Driving first time in Pattaya

[nkped 1,208]

As I am staying here for a longer period, 6 months plus, one of the things I am considering is some form of transportation beyond the baht bus and taxis. I have ruled out motor bikes as being just a little too self destructive. That leaves something with 4 wheels.

 

One of the concerns was whether my nerves could handle driving in Pattaya and there didn't seem to be any other way to find out than to try it. I have driven a little bit before in Thailand, the last time being on Koh Samui a few years ago, but nothing like Pattaya. That's also my only experience driving on the off side of the road.

 

Mainly due to location I rented a Toyota Vios from Expat Car & Pickup Rental on Thappraya just north of Thepprasit--opposite the Food Mart. It's in pretty good shape with about 23,000km on the odometer. They did a walk around to note a few scratches on the outgoing inspection. I don't have the experience to strongly recommend them, but so far, so good.

 

As to the driving experience, it's not that bad. Behaving like a rational person and not changing lanes every 100 meters in order to gain a car length does go quite a ways. Still, you're go to have to check the mirrors and make a lane change occasionally when somebody decides to use a traffic lane to park a delivery truck or whatever. Also, sorting out an intersection when the light changes is interesting.

 

So far, I am a big believer in planning routes that have lights and/or left turns rather than than turns which require crossing traffic without lights.

 

As to driving on the off side, I am duly appreciative of an automatic transmission. A stick would have made things a bit too interesting. I'm cutting down on the number of times I have tried to turn on the windshield wipers as a turn signal. Yesterday, I turned left off Beach Road onto Pattaya Tai and got into the right lane with the intention of staying on it to go to the Big C on Sukhumvit. I was momentarily flummoxed to see that there was traffic pointed at me as I approached Second Road. Fortunately I had an open lane to the left and corrected before going through the intersection.

 

The only truly insane practice I have seen so far is motor bike riders passing on the curb side at an obvious turning point when I had my turn signal on to turn towards the side on which they passed. BTW, one was Thai, the other farang.

 

 

[MM 6,562]

I have had a car here for 7 years, though I drive it infrequently in Pattaya itself.

 

I still have to think about which side is the driver's side when I approach the car, and still occasionally turn on the windshield wipers when I want to make a turn.

[Idefix 2,275]

Hi. I never drove a car in Thailand...

I don't want, and I didn't even asked my Thai DL for cars, only for bikes.

- I don't need a car

- In Thailand they drive on the wrong way!

- I never drove a car with the wheel on the right

- I never drove an automatic car; I would not know how to use it

...

I can understand that those with a family or off big cities may need a car though.

[MM 6,562]

Hi. I never drove a car in Thailand...

I don't want, and I didn't even asked my Thai DL for cars, only for bikes.

- I don't need a car

- In Thailand they drive on the wrong way!

- I never drove a car with the wheel on the right

- I never drove an automatic car; I would not know how to use it

...

I can understand that those with a family or off big cities may need a car though.

Some of us like the freedom to travel, to stop where we want, to change destinations, to do whatever, that a car provides.

[Idefix 2,275]

^ Bikes allow that too

[MM 6,562]

^ Bikes allow that too

You mean a scooter or a big bike?

 

In any event, having traveled long distances on a big bike in the USA, I can say I much prefer traveling by car...air con, music, comfy seats..you know, that sissy stuff

[jacko 8,815]

Your last sentence is a biggie, they do it on the right too. My first trip out in the truck I nearly crushed a woman trying to go straight on in the right turn lane, as I turned right, indicator on.

Looking for stupid motorcyclists before turning left will become 2nd nature.

Not just danger when moving, motorcycles will park close up behind you when you are parked too so you have to take a look before getting in and reversing.

I still think a bike for nipping around town quickly is needed.

Edited October 29, 2015 by jacko

[Idefix 2,275]

You mean a scooter or a big bike?

In any event, having traveled long distances on a big bike in the USA, I can say I much prefer traveling by car...air con, music, comfy seats..you know, that sissy stuff

Hi. My way to travel in Thailand is nearly always the same. I take VIP bus to go "there", by night if far in Isaan, and I rent a motorbike (a small one, model depending if a passenger or not) to circulate around this "base camp". I don't do long distances on a motorbike: uncomfortable and dangerous.

 

I understand your "sissy stuff" MM. Maybe for when I will be old

 

Again, nothing wrong to have/use a car. Just not needed in my case.

[MM 6,562]

Hi. My way to travel in Thailand is nearly always the same. I take VIP bus to go "there", by night if far in Isaan, and I rent a motorbike (a small one, model depending if a passenger or not) to circulate around this "base camp". I don't do long distances on a motorbike: uncomfortable and dangerous.

 

I understand your "sissy stuff" MM. Maybe for when I will be old

 

Again, nothing wrong to have/use a car. Just not needed in my case.

That's nice

 

I'll go my way, you go yours.

[Gary 4,119]

When you live out in the boonies, you need more than a motorbike for transportation. Most of us would not consider riding a motorbike 650 kilometers.

