WARNING - DRINKING AND DRIVING IN PATTAYA.

[eXplosief]

I have been on a number of motorbike taxis and first thing to be said is these guys should be breath tested on a regular basis. Now add in the reckless driving done by most. I used to ride a bike in Los Angeles splitting traffic, mountain roads, etc. and I have had rides in Bkok and Patts I thought I may not return from. I believe it may be statistically more dangerous to ride an mbike taxi than drive a scooter drunk not that I would recommend doing either on a regular basis.

Without looking at the possibility of the motor taxi driver being drunk (i know some are, but the majority is not in my experience).

 

You have been riding in the US. The traffic in asia can not be compared to that in the US. What seems like chaos for you, is normal behavior for them and they are used to that and will also anticipate on others driving this way.

 

I believe it may be statistically more dangerous to drive a scooter yourself (drunk or not) then to ride a motorbike taxi with a driver used to this traffic.

[Houten Kop]

I think you are mixing up road names here. I assume you mean the intersection at Pattaya Tai (Pattaya South Road) and Sai Song (Pattaya 2nd road)

 

Pattaya Klang is Pattaya Central road and is a lot more north.

Phratamnak Road is the road that starts (or ends) halfway Thapphraya (the road to Jomtien), over the hill to the last part of Sai Sam (3nd road).

You’re right as to Pattayaklang; it should be Pattayatai, my error. My text should read:

 

“Last night I’ve been observing the police on the corner of Pattayatai (Pattaya South Road) and Phratamnak Road (Second Road). They are positioned behind the bahtbuses that are waiting to take off to Jomtien. Only the traffic coming from Pattayatai (both from the Beach Road side and from the Sukhumvit Road side) and heading southward (towards Jomtien) passes by them. The police seemed only interested in people on motorbikes not wearing helmets. I didn’t see alcohol checks and no cars were stopped.”

 

(I corrected my post accordingly.)

 

As to Phratamnak Road, I think it begins from Pattayatai (Pattaya South Road). Many years ago we used to stay in a hotel there and its address was Phratamnak Road, not Second Road.

[jerry]

What's wrong witha 30 baht motorbike taxi?

 

Moto taxis don't go that far for 30 Baht . It's more like 150/200 Baht at night when living on the darkside .

Still a better option than going to prison for few days and pay 10k or more .

 

Why there are hardly any metertaxis in Pattaya ? ..... Because of the song taew mafia !

[losworld]

Without looking at the possibility of the motor taxi driver being drunk (i know some are, but the majority is not in my experience).

 

You have been riding in the US. The traffic in asia can not be compared to that in the US. What seems like chaos for you, is normal behavior for them and they are used to that and will also anticipate on others driving this way.

 

I believe it may be statistically more dangerous to drive a scooter yourself (drunk or not) then to ride a motorbike taxi with a driver used to this traffic.

 

I rent bikes all the time in Tland including patts, phuket, cm, kk and i would do it in bkok too if i had a chance. Yes normally sober during day in reg areas but when i stayed in soi b there were mbike taxis drinking across from club blu every night while working...

[JS02]

To all the BMs who say this is a good thing, maybe you think they should enforce the anti-prostitution laws more seriously as well?

 

Personally, I travel to Thailand in order to escape strict laws. I was raised in the US driving home from the bars with almost no problem until it became a police state and I escaped to Japan.

 

I believe in personal freedom and responsibility for ones actions. A few beers and a scooter, I can handle.

 

I agree that it is good to know the risks and I will probably not drink and drive next trip. But I will not say it's a good thing for anyone to be punished unreasonably for a minor infraction of the law.

 

Jesus! You're probably the guys who write that you never pay for sex, either.

 

Sorry, but that really got my goat.

 

 

BRAVO!

Sorry for quoting you in full and not adding anything of myself, but this is exactly my thinking.

Enforcing all existing laws in this country would make it into one of the least desirable places on Earth. Let's keep the blissful anarchy we now live in :-)

[Lubudi]

BRAVO!

