Right turn without green right turn arrow

[nkped 1,208]

Ponder me this guys. You're at an intersection with traffic signals. The light turns green for straight ahead traffic. The right turn arrow will eventually come on but at intersection in Thailand it will be a while. Very occasionally there will be an extended gap in the oncoming traffic but almost no one ever turns right until the right turn arrow comes on. Yes, I know there is the risk of a 150kph motorcycle coming over the horizon but the risk of death doesn't deter a lot of other more dangerous maneuvers. Is there an actual traffic law, but, again, how is that a deterrent to a Thai driver.

[jacko 8,822]

They prefer to go through red lights.

[atlas2 4,329]

I got nicked in Jomtien. I was at the lights on Tapraya road in the correct lane for turning right towards the beach. I was number one in this lane. As you might know as soon as the green light comes on for 'straight ahead'..... all the vehicles and motor bikes in the lane next to you that should be going straight ahead instead sneak in front of you and you find yourself relegated from number 1...... to number 4 or 5 in the queue.

 

So as soon as the green light appeared I crept forward to maintain pole position. I waited for the right turn arrow and made the turn. Police pulled me over along with about 4 motor-cyclists.....I assumed for not having helmets...... I was asked for my licence I showed it and in my ignorance thought that would be the end of it.

 

'Collect licence from police station tomorrow.....400 baht'

 

'What for?.......What did I do wrong?

 

'You go forward at lights........Cannot'

 

First time I've been stopped and fined in my car.........I blamed my black mate from London sitting next to me........I was only half-joking.

 

The police were set-up at the same spot for about two weeks and soon everybody was aware of this rule and obeying it.

Edited August 4, 2018 by atlas2

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

Did you actually cross the line on red?

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

I saved a tourist in London the other day. There are many Asian drivers around these days(Uber) and she was about to cross the raod on a green light. All the traffic stopped except a builders lorry which kept going. Wrong to blame Asians in this case, likely to be Polish. Wac says "Green lights do not stop cars".

[forcebwithu 4,856]

Ponder me this guys. You're at an intersection with traffic signals. The light turns green for straight ahead traffic. The right turn arrow will eventually come on but at intersection in Thailand it will be a while. Very occasionally there will be an extended gap in the oncoming traffic but almost no one ever turns right until the right turn arrow comes on. Yes, I know there is the risk of a 150kph motorcycle coming over the horizon but the risk of death doesn't deter a lot of other more dangerous maneuvers. Is there an actual traffic law, but, again, how is that a deterrent to a Thai driver.

 

If it's solid green light, then you can turn right before the right turn arrow comes on. However, most intersections have a green arrow for straight ahead traffic which means you can not legally turn right until the right turn arrow is lit.

 

I got nicked in Jomtien. I was at the lights on Tapraya road in the correct lane for turning right towards the beach. I was number one in this lane. As you might know as soon as the green light comes on for 'straight ahead'..... all the vehicles and motor bikes in the lane next to you that should be going straight ahead instead sneak in front of you and you find yourself relegated from number 1...... to number 4 or 5 in the queue.

 

So as soon as the green light appeared I crept forward to maintain pole position. I waited for the right turn arrow and made the turn. Police pulled me over along with about 4 motor-cyclists.....I assumed for not having helmets...... I was asked for my licence I showed it and in my ignorance thought that would be the end of it.

 

'Collect licence from police station tomorrow.....400 baht'

 

'What for?.......What did I do wrong?

 

'You go forward at lights........Cannot'

 

First time I've been stopped and fined in my car.........I blamed my black mate from London sitting next to me........I was only half-joking.

 

The police were set-up at the same spot for about two weeks and soon everybody was aware of this rule and obeying it.

 

According to the law, a vehicle must remain behind the solid white line at a controlled intersection until the light in the direction you want to travel is green. Most intersections in and around Pattaya that law is ignored and not enforced, except, as you found out in Jomtien. I used to do the same as you, but fortunately I read on another forum the BIB in Jomtien like to hide at those intersection and catch the unwary.

Edited August 4, 2018 by forcebwithu

[nkped 1,208]

I always marvel at the creation of additional right turn lanes as needed. In the US, someone would open fire.

[atlas2 4,329]

 

If it's solid green light, then you can turn right before the right turn arrow comes on. However, most intersections have a green arrow for straight ahead traffic which means you can not legally turn right until the right turn arrow is lit.

 

 

According to the law, a vehicle must remain behind the solid white line at a controlled intersection until the light in the direction you want to travel is green. Most intersections in and around Pattaya that law is ignored and not enforced, except, as you found out in Jomtien. I used to do the same as you, but fortunately I read on another forum the BIB in Jomtien like to hide at those intersection and catch the unwary.

 

 

 

I did meet a lovely police lady at the police station. Hair-up and smart in her uniform......about 45?

 

We conversed in Thai because she managed to ask all the questions I can answer in Thai......."How long here? Why I like Thailand?' etc.

 

I gave a long list: weather, food, friendliness, beaches, sports.........and then my new word at that time, 'dochapoc' which means 'especially'

 

'....lor gor... dochapoc suay t'damruate pooying Thai' She laughed, and was happy to be flattered.... even in my rubbish 'thai'........Perhaps it's a good thing I didn't know what the hand-cuffs she wore on her belt were called...........A joke about them might have been going too far.

Edited August 4, 2018 by atlas2

[cbrib 354]

Did you actually cross the line on red?

 

Crossing the while line is a 1000 baht fine. Had the cops at the Suk Huay Yai intersection try it on with me. I asked him about the two salaengs that were past what was an imaginary white line and then started taking pictures. Thankfully he told me to have a nice day which i did as i was on my way to Ban Chang

[TheFiend 1,181]

Did it once and Mrs Fiend went straight into yap yap mode saying "cannot do....police will fine you"..... never done it since

[atlas2 4,329]

Here's how one man dealt with his parking transgressions in England.

 

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

That guy is smart and not just funny.