richard_smith237

Yep.. In-laws have the same... I hate getting in taxi's that don't have a seatbelt - and refuse to use them if I'm going to be on an expressway and expect to travel at a reasonable speed. I was in a Grab the other day... and I hadn't 'yet' secured my seatbelt before the 'pinging' went off... The driver handed me a 'seatbelt' blank that stops the noise !!!... I've seen them online, and now realise people are stupid enough to go to such efforts not to wear a seatbelt !!! Luckly my Wife is very much on board, no kids etc in the car without a belt. We did have the discussion when my son was born - I see our son in a car once, without a car seat, and thats it, we move to UK... fortunately, she was and always has been 100% on board with that. We're not completely neurotic - there are times its not always possible, but usually a good alternative can be found. There are other sensible practicalities... its sometimes safer to travel 1km down the road in a taxi without a seatbelt than it is to try and walk with 4 year old down the road that has no sidewalk / pavement etc... So... common sense is key - and not wearing a seatbelt when one is available, or not wearing a helmet at all contravenes that common sense.

I agree... lead by example... but I would also argue that it is law enforcement that leads and enforces that example without tolerance.

Exactly — you could extend the same logic to countless other behaviours: how someone rides, whether they ride at night or in the rain, if they’ve been drinking, their diet, how they cross the road… it’s all part of the broader risk spectrum. But here’s the distinction: for many, riding a motorcycle isn’t a choice of luxury, it’s a necessity. Choosing not to wear a helmet, however, crosses a line — it’s no longer a calculated risk, it’s negligence. So while the arguments may seem to overlap at a glance, when you break them down through a balanced and practical lens, they’re not quite the same. Agreed... OR just have the police enforce existing laws... Or would you have parents enforce all other laws too ? YOU could.. but it wouldn't be a very good argument, as discussed above: [while the arguments may seem to overlap at a glance, when you break them down through a balanced and practical lens, they’re not quite the same.] Again... not when viewed through a balanced and practical lens. Because thats they way a national health care system works. Should you be prevented from having children because your 'Genetic testing' shows a sociability to alcoholism or cancer ? - we have to be very careful where we draw these lines... Perhaps omit from health care anyone driving without a solid reason.. i.e. just going for a drive (in a car)... There is still an additional strain from not helmet wearing - that can't be ignored. Not really - not if that 'same rider' would have just fallen over and got back up again. You are arguing absolutes in a world where a sliding scale of injures can occur. Its a perfect reason to enforce the law that many don't follow - which is what this discussion is about. Sure, you could make that argument - but as already outlined, it wouldn’t hold much weight. If we go down that road, we’d be lumping helmet laws in with a whole mêlée of risky behaviours: drinking, poor diet, lack of exercise… what next? Ban pies? Fine people for not jogging? The difference is, those risks are typically long-term and personal. Riding without a helmet is an immediate, high-impact decision that can devastate not only the individual, but everyone around them — from emergency services to their own family, whereas riding a motorcycle is a necessity for many, not wearing a helmet is simply an option they chose. So yes, we all live with risk, but some choices push far beyond reasonable tolerance - and riding without a helmet is one of them - its beyond the line in the sand from a 'moral perspective' but more importantly, from a legal perspective..... and thats why enforcement should be unwavering... The arguments I’ve laid out simply underline a key truth: not wearing a helmet isn’t something that impacts only the rider, as some conveniently like to believe. When someone suffers a preventable head injury or worse, the consequences ripple far beyond the individual - families, bystanders, emergency services, and even the wider community often bear the fallout. And no, pointing to other risky behaviours - like riding itself doesn’t negate the issue. That line of reasoning is a distraction, a way of dodging the real point: some risks, like choosing not to wear a helmet, are reckless, immediate, and entirely avoidable.

What’s the mentality behind this?..... Why should expats be fined double for committing exactly the same offence as Thai citizens? Why are you assuming Thai people don’t know better? That’s not only wrong, it’s insulting. Thais are well aware that helmets and seatbelts save lives. It’s not ignorance at play, but rather habit, emotion, or sheer complacency overriding logic.

Not doing so (helmet wearing) doesn't only impact themselves if a rider comes off and get seriously injured or die, needs long term medical care etc... there is a long line of people it can impact.... Family loss of a breadwinner – A father dies in a crash without a helmet, leaving his family struggling to cope financially and emotionally. Becoming a long-term burden if disabled – A young man suffers a brain injury and requires lifelong care from his elderly parents. Psychological trauma to others involved in the accident – A driver is haunted by guilt after hitting a cyclist who wasn't wearing a helmet and suffered fatal injuries. Increased pressure on emergency services – Paramedics spend extra time and resources stabilising an unhelmeted rider with preventable head trauma. Higher healthcare costs shared by society – An unhelmeted crash victim racks up hundreds of thousands in medical bills covered by taxpayers. Reduced productivity and economic contribution – A previously employed person is left unable to work after a preventable head injury. Strain on healthcare infrastructure – ICU beds are occupied for longer by patients with severe brain trauma that a helmet could’ve prevented. Emotional toll on witnesses – A passer-by watches a motorcyclist suffer fatal head injuries, resulting in lasting emotional distress. Encouraging unsafe behaviour in others – A teenager mimics his older brother by riding without a helmet and ends up in intensive care. Loss of life that could otherwise contribute to community and society – A young volunteer dies in a bike crash, leaving local projects without their lead organiser (yeah, I know questionable).

