richard_smith237

You are saying because of the WRONGLY placed white line it is OK for a madman to come shooting out of a side street without looking or slowing, driving in front of an SUV travelling at around 80km/h. Can you confirm that is what you are saying? Is the white line wrongly placed ???.... You already highlighted that 'East - West' has right of way... so how are the lines place wrongly incorrectly... the White lines are place in accordance with the rules of that junction. I agree that the mobility rider rode without consideration for his own safety and was not riding defensively as he should have been doing... ... But blasting through a blind junction at 80 kmh is reckless - whether you are copying the idiots in front of you or not. It seems you still want to state that the SUV is not at fault, because thats the way everyone else drives - copying everyone else is not a solid defence for driving illegally - I don't copy the car in front when it goes through a red traffic light (as it seems some other idiots might). There doesn't need to be - the line itself is sufficient... Dangerous to lower your driving standards to the idiot in front... Do you follow them through pedestrian crossings and red lights ?

In some cases adopting the 'local way' is the only way to drive here otherwise we'd not get anywhere.... or we'd place ourselves in greater danger.... ... Such things as driving with a degree of assertiveness so that we can 'merge' into traffic because people never give way unless we push in a little etc... But that doesn't mean we should jump lights and not stop at pedestrian crossings just because the locals (or many of them) drive that way.... The same goes for blasting through a junction at 80 kmh... particularly one at which right of way is questionable.

Absolutely agree.... SAFETY FIRST is backing is original conclusion because he knows the area's and thinks its ok to drive through a blind junction at 80kms... because if he doesn't someone will rear-end him. I get his basic premise - but blasting through junctions like that is craziness, I don't know how any western (UK) trained driver can think this is acceptable unless they've gone completely native. Of course, we can't drive to UK rules or exactly as we would in the UK as we'd end up in an accident - this is the excuse given by SAFETY FIRST and I agree with him, but not to the degree we go to the extend of adopting the complete recklessness of 'some' Thai drivers as that places us at greater risk. I'd ask who drive in the same manner as SAFETY FIRST a what happens if its a Bin-lorry or truck driving across the junction from the left ??? - Approaching that junction at 80kmh means there's no chance of stopping...

I'm sure a top contributor are these reckless foreigners. Given your comments - you are one of 'these reckless foreigners' !!!...

I agree with you that risk starts with low alcohol levels and increases rapidly... however, the risk is negligible up to 0.035% BAC after which point risk factors increase rapidly. Regarding risk factor, having one or two beers over a couple of hours presents less risk than driving with a cold, while on cold / flu medication, driving while tired, driving while angry, studies have shown different music to be distracting, even having noisy kids in the car... the phone to be highly distracting - there are so many factors that elevate the 'risk level' (risk of accident)... So... I get and understand the point you made - but its better saved for someone who doesn't understand how the 'other factors' are more significant than one or two beers over a few hours. I'm not defending drink driving - I'm stating that 1 or 2 beers over a couple of hours and remaining well within a legal level is not the horrific crime you claim it to be - your protest of such in this thread is a ridiculous over reaction. However, had you choose to react in the same manner to someone who drinks 5 beers and drives home - I'd be backing your argument.

How does an ICE give a more rewarding riding / diving experience ??.. is the noise, vibration, something more visceral, or is that we've grown up with it and there's an element of nostalgia ? Perhaps our kids will look back fondly and state... I prefer EV, its a more rewarding experience than this nuclear cell power. I've no idea.... I think EV's will be around for a long time, government have backed EV's too much, but I suspect ultimately hydrogen will be the best option...

i won't be fearing the reaper, that's for sure.... Wrong Blue Oyster !!...

I agree... Well done - nice big picture thinking there !!... I'm guessing it'll keep getting nudged on....

