Traffic light cross roads misunderstanding

[benlovesnuk 4]

Hi

 

I would just like to get some clarification from someone who knows what the actual ruling is on cross roads where, there is a u turn (it doesnt say you cant u turn at this junction). What happens is because red traffic can turn left like in the US I believe, cars will do this when the green light traffic is u-uturning stopping and holding up the u turn traffic. I would have thought common sense at least dictates the red traffic has to give way to green light traffic?

 

As is usual this doesnt happen and cars wait for the red light traffic to clear sometimes not letting any green car traffic turn.

 

I was just held up by a nonthai on his motorbike speeding round from the red light left turn, whilst trying to green light u uturn, he was sure he had right of way, shook his head(as all motorbikes do right or wrong) and sped off.

 

Can someone clear up this for me, does anyone know what is the actual legal or code of driving for Thailand in this situation, man thanks.

 

 

[Esso49 4,278]

Could you just confirm again that you are looking for a code of driving here ?   You do realise this is 

Thailand don't you ?

Edited August 18, 2018 by Esso49

[benlovesnuk 4]

1 minute ago, Esso49 said:

Could you just confirm again that you are looking for a code of driving here ?   You do realise this is 

Thailand don't you ?

haha, yes I know but this is serious, because it gets very dangerous and often results in people getting very close so yes please official code so I can take it further if need be. I know that im right in practical driving thoery and traffic management but that doesnt mean im right in what is law or code. Thanks

[Esso49 4,278]

1 minute ago, benlovesnuk said:

haha, yes I know but this is serious, because it gets very dangerous and often results in people getting very close so yes please official code so I can take it further if need be. I know that im right in practical driving thoery and traffic management but that doesnt mean im right in what is law or code. Thanks

Are you a foreigner ?  If so don't bother to take it further unless you are prepared to pay.

[benlovesnuk 4]

1 minute ago, Esso49 said:

Are you a foreigner ?  If so don't bother to take it further unless you are prepared to pay.

I will pursue, I dont care about this game of non thai or not, I would just like to know the code I have been well served by local policeman before and if im right and point out the codeLawyers come into play not small time stuff. Thank you

[benlovesnuk 4]

Im not someone who thinks that bribery or keeping your head down, best serves foreigners or thai people, I want to make the roads better for all people on it not just serve my self interest. Its dangerous and time consuming and simply knowing what is code would be of great help. Thank you

[petermik 7,212]

7 hours ago, benlovesnuk said:

Im not someone who thinks that bribery or keeping your head down, best serves foreigners or thai people, I want to make the roads better for all people on it not just serve my self interest. Its dangerous and time consuming and simply knowing what is code would be of great help. Thank you

Apparently the new "Thai Highway Code Book" is in the process of being printed at this moment....due out on the 12th of never....until then proceed with caution on Thailands roads and never forget that a car flashing its lights does not mean "you first sir" but "out of the way I,m, coming through".........

[Kwasaki 5,582]

1 hour ago, benlovesnuk said:

Can someone clear up this for me, does anyone know what is the actual legal or code of driving for Thailand in this situation, man thanks.

Usually whoever gets there first.

[seajae 13,386]

left turn at a red light when allowed is ok but they still have to give way to the traffic with the green light doing the uturn(can only turn left when safe to do so), problem is most thai drivers dont like waiting or try to force their way through a turn. When we used to drop our daughter off at night school we had a turn like that when we had a green light, cars turning left with a red light would try to force their way but I would hit the horn and keep going, they expect others to stop for them  as many thais will, unfortunately for them I drive as the rules state. 

[benlovesnuk 4]

1 hour ago, petermik said:

Apparently the new "Thai Highway Code Book" is in the process of being printed at this moment....due out on the 12th of never....until then proceed with caution on Thailands roads and never forget that a car flashing its lights does not mean "you first sir" but "out of the way I,m, coming through".........

