I am a Bangkok driver

by Pim under Bangkok, Travel with 12 Comments

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Bangkok Traffic

I am a Bangkok driver. I no longer flinch when I see a motorcycle come barging at me when he is supposed to be in the opposing lane. I’m far bigger than he is. It’s his job to get out of my way. I no longer miss my turn just because I cannot find my way into the proper lane. It’s all a game of chicken, and my losing days are behind me.

I am once again a Bangkok driver; the rules of the game have all come back to me. Turn signal is a sign of weakness. One must not show signs of weakness. Determining the right of way is simply a matter of will. Whoever wants it more gets it. And I want it more. Even traffic lights have different meanings. Yellow light is a sign to hurry up, not to slow down. Red light is merely a suggestion.

And, perhaps most important of all, there is no breaking traffic law. Not until you get caught. But then again, there’s always the phone number of your uncle the police general in your mobile.

The only problem about all this is, I am now back in California. I guess I’d better be taking the bus for a while. Heh.

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  • zinnur

    This reminds me so much of traffic in Turkey! i confess that i am too chicken to drive in my own country. Being a pedestrian there is enough of a thrill for me.

  • http://www.mmm-yoso.typepad.com Kirk

    Hi Pim – Sounds like LA driving to me!

  • Alisa

    ahhh that was really funny! Hi!

  • http://cucinarebecca.blogspot.com DrReb

    Hi Pim … reminds me of driving in Cairo and Rome where my friend told me that traffic lights were purely for decoration and nothing else.

  • SamanthaF

    Glad you got back in one piece!
    Thanks for your postings this trip Pim – kept going through some chilly days.

  • http://www.deartecoquinaria.com Jenny

    Sounds like driving around Vancouver.

  • http://loxos.blogspot.com Sandeep

    Driving in Bangkok was a piece of cake compared to New Delhi!!!

  • http://eggbeater.typepad.com/shuna/ shuna

    One day many years ago a friend from school gave me a ride in Oakland. He was French. He became very frustrated with the traffic on College avenue so he drove on the opposite side for a few blocks making very polite Califoria drivers coming towards us stop and pull over to let us through.
    welcome back to your ca. home.

  • http://www.noodlepie.com pieman

    Ha – I was in Bangkok when you were there… bummer. Legendary blogger FatMan Seoul was in town too… Oh well. Next time… You weren’t staying at the Sofitel too were you???

  • http://profile.typekey.com/Thisdayofdays/ Smruti Shah

    Sounds like our experience driving in New Delhi… http://shahkhare.typepad.com/worldtour/2004/12/india_sudden_in.html

  • vidal smith

    hello bkk driver, would you like to work in a nice and well payed work in thailand?, if ur english is good enough to keep a normal conversation please contact with me for an interview online.

  • Conabona

    YES very true, I am a Kiwi living and driving in Bkk, and this is another word of driving skills!! Sometimes I think Thais drive like this because they may not be as afraid of death as westerners, because of reincarnation?