The Problem Of Teenage Motorcycle Gangs

[Jai Dee]

Life cycles

One professor joined a motorcycle gang to find out why some kids worship their bikes. After two years on the road, all the signs pointed to a society obsessed with status and consumption.

On the eve of Songkran, in a small province near Bangkok, forty-year-old Panadda Chamnansuk is getting ready to speed around the city on her Yamaha Neo with 50 young men less than half her age.

These teenagers have no trepidation about Songkran’s annual death toll, and the surprising fact is, neither does Panadda.

Even though she is the only female in the gang, she can pass for one of the members. She rides just like them. At 80-100 kilometers an hour, she can sit with her arms crossed over her chest. She has customized her bike. Hers has been repainted from black to purple and fitted with over-sized wheels. She would never consider wearing a helmet (it would make her an outcast) and she’s an expert at eluding the police. Many nights she even shares the same room with the young motorcyclists.

But Panadda is both an insider and an outsider. The reason this assistant professor from Kasetsart University’s faculty of social science has shared her life with these motorcycle dare-devils almost every day and night for the past two years is not to relive a lost youth – she is studying the issue of motorcycle fetishism among teenagers for her PhD thesis.

The Songkran holidays are over now. 476 died and 5,985 others were injured on the road from April 7 to April 16. After heart disease, traffic accidents are, overall, the second-leading killer of Thais. And in many cases, motorcycles play a major role. Throughout the year, in every province in Thailand, gangs of youths gather to zip their bikes around town, to the chagrin of police, parents and other motorists.

Although most of the gang Panadda hangs out with were at one time seriously injured in a road accident, the group continues to race their bikes, assume risky riding styles and call attention to themselves through their over-the-top behavior.

Panadda, who once feared and disliked the kids like many Thais do, decided to look at the situation from their point of view. She wanted to know why the teenagers look at their motorcycles like living friends, not objects. Why do they ride in such a risky way, despite having already suffered severe injuries and how do they feel about their risky behavior? Are the teens as bad as everyone thinks?

Two years have passed and the answer to the last question is “no.” What’s more, Panadda, to an extent, has been converted by the teens. The motorcycle is now Panadda’s favorite vehicle, and the kids are some of her best friends. The results of her study have been surprising too: the teens aren’t the problem.

Instead, the academic found that road injuries among young motorcyclists are indicative of a larger social problem that has more to do with rampant consumerism than problems the kids suffer from. Thus the authorities’ measures for reducing death and injuries – either through safe-driving campaigns or arrests – could never solve the problems these adolescents face or the ones they create.

“In the past, we thought the accidents were because the kids had poor driving skills or knowledge, so we solved the problem by focusing on the driver’s license or developing their skills, and we controlled them by arresting them,” says Panadda.

“But the severe injuries [from road accidents] are actually a reflection of Thai society. It is not a problem of skill but a problem having to do with teenagers’ lifestyles today and how they express their identities... which I think is a result of consumerism in society,” she says.

To begin with, motorcycle dealerships make it easy for kids to own a bike. Youths need only 900 baht for a down payment, says Panadda. A monthly installment of a few thousand baht is never a problem since the teens are willing to have their motorcycles seized by the shops whenever they run out of money. If that happens, they just save up another 900 baht for a new bike. “The motorcycle shops love this cycle,” says Panadda.

Describing her own gang (who were not made available for interviews for this story), Panadda says they are between the ages of 13 and 18 and consist mostly of those who have failed to do well in school. Even the ones that don’t have money to eat still own a bike.

They started riding when they were 13. Their parents hoped they would ride to school or go buy groceries for them. But ultimately the motorcycle led them into another world, where they met new people and made more friends. The bike was the key to this world and thus became a status symbol to be cherished.

“I used to be a good boy when I was a child, until Grade 7,” Panadda quotes a 14-year-old gang member as saying. “Actually, the motorcycle has made me misbehave. My life has changed. I have more friends. It’s happiness being with friends and the motorcycle is the means to allow me to have more friends.”

The gang’s day begins around noon, when they wake up, and ends around three or four o’clock the next morning. Every day, they wake up and go out to meet friends, hang out and chat about the night before. In the late afternoon, when the weather cools down, they begin to buzz around the neighborhood. Some who have girlfriends will pick up the girls and engage in sexual activity. The group then meets again around 7 or 8pm to buzz around town. When they are tired, they stop, hang out and chat. Then about 11pm to midnight, they go to the disco or a pub. After the bars close, they ride around again. The day ends at around four in the morning.

Psychologically, it is the motorcycle that has freed them. While adults see the motorcycle as a risk that needs to be controlled and suppressed, the young motorcyclist sees it as another being whom they can spend 24 hours with. Changing from a person who is poor and does poorly in school, the kid suddenly becomes attractive when he has his motorcycle beside him. People his age, and girls especially, begin to pay attention to this status symbol.

