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[PoorSucker]

Yorkie, on 2008-03-19 12:34:16, said:

stiggy, on 2008-03-19 12:07:52, said:

Tonight we will be eating yorkies veg massala ......

I hope you enjoy it. However, just a small tip: for a reason unknown to me, the potatoes available in Thailand appear to take much longer to cook than the Western varieties therefore I'd suggest pre-boiling them for 10 minutes before adding to the masala. Either that or increase the potato cooking time from 12 minutes to 20 minutes before adding the cauliflower.

Why am I discussing cooking in the driving forum?

Y

Don't cook and drive.

[warfie]

Nice informative site... well done Yorky. here's my contribution... Tips for Driving in Thailand

[Yorkie]

warfie, on 2008-08-01 16:18:44, said:

Nice informative site... well done Yorky. here's my contribution... Tips for Driving in Thailand

I like it.

However I didn't see a link on there to my site.

I'll link to your's if you link to mine.

Send a banner to me. You can pull one of mine off my site.

Cheers

Y

[mgjackson69]

For grins, here is my rating of driving conditions in the various countries where I have driven, from "best" to "worst"

This is purely subjective...

1) USA
2) Ontario, Canada
3) Quebec, Canada
4) Chile
5) Mexico
6) South Africa
7) Thailand
8) India (Mumbai/Navi Mumbai) - terrible roads, constant horns
9) Nigeria (Lagos) - like India, but worse. Every car is full of dents from driving so close.

Other countries where I did not drive:
- Poland (Warsaw): between Quebec and Chile
- China (Xi'an): about the same as Thailand...but you have to double the number of trucks which have non-operative lights. Plus there are a lot more bicycles and farm animals mixed in with the vehicular traffic
- Hong Kong: same as Ontario
- Israel: same as Chile

[Incobart]

2 common (daily) situations that anoying me the most are the following

1) motorbikes that not keep lift, so that i have to to a dangerous maneouvre or passing them left

2) cars coming out of a soi or parkingplace and blocking the first lane (standing there waiting)

see pictures

Attached Files

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[warfie]

Yorkie, on 2008-08-01 17:53:59, said:

warfie, on 2008-08-01 16:18:44, said:

Nice informative site... well done Yorky. here's my contribution... Tips for Driving in Thailand

I like it.

However I didn't see a link on there to my site.

I'll link to your's if you link to mine.

Send a banner to me. You can pull one of mine off my site.

Cheers

Y

done... check your email...

[mgjackson69]

Here is one that makes me crazy...

You are going along on a two-way highway (one lane in each direction and come upon a slow-moving truck. You cannot immediately pass, and as you travel along you end up with 5 or 6 faster-moving vehicles stacked up behind this truck. Now the way is clear to pass.

Inevitably, instead of people passing "in order", the dickhead at the tail end will throw it out there and expect everyone to let him go first.

I consider it a good day when I can block one of those

[Yorkie]

Incobart, on 2008-08-03 14:51:11, said:

2 common (daily) situations that anoying me the most are the following

1) motorbikes that not keep lift, so that i have to to a dangerous maneouvre or passing them left

2) cars coming out of a soi or parkingplace and blocking the first lane (standing there waiting)

see pictures

Are you stealing my pics?

Cheeky monkey!

Cheers

Y

[tampasailor]

i want to rent a mini van in bkk and drive to chiangmai and will have it for about 3 weeks. anyone have ideas on best place to rent? would like to make farang connection in cm if any of you there and then we go up to surin burinram area and possibly into laos anyone experience in driving into Lao? how about Myanmar? We will be filming Loy Krathong in MaiJo north of cm.

[Mosha]

Last month while driving on Highway 41. I was approaching an intersection with the lights at red. The inside lane was filling up with stationary or slow moving lorries. I was in the outside lane and slowing down, with about 300 metres to the lights. The road widened to allow for traffic turning right. This SUV came flying past me, and then cut across in front of 2 cars ahead and between 2 lorries which were about 7 metres apart in the inside lane. He somehow made the turn at speed onto the motorcycle lane. The lights changed in time for him to meet the junction. Lucky for him nothing was crossing late. I never saw him/her hit the brakes once.

[kartman]

Incobart, on 2008-08-03 14:51:11, said:

2 common (daily) situations that anoying me the most are the following

1) motorbikes that not keep lift, so that i have to to a dangerous maneouvre or passing them left

2) cars coming out of a soi or parkingplace and blocking the first lane (standing there waiting)

see pictures

But the worst thing with no2 is they sit blocking you until a oncoming vehicle stops to let them continue even if it was 1km away when they started manoeuvre!.

