Phuket Opinion: Putting the brakes on tourist bike accidents

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Putting the brakes on tourist bike accidents
Phuket Gazette -

Paitoon Sillapavisut says it’s too easy for unqualified foreigners to rent motorbikes. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

Paitoon Sillapavisut, 41, is a Nakhon Sri Thammarat native who graduated from Ramkhamhaeng University in Business Management. He has been the senior manager of the Phuket branch of Road Accident Victim Protection Co Ltd Since 1998.

Here, Mr Paitoon talks about what causes visitors to have motorcycle accidents on the island and suggests what measures should be taken to prevent them.

PHUKET: In the recent Seven Days of Danger road-safety campaign, there were five road deaths in Phuket (story here). Two of the people who died were foreigners riding motorcycles.

Foreigners here are much more likely to have accidents while riding motorbikes than driving cars.

There are several reasons for this, but the one I think is most within our control concerns the rental shops. They often only ask for a passport and don’t insist on seeing a valid driver’s licence.

Authorities in Phuket should crack down on this practice and make sure that every rental shop require a valid motorcycle driver’s licence before renting out a bike.

Neglecting to ask for a licence is the first ingredient in a recipe for disaster. It puts inexperienced people into traffic they probably don’t understand. The rules here are bound to be different than the rules in their countries – for instance, at home they may drive on the other side of the road. This can cause confusion while driving, especially when making turns.

We have heavy traffic and a lot of people who drive at high speeds. This raises the risk of accidents for inexperienced drivers who are unfamiliar with our roads. And that’s not to mention the many hills and curves which cause accidents even among people who are familiar with them.

Another contributing factor to foreigners’ accidents is the high number of rental shops here. There are motorcycle rental shops along the road at every tourist spot on the island, and at almost every beach.

Then, there is the mindset of tourists – they’re here to have a good time. Sometimes that means their common sense goes out the window. They might have an “anything goes” attitude which causes them to lose self-control, and to lose the concern they normally have for their safety and that of others.

They may drink and drive, and they may get in a group and start driving wildly, just for fun.

Even if they avoid hurting anyone during an accident, dealing with insurance issues could ruin their vacations.

Rental shops are required by law to insure each motorbike with insurance called “Road Accident Victim Protection”, or RVP. It costs the rental shop 320 baht per bike per year. RVP pays up to five million baht per accident.

One problem we have encountered with foreign claimants is time constraints. For example, they submit all the necessary documents, but need to fly home the following day. We can’t process the claims in one day. We need time to investigate the accident and make sure the motorcycle is covered. This has caused fights between tourists and insurance company staff.

Drivers should keep in mind that if they are at fault, RVP won’t cover damages, and they will likely have to pay for repairs out of their own pocket.

Even if they manage to avoid accidents, foreigners without driving credentials may still get in trouble with the law. If a policeman stops them, they could be arrested, which would not be a pleasant addition to their vacation.

I want foreigners who rent bikes without a license to remember that a split second can change their lives forever. What happens in that short moment could cause them to never go home to their loved ones, or prevent someone else from going home to his.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Phuket-Opinion-Putting-the-brakes-on-tourist-bike-accidents-24392.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2014-01-26

[Sunderland]

I agree 100% with this. Many foreigners have never ridden a motorcycle before. Furthermore, the fact that some do not take basic precautions to avoid accidents or injuries received as a consequence of an accident adds to the danger.

However, it should be added that many of the accidents occur due to poor standards of driving on the part of local drivers and riders too, who drive unpredictably and dangerously. I am sure there are more than a few who do not have a license or are even old enough to ride a motorcycle. This is not Thai bashing, this is stating the obvious.

[simon43]

How many tourists who rent motorbike have motorbike licences in their home country? 5%??

This man has zero chance of enforcing valid licences, because doing so will force the rental shops out of business.....

[Patje]

The rules here are bound to be different than the rules in their countries – for instance, at home they may drive on the other side of the road. This can cause confusion while driving, especially when making turns.

And here they drive on the same side of the road, only they should be on the other side

Confusing???? Nah !!!

[jackr]

You mention unfamiliar traffic, bends, the mindset of tourists and other things, but neglect to point out the ineptness of local drivers being a big part of the problem. Why is this, Khun Paitoon Sillapavisut?

