Scottish holidaymaker’s scooter disaster in Koh Pha Ngan

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Ferry Samui

 

by Bob Scott

A Scottish holidaymaker’s volunteering quest to mend his broken heart took a disastrous turn on the sunny tropical island of Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand. In what was meant to be a soul-soothing retreat at an animal sanctuary, Paul McDonald found himself embroiled in a terrifying traffic drama after a high-speed scooter crash left him bruised, battered, and toothless.

 

The 33 year old former care worker had set out on a seemingly mundane excursion to a nearby supermarket on November 11 when disaster struck. Riding a rented scooter along Thailand’s sun-drenched roads, the Scot’s journey descended into chaos when another scooter appeared from nowhere, hurtling towards him without warning. The collision that ensued sent him flying over his handlebars, rendering him unconscious on the warm asphalt.

 

In an era where everything is captured digitally, McDonald’s ordeal was no exception. Midway through a TikTok livestream, thousands unwittingly witnessed his serenity shatter into a blood-curdling scream, moments before his phone met the tarmac.

 

When he finally regained consciousness, bandaged and bewildered, the terrifying reality of his situation sank in: he was in hospital, minus two teeth, with a gaping wound on his upper lip now stitched up and a daunting financial black hole yawning before him.

Despite insisting faulty brakes were the real culprits behind the crash, McDonald was forced to dig deep into his pockets, shelling out a shocking £700 (31,000 baht) in damage and compensation costs to the other driver.

 

Adding insult to injury, his travel insurance deemed his hefty £800 (35,000 baht) medical expenses unworthy of coverage, plunging him further into financial despair. Within just one week, Paul’s trip expense budget—intended to last two whole months—vanished, prompting desperate pleas for help from his sister back home.

 

“It was meant to be a dream trip. Just 30 seconds ruined everything.”

 

Picture courtesy of Kennedy News and Media

Determined to share his experience and prevent similar tragedies, McDonald uploaded the collision footage to TikTok, issuing a pivotal warning: “This is your sign not to get a scooter in Thailand.”

 

The harrowing clip attracted over 5,000 views, resonating with empathetic netizens. Yet the grim reality remains prominent— McDonald’s initial quest for personal healing is now a logistical and emotional quagmire.

The trip to Thailand was not merely a holiday for McDonald but a retreat from grief. He had travelled to volunteer at local dog shelters, seeking solace after losing his cherished Staffordshire bull terrier, Lola, who had been his loyal companion for 13 years. However, his journey of catharsis was abruptly cut short, replaced by frequent and arduous hospital visits for ongoing treatment.

 

McDonald’s reticence about scooters now couldn’t be clearer. The miserable experience has sworn him off Thai scooters for good, blaming mechanical failures.

 

Raising initial concerns about the scooter’s elusive squeaky brakes, McDonald was reassured it was “just the rain.” Nevertheless, his inner voice of reason was overwrought with the clanging bells of doubt—a doubt that materialised too late.

 

As if his new dental imperfections and daily hospital treks weren’t enough, a final unsettling episode occurred at the local police station.

 

Picture courtesy of Kennedy News and Media

Engrossed in a challenging negotiation mired by language barriers, the Scot faced demands that threatened his very freedom. Cambridgeshire Live reported his passport hung precariously in the balance as he scrambled to comply with financial obligations.

 

“What choice did I have? Without paying, I risked being stranded.”

McDonald’s chilling caution to fellow wanderers is to cherish safety above all else. In countries where traffic rules are often fluid suggestions rather than strict guidelines, complacency can quickly usher in calamity.

 

“The roads can be dangerously unpredictable. Nobody thinks it’ll be their turn until it is.”

 

Presently, with dentition to mend and health to reclaim, McDonald’s focus remains on recovery. Dentists and doctors, now frequent fixtures in his travel diary, overshadow previous plans of adventure and exploration. The notion of extending his Thai adventure lingers in the periphery, yet any idyllic notions about carefree scooter rides have dissipated entirely.

 

Tourist Police Thailand has been contacted for comment on the incident, though McDonald’s tale already encapsulates a vivid lesson for holidaymakers: the allure of adventure is undeniable, yet vigilance must be the steadfast companion on these foreign roads.

