WHATS IT LIKE TO DRIVE A CAR IN CHIANGMAI,THAILAND  

For the first 5 years I just assumed I'd be killed each time I ventured out in my car, but after 22 years I'm still alive, which is truly amazing. Now when I see "Dashcam Australia" videos, I realise that all the bad drivers migrated to Australia, so Chiang Mai is perfectly safe after all. Several habits have helped me. I always give way to heavy trucks, motorcycles riding the wrong way (at night with no lights working) and pedestrians. Always drive with my sidelights on. Always use my hazard warning lights when reversing in Supermarket car parks. Always drive in the right (fast) lane, because motorcycles enter highways on the left without looking, Try to keep the Moat on the right side of your vehicle; (if it's on the left side you're going the wrong way).

Helpful, thank you!

Hello Bill great video far to scary for me to drive or ride a bike but I guess I would in the end lol

I love your videos. I love to see the night markets and the fish markets.

You make it look easy. But, it's those motorbikes that pop out of nowhere that scare the hell out of me ! Great job though.

Hello from Canada. It was fun watching how you drive on the left. I will be riding a motorcycle for 14 days around the north loop. Thanks again.

Thanks for an interesting and informative video! I tried a bicycle in Pattaya, and boy was that a scary adventure; sold my bicycle! 555

Good on ya mate.

Heading straight for China Town in a sedan, very gutsy Bill. And wouldn't you know it that's the one day that Warorot market had no traffic!! I swore i would never drive a car in Thailand, but after 8 years on two wheels finally had enough courage to try this month. Stayed out of traffic jams as i value my sanity, turned out to be a good "rainy" day up Mae Wang. Thanks for sharing the ride.

Having driven several times by rental car in Chiang Mai and Phuket, and by 2-stroke scooter in Koh Samui, my strong suggestion is you do as the locals do and treat red lights and stop signs as 'suggestions'. If you stop at them like a westerner you are likely going to cause a rear-ender !

Nice

remember, your a little fish in a big school of fish.

Hello, derniere le marcher wororat ,il y a une passerelle et après il y a un temple avec un petit musée avec aussi une école, sur la gauche il est gratuit, et très intéressant ...si vpus pouviez faire une vidéo cela sera gentil, merci encore

Thank you for a very informative movie. We're coming to Chiang Mai mid April and hiring a car so it's great to watch this. May i ask are you ok to turn left at a junction if the lights on red? And what did the flashing red light mean at the junction? Thanks Mark 👍

After a lifetime of driving in NYC rush hours, I find Bangkok driving far less stressful. The Thais have a few quirks one must get used to. But they are far less aggressive than New Yorkers, they are not horn blowers and, like Thais in general, they are more polite than not. Now Manila, if you want nutso driving, try Manila. There the most aggressive wins. BTW, you handled washed out mountain roads impressively:)

Hello my friend. I am the same guy who complained about the background music and you took care of it. I started watching money heist because you mentioned it in your vlogs. Now I want to return that favor back to you watch hit & run. You will spend days hooked on it. Then watch fauda, it is three seasons it will set up back weeks. They both are cop movies or spy type movies. Hope that I paid back your favor. I understand that you have a full time job as a RU-vid channel provider but you still have time for TV I assume

I'll be visiting Chiang Mai soon and can't decide if I should rent a a car or scooter. In my previous visits, I drove in Phuket and rode in Samui. I feel driving, having to deal with parking, somehow limits the exploring part of sight seeing. Of course, riding is more dangerous than driving. Your thoughts on the subject would be much appreciated.

Even after more than 15 years of tackling Chiang Mai, I still haven't figured out the road system. I rely on my wife giving me directions - but for the life of me I can't understand how doing a series of U-Turns suddenly puts me on the other side of town . . . The traffic itself is fine, although some of the back streets are a little narrow, and it's a case of praying that nobody is coming in the opposite direction :D

I agree, it's not that hard once you get used to it, you just have to pay attention. My biggest pet peeve is that on the road from my house out to RT 118, it's 2 lane with a few corners and every time another car or truck is coming towards if there is a slight curve me they are always half way in my lane! I also noticed it on the curvy mountain roads, 8 out of 10 times they are in my lane, but your right, no horns, you just have to expect it and laugh about it.

I don't drive in Thailand. The driving is crazy.

Hi Bill, it's the Grab and Panda food delivery riders that get to me, I'm sure they have taken Kamikaze lessons.

I never drove in Chaing Mai but drive mostly in BKK. Also drove BKK to Nong Khai a few times. Not a big deal.

Maybe next time I give driving a car a chance. Last time they didn't accept my international car licence as I wanted to change it in a Thai licence. I heard it is rather easy to get a licence. They wanted my national car licence but I left it in Germany

I like driving in Thailand there are no rules and I can’t read the road signs also the cops are cheap to pay off 😂

Thank you for some good information ! Can you share information on liability insurance ? Thank you !

Thank you for this vdo. I have a weird question. I’m Thai so I do speak Thai but I’m from the US. It’s gonna be my friend’s first time traveling to Thailand with me in a few months. I am thinking about hiring someone to drive for us but do you know anyone who’s an English speaker and offers the service that way I don’t have to translate from Thai to English to my friend if the driver and I speak Thai. 😂

Hi Bill. Hope all is well. Ok so 5mins into your video you turn left at a RED light with no green arrow?! Pretty sure the US and definitely in Australia you need a green arrow to do that. Is this a Thai thing??

Driven in Chiang Mai a few times, you've got to keep your wits about you but not too bad.

What is a good everyday car to get in Chaing Mai? I'm looking at a Nissan Almera... Or Mitsubishi Lancer...

Is there a concept of right of way. In other words you give way to traffic on the right at an intersection before proceeding?

seems you left turn on RED light , 6:18 , is it allowed in Thailand?

It took me 2 years to feel pretty safe. I never felt safe on a motorbike .... didn't try it. Though I wanted to

I think not a rush hour, empty streets, otherwise, cables everywhere and nothing interesting there.

Hi, do we need IDP (international driving permit) even if driving licence in English?

I think you said it if you just pay attention, take your time, use common sense then you should be fine and as you become more familiar with your surroundings it will become easier.

how much is the speed limit?

It’s a lot like driving in Ireland…