The 11 dangers of Bangkok
29 August 2023
Krungthep i.e. the City of Angels may be a City of Devilish Angels Not Protecting Us At All from the Freak Accidents that Often Take Place become, writes Tristan Yeoh.
The author lists 11 dangers that this diabolical city has in store. With a wink, that is.
- Sprained ankle. Cause: a loose sidewalk tile, street vendors you overlooked, dog or beggar.
- bruises. Cause: Cheeky bargain hunters during the sales who knock you over.
- Crash. A motorcyclist can ride on the sidewalk at any time and in any place.
- Acute diarrhea. People with a weak stomach are the largest risk group. Avoid filthy eateries and equally filthy dishes.
- Wet suit. Quickly get on or off the ferry on the Chao Praya River, because before you know it he will be gone again. This also applies to the bus, but there you do not run the risk of a wet suit.
- Broken leg. Beware of spoiled machos in expensive cars, whose motto is: Do you know who my daddy is? Risk areas: parking lots of fancy bars and nightclubs.
- Bird droppings. Solution: hat, umbrella or slingshot.
- Broken bones and bruises. You have the misfortune to be kneaded in a massage parlor by a voluminous masseuse with strong hands.
- Head wound. Cause: parasol, pipes and other protrusions just above eye level.
- Rabies. Don't step on a dog's tail or pet a dog no matter how innocent it looks.
- Choking. Cause: full metro vehicle during rush hour.
Do you know more? Then complete the list!
Power shock.
Not every cable is properly attached and they have never heard of earth
* Serious bodily injury. Cause dare to dispute the (bar) bill offered.
* Contracting STIs or HIV: finding the condom superfluous in a drunken stupor
12.. death by suffocation: smog, current at the moment! And from February you can run an increased risk of heat death. Bangkok is one of the hottest places on earth.
Re 3.
A. Being cut right by a car or motorbike when crossing from your blind spot
B. Most people respect a zebra crossing, especially if you extend your hand or give a stop sign to indicate that you want to cross. Some motor bikers just drive really fast.
ad 4. Also don't eat oysters in a 5 star hotel
Ad 5. Traveled to work with this boat for years, so getting on and off twice a day. NEVER got my feet wet.
Sjaak S writes: Bangkok is one of the hottest places on this earth.
Not really. The temperatures measured in Bangkok are found in all major cities in SE Asia.
I worked in MO for years and the summer temperatures there are at least 10° C higher than in Bangkok.
Bangkok is humid, hot and oppressive. The Isaan has dry heat, often in the 40 degrees, and sometimes more. Udon Thani and Nongkhai experienced 46 degrees and Bangkok doesn't match that. Death Valley in the USA is even hotter. Adjust your pace, dress and cool appropriately for the weather, and drink plenty of water.
This is probably what they mean.
“According to the World Meteorological Organization, Bangkok is even the warmest city in the world in terms of average (annual) temperature.”
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok
This in itself has nothing to do with the hottest place anywhere….
To avoid a yes/no situation:
Bangkok is one of the hottest cities in the world. Kuwait, Riyadh and Dubai can be even hotter. I was last in Dubai in 2011 and you could feel the heat through the soles of your shoes.
BKK was identified as the hottest on two websites and not on others.
So you can safely say that Bangkok is one of the hottest cities in the world.
I have experienced that heat for years and I have never noticed it like this here south of Hua Hin. I have to say that I can adapt to that heat better at home than in a city like Bangkok. And you have a little more wind here. That makes a difference.
Moderator: Please stick to Thailand.
Stopping at a zebra crossing is dangerous in Thailand, namely being hit from behind.
Indeed, you better sweep away the people who are on the zebra crossing...
I remember Ronny, the first time I drove around here with my Thai wife next to me, as a polite Westerner I stopped neatly at a zebra crossing to let those waiting across safely.
My wife gave me a serious scolding that I should never do that again. The risk was indeed that I sometimes risked a collision with traffic behind me.
I don't condone this at all. Maybe they would be better off removing all zebra crossings, as they serve no purpose?!?
Perhaps a pressing question: “If you, as a pedestrian, are knocked over on a zebra crossing, who is at fault?” I'm curious about your answers.
It will surprise many, but in Thailand you also have to stop at a zebra crossing when people are crossing there.
“The laws governing road safety in Thailand state that a vehicle which fails to stop while a person is crossing at a pedestrian crossing faces a fine not exceeding 1,000 baht. (now 4000 Baht)
In addition, if a driver hits a person using a pedestrian crossing, the punishment is up to 3 years in jail.
