chricha
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Posts posted by chricha
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Sounds like I was lucky! I arrived in Thailand to visit my family and was due to leave on the 20th January.
Due to a unsatisfactory last minute re-scheduling of the flight by Philipines Air, I cancelled this ticket as I was promised a refund (still waiting! ???? ). I then bought a new one-way ticket with China Airlines for the 17th.
Imagine my horror when I went through Immigration at BKK on the 17th to discover I should have left by the 15th under the new 45 day visa exemption rules. I complained at the counter about having to pay a 1,000 baht fine and was made to wait 10 more minutes before they allowed me to pay the fine and leave. I was not the only one at this counter as an overstayer. I guess if it happens at the airport and is minor the police are not involved! so I was lucky
Never made this mistake before and will never again! Before book ticket - check dates and visa stamp!!!
But does this mean I will have problems on my next visit? or will it be overlooked as a minor and resolved issue?
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These "world best city" rankings are mostly driven by who paid for the advertising.
Search for best city to live in and you will get so many contradictions the rankings are almost meaningless.As an Aussie, l know we have some of the best cities and benign climate.
I have visited Canada many times and I know they have a wonderful range of very liveable cities if you can tolerate the cold winters and love skiing! Europe has great cities but very crowded and unaffordable - not to mention the war on the doorstep!
But cities in Thailand (like most of SE Asia) are blighted by the overcrowding and traffic and air pollution which according to a recent Australian study kills more than the road toll in Australia. I would not live in Bangkok due to the above and only visit on arrival or departure. But many rural parts such as Khao Kho and Raeyong - Pattaya is for desperadoes - are still relatively unspoilt and underpopulated. Phuket and the islands are lovely but increasingly unaffordable.
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Unfortunately I am paying a high price to fly on the 28th. Wanted to book earlier but couldn't.
In the past the sweet spot for late bookers is 2-4 weeks out when the airlines on-sell to the agents to fill the planes at cheap prices - but not this year!
Flew economy direct with Thai for less than $AUD800 in May/June.
Booked last week with a 15 hour journey via Manila from Sydney premium economy at $2550 - $2100 for economy.
I'm very tall so the current "honey they struck the plane seat" trend means the airlines are now charging $US75 for aisle seats on the MNL-BKK leg!
Wish I could afford business but it's overkill. I don't need the amenities - just a 33" not 29" seat!
Comfortable long distance travel is now only the domain of the rich and cattle class is only for short rubber people ????
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So much conjecture about the Yaris driver's actions. The reality is the CRV driver didn't see the Yaris as s/he was either on the phone, drunk or asleep and then collided with the rear of the Yaris which likely had the wheels turned already to assist moving into the oncoming vehicle.
This is why I never drive a small car not just because I am a tall (196cm) man but you are so much better protected in an MUX or Isuzu DMax both of which I have and drive regularly. Small cars are hit low and the impact from a larger 2 tonne vehicle is so much more if your car is only 800Kg.
Nobody has mentioned the Izuzu ute - was s/he asleep also? The Yaris would have come towards them at maybe 40 or 50km per hour as it was stationary until shunted. So imho they were also negligent, When I drive in Thailand, which is often, I am always vigilant especially when I see stationary cars or bikes and/or people. So two drivers were negligent - one criminally - resulting in this tragedy.
Why the reporter felt it necessary to mention that the young man was the boyfriend I have no idea! How did he know this or is it just speculation?
Re the U-turns in the fast lane comment - yes they are bloody dangerous. I have had so many near misses from cars pulling from left on highway to then slowly proceed to U-turn 1km down the road!! Not to mention the 2 lane U-turns which some drivers feel is their right to do even though there is only 1 lane!! They go to the turn area in the fast lane and stop!! If it's a big truck I understand although it is dangerous but for a small car to do it is insane as they stop quickly in the 90km/h+ lane!!
