Double-parking of big cars at motosai stands

Post by **ajarnfrank** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:38 pm

Just a reasonable request by a motorcyclist to those of you who felt obsessed to buy one of those land yachts like a huge SUV, and then to take it downtown to Hua Hin.

Please don't doublepark your monstrous motor vehicle in front of motorcycles parked at the curb! Someone else complained that some cyclists park sideways and take up several spaces; I've seen very little of that. More often, a car will park along the curb and take up seven spaces reserved for motosais.

Perhaps you're one of the farang who park their US$50,000 SUV in front of Burger King in the evening, blocking one lane of westbound traffic and making it impossible to get out. And then you leave it unattended while you go about your business! Do not be surprised or upset if there are huge dents on your new shiny incredibly oversized behemoth. The mere fact that you paid almost nothing down and are making 66 monthly payments doesn't give you the right to incapacitate others.

Thank you. Have a nice day. If you can't drive or park the thing, try walking or taking public transport, a motorcycle, or a bicycle. This is not surburban Memphis or Ottawa or Oslo or Koln.

Post by **buksida** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 11:15 pm

Top rant

Though I think you'll find that its the Bangkok Thais in their oversized behemoths rather than farangs.

Also farangs cant get those stupid credit terms without a Thai guarantor (I tried)

Post by **Limey711** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:41 am

ajarnfrank

We were in Hua Hin for October and I must say that I agree entirely with all your comments.

Our grand daughter was with us and most of her time was spent in a pram, because we did a lot of walking around Hua Hin trying to get our bearings and basically discovering the place and on several occasions, because the pathway was blocked, we had to walk in the main road and because of the double parking that you mentioned, we were forced out into the middle of the road, which was at times a little nerve racking, so the double parking for us, caused us a few problems.

When we move out there next year, I to, am thinking of buying a SUV or a crew cab pick up, because we will be doing a lot of sight seeing, which will include doing a fair few miles. plus the odd run to the airport to pick up friends and family.

As you have already stated the parking facilities within Hua Hin town centre are very limited and because of this fact when I go into town I will be using a motorcycle or a local taxi firm, both of which are cheap forms of transport.

We cant wait to move out there next year, perhaps we can meet up with some of you guys.

Regards

Russ (limey)

Post by **Guess** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:40 am

I have to agree with Buksi on this one. Most farang are more considerate when parking although there are some arrogant ones around.

If you need a truck or SUV please make sure that you have somewhere to park it at night and that where you want go has parking available.

For local errands stick to the motorcy and make sure that you have a decent helmet.

Post by **ricardo** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:49 am

Totally agree with you all on that.

There is a convenient place in town to park ie the temple grounds and it is only B20. I park my car there all the time, it is nearly always empty, and sometimes they don't take any money off you at all especially during the day.
The gate is locked at 11 pm - so if you are having a few beers you have till then to get your car otherwise its locked in until the next morning and you have to take a taxi home - which is not a bad thing.

BUT most Thais particularly the SUV hi-so brigade from Bangkok will pay a million up for their vehicle but will not consider paying B20 for parking.

I personally don't like driving an SUV inside Hua Hin as its too big. More and more often I leave my motor bike in town at a friends place to get around and use the car to get up and down Petchaksem Road.

JW · Post by JW » Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:26 pm

Ajarnfrank,
Good stuff man, dont care who it is thai or falang some of these numbskulls shouldnt be allowed on the road. A copper came into our office the other day complaining about our motorbikes parked in a fashion to take up lots of room, on the red and white lined bit. We told him we do it to stop the SUVs blocking the road on a busy crossroad. He was ok (astonishment) and told us to call 191 if any crazy parking was happening.
Our neighbours like to put seats out to reserve the space outside their shop/house, copper drives past on his bike and swipes both plastic chairs -absolutely hilarious!! The house owners went mental when they came back and then another 2 cops pulled up and chucked their chairs back, and after a little finger waving and barking left the scene. The chairs have been resting for the last few days! It almost seemed some sense was looming. I sit, looking out of the office window, waiting for my hopes to be dashed!!

Post by **ajarnfrank** » Wed Dec 07, 2005 11:56 am

Thanks to all the other posters for not bashing my comments. I was upset, two nights in a row, having to extricate my 250 pound motosai when I'm still unable to wrestle the bike in close quarters, after hitting the dog in the road in July.

Yeah, buksida, it must have been those Bang-cock-ian high society types in town to celebrate the holiday. Their driver probably was getting a 20 baht meal in the side soi. The SUV's that I saw probably cost two million baht. The owners think they paid for double-parking privileges.

Sure enough, it's the Thais who can buy on credit; we farang have to pay cash.