[robee]

Yorkie, on 2007-06-11 12:13:59, said:

I've made some amendments/additions to the site. If anyone has any suggestions for improvement, I'd welcome your input either here or by PM.

site is good and full of many of the answers to my questions, thanks

[robee]

Mosha, on 2008-10-29 11:13:06, said:

Last month while driving on Highway 41. I was approaching an intersection with the lights at red. The inside lane was filling up with stationary or slow moving lorries. I was in the outside lane and slowing down, with about 300 metres to the lights. The road widened to allow for traffic turning right. This SUV came flying past me, and then cut across in front of 2 cars ahead and between 2 lorries which were about 7 metres apart in the inside lane. He somehow made the turn at speed onto the motorcycle lane. The lights changed in time for him to meet the junction. Lucky for him nothing was crossing late. I never saw him/her hit the brakes once.

have had same or close to it happen in front of me, what to do. in rural area not driving is not option?

[harrry]

One thing worth adding may be the Thai way of handling small vehicles in city traffic. Things like small bikes, moving food stalls and even motorcycles or in my case a nice yellow electric wheelchair. ( Not that I am a Royalist).

Thai drivers and motor cyclists expect yo to continue doing exactly what you are doing. THey do not expect you to wander in a lane turn slow down or stop. So if you make any of these moves you must be very careful as they will give you the space you are in bun maY pass in front, behind , on the left or on the right but hopefully not over you.

[asiakid]

the information is okay, but the site has a horrible 1994 style.. lol.

[amysid]

Hello, I'm new to the forum and I have a question about getting driving lessons in Thailand. I'm sorry if you've been asked this question before but i just couldn't find any other info. I live in Pak Chong and need a driving license for a job that i am starting. I had lots of lessons in England a few years ago, but left the country before doing the test. Now i'd like to be able to get a thai license as quickly and easily as possible (if possibe!).

Thanks.

[Isaanben]

Hi. Here in Isaan where I live, the road on some short stretches (mostly when it's upphill) has two lanes in one direction so it will be easier to pass. But, seldom the slower vehicles like trucks and old pick ups (plenty of those here) move to the left lane. My question is: Is it ok to pass them on the inside (to the left)? And should I signal with the lights? Or with the horn?

Another little scary thing is when a car or truck comes from a small road to the right and drives up in front of you in the middle of the road (not moving to the very left) only 50-100 m in front of you. I get upset from this and often use the horn because I think it's dangerous behaviour. Of course I have to slow down and almost stop, or pass on the inside (to the left) if there is space. Is it ok to pass on the inside this time too?

I have only been driving here for about a month and would like to here opinions from you with more experience.

[johnnyj]

jayenram, on 2007-06-26 13:32:01, said:

Mosha, on 2007-06-25 18:27:43, said:

What is the speed limit on highways? I have seen the checkpoints with spotters about a km or 2 previous to the stoppers. I've been left alone doing 95 -100, so what is the spped that would get me stopped?

On the Bangkok Tollways the speed limit is generally 120 km/hr and is indicated as such. On all other highways the limit is 90 km/hr unless otherwise advised.

lol that explains alot, I was driving with the flow of traffic about 250 klicks out of Khon Kaen (and by flow I mean around 130 - 140) all of a sudden everyone pulled in behind a truck, however it was too late for me. and I got pulled up at a checkpoint,

basically what the guy said was he had got me doing 135 and that was too fast. anything under 120 was fine. but 135 was too fast.

[dmax]

rules and regulations of driving in rural thailand

[eek]

[jamesrat1947]

Yorkie, on 2007-05-18 12:28:04, said:

Thanks for that George.

Cheers

Y

Thanks Yorkie... I assume you are from York. I am from Skipton in Yorkshire.. I look at your house building exercise with interest. My wife is from a village near Phon in Khonkean province. About 4 years ago we bought 1 rai of paddy land and filed it up with dirt. We now have an block wall around it and soon we intend building... It seams in this part of Thailand NOBODY can tell you or give you any idea of how muck a house costs !!! That is in local society.. I have friends who built a hose in Cha-am for 12500bt per square meter.. My question is how much should a house built the "thai way" cost ??? Just a standard Thai rectangular post house about 8 by 12 meters with a porch.. Not much over 100 Square meters .. I also have a friend who built a Thai house 8 by 12 meters with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms for around 500000 bt.. It sounds cheap but it is a Thai house but comfortable and it faces the right way for the climate .. Using the right material I figure sometimes it is not how much you spend , but how you spend it !!! What are your thoughts .. James ( tooktee)

[Kwasaki]

Advice : - Just revising what you have probably heard before.