[Briggsy]

The whole gamet of laws need to be enforced not just preventing rental shops hiring out bikes to unlicensed foreign riders. Driver training needs to be taken seriously also.

Even if the will was there, such a cultural change would take at least a decade before driving safety standards had travelled half the way to reaching those of , say, France.

[hansgruber]

No licence, no rent.

People also have to understand its dangerous to ride if never ridden before, in any country.

People's lack of personal responsibility has to be the main problem here.

[LivinginKata]

Very good article. This guy has really hit the nail on the head. However there is no chance that the rental people will ever check for valid motorbike licences. Money trumps safety and the tourists sign an agreement that they are responsible for all damages and bike replacement cost.

[Costas2008]

simon43, on 26 Jan 2014 - 11:22, said:

How many tourists who rent motorbike have motorbike licences in their home country? 5%??

This man has zero chance of enforcing valid licences, because doing so will force the rental shops out of business.....

I wonder how many Thais have motorbike licences in their home country!

[andreandre]

No licence, no rent.

People also have to understand its dangerous to ride if never ridden before, in any country.

People's lack of personal responsibility has to be the main problem here.

No license no rent? ..maybe,..[immagine the buy-a-copy-license-now-mister/ms money maker loophole that can come out of this] but even having a license doesn't make anyone totally safe ..people from .the countries who drive on the other side of the road eg often self terminate when faced with an emergency situation..automatically react to their instincts learnt in their home country...

This from OP is the crux of most of the problems:

Then, there is the mindset of tourists – they’re here to have a good time. Sometimes that means their common sense goes out the window. They might have an “anything goes” attitude which causes them to lose self-control, and to lose the concern they normally have for their safety and that of others.

Apart from the above and this...We have heavy traffic and a lot of people who drive at high speeds.

The rest of it is total BS!..round and round we go...as usual.

[Guest]

When the tourists come to the land of the free, they might also wish to enjoy the freedom of exploring other locations in addition to the beach where they stay.

Some, more educated tourists, do not wish to support the tuk-tuk, taxi mafia on the island.

Why not to go to the root problem and fix the public transportation issues, so that there is no need for any inexperienced or experienced riders to rent the scooters.

[NamKangMan]

When the tourists come to the land of the free, they might also wish to enjoy the freedom of exploring other locations in addition to the beach where they stay.

Some, more educated tourists, do not wish to support the tuk-tuk, taxi mafia on the island.

Why not to go to the root problem and fix the public transportation issues, so that there is no need for any inexperienced or experienced riders to rent the scooters.

I agree.

In my opinion, the number one cause of all the traffic, faster deterioration of the roads, parking problems, noise and air pollution, accidents causing injury and death and the odd scam for scratched motorbikes, is the lack of public transport here.

Let's just say a motorbike rental shop rents a bike to a licenced rider, possibly even an expat from another province with a Thai licence. With the all the tuk-tuk BS here, do you really think he is going to leave the bike at home and pay 400 to 800 baht, or more, for a tuk-tuk home?

Look at all the expats here riding around drunk.

Give the coast road affordable public transport by way of a baht bus system, or Bangkok style metered taxis, and many would not even consider renting a bike.

Then, you will see the road toll decrease, almost instantly.

[NamKangMan]

It's mentioned in a few threads recently about renting motorbikes to unlicenced and/or inexperienced riders, or even people who have never been on a bike before.

I'm wondering if there isn't going to be a push to get tourists, and expats, back into tuk-tuks, through some new laws and heavy enforcement, whether that enforcement be legitimate, or hefty bribes.

Maybe Khun Paitoon has an interest in a few tuk-tuks, I know a few of the BiB do.

Great way to get people to use your service - stop them from using their own transport.

[Felt 35]

Authorities in Phuket should crack down on this practice

....and many other practises but then we will here "right to make a living"

They really need to start all over again..... until the Government are in charge in this country and decide and enforce laws its only talk.

[Mrjlh]

I also agree 100% with the article. He's dead on on every point he made. Require anyone who rents a motorbike to show proof they have the license in either Thailand and if not more importantly in their home country "before" they can rent. At least then you would have drivers who have at least had some training (better than nothing) as opposed to no training.

You still can't stop the ones who throw common sense out the window and either drive with total abandonment or drink to excess and still drive. Nor the other driver who can't drive worth a hill of beans, is reckless or drunk themselves.

