WHATS IT LIKE TO DRIVE A CAR IN CHIANGMAI,THAILAND

Quite a few people have remarked , how do you drive in that mess. Well in this video I pretty much show you . I can say I felt the same way , reluctant , but after driving for 11 years you tend to get use to it and learn to drive in existence with other drivers here .
Thank you for stopping in and checking out the channel if you like seeing things around Thailand from my prospective please leave comments subscribe and click the notification bell and help support the channel ....
Gear used
Tube Buddy www.tubebuddy....
Sony a6600 camera
Sigma 16 mm 1.4 lens
Weebills gimble
Amazon 67 inch mono pod
SJ 5000 mini cam
Gopro Hero 9
Synco remote Mic G1 A2
DJI Phantom 4 1st generation
Edited with Filmora X and Lightroom cc

[@BrassLock]

For the first 5 years I just assumed I'd be killed each time I ventured out in my car, but after 22 years I'm still alive, which is truly amazing. Now when I see "Dashcam Australia" videos, I realise that all the bad drivers migrated to Australia, so Chiang Mai is perfectly safe after all. Several habits have helped me. I always give way to heavy trucks, motorcycles riding the wrong way (at night with no lights working) and pedestrians. Always drive with my sidelights on. Always use my hazard warning lights when reversing in Supermarket car parks. Always drive in the right (fast) lane, because motorcycles enter highways on the left without looking, Try to keep the Moat on the right side of your vehicle; (if it's on the left side you're going the wrong way).

[@UTCM]

That's one way to look at it .

[@sweettsweett1388]

nice thank you.I will want to go there

[@UTCM]

Welcome

[@robertschelly]

Having driven several times by rental car in Chiang Mai and Phuket, and by 2-stroke scooter in Koh Samui, my strong suggestion is you do as the locals do and treat red lights and stop signs as 'suggestions'. If you stop at them like a westerner you are likely going to cause a rear-ender !

[@UTCM]

Thats so true always have to look behind you when you stop

[@ramprashad29]

I love your videos. I love to see the night markets and the fish markets.

[@UTCM]

Thank you !

[@adv67]

Hello from Canada. It was fun watching how you drive on the left. I will be riding a motorcycle for 14 days around the north loop. Thanks again.

[@UTCM]

Enjoy your trip !

[@bradleys4783]

You make it look easy. But, it's those motorbikes that pop out of nowhere that scare the hell out of me ! Great job though.

[@erikc3042]

I'll be visiting Chiang Mai soon and can't decide if I should rent a a car or scooter. In my previous visits, I drove in Phuket and rode in Samui. I feel driving, having to deal with parking, somehow limits the exploring part of sight seeing. Of course, riding is more dangerous than driving. Your thoughts on the subject would be much appreciated.

[@UTCM]

If your an expericed rider a scooter is ok . Just make sure your travel insurance covers you and you have the proper lic . Cars are ok but parking can be a challenge at times , right now being the worst because of all the road repairs inside the city . I ve pretty much stopped going up until its finished .

[@ChilloutLars]

Heading straight for China Town in a sedan, very gutsy Bill. And wouldn't you know it that's the one day that Warorot market had no traffic!! I swore i would never drive a car in Thailand, but after 8 years on two wheels finally had enough courage to try this month. Stayed out of traffic jams as i value my sanity, turned out to be a good "rainy" day up Mae Wang. Thanks for sharing the ride.

[@UTCM]

Yes was a lite day around there don't think I would have tried that alley on a busy day .

[@jmacleantaylor]

Helpful, thank you!