 

Picture courtesy of Kennedy News and Media

 

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-11-29

 

 

[FritsSikkink]

Don't live stream on TikTok with your phone while driving would be a good start.

[Upnotover]

Fool.

[roo860]

Minus a few teeth, he'll fit in well back in Jockland.

[Robin]

he is not the first and will not be the last holiday maker to  discover that riding a hired Thai bike can be dangerous.  There are enough warnings, so why did he think he was immune to any dangers?

Insurance companies are not stupid; they do not cover m/c riding, they know what the consequences are.

[Classic Ray]

They should print off the picture of his bandaged body and stick it up in every scooter hire shop. Might make people think twice.

[Tarteso]

53 minutes ago, webfact said:

He had travelled to volunteer at local dog shelters,

Any dog will love you with these pictures..

Any way, hope recover soon. 👍

[Dave0206]

I should imagine his bills do not end there I should imagine rental company will want there pound of flesh. At moment £1500 is derailing a 2 month holiday mmm lot of thought went into that budget 😳 

[tgw]

where's the video ?

[wensiensheng]

Like most these stories I don’t really understand the details of the accident. 
 

Another motorbike came hurtling out of nowhere and hit him? Oh,  but he was live-streaming a tik tok video at the time. And he also blames faulty brakes….on his bike presumably. makes no sense whatsoever.
 

Hope he gets better but, dude, these days who DOESNT know riding a motorbike in Thailand is dangerous?

[bbbbooboo]

1 hour ago, FritsSikkink said:

Don't live stream on TikTok with your phone while driving would be a good start.

hmm… crossed my mind too. Maybe it’s too obvious for some people?

[Kwaibill]

A couple of questions come to mind:

What is his previous experience with motor bikes and;

Did he even read his “ insurance” policy?

My experience included being asked to participate in motorcycle safety training education back home, presumably because I was still alive after years of accident free riding, and also having a decent “ accident” insurance policy which has seen me through a fractured pelvis and broken shoulder… not bike related. My wife enrolled me because “health insurance” per se is simply not possible here.” Oh, you diabetes? Sorry, cannot.”.

[richard_smith237]

18 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Like most these stories I don’t really understand the details of the accident. 
 

Another motorbike came hurtling out of nowhere and hit him? Oh,  but he was live-streaming a tik tok video at the time. And he also blames faulty brakes….on his bike presumably. makes no sense whatsoever.
 

Hope he gets better but, dude, these days who DOESNT know riding a motorbike in Thailand is dangerous?

 

Reading the article & somewhat between the lines.

 

1) He was riding a rented scooter and live-streaming

2) He someone how ended up in the path of an other scooter hurtling towards him (head on?) 

3) He was unable to brake in time (blaming faulty brakes)

4) His insurance didn't cover him (possibly unlicensed to ride a bike)

5) He paid compensation to the other rider, indicating the accident was his fault (or corrupt police)

... thus, possibly while life streaming he departed his lane into the path of another motorcycle. 

 

 

 

[kiwikeith]

1 hour ago, Robin said:

he is not the first and will not be the last holiday maker to  discover that riding a hired Thai bike can be dangerous.  There are enough warnings, so why did he think he was immune to any dangers?

Insurance companies are not stupid; they do not cover m/c riding, they know what the consequences are.

Yesterday I saw two falungs with passengers on their bike, young guys clowning around on the canal Rd, so dumb and stupid they obviously dont know how dangerous bike riding is in LOS>

This story is not well written it sounds like he was not at fault he was hit by another bike, or he ran a red, the article needs to be written clearly.

[Ralf001]

Dunbarach !

[sanabavy IV]

This guy acted really like a Thai, deserves citizenship (of honor at least)

Edited 3 minutes ago by sanabavy IV

[tgw]

17 minutes ago, kiwikeith said:

Yesterday I saw two falungs with passengers on their bike, young guys clowning around on the canal Rd, so dumb and stupid they obviously dont know how dangerous bike riding is in LOS>

This story is not well written it sounds like he was not at fault he was hit by another bike, or he ran a red, the article needs to be written clearly.

 

anytime I read "falung" in a post I ready myself for some eccentricities

[metisdead]

Some posts with denigrating comments on the news article have been removed:

 

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