Double-parking is NOT cool in Malaysia. Relocate to Thailand, if you a firm believer of double parking. You will be more than welcome in the Land of Smiles Double-Parking.

I do understand that parking spots are scarce, but isn’t this a common problem (almost) everywhere? Most drivers circle a parking lot looking for available parking spots, until they find one. Most. Of Us. No?

Vehicle ownership rates have grown at an alarming rate, and will continue to grow. The increase of vehicle ownership in the Kingdom is not being matched by the provision of parking facilities. And if this issue is not properly addressed, what then? Isn’t it time to look at other systems – car stacking system, for example?

In Thailand, people are forced to double and triple park their cars, due to insufficient parking spaces. I can relate, and accept that. But, as it is openly accepted and tolerated, some drivers embrace this as they like: they are habitual double-parker. Is there such word as double-parker? Never mind that, you get the drift, right?

At our condo, for example, some drivers tend to choose the lazy way out. And this happens even though there are plenty of parking spots available. The parking spots could be just few meters away. Perhaps they want shaded spots. But this doesn’t qualify as excuses, no? More often than not, it’s always the same cars double-parking.

I am amaze at the strength of Thai drivers. If your car is blocked, you will need to push the other car (or cars) away. Rule of thumb for double-parking is no hand brake and hand gear is to be left at neutral.

Female and senior citizen drivers, I applaud your strength. Of course, the security guards are always ready to help. Perhaps driving test in Thailand should include ‘strength test‘ as well, to ensure Thai drivers are strong enough to do the deed. But really, sometimes these cars are being parked back-to-back, that perhaps you’ll need to summon for superheroes to do the necessary!

If you are a car lover, do NOT get a car in Thailand. It’s heart-breakingly insane! What happen when a car is being pushed away, and cause damage, or even get damaged? What happens then?

Kudos to some drivers, by ‘protecting’ their beloved cars with DIY styrofoam front and rear bumper protector.

When I told one Thai friend that double-parking is not a practice in Malaysia, he was surprised. “Why not?”, he asked. Err … Excuse me, why “why not?”

In Malaysia, hell breaks loose when someone’s car gets blocked. Extreme cases saw people fighting over such incidents. If you really NEED to double park, you will need to leave your phone number behind, on your car dashboard. And blardly pick up your phone when it rings.

I ain’t no saint. I have double-parked before. There are areas that I know for sure that getting a parking spot, is like hoping to strike a lottery. Or scenarios whereby I just needed to make a quick dash into a store for a thing or two. But even so, I am always on high alert for any honking sound.

I personally encountered inconsiderate drivers, and some of them, even scolded me. Hello, were you not the one who block my exit? You are guilty as charged, so a little bit of politeness won’t hurt you, dahling. There was one time, that I had to wait for more than 10 minutes, honking away … and the other driver was inside a bank!

Common sense has it that if you don’t leave your phone number behind, keep a lookout or keep your ears open for car honking … so that you can quickly remove your car, when the other driver needs to leave. Be considerate.

Ask any Malaysians, for sure they will have a story (or two) to tell.