French Tourist Warned for Riding Electric Scooter on Koh Phangan Roads

[craighj]

A French knobhead no doubt.  However I wish the police would put the same enthusiasm into Thai motorcycles 😀

[Sig]

3 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Dude, just buy a motorcycle and drive it without a helmet or license like the locals.

Don't forget your flip-flops....

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Not only the one wheeled scooter. Since when did we start to go on motorbikes, bicycles and other vehicles shirtless on public roads. Have we really lost our pride, dignity and respect soo much? 

Those are deposited at the airport to be picked up on departure.

[Sydebolle]

Point taken yet I just fell off my office chair when I read "there is no insurance coverage to rely on.”

I had 17 minor accidents by third parties who hit my car; bikes, cars, pick-ups and a truck. And, guess what, only two had insurance, five made a runner (got all of 'em thanks to a dash camera) and the remaining ten tried all possible hat tricks to get off the hook. 

No insurance coverage to rely on - made my day, thank you for that! 

[baansgr]

1 hour ago, Stevemercer said:

I have one of those electric unicycles. Closest thing to flying without leaving the ground. But what about all the other unregistered and unlicensed electric scooters, bikes, trikes, golf carts and mobility carts you see on the road. Are they ok?

I dont think it's so much the legality, it's more the safeness,.let's face it, they are totally inappropriate for road use let alone when it's full steam ahead weaving in and out of traffic 

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, baansgr said:

I dont think it's so much the legality, it's more the safeness,.let's face it, they are totally inappropriate for road use let alone when it's full steam ahead weaving in and out of traffic 

 

If the BiB cared for 'safety' they'd be stopping all the motorcyclists riding without a helmet.

 

The reason this guy drew attention is two fold: 

a) He's a foreigner (non-Thai).

b) He's riding something 'different'.

 

I also agree - these things appear far more dangerous than a regular scooter, however, I don't think this is the reason he was 'warned'.. 

[Jing Joe]

1 hour ago, Spock said:

Or come to Australia where despite safety being the country's number one concern, electric scooters and one wheelers are a regular sight on the roads. 

 

Mmm and I think Melbourne has now banned 2 wheel scooters. Good. Ironically I'm sure France has too. Watch this space because of incredible accident increases.

[jcmj]

Plenty of them in Pattaya zigzagging through the traffic. An accident waiting to happen. Just don’t do a go fund me page when you get stuck with the bills. You take the risk, you pay. Yeah, I know, the Thais and a few foreigners are driving around on unlicensed, uninsured vehicles but that’s why I have a license and full coverage insurance. Just in case of an accident with any of these people. Until one day they start enforcing it 😂🤣  better safe than sorry. 

[tgw]

Thai police daring to comment the safety of riding a one-wheeled motorcycle while not acting upon others riding the wrong way, underage driving, 3 or 4 people on motorcycles or without a driving license is pure comedy.

[norsurin]

I stop driving in Thailand many years ago.To risky.If i want to go somewhere i take a taxi or with friends cars 

Sometimes BTS if near me.

[eastlight]

5 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

I doubt very much that a 'Thai citizen' would even consider buying an electric unicycle.

Totally impractical and nowhere to hang the amulet.

Or the three other family members.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

The incident serves as a reminder for tourists and locals alike to adhere to road safety regulations to ensure the well-being of all road users on the island.

I see a Thai man, around mid late twenties riding one of these every morning at 06:00 on his way to work..

At least a year now, I'm on my push bike on my way to the local park for some exercise, we always nod if we pass each other going in opposite directions.

[Bjoern]

8 hours ago, ravip said:

Shirtless in public places/roads & vehicles, is absolutely disgusting.

Yes we should all be dressed properly in a tailor made dress and necktie.

This police wanted as usual a small amount with contribution to The Royal Thai Police.   

[ravip]

16 minutes ago, Bjoern said:

Yes we should all be dressed properly in a tailor made dress and necktie.

This police wanted as usual a small amount with contribution to The Royal Thai Police.   

WOW! Thank you!

You have raised it to the next level!

Great work.

[Srikcir]

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities emphasised that if he is caught repeating the offense, the scooter will be confiscated, and he will face fines and stricter legal actions.

So do it!

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, jcmj said:

Plenty of them in Pattaya zigzagging through the traffic. An accident waiting to happen. Just don’t do a go fund me page when you get stuck with the bills. You take the risk, you pay. Yeah, I know, the Thais and a few foreigners are driving around on unlicensed, uninsured vehicles but that’s why I have a license and full coverage insurance. Just in case of an accident with any of these people. Until one day they start enforcing it 😂🤣  better safe than sorry. 

 

Would this mean you think its ok, IF someone standing / riding on an 'e-scooter' had an accident and did have cover ?

 

 

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

12 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Authorities emphasised that if he is caught repeating the offense, the scooter will be confiscated, and he will face fines and stricter legal actions.

So do it!

 

Agreed...    And also 'do it' for those riding without helmets or insurance - whether Thai or foreign. 

 

 

[bristolgeoff]

They have no rules or laws on this,so no fine for the police mthly fund

[anfh]

9 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Shirtless on a holiday island ... the nerve of some people   

 

Not everyone is fat & ugly, and ashamed of their physical appearance. 

 

I even saw a local Thai gent without a shirt on in the village the other day.  I almost puked 

Well its actually deemed as an insult and extremely rude in Thailand, maybe if you want to stay here, along with many others, you might want to be respectful of Thai culture instead of being a yob !!!

