On a 125 I have never fallen off or had a crash in40,years on Thai roads from Phuket to nongkhai 

7 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Thank you for your reply. Well thought through and nothing to bicker about. You know a great deal about the roads. 

 

I think the solution is just getting farang off the bikes in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. Outside these provinces maybe more lenient , but we also read of deaths upcountry. 

 

1 Close the rental shops

2 Only O visa holders

 

I don’t really fit into any of the categories you mentioned.
I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was seven years old. In Thailand, I’ve owned two pickups and two motorcycles and ridden many more rental bikes. I hold a full UK motorcycle licence and previously had a Thai motorcycle licence as well. I’ve also held a Thai car licence for more than 20 years.

I’ve never had an O visa — mine was a B visa for over 20 years.

That said, I agree that foreigners are becoming a growing part of Thailand’s road casualty figures. Unfortunately, the authorities have never collected detailed statistics by nationality, which makes it difficult to get a clear picture.

 

However, Thailand is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (since May 2020). This treaty — recognised by 91 countries — ensures that properly licensed foreign drivers can legally drive in the Kingdom. However, Thailand does not recognise “small bike” or moped categories in the treaty (like 125cc step-throughs). To ride any motorcycle here, you must hold a full motorcycle licence.

 

It’s also worth noting that after 90 days in Thailand, you’re expected to have a Thai driving licence rather than relying on a foreign licence or IDP. Many insurance companies will not cover you on an IDP after this period.
As for closing rental companies—that’s simply not a realistic or helpful solution. It’s a huge industry, and the real issue is enforcement, not availability.
•    Rental shops often fail to check proper documentation. The authorities have said they’ll prosecute, but enforcement remains weak.
•    Most rental insurance is the legal minimum — which is almost worthless.
•    Mechanical and safety checks are often minimal, and some larger bikes are grey imports or rebuilt write-offs.

 

Education is also a big part of the problem. Many visitors don’t know Thai traffic laws, road conditions, or safety expectations (like helmet use and lane discipline).

 

All of this feeds into Thailand’s wider road safety crisis, which is ultimately a national public health issue.

So in conclusion—while I understand your concern, I don’t think your ideas are practical or compatible with international treaties. And an O visa certainly isn’t a measure of driving competence.
 

9 minutes ago, 3NUMBAS said:

On a 125 I have never fallen off or had a crash in40,years on Thai roads from Phuket to nongkhai 

QED! -  you That’s a nice personal story, but it’s not really a measure of road safety — it just means you’ve been lucky or cautious for 40 years. It says nothing about how dangerous the roads actually are.
Plenty of skilled, experienced riders have been taken out by drunk drivers, trucks drifting over lanes, or cars pulling out without looking. Road safety is about risk factors and data, not one person’s experience.
Saying “I’ve never crashed” is a bit like saying “I’ve never been bitten by a snake, so cobras must be friendly.”
” Good for you — but it doesn’t change the statistics.