Interesting Article On Motorcycle Deaths In Los

[craigt3365]

I saw this article and found the statistic incredible. Yes, I have seen many, many, many people with broken arms, legs, and of course the all too common "Honda Rash" scar from previous accidents.

But, I found this statistic chilling. Here is a link to the article, and I have copied it also below.

FYI! Be Careful!!!

Irish Examiner

19/01/2006 - 6:09:13 PM

Irishman killed in Thailand bike crash

An Irishman has been killed in a motorbike crash in Thailand, the second Irish tourist to die in a motorcycle accident in the country this year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said today it was providing consular assistance to the family of the young man, who was killed while in Patong, on Phuket Island.

Another young man died in a motorbike accident in Thailand earlier this month, while a third was severely injured in a crash in Cambodia.

Following the deaths, the Department said riding a motorcycle or scooter in either of the two countries was dangerous and urged people to take the same precautions as they would in Ireland.

While Thai law demands motorcyclists wear a helmet, it is widely ignored, new advice on the Department’s website says.

An average of 38 people die each day in motorbike accidents in Thailand.

According to the Department, the dangers are made worse in Cambodia by roads in poor condition, vehicles with no lights and cattle on the roads.

Overloaded vehicles and erratic driving makes road traffic accidents the greatest danger to Irish tourists in the South East Asian country, the DFA warned.

[Rigger]

I saw this article and found the statistic incredible. Yes, I have seen many, many, many people with broken arms, legs, and of course the all too common "Honda Rash" scar from previous accidents.

But, I found this statistic chilling. Here is a link to the article, and I have copied it also below.

FYI! Be Careful!!!

Irish Examiner

19/01/2006 - 6:09:13 PM

Irishman killed in Thailand bike crash

An Irishman has been killed in a motorbike crash in Thailand, the second Irish tourist to die in a motorcycle accident in the country this year.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said today it was providing consular assistance to the family of the young man, who was killed while in Patong, on Phuket Island.

Another young man died in a motorbike accident in Thailand earlier this month, while a third was severely injured in a crash in Cambodia.

Following the deaths, the Department said riding a motorcycle or scooter in either of the two countries was dangerous and urged people to take the same precautions as they would in Ireland.

While Thai law demands motorcyclists wear a helmet, it is widely ignored, new advice on the Department’s website says.

An average of 38 people die each day in motorbike accidents in Thailand.

According to the Department, the dangers are made worse in Cambodia by roads in poor condition, vehicles with no lights and cattle on the roads.

Overloaded vehicles and erratic driving makes road traffic accidents the greatest danger to Irish tourists in the South East Asian country, the DFA warned.

Most of the serious bike riders understand the risks of riding here and I know that I wouldn’t last long if I tried to ride the same Way I use to ride in Australia. Riding in Thailand is not for the faint hearted and I would recommend anyone that does not have a solid back ground riding motorcycles should stay off them until they a least under stand the dangers riding in Thailand. We lost two people from our village a couple of months ago The first one was two young boys racing one died second is still in a coma. The Phuyai ban made a big speech and told every one two wear helmets a week latter the phuyai ban was killed on a motorcycle wear no helmet with his mai noi on the back

When I lived in Phuket I saw many accidents and most where due to inexperienced riders or alcohol

[Johpa]

Most of the serious bike riders understand the risks of riding here and I know that I wouldn’t last long if I tried to ride the same Way I use to ride in Australia. Riding in Thailand is not for the faint hearted and I would recommend anyone that does not have a solid back ground riding motorcycles should stay off them until they a least under stand the dangers riding in Thailand.

I have the opposite situation. I learned to ride a motorcyle in Thailand and I dare not ride in the USofA for fear of being arrested for recklesss driving.

[penzman]

There are always quite a few body outlines spray painted around Chonburi... Mostly always in the same spots.

[Rigger]

Most of the serious bike riders understand the risks of riding here and I know that I wouldn’t last long if I tried to ride the same Way I use to ride in Australia. Riding in Thailand is not for the faint hearted and I would recommend anyone that does not have a solid back ground riding motorcycles should stay off them until they a least under stand the dangers riding in Thailand.

I have the opposite situation. I learned to ride a motorcyle in Thailand and I dare not ride in the USofA for fear of being arrested for recklesss driving.

