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Home » Reader question » Reader question: Has public transport in Thailand become safer?
Dear readers,
I will soon be leaving for Thailand again and I am hesitating to rent a car there. Actually, I prefer to travel by public transport, but because I read nothing but about bus accidents and train derailments in Thailand for a while, I had little appetite for that.
Lately I've read little or nothing about that. Has public transport become safer now? If so, I don't think I'm renting a car.
Who can tell me?
Regards,
Arnold
Moderator: please respond to the reader's question or don't respond.
Traveling in Thailand is a big risk.
You run the greatest risk by traveling with the “Van” Bus.
These drivers drive like crazy as if the devil is on their soul.
Playing on their mobile phone behind the wheel at speeds of up to 140 km/h.
These VAN'S are true coffins on wheels with “Grim Reaper” behind the wheel.
You will no longer find me in these life-threatening “Vans”.
The least unsafe thing is not to travel. In both cases, (rental) car or public transport, there is a risk. This is true in every country, but more than average in SE Asia. Every year I drive a period in Thailand with a rental car. But if you haven't done that before, it might be wiser to use public transport. Personally, I think the bus drivers on the long routes are road hogs.
Dear Arnold,
I can not say that driving yourself with a rental car is safer than with a bus or train.
People drive here "against the grain", you have to be able to, of course.
But scooters, hand carts and scooters + sidecar and a huge parasol on it, sometimes also drive in the Dutch way. Everything is possible here in Thailand.
Just take out a very good travel insurance and will.
Flying a lot and using local public transport is the safest way in Thailand.
Come quickly, you can see for yourself.
Greetings Nico
Answer short and concise: NO
Arnold, I've been here for about 8 years now and drive between 100 and 200 km every day.
Yes it's different but in all the time I've been here I've never had an accident (knock on wood)
My driving style is like the Thai and just go with the flow, don't worry if there are some idiots driving in front of you or next to you.
Stay calm and certainly don't give a "finger" to a fellow road user no matter how crazy they drive.
Keep smiling and always eyes and ears open and preferably a pair of eyes in the back of your head.
So just do it!
suc6
Regards,
Anthony
I agree with this.
I myself only drive short trips here for shopping.
For further movements. do i let the lady drive or do i use public transport. People drive in English here. steer in the car on the right and drive on the left on the road.
I don't have the numbers ready, but I suspect that the number of (fatal) accidents per year is still about the same.
My experience is that people think that the road markings are purely decorative and the number of lanes is determined by the width of the road and the width of the road users.
Bus drivers behave like true drivers: arrive at the finish point as quickly as possible.
And because they're big and heavy, they usually get away with it.
The poor condition of the road surface (holes and bumps) also causes surprises for inexperienced road users from navigating road users.
Before you yourself with a car or motorcycle / scooter + international driving license B resp. A goes on the road, study traffic behavior very carefully.
They do not know driving license category M in TH (mopeds/scooters with a cylinder capacity of less than 50cc).
Insurance is another point of attention.
With (almost?) all travel insurance policies you are not covered for damage and/or medical expenses when driving a (rental) vehicle.
Make sure that you also get good damage/health insurance coverage when renting.
Public transport has not become safer or less safe at all. Small things are being patched up/repaired, but there has never been any real good maintenance.
However, in my opinion it is still safer to use public transport (train, plane) than to drive a car. So I would just go for it!
Hello, we have very good experiences in arranging a van with driver through Greenwood for long distances. These people drive very civilized.
Costs a little more on balance, but drive quietly stopping in time to eat and go to the toilet.
Also the buses of the government, they also drive quietly, the rest …….
The buses for long distances that you can book through the offices on Kao sanroad, for example, are kamikaze pilots who can safely crawl behind the wheel for 12 to 16 hours with a kind of red bull, we have experienced ourselves!
Good luck and have fun!
I have been driving a car, motorcycle and bicycle here for more than 40 years. Feel like a fish in water in Thai traffic. Had some collisions, drunk Thais, but always had the damage compensated, also with the help of the police. I am now 80 years old and still drive a car and motorcycle. For the enthusiasts and bashers, my car is 26 yrs old and holes are sealed with epoxy, ha ha ha. What a country people! Wonderful to live here!