I was absolutely mortified at what I witnessed yesterday.

[PopGun]

1 hour ago, Nobbie49 said:

The answer is not a question of law enforcement or increased penalties. The almighty solution is the suppression of the hammered in slavish believe in Karma. It is pumped into every Thai by the teacher, monk or phuyay from a very early age and good luck trying to fight those forces

I, agree.

 

[richard_smith237]

11 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Sooooo, you WANT Thailand to become a western clone culture with fear driven policies on everything- wear a seat belt or get fined, drive 1 km/ hr over the speed limit and get fined/ wear a helmet or get fined etc etc etc.

It's not like the laws of fear stop people beating toddlers to death though.

 

Well, based on your comment - Its apparent there a couple of primary points to be made.

 

#1: For dumb posters not to make such dim gaslighting comments - the idea that advocating for safer roads is the same as wanting 'Thailand to become a Western Clone Culture' is idiotic.

 

#2: You may dislike Thai's and feel perfectly comfortable with so many preventable deaths, however, I like it here, I like the Thai's, I like my Thai family and friends and I hate to see so many unnecessary deaths. 

 

That said, I also get your point alluding the 'nanny culture' of the West - but if you can only argue the dichotomy of extremes, then your points will be flawed -  healthy balance can be achieved while saving lives - but to add to your point; regarding helmet wear, yes, I would see every person riding without a helmet stopped and fined to improve the situation - I would also like to see minimum helmet qualities enforced. 

 

11 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Given the choice of living in LOS as is or living in a regulation obsessed western <deleted> hole where the sheeple live safer but way more miserable lives, and I'll take LOS any time.

 

If you are only capable of seeing the dichotomy of extremes, you're not intellectually prepared for a discussion on the subject.  Making Thailand safe, does not involve turning into into a regulation obsessed wester nation or whichever country is you have run away from.

 

 

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

If you are only capable of seeing the dichotomy of extremes, you're not intellectually prepared for a discussion on the subject.  Making Thailand safe, does not involve turning into into a regulation obsessed wester nation or whichever country is you have run away from.

 

 

If you can't see that imposing western fear based regulations on Thailand will not stop at helmets you are apparently not intellectually prepared for a discussion on the subject.

It begins with helmets and ends with just another western type fear based over regulated <deleted> hole like the ones some of us wanted to leave behind.

 

 

You should take your helmet wearing crusade to the US and lecture the state legislators of the following states, or is it only Thailand that deserves your dictatorship desires concern?

• Illinois
• Iowa
• New Hampshire

https://www.riders-share.com/blog/article/helmet-laws-by-state

[thaibeachlovers]

13 hours ago, Nobbie49 said:

The answer is not a question of law enforcement or increased penalties. The almighty solution is the suppression of the hammered in slavish believe in Karma. It is pumped into every Thai by the teacher, monk or phuyay from a very early age and good luck trying to fight those forces

It astounds me that so many posters on here that apparently like living in LOS want to change the fundamentals of the culture and replace it with some version of <deleted> hole western culture. If they love western culture so much they should go live in one.

 

Thankfully, Thais have as much respect for farangs opinions as they do for soi dog's poop.

[thaibeachlovers]

10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

#1: For dumb posters not to make such dim gaslighting comments - the idea that advocating for safer roads is the same as wanting 'Thailand to become a Western Clone Culture' is idiotic.

Happily you do not dictate what other posters write, though you do express a certain disdain for any that do not conform to your desired dictats.

 

10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

You may dislike Thai's and feel perfectly comfortable with so many preventable deaths, however, I like it here, I like the Thai's, I like my Thai family and friends and I hate to see so many unnecessary deaths. 

I like Thais as much as you, but unlike you I like them the way they are, not as some version of western sheeple. You should stick to telling your Thai family and friends how to live their lives.

 

Thailand is as I wish western countries were, where people take responsibility for their own actions and the nanny state is not dictating everything they can and can not do.

Happily, unless your lot succeed in changing the culture, Thais give the finger salute to western culture and live lives as THEY want to, not as moaning farangs want them to.

[it is what it is]

On 12/7/2024 at 1:27 AM, BarBoy said:

Yesterday, on the way home from the pub (in a taxi), I witnessed a crash between a motorbike and a car. Traffic was backed up for a few minutes and when It was my turn to pass I saw the driver of the bike pick up a baby girl that had been with him on his scooter when it crashed - with no bleeding helmet! 

 

Thankfully the girl was still alive but was crying her eyes out and her leg was covered in blood.

That could easily have been her head.....

 

What is wrong with these people that they are so irresponsible as to not put a helmet on their child's head before driving the bike?

