

[VocalNeal]

I believe it is much more easy to learn to drive in Bangkok if you come from a Latin country.

Probably works as they also drive on the wrong side of the street

[Boon Mee]

Driving in Bangkok is not that bad so long as you accept there are bottlenecks in certain areas and avoid them. One bad bottleneck right now is along Ratanitibit merging onto Nam Won Wang before you get to the Tollway. Took me an hour longer to reach my destination Suk Soi 22 the other day than if I had stayed on Rama 2 and worked in from the south. The Pin Klaw area is always tough.

[Bangyai]

I haven't got the patience to sit in all those traffic jams can't be bothered to drive in Bangkok.

Yep. I leave the car at Big C then bus in. A lot less stressful and a lot cheaper. Also don't have to pworry about parking or being dinged by a motorcycle driving between lanes.

[Thormaturge]

Driving in Bangkok is not that bad so long as you accept there are bottlenecks in certain areas and avoid them. One bad bottleneck right now is along Ratanitibit merging onto Nam Won Wang before you get to the Tollway. Took me an hour longer to reach my destination Suk Soi 22 the other day than if I had stayed on Rama 2 and worked in from the south. The Pin Klaw area is always tough.

That is one heck of a drive, did you take a picnic?

[Thormaturge]

There are rules, not exactly the ones that are written in the manual

I agree entirely.

In some areas, and at certain times of day, everyone does what is expedient, rather than what is legal. You need to remember that the road and traffic light systems here were not designed by people with any traffic management skills.

[Boon Mee]

Driving in Bangkok is not that bad so long as you accept there are bottlenecks in certain areas and avoid them. One bad bottleneck right now is along Ratanitibit merging onto Nam Won Wang before you get to the Tollway. Took me an hour longer to reach my destination Suk Soi 22 the other day than if I had stayed on Rama 2 and worked in from the south. The Pin Klaw area is always tough.

That is one heck of a drive, did you take a picnic?

No, but by the time I got to my hotel, I had to piss real bad!

[Rural Surin]

There's a manual?

Jing, loh?

[KEVIN2008]

Irish expat in coma after taxi hit-and-run October 28, 2013 / 13:43 ICT

Irish expat in coma after taxi hit-and-run | Coconuts Bangkok



Police are seeking the driver of a taxi who fled the scene after striking an Irish national commuting to work.

Richard Quigley, 27 of Galliagh, Ireland, remains unconscious and in critical condition after being struck by a taxi while riding a motorcycle taxi to work on Thursday.

The accident occurred near Quigley's place of employment, and although he continued on to work, he began vomiting and was rushed to a hospital, where he was found to have a fractured skull and blood clots in his head.

“Before emergency surgery to his brain he had lost power down his left side and since the operation he’s been unconscious so we don’t really know how he’ll be affected until he comes out of it," said his brother, Stephen Quigley, who has traveled to Bangkok to be with his brother. "He opened his eyes yesterday for a few minutes so that’s given us some hope but all we can really do at this stage is hope for the best.”

His brother expressed optimism that the driver who injured his brother would be found.

“Because the motorcycle taxis only carry one person at a time, the taxi behind Richard’s was carrying a friend of his who witnessed the hit and run and was able to give the number plate of the vehicle involved to the police so we hope that through the Irish Embassy the investigation will catch whoever is responsible,” he said.

Richard Quigley has lived in the kingdom for three years.

[peterpan]

ya gottta be lucky to survive, I knew a guy who rode with, all due care, but he got side swiped going down Rama 9, Not his fault, and of course no one stopped and he ended up in hospital for 2 months.
Cost him plenty.

[terry57]

I'm on Silom,

Grid lock every day from 4- 8 PM . I love it simply because one can walk across the road without dodging the mad fuckers driving.

Christ, how people can do grid lock everyday is beyond me.

Do ones head in I reckon.

[Boon Mee]

I'm on Silom,

Grid lock every day from 4- 8 PM . I love it simply because one can walk across the road without dodging the mad fuckers driving.

Christ, how people can do grid lock everyday is beyond me.

Do ones head in I reckon.

You get used to it after a while...

[FailSafe]

I've never seen a passenger wear a helmet on a scooter-taxi (I've been guilty of that as well)- the damned things are way too dangerous (even though they're so convenient...)

[Boon Mee]

I've never seen a passenger wear a helmet on a scooter-taxi (I've been guilty of that as well)- the damned things are way too dangerous (even though they're so convenient...)

Just keep your arms and legs in and tell the driver to chai yen yen...

[Mr Earl]

I've never seen a passenger wear a helmet on a scooter-taxi (I've been guilty of that as well)- the damned things are way too dangerous (even though they're so convenient...)

Just keep your arms and legs in and tell the driver to chai yen yen...

And keep your eyes closed.