Not Your Typical Tourist

A Life Between Two Countries, And All In Between

Thailand

What’s with all that zig-zag markings, Thailand?

I have seen zig-zag lines before, but definitely not one as confusing as the one at Lang Suan area, in Bangkok. If I am behind the driver’s wheel, I would probably cause an accident due to sheer confusions, more than anything else.

What’s up with those horizontal lines?

Good intentions but came with misguided information, plus a little bit too much creativity possibly do harm more than good. Lifting quotes from an article in Bangkok Post’s here … “To warn motorists to slow down before pedestrian crossings”, “a new traffic-calming measure” and “to trick motorists to think the roads are narrower, causing them to slow down”. Uh-hu ..

Well, zig-zag markings on the road are used in conjunction with zebra/road crossings, are meant for the safety of pedestrians. It is to prevent vehicles from parking or loading/unloading in those areas; blocking the vision of pedestrians crossing the road. As simple as that.

See those cars parked on the left side of the road?

In Thai Visa forum here, someone aptly said, “In Europe, these Zig Zag lines have meaning. Drivers and Pedestrians understand that meaning and generally obey the rules. If not, the Police will prosecute and the offenders will receive meaningful penalties. Here in Thailand, well, they’re just Zig Zag lines.” Just like zebra crossings are just for decoration.

Not Your Typical Tourist

Travel opens up a whole new world, which is cliche but true. I am a strong advocate for independent and solo travel. I was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia but now live in Bangkok, Thailand, resulted from a chance encounter in 2009 with my why-are-you-Thai bf. I am now split between two countries. One country for my bf, another for the family, for the occasional weekend together.