1 minute ago, orchidfan said:

Unfortunately, farangs here don't watch or understand Thai TV, or read local press.

Any safety campaigns would be lost on them.

A visual campaign upon arriving at Bangkok airport would do it, as would a mandatory warning message (complete with pics and explanation of costs involved) shown by airlines upon buying a plane ticket).

8 hours ago, BritManToo said:

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

This is wrong.... Foreign nationals face no greater danger in Thailand than any other nation.

Western tourists are 8x more likely to die on holiday in Thailand than in the EU.

nationthailand

Cambodia and Thailand the highest death rate per head of...

Britons under 40 are more likely to die in Cambodia and Thailand than any other countries in the world, a Sun online investigation has revealed.

You clipped my quote which is intellectually dishonest and manipulative of you - but you know that already.

Foreign nationals face no greater danger in Thailand than any other nation - Its when they choose to take chances and 'do things' they would not do in other nations - like riding without a license or a helmet...

Its not that Thailand is more dangerous is more dangerous than other nations - its the touists who come here take more chances.

10 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

This is wrong.... Foreign nationals face no greater danger in Thailand than any other nation.

Its when they choose to take chances and 'do things' they would not do in other nations - like riding around Bali, Cancún, Lanzarote etc without a license or a helment...

9 hours ago, save the frogs said:

A farang on youtube said he's leaving Phuket because it has the most dangerous driving conditions in the whole country. And this is a guy who has been around the country in his motorbike.

Poor girl.

9 hours ago, save the frogs said:

He obviously hasn’t driven in Tehran pre war…. It was a madhouse.

9 hours ago, blaze master said:

Depends on where in phuket. I found many places in bkk to be far more dangerous. I did about 150k km or so on a scooter and bikes in just under 6 years last time I lived there. About a year of that in phuket.

9 hours ago, blaze master said:

Depends on where in phuket. I found many places in bkk to be far more dangerous. I did about 150k km or so on a scooter and bikes in just under 6 years last time I lived there. About a year of that in phuket.

I am in Phuket too, with 25 years of riding over 1000cc bikes in Thailand, and I have seen it all: fellow motorists losing their lives right before my eyes, not to mention other road users. I consider a major life achievement to be still alive. Had a couple of accidents, the reason was engine oil or diesel spill on the road, but I got lucky. Here is the most recent one, which took place in 2022 on Hwy 118 in Chiang Rai.

2 hours ago, madmitch said:

Whether or not travel insurance is mandatory, most state that you would not be covered if riding a motorcycle without an appropriate licence in your home country and helmets must be worn

So most of these cases we read about regularly would not be covered anyway (though in this case we are unaware of the circumstances).

Thats a valid point... Thailand has already tried to crack down on 'rental companies from renting out their motorcycles to unlicensed tourists'... or rather, a 'crack down' was announced in the media, and then nothing changed.

So, what to do ? - Visit every Motorcycle rental shop and tell them they will be shut down if they rent to tourists without license - many will of course go out of business - but less tourists will die or get injured - and with that we see where the priority of the authorities lies.

Whats the answer ? - there are a few options;

- insurance on arrival - that covers for all and any accidents - no exclusions.

- Force renters to buy insurance when renting a motorcycle - that covers for all and any accidents - no exclusion.

- Enforce bans on motorcycle rental - but you'd still have people getting hit while crossing the road - but at least eh insurance they get on arrival does not exclude them from that.

There is no one fits all perfect solution here - but there is 'improvement' on the current situation.

Tourists will have accidents and do silly things - and many are are not covered for medical treatment - thats a gap that needs 'plugging' - and there's a relatively simple way of doing this.

- Enforce all arrivals to have insurance - Factor it into the arrival fee.

- Incorporate it into the TDAC system - it avoids queues etc at the airport (either submit copies of health insurance to the system - or pay a nominal amount).

- When I get a VoA to many countries - a Visa is included in the cost.

The issue is legality - there's a simple one there to.

IF the Injured party is riding illegally - make the renter pay for their medical fees - then they are suddenly accountable for renting to those without a license.

I can't rent a car in the UK, UAE, Japan etc withotu a license, so why can I rent a motorcycle in Thailand without a license ? because the shops themselves break the law - and in doing so, should be held complicit.

2 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

I can't rent a car in the UK, UAE, Japan etc withotu a license, so why can I rent a motorcycle in Thailand without a license ? because the shops themselves break the law - and in doing so, should be held complicit.

And there you have it.

10 minutes ago, BMW Overlander said:

I am in Phuket too, 25 years of riding over 1000cc bikes in Thailand, and I have seen it all: fellow motorists losing their lives right before my eyes, not to mention other road users, etc. I consider a major life achievement to be still alive. Had a couple of accidents, the reason was engine oil or diesel spill on the road, but I got lucky. Here is the most recent one, which took place on Hwy 118 in Chiang Rai, celebrating that day as my second birthday.

