On two occasions while driving this route I have been “tailgated/intimidated” by a white Isuzu rigid 5-8 tonne truck, probably an NPR (no further identification).
In 2026 the truck ‘appeared out of nowhere’ south of Ban Nut Thian. The ‘tailgating extremis’ went on for five to six kilometres – there being nowhere to pull over. Downhill was the scariest part of the ‘adventure’. The truck closed to within a metre, maybe 1500mm. Uphill I was able to pull away to open a gap of perhaps 50 metres but as the inevitable downhill section arrived the white flat front of the truck again filled my mirrors. Relief from the intimidation came at the edge of Nut Thian village where I was able to pull over after gaining 50-60 metres on the predator. After the truck passed I followed the maniac driver until he pulled his truck into an industrial site in the village. This ‘cretin with candle power brain’ (loose translation from name of the village where he possibly lives) is a serial offender.
In 2024 I was driving on the same section of Route 1268 when a truck came up behind me and loomed into my rear view mirror. After only a few hundred metres I realised out this was no ordinary tailgater. He got so close I could not read the ‘ISUZU’ badge on the front of the truck.
I reasoned that with my smaller vehicle I would out-corner the larger heavier truck on the tight turns but it was not so. Cretin that he is, he piloted that behemoth with a skill and precision that, after numerous extremely tight bends, I realised was more than macho magic or drug-fuelled luck. Skill I have rarely seen in Thailand.
The corners were tight without being switchbacks. The truck and its rogue driver would occasionally fall back a few metres but the pressure never relented. The truck was never out of sight
At no time did the rogue driver hit my vehicle. That in itself was very skilful considering the speed, the road surface, the tight curves and the closeness with which he approached. A weird skill but one for which, strangely, I was thankful.
I was nervous without being scared. I was pressured, pissed off and wondering “what is this all about” while still able to drive my vehicle at the speed to which this maniac was pushing me. I was annoyed. I was apprehensive. How good was this guy? He was doing crazy things. Was he capable of doing them without causing us both to crash? I didn’t want to find out. I was looking for a way out. An exit.
I saw a pull over area a 100 metres ahead and felt relief but then decided not to use it. He could still steamroll me! I pushed on, still within my capabilities but decidedly uncomfortable. I gave up off road racing more than ten years ago! Finally we approached an intersection. I swung left and the moron continued straight. After a few moments to compose myself I continued on thinking TIT (this is Thailand). Just a ‘one off’ crazy like those brain-dead delivery drivers that pass two wide on blind corners.
For those who say “Ho hum”, just another tailgating driver in Thailand” let me say that I have been tailgated many, many times – probably hundreds of times – by utes/pickups/SUVs/BMWs (what is it with BMW drivers) and more, but never by such a big truck and never that close in such hazardous conditions.
If you have experienced similar to the above on this ‘Duel Highway’ and would like to relate your experience send me an email.
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© Kim Epton 2024-2026
644 words.
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