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pass you on your left, from your blind spot, they will do that. If you're driving a car, it's like playing a video game where motorbikes can attack from any point on the compass and you have to avoid them. I had a friend say he was a much better driver since he came here because he was 100% more alert. He was right.
Twelve: There are other things to watch out for. Pedicabs, Tuk Tuks (the 3- wheeled taxis), songtaws (the red pickup truck buses), bicycles, Chinese people who walk in the middle of streets, drunks (the town drunk in our village chose to sleep in the middle of our road one night), loudspeaker trucks that go very slow, water buffalo (one guy used to walk his on the road I drove to play golf), chickens, dogs, and lots of strange and wonderful obstacles. Again, be alert.
Thirteen: If you're a pedestrian and you think traffic is going to stop so you can cross, you are going to die. In Thailand, vehicles have the right of way and you have to wait for a gap in traffic and then go for it. But look both ways! Also, Thai people hate foreigners who hold up their hands like, "I'm important, I'm going to cross, and you have to stop". It may work, but it pisses them off. The accepted method is to make eye contact with the driver and give a slight bow, asking permission to cross. If the driver nods, you're good to go. It is much more polite and I vote for that.
Fourteen: You can't blow your horn unless it's an emergency. I love this law. Thai cities are so much quieter than places like New York city or all of China. I once rode a tour bus from Tianjin, China, to the Great Wall and we actually timed the driver. He blew his horn every 45 seconds whether he needed to or not. For three hours! It was insane. Anyway, Thai drivers don't blow their horns. If they do, it's an emergency or you've done something that really, really, pisses them off. If so, wai and apologize. Profusely. Road rage has been known to be lethal here. There are guns in some cars. Pretend you're in Texas.
Fifteen: If there is an accident, you never drive the cars or the motorbikes to the side of the road and let traffic pass. No! You call the police and insurance people so they can come see the exact scene of the crime and take pictures. This could take time, and traffic will back up for miles. You have to just accept it, because that's the way it's done.
Sixteen: Sidewalks. If you are walking on a sidewalk, it is exciting. There will be trees in the middle, broken concrete, ditches, holes, sign poles--all kinds of obstacles and you have to stay alert. I had a friend who broke his hip tripping over an iron bolt sticking up from the sidewalk. Look down, watch where you're going.
Finally, don't drink and drive. Not because of the law, but because it's morally wrong. My worst nightmare would be to be impaired and hit some kid on a motorbike. My life as I know it would be over.