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From another board : JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU UNDERSTAND IT! To operate a motor vehicle in Thailand you must understand the transportation gestalt in an entirely different way. Your expectations and definitions of normal must be redefined, quickly. Pay attention: The road:
Includes not only the paved surface, the unpaved surface, the curb, the sidewalk, the alley and the front yard. Respect:
All animals are granted the greatest respect in Thailand. It is presumed that creatures such as dogs and chickens know how to avoid a Honda going 75 miles Per hour down a road. This same respect is afforded to small children, cripples, blind men, unattended oxcarts, and elderly women in mysterious trances.
Swerving or slowing to avoid these beings would cause drivers great dishonor. Honor:
Getting from morning to evening without needing to yield to anyone. Dishonor:
yielding to anyone for any reason. Lanes:
Those colorful white and yellow lines have no meaning what ever. Passing:
The national sport of Thailand. Observe the triple pass: (passing three vehicles in one acceleration in a space available for only one pass) the horizontal triple,( passing a vehicle that is in the process of passing a vehicle at precisely the same time that another vehicle coming the other direction, is also engaged in the act of passing). Being passed on the right and the left at the same moment is normal, especially at speeds below 70 m.p.h. Being passed:
An insult not to be endured. Tailgating:
What to do when not passing. Seat belts:
Absolutely unnecessary and frequently, unavailable. Passengers are fully protected by the horn. (See below). The horn:
When sounded loudly and frequently, the horn sets up an invisible energy barrier protecting the vehicle and its occupants from all harm. The faster the vehicle is going, the better the horn works. This is a central concept to Thai. motoring. Lights:
Rapidly blinking the headlights in the daytime or the night can mean: OK to pass now, dangerous to pass now, get out of my way, or may you find the salvation in the next life. It takes years to master the skill of this nonverbal communication. Usually you have about three seconds. Stop signs and traffic lights:
seldom have any meaning, often don;t work and are never enforced anyway. People who DO stop for red lights and stop signs cause other people untold difficulty. Accidents:
rare. They usually result from a malfunctioning horn. BB ;-)
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