1. This is assuming you have a license.
2. If you have not driven in THAILAND and your not sure, at first go slowly.
3. The best place to be is on the lefthand side of the road, although not all foreigners on bicycles know this.
4. As No.3. but be careful because most people on mopeds what they call motorbikes here do not know this either.
5. Adjust your mirrors so you can see all around you but be prepared to look all around you too. Yoga is recommended.
6. As No.5. but don't trust your mirrors too much ! They come from bleeden everywhere, cars, trucks and motorbikes.
7. Once you have experiance as in No.2. Auto motors are best because unless your on motorway type roads, your be lucky to get into forth.
8. If you think people are using their horn to honk at you, you are probably passing near a Temple or Shrine.
9. At traffic lights be patience because green is not always a colour they like, especially if their on the phone.
10. As No.8. but be prepared for snail type pull aways. i.e. you press an accelerator pedal and it using more fuel.
11. When turning left from a junction look every which way and everywhere as No.6. but go slowly.
12. When turning right as No.11.
13. When turning and facing oncoming traffic when they flash there lights it means " They are coming through and not going to stop ".
14. No.13. is NOT a joke, I do not know about other countries but in the " UK " it means " I'm here ".
15. Many like to drive fast and sometimes overtake you but then slow down.
16. If you have an accident don't automatically think it not your fault even if it wasn't.
17. Ref :- No16. It is best to have an insurance that covers the cost of repairs to your vehicle even if it wasn't your fault.
18. If the car, truck. whatever is in your name don't assume that you own 100% of it if your married.
19. Pump tyres up yourself to the correct p.s.i. otherwise you will be riding on wheels like solid rock. ( Dangerous ).
20. Never assume your car has been serviced correctly, check it yourself or get someone competent to do so if you can find such a person.

Can't think of anything else but Im sure there is.

Edited by Kwasaki, 2010-07-28 18:08:22.

[naiharn]

Yorkie, on 2007-07-12 15:48:33, said:

Monkeypants, on 2007-07-12 14:28:15, said:

AFAIK , Pick up trucks and car have different speed limits on all roads

Monkeypants, on 2007-07-12 14:28:15, said:

AFAIK , Pick up trucks and car have different speed limits on all roads

There is no law in Thailand, as far as I am aware, that requires a pick-up to display a maximum speed symbol on the rear as is the case with larger vehicles.

This is an excerpt from the Thai "Highway Code":



If my translation is correct:

1. Applies to vehicles with an unladen weight of over 1,200 kg. Speed limit, open road, 80 km/hour.

2. Applies to vehicles with an unladen weight of over 1,200 kg, towing a trailer. Speed limit, open road, 60 km/hour.

3. Applies to vehicles with an unladen weight of under 1,200 kg (including motorcycles). Speed limit as displayed on the roadside or, generally, open road, 90 km/hour.

My vehicle is a "extended cab" 4 x 4 pick-up which weighs in at just over 1,000 kg (unladen) therefore is in category 3.

I don't want to nitpick, but your translation leaves out a few important points, here is my version:

1. For trucks with combined weight greater than 1,200 kg, and trucks conveying
passengers, in Bangkok, Pattya and municipal areas, limit is 60kmh, and outside these areas limit is 80kmh

2. For vehicles not mentioned in point 1, trucks with combined weight
not greater than 1,200kg towing trailers, and three-wheeled cars, inside Bangkok, Pattaya and municipal
areas, limit is 45 kmh, and outside these areas limit is 60kmh

3. For cars not mentioned in points 1 and 2, and for motorcycles, in Bangkok, Pattaya and
municipal areas, limit is 80kmh, and outside these areas limit is 90kmh


I'm actually surprised that the speed limit in Bangkok for cars is as high as 80kmh, but that's what the text says. Further how many Bangkok tuk-tuks really stick to anything close to 45? :-)

The Thai is also badly worded. A truck weighing 1300kg, towing a trailer falls under point 1, and has a limit of 80kmh on the open road. A 1100kg truck towing a trailer falls under point 2, and has a limit of only 60 on the open road!

