Report Expat Confusion Grows as Thailand Cracks Down on Helmet Law Violations

[impulse]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

You’re still struggling with this one I see…

… exactly how many head impacts have there been ?

 

…. use a flagfall taxi, GRAB, BOLT, InDrive, a songthaew, a TukTuk…

 

If I used a flagfall taxi from my apartment to the office, it would have been a 15-30 minute ride, depending on the light at Sukhumvit.  I tried it.  Scooter taxis got me there in about 2 minutes, because they could make a wonky turn that a car can't.  I also tried walking, but that was even dodgier because there's no sidewalk for half of the 1km route. 

 

 

 

[wensiensheng]

11 minutes ago, jwl53 said:

I've never seen or come across a helmet that will.make a motorbike rider drive safer, what it will do is give the rider a greater sense of security making them drive even more recklessly 

It will be interesting in a few weeks to see a breakdown of the stat numbers falang v thai fines, my moneys on more falang fines all day long

That’s a straw man’s argument. A helmet isn’t designed to make people RIDE more safely, it’s designed to reduce head injuries in the event of a crash.

 

And sorry, I can’t help but laugh at your assertion that wearing a helmet makes people ride a motorbike more recklessly. That one is a bit of a stretch.

[connda]

2 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

The cynic in me says that this is about increasing police revenue.

Yep - that's exactly what it's about.  But still, it is what it is.  I've rode MC for a whole lot of years.  I don't ride without a helmet.  Well, I have a few times, but I always feel very uncomfortable when I do.  So I wear one.  If you don't want to wear one - up to you.  Just have the fine handy and don't complain if you're caught.  

[connda]

1 minute ago, wensiensheng said:

That’s a straw man’s argument. A helmet isn’t designed to make people RIDE more safely, it’s designed to reduce head injuries in the event of a crash.

 

And sorry, I can’t help but laugh at your assertion that wearing a helmet makes people ride a motorbike more recklessly. That one is a bit of a stretch.

Baloney.  If you ride without a helmet?  Fine.  Your head.  No doubt you are a very very safe driver, 'eh?  Bet you don't wear a seat-belt either and use the same excuse. Right? 

[wensiensheng]

7 minutes ago, connda said:

Yep - that's exactly what it's about.  But still, it is what it is.  I've rode MC for a whole lot of years.  I don't ride without a helmet.  Well, I have a few times, but I always feel very uncomfortable when I do.  So I wear one.  If you don't want to wear one - up to you.  Just have the fine handy and don't complain if you're caught.  

Who said I don’t wear a helmet? Certainly I made no mention of such a thing. So I’m not sure why you felt the need to lecture me on the issue.

[wensiensheng]

1 minute ago, connda said:

Baloney.  If you ride without a helmet?  Fine.  Your head.  No doubt you are a very very safe driver, 'eh?  Bet you don't wear a seat-belt either and use the same excuse. Right? 

I’m not sure you are even reading my posts before replying to me. Which makes any further discourse pointless.

[NoDisplayName]

24 minutes ago, Artisi said:

that's tough isn't it, you're in their country so learn to live with it.

 

I wear a helmet riding a bicycle, so I can and do live with it.

 

Tens of thousands die on the roads each year NOT wearing helmets.  Those are the ones that could have lived with it.

[JaxxBKK]

5 hours ago, impulse said:

 

What if you have 90% chance of getting nits and cooties vs 1 in a million chance of getting a splattered brain? 

 

Then, what do you do with the helmet when you're not on the scooter taxi?  Do you carry it around all day?

 

I wore one when I was scooter taxiing between home and office because I had a place to put it on both ends.  But not going point A to point B where I had no place to store a decent (spelled e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e) helmet.  And the plastic crap on offer are less than useless.

 

 

Fair point. I'mdoubting many farang riding on win get tickets for no helmet.

 

That's why better to live, play near proper transport. Even Pattaya and huahin there are songteaw lines running about.

[ikke1959]

6 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

If you read the article, the "confusion" is about sidecars.

A motorcycle is a motorcycle even with a sidecar, icecream sidecar or whatever they are selling or transporting.. Only this crackdown will jot do much as there is a holiday  and 3 June so less policemen  and after that they won't do it anymore.. Crackdowns don't last weeks.. In other countries it is possible to let people wear helmets on motorcycles, here it is only possible to let people wear masks....It is the RTP that doesn't do their job

[zepplin]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo courtesy of Triptipedia

 

Thailand’s latest initiative to enforce stricter motorcycle helmet regulations is creating a stir among residents and tourists. Starting 1 June, the "Safe Roads Project", spearheaded by Thai traffic police, aims to curb road accidents by imposing a heftier fine of up to 2,000 baht for those caught without a helmet.