 

The most fun I ever had was when I had a Suzuki Caribbean. It had big pipe bumpers on the front and the back. Other drivers take a careful look before trying to bully you.

[atlas2 4,329]

Have had my little yaris for 8 years now............Great for Patts.

 

I've gone native and developed all the Thai bad habits.

 

I agree sometimes a bike would be useful.........I had a Kawasaki in the UK and commuted up to London on it for about 6 years........The Chiltern's train-line into Marylebone cost an arm and a leg so it saved me a fortune. But I never felt I was playing Russian or Rush-hour roulette in the UK...........I do here.

 

Not least the thrill of driving into standing water.

 

Car's the way to go nkped ............You'll soon adjust.

[Chang_paarp 253]

As a taxi driver in Perth Western Australia, I find driving in Pattaya and Thailand in general relaxing once you get with the local way of doing things. The good thing is they are supposed to drive on the correct side of the road, the bad thing is when the "rules" go out the window.

[Idefix 2,275]

In Thailand they drive on the wrong way!

The good thing is they are supposed to drive on the correct side of the road,

Why do you contradict me?

90% of the circulation in the world is "driving on the right".

A few islands (mainly) decided to chose the wrong side...

[atlas2 4,329]

I know you're correct ..... But flying over Australia it's a bloody BIG island.

 

I love ze chalawnge of driving in France....it is so .... So Jen no'say quar

[Chang_paarp 253]

Why do you contradict me?

90% of the circulation in the world is "driving on the right".

A few islands (mainly) decided to chose the wrong side...

 

Driving in LA was a challenge for about 10 minutes. The only time I got it wrong was when I was with an English photographer I was working with.

 

If you find Pattaya a challenge, try driving in KL, the bike riders are even crazier. I wanted to make a bumper sticker that "Motorcycle = speed hump". My girlfriend said it would shorten my life dramatically.

[jacko 8,815]

I know you're correct ..... But flying over Australia it's a bloody BIG island.

 

I love ze chalawnge of driving in France....it is so .... So Jen no'say quar

India too! I always figured South Africa to be 'not an Island'......along with landlocked countries like Zambia and Botswana.

[Idefix 2,275]

India too! I always figured South Africa to be 'not an Island'......

along with landlocked countries like Zambia and Botswana.

Looks like you missed the "mainly" in my message

 

Who Drives on the Wrong Side of the Road?

 

Wikipedia:

[jacko 8,815]

Looks like you missed the "mainly" in my message

 

Who Drives on the Wrong Side of the Road?

 

Wikipedia:

I also missed the word few when relating to Indonesian Islands.

Edited October 31, 2015 by jacko

[Chang_paarp 253]

In this case right and wrong are subjective. It depends on where you consider normal.

[Bullfrog 2,224]

The most abnormal has to be Myanmar. They changed after independence but almost all cars remain right hand drive. I did thousands of Km in the death seat across mountains, through villages and small towns...

 

In 96/97 I was a field Engineer for TAC in Bangkok whilst the BTS system was being built with all associated traffic problems. No SATNAV then just a map on your lap.. :scared:

[InternationalTraveler 282]

Every person has a different degree of driving experience.

Have you driven on the left or right hand side of the road or had a motorbike and a car, I guess for some, driving for the first time in Pattaya takes some balls.

Driving in a less populous area to break yourself in gently may do the wonders for your confidence.

But at the end of the day, nothing prepares you for the Thailand driving experience.

 

Some of my friends admit they are scared shitless about driving here and would never hire a motor vehicle of any kind. Others fear being scammed for scratches and chipped windscreens, a bit like the jet ski rip off.

 

 

Some of us like the freedom to travel, to stop where we want, to change destinations, to do whatever, that a car provides.

 

I agree totally about having the freedom and convenience to travel anywhere that my bike is used for short trips and the car for the longer ones.

 

I have been without my car for 3-weeks now …it drowned in the floods and I feel like my legs have been cut off.

[nkped 1,208]

Back to the US for a couple of months. Driving on the right (in some sense) is not a problem. On the other hand, found myself trying to use the windshield wipers as a turn signal. Hell, I was doing that last week in Pattaya.

[jacko 8,815]

Back to the US for a couple of months. Driving on the right (in some sense) is not a problem. On the other hand, found myself trying to use the windshield wipers as a turn signal. Hell, I was doing that last week in Pattaya.

Do it all the time, hell I have still been known to try and get in the wrong side.

[Gary 4,119]

Jacko, you're likely going senile. I know. I do it quite often.

[InternationalTraveler 282]

Do it all the time, hell I have still been known to try and get in the wrong side.

Do it all the time, hell I have still been known to try and get in the wrong side.

I was over in the States last month and hired a Dodge dart. It only had one indicator stalk which stopped me using the wipers.

They should all be designed like that.

Still opened the passenger door to get in though..force of habit. Don't you look a dick when that happens!