21 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

The inference being, if you don't choose to ride because of safety concerns you are too cowardly to participate in life!

One common sense choice doesn't colour how you live your whole existence. I choose to not ride a motor bike in the same way I chose not to jump off mountains in a flying suit; to not live with grizzlies hoping they won't devour me, to not let some young twerp tie a bit of rubber to my ankle and then leap off a high bridge hoping my large frame wouldn't cause it to snap. And, to not ride a motorcycle in places like Thailand.

Common sense decisions in lieu of bravado is more a sign of intelligence than cowardice.

Rather than a litany of false syllogisms, I'd suggest it's largely down to risk assessment and being able to minimise the risk – I think many foreign road users in Thailand have no idea how to minimise risk, and the nation has no idea of how to deal with what is essentially a public health risk.

Edited July 17Jul 17 by kwilco

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Cummins, originally from Falkirk, Scotland, moved to Thailand in 2015 after first visiting on holiday. The business development consultant said the crash on 13 June has turned his and his girlfriend's lives "upside down", with three operations still needed before rehabilitation.

The guy is an expat 34 years old. So he was 27 when he moved to Thailand. The guy is business development consultant, I suppose he was still worling Otherwise if he could retire as an expat at 27 years he must have a large sum of money at his disposal. If he is still doing that business development consultant job, he should have every conceivable insurance policy, including hospitalization insurance. So the question is, why does he need to organize a crowdfunding campaign, unless, of course, this is all just fake?

1 minute ago, vangrop said:

The guy is an expat 34 years old. So he was 27 when he moved to Thailand. The guy is business development consultant, I suppose he was still worling Otherwise if he could retire as an expat at 27 years he must have a large sum of money at his disposal. If he is still doing that business development consultant job, he should have every conceivable insurance policy, including hospitalization insurance. So the question is, why does he need to organize a crowdfunding campaign, unless, of course, this is all just fake?

I suspect he is on a DTV or something now – he is most like a digital earner. I wonder what visa/work permit setup he had before?

9 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

There you go. Above 80 is risky. Slow down.

100KPM is only 62MPH not really fast is it 🤷🏼

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1 hour ago, Old Croc said:

The inference being, if you don't choose to ride because of safety concerns you are too cowardly to participate in life!

One common sense choice doesn't colour how you live your whole existence. I choose to not ride a motor bike in the same way I chose not to jump off mountains in a flying suit; to not live with grizzlies hoping they won't devour me, to not let some young twerp tie a bit of rubber to my ankle and then leap off a high bridge hoping my large frame wouldn't cause it to snap. And, to not ride a motorcycle in places like Thailand.

Common sense decisions in lieu of bravado is more a sign of intelligence than cowardice.

Let's agree to disagree. You just done like motorbikes. That's OK.

"Cummins said the hospital that accepted his case had already exceeded its initial estimate of about GBP15,000"

I feel bad for the dude but really? You need to get out of that plush hospital ASAP. I have spent weeks in the ICU in government hospitals and multiple surgeries and MRIs, Many weeks after in a private room. My bill ~3k GBP. Something doesn't add up and his vague comment above is telling.

2 hours ago, kwilco said:

It seems that, once again, many people on this thread have learned very little from the incident itself.

From the photo, the rider appears to have been travelling without a helmet, gloves or any meaningful protective clothing. That significantly increases the risk of serious injury before you even consider how the crash occurred.

As for his account of the collision, it's only one side of the story. It's a perfectly natural human reaction to explain events in a way that minimises our own mistakes, but until we hear from the other driver—or see a proper collision investigation—we simply don't know what happened. Unfortunately, proper crash investigations are still rare in Thailand.

We don't even know exactly where the collision occurred. Darren lives in Hua Hin, but that doesn't necessarily mean the crash happened there. Location matters, particularly if there was a U-turn involved, as these are well-known conflict points on Thai roads and demand a very defensive approach.

One important lesson that is often overlooked concerns insurance. After any road traffic collision in Thailand, the first priority—assuming you're physically able—is to contact your insurance company immediately. They will send an agent to the scene, who acts as the intermediary between you, the other parties and the police. Trying to deal with a collision without your insurer's representative present can create major problems later if liability is disputed.

The article doesn't mention whether he had comprehensive motorcycle insurance. Many people assume the compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor), included with annual road tax, provides adequate cover. It doesn't. It mainly covers emergency medical treatment and limited third-party liability. Anyone who owns or regularly rides a motorcycle—particularly a larger machine—should seriously consider proper comprehensive insurance.

There are also legal considerations. To ride a motorcycle legally in Thailand, you need a full motorcycle licence from your home country together with a valid International Driving Permit. If you remain in Thailand long-term, you should obtain a Thai licence and ensure you have appropriate health insurance as well.

Finally, Thailand's emergency response system is still highly variable. Ambulance services are not nationally standardised, and the quality of emergency care can differ considerably depending on where the incident occurs.

Having driven extensively throughout Thailand since the 1990s, one thing I've noticed time and again is that many foreign motorists—whether on two wheels or four—never really adapt to the Thai driving environment. They continue to drive as though they were back home, expecting Thai traffic to follow the same conventions. It doesn't. Safe driving in Thailand requires adapting to local conditions, anticipating behaviour that would be unusual elsewhere, and accepting that the road environment is fundamentally different.

That photo could be a week or a year before the incident, so the only way we'd know what he was wearing is if it's in the story.