Impressive… and very lucky to come out unscathed, though that is of course because you are properly equipped and protected.

7 minutes ago, BMW Overlander said:

I am in Phuket too, 25 years of riding over 1000cc bikes in Thailand, and I have seen it all: fellow motorists losing their lives right before my eyes, not to mention other road users, etc. I consider a major life achievement to be still alive. Had a couple of accidents, the reason was engine oil or diesel spill on the road, but I got lucky. Here is the most recent one, which took place on Hwy 118 in Chiang Rai, celebrating that day as my second birthday.

Woah - thats a tough one - ride that road, on that day, at that time, 100 times and 100 times your bike would have slid out from under-you - There is really nothing an experience rider would do differently.

With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight - someone who believes they are perfect but lack the experience of living in reality might suggest you could have taken a different line and avoided the diesel spill - which of course it just daft - suggesting the impossible.

You had the all the correct kit (riding pants, jacket, gloves, boots, helmet) you weren't ragging it - walked away without a scratch - maybe some bruising - you were prepared.

Accidents like that are part of riding and could happen anywhere the world - glad you're ok.

The videos highlights such accidents can happen anywhere at any time - thats just a factor of having two and not for wheels.

1 minute ago, rattlesnake said:

Impressive… and very lucky to come out unscathed, though that is of course because you are properly equipped and protected.

Exactly. If you're riding a top-of-the-range motorcycle, the least you can do is not to be cheap on protective riding gear.

9 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

I am in Koh Chang right now, The place is chock-a-block with idiot westerners buzzing around on rentals without wearing helmets. The streets are lined up with motorbikes waiting for even more cretins and there is zero police involvement...

And add the fun of being away, ,drinking etc and sadly often it is an accident waiting to happen

On the plus side, food delivery apps insist their riders wear helmets .

1 hour ago, rattlesnake said:

The French brand Shark are present on the Thai market. Certified, good quality at a reasonable price (6,000 baht).

Great Helmets, I run 3 (Spartan RS Carbon / RS Jet Carbon / OXO).

11 hours ago, jacko45k said:

I also wonder if in this case the person had a motorcycle licence, often not

What do you think the chances are that a young Russian model would have a motorcycle license?

28 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Great Helmets, I run 3 (Spartan RS Carbon / RS Jet Carbon / OXO).

I have the Ridill 2 but will probably go for a carbon model next time.

3 hours ago, rattlesnake said:

Judging by the pic (head competely wrapped up, possible craniotomy because of brain swelling), she wasn't wearing one

It’s odds on for sure

3 hours ago, rattlesnake said:

A visual campaign upon arriving at Bangkok airport would do it, as would a mandatory warning message (complete with pics and explanation of costs involved) shown by airlines upon buying a plane ticket).

Or at the point of rental and/or purchase. Or all the above.

There are so many possibilities to reduce fatalities and provide greater assurance that proper road safety laws are followed and riders are insured. Just look at how many are suggested in this very thread. None of them will ever be followed.

Renters of bikes will continue to do so, without including insurance or ensuring that the renter has a valid licence.

Police will continue their road checks , dishing out paltry fines and allowing people to continue their journey helmetless and licence less.

If I think about it too much it becomes very dispiriting…..so it’s best not to think about it

11 hours ago, BritManToo said:

So Thai taxpayers have to pay the private hospitals unpaid medical fees?

Seems unlikely to me!

Where does it say private hospitals?

12 hours ago, save the frogs said:

A farang on youtube said he's leaving Phuket because it has the most dangerous driving conditions in the whole country. And this is a guy who has been around the country in his motorbike.

Poor girl.

18 years driving in Chiang Mai , never been more scared on a motorbike then on Koh Samui, rented only for 1 day and decided to walk for the rest of my stay.

16 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Where does it say private hospitals?

Indeed, and in this particular case, you can tell by the picture that she is in a public one, as is standard for uninsured patients.

3 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

I am in Phuket too, with 25 years of riding over 1000cc bikes in Thailand, and I have seen it all: fellow motorists losing their lives right before my eyes, not to mention other road users. I consider a major life achievement to be still alive. Had a couple of accidents, the reason was engine oil or diesel spill on the road, but I got lucky. Here is the most recent one, which took place in 2022 on Hwy 118 in Chiang Rai.

In many parts of your video it looks like you are well in excess of the speed limit. Weaving in and out of lanes of traffic with no signals many times too.

You are indeed very lucky.