[NamKangMan]

No licence, no rent.

People also have to understand its dangerous to ride if never ridden before, in any country.

People's lack of personal responsibility has to be the main problem here.

The idea of "No licence, no rent" is interesting.

I would suggest that the majority of adult tourists coming to Phuket have a drivers licence in their home country. I would also suggest that out of those same tourists, only a small percentage have a licence to ride a motorbike in their home country.

Renting motorbikes has been singled out, but that may just mean more tourists rent cars. Recently, there had been a few threads on this forum with posters asking about car rental.

Cars will offer more protection for the driver, but if the driver loses control of a car, he/she can do more damage to others in a car than if they were on a bike.

It all comes down to NOT having tourists, who are unfamiliar with a particular vehicle, unfamiliar with the roads here, unfamiliar with the traffic conditions here, unfamiliar with the heavy rain and possibly drunk and/or on drugs - NOT in control of ANY vehicle here - and that means, proper public transport on Phuket.

[transam]

simon43, on 26 Jan 2014 - 11:22, said:

How many tourists who rent motorbike have motorbike licences in their home country? 5%??

This man has zero chance of enforcing valid licences, because doing so will force the rental shops out of business.....

I wonder how many Thais have motorbike licenses in their home country!

For sure the 10 year old riders where I am do not , but hey, the BiB don't care or do anything so it looks like nothing will change, ever........

[kittosoft]

Experienced or inexperienced riders/drivers makes no differences cause the road conditions and road users here are out of this world. You will almost never ever find another country like this. Ride safe and pray hard.

Edited January 26, 2014 by kittosoft

[Shurup]

It's mentioned in a few threads recently about renting motorbikes to unlicenced and/or inexperienced riders, or even people who have never been on a bike before.

I'm wondering if there isn't going to be a push to get tourists, and expats, back into tuk-tuks, through some new laws and heavy enforcement, whether that enforcement be legitimate, or hefty bribes.

Maybe Khun Paitoon has an interest in a few tuk-tuks, I know a few of the BiB do.

Great way to get people to use your service - stop them from using their own transport.

Nothing to do with pushing tourists back to using tuk-tuks. No license, no rent - it is that simple!

[andreandre]

No licence, no rent.

People also have to understand its dangerous to ride if never ridden before, in any country.

People's lack of personal responsibility has to be the main problem here.

No license no rent? ..maybe,..[immagine the buy-a-copy-license-now-mister/ms money maker loophole that can come out of this] but even having a license doesn't make anyone totally safe ..people from .the countries who drive on the other side of the road eg often self terminate when faced with an emergency situation..automatically react to their instincts learnt in their home country...

This from OP is the crux of most of the problems:

Then, there is the mindset of tourists – they’re here to have a good time. Sometimes that means their common sense goes out the window. They might have an “anything goes” attitude which causes them to lose self-control, and to lose the concern they normally have for their safety and that of others.

Apart from the above and this...We have heavy traffic and a lot of people who drive at high speeds.

The rest of it is total BS!..round and round we go...as usual.

To make this clowns post more of a joke,ie he hasn't got a clue, my Australian [Qld]Licence doesn't even have the words, car or motorcycle on it..just "Type and class"

The BIB cant decipher it let alone somchai at the bike rental outlet...what a joke...

Edited January 26, 2014 by andreandre

[Shurup]

Very good article. This guy has really hit the nail on the head. However there is no chance that the rental people will ever check for valid motorbike licences. Money trumps safety and the tourists sign an agreement that they are responsible for all damages and bike replacement cost.

There's a very simple fix for that - start fining rental shops of a license-less tourist is caught riding one of their bikes. Will only take a few tourists/fines before they start checking. But again, this will have to be enforced and it's the hardest part.

[hansgruber]

Very good article. This guy has really hit the nail on the head. However there is no chance that the rental people will ever check for valid motorbike licences. Money trumps safety and the tourists sign an agreement that they are responsible for all damages and bike replacement cost.

There's a very simple fix for that - start fining rental shops of a license-less tourist is caught riding one of their bikes. Will only take a few tourists/fines before they start checking. But again, this will have to be enforced and it's the hardest part.

It won't ever be enforced. Police own a majority of the rental bikes.

