Report Pattaya Motorbike Drivers Protest Strict Helmet Law Fines

[snoop1130]

Photo via Pattaya Mail

 

Motorbike taxi drivers in Pattaya are in uproar over the introduction of steep fines for not wearing helmets. The Royal Thai Police began strictly enforcing Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act on June 1st, which mandates helmet use for both riders and passengers. Violators of this rule are now facing fines up to 2,000 baht, with the penalty doubling to 4,000 baht if a passenger is caught without a helmet.

 

While this crackdown has been largely applauded in Bangkok, where it appears to be successfully implemented in areas like Suthisan and Wang Thonglang with minimal violations, the reaction in Pattaya is starkly different. The law's implementation in this busy tourist destination has proven challenging, as many passengers, unaware of the local law or concerned about using shared helmets for hygiene reasons, often refuse to wear them.

 

Suphon, a 47-year-old motorbike taxi driver, voiced his frustration: “We can’t force customers to wear shared helmets. If we do, they just walk away or don’t take the ride. We lose income either way,” he explained. Suphon and fellow drivers feel the 2,000 baht fine is excessive under the current economic conditions.

 

While acknowledging the importance of safety, Suphon suggested that a more reasonable fine range of 400 to 500 baht would be less punitive for drivers whose livelihoods are already precarious. “We agree that helmets save lives, but 2,000 baht is too much. Right now, people are struggling just to put food on the table,” he added.

 

The sentiment is echoed in Nakhon Ratchasima, where residents report insufficient public awareness about the enforcement of this strict rule. Many claim to have been caught off guard, only learning of the law after being hit with hefty fines.

 

Motorbike taxi drivers across these regions are calling for the government to consider lowering the penalties and enhancing communication about the law to avoid exacerbating economic hardship. They argue that while improving road safety is crucial, the current punitive measures may worsen the financial burdens faced by drivers and could be counterproductive if not paired with educational measures and practical implementation strategies.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-03

 

 

[edwinchester]

"Many claim to have been caught off guard, only learning of the law after being hit with hefty fines."

 

Thais having no idea of the helmet law? Laughing my big fat hairy farang a** off. Biggest  bee ess claim of the day so far.

[bdenner]

IMHO the taxi bikers have a fare (or is it fair) complaint.

BUT --- Not in my worst case transport difficulty would use one OR their shared passenger helmets. Only solution is for the customers to buy an "el cheapo" of there own or they pay the fine.

[anchadian]

deleted

[Upnotover]

Adapt or die.  It's so easy.  Carry a large size helmet and a bag of hotel style shower caps for the sensitive.  The law didn't change only the current enforcement, so likely all back to normal again soon.

[SAFETY FIRST]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

We can’t force customers to wear shared helmets

Thai's just don't like wearing helmets. 

 

I bought my girlfriend a new helmet, she refuses to wear the bloody thing. 😂

 

[Cardano]

And this just shows the pathectic mentality level of the average Thai! arguing that B2000 is too high a price to pay for breaking the law but B400 to B500 is okay. God help this country because Buddha's thrown the towel in.

[richard_smith237]

So typical here... 

 

Oh... "Poor me, I'm a victim because I don't want to follow the law..."   

 

The same thing happened when it was announced by the Police that they will fine drivers of vehicles with people in the flat bed a a pick-up.... (which is against the law) - people protested that the law impacts poor people - the Police did an about turn and announced that its ok (even though its against the law !!!)... 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Suphon, a 47-year-old motorbike taxi driver, voiced his frustration: “We can’t force customers to wear shared helmets. If we do, they just walk away or don’t take the ride. We lose income either way,” he explained. Suphon and fellow drivers feel the 2,000 baht fine is excessive under the current economic conditions.

 

Of course they can... no helmet no ride !!.. thats how they force it, everyone follows the same law.

 

Arguing that a fine to break such a simple law is too much is ridiculous - the very reason the fine exists is to enforce the law.

 

 

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The sentiment is echoed in Nakhon Ratchasima, where residents report insufficient public awareness about the enforcement of this strict rule. Many claim to have been caught off guard, only learning of the law after being hit with hefty fines.