Then, trying to make himself the center of attention, a youth will develop risky riding styles to make himself unique.

“The kids have no social space. They are good at nothing; nothing they could be proud of. The motorcycle allows them to have social space. When people begin to pay attention to his motorcycle, when they come to talk to him and enhance his confidence, he suddenly becomes charming. He is no longer shy and introverted. He begins to have more and more friends. “I’m cool. I ride standing up. People praise me as hero for that,’” says Panadda, mimicking their thinking.

To make themselves even more attractive, the youths feel that their motorcycles need to have a personalities. Thus they decorate it in new colors and adorn it with new accessories every few months. They try everything to make their bike remain cool, even as it ages.

Panadda quotes one gang member as saying: “I ride a Honda Wave 125. I like it because it’s fast. The body is beautiful. The wheels are small and easy to modify. The more I modify, the more it shows my [financial] status... it’s like I’m well-off. To have a beautiful motorcycle will mean that I will have a lot of girlfriends who are cute too. Girls like rich people, especially young girls.”

Many bikes are decorated in Japanese cartoon characters, in products’ trademarks such as Oishi or Fanta, or with a catchy graphic. The decoration represents the personality of the rider and friends can also tell which motorcycle belongs to who.

“They are very proud that they are the leader of a fad. If someone follows them, they will be happy. But after a while, they will change in order to be leaders again. It’s a cycle. It seems as if they have freedom because of their creativity, but at the same time it all falls within the framework of marketing, which knows what teenagers’ weakness are. Marketers are very creative. They understand their target group and know what kids want,” Panadda says.

“The emotional tie between the teenagers and the motorcycles is viewed as the highest form of consumption. The influence of marketing is so powerful that the children don’t see the motorcycle as an object anymore but as another being. The motorcyclist need only make a minor change to make it stay alive, not to let it die or get old,” says Panadda.

While for the kids the motorcycle affords freedom and excitement, Panadda says the vehicle is actually the gateway to many problems such as drugs, street violence and crime as well as free unprotected sex.

“The motorcycle is the beginning (of the problems) as it opens their world. Kids start to go out and their social network is extended. Then they stop studying and that is followed by other problems,” says Panadda

“While we give attention to alcohol tax or cigarettes, we never talk about motorcycle sales... while the authorities have been strict about forcing people to wear a helmet, they never talk about the motorcycle shops or easy payment system. The motorcycle is the cause that leads the kids to other problems. It is a big thing that people overlook. It links with social violence and crime,” says Panadda.

Panadda will spend another seven months with her gang before concluding her thesis, which she hopes will create new ways of looking at an old problem and will ultimately help to solve the teens’ problems.

The professor, however, urges policy makers to examine the issues thoroughly before launching any problem-solving policies.

“Actually, there is a chain of problems. If we can understand the whole problem clearly, we’ll see a new way to solve it. Otherwise it will just keep looping,” she says.

“Some ministers, when solving the problems, rush to launch policies without understanding the root of the problem. This results in negative effects rather than good ones. For example, a governor is ordered to move. Everybody gets paranoid about the death toll figures and they end up making up the figures to save themselves,” she says.

Source: ThaiDay - 18 April 2006 14:46

[Simmo]

A good article with an academic's typical socialist rant against capitalism/coporations/consumerism. Why is it the greedy business that gets the blame and not the parents of these kids?.

You gotta laugh at kids that think they have street cred riding a moped though

[Thaising]

Does her study include riding her bike with the samurai gang in chiang mai to get some action and at the same time collect feedback?

[johna]

Did she have to undergo an initiation ceremony to join the gang?

Pull a train etc

[scotsman]

I thought it was a good read and if it will help to stop Thailand becoming another place where gang law rules then I am all for it. We have a very bad problem in patters with motor bike gangs that end up in shoot ups where some bystander gets killed, and if there is nothing done to try and stop this behaviour it will only get worse and then it will not be safe for any of us

[leftcross]

someone better tell her to watch Quadraphenia before she makes a complete fool of herself

[Johpa]

It took two years of "reserach" for this academic to conclude that vehicles can be used as status symbols in a consumerist society by lower middle class youth. I be flabergasted, I be gobsmacked. Will such revelations never cease?!

And yet there is another absolutely amazing revelation buried within this brief gem, that youths go for a quick shag in the late afternoon once school gets out yet before the parents get home. Tell me it is not true.

[britmaveric]

It took two years of "reserach" for this academic to conclude that vehicles can be used as status symbols in a consumerist society by lower middle class youth. I be flabergasted, I be gobsmacked. Will such revelations never cease?!

And yet there is another absolutely amazing revelation buried within this brief gem, that youths go for a quick shag in the late afternoon once school gets out yet before the parents get home. Tell me it is not true.