There's an advantage to both... The newer / higher end iPhones have much better cameras and are faster, better security etc compared to a 'cheapie'.... But, there's also an advantage that carrying a cheaper phone around, 'we are not owned by the things we own' (i.e. we are not scared of losing it). At some point the phone will be all we'll need... It'll start our car, open our house, we'll use it for payments, for ID.... But... what if the phone has an issue... We'll need the real keys.... I also think we'll need to have real cash and all places need to be able to take cash (by law) because cash is the backup if the E-systems cut out.... and should be the option if we simply 'want to use cash'... As much as I support E-payments for the convenience, I'm also in firm support that cash remains accepted everywhere. Having an iPhone I can't get GoogleWallet and ApplePay won't work with local cards here..... But, whenever I am in overseas places that accept ApplePay, the convenience is brilliant... I know its just the difference between getting a card out of a wallet, tapping and confirming the transaction... but the phone is often closer at hand than the wallet, and thus picking up the phone, Face ID to open, double-tapping power to bring up wallet and tapping on the Point of Sale device..... it actually sounds like a lot of effort, but for a Gen Y&Z its a single movement... Its kind of like going from a car with a normal key.... ... to a car with a key-fob to unlock... .... to a car with keyless entry... .... to a car with Keyless entry and ignition... ..... and now to a car that we can enter with our phone... It'll become the norm just as other norms have passed before, such as credit cards, contactless payment..... I absolutely agree with your revenue dept comment - for sure people will want to fly below the radar... I hope cash doesn't become obsolete in my lifetime - all payment options should be on the table, cash and e-payment, but as you imply, people may not want e-payment if the info takes them above tax thresholds... Someone should design a currency that can't be traced easily.... something not controlled, something with no head office, or specific centre of information and power.. something that can be everywhere at once.... sort of decentralised... hmm... Would Thailand make Crypto illegal ???

Where are you that has clean air and convenience ?

A lot of people don't like the 'nanny state' but dealing with the roads alone there is a log of reasons why the roads are safer there and the primary reason is the very 'nanny state' some don't like... For the most part, road laws are strictly enforced and that keeps people alive - and when it comes to DUI there is little give.

This is incorrect.....vehicles GIVE WAY to the LEFT at intersections.....that is the correct rule.... He [Excogitator] already acknowledged.... This GIVE WAY to the LEFT at intersections stands only when roads are of equal status and there, are no road markings and no other vehicle is on the junction (i.e. they arrived at the junction at the same time). You are indeed right Sir, I stand corrected. Yield to the LEFT is the general rule. (Seems to be a lot of confusion about this. I was even taught the wrong way here..)

Next here... think bigger picture.... What if scenario for you: What IF the whole idea of EV's is to have cleaner cities... then more in the city will be encouraged to have an EV. More of those people in the inner cities will live in largo condo blocks and areas of high population density. How will charing occur in Condo's when many more people or even most of the occupants have an EV ??? So... while I agree, on the individual level its not rocket science, thinking beyond over simplified and dumbed down responses.... the issue is genuine... "No new petrol or diesel cars sold from 2030" - Ring a bell ???

Do you pay for it yet ??..... You will... My guess is that there are so many EV's now, soon, perhaps this year, Shopping Malls etc will have no choice but to charge for charging

That's interesting, what's the total cost job start to finish. Do you need any planning permission ? A far simple solution exists... would planning permission be require for this (in the UK - no one would care here).... The issue of course, is when everyone in the street, or in a condo is charging their EV at the same time.... the grid would fail. To avoid that, additional infrastructure added and to pay for it night-time electricity consumption is charged at a premium.... https://www.chargegully.com/

But you'd still be using electricity generated by hydrocarbons... So... Put SolarCells on the roof, and run the power down to your car charger from that....

Some will suggest get away with it until someone complains. Ultimately, you will not be a permitted to charge your car on 'co-owners' electricity.... Thus, you'd have to arrange (and pay for) a dedicated meter so you can pay separately. OR... the condo installs their own outlets (just a 240v regular plug) - and you use a 'log in device' such as an RFID card and your electricity usage is registered - you receive a bill monthly etc. As EV usage increases - I imagine Condo's and Apartments will go this way and install extra power-points that run off some sort of meter which is paid for by the user.

Hey Champ... maybe the white line did mean something.... Should have looked into that before 'hanging your hat on the wrong thing' & 'diggin up' !!!