It,s the same when I go back to Oz I seem to get a fair bit of abuse on the road and all can think is what the @#$%$ is that guy on about that was a perfectly safe distance to cut in front of him and the roads are better there as you can easily fit three cars across on a two lane road

Last trip cost me three speeding fines and that was in a magna but this year got a dunnydoor booked. I was going to hire a sports car but then realized I would never fit the missus luggage in

[JSixpack]

I have the opposite situation. I learned to ride a motorcyle in Thailand and I dare not ride in the USofA for fear of being arrested for recklesss driving.

Yeah, how do you break old habits learned in Thailand? Over there, no lane-splitting in many States, no riding on the sidewalks, no driving against the traffic in the same lane, no drunk driving, no changing 3 lanes in an instance, no weaving in and out, helmet laws, stopping at crosswalks, stopping behind stopped school buses, etc. Just not as convenient & fun . . . .

Edited January 21, 2006 by JSixpack

[JSixpack]

As for the young Irishman, of course I don't know the details, but I would note in general how poorly the tourists drive their rented motorbikes in Thailand. Have a few killed in Pattaya every year. Lots of young show-offs, helmetless, driving big sport bikes at insane speeds. You just have to cheer when one of them wraps himself around a pole. Then you have the old (or young) farts, who probably have never got on a bike in their lives, driving their rented gals around either too timidly or too fast for their abilities, trying to impress as well. Often easy to recognize as their helmets are usually too small and just perch on top of their fat heads. I hate driving a bike most during tourist season when I have to deal with these idiots. Not only do they endanger themselves by driving a bike, they endanger other people around them.

[Thaipwriter]

I would note in general how poorly the tourists drive their rented motorbikes in Thailand.

I would note in general how poorly the Thai's drive thier motorbikes in Thailand

You just have to cheer when one of them wraps himself around a pole.

I think you will be the only one cheering, most decent people would show more compassion.

Then you have the old (or young) farts, driving their rented gals....

now your just showing how bitter you are.

their helmets are usually too small and just perch on top of their fat heads.

you really are a quite a nasty peice of work!

I hate driving a bike most during tourist season when I have to deal with these idiots.

Good, stay indoors and away from people, everyone will benefit.

[Uma~~]

As for the young Irishman, of course I don't know the details, but I would note in general how poorly the tourists drive their rented motorbikes in Thailand. Have a few killed in Pattaya every year. Lots of young show-offs, helmetless, driving big sport bikes at insane speeds. You just have to cheer when one of them wraps himself around a pole. Then you have the old (or young) farts, who probably have never got on a bike in their lives, driving their rented gals around either too timidly or too fast for their abilities, trying to impress as well. Often easy to recognize as their helmets are usually too small and just perch on top of their fat heads. I hate driving a bike most during tourist season when I have to deal with these idiots. Not only do they endanger themselves by driving a bike, they endanger other people around them.

There's nothing wrong with showing off on a big fat motorbike, I've done it myself. But to do it at insane speeds is just that, insane. It's a guy thing though and it's one of those things that so many of you seem unable to resist.

Edited January 21, 2006 by Uma~~

[JSixpack]

I would note in general how poorly the Thai's drive thier motorbikes in Thailand

As a rule, in proportion to the numbers, the Thais drive better than the tourists, esp. early in the day . They also tend to be more familiar with the routes and negotiate them in the manner one following behind would expect of a Thai. They aren't constantly slowing down and looking. Very, very few of them drive big sport bikes.

However, I'm certainly not going to defend Thai driving habits either, for obvious reasons!

I think you will be the only one cheering, most decent people would show more compassion.

Obviously you haven't almost been run down by a few of them driving at insane speeds. I like driving fast myself, but not at the expense of relative safety.

now your just showing how bitter you are.

Who's bitter? My point is that the male tourists often feel obliged to show off for these young ladies, not realizing that doing so is just so totally unnecessary. Occasionally these besotted tourists will also race one another, esp. dangerous to do in Thailand w/ its various hazards with which they are unfamiliar.

their helmets are usually too small and just perch on top of their fat heads.

you really are a quite a nasty peice of work!

It's merely the truth. And after all it's useful to know how to recognize the type so as to be prepared for their driving habits when you come upon them on the road.

Good, stay indoors and away from people, everyone will benefit.

No, I need to get out and about now and then. Not everyone benefits, but some certainly do.

