Whistle blowers in Thailand aren’t people who disclose illegal or potentially injurious behavior on the part of their employers.  They are those well-meaning but seemingly lobotomized individuals in security uniforms with deafeningly shrill whistles stitched to their lips who attempt to direct traffic into and out of various hotel and shopping center driveways.

Be forewarned!  They will without warning stretch your eardrums with hurricane force blasts from their whistles at the sight of any car indicating a desire to turn into their employer’s place of business.  They don’t give a damn about you even if they see you.  Their purpose in life is to whistle oncoming traffic to a halt so their potential customer can enter the premise. Adding insult to potential injury is that the driver of the entering vehicle is as likely talking on the phone so won’t see you either. 

In other words, don’t assume you have pedestrian rights in Thailand.

Seriously dear visitors, look both ways before crossing even a one-way street as motorcycles commonly and with impunity drive near the curbs the wrong way.  Just as serious, don’t assume the green pedestrian “walk” signals, where they exist, give you safe clearance to cross.  Keep your eyes open for cars turning into pedestrian crosswalks with reckless abandonment at corners.  And don’t step into the crosswalk just after the light turns red, as it is common practice for drivers to race through an intersection to avoid waiting for the next green light.  Not trying to frighten you—just warning you to walk carefully so you can enjoy all the great things on offer in Thailand! 

T.S. Ambler