Sorry for quoting you in full and not adding anything of myself, but this is exactly my thinking.

Enforcing all existing laws in this country would make it into one of the least desirable places on Earth. Let's keep the blissful anarchy we now live in :-)

 

+1

[furryman]

So if someone snuck up on you, knocked you in the head with a pipe and took your wallet, you would chalk it up to 'blissful anarchy'?

Edited May 1, 2012 by furryman

[Tengu]

So if someone snuck up on you, knocked you in the head with a pipe and took your wallet, you would chalk it up to 'blissful anarchy'?

 

It's never happened to me. And come to think of it, I've never seen it happen to anyone else.

 

Does that happen a lot in Pattaya? Wow! Scary.

 

I have seen a few bargirls slam their bikes down and cut up theirs legs and sometimes their face, though. I feel bad for them.

[Scumbag]

Does that happen a lot in Pattaya? Wow! Scary.

I think it is sarcasm.

[Tengu]

I think it is sarcasm.

 

Ya think?

[SneakySnake]

 

 

It's never happened to me. And come to think of it, I've never seen it happen to anyone else.

 

Does that happen a lot in Pattaya? Wow! Scary.

 

I have seen a few bargirls slam their bikes down and cut up theirs legs and sometimes their face, though. I feel bad for them.

 

So the logic seems to be that if it hasn't happened to you, the law must not be enforced, to keep "your" paradise a "blissful" anarchy.

 

But real working people are raising their families in this blissful anarchy of yours, and what these people need is safe environments for their children.

 

Drink driving is one of the things that should be minimized, amongst other things. Laws that are there to protect innocents have to be enforced, if not, where do we draw the line ? The pedophiles would like for the law against forced child prostitution to not be enforced either, and get their blissfully anarchy to, is that ok to then?

 

 

[Edge RIP]

I think it is sarcasm.

 

 

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[Tengu]

Oh jesus, here we go again.

 

I'll just refer to my previous post concerning certain monger's mentality. Have a read. If you don't get my point, it's no use explaining it again (always wanted to use this one)

 

And raising kids in Pattaya is a whole new can of worms.

[SneakySnake]

Oh jesus, here we go again.

 

I'll just refer to my previous post concerning certain monger's mentality. Have a read. If you don't get my point, it's no use explaining it again (always wanted to use this one)

 

And raising kids in Pattaya is a whole new can of worms.

 

Oh so now you are the expert on living and raising children in Pattaya too?

 

You do know there is more to Pattaya then WS and Soi 6, do you ? So what do we as pattaya residents need to do to accomodate you, the tourist, so he doesn't need to worry about any laws being enforced against him? Perhaps when we get children it means it is time to quit our jobs and move to another country?

[Tengu]

Let me make this perfectly clear.......

 

I am not an expert in anything, full stop.

 

I do have my opinions, though. And I believe I'm entitled to them.

 

I'm a live and let live kind of guy. I don't believe in controlling other peoples behavior through force, but that's the way the world works sometimes. So be it. Again, I don't have to like it.

This may be one reason I like Japan. They don't go around looking for trouble. When it happens, they deal with it. Except for nuclear accidents, of course.

You guys that live there, I respect your choices and don't feel the need to lecture you.

Live you life how you please.

But that's just me.

 

Peace

[Master Claude]

Tengu , You are not alone ... me and many people think like you.

It is right to punish those who make mistakes and commit an accident under drugs or alcohol, but punish someone just because He might commit is dictatorship .. (my opinion ...).

It would be like if the police arrest you when you walk into Soi 6 and watch a girl because they think if you're in that position for to offer her money for sex (crime in Thailand ...) .

So do not forget , We are all criminals , for those who preach in these pages and He feels his self like a saint ...

Regard

[darklurker]

I have always used the baht buses that go around Beach road and Second Road rather then rent a bike. Was more afraid of getting it stolen or getting into an accident with a car and getting hurt or getting scammed because of damage ( hey they do it too guys dumb enough to rent a jet ski why not a bike ).