Edited January 21, 2006 by JSixpack

[mittheimp]

If 38 people are on average killed or Motorbikes every day in Thailand that makes 13870 each year! This compares to the UK (similar population) where around 3500 are killed on roads (all accidents) on average each year. I wonder what the total figure for Thailand actually is!

It would make far more sense for the thai government to stop worrying about protecting the moral well being in Thailand (licensing laws, pornography etc) and actually do something that would undoubtably save lives - There is so much they could do to improve road safety, have you ever seen a road safety advert in Thailand? Do you ever hear Thai people disaprove when they see several kids on one motorbike (usually with parent!) without helmets? It wouldnt take much to change attitudes!

[robitusson]

As for the young Irishman, of course I don't know the details, but I would note in general how poorly the tourists drive their rented motorbikes in Thailand. Have a few killed in Pattaya every year. Lots of young show-offs, helmetless, driving big sport bikes at insane speeds. You just have to cheer when one of them wraps himself around a pole. Then you have the old (or young) farts, who probably have never got on a bike in their lives, driving their rented gals around either too timidly or too fast for their abilities, trying to impress as well. Often easy to recognize as their helmets are usually too small and just perch on top of their fat heads. I hate driving a bike most during tourist season when I have to deal with these idiots. Not only do they endanger themselves by driving a bike, they endanger other people around them.

There's nothing wrong with showing off on a big fat motorbike, I've done it myself. But to do it at insane speeds is just that, insane. It's a guy thing though and it's one of those things that so many of you seem unable to resist.

Hmmm, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said in the article that "Overloaded vehicles and erratic driving makes road traffic accidents the greatest danger to Irish tourists in the South East Asian country". Maybe you should write to them and let them know they got it wrong and that it's actually "a guy thing" whatever that means.

[craigt3365]

If 38 people are on average killed or Motorbikes every day in Thailand that makes 13870 each year! This compares to the UK (similar population) where around 3500 are killed on roads (all accidents) on average each year. I wonder what the total figure for Thailand actually is!

It would make far more sense for the thai government to stop worrying about protecting the moral well being in Thailand (licensing laws, pornography etc) and actually do something that would undoubtably save lives - There is so much they could do to improve road safety, have you ever seen a road safety advert in Thailand? Do you ever hear Thai people disaprove when they see several kids on one motorbike (usually with parent!) without helmets? It wouldnt take much to change attitudes!

A fairly simple thing would be to require drivers licenses and have everybody wear helmets! But then again, you would have to have "honest" policemen enforce the policy. Just just bribe takers.

[robitusson]

If 38 people are on average killed or Motorbikes every day in Thailand that makes 13870 each year! This compares to the UK (similar population) where around 3500 are killed on roads (all accidents) on average each year. I wonder what the total figure for Thailand actually is!

It would make far more sense for the thai government to stop worrying about protecting the moral well being in Thailand (licensing laws, pornography etc) and actually do something that would undoubtably save lives - There is so much they could do to improve road safety, have you ever seen a road safety advert in Thailand? Do you ever hear Thai people disaprove when they see several kids on one motorbike (usually with parent!) without helmets? It wouldnt take much to change attitudes!

Similarly in America they would do well to work on cutting down domestic gun murders rather than prosecuting the so-called War On Terror. This would be a much easier way to reduce the amount of people murdered violently there.

[Uma~~]

Hmmm, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said in the article that "Overloaded vehicles and erratic driving makes road traffic accidents the greatest danger to Irish tourists in the South East Asian country". Maybe you should write to them and let them know they got it wrong and that it's actually "a guy thing" whatever that means.

You know what it means but you seem to have taken offence to it.

[ThaiPauly]

The name of the tallest building in BK (name esapes me at present) has a massie Johnie Walker sign on it saying

"Don't Drive"

"DRINK"

If that is not encouraging people to drink I don't know what is

[mittheimp]

The name of the tallest building in BK (name esapes me at present) has a massie Johnie Walker sign on it saying

"Don't Drive"

"DRINK"

If that is not encouraging people to drink I don't know what is

Baiyoke Tower

[robitusson]

Hmmm, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said in the article that "Overloaded vehicles and erratic driving makes road traffic accidents the greatest danger to Irish tourists in the South East Asian country". Maybe you should write to them and let them know they got it wrong and that it's actually "a guy thing" whatever that means.

You know what it means but you seem to have taken offence to it.

