American man, 79, dies in fall from motorbike

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Rescue workers at the scene on Saiyuan Rd in Rawai yesterday morning (Feb 27). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Police have yet to confirm what caused the death of a 79-year-old American man who fell from his motorbike in Rawai yesterday morning (Feb 26).

 

The man* suffered severe head trauma when he landed on the road, in front of the Tesco Lotus Express on Saiyuan Rd, ar about 9am, Chalong Police Chief Col Sarawut Chuprasit confirmed.

 

However, police have yet to determin what caused the man to fall.

 

Full Story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/american-man-79-dies-in-fall-from-motorbike-75025.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2020-02-27

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79 and no helmet.  Som nom nah

79, I should be so lucky.

5 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

79 and no helmet.  Som nom nah

A very silly and bad taste comment to make on the death of a human being

I would never want to be around you,

I was out on a motorbike some four years ago now when I was early fifties. I was driving on a wide and clear road on the way home.

 

A truck in front of me indicated to go left and I slowed as opposed to overtaking. He changed his mind and accelerated. I sped up. He then for no reason slammed his brakes on.

I drove to his left to avoid a collision and into a side ditch. I ended up battered and bruised for three weeks. Very painful

 

Since that day I quit riding I always now take the pickup and have just completely quit using bikes even for a short distance. The drivers in Thailand are so bad as a rule and completely unpredictable.

 

RIP to the old fella. Sad to hear. The state of safety helmets in Thailand, i doubt if wearing one of those 200-300 baht things they sell would have saved him

No obstacles on the road, no traffic that triggered a fall. Heart attack?

As one gets old, it is pretty easy to stumble and fall and hit one's head on the ground, whether on or off a bike. 

8 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

A very silly and bad taste comment to make on the death of a human being

I would never want to be around you,

Neither silly not bad taste.  Anyone who rides a bike, especially in Thailand, and doesn't have enough sense to wear a helmet, gets no sympathy from me. 

Riding a vehicle everywhere has adverse effects on your physical and mental well being. 

Each outing on your motorbike, means more atrophy in your legs, to the point where one day, you cant walk 2 blocks to a 7-11 to buy a 2 big Leos and a pack of smokes.  ????✌️

 

8 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I was out on a motorbike some four years ago now when I was early fifties. I was driving on a wide and clear road on the way home.

 

A truck in front of me indicated to go left and I slowed as opposed to overtaking. He changed his mind and accelerated. I sped up. He then for no reason slammed his brakes on.

I drove to his left to avoid a collision and into a side ditch. I ended up battered and bruised for three weeks. Very painful

 

Since that day I quit riding I always now take the pickup and have just completely quit using bikes even for a short distance. The drivers in Thailand are so bad as a rule and completely unpredictable.

 

RIP to the old fella. Sad to hear. The state of safety helmets in Thailand, i doubt if wearing one of those 200-300 baht things they sell would have saved him

You had an accident because you were going to fast to avoid a truck braking. Agree Thai drivers suck but in your case you're to fault.

 

7 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

As one gets old, it is pretty easy to stumble and fall and hit one's head on the ground, whether on or off a bike. 

I need to put my crash helmet on to go down the stairs.

 

Back to the OP,

Poor chap, but he had a good run and the end was quick, I hope I finish fast.

10 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I was out on a motorbike some four years ago now when I was early fifties. I was driving on a wide and clear road on the way home.

 

A truck in front of me indicated to go left and I slowed as opposed to overtaking. He changed his mind and accelerated. I sped up. He then for no reason slammed his brakes on.

I drove to his left to avoid a collision and into a side ditch. I ended up battered and bruised for three weeks. Very painful

 

Since that day I quit riding I always now take the pickup and have just completely quit using bikes even for a short distance. The drivers in Thailand are so bad as a rule and completely unpredictable.