 

Will the same 'idiots' be caught off guard when they enforce no jumping of red lights ?

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Thai's just don't like wearing helmets. 

 

I bought my girlfriend a new helmet, she refuses to wear the bloody thing. 😂

 

 

Its the same with seatbelts...    I won't let the inlaws (or anyone else) in my car without putting their seatbelt on...  yet every week they visit us, they turn up and leave without wearing their seatbelt in their own car.

 

I see the same for so many Thai's here... theoretically well educated - yet go to the SkyLane or a bicycle even and we see them all wearing their $300 bicycle helmets !!.. 

 

 

[NorthernRyland]

Wearing a helmet is good and all but then why ignore the rampant reckless driving? They can't seem to wrap their heads around what safe vs unsafe driving is and even begin to consider how to enforce it. They've literally made zero progress on this in decades and don't even show an interest in trying,

[blaze master]

2 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Thai's just don't like wearing helmets. 

 

I bought my girlfriend a new helmet, she refuses to wear the bloody thing. 😂

 

 

With your 3 hour sessions it might be in her best interest to wear one. To avoid injury of course.

[blaze master]

54 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Thai's here... theoretically well educated -

 

Never underestimate a good quality thai education. 😁

[CallumWK]

3 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Many claim to have been caught off guard, only learning of the law after being hit with hefty fines.

 

Understandable, the law is only in force for a mere 30 years

[quake]

The Thai brain 101. 

Please grow up.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Upnotover said:

Adapt or die.  It's so easy.  Carry a large size helmet and a bag of hotel style shower caps for the sensitive.  The law didn't change only the current enforcement, so likely all back to normal again soon.

 

Indeed..  If people are 'so sensitive' about using a shared helmet  they can carry their own hair-cap thingy...

[ikke1959]

4 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Thai's just don't like wearing helmets. 

 

I bought my girlfriend a new helmet, she refuses to wear the bloody thing. 😂

 

You are right, but they like to wear masks.. That is no problem like that will protect them in an accident

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

You are right, but they like to wear masks.. That is no problem like that will protect them in an accident

 

This has surely been one of Thailand’s most baffling contradictions: the widespread aversion to wearing helmets on motorcycles - yet, in a flash, over-night, face-masks became a national obsession, proudly worn even while zipping through the open air at 60 kph....  A true enigma, if ever there was one....

[watchcat]

7 hours ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Thai's just don't like wearing helmets.

 

Sorry about that, let them die then cant afford a sheap helmet sell your mobile phone then.

[it is what it is]

6 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

Sorry about that, let them die then cant afford a sheap helmet sell your mobile phone then.

 

indeed. priorities.

[it is what it is]

3 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

This has surely been one of Thailand’s most baffling contradictions: the widespread aversion to wearing helmets on motorcycles - yet, in a flash, over-night, face-masks became a national obsession, proudly worn even while zipping through the open air at 60 kph....  A true enigma, if ever there was one....

 

it was indeed a fascinating approach to safety.

[jacko45k]

11 hours ago, bdenner said:

IMHO the taxi bikers have a fare (or is it fair) complaint.

BUT --- Not in my worst case transport difficulty would use one OR their shared passenger helmets. Only solution is for the customers to buy an "el cheapo" of there own or they pay the fine.

And carry it around with them?

I must admit I have recoiled from a few of their helmets in my time, 

[HappyExpat57]

It used to bother me to find myself pulled over in Pattaya for not wearing a helmet then seeing the BiB letting Thais drive on by with no helmets. Then it finally sunk in - TITS. Now, no bother. And I STILL wear a helmet no matter where I go.

 

On a similar but different note, one of the nice things about Chanthaburi - I've been here 3 years and have yet to see any BiB stops of any kind. Most of the people don't wear helmets. More relaxed to say the least.

[mikebell]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

the reaction in Pattaya is starkly different.

They are not used to seeing police working.  Not to worry, it won't last a month or cops will be dropping with exhaustion at the unaccustomed exercise.