I have two passports.. One with my Thai Visa... Another with some overseas Visas. Invariably I'll use my overseas Passport at the check-in desk and its a different one that I'd registered with the airline.... ... This is not something I'd ever considered before, and certainly something which as never raised any issue whatsoever.... Airlines are only serious about the accuracy of your names (the order doesn't even matter)... I once travelled to the UK as Mr & Mr Smith with the Wife... without any issue !!! - The airline somehow screwed up (issuing the awards ticket) but wanted $200 to re-gender my wife correctly !!... Nope !!! not a chance....

erm... ok sailor 🌈🌈🌈

This is so tragic, yet another series of wholly avoidable deaths. Drowning is the leading cause of death of children Thailand. Water Safety 'could' so easily be taught in schools... even without swimming lessons, just teaching kids awareness of the the risks of these ponds... As you pointed out, a lot of these ponds have steep slick sides and can't be climbed out of - Its not hard to put a rope across the diagonal of a pond and a ladder laying up the side... if a kid falls / slips in, at least they can hold on to something...

This has surely been one of Thailand’s most baffling contradictions: the widespread aversion to wearing helmets on motorcycles - yet, in a flash, over-night, face-masks became a national obsession, proudly worn even while zipping through the open air at 60 kph.... A true enigma, if ever there was one....

What are you crying about now ? I've not cut any pasted anything of yours.... You are now arguing for the sake of it - the 'fatality impact of helmets' (i.e. reduction of fatalities due to wide-spread helmet use) in Thailand is not know, there are no available stats for Thailand. I provided a lot of reasons why the Stats from Western Nations (such as those in the EU) may not be transferable or may not accurately project across to a nation such as Thailand. One day - I will copy and paste an exact statement you have made - I believe you would still argue against it !!!

Indeed.. If people are 'so sensitive' about using a shared helmet they can carry their own hair-cap thingy...

Its the same with seatbelts... I won't let the inlaws (or anyone else) in my car without putting their seatbelt on... yet every week they visit us, they turn up and leave without wearing their seatbelt in their own car. I see the same for so many Thai's here... theoretically well educated - yet go to the SkyLane or a bicycle even and we see them all wearing their $300 bicycle helmets !!..

So typical here... Oh... "Poor me, I'm a victim because I don't want to follow the law..." The same thing happened when it was announced by the Police that they will fine drivers of vehicles with people in the flat bed a a pick-up.... (which is against the law) - people protested that the law impacts poor people - the Police did an about turn and announced that its ok (even though its against the law !!!)... Of course they can... no helmet no ride !!.. thats how they force it, everyone follows the same law. Arguing that a fine to break such a simple law is too much is ridiculous - the very reason the fine exists is to enforce the law. Will the same 'idiots' be caught off guard when they enforce no jumping of red lights ?

yes, and no, you step out of line in singapore and it's pretty common for the authorities to come down on you like a ton of bricks... In an unusual turn of events in Singapore >>> that was actually quoting the OP:

OK. I am a new member. Sorry I didn't trawl though the last 10 years of history first. Here you go... https://aseannow.com/topic/1355969-do-i-have-to-carry-my-passport https://aseannow.com/topic/1331480-if-you-are-a-resident-in-thailand-should-you-always-carry-your-passport-with-you https://aseannow.com/topic/1284693-do-you-carry-your-passport-with-you https://aseannow.com/topic/1278841-should-i-carry-passport-with-me-all-the-time https://aseannow.com/topic/959389-carry-the-passport-with-me https://aseannow.com/topic/665725-should-i-carry-my-passport-original-or-a-photocopy-when-walking-around-in-bangkok https://aseannow.com/topic/804465-carry-passport-or-not https://aseannow.com/topic/1215676-pink-id-card-debate https://aseannow.com/topic/849682-passport-copies-as-id https://aseannow.com/topic/943628-foreigners-id-requirements-what-is-legal

The woman was slapped by each man ? - where is your proof ?

No way of proving what I witnessed so no point arguing with you about that.... Yawn.. pathetic gaslighting rubbish duly ignored.... Juvenile idiocy... Just post it... if you can.... It still won't mean it's anything more than a posting from a random nobody and you are attempting to peddle provocation...

In an unusual turn of events in Singapore, but not unusual in the slightest in Thailand... Both the public urination and the bribery...

Isn't everybody "supposed" to carry them? Debate done to death... No!

To deliberately trigger and provoke...

Cyclists need to carry their passport ?

Sure... ok.. Go ahead and present that post - screen print and backup your claim... no one else can find that information.

Facts ??? really Malcy ?? - the postings from a random nobody on a facebook thread is now a fact ??? You can't even prove that such a comment exists - prove me wrong with a screen print.

The point has been spelled out to you a few times... Translate the post to English so you can stay within the rules to so fondly cherish (or hide behind), take screen print and post the image of 'information' you are claiming...

Where do you think the OP came from? try and keep up. So you are suggesting a comment from a random nobody that no one else has seen, amongst 225 comments on a facebook thread is a valid source of information ???... hmmm......