Standing on the back of baht buses - banned

[Jun]

Whether that's true or not is not the point, at least to me.

Whether it's true ?
Well what do you think happens if your legs are caught between the bumpers of 2 vehicles in a collision ?
As an ex- engineer, I can tell you those platforms have no worthwhile properties for horizontal loading.
And they are too low for crash protection.
So it's your legs between the bumpers of the two vehicles.

I agree the law isn't going to be enforced.
But would you also say it's stupid to make motorcycle helmets mandatory by similar logic?
I think the only stupidity is allowing the police to carry on as they are, harvesting tea money, but not enforcing the law.

Finally, if the platforms were removed, how would people of a certain age, or mass get on and off ?

[Gaybutton]

If the platforms were removed, how would people of a certain age, or mass get on and off ?

SInce you are an ex engineer, I'm sure you can think of something.

But would you also say it's stupid to make motorcycle helmets mandatory by similar logic?

I don't see any similarity. You keep arguing with me about the wrong thing. I think it's stupid to make laws that won't be enforced and people won't comply with. How many more times do I have to say that? I agree there is potential for disaster by standing at the rear of a baht bus. I haven't denied that. There is also potential for disaster by slipping and falling in the bathroom or just crossing a street. Many more are killed that way each year than in baht bus accidents.

From what I see, people do comply with the motorbike helmet laws and the police enforce it. Many are injured, maimed, and killed in motorbike accidents every day. Many thousands per year.

You know how many baht buses were involved in accidents during the past year? As far as I know, a grand total of 1

( https://www.pattayamail.com/news/6-hurt ... oad-409196 )

[Jun]

Since you asked, I'm presenting my cunning plan for getting on and off buses in Pattaya, with no rear platform required.
Having tested it extensively in Bangkok, I can confirm it works well and brings other benefits for safety and congestion.

[windwalker]

While trying to get a Baht Bus at corner of Pattaya Tai and Second Road the driver would not leave until the bus completely filled and three people standing on the back. We walked further along Second Road and waved down a near empty bus.

[Jun]

While trying to get a Baht Bus at corner of Pattaya Tai and Second Road the driver would not leave until the bus completely filled and three people standing on the back. We walked further along Second Road and waved down a near empty bus.

I only get on a parked baht bus there if I want to go to Naklua.
If I'm just going to North Road, or nearer, any of the moving buses will do, assuming there is a seat.

I've not yet stood on a baht bus platform on this trip.

[Jun]

Just for reference, wearing a helmet on a motorcycle has been mandatory for years.
It's been sensible for even longer.

I just did a count of passing traffic:
45 motorcycles with users wearing helmets
38 without helmets

That one is easy to enforce, so I wouldn't expect high compliance with any other laws.

[Gaybutton]

I wouldn't expect high compliance with any other laws.

Compliance? Of course not. These are not laws. They're merely casual suggestions . . .

[Gaybutton]

Anyone surprised?
_____________________________________________

No standing rule on Pattaya baht buses bites the dust

By Barry Kenyon

April 22, 2023

Formally introduced nationally last February, the law banning upright passengers on baht buses has been skillfully ignored. Pattaya baht bus collective spokesman Katee Bangprapa said his colleagues were under a legal obligation to pick up passengers on request and risked being assaulted if they refused. He also pointed out the high cost of fuel which meant that maximum capacity, especially at rush hours, was just common sense.

The police stress that the legal contradictions have not yet been resolved by superiors. One unusually-cognizant Pattaya expat was bold enough to complain to City Hall the ban wasn’t working, but was advised to wait for the next available vehicle to come along. Some passengers allegedly prefer standing for assorted reasons such as less likelihood of being pickpocketed or because the view is better.

Pattayans in any case are very good at circumventing legal obligations. Since 2018 smoking on beaches in the kingdom has been outlawed to protect the environment, but the only known prosecution occurred when a hapless drunk set fire to a no-smoking sign. A local ordnance for Pattaya in 2017 restricted the number of recruiter-ladies standing outside beer bars to two, but the news never arrived at Sexy Soi Six.

Prosecutions are not always successful. A Pattaya go-go dancer was accused of indecent display under the old Entertainment Venue Act by provocatively dancing totally nude on a club stage, but the charge was dismissed after her lawyer provided evidence she was wearing a top hat. However, she was found guilty of the use of ping pong balls and live goldfish in a lewd cabaret act which was a breach of animal welfare legislation.

According to The Lawyer Portal, there are thousands of unenforceable laws all round the world. In Scotland it is still an offence to refuse to let anyone use your home toilet if he or she asks, whilst a bye-law still demands the death penalty for anyone reckless enough to walk through the streets of Cambridge with a crossbow. Perhaps we shouldn’t be too harsh on the Pattaya baht buses.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/no-sta ... ust-429739