If a driver hits a person using a pedestrian crossing and it results in death, the punishment up to 10 years in jail.
https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/you-could-be-fined-1000-thb-for-not-stopping-at-a-pedestrian-crossing-in-thailand/
So your wife is wrong (but maybe you better not tell her 😉 )
All nice in theory.
Last year I had to jump for my life at the zebra crossing at Central Pattaya. A fool who flew in with his big BMW. My knee was open, bystanders helped me straighten up.
And to make matters worse: 2 police officers stood by and acted as if nothing had happened. SCANDALOUS!
Yes, I was waiting for such reactions to come.
Because of course that doesn't happen in the Netherlands/Belgium.
Because in theory you are not allowed to drive people off the zebra crossings, drive drunk, etc... and so that doesn't happen there... or does it?
Making a law is one thing, how it is applied is often another.
Hendrik's question was “If you, as a pedestrian, are knocked over on a zebra crossing, who is at fault?”
Well that's the answer
I always approach a zebra crossing with extreme caution. You rarely see people using such a pad. Well, they are waiting until a crossing can be made safely. I leave that assessment to them. If you ever stop to let someone cross the road and he/she is killed by overtaking traffic to the left and right of you, you will never forgive yourself for that. You are in for very nasty nights. Forget that Western thinking and anticipate what is going on here in the East.
To answer your “pressing” question: A pedestrian on (!) a zebra crossing is crossing the road. If you run over that pedestrian on that zebra crossing, you are obviously very wrong because you should have stopped. This will also cause you a lot of trouble in Thailand. But if a pedestrian is waiting to cross, I will never stop alone because of the danger that traffic driving to my left and right will drive him/her into the hospital or morgue. Anyway, I already said that.
I think this is one of my favorites in the Thai Traffic Act
“Section 32.
In using the road the driver shall be careful in avoiding the conveyance not to hit or graze a pedestrian, notwithstanding at any part of the path, and must give warning signal for the pedestrian to be aware when it is necessary, in particular, a child , elder person, or the disabled using the road, the driver must take special care in controlling his or her conveyance”
The Thai traffic rules are actually not that different from those in Europe (sometimes the opposite of course because of driving on the left versus driving on the right). Anyone who successfully passes their Thai driving test and adheres to it in practice would therefore not drive much differently than would be normal in Europe. That in practice it turns out differently... well...
(Although in the Netherlands you are also a complete idiot if you always take priority if you are entitled to priority)
The traffic rules can be found on the internet in English, although the translations are not 100% perfect. It is best to consult them in Thai if you really want to know the ins and outs.
Regarding pedestrians vs cars, Thai law states:
-
Article 32. When using the road, the driver of the vehicle must exercise caution and not hit or graze a pedestrian on any part of the road. And should provide a warning signal so that the pedestrian is aware, especially, a child, elderly person or disabled person using the road,
Article 46: No driver may overtake another means of transport in the
following cases:
(1) when driving on a steep slope, bridge or in a bend, unless that is the case
a road sign that this was happening;
(2) within thirty meters before reaching a zebra crossing, intersection,
roundabout, artificial traffic island or railway crossing;
(one) (…)
Article 51: When turning the vehicle, the following instructions apply:
(1) when turning left (…)
(2) when turning right (..)
(3) ….
In the case under (1) or (2), the driver must be careful and stop
and allow the pedestrian crossing the road to pass.
Article 70. The driver driving a vehicle approaching an intersection
pedestrian crossing, stop line or roundabout must drive more slowly
Article 104: Within the limit of one hundred meters of a pedestrian crossing: no pedestrian shall cross the road outside the zebra crossing.
-
(and then a whole piece about how pedestrians have the right to cross when there is green, etc. I don't see the rule about crossing on a zebra without traffic lights, but it should also be there, because pedestrians also have priority then)
Every so often the media reports that drivers are warned that they should give way, that zebras have had a makeover, that there is more control, and so on. But the result is not yet satisfactory, so as a pedestrian you certainly cannot assume that drivers are following the law.
I remember that there was once a discussion about who is punishable if a vehicle hits you from behind. Basically the stationary vehicle but the English text lacks details that the Thai text does have. So it is not the case that if you stop politely for a zebra, you are always guilty if a fool parks his motorcycle in your trunk...
ad. 4 Eating at the Food Court of Siam Paragon… on the weekend. A lot of people so no chance of 'old food' I thought.
Eliminated ORS for the rest of the weekend as if it were candy.
ad. 8 This voluminous massage lady STAND on my back and cracked every bone in my shoulders