Don't have a clue what it means. Lots of men and women choose to drive too fast and recklessly so explain it to me.

[JSixpack]

Hmmm, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said in the article that "Overloaded vehicles and erratic driving makes road traffic accidents the greatest danger to Irish tourists in the South East Asian country". Maybe you should write to them and let them know they got it wrong and that it's actually "a guy thing" whatever that means.

You know what it means but you seem to have taken offence to it.

Don't have a clue what it means. Lots of men and women choose to drive too fast and recklessly so explain it to me.

Oh, of course you know, so you've now clearly moved into troll territory.

I'll feed you to this extent: My point, you see, is consistent w/ what the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs says. Traffic conditions in the area are indeed hazardous. But when you combine the hazardous conditions w/ tourist drivers who are inexperienced at dealing w/ such hazards, are inexperienced at driving a bike anyway, are also driving drunk, are looking around at the "sights" (often the ladies standing in front of the bars), and are showing off for the ladies, then a higher accident rate among the tourists is to be expected and is by no means owing solely to conditions beyond their control.

Indeed the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs itself recognizes that tourist driving habits can affect their risk of accident; otherwise the esteemed Department wouldn't bother to warn anyone to be careful. I observed what some of the dangerous habits on the part of the tourists tend to be. Driving a motorbike in Pattaya becomes noticeably more hazardous during the tourist season precisely because of the poor driving habits of many of the tourists, which adds noticeably to the already existing hazard.

[nokia]

As a rule, in proportion to the numbers, the Thais drive better than the tourists, esp. early in the day . They also tend to be more familiar with the routes and negotiate them in the manner one following behind would expect of a Thai. They aren't constantly slowing down and looking. Very, very few of them drive big sport bikes.

However, I'm certainly not going to defend Thai driving habits either, for obvious reasons!

Last month, i was inches from hitting a middle-aged Thai on a speeding motorbike which came out of nowhere while i was making a legal u-turn on a pickup. There are more than 10 million tourists arrival in LOS every year, and half the number are first timers, compared to a resident population of 66 million, it's inevitable that the road statistics will include the non-residents.

Any mishap concerning a non-resident will definitely hit the headlines, while those concerning residents will be on the side lines or not even mentioned at all. I think more than 90% of road statistics are Thai-related because for every crazy tourist, there are ten crazy Thai in proportion, but there are more sane tourists who walk or ride bicyles safely.

Statistics will be skewed if only the beach resorts of Phuket, Pattaya, etc are considered because there are sizeable number of tourists in BKK, north and other parts of LOS.

Cheers!

[robitusson]

Hmmm, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said in the article that "Overloaded vehicles and erratic driving makes road traffic accidents the greatest danger to Irish tourists in the South East Asian country". Maybe you should write to them and let them know they got it wrong and that it's actually "a guy thing" whatever that means.

You know what it means but you seem to have taken offence to it.

Don't have a clue what it means. Lots of men and women choose to drive too fast and recklessly so explain it to me.

Oh, of course you know, so you've now clearly moved into troll territory.

I'll feed you to this extent: My point, you see, is consistent w/ what the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs says. Traffic conditions in the area are indeed hazardous. But when you combine the hazardous conditions w/ tourist drivers who are inexperienced at dealing w/ such hazards, are inexperienced at driving a bike anyway, are also driving drunk, are looking around at the "sights" (often the ladies standing in front of the bars), and are showing off for the ladies, then a higher accident rate among the tourists is to be expected and is by no means owing solely to conditions beyond their control.

Indeed the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs itself recognizes that tourist driving habits can affect their risk of accident; otherwise the esteemed Department wouldn't bother to warn anyone to be careful. I observed what some of the dangerous habits on the part of the tourists tend to be. Driving a motorbike in Pattaya becomes noticeably more hazardous during the tourist season precisely because of the poor driving habits of many of the tourists, which adds noticeably to the already existing hazard.

Interesting. I was just reading the post about the unfortunate German tourists who were killed. It seems the driver may have fallen asleep. This seems quite plausible. I've never heard of an accident involving showing off in front of bar ladies. I'm sure the Thai drivers over the Song Kran holiday are a lot more dangerous than any amount of tourists driving dangerously would ever be anyway. I really don't know what the other poster was on about, that's why I asked. I don't see how that makes me a troll. All I can see is somebody using a neutral statistic to vent their own misandry, in this case road death tolls.