Thanks, Ive been driving for a while. I do understand the nuances of how they drive, and it seems how a lot of non thais think can, also. But I would very much like to get my hands on that book, if anyone has a link or date for its release.

 

Regards

[benlovesnuk 4]

36 minutes ago, seajae said:

left turn at a red light when allowed is ok but they still have to give way to the traffic with the green light doing the uturn(can only turn left when safe to do so), problem is most thai drivers dont like waiting or try to force their way through a turn. When we used to drop our daughter off at night school we had a turn like that when we had a green light, cars turning left with a red light would try to force their way but I would hit the horn and keep going, they expect others to stop for them  as many thais will, unfortunately for them I drive as the rules state. 

I did ask a tourist police officer and he agreed with me unofficially a year or so ago, I understand peoples attitudes to keeping ones head low, and staying out of trouble, but just like when they try to come onto my side of the road, or not stop for the car on their side, I am unable to see it that way and pursue with what makes sense to me. Im often seeing cars approach me half the car width over the central line, (and had one incident with a near fatal crash) expecting me to stop or move over so they dont scratch their car on plants. I remind them that the game of chicken the are wanting to play will end worse than a plant brushing your paint, and they have so far 100% of the time move back to their side(this is without the family inside of course). This is also the case for mopeds motorcycle drivers crossing solid lines to get past traffic, on my side every other (presumed) thai driver moves over, I do not.

Whilst many might see this as foolishness, (to which i can understand) they do it because they get away with it, and like children they need to be taught (unfortunately) that there are rules that their country set and they are as a national also responsible like every person in the country to abide. The idea that they can use im a thai person is unfortunately lost on me, and serves as no warning for how I will continue to live my life as a non thai who is apparently expected to be wrong simply for not being thai, that racism will not persist. Those that pay the cop do so (and thats fine forgive the pum) is not how I like to do things, I however think that penalizing tourists with a road traffic trap is not the best way to show tourists your country off to those you need to balance the books for revisits, why not hit the shops hiring the mopeds, (of course we know the answer)?

 

I will add, im frustrated for my fellow thai drivers who sit patiently scared of being first to act, for their brand new car or the terrifying ordeal of social awkwardness, to ensue. however with non of these ailments to my name or person I will fight for this junction and the green light and get rid of this BULLSCHMIDT nonsense. Thanks for everyones replies

[cardinalblue 1,669]

Red means stop and can go only when clear to do so....

 

green means go and you have the right of way from all others 

 

The problem you face is Thais are non complaint and don't drive to the rules of the road 

[rwill 306]

stop pretending there is such a thing as 'right of way' here...

[Fairynuff 1,360]

You clearly haven’t been here long enough. There is but a single rule of the road here and that rule is...do whatever you want.

[thailand49 1,306]

I'm completely loss as to what you are asking?  

 

You reference and ask about a U-Turn and then continue to talk about a left turn then go back to U turn at the crossroad/Intersection?  What do you actually mean?

 

Here in Thailand, what is stated in the book isn't what is practice on the road except at major intersection like a road Sukhumvit. The rules as we see and learn in the West aren't practiced in the same matter and even non-thais who have lived here a while start to do the same thing as the Thais.

When the rules were created in the West and brought over here in Thailand, no one explained to them when making a left turn against a red one can if they " stop and then proceed with caution "  as many know vehicles in general come to the crossroad and just turn even if it is against the light the Thai logic is you need to took after them. This is why the individual you indicated shook their heads I've myself seen it many times and fall into the category of Thais as " this is Thailand " the sole reason why they are killing themselves at record rate. 

Like in Pattaya there are signs in a number of intersection or crossroad as you call them there is a sign the grammar used is backwards giving a western driver the impression it is o.k, to make a left turn against a red light, it actually means you can't but Thais even me stop and slowly creep out and if I don't see police on the other side and go, the reason, there isn't any traffic coming and it makes no sense waiting 5 minutes for the light to change.

U-turn are tough if not impossible to make at a major crossroad if that is what you actually are talking about?