Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2013 13:24:54 +0700
To:
From:
vaso...@loxinfo.co.thSubject: Thailand to change from left to right hand driving
Not sure if this is a joke or not....Did not get it on April
fools...
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- Thailand to change from left to right hand driving
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- Right hand countries in red, left hand countries in blue
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- BANGKOK: -- The Thai government is proposing a change from driving on
the left side of the road to driving on the right side of the road, the
department of public roads has announced. The proposal will be send to
parliament in June and the law will take affect on 1 January 2014, with
the turning of the year.
- According to Tongchai Matchamonton, spokesman for the department, the
change is being proposed to better prepare for ASEAN community and meant
to strengthen the economy. “Most of the ASEAN member states already
drive on the left hand side and with more
- open trade between the countries this will make transports and
logistics more easy, especially with the neighboring countries Myanmar,
Laos and Cambodia.
- Also important is that China drives on the right and the change will
make transport to and from the greater Mekong region easier. This
is an important step forwards for our economy. Already Thailand is
planning its rail transport to have the same rail gauge as neighboring
countries. Driving on the same side of the road is only the next logical
step in order for Thailand to become a transport hub for
Asia.â€
- The spokesman expects that the change would be without major problems
or accidents.
- “We will inform the people beforehand with a campaign. “Our
successes with reducing the number of accidents during holidays like
Songkran proofs we can do the transition safely. The change will take
place during the new year as at that time there are already a lot of
check-points all over the country. They will see to it that the change
will be made without incident†.
- It is also hoped that the change will increase the safety of tourist,
as most tourist are used to drive on the left. The department confirmed
that many accidents with tourists happen because they go out and drink
too much. When they get on their motorcycle they cause accidents because
they drive on the wrong side of the road out of habit. This is being
confirmed by Phuket police.
- The government will demand that car manufacturers only sell new cars
with the steering wheel on the left and is busy with consulting the major
car manufacturers. It already agreed with the Chinese car manufactures'
that their new to open plant in Thailand
- will only produce cars for driving on the left.
- As of 1 January 2014 all cars sold in Thailand will need to have the
steering wheel on the left side. Old normal cars can keep their steering
wheel on the right, but owners cannot sell these cars. For that the car
must first be refitted with the steering wheel on the left.
- Per 1 January 2020 all cars in Thailand, including old cars, must be
refitted. However busses, trucks and taxis will be exempted as they are
driven by professional drivers who can handle their vehicle
safely.
- The spokesmen further announced that the government is negotiating
with car manufacturers in Thailand to set a fair price for refitting
cars, so consumers will not pay too much to adjust their car. Under the
plan owners of a car not older than 5 year will get half of the price for
refitting back from the government through their personal income tax, so
they don’t have to spend too much money.
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