Dangerous to drive in Thailand?

Post by **Swede** » January 19, 2006, 4:32 pm

Hi,

Ià¹à¸Ÿà¸m new at the forum, and Ià¹à¸Ÿà¸m going to Udon 22 Feb. I want to hire a car and go to Nong Khai and Thung Fon. But I have been warned about it cause we europeans use to drive at the right side of the road, and the hired cars have often no insurance, the costs if an accident happen is very high for foreigners.

Is it dangerous for european to drive in Thailand?
Does it happen many accidents with foreigners?
Do you recommend me to take taxi instead of hire a car?

Post by **yorkman** » January 19, 2006, 5:11 pm

Well not all Europeans....but I guess the UK does not count!!

Driving is easy out of town....little traffic...but you must have good situational awareness as other drivers maybe do absolutely anything! Nong Kai is an easy 40 minutes drive on a usually quiet road...very easy. But....be very very careful in Udon, especially at junctions. The (local) public transport and the motorcycles are the worst hazards, closely followed by buses and all the rest!! It's probably not you that will get hurt, but nevertheless.

Not a clue about the accident statistics, but if you have passed a Swedish driving test and drive as "normal" in Europe, you will be lot better driver than most here.

I suppose most would say take a taxi...but your own transport gives you more freedom to explore....so.....in your place...I would do it. Yes...just check that the vehicle is fully road legal, and that you are too (carry your driving licence and passport, or at least copies) or you will be in a morass of problems if you have an accident.

John

Post by **Swede** » January 19, 2006, 5:26 pm

Thanks for your good information.

OK. The UK's drive on the left side

Post by **Roadman** » January 19, 2006, 5:30 pm

Hi Swede

Welcome to the forum.

I have hired heaps of rental cars in Thailand. Mostly always from Budget, and have never have any problems with them. Insurance is always available at least from the large companies at around 5000 baht for the rental term. The ones I have seen for rental around Udon also have insurance available. Some of the Udon full time dwellers can comment more on them. The 5000 Baht insurance is a must - you can write the thing off and that is all you pay, for the rental companies anyhow. However there can be other costs - if you are considered to be in the wrong - farangs have more money than thai's so will generally be in the wrong. But don't let that put you off. Thailand is a fun place to drive and from Bangkok right through to Nong Khai the main roads are exceptionally good.

Thai drivers being good or bad? I rate them better than New Zealand drivers. You can be in the crap for example over taking and someone inside you will give and let you in. In New Zealand the mothers would leave you out there to have a head on. For all the perceived bad about Asian drivers I rate them highly for their forgiveness for any error you make.

Around the cities is a bit different. You have to think like a thai - just go blindly anywhere you want at an intersection and pray that Buddha is smiling at you. Seriously though at your first crowded intersection you can freak out and wonder what exactly the road rules are, but generally it works. The trick is to go slowly, use your indicators, not be distracted by the cute little tong on the motorbike beside you and if you are smaller than what is coming towards you then move out of its way.

As for driving on the left, us logical Kiwis and Aussies drive on the left as well, that is probably why we generally fit in OK and love driving in Thailand.

Post by **tenbyboy** » January 19, 2006, 5:47 pm

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Post by **Bump** » January 19, 2006, 9:02 pm

The drive to Nong Kia from Udon is a piece of cake, streets can get a bit narrow in Nong Kia just as Udon when you off the main road, don't be in a hurry let the traffic clear and you should be OK.

Make sure you have all your documents many times there is a check point on the Nong Kia Rd, usually looking at the documents of the car and the driver. As a farrang I have only been waived through once the rest of the time I'm checked.

Another alternative is just take the bus, lots of busses going that way everyday and I believe there is also train service.

That road is ey to drive and a straight shot with no turns to Nong Kia

Post by **yorkman** » January 19, 2006, 10:27 pm

ray23 wrote:
Make sure you have all your documents many times there is a check point on the Nong Kia Rd, usually looking at the documents of the car and the driver. As a farrang I have only been waived through once the rest of the time I'm checked.

Is there Ray? Where? I don't make a habit of wildly excess speed but on that road I normally get my toe down a bit, and I've not seen it

I normally cut off towards Phen so maybe thats why.

John

Post by **Paul** » January 19, 2006, 10:32 pm

You can't miss it - no way.
Its on the Udon direction side of the road and there is a chicane using metal barriers to make all 3 lanes into one and they may stop you at random , they may not.
believe me if you have passed through it you will know - especially as there is no warning and two lanes suddenly disappear.

Post by **yorkman** » January 19, 2006, 10:50 pm

Paul wrote:You can't miss it - no way.
Its on the Udon direction side of the road and there is a chicane using metal barriers to make all 3 lanes into one and they may stop you at random , they may not.
believe me if you have passed through it you will know - especially as there is no warning and two lanes suddenly disappear.

In which case I must have been lucky and it was unmanned and I've taken it for roadworks. Is it permanent?

Ok, call me blind if you like

, its going south then...where?

John

Post by **Paul** » January 19, 2006, 10:55 pm

It is permenant in the fact that it always seems to be there, but in the true sense of the word - no it is just made from metal barriers, the type that are often used to keep crowds at bay and can be removed as easy as they are put down.

