Foreigners targeted on Chang Mai roads, Hua Hin next?

[buksida]

A service centre will be opened to ensure foreign visitors driving in Chiang Mai follow local traffic laws.

The centre aims to curb road accidents caused by tourists who are unlicensed drivers or unfamiliar with Chiang Mai's roads and traffic laws.

The plan was agreed at a recent meeting between the tourist police, traffic police, immigration police and the Chiang Mai transport office.

Chiang Mai transport office chief Chanchai Kilapaeng said the group discussed how to reduce road accidents and other traffic problems caused by tourists who held no international driving licences or were unfamiliar with the local traffic regulations.

A campaign to promote the centre will be launched later this month, Mr Chanchai said.

Police will then start cracking down on foreigners violating traffic laws or driving without an appropriate licence from Nov 1.

Source: Bangkok Post

Thought: What a crock, what is the ratio of accidents cause by farangs compared to Thais, 1:100? Another "police" money making scheme gets underway.

[deepee]

Thought: What a crock, what is the ratio of accidents cause by farangs compared to Thais, 1:100? Another "police" money making scheme gets underway.

Yep, as I was reading it that was my immediate thought too.
I would think the ratio of farang to Thai caused accidents would be more likely 1 to the the many 1000"s and the ratio of serious ones even greater still.

[lomuamart]

How many Thais obey traffic laws? I suppose most have licenses and insurance but many don't especially on bikes.
Jeeze, we're just following what the locals do

[PeteC]

If there's a way to dig deeper into this I think we'll find the complaint is with mainland Chinese tourists. Chiang Mai is their favourite destination and they outnumber all other tourists up there by a wide margin I read somewhere. Few obey traffic rules in China and are coming from a right hand drive country which surely adds to the mayhem here. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most stressed out, I'm an 8 in China and a 3 here.

In this day and age I think we have to forget about the traditional white faced western tourist being the subject of these things we read. Times have changed. Pete

[Lung Per]

If there's a way to dig deeper into this I think we'll find the complaint is with mainland Chinese tourists. Chiang Mai is their favourite destination and they outnumber all other tourists up there by a wide margin I read somewhere. Few obey traffic rules in China and are coming from a right hand drive country which surely adds to the mayhem here. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most stressed out, I'm an 8 in China and a 3 here.

In this day and age I think we have to forget about the traditional white faced western tourist being the subject of these things we read. Times have changed. Pete

I believe you are right. But why not call the accident makers what they are: Chinese?
And are Chinese really farangs? Are farangs not only caucasians?
Another example of misunderstood political correctness. Typical Thai non-confrontational behavior.

[deepee]

Not sure if too many Chinese visitors drive in Thailand, cannot remember ever coming across one .They are similar to other Asians visitors and prefer to get around on short term bus tours .

[STEVE G]

A clash of cultures?
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion ... 00490.html

"The Chinese comedy movie "Lost In Thailand", which set a historic box-office record in China recently, has also been successful in drawing many Chinese tourists to Chiang Mai. During the Lunar New Year holiday alone, there were 26 charter flights from China into the city.

However, it seems there is a cultural clash going on. Local businesspeople are complaining that Chinese tourists are too boisterous. They tend to drive speedily on the wrong side of the road, and often go against traffic on one-way streets. Chinese tourists also often stop in the middle of busy intersections - just to argue among themselves about directions.

Some hotel and guesthouse operators are turning them away because they say Chinese tourists often rent a room for two, but stay overnight in a group of four or five. They also deplore their tendencies to litter and hang their clothing on the balcony railing.

Hence, the government should urgently cooperate with the Chinese Consulate in Chiang Mai to disseminate proper directives, so that accidents will be prevented and mutual understanding and tolerance be achieved. Only in that way will Chiang Mai thrive in tourism - instead of suffer from it."

[Pleng]

I believe you are right. But why not call the accident makers what they are: Chinese?
And are Chinese really farangs? Are farangs not only caucasians?
Another example of misunderstood political correctness. Typical Thai non-confrontational behavior.

The article doesn't mention farrangs

[Bristolian]

The article also states "The centre aims to curb road accidents caused by tourists who are unlicensed drivers or unfamiliar with Chiang Mai's roads and traffic laws"

Clearly aimed at tourists. No mention of any other city or province. Local issue with local solution.......no problem with that!