So when I need to U-turn I do it as quickly as possible hopefully without stopping (freaks my wife out ???? ) and keep my foot on the brakes to reduce the shunt effect. In summary you cannot take your eyes off the road/rear view mirror in Thailand. There is an accident waiting to happen to you every 5 minutes in my experience
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OMG the blinkered philistine attitudes of some of the commenters.
1. English as a second language is widely spoken thanks to cinema and the previous dominance of Britain and now the USA
2. Yes the Indian subcontinent has a high level of English literacy because of the legacy of Britain as a colonist BUT the accents are worse than
3. You guessed it the UK!
4. I'm from Australia and I can assure you 99% of Aussies will speak far more clear English than 50% of Poms thanks to the local dialect going back 1'000 years or more - just listen to these Scottish or Yorkshire TV programs - half the time I need sub-titles to understand their English!!
5. The problem with learning English from a non-native speaker was brought home to me as my Thai wife started her English course and the teacher had an Indian accent! OMG just what I need an Indian-English speaking Thai wife.
6. that's why Philiponos sound like Yanks because they learn from Yankees
I'd take up teaching English if it paid well!!
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2 hours ago, Orinoco said:All drugs should be legalized.
Put the bad guys out of business.
Get control.
Get revenue (tax )
Win, Win, Win.
Totally agree. The billions of $$$ made by organised crime would dry up immediately.
Read the history of the legal opium trade at the museum in Chiang Saen.
Until about 1920 Thailand earned huge taxes from the legal trade with a 20% tax.
Once a Government introduces prohibition organised crime rubs their collective hands with glee.
Then the gangland wars to rub out the opposition and mega-corruption to buy influence and so on and so on!
The focus has been on shipping containers and airports
But the incredibly rich drug cartels can afford submarines which are almost impossible to detect
What other industry allows 100K of product to become 100M!!
Sure some people will always use narcotic drugs whether legal or illegal.
Sure THC can affect your health but marijuana helps far more people with pain management than it hurts.
At least legal with taxes allows some to go back to help those who make the bad choices.
Regulate and win - prohibit and lose the unwinnable war against illegal drugs
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I am very happy to hear no-one died from an overdose of electrons at the school. I have had a few 240V electric shocks over the years but fortunately they were fleeting but I certainly woke up TO BE MORE CAREFUL!
However the diatribe on semantics over the word electrocution is quite humorous!
Dictionaries are (now) not the arbiter of word meaning or spelling but rather report on current and past usage as with the explosion of English as a second language the semantic usage and spelling are evolving rapidly
Take the word awe and see how the meaning of awe-full to awful have morphed from full of awe to really bad and awesome has gone from meaning inspiring wonder or fear to meaning bloody good or even fantastic!
So if electrocution which has been generally accepted as meaning death by excess electric shock is now widely used to mean severe shock but not necessarily death then this means there has been a semantic change and erudite readers will be aware of this and allow the context and facts to determine what actually happened. Erudite writers will clarify their usage so the reader is sure of the meaning.
Personally I get incensed by the increasing prevalence of whilst vs while, amidst vs amid amongst vs among and similar marketing driven self-aggrandising usage. But they missed out on erstwhilst - I wonder why? Even the snob realised it was doubly clumsy.
Try saying First whilst amidst analysts and amongst ghosts quickly vs
First while amid analysts and among ghosts is much more natural
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sawadee1947 and jacko45k both make good points. Australia does not offer anything but 90 day tourist visas which must be preapproved.
And they cost $300 (about 7500B) which means you are less likely to be poor to afford to come here.
The exception is 18-30yo who can come for a year or more to work - only $150.
In Thailand the difference is that visitors who have Visa Exemption are from countries such as Oz, US, UK where they can earn much more and typically have more money. The Visa on Arrival countries are not so well off and more likely to overstay and work.
They don't have a youth work program - who would want to work for 300b a day when they get $200 a day in Oz?
The comments about the journalist writing this story are accurate unlike his/her facts. They don't seem to understand the visa types here or elsewhere.
Not really hard - websites abound. Just takes a bit of professionalism (and/or a good editor) to achieve.