[@suerowan3594]

Hello Bill great video far to scary for me to drive or ride a bike but I guess I would in the end lol

[@Reddylion]

Nice

[@cricri76lenormand88]

Hello, derniere le marcher wororat ,il y a une passerelle et après il y a un temple avec un petit musée avec aussi une école, sur la gauche il est gratuit, et très intéressant ...si vpus pouviez faire une vidéo cela sera gentil, merci encore

[@WadersInAlaska]

Thanks for an interesting and informative video! I tried a bicycle in Pattaya, and boy was that a scary adventure; sold my bicycle! 555

[@UTCM]

Cycling up here in Chiang mai is very popular . Safe well thats debatable

[@themergen1]

I don't drive in Thailand. The driving is crazy.

[@UTCM]

Takes a while to get semi comfortable driving .

[@TWCH]

After a lifetime of driving in NYC rush hours, I find Bangkok driving far less stressful. The Thais have a few quirks one must get used to. But they are far less aggressive than New Yorkers, they are not horn blowers and, like Thais in general, they are more polite than not. Now Manila, if you want nutso driving, try Manila. There the most aggressive wins. BTW, you handled washed out mountain roads impressively:)

[@UTCM]

Yea my wife was just talking about the Jackass ride I took up there with her !!!!

[@josvanderkolk51]

Thanks a lot Bill. I am preparing for my pension in Chiang Mai and driving is part of that. My family is advising me not to go behind the wheel but I think you are right by stating that you just have try blending in and go with the flow although it looks scary on the road sometimes. You helped me made up mind and go for it.

[@UTCM]

@@josvanderkolk51 Great enjoy retired life

[@myretirementlife8731]

I agree, it's not that hard once you get used to it, you just have to pay attention. My biggest pet peeve is that on the road from my house out to RT 118, it's 2 lane with a few corners and every time another car or truck is coming towards if there is a slight curve me they are always half way in my lane! I also noticed it on the curvy mountain roads, 8 out of 10 times they are in my lane, but your right, no horns, you just have to expect it and laugh about it.

[@UTCM]

That's normally what get people killed someone passing in a curve or heck even on a straight road seen it many times .

[@myretirementlife8731]

@@UTCM I agree, but I was talking about just being halfway in my lane, not actually passing, most of the time anyway

[@UTCM]

@@myretirementlife8731 I ve been subject to that as well . Talk about scarey and usually happens at a location you ve no where to divert !

[@jellis7042]

I never drove in Chaing Mai but drive mostly in BKK. Also drove BKK to Nong Khai a few times. Not a big deal.

[@UTCM]

once you get use to it , no big deal !!!

[@TheRuby47]

Maybe next time I give driving a car a chance. Last time they didn't accept my international car licence as I wanted to change it in a Thai licence. I heard it is rather easy to get a licence. They wanted my national car licence but I left it in Germany

[@UTCM]

Just your license in your home country , you don't have to test .

[@ravi2396]

Hello my friend. I am the same guy who complained about the background music and you took care of it. I started watching money heist because you mentioned it in your vlogs. Now I want to return that favor back to you watch hit & run. You will spend days hooked on it. Then watch fauda, it is three seasons it will set up back weeks. They both are cop movies or spy type movies. Hope that I paid back your favor. I understand that you have a full time job as a KZbin channel provider but you still have time for TV I assume

[@UTCM]

I ve watched that one .. Watch Click Bait its pretty good too

[@ravi2396]

@@UTCM very surprised to find out that you have already watched both the series I mentioned. Thanks for the click bait. I will reach out to you after I finish click bait. Thank you very much for the movie recommendation

[@The_Original_Geoff_B]

Even after more than 15 years of tackling Chiang Mai, I still haven't figured out the road system. I rely on my wife giving me directions - but for the life of me I can't understand how doing a series of U-Turns suddenly puts me on the other side of town . . . The traffic itself is fine, although some of the back streets are a little narrow, and it's a case of praying that nobody is coming in the opposite direction :D

[@UTCM]

Yes for sure !