Prob was funded by her university for this adventure too!

[MarkBKK]

I thought it was a good read and if it will help to stop Thailand becoming another place where gang law rules then I am all for it. We have a very bad problem in patters with motor bike gangs that end up in shoot ups where some bystander gets killed, and if there is nothing done to try and stop this behaviour it will only get worse and then it will not be safe for any of us

They shoot people in Bangkok too ... the MIB are scared of them (but not as scared as the taxi drivers) and tend to keep out of their way.

[Heng]

I'd like to blame SEC Motors for selling me my Granvia..... which has inevitably led me to my minivan gang membership.

[sadman]

Hardly Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper, is it?

Funnily enough, when I was 17-18 years old, I used to ride bikes (Triumph Bonneville, Norton Commando, BSA Lightning). I rode quickly, went on rides with my mates, looked dirty (all the time), smoked (often), drank (quite often), even engaged in carnal activity (not very often at all).

But now that I look back, I seem to remember that I never shot/stabbed/bottled anyone; never got arrested; never did hard drugs; never got into crime - in fact, I did what my mates did. I eventually grew out of it and other than getting 3 points from a speed camera 2 years ago ( ) I live a legal existence. And still ride a Triumph Thunderbird.

GET A GRIP! Bikes/materialism etc don't cause crime. Bad parenting, however, might allow it to occur. Apologists need to look at the whole picture before coming out with trite explanations.

[Kerryd]

Hmmm, I'm thinking I should dump my 200cc Phantom and buy a 125 cc Wave ! Sounds much more exciting !

Sleep 'till noon, sex in the afternoon, party until the wee hours of the next day. Most people have to work years to achieve such a lifestyle. Now it turns out all you need is 900 baht for a moto and you're set !

[slackula]

someone better tell her to watch Quadraphenia before she makes a complete fool of herself

WELL SAID!

[kenk3z]

Note to self: Apply for PhD from Kasetsart University next vacation break in Thailand. Fund my special project, gain education visa, stay two years.

kenk3z

P.S. Street cred is nothing more than having more red feathers than the next male bird. So in a particular place in the world, its mopeds. Maybe another place, its a couple of buffalo, etc. etc.

[saeb]

someone better tell her to watch Quadraphenia before she makes a complete fool of herself

WELL SAID!

Didn't the hero in Quadrophenia drive his scooter over a cliff at the end?.

And of course all the scooter boys were necking lots of speed as well.

Lemmings the lot of them..........

[PanzerJohn]

I was a crazy teenager on a motorcycle once, now I'm in my 40's I ride a lot more sensibly........

[smacko]

PanzerJohn you do mate, i'm normally in t-shirt, jeans and runners when i do stand ups hahaha

[opothai]

someone better tell her to watch Quadraphenia before she makes a complete fool of herself

WELL SAID!

Didn't the hero in Quadrophenia drive his scooter over a cliff at the end?.

And of course all the scooter boys were necking lots of speed as well.

Lemmings the lot of them..........

it was one of the mis guided misunderstood dissapointed followers of his hero [ sting ] that nicked the super scooter and drove it over the cliff.

this is rellevant to motor cycle gangs in los i think, because they are getting into the western way of thinking at a young age, [ life owes me a living and its just not fair ] so they rebel, getting attention and when they get away with certain things they then push the barriers further and further.

and don't they just love it when somebody say's give them a chance it's not thier fault

i like to see kids enjoy themselves but with these gangs they seem to enjoy themselves by upsetting and intimidating others

[saeb]

someone better tell her to watch Quadraphenia before she makes a complete fool of herself

WELL SAID!

Didn't the hero in Quadrophenia drive his scooter over a cliff at the end?.

And of course all the scooter boys were necking lots of speed as well.

Lemmings the lot of them..........

it was one of the mis guided misunderstood dissapointed followers of his hero [ sting ] that nicked the super scooter and drove it over the cliff.

this is rellevant to motor cycle gangs in los i think, because they are getting into the western way of thinking at a young age, [ life owes me a living and its just not fair ] so they rebel, getting attention and when they get away with certain things they then push the barriers further and further.

and don't they just love it when somebody say's give them a chance it's not thier fault

i like to see kids enjoy themselves but with these gangs they seem to enjoy themselves by upsetting and intimidating others

Yes, that's correct, it was Gordon Summerfield's AKA Sting's scooter that got nicked and over the cliff. Aerodynamic point:- With all those mirrors sticking out creating drag one wonders how fast it went?. (Were scooters not originally marketed as a ladies motorcycle?).

And was it a 'tantric' scooter?.

Groups of young lads will always form groups - be it mods, rockers, hells angels, skinheads, punks - I don't believe that culture has anything to do much about it ; more of a hormonal thing I think and a 'wanting to belong' - part of the tribal indentity thing.

