Thailand -- Foreigners Please Don't Honk Your Horns

[HeeersEllery]

I noticed the lack of horn usage in Chiang Mai also. The only time I would hear a horn would be when I was riding around the Mae Hong Son loop and somebody in a car just wanted to politely let me know they were going to be passing me. I feel safer riding a motorbike in Thailand than I would in Los Angeles.

[southbound1969]

JC, you commented that some people were concerned that you will ruin a great thing in Thailand by telling the world how wonderful it is. That crossed my mind as well, kinda like telling everybody about your favorite fishing spot, huh? haha. Costa Rica comes to mind after being overrun with "gringos" home prices in nicer areas are now more like Santa Barbara than Central America...

[retirecheapjc]

@southbound1969 Well foreigners can't own land here so that won't happen. And it's a big country so I think tourists will affect it more than the expats will.

[southbound1969]

Great point JC. I can’t say that I actually remembered that there wasn’t any horns all the times that I was in Thailand. As far as other countries that do constantly use their horns, I guess after one has been in those places for a few days you kinda get use to it and don’t notice that much. At least that has been my experience. I think the loud motors and constant traffic are almost as bad. By the way, India is the worst by far…

[MrSouwan]

Thanks JC. Please continue with the way things are done in Thailand. Love it.

"Fear,Anger or Calm" What state are in? I find sleeping is better and more people want to be around me. I think it was you that said this JC

[fonstock]

Reminds me of something I was taught back in the late 1960's. I was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army, and many stationed there were unhappy - as they were expecting to find little America! Germany was very modern and westernized - - but it was NOT little America - it was THIER country, Germany - NOT America! I got along very well, and was NOT unhappy there. Great insight JC, thanks.

[retirecheapjc]

@fonstock You are welcome. It's just my observations and opinions and I'm sure it will make somebody angry. Probably the person who uses their horn here!

[kosamui]

thanks JC, I think the message here isn't just about driving, it's about blending in, about leaving stateside at the airport, about enjoying a calmer life. If you cannot be flexible and open-minded, you will not enjoy ANY foreign country.

[retirecheapjc]

@kosamui Very true! People that have in-flexible rules should stay put because they will end up being frustrated 24 hours a day trying to get this world over here to comply to their set of rules.

[Sweetlawyer1809]

JC: Thanks for all the videos, and for reminding newcomers to Thailand (among which I will soon number) that we go there for Thailand. Let's not drag America with us! Also, in the Philippines, in a city like Manila, there are 200,000 motorbikes and 6 mufflers. I notice the situation is a LITTLE better there. I will be joinin ght emembership section in just a few days. My credit card was hacked and I am waiting for a new one. Thanks again for all the info. Frank

[retirecheapjc]

@Sweetlawyer1809 You are welcome Frank. See ya on the inside!

[PulseWithLife]

you should do a video of you going to a kickboxing match

[p00gle]

make more videos on how to be thai

[retirecheapjc]

@p00gle OK.

[chronicreader]

Or maybe that was $2. ;-)

[chronicreader]

Hanoi looks like it needs a roundabout in that intersection, As for yellow lights, my mom says they mean "speed up" (before it turns red). I figure she should know. She paid $5 to get her license 70 years ago with no test, and she's never looked back. ;-)

[retirecheapjc]

@chronicreader Yes, it needed a round-about for sure. But I've seen that there is a challenge using them!!

[keenok100]

Some RICH THAIS think they own the world! It is NOT UNCOMMON to hear about some RICH dude who has been cut off to either go freaking ballistic on a poor guys face if not outright shoot him! And the rich guy gets away with it! At least in BKK.

Ya Vietnam has some crazi traffic. Has not changed since I was there last!

[Breycor]

JC, I never noticed how few times I heard a horn in Chiang Mai until you mentioned it!

[camlaos44]

Great advice,the horn should never be used as a form of aggression.

[MarquetteBitchs]

haha, I thought when I read the title to your video, you where talking about honking past the temple praying spots. I saw Thai's doing it past all the praying spots and I was told for good luck. Ok, so no honking at people. nice vid J.C. Loving it here in Thailand

[retirecheapjc]

@MarquetteBitchs I forgot to mention that. Yes the Thais do honk as they go by spiritual places or shrines set up on the roads.

[watertonrivers]

@retirecheapjc Good advice for Americans. I think this Thai attitude, is a reflection of Zen, that of seeking balance....thank you for the vid JC!!

[jimmy89858307]

Thanks JC, for another great vid..

[InTheSticks0001]

Why leave this country to bring the 'bad' to Thailand? From what I can see after much research on Thailand performed from abroad, I have more respect for the Thai people than I do for most Americans. The American's I'll work with love Thailand and dress, speak and mostly live like the people. I'll get ' Thainized' for sure, but we can also bring something to the table.

[TheWelcome90]

l think it is because of thais budhist culture.. it is also very rude in thailand to speak loudly .. they are very peacefull people. the only thing that l can not understand is their thai boxing :))

[1dabirdman]

very cool! so basically you need to just go with the flow instead of road ragin like we do in the states.its like everybody wants to be in front here instead of fallin in line & taking you're time.I want to expatriate to a country thats more laid back than the states but at the same time i dont want to give up all the rights i have..

[retirecheapjc]

@1dabirdman If somebody wants to be in the front of the line here we just let them. They must be in a hurry to get somewhere.

[6969iceblue]

Good vid JC...I agree with you, I wish all the EGO clowns in the USA would take that line instead of acting like idiots on our roads here in the USA......I hope the Thai people start slapping some sense in people from what ever outside country trying to change Thai...I doubt it will ever happen, I would think 90% of the people that go there do it because they like the way Thai people do things, the other 10% will likely leave and take their USA ego's or where ever they come from with them....