[Kwasaki]

naiharn, on 2010-08-19 09:20:34, said:

Yorkie, on 2007-07-12 15:48:33, said:

Monkeypants, on 2007-07-12 14:28:15, said:

AFAIK , Pick up trucks and car have different speed limits on all roads

Monkeypants, on 2007-07-12 14:28:15, said:

AFAIK , Pick up trucks and car have different speed limits on all roads

There is no law in Thailand, as far as I am aware, that requires a pick-up to display a maximum speed symbol on the rear as is the case with larger vehicles.

This is an excerpt from the Thai "Highway Code":



If my translation is correct:

1. Applies to vehicles with an unladen weight of over 1,200 kg. Speed limit, open road, 80 km/hour.

2. Applies to vehicles with an unladen weight of over 1,200 kg, towing a trailer. Speed limit, open road, 60 km/hour.

3. Applies to vehicles with an unladen weight of under 1,200 kg (including motorcycles). Speed limit as displayed on the roadside or, generally, open road, 90 km/hour.

My vehicle is a "extended cab" 4 x 4 pick-up which weighs in at just over 1,000 kg (unladen) therefore is in category 3.

I don't want to nitpick, but your translation leaves out a few important points, here is my version:

1. For trucks with combined weight greater than 1,200 kg, and trucks conveying
passengers, in Bangkok, Pattya and municipal areas, limit is 60kmh, and outside these areas limit is 80kmh

2. For vehicles not mentioned in point 1, trucks with combined weight
not greater than 1,200kg towing trailers, and three-wheeled cars, inside Bangkok, Pattaya and municipal
areas, limit is 45 kmh, and outside these areas limit is 60kmh

3. For cars not mentioned in points 1 and 2, and for motorcycles, in Bangkok, Pattaya and
municipal areas, limit is 80kmh, and outside these areas limit is 90kmh


I'm actually surprised that the speed limit in Bangkok for cars is as high as 80kmh, but that's what the text says. Further how many Bangkok tuk-tuks really stick to anything close to 45? :-)

The Thai is also badly worded. A truck weighing 1300kg, towing a trailer falls under point 1, and has a limit of 80kmh on the open road. A 1100kg truck towing a trailer falls under point 2, and has a limit of only 60 on the open road!

Ok ! you lot out there you've lost the plot as in being nice !! do not want to nitpick the last one says but you go on about also badly worded and go into statistic that nobody even understands or wants toooooo !!! but you are not really taking in the point of driving Thailand as I see it !!! you have not really read my post properly have you ??
thats why there are very few replies to this post !!!

You are quoting Thai law based facts maybe, all I am trying to tell people is the basic understanding of driving in Thailand.

One thing I forgot to mention was if you have a green plate on your vehicle not a black one you cannot drive in the outside lane and if you do " if unlucky " stopped and fined.

The other thing is if you want to show off your nice new shinney red number plate so you can tell the world " Oh !! I have Got a new Broom/Broom can you see my nice RED No. plate " you had better be aware that there are roads you cannot go on at certain times, otherwise , YES !! you've got it you'll get fined.

The other thing is about how many people do you have in the vehicle if too many another stop and fine !!!

If you get stopped by the nice policeman, thats assuming that you have seen him and realized you should of stopped, ( I never seem to see them, my wife usually informs me that I should of stopped, only my little joke ) seriously !! I pay the 200 baht fine even if I think I was in the right and say thankyou very, very much and go on my way, if not you will have a lot of bloody grief mate.

As I said before I cannot think of anything else but I am sure I will.

[naiharn]

Kwasaki, on 2010-08-19 23:01:31, said:

naiharn, on 2010-08-19 09:20:34, said:

I don't want to nitpick, but your translation leaves out a few important points, here is my version:

1. For trucks with combined weight greater than 1,200 kg, and trucks conveying
passengers, in Bangkok, Pattya and municipal areas, limit is 60kmh, and outside these areas limit is 80kmh

2. For vehicles not mentioned in point 1, trucks with combined weight
not greater than 1,200kg towing trailers, and three-wheeled cars, inside Bangkok, Pattaya and municipal
areas, limit is 45 kmh, and outside these areas limit is 60kmh

3. For cars not mentioned in points 1 and 2, and for motorcycles, in Bangkok, Pattaya and
municipal areas, limit is 80kmh, and outside these areas limit is 90kmh


...

Ok ! you lot out there you've lost the plot as in being nice !!

Sorry, but where was I not being nice?

Quote

do not want to nitpick the last one says but you go on about also badly worded

What?

Quote

and go into statistic that nobody even understands or wants toooooo !!!

Sorry, but I am sure plenty of people are interested in 1) what the law actually says, and 2) what the speed limits are in Bangkok, Pattaya and other towns and cities.