Imagine Thai punk rockers:- Now that would be one for the guide books!!!

[leftcross]

all i can remember about Quadrophenia is Phil Daniels screaming 'Oi Postman you killed my bike!!!!' after an accident near the end of the film

yes saeb, i wonder how long it will take for thai football hooligan gangs to take off. they could travel about on buses smashing up som tam stalls in opposition towns

i dont see the big deal about motorcycle gangs. just let the kids have their fun as they make the transition to adulthood

[MarkBKK]

i dont see the big deal about motorcycle gangs. just let the kids have their fun as they make the transition to adulthood

As has already been noted, some of them kill people with guns and knives (and things). Unless I've got hold of completely the wrong end of the stick I think this is the basic problem. Of course, life is cheap here, so perhaps you're right ... let them have their fun.

Edited April 20, 2006 by MarkBKK

[leftcross]

teenagers have killed people way before motorcycles were even invented.

stopping 'motorcycle gangs' wont turn those capable of killing into choirboys/girls, they will simply find another outlet.

i would think 99.9999999999% of teenage motorcyclists are decent people and will grow up to contribute fully to society.

let them have their fun, just like we all did when we were younger.

[saeb]

all i can remember about Quadrophenia is Phil Daniels screaming 'Oi Postman you killed my bike!!!!' after an accident near the end of the film

yes saeb, i wonder how long it will take for thai football hooligan gangs to take off. they could travel about on buses smashing up som tam stalls in opposition towns

i dont see the big deal about motorcycle gangs. just let the kids have their fun as they make the transition to adulthood

Thai football hooligans heh -heh : The Mudkahan Inter City Crew - Songkla Soccer Casuals.......

Hat Yai Head Hunters.....the mind boggles!.

But no scrapping in the afternoon - everyone gone sleepy byes.

Gladitorial bouts with the customers of certain Pattaya pubs would be an interesting cultural slant.

[leftcross]

sounds like you might be onto something there and i'm sure the upstanding patrons of the D*** B******* would be most obliging.

however, do Stone Island make flips flops?

[ProfessorFart]

yes saeb, i wonder how long it will take for thai football hooligan gangs to take off. they could travel about on buses smashing up som tam stalls in opposition towns

That sort of happened a couple of years ago when there were big onrunning gang battles between various colleges and universities mainly in BKK but also in other locations across the country.

[saeb]

yes saeb, i wonder how long it will take for thai football hooligan gangs to take off. they could travel about on buses smashing up som tam stalls in opposition towns

That sort of happened a couple of years ago when there were big onrunning gang battles between various colleges and universities mainly in BKK but also in other locations across the country.

Yes, the vocational school students went on a bit of a rampage for a few years didn't they.

A fourteen year old was gang raped on a bus in broad daylight and nobody lifted a hand to help.

Was'nt the excuse at the time that 'they suffered from low self esteem because they couldn't get into Uni'. ?.

I was out by Rangsit one time when two lots set about each other ; Brought back fond memories of the Rangers / Celtic games of my youth. NOT.

Buriram Bovver Boys.........Naiyok Nutters.........Petchabun Posse.....

We'd need a venue in Pattaya though as the D*** B******s isn't big enough.

[MarkBKK]

A fourteen year old was gang raped on a bus in broad daylight and nobody lifted a hand to help.

Was'nt the excuse at the time that 'they suffered from low self esteem because they couldn't get into Uni'. ?.

I was out by Rangsit one time when two lots set about each other ; Brought back fond memories of the Rangers / Celtic games of my youth. NOT.

As leftcross said ''let them have their fun, just like we all did when we were younger.''

My, how we laughed ...

(It was one Saturday afternoon at the dog kennel that put me off football for quite a while ...)

[saeb]

A fourteen year old was gang raped on a bus in broad daylight and nobody lifted a hand to help.

Was'nt the excuse at the time that 'they suffered from low self esteem because they couldn't get into Uni'. ?.

I was out by Rangsit one time when two lots set about each other ; Brought back fond memories of the Rangers / Celtic games of my youth. NOT.

As leftcross said ''let them have their fun, just like we all did when we were younger.''

My, how we laughed ...

(It was one Saturday afternoon at the dog kennel that put me off football for quite a while ...)

It was being pursued up a deserted Arbroath High St one Saturday morning by what seemed like every Rangers supporter on the planet baying for my blood.

(And here was me wandering around thinking, "Hmmmmm seems quiet today. I wonder where everybody is?".)

Good job we had lots of cross country running at school - it stood me in good stead.

[MarkBKK]

Nice avatar. Don't forget: You shouldn't call the doctor if you can't afford the bills!

[scotsman]

Young Thai Girl a bystander shot in the leg yesterday when 2 thai men on motor bikes had a gun battle but yes just as some of you say let them have there fun What about the poor victims