"getting mobile and driving"

Hi everyone,

Following my blog yesterday about getting mobile. I thought it my be useful to the readers to see what the range of "Thai sidecars" or Salings are, below are some examples.

These vehicles form an important part of Thai life and in particular in the countryside where they perform most of the tasks that a car or pickup truck would otherwise perform. They are the basic utility vehicle and most families would have one or access to one. This is despite the fact that Thailand has very dangerous roads to drive on. Even more reason you would think for the Thai government to try and ensure the use of these vehicles was as safe as possible. Working brakes on all wheels and working lights on the sidecar would save a lot of injuries.

It is not reasonable to ban all such vehicles off the roads as this would not work and would be ignored. It is however very reasonable to expect a government to do it's best to ensure the safety of it's people wherever possible.
In Thailand as in many Asian countries there is a problem with law enforcement. This is mainly due to the very low salary your average policeman earns in a month. As a result it is common to hear that when stopped by the police for some "minor" traffic offense such as the very common riding a motorbike without a helmet you just pay off the policeman and carry on your merry way.

To the outsider it must seem that the traffic laws are just for guidance only and only in forced when the police feel like it and that Thailand doesn't care about it's children. It is common to see kids so young there feet can hardly touch the floor on a scooter with three of his friends come flying out of a school past the traffic policeman who does nothing. I can only think that this type of thing is down to the very easy going demeanor of the Thai people and not an indication that they don't care about there kids.

Many drivers on Thai roads don't have a driving license of any type. This is quite a shock to the outsider even more so if they come from a country where they have very strict laws on driving without a license and passing driving tests. Driving without a license in Thailand normally results in a small fine. Where as in most western countries this could well end up with a jail term or at the very least a large fine and many hours community service. It must however be noted that it is exactly this lack of rigid rules and law enforcement that makes living in Thailand so enjoyable. I think what I am trying to say is that as dangerous as the Thai roads are the last thing I won't is a state where you are constantly being watched and your every move is recorded. Perhaps just a little better road sense by all drivers and getting the kids of the roads would be more then enough.

And of course we would be allowed to have our motorbike with sidecar in registration book and hence be able to obtain far better insurance cover. (pet rant!!)

Bye for now,

Ruddick