Are they lacking in education, awareness or are they just too damn lazy to do it?

They can afford the bike, so why not a child's helmet from Tesco?

 

I see the same thing day in day out, parents driving bikes at high speed with kids on the front and no crash helmet...

Will the Thai's ever learn?

 

Will the Thai's ever learn?

 

why do you make this a thai thing? i see many westerners riding motorcycles in thailand without helmets. less of the thai bashing please.

[brewsterbudgen]

4 hours ago, it is what it is said:

 

Will the Thai's ever learn?

 

why do you make this a thai thing? i see many westerners riding motorcycles in thailand without helmets. less of the thai bashing please.

 

Some westerners seem to even rejoice in their freedom to ride without a helmet in Thailand!   Cultural and economic excuses can be made for most Thais.  For westerners it's just idiocy!

[quake]

4 hours ago, it is what it is said:

 

Will the Thai's ever learn?

 

why do you make this a thai thing? i see many westerners riding motorcycles in thailand without helmets. less of the thai bashing please.

 

What a laugh.

It was an accident in Thailand, involving Thai people.  that = a Thai thing.

 

What percentage of westerners do you think, don't ware a crash helmet. I reckon less than 10%

And the Thai's ?

Stop foreigner bashing. 

 

 

 

[Yagoda]

6 minutes ago, quake said:

 

What a laugh.

It was an accident in Thailand, involving Thai people.  that = a Thai thing.

 

What percentage of westerners do you think, don't ware a crash helmet. I reckon less than 10%

And the Thai's ?

Stop being a Thai apologist. 

 

Apologist? Only 19 states in the USA have helmet laws for everyone and we have real motorcycles and roads.

 

Nuerosurgeons call it "creating inventory"

[quake]

3 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Apologist? Only 19 states in the USA have helmet laws for everyone and we have real motorcycles and roads.

 

Nuerosurgeons call it "creating inventory"

 

Yes the USA is so relevant in this topic on a Thai forum. yawn,  

 

[Yagoda]

11 minutes ago, quake said:

 

Yes the USA is so relevant in this topic on a Thai forum. yawn,  

 

Well since y'all are complaining about Thai helmet laws LOL

[quake]

8 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Well since y'all are complaining about Thai helmet laws LOL

 

What's,  it got to do with the USA.

This is Thailand. and a Thai forum about people in Thailand.

 

 

 

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, quake said:

 

What's,  it got to do with the USA.

This is Thailand. and a Thai forum about people in Thailand.

 

 

 

Yes and?

[Evil Penevil]

A journalist once asked the coach of the U.S. national wheelchair basketball team how the U.S. was able to consistently field such strong teams for international competition.  He answered with two words, "Motorcycle accidents."

[richard_smith237]

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

21 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

#1: For dumb posters not to make such dim gaslighting comments - the idea that advocating for safer roads is the same as wanting 'Thailand to become a Western Clone Culture' is idiotic.

Happily you do not dictate what other posters write, though you do express a certain disdain for any that do not conform to your desired dictats.

 

Au contraire - I enjoy challenges to my ideas, provided they are rooted in fact, intelligence, or knowledge beyond my own. However, my patience for foolishness is limited, and this often comes through in my remarks.

 

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

21 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

You may dislike Thai's and feel perfectly comfortable with so many preventable deaths, however, I like it here, I like the Thai's, I like my Thai family and friends and I hate to see so many unnecessary deaths. 

I like Thais as much as you, but unlike you I like them the way they are, not as some version of western sheeple. You should stick to telling your Thai family and friends how to live their lives.

 

I prefer see them alive rather than lost needlessly to circumstances that could have been entirely avoided.

 

This is why in these threads I advocate for improved safety measures in these areas rather that throw away flippant remarks such as 'its just the way it is' or 'can't change things'...  or 'TiT (this is Thailand)...  I firmly believe that such efforts would not diminish the depth, colour, or vibrancy of Thai culture in any way. On the contrary, they could enhance the resilience and well-being of communities.

In particular, I would like to see road safety, water safety, and electrical awareness integrated into school curriculums. These areas often account for the highest number of child fatalities, leaving families and communities unnecessarily devastated and fractured. 

 

10 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Thailand is as I wish western countries were, where people take responsibility for their own actions and the nanny state is not dictating everything they can and can not do.

Happily, unless your lot succeed in changing the culture, Thais give the finger salute to western culture and live lives as THEY want to, not as moaning farangs want them to.

 

You've simplified and dichotomised your ideology down to a binary pro-Thailand vs ant-Western stance.  Thailand’s societal dynamics are far more complex than your comment suggests.

