What I have Learnt about DRIVING IN LAOS | Now in Lao

[@BIGJED75]

Love to old Todd GoPro bike rod. Here is a little how to Ride a motor bike in Cambodia. So true about driving in SE Asia always expect anything and trust noone. Plus I love riding in SE Asia you feel like you are part of a huge video game. Any idea when you are heading back? kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJC6kKqfm9GDoZI

[@NowinLao]

Yeah mate... 22nd March... but for reasons beyond our control, we couldn't make the flight. Video to come about that 😏

[@BIGJED75]

@@NowinLao Nooooo! If the stars align we will be in Newcastle in May, doing a hunter Valley wine trip.

[@NowinLao]

@@BIGJED75 aahh, you may be in luck 👌😁

[@smithsamson7342]

@@NowinLao hey, if you buy the land in laos, can you build a house in any way you want, no rules, no building codes, no restrictions? in the west, we have 1,000s of rules for home building codes. i would love to slap on a YURT over a wooden deck in laos on a large piece of land, and with a drilled water well, this would make life simple and cheap. what you think?

[@mitchhumlao]

@@smithsamson7342 We had to get building permit. but other than land boundary check nothing.

[@scotbownes5627]

Enjoyed 🙂👍

[@billsimpson2392]

👍

[@Jordy120]

Hi Todd. Great ride around the block (big block). Cheers and have a great day.

[@micklong8867]

Good video cheers todd🍻🍻👍👍👍👍👍🇭🇲

[@bradaltemeyer4472]

nice ride, There was one Lao student at Stephen F. Austin State University back in 1993-94 when I was there for an MBA, from that same town. People end up going everywhere on the planet from pretty much everywhere. Keep posting content.

[@antruok4950]

“ just gotta watch the cars driving on the wrong side of the road “ 😂🙈 - nice ride mate 😎👌🙏👍🍻

[@davidmorgan2670]

Stay safe my friend 👍

[@joedavis4150]

I think the most important thing in Laos, to the world, is the plain of jars. Thank goodness, it is now a world heritage site.

[@LaoSoftware]

The Plain of Jars is an amazing place. But watch out for the unexploded bombs that the USA dropped in that area back in the 1960's. Most of the unexploded ordinance are still a danger to humans and animals like elephants trekking through the jungle.

[@koikonlao8430]

Hello Todd and Nee Nee, We finally made it to Laos from United State. We would like to come to your buffe tomorrow. if you are not busy come have beers with us der. Beverly.

[@nickhubbard3671]

Great tour - thanks der!

[@andyfoxy3140]

Great vid, mate. Can't wait to get back to Laos.

[@teoschatz8430]

🤗🙏🏼! Cool video, enjoyed it. Thank you 🙏🏼 It’s funny, as I was watching, trying to read the signs, but I had to remind myself to keep my eyes on the road. Lol. Take care.

[@NowinLao]

There were road signs..? Was too busy staying alive 😝😉👍

[@teoschatz8430]

@@NowinLao No, I didn’t mean you, I meant your videoing is so convincing, watching it is like I’m riding that bike. While trying to read all signs, on the building and such, I felt like I better keep my eyes on the road instead wandering off. That’s why it was funny. Sorry, it didn’t come out clearly.

[@lesleyculley9682]

Thanks for the ride Todd, I did say Jesus's a few times 🤣 ....... A couple of good piss off fences in the video. .. .and I noticed you still have the squeaky brake problem

[@NowinLao]

Hahaha I only remember my squeaky brake once I'm on the road 😝 Cheers mate 👍

[@chiccenhawkc]

💯🔥💙👍

[@888hidi7]

owsitgarn Todd, M8 was good to go for a FANG on the TREDLY with ya. Decent speed to look at things between walking and driving, good1 M8, Gday to Neenee too Todd and the crew,cheers Ron

[@NowinLao]

Garn goood mate 😉👍

[@andrewdyer4864]

Hey Todd, your advice to expect things to happen, and not to expect others to follow the rules, is exactly what I told my son when he started his motorcycle training. Great video as always.

[@NowinLao]

Cheers mate... 👍

[@leebruce2148]

Nice get some exercise and save Gas at same time been there crazy Drring in Laos thanks tod .

