Do you wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle in Thailand?

[brewsterbudgen]

I find it astonishing that so many foreigners ride motorbikes here at all!  Crazy.

[richard_smith237]

16 hours ago, rattlesnake said:

Regarding the jacket, do you choose a particular material to make it bearable with the heat? Even a zip-up sweater makes me feel very uncomfortable. Maybe it's just a case of getting used to it…

 

I have the Rev'it Airwave jacket - so its 'fairly breathable' and has airflow through when moving.

But its still too hot. I also have the back protector inserted into it.

 

There is no getting used to the heat when riding... I'm too hot when riding in 'just a t-shirt' and I'm a little more hot when riding in the Jacket...    I used the car and sit in AC mostly these days anyway...  the bike is for convenience just when needed.

[richard_smith237]

13 hours ago, MalcolmB said:

18 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

So what?  Doesn't surprise me, neither does it surprise me that you seem to think that because most people in your meaningless AN-member "poll" do it, that makes intoxicated driving ok.

What makes it ok is that I never hurt anyone. 
And never have. 

 

Yet.... 

[MangoKorat]

Wouldn't go out without one on my ER6.  I must admit though, that I do sometimes (March/April) cover the 1km to the 7/11 on my Scoopy without a helmet.  Yes I know there's still some risk but I doubt I go any faster than 40kmh and there is very little traffic on that road. I wouldn't go faster/further.

 

I find that a modular helmet is a good idea for dealing with the heat when stationery or in slow traffic etc.

[PopGun]

On 12/7/2024 at 7:08 AM, FolkGuitar said:

I won't ride without a helmet, a GOOD full-face helmet with the strap fastened!

We see too many chalk marks on the roads. I can replace a leg, or replace a hand.

I can't replace a head.

Are you some sort of reptilian. 🐊🦎

[EVENKEEL]

Shorts, flipflop, hat on backwards on the Scoopy. This is a small fishing village. Steel toed boots, armored jacket, double front carharht pants on 1200 cc bike riding to Pattaya. 

[arick]

I never wear helmet because I just ride from my home to the village and I never drive a motorbike anywhere else I always have my truck.

[newbee2022]

On 12/7/2024 at 12:00 PM, khunJam said:

It is amazing how many farangs I see speeding and zigzagging through traffic with and without a helmet. Even with a helmet survival is not guaranteed and if it’s a heavy well insulated helmet the weight will break your neck and if it’s a flimsy Thai helmet it will jar your brain. So hey there you speedsters why risk being stupid when you can live another day.

Unfortunately there is no helmet to prevent you from stupidity 

 

[bluemoon58]

Only my personal opinion but, I think anyone who doesn't wear a helmet is stark raving mad! There's many many expats where I live that don't and it seems like a badge of honour to them. Look at me, I do what the f*** I want! 

[The Old Bull]

I don't wear one going to the village shop for a pack of smokes but put one on when I go to town.

[NoshowJones]

On 12/7/2024 at 1:08 PM, Keep Right said:

Interesting poll and I am shocked that 28% do not wear a helmet in Thailand. I would really like to know why this is and whether these people have a death wish. Comment please.

Most of that 28% if not all, will probably have tattoos, so that means a low IQ.

[SAFETY FIRST]

On 12/7/2024 at 1:08 PM, Keep Right said:

Interesting poll and I am shocked that 28% do not wear a helmet in Thailand. I would really like to know why this is and whether these people have a death wish. Comment please.

Just the crowd Thailand attracts, idiots. 

 

Soi Buakhou, you hardly see a foreigner wearing a helmet. Perhaps it's the bar girls to blame yelling out 'sexy man' etc., these brainless guys think that the girls are fair dinkum. 😂

 

[NedR69]

Helmets don't work if they aren't worn correctly...it'll fly off and go bouncing down the highway like your unprotected gourd. 

 

Buckle it securely, with two fingers max between chin and strap.

[henryford1958]

Hard to get a balanced response as most of the ones who don't wear helmets are dead.

[kingstonkid]

On 12/7/2024 at 11:46 AM, MalcolmB said:

It seems every week we have a fellow Brit in the news here and back at home doing a GOFUNDME because of having a motorcycle accident in Thailand.

And of course most anccidents are not reported at all. 
Often the injuries in many cases would have been less severe if they were wearing a helmet.

 

Do you wear a helmet, or do you just go with the flow and When in Rome?

 

Your survey left one area out.  I never wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, BUT the only time I am on a bike is as a passenger for a motorcycle taxi  doing short trips.

 

 

[richard_smith237]

3 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

Most of that 28% if not all, will probably have tattoos, so that means a low IQ.

 

It seems likely that the same fools who admitted to driving under the influence in another post are participating here as well.

 

Some contributors appear to consistently seek validation, trying to reassure themselves that their poor judgement aligns with a broader norm. Unfortunately, these polls often seem to confirm the assumption that there are far more idiots around us than we anticipated. 

[brewsterbudgen]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

 

Your survey left one area out.  I never wear a helmet when on a motorcycle, BUT the only time I am on a bike is as a passenger for a motorcycle taxi  doing short trips.

