Report Debate Erupts Over Police Chase in Helmet Incident in Bangkok

[webfact]

Pictures courtesy of THai RAth

 

Social media is alight with debate after Patumwan Police were accused of excessive force during an intense law enforcement incident involving a Grab rider and a passenger without helmets.

 

Recently, a Facebook page shared a video showing an officer pursuing a motorcyclist and passenger, resulting in injuries when they fled a checkpoint.

 

The incident occurred near MBK Centre, where the traffic police allegedly did not establish a formal checkpoint. Instead, they acted upon spotting the passenger without a helmet, leading to a chase and subsequent fall.

 

The affected rider and passenger have filed complaints against the officer involved, questioning the proportionality of his actions.

 

 

The woman's brother revealed that the police intervention led to her head injuries and bruising, while the rider sustained knee abrasions. The officer did summon medical aid and apologised, but the family seeks legal action.

 

The controversy centres on comments questioning the suitability and safety of the police's methods. Taller discussions also encourage motorcyclists and passengers to ensure safety measures, like helmets, are stringently followed.

 

Reports indicate the rider faces fines for traffic violations, although there is criticism over the officer's handling of the situation.

 

The debate underscores the delicate balance between enforcing safety laws and ensuring public trust remains intact.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Rath 2025-06-13

 

 

[ikke1959]

The RTP is on all levels incompetent as a new proof again.. Violence for a ticket is not done.. 

[JoePai]

No helmets, tough - they got what they deserved

[impulse]

35 minutes ago, JoePai said:

No helmets, tough - they got what they deserved

 

Who were they putting at risk by not wearing helmets vs the cops putting everyone at risk with a poorly conducted chase?

 

 

[thesetat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The debate underscores the delicate balance between enforcing safety laws and ensuring public trust remains intact.

I am curious... What public trust is there for the Thai police? 

[petermik]

They refused to stop when requested....their fault 👍

[newbee2022]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Pictures courtesy of THai RAth

 

Social media is alight with debate after Patumwan Police were accused of excessive force during an intense law enforcement incident involving a Grab rider and a passenger without helmets.

 

Recently, a Facebook page shared a video showing an officer pursuing a motorcyclist and passenger, resulting in injuries when they fled a checkpoint.

 

The incident occurred near MBK Centre, where the traffic police allegedly did not establish a formal checkpoint. Instead, they acted upon spotting the passenger without a helmet, leading to a chase and subsequent fall.

 

The affected rider and passenger have filed complaints against the officer involved, questioning the proportionality of his actions.

 

 

The woman's brother revealed that the police intervention led to her head injuries and bruising, while the rider sustained knee abrasions. The officer did summon medical aid and apologised, but the family seeks legal action.

 

The controversy centres on comments questioning the suitability and safety of the police's methods. Taller discussions also encourage motorcyclists and passengers to ensure safety measures, like helmets, are stringently followed.

 

Reports indicate the rider faces fines for traffic violations, although there is criticism over the officer's handling of the situation.

 

The debate underscores the delicate balance between enforcing safety laws and ensuring public trust remains intact.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Rath 2025-06-13

 

 

Thank you RTP.

Arrest or fine all those unlawful helmet less people.

Be careful, some farangs wear Alu-hats. Is this allowed??

[Peterphuket]

At last, there will be stricter action regarding wearing a helmet, and oh, oh, how they will moan again when they refuse to stop and the police still try to apprehend them.

[Henkjan2]

The victims will have no case. A hard lesson though and good for the ignorant public to see.

 

This will eventually lead to more helmets worn, and obviously  less injuries in total. 

[spidermike007]

This would appear to me to be overreach on the part of the cops, they go from no enforcement one day to chasing people down the next and causing an accident, it's pretty idiotic. 

 

The other thing that comes to mind when looking at the replies on this forum, is that there appear to be a lot of older guys who have been sort of out of touch for a while, and perhaps spending too much time at home in their little bubbles, and their hearts seem to be growing smaller and their compassion seems to be disappearing. What is that all about? 

[SS1]

5 hours ago, JoePai said:

No helmets, tough - they got what they deserved

 

It's an interesting logic: wear a helmet to protect your head in case it gets smashed to the ground. Solution: the police will try and crush your head to the ground if no helmet?? 

 

[impulse]

17 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

At last, there will be stricter action regarding wearing a helmet, and oh, oh, how they will moan again when they refuse to stop and the police still try to apprehend them.

 

And exactly how will that improve the quality of your life? 

 

I'd rather see the cops focusing on behaviors that put me and mine at risk.  Like speeding, blowing through red lights, riding on the sidewalks, etc.  If they don't choose to wear a helmet, that's on them.  Has virtually zero impact on the rest of the world.

 

 

[TheRealRobin]

I wear a helmet because I know it could save my life in an accident, but I don’t see why wearing a helmet is the state’s business - except in the case of an underage passenger. 

