Phuket motorcade to support "100% helmet use" campaign

BACK TO THE FUTURE: 400 members of the Patong Motorbike

Taxis Cooperative took to the streets in December 2009

after receiving free helmets from the Muang Thai Life

Assurance company. File photo.

PHUKET: -- About 500 Phuket motorbike riders are expected to make their way along the beach road in Patong on November 16 to highlight the importance of wearing safety helmets.

Kathu Police Superintendent Arayapan Pukbuakhao said the motorcade of “safe riders” is part of an island-wide campaign to raise road-safety awareness.

The motorcade comes before the January 1 deadline when Kathu Police will begin the enforcement of the law requiring all motorbike passengers to wear helmets, Lt Col Arayapan said.

Kathu Police already fine motorbike riders not wearing helmets, but thus far passengers have largely been exempt, he said.

To get the motorcade off to a rolling start, Lt Col Arayapan has enlisted the support of Preechavude “Prab” Keesin, president of the Patong Taxi Federation and son of Patong Mayor Pian Keesin.

The federation has more than 1,000 members, including tuk-tuk, motorbike and car taxi drivers.

The motorbikes will depart from the junction of Phang Muang Sai Khor Road and Prachanukroh Road at 3:30pm.

Behind the motorbikes will be people walking along the route in a show of support.

Anyone wanting to join the procession are asked to be at the junction no later than 2pm.

Participants will make their way toward the beach, then progress along the beach road to Patong Sports Field, where an officiating ceremony will be held followed by a football tourney and on-stage entertainment.

Roads along the route will be closed to traffic during the parade.

Lt Col Arayapan said another event to promote the campaign will be held on December 29.

His officers will start enforcing the helmet law from January 1, he said.

“Motorcycle drivers and passengers found not wearing helmets will have to watch the film on road safety and traffic law, just as they do in Phuket Town,” Lt Col Arayapan said.

He was speaking of a locally-produced film, first shown at Phuket City Police Station in early July, that graphically depicts head injuries sustained by motorbike riders who crash while not wearing helmets.

Motorcyclists and riders caught at police checkpoints without helmets have their licenses seized, only to be returned after they have viewed the “scared straight” film and listened to a lecture on road safety issues. The new approach is part of the “100% helmet use” campaign that began in Phuket City Police District earlier this year.

Phuket Provincial Police decided to extend the effort island-wide starting with the arrival of the new year.

Phuket City Police say they will begin fining all riders without helmets from July 1 next year.

Kathu Police, however, have yet to establish a precise date when they will follow suit,

said Lt Col Arayapan.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pekad Tantipong said wearing helmets plainly saves lives.

“Before the campaign was launched, about 15 riders without helmets died in accidents in Phuket Town every month, but since we started enforcing the law the number has fallen to about two to four people a month,” he said.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-11-02

Helmet for driver ok ,what about passengers ? and kids if you have the whole family on a motorcycle ?

Helmet for driver ok ,what about passengers ? and kids if you have the whole family on a motorcycle ?

Strangely enough when I read the OP post that is what it is all about.

Though I live in Central Thailand my son is NEVER allowed on anybodies scooter or motorbike WITHOUT a helmet and he knows it at 6 years old.

He also knows that if Daddy sees him on a bike without a helmet, Daddy to say the least will be mightily pissed with both my son and the rider.

I ALWAYS wear mine even on a journey of less than 500 metres.

Wear a helmet and save a life.

Who knows it could be yours.

Helmet for driver ok ,what about passengers ? and kids if you have the whole family on a motorcycle ?

The motorcade comes before the January 1 deadline when Kathu Police will begin the enforcement of the law requiring all motorbike passengers to wear helmets, Lt Col Arayapan said.

Do people actually read the post before posting themselves ?

Regardless of the practice it is the law that you wear one. Both driver and passenger. plain and simple. Like the other poster with his son my missus knows that no helmet no go. Start to impound the bikes of people that refuse to wear a helmet for a start.

here on Samui it is the same story. The excuses they give for not wearing a helmet are pathetic. I even know a guy who had a very severe accident where he was lucky to live after caving in his skull yet the idiot still rides around without a helmet.