Nereus
I've commented many times before, on other threads about the driving antics in this Country.
Something brought up in this thread that somehow has not been hilighted before is the insane belief that Buddha will decide when your time is up - and not your driving skills - or lack thereof. So - you can drive like a w*nk*r as long as you have a dozen Buddhas hanging from your rear view mirror to protect you and one stuck on top of the air bag (SRS) flap on top of the dashboard. Insane or what?
Unfortunately it wont change because it's not in the interest of the authorities to improve matters safety wise.
I have been driving in Thailand since '92, had many a close call with some of the brainless goons driving here - and sadly that includes some farangs, who probably don't have the same beliefs.
It seems that there is no way one can acquire advanced driving skills other than from experience.
The biggest culprits are undoubtedly the 3.0l and 3.2l turbo diesel single cab pickups - totally overpowered for the idiot driver and an accident waiting to happen.
I do my commute in a Honda Civic and am often threatened with a rear view mirror full of pickup truck. The irony is that I also have a 3.0l turbo diesel double cab, (a bit heavier but nonetheless full of grunt when it gets going). I am often tempted to use it as a racer but its a pickup for Christs' sake - something these idiots forget. i.e. the brakes are ok but the suspension and handling is not designed for racing - even more so when there is another half a ton of steel cagework and overloaded cargo on the back.
Rant Rant Rant.
Anyway - I've tried racing from BKK to HH and vice versa, in various cars over the years and frankly if you keep to the speed limit of 100kph all the way, you may take an extra 15 - 25 minutes to do the journey, but you and your vehicle will arrive intact.
I could go on forever on this topic