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

I must say Todd, You do have to have your wits about you when you're driving, riding a bike, scooter etc. Have you seen any accidents. I must say the roads are spotless. Thnks again for taking us on a ride. Great video. 👍👍 Jim and Harriet. Richmond, Va.

[@krunchbacca9439]

Spent alot of time in Nongbuatong. Great to see the market. Purchased many a cob of corn and dried meat over the years. Lived there in 2002 and the market was tiny. Loved cycling back then except i would inhale a kilo of dirt on my way to work.

[@portline3]

Always enjoy a ride on your handlebars. 😊 Your Go Pro mount set up works really well & the swivel is really smooth, 👍👍

[@NowinLao]

Cheers Pete 👍

[@jorgenrh7598]

😊😊😊😉🙂🙂

[@organicwholesomefoodsandtravel]

Maaaaaate love the content . Imagine how much faster you would have gone if your wore bike pants😉 Wishing all a wonderful week ahead👍

[@josephkammey4287]

It is funny, man when you were off the main road and rode into the temple's entrance and said that you get less chance of being killed. I couldn't help laughing.

[@Swaggerlot]

I'd be getting those bright flashing LED lights front and back on the bike. Preferably red and blue ones

[@NowinLao]

..and a siren 👌😁

[@Swaggerlot]

@@NowinLao Plenty of nice sirens about there :-)

[@juntaveekammanee]

Peace Evening to you Todd. Not much food vender around there.

[@NowinLao]

No, not along this road. It's usually much much busier at this time, but I forgot it was a Saturday. Weekdays are crazy busy.

[@sereychhouklifestyle7808]

Hello 👋 I'm from Cambodia 🇰🇭

[@NowinLao]

Hi 👋

[@tiashiraz8430]

Hey Todd, you knew I’d have to comment on a video about traffic.😆 My issue with the traffic in Vientiane is that it’s not just about how aware YOU are, it’s about how unaware/careless/drunk/dangerous others can be. There are reaction times and stopping distances for any vehicle, even a bicycle, and accidents aren’t always avoidable just because you are being careful. You should maybe think about trying to interview Sebastien Perret at Vientiane Rescue as their story is so interesting, and he’ll give you the lowdown on traffic accidents in Vientiane - an awful lot of which do not end up in official statistics....

[@NowinLao]

Exactly my point on why you have to be very aware of what is going on around you 👌😉 If you drive here like you would back home you're quickly going to become one of those statistics... or an unreported statistic 🤔

[@NowinLao]

Can you get me a ride along with him? That would be an eye opener

[@CaptainKremmen]

@@NowinLao The important point is that even if you try to accommodate their ways, you may still end up becoming one of those statistics. You are just improving your odds in a system which is objectively terrible. Even the official death toll per capita is 4-8 times what it is in first world countries.

[@tiashiraz8430]

@@NowinLao Sorry, I don’t know him personally (just seen a couple of documentaries with him and our school sponsored some of his staff), but both he and the organisation have FB pages that you could use to get in contact.

[@NowinLao]

@@CaptainKremmen You may end up a statistic in any country. I was simply pointing out how much more aware you have to be and adjust the way that you drive compared to how we would normally drive in a country with strict driving rules. 4-8 times higher death toll per capita than 1st world countries is a very long stretch though Captain. The reported official road toll is not even double the US fatalities per 100, 000. The US with 10.92 deaths per 100k and Laos 17.57, Thailand coming in at 30.24. So even if they only reported every second road death in Laos it is still nowhere near as bad as you make out. No.. it is not safe on the road, but a lot of these deaths are due to no seat belts or helmets, and these are things you can be in control of. Those two things would halve the death toll.. guaranteed! Check out some of these stats, very interesting. As Tia said, many deaths do not end up on the official list, but I do not for a second believe that Laos is the only country fudging their numbers. Peace and drive safe ✌ www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/road-traffic-accidents/by-country/

[@americoestrada2355]

What's the update on the duckweed business is it going well have you put up a video yet

[@supraman1250]

When driving in laos, **honk** and it means ‘hello’

[@gordo191]

Coming from Newcastle and living near the beach was it a bit strange living inland ,

[@NowinLao]

I do miss the beaches mate, but the the lifestyle more than makes up for that 👌

[@Fredroc57]

You know I was thinking just after watching the ride down the mountain video it was about time for a bike-riding video. 🤔 One thing I noticed throughout this video was, I didn't hear any horns blowing. 🙏👍 Good ride.