[@ejwrigley]

I like driving in Thailand there are no rules and I can’t read the road signs also the cops are cheap to pay off 😂

[@UTCM]

Too funny !!! Traffic laws are only suggestions here

[@chayada_r]

Thank you for this vdo. I have a weird question. I’m Thai so I do speak Thai but I’m from the US. It’s gonna be my friend’s first time traveling to Thailand with me in a few months. I am thinking about hiring someone to drive for us but do you know anyone who’s an English speaker and offers the service that way I don’t have to translate from Thai to English to my friend if the driver and I speak Thai. 😂

[@UTCM]

Yes there are many . Most of the people that offer that service speak english . You can email me and I can try and hook you up with some .. If you are coming to Chiang Mai

[@murrayfranklyn84]

Hi Bill, it's the Grab and Panda food delivery riders that get to me, I'm sure they have taken Kamikaze lessons.

[@UTCM]

Yes I dont know how they manage to stay alive

[@amelbeecher6097]

remember, your a little fish in a big school of fish.

[@johnanderson7883]

Good on ya mate.

[@JC-wj3hx]

What is a good everyday car to get in Chaing Mai? I'm looking at a Nissan Almera... Or Mitsubishi Lancer...

[@UTCM]

Both good . I have a honda city

[@wycheee]

Thank you for a very informative movie. We're coming to Chiang Mai mid April and hiring a car so it's great to watch this. May i ask are you ok to turn left at a junction if the lights on red? And what did the flashing red light mean at the junction? Thanks Mark 👍

[@UTCM]

Yes unless posted you can turn left after stop . Flashing red is the same as a stop sign . Most don't stop unless they have to . Same with cross walk lights .

[@aryonoguenani3429]

how about parking fees on the streets ? is there any person who collect parking fees when u park on the streets ?

[@UTCM]

In some places but not many

[@michaelbassolino]

It took me 2 years to feel pretty safe. I never felt safe on a motorbike .... didn't try it. Though I wanted to

[@UTCM]

Well never 100% safe , but I m comfortable on most roads . And I drive slow and look around .

[@corefpvathome]

Hi Bill. Hope all is well. Ok so 5mins into your video you turn left at a RED light with no green arrow?! Pretty sure the US and definitely in Australia you need a green arrow to do that. Is this a Thai thing??

[@UTCM]

If it's posted no left turn . But most intersection can turn left after stop here . USA its a right turn and you can turn right after stopping unless posted .

[@karltraveldude7817]

Thank you for some good information ! Can you share information on liability insurance ? Thank you !

[@UTCM]

What type of liability insurance ?

[@karltraveldude7817]

@@UTCM car driving insurance ! Thank you .

[@karltraveldude7817]

@@UTCM Car insurance is what I would like to learn about . Thank you , have a super day !

[@budakotiDNA]

seems you left turn on RED light , 6:18 , is it allowed in Thailand?

[@UTCM]

Yes unless posted different

[@merckxbelgium]

Driving in Chiang Mai is a nightmare. I avoid it if at all possible.

[@UTCM]

Get use to it after a while

[@ivantate]

Driven in Chiang Mai a few times, you've got to keep your wits about you but not too bad.

[@UTCM]

Yes once you get the hang of it !

[@Sunyata7755]

Is there a concept of right of way. In other words you give way to traffic on the right at an intersection before proceeding?

[@UTCM]

I think it's more of a conceptions you should , but hardly followed , more of every man for themselves .

[@scorpioblue4510]

I think not a rush hour, empty streets, otherwise, cables everywhere and nothing interesting there.

[@wangwu9299]

how much is the speed limit?

[@UTCM]

It varies in places . But usually as fast as you can go .

[@TheDheeks]

Hi, do we need IDP (international driving permit) even if driving licence in English?

[@UTCM]

Yes they require one

[@bbrabow1gmail]

I think you said it if you just pay attention, take your time, use common sense then you should be fine and as you become more familiar with your surroundings it will become easier.

[@UTCM]

Yes

[@bbrabow1gmail]

It’s a lot like driving in Ireland…

[@stevek343]

Lot of drunks,?