 

This campaign zeroes in on high-risk areas, especially around schools, to foster adherence to traffic laws.

The new mandate requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets at all times, without exceptions based on travel distance or location.

 

This move addresses Thailand’s troubling road injury rates, which heavily involve motorcycle users. Notably, the change quadruples the previous penalty, reflecting the government's commitment to road safety.

 

This revised law has left some expatriates puzzled. A post on Reddit by a foreign resident highlights a debate over whether Thailand's helmet law applies to motorcycles with sidecars, known as saleng. The post details a playful argument with his Thai wife, who contends that the configuration of a saleng exempts passengers from wearing helmets, while he insists it shares the same legal status as traditional motorcycles.

 

So far, the Royal Thai Police have not made any special provisions for saleng configurations, suggesting the same helmet rules apply to all motorcycle types. This lack of distinction underlines an important aspect of the new regulation, its simplicity and broad application.

 

The authorities are focusing efforts on regions notorious for traffic breaches or mishaps, stepping up patrols and checkpoints to catch repeat offenders. With motorcyclists making up a significant portion of road casualties, this campaign signifies a crucial step in addressing Thailand’s road safety challenges head-on.

 

In conclusion, this strict enforcement of helmet laws is a strategic attempt to reduce road fatalities, targeting compliance through hefty fines and heightened police vigilance. As Thailand aims to protect its residents and visitors, it underscores the importance of safety over convenience on its bustling roads.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-31

 

 

 

10 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo courtesy of Triptipedia

 

Thailand’s latest initiative to enforce stricter motorcycle helmet regulations is creating a stir among residents and tourists. Starting 1 June, the "Safe Roads Project", spearheaded by Thai traffic police, aims to curb road accidents by imposing a heftier fine of up to 2,000 baht for those caught without a helmet.

 

This campaign zeroes in on high-risk areas, especially around schools, to foster adherence to traffic laws.

The new mandate requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear helmets at all times, without exceptions based on travel distance or location.

 

This move addresses Thailand’s troubling road injury rates, which heavily involve motorcycle users. Notably, the change quadruples the previous penalty, reflecting the government's commitment to road safety.

 

This revised law has left some expatriates puzzled. A post on Reddit by a foreign resident highlights a debate over whether Thailand's helmet law applies to motorcycles with sidecars, known as saleng. The post details a playful argument with his Thai wife, who contends that the configuration of a saleng exempts passengers from wearing helmets, while he insists it shares the same legal status as traditional motorcycles.

 

So far, the Royal Thai Police have not made any special provisions for saleng configurations, suggesting the same helmet rules apply to all motorcycle types. This lack of distinction underlines an important aspect of the new regulation, its simplicity and broad application.

 

The authorities are focusing efforts on regions notorious for traffic breaches or mishaps, stepping up patrols and checkpoints to catch repeat offenders. With motorcyclists making up a significant portion of road casualties, this campaign signifies a crucial step in addressing Thailand’s road safety challenges head-on.

 

In conclusion, this strict enforcement of helmet laws is a strategic attempt to reduce road fatalities, targeting compliance through hefty fines and heightened police vigilance. As Thailand aims to protect its residents and visitors, it underscores the importance of safety over convenience on its bustling roads.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-31

 

 

On Samui , the police are far too lazy to actually put up a check point!  Havnt seen one for 7 years in Lamai! Definitely not worried about any crackdown here at all! 

[Captor]

6 hours ago, LennyW said:

Salengs have been illegal for many years but..........

Yeah, see the first post/article in this newsletter....

[impulse]

3 minutes ago, zepplin said:

On Samui , the police are far too lazy to actually put up a check point!  Havnt seen one for 7 years in Lamai! Definitely not worried about any crackdown here at all! 

  

Dang, man.  Don't jinx it.  Or you may get caught up in one tomorrow.  And it'll be on the one day you don't have your helmet.

 

[newbee2022]

7 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

long will this crack down last?? 1 week?

Hopefully for ever. 

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, cdemundo said:

Saw that.

I seldom see a motorcycle with a sidecar.

Are they very common?

 

Yes, certainly where I lived up in rural north of Thailand. Often used to take local children to school, family members shopping etc. This stock photo was taken in Narathiwat.