[@chrisperkins7331]

Well spotted, it is like that even at rush hour.

[@NowinLao]

I don't think I've heard one yet!

[@CaptainKremmen]

I wonder what they would make of Vietnam, renowned for constant honking? It's interesting to see how different systems evolve.

[@NowinLao]

@@CaptainKremmen I have often wondered that myself. Two countries so very close in proximity and yet so totally different with how they approach tackling traffic 🤔

[@Yvonmoua]

Wow... Laos have too much electrical wires huh!

[@wumao_gang1020]

What’s with all the Lexus lx570?

[@soulgamblers]

who was singing In My Time Of Dying in your previous video? I beg you to tell me!

[@NowinLao]

😉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4a0e5KFoJprhc0

[@brucesieverts1236]

one thing they don't tell you in the travel brochure is that the largest vehicle has the right of way and the locals can't understand why that white fella is going so fast on a bicycle. keep up the good work mate. love to see more tiki tours around town.

[@NowinLao]

...also, they have no idea how roundabouts work! People on the roundabout are stopping to give way to me approaching it, holding up everybody else on the roundabout Cheers Bruce

[@derekhung6625]

What is the current border situation for entry into Laos, as a tourist? I am aware that neighbouring countries Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam have all opened their borders to fully vaccinated travellers.

[@NowinLao]

Give it a few more days and see if the situation changes for the next quarter. As it stands right now, there's still too many hurdles compared to our neighbours. 😏

[@robertburnett6348]

In Siem Reap there is a 5 way intersection. Everybody stopped for the next driver.Even a dog made it across. No road rage. Here in the U.S. you get shot for the slightest offense.

[@NowinLao]

It's the same in Australia mate.. too many impatient rude people 😏

[@pickledpigknuckles6945]

You should save up for a scooter 🛵 the bicycle 🚲 is a bit slow

[@NowinLao]

I have a scooter.. but it's no good for exercise 😐

[@CloverStarz]

Are you currently a resident in Laos and what you do for an living there? They could at least mark the roads.

[@NowinLao]

Why mark them.. nobody pays attention to the lines anyway. Yes, I reside in Vientiane

[@CloverStarz]

@@NowinLao For safety wise especially at night time.

[@ejwrigley]

🍺🇦🇺🤟🙏

[@marcus_velo_9970]

Hi Todd, forget cycling mate, Vientiane is way past that just a brutal car dominated streetscape, there's no pleasure riding in that, its essentially only accommodating vehicles, high pollution levels, treeless, no designated cycling part of the road; - yep safety first, unless you could find some quieter roads please don't put us through this. this is what happens when vehicles dictate the planning, pedestrians and cycling is ignored, imagine this place in the next 5-10 years.

[@NowinLao]

So, forget cycling and drive... adding to the "car dominated streetscape"? 🤔

[@marcus_velo_9970]

@@NowinLao yes mate, just drive, its beyond cycling you'd need some kind of government planning initiative and in a communist country like Lao, they'd be pro business - no chance of changing that unless you can vote lol, so as we see throughout most of your videos, lack of footpaths, road planning for safety is not even considered. you can't have everything I guess.

[@arrangingatomsthewaygoddid8904]

Did u shoot this 7 days ago

[@NowinLao]

It was uploaded 7 days ago. Captured a few days before to that

[@johnroberts7404]

What I learned in Laos is that a road accident between a Lao driver and a foreigner driver is always the fault of the foreigner regardless of who hit who. It wouldn't have happened if the foreigner hadn't been there.

[@LaoSoftware]

Same thing happen to me when I was in France. I drove a rental car and got into a road accident. The local driver blame me for the accident because I was a foreigner and didn't speak French. They assume I can't read French on the road signs.

[@johnroberts7404]

y@@LaoSoftware Thankfully it didn't happen to me, but it happened to several people I knew. I also recall a pedestrian foreign tourist who was mowed down by a Lao person on a motorbike. The foreigner was handcuffed by the police and was made to pay damages to the motorcyclist.