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Tragic story. My heart goes out to the family of the young man shot dead for a minor inconvenience if that.
I used to laugh when I first came to Thailand in 2018 and my GF (now wife) would yell at me when I made a quick lane change or overtook someone hastily.
Reading this story I now understand her worries.
In the past my solution was go faster and don't look sideways if they overtake and then ease off and let them go.
As an old dog with many years of driving around the world I have never seen anywhere quite like Thailand for it's range of bad and careless drivers to out right madmen who seem to think to a gargantuan size pickup entitles them to do anything they want at any speed they like.
In Australia I relax on long drives with only an occasional roo to worry about.
In Thailand I am always vigilant on the roads - expect the unexpected and downright astounding stupidity!
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The reality is if all drugs were regulated and controlled like tobacco and alcohol there would be no profit incentive for organised crime including terrorists.
The BILLIONS of dollars in the illegal drug trade means that all levels of society are corrupted by this extraordinary flow of money.
It starts with the poor farmers in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Columbia etc. who get a pittance for their crops but ends up on the street for ten thousand times the crop cost due to the danger money required to entice criminals to smuggle the goods often at risk of their lives.
If regulated the taxes garnished from the legal sale could be then applied to rehab programs for the unfortunate victims.
These victims would not be forced underground hiding their problems until they blow up and kill innocents.
A 4yo girl is gone - my heart goes out to the parents and the others who lost their lives.
We have woken up to the fact that guzzling gas is bad for the planet.
Lets wake up to the fact that drugs are always going to be there and some people will take them.
When they are illegal it adds to the spice of the forbidden and of course the cost for us all.
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I have just encountered this issue in Australia so it is still causing headaches.
Immigration had no problem with using her passport with "Miss C S" because the machine readable section at the bottom drops the "MISS" and she now has a permanent resident visa in the name "C S".
But when I attempted to get her registered with the student system for free English classes they could not use the passport and visa as the visa does not have the MISS as on the passport and computer says NO!
I have now supplied her medicare card so they can verify her identity! Very silly system.
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Bangkok Barry Can't see a link between the two professions.
"So adult movie stars are prostitutes? Which is what you're implying. Otherwise, I can't see a link between the two professions."
OMG - She earns money appearing in adult movies - ie SEX for money - the definition of prostitution I think!
Reigntax suggests one involves acting 55555 - OMG and what does a pro do when she pretends to be a nurse/doctor/mummy/dominatrix. We really are clutching at very small straws
The only real difference is a camera is used to take a video for publication - usually not done for a trick with a client
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Fantastic news as it saves the ridiculous waste of a day in Bangkok.
Of course the cost saving of B4200 is also welcome. As I booked with my favourite Booking.com I will get a full refund for May 12.
Normally I either hire a car or now with the new car we pickup tomorrow my family can pick me up at the airport and get on my way to beautiful Khao Kho.
Away from the oppressive heat, smog and traffic. I must get an Easy Pass. It took 25 minutes to get through the Thanyaburi 2 toll gate heading north.
Creeping along to pay B30 in a manual car is no fun at all! My legs were cramped and sore before I had travelled 50km from Bangkok.
On the issue of Government requirements such as the Thai Pass -
when I travel back to Australia this week I have to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration.
This is much like the Thai Pass now without the insurance designing to ensure arrivals are vaccinated protecting us all!
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My experience with ATMs is that all charge 220 Baht except Citibank in Bangkok - for Citibank customers only I guess.
I withdrew 50,000 Baht in one fee free transaction on 6th April and the rate was a competitive 24.52 to $AUD.
But was advised that Citibank will be gone from 1st July!
Guess that means I'll have to pay everywhere!
Not all ATMS can dispense more than 20,000 but the newer ones in Lotus and Macro can give 25,000 and I have seen 30,000 on some.
The daily limit is based on the card and for mine the upper limit is $3000 or about B75,000.
Never use the local bank conversion as you'll drop another 3% - for the last question about conversion always slect the last answer.