[richard_smith237]

16 minutes ago, anfh said:

Well its actually deemed as an insult and extremely rude in Thailand, maybe if you want to stay here, along with many others, you might want to be respectful of Thai culture instead of being a yob !!!

 

When not at a beach, I see more Thai folk without shirts on...    usually its the very poor older Thai's guys, so everyone gives them a pass... 

 

On a 'beach-Island' such as Koh Pangnan or somewhere like Koh Samet, I don't think its poor form or 'disrespectful of Thai culture' at all to be shirtless...    but, of course, going into a Bank in those area's is of course impolite. 

 

Also, going shirtless in many cities and towns is of course polite.

 

BUT... it seems with this example, a few people are trying to shoe-horn in their faux-outrage so they can feel offended on behalf of the Thai's... Its a bit pathetic !!! 

 

 

[ravip]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

When not at a beach, I see more Thai folk without shirts on...    usually its the very poor older Thai's guys, so everyone gives them a pass... 

 

On a 'beach-Island' such as Koh Pangnan or somewhere like Koh Samet, I don't think its poor form or 'disrespectful of Thai culture' at all to be shirtless...    but, of course, going into a Bank in those area's is of course impolite. 

 

Also, going shirtless in many cities and towns is of course polite.

 

BUT... it seems with this example, a few people are trying to shoe-horn in their faux-outrage so they can feel offended on behalf of the Thai's... Its a bit pathetic !!! 

 

 

Is this solely your assumption, or the official Thai version? As there are many pseudo experts around, a valid reference is necessary.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, ravip said:

Is this solely your assumption, or the official Thai version? As there are many pseudo experts around, a valid reference is necessary.

 

You're going to have to think better and try harder than that.... 

 

 

[kevozman1]

4 hours ago, norsurin said:

I stop driving in Thailand many years ago.To risky.If i want to go somewhere i take a taxi or with friends cars 

Sometimes BTS if near me.

 

Yes but somewhere like Koh Phangan is fine. I'm not going to ride in urbanized areas or on motorways, but on backwater islands and villages no problem. 

[kevozman1]

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

When not at a beach, I see more Thai folk without shirts on...    usually its the very poor older Thai's guys, so everyone gives them a pass... 

 

On a 'beach-Island' such as Koh Pangnan or somewhere like Koh Samet, I don't think its poor form or 'disrespectful of Thai culture' at all to be shirtless...    but, of course, going into a Bank in those area's is of course impolite. 

 

Also, going shirtless in many cities and towns is of course polite.

 

BUT... it seems with this example, a few people are trying to shoe-horn in their faux-outrage so they can feel offended on behalf of the Thai's... Its a bit pathetic !!! 

 

 

 

Yes they are pathetic but if was spending 24 hours a day in your condo coffin (now with grab deliveries there isn't a need to go out) you may also become delusional and lose touch with reality. One step outside and it's clear we are not in a highly regulated place such as Switzerland or Japan, and even in those places the authorities would turn a blind eye to minor infringements in a backwater touristy area.

[NedR69]

14 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Not only the one wheeled scooter. Since when did we start to go on motorbikes, bicycles and other vehicles shirtless on public roads. Have we really lost our pride, dignity and respect soo much? 

It's illegal to drive in Thailand if you are shirtless.  

[richard_smith237]

16 minutes ago, kevozman1 said:

Yes they are pathetic but if was spending 24 hours a day in your condo coffin (now with grab deliveries there isn't a need to go out) you may also become delusional and lose touch with reality. One step outside and it's clear we are not in a highly regulated place such as Switzerland or Japan, and even in those places the authorities would turn a blind eye to minor infringements in a backwater touristy area.

 

In Bangkok, Chiang Mai etc...  Of course - shirtless is so clearly out of place...  on a chilled beach-Island... less so.. 

 

The same can be said of the South of France, topless women on the beach, but step off the sand and its bikini on,  on the frontage its ok for men to be shirtless... Step back a block and being shirtless is a big no-no...  considered low class... 

 

The same can be said in these areas in Thailand...   Beach fronts etc sure, shirtless is ok.. Riding a motorcycle on island roads, its stupid, but not so culturally insensitive...  drinking or eating outdoors at a beach bar - not a big deal at all... 

In an AC restaurant, no !!...   going to the Bank, the supermarket etc.. no, of course not...    Yet a beach-front 7-11 maybe not so insensitive... 

 

I think there is a 'line' in the sand, but that line varies depending upon how close a person is to the sand... 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

17 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

It's illegal to drive in Thailand if you are shirtless.  

 

Its also illegal to ride without a helmet !!!...        

[richard_smith237]

4 hours ago, norsurin said:

I stop driving in Thailand many years ago.To risky.If i want to go somewhere i take a taxi or with friends cars 

Sometimes BTS if near me.

 

The whole reason I prefer to be the one doing the driving is because of the risk...

 

Think about it - you trust someone with the education of a 12 year old driving you around ???

 

At least you can't fall off a taxi - moto-taxi's I completely avoid.

[still kicking]

5 hours ago, tgw said:

Thai police daring to comment the safety of riding a one-wheeled motorcycle while not acting upon others riding the wrong way, underage driving, 3 or 4 people on motorcycles or without a driving license is pure comedy.

 

[sikishrory]

"If an accident occurs, there is no insurance coverage to rely on"

 

That will be good peice of mind to others. You can rely on insurance thanks to your >1 wheel