Scooting in Chiang Mai

Now, before you start thinking, "Oh, I hope Bryan is being very careful riding the scooter in Thailand. I am so worried that he will get hurt", rest assured that I have not forgotten my defensive driving from scooting on my Vespa in the states. The difference here is I am . . . FREEEEEEE! And, yes, I am carefully free but free none-the-less.

Scooting (and driving for the most part) in Thailand is way different than driving in the states. First, if you can fit, you can go. If you are headed to a stop light and you are on a motorcycle or scooter you are not only allowed to move to the front of the line, you are expected to. Weaving around the cars is a-okay. The main thing is to keep your wits about you and be very aware of your surroundings and once that happens you just go where you need to.

Parking is also very easy on the scooter. However, as you can see by the picture, the problem sometimes can be remembering where in the heck you parked your bike. I think I know now why so many people leave their helmet sitting on top of the side mirror. It's really nice to have some sort of marker on your ride so you can find it when it's time to go. Thailand is a very scooter friendly country. Parking is never an issue and you are way more free on the road than you are driving a car. I can't tell you how many times in the states I have wanted to cut to the front of the line, or pass the slow vehicle along the side or in that narrow space between them and the center line and have had to just suck it up and follow dutifully behind (I can see some of you cringing already). In Thailand it is never a problem. As soon as you see an opening you just go and no one gets mad or feels violated like they are entitled to stay in front of you and hold you up. Everything remains "Jai Yen" (a cool heart) and you move right along.

I always thought that since Thailand is so laid back (translated: sometimes hide your true feelings), that they tended to get their pent up aggression out on the road. I don't believe that anymore. I just think that they are getting from point A to point B and there is a certain understanding on the road amongst the drivers and therefore there are really no worries.

So, yes, I AM BEING CAREFUL, but I also am driving the way that I know at some time in your life you have always wanted to drive but our culture in the states just won't allow. If you really want to feel the real freedom of the road, come to Thailand, rent a scooter and . . . ENJOY THE RIDE!

Sawadee!
Bryan