But have noticed my preferred Bangkok bank ATMs don't ask this any more. After agreeing to 220 baht it just dispenses the money!
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4 hours ago, hereforgood said:
And the speed of the transfer. When I press the button to begin the transfer in less than 5 seconds I get a sms from Bangkok bank saying the money has been received. Been very happy with Wise.
With WISE?
Which bank from and to Thai bank?
Was it send to self or another person?
Seriously 5 seconds?
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Who can do a FAST transfer to Thailand bank
My problem is my wife and I are buying a new Isuzu VCross in Phetchabun and I need to transfer about 400-500KB (16-20K AUD$)
When I first arrived in Thailand on 6th I used Western Union to transfer $10K at the fabulous rate of 25.2 B/$ (now 24.5 or so)
I had sent $5K a few times and $10K last month with WU to my wife's BKK bank over the last few months as we are building a house here.
I was totally flabbergasted when after a few calls from WU to check I was the sender, their stupid legal compliance person decided that this $10K was suspect.
She nastily CANCELLED the transaction for a "full refund" in 5-7 business days.
Fine you say but as of today 20th I still have not received my refund.
DO NOT USE WESTERN UNION they have a ridiculous attitude and now someone has my money for nearly two weeks BUT NOT ME!
So my real question is who can do a FAST transfer -
I have additional funds available tomorrow - and need the fastest transfer
hopefully same or next day for the funds from Australian bank to Thailand bank
Fees not critical just speed so we can collect the car which has been ready since yesterday.
I thought about ATM withdrawals - in Bangkok I can use Citibank fee free and ATMs let me have at least 50K Baht - but I am 4-5 hours drive from Bangkok
I have 3 debit cards with $3,000 daily limit so if I go at 8:30pm I can get $9K and then at 9PM (midnight in Oz) I can get another $9k
But I will pay 220 Baht per 25,000 withdrawn - seems to be the ATM max although I have seen 30KB on some (Macro?)
So 400KBaht would cost 16x220 = 3520B or about $145 - nice little earner for the banks here!!!
I repeat DO NOT USE WESTERN UNION their policies and attitude SUCK
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I have been driving between Bangkok and Khao Kho over the last four years as well as around Khao Kho/Phetchabun and Lomsak. We are building a house in Khao Kho and about to buy an Isuzu DMAX Vcross 4x4 to get around the mud in KK
The stupidity I have seen is mind numbing with cars racing to overtake me while I sit on 110 Km per hour in the middle lane - to avoid trucks and bikes of course
They came behind at 130-140+, zoom left and try to zoom right in front often when there is no gap and just before a traffic light.
This insanely urgent behaviour is I am sure a cause of many straight road accidents.
Over-speeding (OMG) is not really the cause.
It's stupid agressive behaviour causing cars to to behave erratically.
BTW I say cars not people because with 70/80% window tints it is impossible to see if anybody is at the wheel!
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3 hours ago, dave moir said:Looking at statistics from the UK it's the vaccinated that are in the majority getting Covid and also dying from Covid so why should you want to punish the unvaccinated?
I would think the same applies in Thailand! All those I know that have caught Covid here are all triple vaxed!
OMG not the anti vaxer's logic fallacy or as the article below calls it a "base rate fallacy"
https://ourworldindata.org/covid-deaths-by-vaccination
I'm using numbers myself to illustrate the fallacy - not based on actual stats -
If of 1,000 people, 900 are fully vaccinated and 100 not;
then 1% catch COVID and die - so 9 vaccinated people and 1 not vaccinated die.
So how much more likely are you to know one of the 9 and not the single unvaccinated who died!
Especially as most falang are fully vaccinated!
The reality is 891 of the 900 either stopped COVID before it infected them or had only mild symptoms.
The 9 vaccinated who died usually have underlying health conditions or were exposed to a large dose of COVID virus over a long period in an enclosed area..
The unvaccinated only have their own natural immunity or sensible avoidance mechanisms to avoid severe COVID or death.