 

 

Why on earth don't you wear a helmet when using a motorcycle taxi?? Do you have a death wish?

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

It seems likely that the same fools who admitted to driving under the influence in another post are participating here as well.

 

Some contributors appear to consistently seek validation, trying to reassure themselves that their poor judgement aligns with a broader norm. Unfortunately, these polls often seem to confirm the assumption that there are far more idiots around us than we anticipated. 

Well it is good to know that if I ever get done for drink driving I can just call you up to sort it out with your corrupt police friends.

 

It is good how connections work in Thailand. Bet you never did that back in the UK.

[IsaanT]

Out here in rural Thailand, hardly anyone wears a helmet around the villages, me included.  However, if I'm heading out of the local area on the big bike, I wear one every time because I'll be exceeding the 40kph that I might do locally on the scooter.

If I resided in Pattaya, Phuket or Bangkok, I'd wear one every time because traffic density is immensely greater there (we only get traffic density if there is a queue at the one traffic light in the district).

 

I am happy to state that in the UK I had advanced driving licences (IAM) for bikes and cars.  I am also MENSA level IQ so not daft (and don't have tattoos).  I know how to ride assertively but defensively and I appear to possess levels of anticiption far in excess of local Thais.  In short, I'm content with my ability to avoid trouble, even Thais.

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, IsaanT said:

Out here in rural Thailand, hardly anyone wears a helmet around the villages, me included.  However, if I'm heading out of the local area on the big bike, I wear one every time because I'll be exceeding the 40kph that I might do locally on the scooter.

 

I am happy to state that in the UK I had advanced driving licences (IAM) for bikes and cars.  I am also MENSA level IQ so not daft.  I know how to ride assertively but defensively and I appear to possess levels of anticiption far in excess of local Thais.  In short, I'm content with my ability to avoid trouble, even Thais.

 

 

 

+1

[kingstonkid]

23 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Why on earth don't you wear a helmet when using a motorcycle taxi?? Do you have a death wish?

 

Simple what am I supposed to do with the helmet carry it around with me all day?  How many people do you see on the BTS carrying helmets>  How many people do you see carrying a helmet when they take a Motor taxi

 

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

4 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

 

Simple what am I supposed to do with the helmet carry it around with me all day?  How many people do you see on the BTS carrying helmets>  How many people do you see carrying a helmet when they take a Motor taxi

 

 

 

Motorcycle taxis should carry a spare helmet.  At least they do in Bangkok.  

[kingstonkid]

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Motorcycle taxis should carry a spare helmet.  At least they do in Bangkok.  

 

Some do and some don't.  Most don't

[Jack Batty]

Even if it’s to go around the corner to 7-11. 

[OneMoreFarang]

On 12/7/2024 at 11:46 AM, MalcolmB said:

Often the injuries in many cases would have been less severe if they were wearing a helmet.

 

The question is obviously also what kind of helmet. It seems there are many 100B "helmets" in Thailand which are maybe good enough to keep the parts of a head together in one place. But with no impact resistance at all.

 

One problem with wearing a decent helmet in Thailand is where to put it. Do you want to put it in one of those ugly big boxes on a bike? Or chain it to the bike?

 

And obviously, it's hot. And it's so nice to have the wind blowing in your hair... 

Apart from that, 95% of the time I use a helmet. 

 

[MalcolmB]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Some contributors appear to consistently seek validation, trying to reassure themselves that their poor judgement aligns with a broader norm.

You don’t seem to be able to think for yourself.

 

If these drivers have never had an incident then I think that they have very good judgement.

 

So you have worn your helmet and leathers and your little boots hundreds of times? 
Have you ever had an accident where they have actually saved you? Or, it reality never, so it is fair to say it was a complete waste of time and money? You would have been ok anyway. 
As are your in laws that you were criticizing.

 

 

 

[Pilot3Boz]

Absolutely every time I ride my motorcycle I have helmet, jacket and gloves.. if long ride Pants and boots are worn as well!!! 

[quake]

1 hour ago, kingstonkid said:

 

Some do and some don't.  Most don't

 

Had the same thing happen last time i was in pattaya.

Went to use motor cycle taxi, agreed price, he put his crash hat on , i say where is my crash hat.

he said no have, it no problem, ok,  give me your one.

he said ok, so jobs a good-un.

Only thing is,  it stank,

But better he smashed his head in,  in an accident,  rather then mine.

 

 

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

17 minutes ago, quake said:

 

Had the same thing happen last time i was in pattaya.

Went to use motor cycle taxi, agreed price, he put his crash hat on , i say where is my crash hat.

he said no have, it no problem, ok,  give me your one.

he said ok, so jobs a good-un.

Only thing is,  it stank,

But better he smashed his head in,  in an accident,  rather then mine.

 

 

 

 

If a motorbike taxi gets stopped at a police check and the passenger is helmet-less, who gets fined?

[quake]

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

If a motorbike taxi gets stopped at a police check and the passenger is helmet-less, who gets fined?

No idea,