[JoePai]

14 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

This would appear to me to be overreach on the part of the cops, they go from no enforcement one day to chasing people down the next and causing an accident, it's pretty idiotic. 

 

The other thing that comes to mind when looking at the replies on this forum, is that there appear to be a lot of older guys who have been sort of out of touch for a while, and perhaps spending too much time at home in their little bubbles, and their hearts seem to be growing smaller and their compassion seems to be disappearing. What is that all about? 

 What are you on about ?

[PaoloR]

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The RTP is on all levels incompetent as a new proof again.. Violence for a ticket is not done.. 

They were being chased for their failure to stop at a police check - not for their failure to wear a helmet.

Failure to stop when instructed to may have many reasons (carrying drugs, outstanding warrants etc.). It is considered a far more serious crime in law than failure to wear a helmet and warrants more than a ticket.

[alw22]

Thailand becoming more of a nanny state every day.

 

Let people make their own decisions about their own safety.  Dumb people not wearing a helmet isn't hurting anyone else. 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, JoePai said:

No helmets, tough - they got what they deserved

Exactly.... 

maybe over the top but it is the law.

[Kat Hao]

It's amazing how many people have an opinion about something that has no affect on their lives.  What do you care whether or not someone wears a helmet?  How are you impacted?  

[Thumbs]

When they do stop someone for having no helmet what do they do? Either issue a ticket or some other monetary punishment and then simply allow them to proceed their journey but still not wearing a helmet... zero change to actual road safety has been achieved. 

[loong]

5 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Who were they putting at risk by not wearing helmets vs the cops putting everyone at risk with a poorly conducted chase?

 

 

 

4 hours ago, petermik said:

They refused to stop when requested....their fault 👍

 

What Petermilk said except the rider's fault.

[loong]

4 minutes ago, Kat Hao said:

It's amazing how many people have an opinion about something that has no affect on their lives.  What do you care whether or not someone wears a helmet?  How are you impacted?  

 

If you have an accident with a motorcyclist who dies because of not wearing a helmet, it won't affect you?
I know that even if I was blameless, it would still affect me!

[wensiensheng]

29 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

And exactly how will that improve the quality of your life? 

 

I'd rather see the cops focusing on behaviors that put me and mine at risk.  Like speeding, blowing through red lights, riding on the sidewalks, etc.  If they don't choose to wear a helmet, that's on them.  Has virtually zero impact on the rest of the world.

 

 

I believe that there is a case that is made citing the extra costs the state incurs dealing with accident victims who don’t wear a helmet, the trauma for medical staff who have to deal with head injuries and of course the relatives and friends of people who suffer head injuries.

 

Not to say that the traffic offenses that you list should not be followed up on as well.

[Free the 115]

5 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Who were they putting at risk by not wearing helmets vs the cops putting everyone at risk with a poorly conducted chase?

 

 

Careful dear…….your agenda is showing.

shouldnt the question be, why did they endanger themselves by doing a runner?

if after shoplifting I am chased out into the street and hit by a car, would you. Writing about heavy handed security?

Behave!!

[recom273]

4 hours ago, petermik said:

They refused to stop when requested....their fault 👍

Couldn’t agree more - but it’s a mess. 
 

Trying to enforce a new directive overnight and what purpose does it actually serve. 
 

If they were serious about road safety then they should enforce the law all the time, impound the bike and fine the rider. The laws is fine until someone drops the franchise holder a small bribe to continue on their way, what does that solve? 
 

Police shouldn’t be touching riders or passengers - they have a database of registration, call to the house in the evening and fine the owner of the bike. Everything is so dramatic with these idiots. Surprised no one got shot in the back tbh. 
 

 

[impulse]

20 minutes ago, loong said:

If you have an accident with a motorcyclist who dies because of not wearing a helmet, it won't affect you?
I know that even if I was blameless, it would still affect me!

 

That safety Rubicon is crossed when I share the road with scooters, with or without helmets.

 

[willip]

That's what happens when you increase the police commission by 400%. 

[impulse]

13 minutes ago, Free the 115 said:

if after shoplifting I am chased out into the street and hit by a car, would you. Writing about heavy handed security?

Behave!!

 

There's a victim in shoplifting.  I'd be more forgiving if the cops accidentally injured someone chasing a criminal where there's an actual victim. 

 

To a point, anyway.   I'd definitely object if they started spraying bullets at a fleeing shoplifter.  But that's not what we're talking about.

 

 

[Photoguy21]

It was their fault they had an accident. It would never have happened had they worn helmets. If you can afford the bike you can afford a helmet.

[Tubulat]

At last, action is being taken against not wearing a helmet, hopefully they will also start paying attention to the use of a mobile phone while driving, which is also getting out of hand.

[Photoguy21]

38 minutes ago, alw22 said:

Thailand becoming more of a nanny state every day.

 

Let people make their own decisions about their own safety.  Dumb people not wearing a helmet isn't hurting anyone else. 

That is fine except when they have an accident hospitals and medical staff have to take care of them.