But over here in Oz and in the USA they tend to congregate in mobs and infect each other
Such as when they protest against the Government measures they don't understand are protecting everybody.
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Thanks folks. I have had the pre-dated extension confirmed in this post and another.
I am now travelling on the 6th of April, thanks to a Super Saver seat at $836 becoming available while I was faffing around with which day to leave!!
Previously best price was about $980 - $1070 with Thai. Sometimes you get lucky!
My wife is Thai and needs a new passport as her old one expires in April. My son is dual citizen.
When we go to Phitsanulok we can do both at the same time as they are in almost the same building.
Now I can get my visa extension anytime before 5th May - phew!
So plane booked, accomodation in Bangkok booked for Test & Go
Now just need the Thailand pass and I'm ready to go!!
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Thanks again BritTim!
I have answered most of my queries when I contacted the Thai Embassy here - only between 10am - 12 noon
They confirmed that despite their website not mentioning the 2nd May, it is a Public Holiday there.
As the 4th is coronation day it is also possible some Government offices may be closed on the 3rd.
I need everything open as I need a visa and my wife needs a new passport to come back to Oz.
I asked about the visa exempt rules and they confirmed that despite what their website says, I can arrive as Visa Exempt for 30 days even though my ticket is for a 60 day stay. I can then apply for an extension prior to the expiry - or possibly the day after at the slight risk of a 500B fine per day.
So it looks like the safest course of action will be to travel on the 5th April or later and apply for the extension in early May. Now to book and get the Thailand Pass application started.
Only downside is the time waiting in Immigration office. The usual traps for young players - get there as it opens at 0830 to avoid 5 hour wait!!
My previous long stay in 2019 from May 2019 to January 2020 was arriving on a one way ticket.
One way as my son was born in August so I didn't know how long I needed to stay.
BKK immigration did not care about the ticket as we are exempt and trusted I guess.
I travelled to Hong Kong, Singapore, Myanmar, Australia and Laos during this time to renew my 30 day visas.
But all that was pre-COVID when BKK was super busy and 2-3 hour waits to go through Immigration!
In December 2021 I had to queue for maybe 10 minutes!!
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I have now firmed up my travel plans to Thailand but have not yet booked. I need to fly on the 3rd (or 4-6 April)
My wife and my son are in Khao Kho now and have a return ticket dated 31st May and I will return with them on that day.
By my calculations I will need to get a 30 day visa extension for 1900 Baht at Immigration by the 2nd May which is day 30 since arrival on 3rd April.
But 2nd May lists as Labour day in the Public holidays - will Immigration be closed on this day?
If I go to Immigration on the 3rd May (day 31) will it be OK? or should I delay my departure for a day or two for safety?
Can the extension be obtained prior to the end of the 30 days (say on April 29) and added on or must the extension be on the last day to get the full 30 day extension?
I could also apply for a tourist visa for 60 days from the Thai Embassy in Canberra Australia where I live.
But the paper work is onerous (the form https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/wp-content/uploads/V3Tourist-VISA-COVID-FORM-NEW-WEBSITE.pdf)
It almost duplicates the Thailand Pass requirements. The upside is it's slightly cheaper at $60 (about 1400 baht)
But takes about 5 business days plus snail mail time so not sure if it will arive in time.
Can anyone please help?
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20 hours ago, BritTim said:
It seems you are not aware that you can visit an immigration office and get a 30-day extension of your permission to stay for 1,900 baht. Unless you are right next to a border, this will probably be cheaper, even without all the current Covid mandated extra expense.
Thanks heaps BritTim!
I was vaguely aware this was possible but previously travel was the incentive for the border crossings.
This time with the Thai regime's COVID xenophobia I think the extension will be the best choice by far.
So a trip to Phitsanulok for my visa extension and my wife can get a new Thai passport there as well.
I have now firmed up my travel plans as my wife needs me there very soon due to family issues.
She and my son have a return ticket dated 31st May.
I intend to leave on the 3rd April and return with them on the 31st.By my calculations I will need to get a visa extension by the 2nd May which is day 30 since arrival.
