Pedestrian crossings is pointless in Laos. In my life, I have never seen a vehicle actually stopping or slowing down for pedestrians to cross. It makes you wonder why they are there.

Below is a photo of us about to cross the road in Vientiane and a car just speeds by.


http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride382.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride383.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride384.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride385.jpg





http://www.laopride.com/pictures/laopride386.jpg

I think for drivers to obey the traffic rules/laws in laos, they first have to have rules/laws to begin with. I don't even see people stopping at red lights, why would they stop at a crosswalk. What does it take to get a drivers licence in laos? Do they actually have to take a test after learning the rules/laws and do the police even enforce them? I think whoever built these signs and traffic lights just wanted them to look like the western world and pretend that it was developed. It's like the ATM machine that I saw in laos, one ATM machine by itself and no one using it cause who has an ATM card from a laos bank? I don't think there is such a thing as using a debit card in laos where it is all cash based. I think in laos, they believe that "if you build it, they will come" so by building all these things they think people will eventually learn how to use them. They should give them an instruction manual.

People must stop at a red light if they are going straight. In Laos, you can turn when there is a red light if there is a sign to do so. I hope this clears up any confusion.

Yes, normally people need to take a test to get their driver's licence. It's never a problem here though, some people pay the authorities to obtain their licence so they don't need to take any test.

Laos is more advanced than you realised. Major banks issue debit and credit cards. Many employees need to withdraw their salary at an ATM.

We call padestrian crossings 'maa liy' (zebras).

What do you guys call it?

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 11^th Jun, 2009 at 6:04am:

Laos is more advanced than you realised. Major banks issue debit and credit cards. Many employees need to withdraw their salary at an ATM.

But..........how many stores accept plastic? :-?

There are only a small number of businesses that accept plastic in Vientiane.

It's not a problem though, there's plenty of automated teller machines around to use your card to withdraw money.

In the US they charge about $2 fee everytime you withdraw money from the ATM.
;)

What are padestrian crossings called in Laos?

llX wrote on 30^th May, 2011 at 1:24am:

In the US they charge about $2 fee everytime you withdraw money from the ATM. ;)

The fee is very high. Maybe the fee varies, depending on how much you withdraw from your credit card?





Larb Dip wrote on 30^th May, 2011 at 2:27am:

What are padestrian crossings called in Laos?

We call it exactly the same as Laotians in your country call it.

Some place charge more. Last time I in went to Las Vegas they charge about $5.
;)



Admin Saovaluck wrote on 30^th May, 2011 at 7:35am:

llX wrote on 30th May, 2011 at 1:24am: In the US they charge about $2 fee everytime you withdraw money from the ATM. ;) The fee is very high. Maybe the fee varies, depending on how much you withdraw from your credit card? Larb Dip wrote on 30th May, 2011 at 2:27am: What are padestrian crossings called in Laos? We call it exactly the same as Laotians in your country call it.

$5 fee for a withdrawal is insane.

Can you ca$h cheques in Laos?

I think Thailand also charge $3-$5 that's why farang tourist is pissed off.
:) :o



Admin Saovaluck wrote on 31^st May, 2011 at 6:11am:

$5 fee for a withdrawal is insane.

Larb Dip wrote on 31^st May, 2011 at 8:23am:

Can you ca$h cheques in Laos?

Yes, you can cash cheques in Laos.





llX wrote on 31^st May, 2011 at 3:24pm:

I think Thailand also charge $3-$5 that's why farang tourist is pissed off. :) :o

Maybe it's better to bring cash when visiting Thailand.

I don't know if you want to carry $6,000-$9,000 in your pocket walking around. You might get rob.
;)