Now with drinking and driving being a major crackdown it seems like bike rental is not so economical.

 

What does it cost to rent a bike for a day/week/month?

[Master Claude]

For the price about rent a bike (scooter ) depend of High or Low season (day/week) while for a month remain about the same . My experience for a Yamaha Nuvo 135 has been 2000 bath for 20 days + 1000 caution deposit in Low season and 2500 bath +1000 in High season . So the price for day/week/month should be 150/1000/2500 Low Season and 200/1200/3000 in High Season .

[Reacherj]

I have zero respect for drunk drivers. Let them try the Thai prison system for a while.

[Kandinski]

I know 2 person who got caught in that same check point. This place is becoming more like USA all the time.

 

you mean corrupted cops and endless waiting in immigration ?

[stevensonn]

Although I do not in anyway condone drink driving but I believe that if someone has had a drink in a sensible manner and is not drunk behind the wheel then I just cannot see the crime but time and time again a farlang would have the book thrown at it him at the slightest opportunity to bleed him for money and put him through the worst kind of punishment ,it's almost like they can't wait for you to fall into their trap . I would never under any circumstances drive a car in Thailand because a minor accident can mean you getting set upon by the locals who would just derive great pleasure from bashing up the farlang and it doesn't matter if it's not your fault .You are loved so long as you spend but don't piss off the locals

 

[losworld]

okay here is an idea... since there is great worry about kids and adults like a certain degree of anarchy here in Thailand how about drunk driving laws only applied between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. that way the kids are off the streets and the others can sit at home and knit:)... therefore you can drink and drive a bike between 9 p.m. and 6 p.m. but only a bike as a care could crash through a home...

[Micky2]

There are changes taking place in Thailand and many, like this account of breath testing for drunks, are for the better.

 

Last week I applied for Thai driving licenses for car & MC at Khon Kaen. It took 4 days before I finally obtained the licenses. Day 1 was gathering and submitting paperwork. Day 2 road safety films and lectures (all day) and an e-test. Day 3 driving test. I passed right away for MC but was failed for car, despite the fact that I've held an Australian DL for about 45 years. Day 4 resat and passed the car driving test and was issued with licenses.

 

I was a bit pissed that it was so tough and took so long but also glad that finally Thailand is taking driving and road safety seriously. For years we all been making jokes that Thais must get their licenses out of corn flakes boxes, but it seems that is now changing.

 

Thailand finally taking driving and road safety seriously? Well, I would say that in Bangkok traffic is a bit more disciplined than it was thirty years ago. Outside of that they might be seen to be doing a bit, but it is more show than substance.

 

Occasional check points, staffed by a squad of boys in brown, where people obligingly stop to be checked for helmet wearing, licence carrying, and sobriety look the part, but how much do they really achieve?

 

It takes longer to do a driving licence, but it is still more about the process than the ability to drive (at walking pace).

Edited May 6, 2012 by Micky2

[Lubudi]

I can't vouch for any of the account below.

 

I just received it in an email from a friend.

...............................................................................................................................................................................................

 

WARNING - DRINKING AND DRIVING IN PATTAYA.

 

 

Have you met/talked to your friend since he sent you the email ?

Can you now vouch for his account ?

 

Your friend seems well versed in the Pattaya/farang/BIB ways. Is he a PA/PS/TV BM by any chance ?

[Edge RIP]

Have you met/talked to your friend since he sent you the email ?

Can you now vouch for his account ?

 

Your friend seems well versed in the Pattaya/farang/BIB ways. Is he a PA/PS/TV BM by any chance ?

 

I don't know him personally.

Someone said the report was in another section of the forum but I couldn't find it - maybe it was on Tthaivisa.

 

Others have since posted in this thread confirming that this, or something like it, is happening.

I suggest you ask them whatever it is you want to know.

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