Wow.... look at you... You go for it big boy.... Flex away !!... Awww.... have you had a beer and are feeling impaired ???.... remember.. don't drive angry !!!

Congratulations... some people are nice to you.... me too.... nevertheless, the generalisation of 'The Three Circles Of Thai Culture' is a thing and one of the times its most observable is when trying to cross a road.... - If a driver recognised the person crossing the road as family, or closest friends - he'd brake hard. - If a driver recognised the person as a co-worker or acquaintance - he'd brake hard. - If a driver didn't recognise the person crossing the road, they'd not care for their welfare at all, braking is an effort, the pedestrian had better get out of the way. Its harsh - but thats the way a lot of people drive here - every stranger is in that 3rd circle - if that wasn't true, everyone would brake hard like it was their favourite granny crossing the road - but the reality is, only some give way to pedestrians, probably the same types of character you describe who are nice to you.

So... SUV 100% in the wrong then... But, as you point out: the right of way is contrary to the way everyone drives it which makes the junction and all the junctions along that stretch more dangerous. Thailand is still wondering why is has the highest road deaths. The SUV driver is going to get done for dangerous driving then ???? Safety First eh ???..... I really hope you are not blasting through blind junctions like that at 80 kms... You'll be in the news next.... Hope not of course - be careful eh... That said - I agree with you that IF this is the way 'everyone drives' this road - then the north south roads really should be designated with stop signs and give way signs... (and yes - white lines !!!!)... The accident rates here is not just about rubbish policing - its also a lot about really cr-appy junctions and road lay outs. Already enough suicidal motorcyclists out there anyway.... but you are only looking out for the foreigners on Disability Trikes to confirm your bias ??? Insanity - idiots driving without looking !!!.... Was driving the other day (middle lane - Petchaburi rd) middle of the day.... Motorcycle to the right travelling at the same speed. I suddenly hear loud tyre screeching..... saw in my mirror a pickup fish-tailing it... rear sliding around, brakes locked up.... The driver had nearly ridden straight into the motorcyclist next to me..... Careful out there indeed - especially at junctions as some blast through thinking they have right of way !!!!

I find those 3 wheelers strange/awkward to ride. And I've even riden the yamaha Niken. That's a 900cc bike. Actually it's got 4 wheels in the front. It's ugly as sin but on the open road it's not bad. Very smooth engine however around town it's way to heavy. The Mp3 is still a scooter but I don't really see the need for that set up on such a small cc bike. Can Am also do a trike style bike, never ridden one but for some reason I don't consider them a scooter or a bike. 2 wheels is what it's about for me. I've always wanted to give the Niken a go - looks like great fun, but I agree, that front end looks way too heavy. I did have a Yamama TriCity a number of years back - I really liked it - front end grip and brakes were better than any other scooter I've ridden.... And yes, it handled Bangkok roads brilliantly, one wheel hits a pot hole, and floats through it, while the other takes the weight.... Of course, two wheels doubles the chances of hitting a pothole, but its safer than hitting one with one wheel. And... As for CanAm.... I've been wanting one of those for years - but only if I were living in the UK or Europe... it could be great summer fun... CanAm now make electric motorcycles - they look good.

Ops posting history is usually why I ignore any thread of his and anything he writes... But... there is a point - at times I've been asked for a tip... and that kind of grates a little and kind of ruins the benevolence of being kind and showing additional gratitude for a service.

Whats the male equivalent of Karen ?... is it Karen ????..... Careful Karen, it gets slippery up there on that soap box.... Of course, you've never driven while tired, with a cold, how about with a twisted ankle ?... Ever driven when you are less than in a 100% perfect condition to drive ??? Ever driven when you are desperate for a pee ???.... yup, impaired to some degree.... Going by your posts - you are angry at everything, so perhaps hardly in the best of moods to be behind the wheel... you may spin off and go nutcase on someone who's offended you... Talking of impairment - I think its safe to say your impairment to discuss this sensibly is severely impacted by the combination of your virtue signalling and karen-ness !!!!

I thought the golden rule was that as soon as some one asks for a tip, its automatic that a tip is not given...