eleothegreat Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Here's a scary fact. The British government says that last year, over 250 Brits died in Thailand, and most of them were because of motorbike accidents. That number does not include other tourists from other countries and locals as well, so as to how many have died in motorbike accidents - we can't really tell. Going back, this number was released by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the FCO. This fact supports the claims that Thailand is indeed the most dangerous spot for vacations when it comes to Brits, and this is because of the number of motorbike accidents that have caused either death or hospitalization. While the FCO has just looked at incidents that have involved Brit citizens, other tourists from other countries are also just as vulnerable to accidents while they are on vacation. Plenty of Thais use motorbikes in order to get around easily. And because of the popularity of the motorbikes, it seems that even small kids already know how to drive them. Just because they can get you anywhere, and just because everyone's driving them - don't fool yourself into thinking that these two wheeled vehicles are easy to use. Motorbikes are practically easy to rent and great to use - you can get around and head from one place to another without the hassle of public transport. But word of caution - only use motorbikes if you know how to drive one, and if you know and completely understand how the rules of the road work. Remember that even expert bikers get into accidents - how much more would the risk be if you don't know how to drive one? While motorbikes are a great way to experience Thailand - do make sure that you adhere to safety rules of the government. Till then, take care! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvdkeyes Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I don't know of any Thai who drives a motorbike who has NOT had at least one accident, usually more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 A few weeks ago, I visited a friend in a hospital who had all kinds of pins inserted into her leg. If you're in Pattaya or Bangkok there's no need to rent a bike. I don't take mototaxis eitehr. A small out of the way island (not Phuket) is a different story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eleothegreat Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 I don't know of any Thai who drives a motorbike who has NOT had at least one accident, usually more. Is it because of the quality of the motorbikes, or the style of driving? Or because of the roads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Is it because of the quality of the motorbikes, or the style of driving? Or because of the roads? It's the quantity of motobikes. Although I suppose more traffic lights would help somewhat. Btw, it's not all that unusual to see four people on one motobike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvdkeyes Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 It is also the complete disregard for traffic laws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 But word of caution - only use motorbikes if you know how to drive one, and if you know and completely understand how the rules of the road work. Remember that even expert bikers get into accidents - how much more would the risk be if you don't know how to drive one? While motorbikes are a great way to experience Thailand - do make sure that you adhere to safety rules of the government. Till then, take care! Even if you are an expert biker, driving in Thailand can be very hazardous. Although I use motorcycle taxis and have driven a motorcycle in Thailand, it still scares the devil out of me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaimo Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Is it because of the quality of the motorbikes, or the style of driving? Or because of the roads?It's because of the quality of the motorbikes, the style of driving, and the roads. It's because of the stupidity of drivers who don't look where they are going and come zooming out of intersections. It's because of the constant going the wrong way on divided roads and one-way streets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 It's because of the quality of the motorbikes, the style of driving, and the roads. It's because of the stupidity of drivers who don't look where they are going and come zooming out of intersections. It's because of the constant going the wrong way on divided roads and one-way streets.I don't think it is because of the quality of the motorbikes. Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and the like are good quality bikes. It is the crazy drivers and all the traffic, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvdkeyes Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 All you have to do is to observe the motorbikes and you will see them going the wrong way, driving on the sidewalk (pavement for Brits), weaving in and out of traffic, jumping the lights, ignoring the lights and passing on the left side. I know there are other violations; what did I miss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 I know there are other violations; what did I miss? The worst violation is throwing buckets of water into the face of motobike drivers. This happens every Aril and is the height of stupidity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvdkeyes Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 I couldn't agree more. Songkran has gotten way out of hand. I leave Thailand during Songkran every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 All you have to do is to observe the motorbikes and you will see them going the wrong way, driving on the sidewalk (pavement for Brits), weaving in and out of traffic, jumping the lights, ignoring the lights and passing on the left side. I know there are other violations; what did I miss? Overloading the small bikes with passengers, chickens, pigs, and other market goods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rucus7 Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 I think it is a widely held belief, at least among farang that Thai drivers are somehow less than cognizant of basic traffic laws. My perception is that the " laws" here are more like guide lines. If we stop trying to impose the traffic laws from our home countries, it becomes much less stressful. In Thailand driving into oncoming traffic for relatively short distances is acceptable. It is not viewed as driving the" wrong way" What still baffles me however, is why during a heavy rain or deep dusk, most drivers do not turn on their headlights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 What still baffles me however, is why during a heavy rain or deep dusk, most drivers do not turn on their headlights.You would think turning on your headlights would be common sense. In a heavy rain I would pull over and wait for the rain to stop but most Thais don't do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaimo Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Overloading the small bikes with passengers, chickens, pigs, and other market goods.I think the craziest of all are the people who carry infants on their motorbikes and the infants have no protection of any kind. No helmet, no nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 I think the craziest of all are the people who carry infants on their motorbikes and the infants have no protection of any kind. No helmet, no nothing.In the West, they would be arrested for child abuse or endangering the welfare of a child. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaimo Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 In the West, they would be arrested for child abuse or endangering the welfare of a child.That is true, but this is definitely not the West. We're not in Kansas anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 The law in Pattaya, not sure about the rest of Thailand is that adults must wear helmets but children are exempt. Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvdkeyes Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Thai logic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted September 30, 2009 Report Share Posted September 30, 2009 Here is a story from Tennessee about a motorcyclist that led to three arrests. JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – Washington County authorities said a motorcyclist riding down the road without a helmet led to a series of discoveries and three arrests. The Johnson City Press reported that when officers stopped 21-year-old outside his home on Tuesday, they found he wasn't alone. The man also had an 18-month-old baby on board, also without a helmet. As they wrote him up for reckless endangerment, evading arrest and driving on a suspended license, officers learned another man at the home was a fugitive from North Carolina. They arrested him as well. But before the officers could leave, they spotted a third man allegedly breaking into a nearby barn. So they arrested him, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 Today I saw a woman driving a motobike holding a fishing rod and standing on the back of he seat was a little dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 You would not believe some of the things you see involving motorbikes. I have seen a guy riding on the back of a motorbike with what looked to be 20 feet of metal rods on his shoulder. Unbelievable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvdkeyes Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 In Vietnam I saw several motor bikes with large baskets jammed full of baby pigs, apparently off to the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted October 3, 2009 Report Share Posted October 3, 2009 Seeing the dog made me curious so I walked to the beginning of my little to observe motobikes for a minute or two. One motobile had three people but all the rest one or two, one with a 2 year old up front with no helmut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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