rooster59 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 So why don’t Thais want to wear their bike helmets? By The Thaiger & The Nation Full story: https://thethaiger.com/news/so-why-dont-thais-want-to-wear-their-bike-helmets The Thaiger & The Nation: 2018-07-01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post z42 Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 Stupid reasons basically, if you can even call them reasons ? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post scorecard Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 Easy, do what they did when they introduced compulsory wearing of helmets in Vietnam both for the rider and all passengers. From day 1, anybody caught without helmet, driver or passenger and the bike was immediately confiscated never to be seen again and no discussion whatever. It worked and the idea was broadly supported by Vietnamese society. 24 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post darksidedog Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 Interesting statistic that only 7% of kids wear helmets. Given that none of them have a licence anyway, respect for road rules obviously isn't a priority, And it is that exact disregard for the rules that we see across all aspects of driving here. it isn't just the helmets, its jumping the lights, going the wrong way down a road. Rules aren't enforced properly, so they are ignored. 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taipan1949 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 You would have to set up a helmet classification allowed to be worn. A construction hard hat, which we have all seen, is not a "helmet" for motorcycles. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post maxcorrigan Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 Easy to understand in a climate like Thailand, who wants to stick a smelly old pot on their head when it's much nicer to feel the breeze in your hair (if you've got any) from a safety point of view not such a good idea, but as long as you can get away with the likes of a 10 press-ups punishment it will continue unabated! 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worgeordie Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 (edited) Give them a break, they are only just getting the idea to wear helmets on motorbikes,and that has took years,but still not 100 %, I see professional ?,the bike racers all wear helmets, the ordinary cyclists,most likely think they don't go fast enough to wear one, not thinking,that they could be hit by a motorbike,car , or truck,! P.S. I thought you were referring to cyclists regards worgeordie Edited July 1, 2018 by worgeordie add on 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post billy54 Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 And after the helmet safety speach off he goes without fastening the helmet , OOP's off it pops in any sort of accident , and as for the camera's catching and sending you a ticket , the motor bikes are a free for all , for who ever wants to use them , ,He has a work permit , ??? advertising /safety lecher can be done just as pathetically by Thais 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thaiwrath Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 A lot believe they are infallible. As (they think) they are the best rider on the road, a hell of a lot believe they will never be involved in a serious accident. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Just1Voice Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 About a year and a half ago, I was on Hwy 12 coming from Sukhothai back to Chiang Mai. 8:00 in the morning, Sunday, absolutely no traffic. Was cruising along at just 80kph on my 300cc Forza, when some idiot shot out of a road side fruit stand and T-boned me. Shattered my left wrist, sent me flying and rolling over and over on the road. One of the cops at the scene picked up my now scratched up LS2 helmet, looked at it, then told me my helmet, more than likely, saved my life. I've been riding for more than 50 years, and my helmet goes on before I turn the ignition. My Thai wife and adopted Thai son learned very quickly - they don't put on their helmet first, I take their keys. And they wear full face helmets, not those little pieces of crap that sits on top of their heads. 16 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammieuk1 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 I will try to hot any advance? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dmaxdan Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 If I actually wrote what I feel with regards to this subject then it would almost definitely be removed by the mods so I will say only this.....I can't change what almost a entire nation believes, and in fairness it is their prerogative what they want to think but as a devote atheist I personally don't believe in reincarnation. Basically, as far as I'm concerned it is one strike and your out. Because I've become a father figure to our grandson, I'm going to make sure as he grows up that he understands that he mustn't be brainwashed by anyone from family members to school teachers into believing that he will receive a second chance. I do generally respect Buddhism and in many ways it makes more sense that other faiths, but not in its belief of reincarnation. I think it is a significant factor in the appalling statistics on Thai roads. As I've said before, the fine for not wearing a helmet should be at least 10,000 baht. If you want results then hit people where it hurts the most. 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kadilo Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 The so called reasons they give are baloney. They don’t wear them because they either think they are invincible or because they are not being forced to. I stay up in the sticks and the bikes with 4 kids on ridden by a 12 yr old pass the policeman waving them in to school on a daily basis. Beside him is the 100% compliance helmet sign. They are light years away. 