Even though I alluded to driving in Thailand in an earlier post, I thought it important to elaborate on my experiences in their transportation. Let me just say this first; I 100% admire anyone who operates a motor vehicle or rides a bike here. It is truly a dance with heavy equipment. The most amazing thing is that I have never witnessed any sort of road rage whatsoever. I tried to take a video but as you know with a lot of things, a video can no way do this topic justice.
1. There is no speed limit. Oh, there are signs but seriously no one pays any mind to them.
2. Stop signs are optional. Stop lights however are only optional when no one is around or you can squeeze yourself into traffic.
3. "No passing zone" should really read: "no passing zone "wink"... Just be ready to dodge head on traffic."
4. Don't even get me started on driving in the mountains. My family definitely knows how much I scream an yell "slow down" when driving in the mountains. I'm a 'leaner'. I lean away from the edge while I scream. Well, that did not do me any good here. I just closed my eyes and thought happy thoughts.
5. 1, 2, 3, 4... It doesn't matter. If you can all fit on a scooter, you're going places. I've seen babies, dogs, grandmas, four on a bike, you name it, I've seen it. This one sweet girl was riding her scooter down the street in the pouring rain holding an umbrella with one hand while she steered with the other.
6. While we're on the subject of scooters, let me just mention again that they drive between stopped cars, on shoulders, on sidewalks, everywhere. It is the most efficient form of transportation here.
7. In a hurry in Bangkok?!? Forget about it. You're not going anywhere fast so you might as well enjoy the air conditioned cabs and enjoy the view. My cab driver dropped us off at the hotel at 10pm one night and didn't get home until 4am. We were staying in Bangkok and he lives in Bangkok. SERIOUSLY!! Wow.
8. Getting around is cheap cheap cheap. We took a truck (cab) from the market to the hotel for a little over a dollar. We also traveled by coach bus from Mae Sot to Chiang Mai for about 10 dollars. It was a 6-hour bus ride.
After the initial shock of how congested traffic is and how people drive, I have to say it has been very enjoyable getting around so far. I still am having issues with the left side driving though. It's a good thing I'm the passenger and not the driver!
I also now understand why some of my former students drive they way they do. :D