Hua Hin is built like a village, and only Petchasem and that road in front of the police station are wide enough. Coming into town from the south at night, that market in front of the Hua Hin Grand Palace hotel chokes off two lanes of traffic, and people drive their worst. It's definitely a 30 kph stretch of road at that point.

Post by **chelsea** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:29 pm

Arm your self with a $5 tyre valve core remove, remove the core and throw it away. They may get the hint after that.
Would be great to see the would be could bee's trying to remove a 16/17" 4WD wheel in one of the small Soi's
Hopefuuly the pre delivery mechanic has done the wheel nuts up with an air gun, so they cannot get the nuts off.
What a great feeling of revenge that would be!!!!!!

Post by **Jimmy** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 1:12 pm

I agree with you completely...However, I am just curious how Memphis came to your mind as a place this might happen. I am reading this from Memphis and of course missing Hua Hin...I hope to be back soon and I promise to never do such a selfish act...

Post by **Wanderlust** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 5:59 pm

Although I totally agree with the sentiments on this thread, I must point out that those of us who do attempt to park their vehicle in a proper space (and I hope it has been noticed that car size spaces have been marked on most of the streets in the town now) are most often thwarted because some a**hole has parked his motorbike right in the middle of the only available space. And before anyone says get (buy, rent or taxi) a motorbike instead, I choose not to because firstly I have had bad experiences on them and secondly the losses we have suffered of friends when riding m/c this year are enough to put anyone off. Equally there is not a songthaew service from where I live so I drive my pickup into town (it is too far to walk). This is not an attempt to excuse the idiots who double park but it is a plea for motorcyclists to also be more 'greng jai' (considerate).

Post by **lomuamart** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 6:41 pm

I wonder what the Thais would make of a congestion charge zone?
I was back in England last year and visited my property on a number of occasions - it's within the zone - so drove through central London quite a bit. I'd heard about the difference it had made, but was still astounded at how light the traffic was.
I do appreciate that there needs to be alternative travel methods, but in HH more regular songthaews, travelling more routes, might be the answer.
Ok the technology would probably never get implemented due to cost, so the question's a bit theoretical. Still, food for thought?
Why not allow traffic to pass through on Petchkasem, but once it turns down towards the beach from, say Chomsin Road to where the shopping centre's being built, a charge of 100 baht is levied.
About time some of the Thai's learnt to walk again anyway. They're becoming more obese as a nation year by year.

Post by **Norseman** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 9:43 pm

When they can't do it in Bangers, why should they do it in HH?
No way you'll get the Thais to pay extra for a longer walking distance to anything. Put up a turnpike and they'll drive through your garden to get close enough!

Post by **Randy Cornhole** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 6:37 pm

Although I now live in Hua Hin I still have a house rented in London and we have pay and display meters which is a cracking I don't mind paying for a clearer street. Won't happen though as Thais are born lazy and don't seem to be able to make any sensible decision unless they can get a backhander from it. Personaly I cant see the point of driving a sodding great big pickup in the centre of town take a motorbike or walk!
BAN ALL 4 WHEELERS FROM THE CENTRE OF TOWN except for deliveries. Hurrah.....

Post by **Wanderlust** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 12:21 pm

Thank you Randy for just ignoring what I said!

Post by **usual suspect** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:03 pm

Ricardo mentions using the temple grounds for parking...good idea, but
beware...that gravel is full of nails!...next time you walk thru' the temple
look down as you are walking....try to park on the cement after the
cremmo' building.
Also mentioned was the 'snarl-up' outside the Grand-market on a night,-
the numptys always 'double-park' there causing a jam, but look-out if you
are turning left outa the Grand towards town...coming past the double-parked SUV will be a group of Thais coming the 'wrong-way'...just as you
are focused on the traffic over you right shoulder as you 'join'.

AS ever Hua hin is the hardest town to actually WALK anywhere!
the town has prepared for high-season by painting the town yellow...mmm,,,nice, but all the pavements are dug-up for re-paving,also the
'gaps' in the cement barriers opp. shopping mall area now have S/Steel
mini-barriers in them allowing only 2 people to stand there within the
gap...took me 15 mins to cross the road.
(when will they see the need for a foot-bridge at the lights there??).
Dont try walking along the 'Hilton-road' at all...the biggest snarl-up is
when a f***-off coach with only 10 tourist on board has to go to that damn hotel...but we know that wont change dont we!

On a brighter note,the police ARE dishing out tickets for double-parking,
the patrolman had a great time outside the Bangkok bank the other day.
(as anyone who goes there will know...new SUV= parking status).

ps...some door-mirrors DO bend backwards..+ the noise can be very
pleasing....oops, sorry Mister!