2nd May lists as Labour day in the Public holidays - will Immigration be closed on this day?
If I go on the 3rd May (day 31) will it be OK? or should I delay my departure for a day or two for safety?
Can the extension be obtained prior to the end of the 30 days and added on or must be on the last day to get the full 30 day extension?
I could also apply for a tourist visa for 60 days from the Thai Embassy in Canberra Australia where I live.
But the paper work is onerous (the form https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/wp-content/uploads/V3Tourist-VISA-COVID-FORM-NEW-WEBSITE.pdf) and almost duplicates the Thailand Pass requirements. The upside is it's slightly cheaper at $60 (about 1400 baht) but takes about 5 business days plus snail mail time.
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My understanding is that the Test & Go for Visa Exempt changes back to one night in SHA+ with a PCR test on April 1st and then a subsequent RAT on day 5.
But how does this work when arriving by land from Laos?
When arriving at BKK (or HKT) the transport is waiting to convey you to the hospital and then the SHA+ hotel to await the result. (Still recommend at least a RAT test before departing for peace of mind but the airlines may still require PCR for their safety!)Do they trust you to comply by Land or is it Policed?
Supplementary question. I plan to have an extended stay from mid April to end of May in Thailand.
So I will need to renew my 30 day exempt visa during this time.
Prior to COVID (2019) I crossed the border at Mae Sot into Myanmar for an hour and came back but that is not a great idea since the coup!
I also crossed at Huai Kon (very boring drive and area) into Laos in December 2019 as it's also feasible from Khao Kho where my family lives.
Is crossing into Laos for a visa renewal option still available and if so will I need to go through the Test & Go PCR test again?
Is Nong Khai open as it's not too far from Khao Kho? Huai Kon may be closed due to COVID restrictions.
Any advice appreciated.
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13 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said:Most government hospitals do not have rooms to separate patients with contagious diseases.
And way too many patients from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and other countries.
They already use all floors, how should they be able to separate them? Impossible, in my eyes.
A German friend passed away after a heart attack.The cause of death was various lung infections that he'd gotten from other patients in the ICU.
We had him in a single room, but when his health got worse, they had to bring him back to the main ICU with all the diseased people.
The hospital was the Sapphasit in Ubon Ratchathani.I need to stop reading news about the virus for a while. Time to do some urgently needed stuff.
Sorry to hear about the death of your friend in hospital. But I have to pass comment based on my experience of hospitals in Thailand
I have had an operation in Pitsanevuj private hospital in Phitsanulok and had a wonderful experience.
I had the best medical treatment and my son was born there as well in August 2019.
In January 2020, I was admitted to Khao Kho public hospital as a result on marijuana overdose.
I took too many big tokes after years of abstinence ????
After initial tests I was wheeled up a ramp to the ward and was surrounded by 7 other beds with sick Thai patients.
I was not really sick - Gott sei dank - and I checked out as fast as I could as I could feel the bacteria and viruses pinging my force field!
You would not survive a week if ill with COVID19 in a government hospital IMHO
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25 killed, 248 injured in road accidents on first day of Songkran travel
in Thailand News
Posted
Yes the statistics published are conveniently prompt with little connection with reality but rather a PR exercise.
We did a lot of crawling at 10-20km/h on route 4 south as it's under construction for 20 years I'm told!
Having driven on Wednesday from Khao Kho to Bangkok and then on Thursday to Prachuap Kiri Khan (past Hua Hin) I was horrified at how many near accidents occurred.
1. because idiots insist on cutting right from the left lane because you are waiting in line with other cars but they are too important to wait so they try to hit your left bumper to make a gap. I am good enough to avoid a collision and give up in disgust but I'll bet many are not prepared to give in resulting in accidents
2. because the "roadwork ahead" signs are none existent!
Travelling at 100-120km/h in traffic past trucks the last thing you need on a bend is traffic almost stopped before the merge left sign with no prior signage to indicate a roadwork hazard is approaching.