[@Murph945]

If I was out pedalling I'd need half a dozen Camelbacks.

[@seht1912]

Todd please watch on KZbin: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE CIA'S WAR IN LAOS. ANERICA'S SECRET WAR. The first time I have learned the history of Laos from the 70's

[@NowinLao]

We were in Long Tieng last year, did lots of videos on this 👌

[@joeprasasook6679]

Don't see kangaroo haha.

[@joeprasasook6679]

Where is kangaroo ?

[@NowinLao]

Still trying to catch me 😝

[@ftkinsella]

Ya gotta stop talking to yourself mate. They’ll be locking you up before long. Hahahahaha Cheers

[@rider660r]

I think,after watching so many of your vids over the last couple years and 1 or 2 from Thailand.....no I don't think,I know it's easier driving than it is with the morons around almost any major US city.Especially anywhere and everywhere near D.C. Being from PA and traveling for work most my adult live I don't even go through Maryland to go anywhere south along the east coast anymore.I'll take 70 East to 522 South then hit 81 South and then 64East and swing under Richmond,VA to 95 south before I ever venture through MD for anything.Worked down there 10 yrs and it was enough with those idiots every day day in day out till we got home for our 3 day weekend.They couldn't even see our huge 3'x3' (or whatever the regulation size is) florescent orange work signs or the related cones and flaggers.. Most of the time you have no idea what their plans are and they sure as hell don't either.There's laws here yes,and the world thinks because of them people know how to drive and it's easy here,but do you think even 10% of these morons know any of them or follow them?Hell many of them are to busy looking at their makeup,eating Tide Pods,or snorting condoms. Remember Loud Pipes Saves Lives...LOL I always had glasspacks on my V-8's. Haha,just thought of the winters there.. The seldom get snow,it's usually freezing rain and ice.Think they slow down? Hell no....at least 50% of the 4x4 owners think since they have 4x4 they can go faster.That's really just not though D.C.,that's everywhere it snows or freezes. One thing,at least there it seems like most motorists are more aware of their surroundings when driving...even with all the ones just pulling out in front of you.Here you'd been slammed and run over at least a dozen times in your video trip.

[@NowinLao]

The first world relies on too many laws/rules, it makes people lazy and gives them a false sense of security. In 2012 27 backpackers died on the Nam Xong River in Vang vieng. Why? Because for the first time in their lives there were no rules telling them what they could or couldn't do. They could do whatever the fuck they liked. Their lives were in their own hands. Tubing down the river stopping at riverside bars getting hammered on all sorts of drugs and alcohol and taking on giant slides and flying foxes. Some smashing their heads on hidden rocks, others just never resurface.. These people were raised in countries with laws protecting them from doing stupid things, and now they were let loose in a country with very few laws. You are given the freedom to take care of yourself here, your life is in your own hands, and if you fuck up.. its nobody's fault but your own. Whether you're on the river or the road, you need to be aware of your surroundings and certainly not relying on some law or rule to protect you. Cheers Rider, great comments dude 👍

[@CaptainKremmen]

@@NowinLao Once you are on the road, your life it in other people's hands too. Rule-free driving only works in low densities at low speeds. The more a country gains wealth and mobility and urbanisation, the more road users need to be trained well and obey rules. Otherwise, they will die in ever greater numbers. All it takes is a few rules to enable a great, safe driving experience for all. I'm not talking about the ludicrous restrictions like in Australia, but the wonderful German autobahns, with everyone behaving courteously without a speed limit.

[@rider660r]

@@NowinLao Yes I remember you talking about that.And yes rules makes people lazy and stupid.There's no natural selection left in "1st world" countries.

[@paulg8730]

@@NowinLao Same here in Thailand mate. If you point out that bloody great hole in the footpath a Thai would just say ' yes, be careful'. If you're dumb enough to fall down it that would be your fault for not looking where you're going. Same applies to splitting your head open on low hanging awnings, signs etc or touching wires hanging out of street lights. Let's not even talk about the cables trailing everywhere underfoot in street markets in the rain. I could go on forever but having got used to it all i love it. To not be treated like a child who has to have his hand held all the time is liberating. Hope i still think that way if i fall down one of those holes.