The country is not free from state control, as evidenced by strict laws (we cannot discuss), defamation laws, and regulations on public behaviour, which highlight significant government oversight.

While Thai people take pride in their cultural identity, it’s inaccurate to claim they universally reject Western influence. In reality, aspects of Western culture are deeply woven into urban life, from fashion and technology to consumer habits. Rather than outright rejection, Thailand demonstrates a nuanced balance, preserving its traditions while selectively embracing global trends - improvement in safety culture will not impact 'Thai culture' as you see it.

[BarBoy]

26 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Au contraire - I enjoy challenges to my ideas, provided they are rooted in fact, intelligence, or knowledge beyond my own. However, my patience for foolishness is limited, and this often comes through in my remarks.

 

 

I prefer see them alive rather than lost needlessly to circumstances that could have been entirely avoided.

 

This is why in these threads I advocate for improved safety measures in these areas rather that throw away flippant remarks such as 'its just the way it is' or 'can't change things'...  or 'TiT (this is Thailand)...  I firmly believe that such efforts would not diminish the depth, colour, or vibrancy of Thai culture in any way. On the contrary, they could enhance the resilience and well-being of communities.

In particular, I would like to see road safety, water safety, and electrical awareness integrated into school curriculums. These areas often account for the highest number of child fatalities, leaving families and communities unnecessarily devastated and fractured. 

 

 

You've simplified and dichotomised your ideology down to a binary pro-Thailand vs ant-Western stance.  Thailand’s societal dynamics are far more complex than your comment suggests.

The country is not free from state control, as evidenced by strict laws (we cannot discuss), defamation laws, and regulations on public behaviour, which highlight significant government oversight.

While Thai people take pride in their cultural identity, it’s inaccurate to claim they universally reject Western influence. In reality, aspects of Western culture are deeply woven into urban life, from fashion and technology to consumer habits. Rather than outright rejection, Thailand demonstrates a nuanced balance, preserving its traditions while selectively embracing global trends - improvement in safety culture will not impact 'Thai culture' as you see it.

Brilliantly written. 

[fredwiggy]

On 12/9/2024 at 9:50 AM, impulse said:

 

Yes.  That's exactly what I mean.  They offer multi-year loans for a $2000 scooter.  If you can barely afford that, a good helmet may be out of reach.  And a 500 baht plastic beanie is useless.  Probably worse than useless.  Except for getting through police checkpoints.

 

You keep looking at Thai life and the locals through your nanny glasses.

 

It has nothing to do with nanny thinking but care and common sense. If you're going to have children, you make sure you can provide a safe haven for them. No excuses for not wearing a helmet whatsoever. If you can afford a scooter, and kids, you can afford a helmet.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 12/10/2024 at 8:43 PM, richard_smith237 said:

The country is not free from state control, as evidenced by strict laws (we cannot discuss), defamation laws, and regulations on public behaviour, which highlight significant government oversight.

While Thai people take pride in their cultural identity, it’s inaccurate to claim they universally reject Western influence. In reality, aspects of Western culture are deeply woven into urban life, from fashion and technology to consumer habits. Rather than outright rejection, Thailand demonstrates a nuanced balance, preserving its traditions while selectively embracing global trends - improvement in safety culture will not impact 'Thai culture' as you see it.

The country is not free from state control, as evidenced by strict laws (we cannot discuss), defamation laws, and regulations on public behaviour, which highlight significant government oversight.

None of which affected me in any significant way, unlike in the west where I am compelled to fence my swimming pool to protect bad parent's children, can't smack my naughty child and where wokeness is woven into the culture.

 

While Thai people take pride in their cultural identity, it’s inaccurate to claim they universally reject Western influence.

Sadly, Thais seem to have embraced all the worst aspects of western society including sugar and some incursion of wokeness. Thankfully they have not succumbed to allowing foreign ownership of land by individuals, or taking much if any interest in the western obsession with over regulation.

 

improvement in safety culture will not impact 'Thai culture' as you see it.

In your opinion. In mine it's the thin end of the wedge. Start with forcing Thais to wear a crash helmet and it ends with a western clone.

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

If any want to force Thais to wear crash helmets, why stop there? no comments on the appalling road design and lack of maintenance or even cleaning, no demands for them to wear a minimum of gloves ( only riders I saw wearing gloves were m'bike taxi drivers ), but preferably full body armour, and of course, not a whisper about fining parents that allow young children to ride m'bikes and especially with 4 of their friends on board, or the one in the OP, carrying a baby while riding one handed, as I saw myself on occasion.

 

Why stop there anyway? Lets turn Thailand into another western <deleted> hole that we couldn't wait to get away from. Just don't mind the violence and crime that comes with it.