 

RIP to the old fella. Sad to hear. The state of safety helmets in Thailand, i doubt if wearing one of those 200-300 baht things they sell would have saved him

You realise you're not obligated to buy one of those cheap helmets. I have a few friends who went online and ordered some expensive helmets from the US.  Other's have bought durable/high end helmets at shops here in Thailand not the 200 baht cheap ones in Tesco or BigC

25 minutes ago, Tony125 said:

You realise you're not obligated to buy one of those cheap helmets. I have a few friends who went online and ordered some expensive helmets from the US.  Other's have bought durable/high end helmets at shops here in Thailand not the 200 baht cheap ones in Tesco or BigC

Helmets are not the issue.

 

If you're incompetent a suit of armour won't help you

 

Some people shouldn't be riding a motorbike 

9 minutes ago, VYCM said:

Helmets are not the issue.

 

If you're incompetent a suit of armour won't help you

 

Some people shouldn't be riding a motorbike 

 

And I cam to the conclusion after my accident, that I am one of them.

2 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

Neither silly not bad taste.  Anyone who rides a bike, especially in Thailand, and doesn't have enough sense to wear a helmet, gets no sympathy from me. 

 

And spoken from such a superior being that I suppose you have never made a mistake in your life?

 

Appalling your lack of compassion and self righteousness.

 

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

You had an accident because you were going to fast to avoid a truck braking. Agree Thai drivers suck but in your case you're to fault.

 

I didn't apportion blame, I merely gave my reasons as to why I no longer ride a motorbike.

 

I was never that great on them anyway and think it for the best, when up here there are boys 9 and 10 years old, tearing around the roads and villages.

 

I feel mine was an accident waiting to happen. If anything I was an over cautious rider which in itself can be a danger.

12 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

And spoken from such a superior being that I suppose you have never made a mistake in your life?

Not wearing a helmet is not a mistake. It is a lifestyle choice.

 

I've never met anyone on a motorbike who said "Oops I forgot to put my helmet on"

3 hours ago, Tony125 said:

You realise you're not obligated to buy one of those cheap helmets. I have a few friends who went online and ordered some expensive helmets from the US.  Other's have bought durable/high end helmets at shops here in Thailand not the 200 baht cheap ones in Tesco or BigC

RIP mate. Gotta work every day at proprioception to keep the autonomic balance mechanisms in the brain in top condition not to mention the muscles.

I use an 8000 baht AGV full face at least my empty head will be safe if / when I am run off the road.

as an Aussie I shake my head at the helmetless falangs (holiday as well as resident maniacs) on Phuket roads ! Leaving aside the mad Thai drivers!!  Nearly run over from behind on a shallow bend by a crazy white souped up Toyota sedan yesterday an my way back to Surin from Honda Phuketown.

The risks of riding here requires extreme vigilance and defensive riding.

what I see is almost complete lack of attention to safe riding (and this comment leaves out Thai bike riders entirely!). Here’s a friendly tip folks ... look in your mirrors AND over your shoulder when moving left n right across the lane!!! 

 

 

17 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I was out on a motorbike some four years ago now when I was early fifties. I was driving on a wide and clear road on the way home.

 

A truck in front of me indicated to go left and I slowed as opposed to overtaking. He changed his mind and accelerated. I sped up. He then for no reason slammed his brakes on.

I drove to his left to avoid a collision and into a side ditch. I ended up battered and bruised for three weeks. Very painful

 

Since that day I quit riding I always now take the pickup and have just completely quit using bikes even for a short distance. The drivers in Thailand are so bad as a rule and completely unpredictable.

 

RIP to the old fella. Sad to hear. The state of safety helmets in Thailand, i doubt if wearing one of those 200-300 baht things they sell would have saved him

It is going backward...more and more motorcyclists are not using helmet. No law enforcers on roads anymore.

16 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

As one gets old, it is pretty easy to stumble and fall and hit one's head on the ground, whether on or off a bike. 

A friend of mine drove by and saw the aftermath of this accident.

Looked like a car hit him and ended his life.  A farang as well.

One must understand that Rawai is an expat community where many of them just go take a coffee in a morning to chat with friends. Slowly. Many therefore do not feel the need to wear a helmet. Just a short drive away.

Taking the highway might trigger in their mind the need to wear a helmet.

Reckless drivers are numerous in the small streets in Rawai. They have no time. They go unpunished.

