travel

Do's and don'ts for Thai tourists in Japan

11 Comments
By JOCELYN GECKER

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11 Comments
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"But in Japan, “Drivers must stop at zebra crossings, and wait for people to cross the road"

Maybe someone should let Japanese drivers know this one too?

12 ( +15 / -3 )

I've always found Thais to be very nice and hospitable people. Apart from the Tourist (sorry temples closed today) Police in Bangkok.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

"Japanese society is very unique."

Uh-oh. Here we go again. ;) But, it is good advice and helpful for tourists. Well done.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Japanese seem to have trouble stopping for me in the crosswalk and cut the line regularly when waiting for trains. Thailand is a really cool and friendly country and anyone who has been to both countries knows which place is better for foreign tourists.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

What surprises me is the necessity for this information. When I first traveled to Japan, years ago, I studied the culture - even to the point where I got asked to perform the tea ceremony because as a guest I demonstrated the proper appreciation and procedures. I didn't need my government to spell out a few rules of decent conduct. If you're a tourist in a foreign country, it's your responsibility - no call that 'duty' - to educate yourself on its customs.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

But in Japan, “Drivers must stop at zebra crossings, and wait for people to cross the road

Just about as useless as the advice about not blowing your nose in public or dropping litter.

And I bet Thai culture is unique too.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

“Japanese society is very unique. It is a society with strict rules that are not always obvious to visitors,” said Jessada Nanthachaiporn, the chief consul,

You may want to notice that this time the advice is given not by the Japanese Bureau of Tourism or something, but by foreigners to their countrymen. The expression "unique", the advice to stop before the zebra crossing and all other things are said by the consul to other Thai people. Could it be that compared to Thai people, the Japanese follow the rules more often, even if it's not what may happen in your own country?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I wish the Chinese Tourist Office would give similar advice to their citizens visiting the UK.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I am Japanese, and surely I have seldom met such scene that cars don't stop and forcibly cut in the way of people crossing the road. The Road Traffic Law in Japan provides the high priority of pedestrians. Everyone knows this principle. It is called in Japanese "Hokosha-Yusen" . It's famous. When a traffic accident between cars and pedestrians happens, the drivers must take almost always 100 percent of responsibility for it. But I wonder the principle of giving priority to pedestrians is not always adopted in other countries?? As far as I know, the same law imposes a penalty on the drivers who honk the horn against people passing over the zebra crossing. For reference.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yeah, in Thailand, the way drivers go right thru pedestrian zones filled with pedestrians....who have the green light!!!....and expect the pedestrians to scatter is really, really maddening.

It's usually when the drivers come around a corner (on a red light!!!), so it's not like the pedestrians can see them coming. I mean, what kind of mindset is behind that behavior?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

It is not easy as it sound, by asking someone to change their culture habits overnight especially tourist they only going to be there for a short period of time. I am sure Japanese people don’t mind about those little things. However if you are going to live there, I totally agree that you should learn the local culture and try to blend in with the local. Littering, spitting, loud and disrespectful is not on, no matter whether you are a tourist or not.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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