14 hours ago, Celsius said:

I got this info from AI

Over 5 years Thai hospitals reportedly faced nearly $386 million in uncollected expenses from foreign nationals, with taxpayers covering portions (e.g., over 2.3 billion THB in one reported year).

So long term expats will be footing these bills it seems through padded hospital bills and higher premiums, just like your woke country.

In return you get to file your taxes and receive no benefits.

$386 million over 5 years is less than $80 million per year and that is probably less than $3 (100 Baht) per foreigner arriving in Thailand. When they finally introduce the 300 Baht fee, that is covered many times.

9 hours ago, impulse said:

14 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

This is wrong.... Foreign nationals face no greater danger in Thailand than any other nation.

Here's an experiment to try. Go to "another nation" (western, preferably) and try to rent a scooter without a scooter license. Even if you can rent one, it's going to come with insurance. Not so in LOS, or the 3rd world in general...

Sure - try that an ANY / EVERY other 'developed' country the world - the Vehicle insurance will not cover your complete medical bills.

14 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

All part of it... 'particularly the gay abandon part' - I dont think left or right side of the road familiarity is as impactful as it might be suggested, lots of brits wiping out here too... I think its mostly a facet of booze, no riding experience and in severe cases like this - no helmet and a major head impact, whereby otherwise - its a broken leg, road-rash and a headache and thats the worst of it...

This is surely one of those examples where the lack of a helmet is the major factor in the severity of outcome.

To be fair unless you bring your own helmet or buy a good quality helmet the only thing the 150 baht specials from Big C are only going to save you from is a fine.

37 minutes ago, kwak250 said:

To be fair unless you bring your own helmet or buy a good quality helmet the only thing the 150 baht specials from Big C are only going to save you from is a fine.

Thats partially true - some rental companies give semi decent helemets.

When I was sandboxing in Phuket for two weeks and rented Motorcycle - I purchased a helmet and hat it delivered to the hotel I was going to be staying at - but when I saw they hotel the rental company were offering, it looked decent enough - but I also agree, the plastic lids are pointless, they may help with scrapes but not from impact.

5 hours ago, Suetape said:

He obviously hasn’t driven in Tehran pre war…. It was a madhouse.

In any Middle Eastern Country - perhaps with the exception of Dubai and Doha which have calmed down a lot because the fines are so expensive and unavoidable.

In Italy we start riding 50 Cc at 14 and 125 Cc at 16 and at 18 u get yr license and drive whatever Bike u like . I hv been riding a lot . Custom 650 Cc, Honda 1000 CBR . Harley Fat Boy 1340 Cc . ( the coffin 😅 ) . I live in Phuket since long time ... and I hv seen it all . U either a skilled Bike driver ( and risk is still high ) or u better rent a car or take a taxi . Only experience teaches u to expect the unexpectedly . I c this guys coming from countries like North Europe or Russia wich hasn't got a clue of how to ride anything , driving like bullets around the same way Thai are driving n no surprises when I c them on the ground . Yes Helmet . Yes Insurance . But all first u need long experience how to drive a bike in Thailand . ( or anywhere )

Feel very sorry for the girl . I c also a lot of this girls riding on the back of Uber bikes without Helmet n not knowing the risk they take !

Hope she recovers !

Sad. However, I've seen it in places like Chiang Mai and even worse in Pai. People who have no training, no license, no common sense, and no business riding a motorcycle decide to rent on in a country with some of the most dangerous, unforgiving roads in the world. I'm guessing no helmet given the brain damage. This should be an object lesson for other tourists who show up and do the same thing, but? It won't be.

I wish her luck.

5 hours ago, blaze master said:

In many parts of your video it looks like you are well in excess of the speed limit. Weaving in and out of lanes of traffic with no signals many times too.

You are indeed very lucky.

It is how big bikes are ridden on practically empty highways; everybody does it. Not a single YouTube video comment is even remotely similar to yours. I understand you are a scooter rider, low speed, low horsepower....once you get to ride a REAL bike, you will understand.

8 minutes ago, BMW Overlander said:

It is how big bikes are ridden on practically empty highways; everybody does it. Not a single YouTube video comment is even remotely similar to yours. I understand you are a scooter rider, low speed, low horsepower....once you get to ride a REAL bike, you will understand.

I agree. Personally, I stopped riding real bikes when I moved to Thailand, I'm not ready to take the risk… but I must say your YT channel has cool looking videos, I will be checking out some of them.

21 minutes ago, BMW Overlander said:

It is how big bikes are ridden on practically empty highways; everybody does it. Not a single YouTube video comment is even remotely similar to yours. I understand you are a scooter rider, low speed, low horsepower....once you get to ride a REAL bike, you will understand.

Glad you think its ok to flaunt laws and put others in danger. Keep up the great work.

Smh.