Let’s talk about driving in Thailand.
I recently had to renew my driver’s license. I knew it was coming and began getting anxious about it 3 months in advance. I was scarred by my previous experiences trying to get the original license. It was a nightmare. No clear instruction, no clear path. When asking questions, being lied to and deceived at every opportunity. No one was willing to tell me the truth.
When I finally got my original driving license, I ended up using a driving school. It was expensive, but they handled all the paperwork and testing. They made it as easy as they could.
I got all my documents together. Then I got extra documents and extra copies just in case.
As a side note, Thai’s love paperwork. If you are planning on doing anything in Thailand. Make copies of copies of everything and more. If they can think of it, they will ask for a copy of it.
I even had to re-register my home address. The address I have lived at for 3 years. There seems to be some kind of system that every time you go to a hotel they register the hotel address as your new home address and your previous address is erased and forgotten about. Therefore when you need any kind of document from immigration, there is mass confusion and wonder why your home address is in Phuket when you have listed it here. Luckily my landlady is pretty cool and answers her phone when immigration calls them. It’s a pretty dumb system if you ask me.
I entered the transportation office, a folder full of papers in hand. I could feel my heart beating in my chest as crippling anxiety set in. *DEEP BREATH*
I was lucky this time. It only took me 2 hours to get a new license. I had taken the 4 question quiz online ahead of time and watched a 1 hour video. I had ALL THE COPIES! I went through the color test, identifying 3 colors, the stomp on the brake test and the line up 2 sticks test. I paid my money and took the picture. I’m ok to drive for a few more years.
Back to driving in Thailand.
Every time I enter my car I mentally prepare myself for it. I have to remind myself that everyone is going to disobey any and all driving rules and courtesy. I know this is the reality and hope a good attitude improves my state of mind and patience. It usually does, but not always. My son is really learning how to string curse words together to make an insult while riding in the back seat.
Motorbikes, much like Visa, are everywhere you want to be. Making a legal left turn on a corner? Motorbikes will be squeezing in on the left and right. No matter where or what you are doing, a motorbike will zip into your way and you will come inches from killing them. They won’t care or even realize how close they came to death.
Park wherever and whenever you like. If you are on a busy road and the street is already lined with parked cars? Just stop right in the street and conduct your business. No need to worry that other cars are trying to drive on the road. Take all the time you need. There will never be any consequences.
Never allow anyone to merge in front of you, but also, never wait in any kind of line and always force your way into the front of the line.
Pulling out of a side street onto a main road? Don’t stop, just go. Just go and make it the problem of the people driving on the main road.
Always pass with with zero f***’s to give.
No one will ever get a traffic violation or a ticket so nothing matters. Think only of yourself and drive the way you want.
This is why Thailand has some of the most dangerous roads in the world. That and the lack of rule enforcement, or DUI checks, seatbelts or child safety seats, and almost non existent use of motorcycle helmets.
It’s not as bad as Myanmar, but then I never tried to drive there.
So if you plan to drive here, be prepared. It’s a lawless land out there, a real wild west of driving.
https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018423
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