1 hour ago, vangrop said:

The guy is an expat 34 years old. So he was 27 when he moved to Thailand. The guy is business development consultant, I suppose he was still worling Otherwise if he could retire as an expat at 27 years he must have a large sum of money at his disposal. If he is still doing that business development consultant job, he should have every conceivable insurance policy, including hospitalization insurance. So the question is, why does he need to organize a crowdfunding campaign, unless, of course, this is all just fake?

how do you get 27 from 34 minus 11 ?

8 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Apparently – but that's not hard considering your comments

Good luck to you

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8 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Non-Immigrant B Visa would allow that.

Thankyou, khunLA but as i dont know what is a non-immigrant B visa, and how long does it last?. Could you explain it to me. Thanks muchly

1 hour ago, Reddavy said:

100KPM is only 62MPH not really fast is it 🤷🏼

I wonder what happens to a motorcycle and the rider when it hits a concrete barrier at a mere 100kmph.

1 minute ago, blaze master said:

I wonder what happens to a motorcycle and the rider when it hits a concrete barrier at a mere 100kmph.

Not as much as you think. I’ve done it. Painful yes.

Just now, Reddavy said:

Not as much as you think. I’ve done it. Painful yes.

Ya I dont believe you hit a concrete barrier full on at 100km. You might have clipped something or slid into one at a drastically reduced speed.

But full on at 100. Na bro sorry.

It's very sad and unfortunately he won't be the last we will be reading about.

45 minutes ago, MeRakThai said:

Thankyou, khunLA but as i dont know what is a non-immigrant B visa, and how long does it last?. Could you explain it to me. Thanks muchly

Google is your friend, and can probably answer all the questions you'd end up asking me about it.

49 minutes ago, MeRakThai said:

Thankyou, khunLA but as i dont know what is a non-immigrant B visa, and how long does it last?. Could you explain it to me. Thanks muchly

You would have had a google answer quicker than it took for you to make your post.

Just sayin.

12 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I'm not a big fan of motorbikes.

And that seems like a high speed to me, although probably common for motorcyclists.

I can agree 100, that is insane even in Pattaya on Sukhumvit! Yes common for Thais!

On Sukhumvit I travel 60 and at that speed it can kill too!

Where does one have to go that they need to travel 100?

12 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

There you go. Above 80 is risky. Slow down.

Above 40 is risky to me.

5 hours ago, jas007 said:

Anyway, I gave this guy's GoFundMe a little money.

Big thanks from his girlfriend for subsidizing her salary while the business development consultant attempts to locate his feet.

15 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

Where does one have to go that they need to travel 100?

The main reason most or some people buy motorcycles in the first place is to go at insane speeds, adrenaline rush, to be a daredevil, to be rebellious, to feel invincible, to be the coolest kid in town to impress the girls with tattoos.

They got nowhere to be in a rush.

Look at the motorcycle commercials. They are mostly about dangerous speeds.

Edited July 17Jul 17 by save the frogs

13 hours ago, Celsius said:

All these fancy titles, but still gofundme.

Yes. If he can't take care of himself, would you let him take care of developing your business?

"Business Development Consultant" could be a fancy title for "Youtuber." 🙂

8 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

The triple carriageway the incident happened on, what is the posted speed limit ?

I don't know any three lane highways that allow more than 90 in the left lane.

10 minutes ago, alanrchase said:

I don't know any three lane highways that allow more than 90 in the left lane.

So which one did the incident happen ?

1 minute ago, Ralf001 said:

So which one did the incident happen ?

What is your point? You asked for a posted speed limit, suggesting 100 might have been legal on the stretch of road involved? I pointed out that 90 is the maximum limit in the left lane on all highways.

That’s a serious injury. I wish this person a swift recovery.

15 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I'm not a big fan of motorbikes.

And that seems like a high speed to me, although probably common for motorcyclists.

I am regularly overtaken by young Thai male and females coming home from college wearing no helmets weaving through traffic travelling I estimate at least 100 + kmph..

Fortunately I am in a solid SUV.

5 hours ago, kwilco said:

Rather than a litany of false syllogisms, I'd suggest it's largely down to risk assessment and being able to minimise the risk – I think many foreign road users in Thailand have no idea how to minimise risk, and the nation has no idea of how to deal with what is essentially a public health risk.

Risk management is about always staying ahead of the situation. It does not come just because you want to be a safe rider. It comes from years of experience and understanding risk.

When you hit the Thai roads, you have to treat everything that moves as a potential threat to your life. There was not a single day of riding when I did not experience a near miss or someone doing something unexpected. After a while, that becomes the normal pattern in Thailand. Adapt, anticipate, and never assume other road users will do the right thing.

It also helps to have proper insurance, as that is part of risk management too.

Edited July 17Jul 17 by Hummin

The photograph is not there as evidence of the accident. It is there to establish the aura of the motorcyclist: young, relaxed, self-assured and apparently in control of a powerful machine. Placed beside the photographs of his injuries, it creates the familiar contrast between confidence before the event and vulnerability afterwards.

He reminds me of a friend of my father who rode a BMW motorcycle with a sidecar. He was a construction worker and once laid a granite floor in our house. He seemed strong, capable and entirely self-reliant. That self-assurance changed after his wife died from kidney disease, and towards the end of his own life he had to rely financially on his daughters—all of whom rode motorcycles themselves.

Perhaps that is the real story behind such photographs. A motorcycle can become a symbol of freedom, strength and independence, but neither the machine nor the image protects its owner from the moment when that independence suddenly disappears.