 

[PETERTHEEATER]

6 hours ago, Rooo said:

I thought / understood that salengs are not approved. You can;t register one, you have to remove before registering bike. 

A majority of Salaengs are aftermarket attachments. If a motorcycle is so modified it has to be inspected at the Traffic Office of the local Land Department and re-registered as a combination which is recorded in the Tabien Roht (Vehicle Registration book). I think a different rate of road tax is aplied.

 

The reality is that motorcycle owners buy a locally made 'sidecar' and have it attached in order to transport additional passengers or cargo and do not re- register it.

 

Very few of the motorcycle models on sale in Thailand are structurally adequate for the additional loads imposed by a loaded sidecar which means they would not pass any formal re-registration bid.

 

The above comments are personal understanding and are based on over fifty years experience with Thailand. 

[WHansen]

41 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

jwl53 said:

I've never seen or come across a helmet that will.make a motorbike rider drive safer

 

42 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

That’s a straw man’s argument. A helmet isn’t designed to make people RIDE more safely, it’s designed to reduce head injuries in the event of a crash.

I think jwl53 was referring to the way the article is worded....

Starting 1 June, the "Safe Roads Project", spearheaded by Thai traffic police, aims to curb road accidents by imposing a heftier fine of up to 2,000 baht for those caught without a helmet.

[IsaanT]

7 hours ago, cdemundo said:

Saw that.

I seldom see a motorcycle with a sidecar.

Are they very common?

They are in the rural areas.  They carry straw bales, farm implements, gas cylinders, whatever you can fit in or on it, really.

I can understand they aren't common in the city environments...

[Stuart dunsmore]

We in the UK have to wear a helmet, so why should Thailand be any different? Fact is if you are involved in an accident and bang your scull on the road, chances are you WILL DIE. 

[3NUMBAS]

Ask an ambulance man about head trauma from no helmet users 

[IvorBiggun2]

There ain't a cat's chance in hell that  the police will enforce the law in the village where I live. To do that it would mean them fining friends and family members due to them living amongst the locals. Also if the laws were enforced the place would come to a stop. Children wouldn't be able to go to school and farmhands wouldn't be able work which basically would affect everyone.

[Thingamabob]

No idea why this causes any confusion. Simply, whether a driver or passenger, wear a helmet at all times.

[Magictoad]

7 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Down here in Phuket they are, also many food carts use them 

Aren't they different from a passenger

"saleng". They have food in.

[arick]

8 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

and how about the RTP themselves?? I see many driving a motorcycle with a baseball cap or another kind of cap... and clear again fines up to 2000 THB.. That will be for foreigners and Thais 300??? and how long will this crack down last?? 1 week?

Thais 300 it can be as low as 200

[Thingamabob]

7 hours ago, smedly said:

motorbike taxi's are an issue, helmets are an issue due to the quality and cleanliness

 

So take a cab.

[eastlight]

6 hours ago, impulse said:

 

What if you have 90% chance of getting nits and cooties vs 1 in a million chance of getting a splattered brain? 

 

Then, what do you do with the helmet when you're not on the scooter taxi?  Do you carry it around all day?

 

I wore one when I was scooter taxiing between home and office because I had a place to put it on both ends.  But not going point A to point B where I had no place to store a decent (spelled e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e) helmet.  And the plastic crap on offer are less than useless.

 

What's this scooter taxi?

[Thingamabob]

6 hours ago, impulse said:

 

What if you have 90% chance of getting nits and cooties vs 1 in a million chance of getting a splattered brain? 

 

Then, what do you do with the helmet when you're not on the scooter taxi?  Do you carry it around all day?

 

I wore one when I was scooter taxiing between home and office because I had a place to put it on both ends.  But not going point A to point B where I had no place to store a decent (spelled e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e) helmet.  And the plastic crap on offer are less than useless.

 

Again, take a cab.

[cynic1]

It's just revenue raising and more so for the higher fat RTP  above the RTP issuing the  fines for tea money. They must need more money to pay of their  Mercedes. Greed is good in Thailand they believe. Bugger the road deaths they think!

[Reddavy]

8 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Not sure why expats are confused. Just wear a helmet, simple as that. 

Simple. Because they see thais driving around with no helmet every day and never get stopped by the corrupt police. 

[ChipButty]

[JaxxBKK]

7 hours ago, impulse said:

And the plastic crap on offer are less than useless.

 

Agreed. But they serve the purpose of not getting pulled over, hassled and fined no?