[transam]

Very good article. This guy has really hit the nail on the head. However there is no chance that the rental people will ever check for valid motorbike licences. Money trumps safety and the tourists sign an agreement that they are responsible for all damages and bike replacement cost.

There's a very simple fix for that - start fining rental shops of a license-less tourist is caught riding one of their bikes. Will only take a few tourists/fines before they start checking. But again, this will have to be enforced and it's the hardest part.

Tea money will prevail.................... .................Sadly.

[Shurup]

It won't ever be enforced. Police own a majority of the rental bikes.

If that's the case then the guy in the OP is out of luck. More radical changes will be required.

Tea money will prevail.................... .................Sadly.

Well yeah, if there's the law and the rental shops would have to either pay a fine or a bribe, it's all the same, they would start checking licenses to avoid paying fines or bribes.

[Shurup]

To make this clowns post more of a joke,ie he hasn't got a clue, my Australian [Qld]Licence doesn't even have the words, car or motorcycle on it..just "Type and class"

The BIB cant decipher it let alone somchai at the bike rental outlet...what a joke...

It may come as a surprise to you, but your Australian license doesn't qualify you to ride a bike in Thailand, you have to have an international drivers permit on top of it.

[andreandre]

To make this clowns post more of a joke,ie he hasn't got a clue, my Australian [Qld]Licence doesn't even have the words, car or motorcycle on it..just "Type and class"

The BIB cant decipher it let alone somchai at the bike rental outlet...what a joke...

It may come as a surprise to you, but your Australian license doesn't qualify you to ride a bike in Thailand, you have to have an international drivers permit on top of it.

No, not a surprise, because not correct.

[stevenl]

To make this clowns post more of a joke,ie he hasn't got a clue, my Australian [Qld]Licence doesn't even have the words, car or motorcycle on it..just "Type and class"

The BIB cant decipher it let alone somchai at the bike rental outlet...what a joke...

It may come as a surprise to you, but your Australian license doesn't qualify you to ride a bike in Thailand, you have to have an international drivers permit on top of it.

No, you don't.

The main thing is that the motorbike endorsements from back home don't have any value here, a full license is required for all bikes. But provided a home license is valid for the vehicle driven, has a photo, and is in english or pictograms an idp is not required.

Sent from my D90W using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NamKangMan]

It's mentioned in a few threads recently about renting motorbikes to unlicenced and/or inexperienced riders, or even people who have never been on a bike before.

I'm wondering if there isn't going to be a push to get tourists, and expats, back into tuk-tuks, through some new laws and heavy enforcement, whether that enforcement be legitimate, or hefty bribes.

Maybe Khun Paitoon has an interest in a few tuk-tuks, I know a few of the BiB do.

Great way to get people to use your service - stop them from using their own transport.

Nothing to do with pushing tourists back to using tuk-tuks. No license, no rent - it is that simple!

"No license, no rent - it is that simple!" - ahhhh, and you can't see the bigger picture to that????

Ok, if it's so simple, is that no Thai licence no rent? If so, there will be next to no rental vehicles on Phuket. That will cause EVERY TOURIST needing tuk-tuks or taxis (black or legit) to get around the island. Watch the prices go up - causing tourism to go down.

Or is that no riding licence from home country - no rent motorbike on Phuket, but can rent car? If so, they just rent a car (which is still cheaper per day than tuk-tuks) and wipe out a few motorbikes, or another car with a family in it, when they lose control.

Maybe, "no licence, no rent" might mean "no holiday on Phuket anymore" for many.

[besth]

Many countries automatically give a license/permit to ride up to 50cc scooters with

the car driving license.

Not sure why, I guess it is because proof of knowing the road rules and not much

different from a bicycle.

If people renting scooters in Thailand asked for at least that, it might make things

safer. They would also have to invest less money on their scooters.

Of course, all those show-off russian-roulette players who rent the big bikes and end up on

the news would not be able to play.

[Arkady]

Very easy to solve the problem in Phuket, Samui and all other tourist resorts. Police strictly check licenses of tourists on motor bikes. Those without are fined along with the shops they rented them from. Even if the shops get away with it and the police take bribes from the tourists, the word would get around that it is not worth riding a bike without a license. I am sure that only a small percentage of them have motor cycle licenses, even in their own countries.