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lake Palmer Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 even the ones that do wear helmets only do so to stop their skin going darker, rather than for safety 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boon Mee Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 99% of the motor bike and push bike riders wear helmets in my area so as everything else here in LOS, there's no concessions across the country. 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faraday Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 Increase the fine to 2000 baht. It will cause a huge uproar & alot of hardship to some, but hopefully the message will get through to them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman24 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 .the construction helmet is a safer bet than the paper mache helmets is see for sale in the shops, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman24 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 why cause hardship, if they can afford an expensive phone they can afford a helmet. i see the poorest of the poor on their i phones, so no excuse at all.a phone aint going to save their lives, still this is the thai thought train i suppose,i did mention , i got done as my passenger refuse a helmet, only popping to the bus station to take her home, (ok i know it was my fault before you lot chime in) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercman24 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 (edited) on another point when i went to the cop shop to pay my 400 baht fine and get my licence back, i did not see one Thai, in the waiting room to pay the helmet fine, they were stopping Thais so i can only assume they were paying cash to the cops, Edited July 1, 2018 by mercman24 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorG Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 You don't need a helmet if you have the correct amulet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAZZDOG Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 Laziness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ks45672 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 11 minutes ago, mercman24 said: .the construction helmet is a safer bet than the paper mache helmets is see for sale in the shops, A construction helmet is totally unsuited to motorcycle use..... That's some of the worst safety advice I've ever heard.... You must be Thai 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisY1 Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 Helmets to Thais are uncomfortable and they mess their hair. Seat-belts are similar....uncomfortable and crease their clothes. Then of course....being so different here....there are buddha images and flowers...all making Thais free from harm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 At a certain age when cruising at night you can't be seem if wearing a helmet. Conversely if from a certain set and riding a mountain bike a fancy helmet is de rigeur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 (edited) To a lot of Thai people, a decent helmet costs over a week of their salary. Anything cheaper is pretty much useless, and they're smart enough to know that. See how you'd feel about buying the replacement after someone steals 2 or 3 of them at one week's salary a pop. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't walk around carrying a helmet on the off chance I'm going to be hopping on the back of a scooter taxi that day. I do wear one when my trip is planned, and the point of origin and destination both have a safe place to leave a helmet. But that's a rare trip for me since I no longer commute to the office that way. It's a lot of the same economics that put so many Thais on scooters in the first place, instead of safely ensconced in a 4 wheeled vehicle with A/C, doors, a lot of steel and seat belts. The safety Rubicon is crossed when they hop on the scooter in the first place. Edited July 1, 2018 by impulse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lacessit Posted July 1, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 1, 2018 Because if they have a helmet on, they can't answer or talk on their phones? Some things are more important than life and limb. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 1 minute ago, impulse said: See how you'd feel about buying the replacement after someone steals 2 or 3 of them at one week's salary a pop. I've had a scooter and helmet in Chiang Mai for 7 years, and never had the helmet stolen. Perhaps my head is too big. On the other hand, stealing the registration stickers from bikes seems to be a popular pastime. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuum Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 51 minutes ago, Dmaxdan said: As I've said before, the fine for not wearing a helmet should be at least 10,000 baht. If you want results then hit people where it hurts the most. Correct, but most people don't have this kind of money and they would just ignore paying the fines. I think scorecard's idea (post #3) is better: Quote From day 1, anybody caught without helmet, driver of passenger and the bike was immediately confiscated never to be seen again and no discussion whatever. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesthepost Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 There are plenty of Farangs that do not wear helmets and ride the wrong way up roads too. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dick dasterdly Posted July 1, 2018 Share Posted July 1, 2018 1 hour ago, maxcorrigan said: Easy to understand in a climate like Thailand, who wants to stick a smelly old pot on their head when it's much nicer to feel the breeze in your hair (if you've got any) from a safety point of view not such a good idea, but as long as you can get away with the likes of a 10 press-ups punishment it will continue unabated! "it's much nicer to feel the breeze in your hair (if you've got any) from a safety point of view not such a good idea" I agree with this 100%. I noticed that a lot of Thai 'bike riders were wearing helmets in the various 'clips' in the video, and that reflects my experience. i.e. Far more Thais are wearing helmets nowadays than a few years ago. Although it probably depends on where you live. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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