This fellow did not have much time left, but was enjoying it as best he could.

Requiescat in pacem.

 

1 hour ago, Gervais Bilodeau said:

It is going backward...more and more motorcyclists are not using helmet. No law enforcers on roads anymore.

That is contrary to the impression I have. Compared to 10 or 20 years ago many more people are wearing helmets.

19 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I was out on a motorbike some four years ago now when I was early fifties. I was driving on a wide and clear road on the way home.

 

A truck in front of me indicated to go left and I slowed as opposed to overtaking. He changed his mind and accelerated. I sped up. He then for no reason slammed his brakes on.

I drove to his left to avoid a collision and into a side ditch. I ended up battered and bruised for three weeks. Very painful

 

Since that day I quit riding I always now take the pickup and have just completely quit using bikes even for a short distance. The drivers in Thailand are so bad as a rule and completely unpredictable.

 

RIP to the old fella. Sad to hear. The state of safety helmets in Thailand, i doubt if wearing one of those 200-300 baht things they sell would have saved him

You can buy good helmets here too if you want! Of course its safer just to avoid bikes.. i still never understand why people dont rent cars or buy one if you are living here. So much safer than bikes...

I was the victim of a hit/run driver whilst riding a m/c -  The damage to my high quality helmet is testimony to its worth - if I had not been wearing the helmet I would not have survived.

12 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

Neither silly not bad taste.  Anyone who rides a bike, especially in Thailand, and doesn't have enough sense to wear a helmet, gets no sympathy from me. 

Well <deleted> then. 

14 hours ago, Just1Voice said:

Neither silly not bad taste.  Anyone who rides a bike, especially in Thailand, and doesn't have enough sense to wear a helmet, gets no sympathy from me. 

 

Wearing a helmet to ride a scooter is like wearing a condom to do a crack whore.  Sure, it's a good idea if you choose to live dangerously.  But you cross the safety Rubicon when you throw your leg over a scooter instead of buckling up in a 4 wheeler. 

 

The helmet is just lipstick on a pig.

 

Strangely though, I still have sympathy for people caught up in tragic events.  Even those caused by their own choices.

 

13 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Wearing a helmet to ride a scooter is like wearing a condom to do a crack whore.  Sure, it's a good idea if you choose to live dangerously.  But you cross the safety Rubicon when you throw your leg over a scooter instead of buckling up in a 4 wheeler. 

 

The helmet is just lipstick on a pig.

 

Strangely though, I still have sympathy for people caught up in tragic events.  Even those caused by their own choices.

 

Makes no sense

On 2/28/2020 at 8:21 AM, Just1Voice said:

On 2/27/2020 at 11:53 PM, Scouse123 said:

A very silly and bad taste comment to make on the death of a human being

I would never want to be around you,

Neither silly not bad taste.  Anyone who rides a bike, especially in Thailand, and doesn't have enough sense to wear a helmet, gets no sympathy from me. 

In the context of the OP (did you read the link?) Scouse123 was absolutely right.

On 2/28/2020 at 8:21 AM, Just1Voice said:

Neither silly not bad taste.  Anyone who rides a bike, especially in Thailand, and doesn't have enough sense to wear a helmet, gets no sympathy from me. 

Where, exactly, do you buy a helmet in Thailand that will actually offer some protection, smart ass?

Don't be so ignorant.

18 hours ago, claffey said:

You can buy good helmets here too if you want! Of course its safer just to avoid bikes.. i still never understand why people dont rent cars or buy one if you are living here. So much safer than bikes...

Bikes are faster, no parking problems, cheaper.

 

I have both, and often prefer the bike due to the above reasons.

1 minute ago, stevenl said:

Bikes are faster, no parking problems, cheaper.

 

I have both, and often prefer the bike due to the above reasons.

Good helmets here?  I've tried for 10 years.  Not possible to find one that will fit. 

19 hours ago, Andre0720 said:

A friend of mine drove by and saw the aftermath of this accident.

Looked like a car hit him and ended his life.

 

Obviously, neither you nor your friend bothered to read the linked full report?  No other vehicle was involved.