Hmmm yes its southbound but where? well i would guess about half way between the two towns aproximately. No idea where the actual place is called - only know Udon and Nong Khai

Post by **yorkman** » January 19, 2006, 11:03 pm

Ok thanks Paul

A mild relief, I thought I had just put myself into the non "situationally aware" category I griped about a bit earlier.

For reasons of visiting the outlaws, I normally go the Phen turnoff way if to and from Nong Kai, which is about half way. Still, good to know.

John

Post by **beer monkey** » January 20, 2006, 12:40 am

Well everyone else has just about summed it up for you benny, car hire is good,stick with AVIS or BUDGET,available at Udon airport,insurance is full cover,and if you was to have a breakdown or another problem you know you would be covered, make sure you have CDW collision damage waiver.
I have used Avis for 15years and all ok. Don't forget cars in Thailand are right hand drive, Warning look out for unlit,trucks,mad boys on motorbikes,sudden lane changes,wandering dogs,children near schools,and agricultural machinery. You will need a credit card also , to pay a large deposit around 20000B returnable.

Is it dangerous? I don't think so, just be alert.

Post by **beer monkey** » January 20, 2006, 1:20 am

Have you thought about cycling around udon and nong khai, i only mention it as i looked on your web site and saw the picture of yourself complete with mountain bike,or was it someone else's?? Anyway there's always a few tourist's cycling Udon-nong khai, i my self prefer a little comfort and a little air-con.

Good luck on your travel's.

Post by **Bump** » January 20, 2006, 10:10 am

There is also another check point not always maned going the oposite direction of the permanaent one, that is the one I get stopped at. I think it is well after the Phen turnoff. It is set up next to the highway police station on the way to Nong Kia.

I have missed being stopped once in the truck and never stopped on the bike. One time it was funny the cop seemed to get very angry when he found out I was completly legal. Gues the tea fund went down

Post by **businessman** » January 20, 2006, 10:56 am

The road block going to Nong Khai always stops farang and is looking for tax and lack of insurance so make sure the hire car has both displayed on the windscreen.

The huge road block on the opposite carriageway seems almost a permanent fixture now and is looking for drugs coming over the border form Laos.Never been stopped there.More for inspection of large trucks than tax dodgers.

The road block police work from eight till five.

valentine · Post by **valentine** » January 20, 2006, 11:14 am

Despite all the lawlessness, I find driving in Thailand to be much safer than Europe. Here you are always aware that motor bikes don't stop for red lights, so you are prepared for it. In Europe because it doesn't happen very often, you are taken by surprise so an accident results. That goes for all the other misdemeanours you encounter every day, too numerous to mention here. I will warn however about buses, ranging from the converted 6 wheeler to the big blue inter state buses. Always yield to them, doesn't matter whether you think you have right of way or not. Forget it, he's going to come through, if you don't get out of his way, he will shunt you, yes really!The reason for this apparently, is to prevent him deliberately running late, to collect more passengers, hence more money, they are penalised for late arrival at destination, 100bht for more than 3 minutes, up to 500bht for 15minutes. When you think their average wage is 300bht a day, you start to understand, he ain't going to stop for anything

Post by **businessman** » January 20, 2006, 11:27 am

When i lived in India they had a handy expression when driving which is also very applicable here in Thailand:"Might is right"

If a vehicle here is bigger than yours he is not going to give way and it is up to you to get out of the way if you are in the smaller vehicle.Watch out for the buses and the ten wheel trucks.

Post by **Swede** » January 20, 2006, 2:37 pm

BEER MONKEY wrote:Have you thought about cycling around udon and nong khai, i only mention it as i looked on your web site and saw the picture of yourself complete with mountain bike,or was it someone else's?? Anyway there's always a few tourist's cycling Udon-nong khai, i my self prefer a little comfort and a little air-con.

Good luck on your travel's.

Yes Beer Monkey, it was me on the web site. I crossed Norway on my bicycle. A little trip of 420 km. So sure, I can go by bicycle to Nong Khai. If it wasnt that my wife is with me

But maybe we hire bicycles in Udon and go for a sightseeing...

And you prefer air-con... Every bicycle have air-con, if you go fast enough

Post by **Prenders88** » January 21, 2006, 7:11 am

I like driving in Thailand.
Plenty of places to stop, you're never far from food, drink, and the toilet.
Most of the road network in Thailand is in good order.
As long as you adhere to the mines bigger than yours policy you should be OK.
London is full of Cyclo Nazi's who jump red lights, and most don't have lights at night. Car drivers with the me me me attitude who won't let you pull out, and road manners have taken a dive in recent years, it's every man for himself.

We used to use VIP car rent on Posri Road, very good company with fully insured cars.

Tony

Post by aj » February 14, 2006, 4:59 pm

have to agree with pretender I was driving in lpondon for years . bad manners usually prevail . I just love driving in Udon . everyone is so right in that you do have to keep your eyes open cos it seems to me that there are very few rules especially at junctions ,however its made up for buy the general courtesy in not being cut cut up everry five mins by white van drivers . In the main its all so much slower than anywhere else I have driven ,folk do tak there time , Get a car ,drive and have fun , I think its one of the last enjoyable places to drive in the world . So far have spotted five people on one motor bike .is that the record ? What I love is the girls who perch there littlebacksides side saddle and nonchantly manicure there nails . Oh Thailand your lovelly .