[SAFETY FIRST]

13 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Its the same with seatbelts.

It's crazy. 

 

The ex purposely reaches over, clipping her seat belt into the buckle to stop the alarm before driving the car, she then sits over the buckled seat belt. 😂

 

[Ralf001]

12 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Indeed..  If people are 'so sensitive' about using a shared helmet  they can carry their own hair-cap thingy...

 

Disposable hair nets on Lazada.

 

100pcs - Bt.49.00.

[lordgrinz]

14 hours ago, NorthernRyland said:

Wearing a helmet is good and all but then why ignore the rampant reckless driving? They can't seem to wrap their heads around what safe vs unsafe driving is and even begin to consider how to enforce it. They've literally made zero progress on this in decades and don't even show an interest in trying,

 

Maybe they should be reminded that their very own beloved King singed these laws into existence, and for the safety of his people, thus they are disobeying him.

[smedly]

this will have zero impact on the deaths on Thai roads, like I said before - a helmet would have little impact on the majority of mb accidents seen every day on Thai roads, it is carnage and brutal, perhaps a focus on drink driving - speeding - careless driving etc etc would have greater effect, a cheap plastic helmet will do nothing

 

and for the record - I approve of wearing a quality helmet which will do nothing to protect against beinging rear end by a drunk in a pick-up truck

[smedly]

1 hour ago, mikebell said:

They are not used to seeing police working.

are you serious, standing on beach road outside soi 9 is far from proper police work

[kiwikeith]

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo via Pattaya Mail

 

Motorbike taxi drivers in Pattaya are in uproar over the introduction of steep fines for not wearing helmets. The Royal Thai Police began strictly enforcing Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act on June 1st, which mandates helmet use for both riders and passengers. Violators of this rule are now facing fines up to 2,000 baht, with the penalty doubling to 4,000 baht if a passenger is caught without a helmet.

 

While this crackdown has been largely applauded in Bangkok, where it appears to be successfully implemented in areas like Suthisan and Wang Thonglang with minimal violations, the reaction in Pattaya is starkly different. The law's implementation in this busy tourist destination has proven challenging, as many passengers, unaware of the local law or concerned about using shared helmets for hygiene reasons, often refuse to wear them.

 

Suphon, a 47-year-old motorbike taxi driver, voiced his frustration: “We can’t force customers to wear shared helmets. If we do, they just walk away or don’t take the ride. We lose income either way,” he explained. Suphon and fellow drivers feel the 2,000 baht fine is excessive under the current economic conditions.

 

While acknowledging the importance of safety, Suphon suggested that a more reasonable fine range of 400 to 500 baht would be less punitive for drivers whose livelihoods are already precarious. “We agree that helmets save lives, but 2,000 baht is too much. Right now, people are struggling just to put food on the table,” he added.

 

The sentiment is echoed in Nakhon Ratchasima, where residents report insufficient public awareness about the enforcement of this strict rule. Many claim to have been caught off guard, only learning of the law after being hit with hefty fines.

 

Motorbike taxi drivers across these regions are calling for the government to consider lowering the penalties and enhancing communication about the law to avoid exacerbating economic hardship. They argue that while improving road safety is crucial, the current punitive measures may worsen the financial burdens faced by drivers and could be counterproductive if not paired with educational measures and practical implementation strategies.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-03

 

 

Thais I have talked to at the local know about this and wear helmets now, but most Thais driving past are ignoring it,It seems to be only enforced in town, in Hua Hin, they should be fining the idiot bike riders 4k for speeding , riding modified noisy bikes, they are everywhere and mostly young men, 2 have come off in my street in the last 2 weeks, lucky no deaths but bikes badly damaged.

[Cardano]

17 hours ago, Cardano said:

And this just shows the pathectic mentality level of the average Thai! arguing that B2000 is too high a price to pay for breaking the law but B400 to B500 is okay. God help this country because Buddha's thrown the towel in.

To the average Thai person who gave a thumbs down, thank you for proving my point regarding your mentality!!