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Beyonce Goes Wild on Phuket Motorcycle
Saturday, January 3, 2015
PHUKET: Beyonce has been exploring Phuket - on the back of a motorcycle and without wearing a helmet. Her husband, Jay Z, who is at the controls, also appears to have lost his senses.
Thailand is among the world's most dangerous countries on the roads with a huge death toll and thousands of needless crashes every day.
The period around New Year that Thailand is experiencing is known as the Seven Days of Danger because there are so many deaths and injuries - most of them involving motorcycles.
It appears that being one of the world's most famous singers does not mean you are exempt from the Phuket Rule.
The Phuket Rule, invented by a local expat a few years ago, goes as follows: ''When visitors come to Phuket, they pack everything they need. But they often forget to bring their commonsense.''
It's the first time Beyonce has offended local laws, which require motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets.
Most Phuket families would jam the family baby between the two adults on the back of the motorcycle.
Beyonce has already alarmed environmentalists by jumping on the back of a young, tame elephant at Amanpuri, the up-market Phuket resort where she and Jay Z and infant daughter Blue Ivy arrived before Christmas.
Photographs of Blue Ivy bottle-feeding a tiger cub are not likely to please people who believe the tigers are better off in the wilds.
Speaking of the wilds, the famous family returns to the US and sanity about January 5.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
Ed, the whole point is to get away from the rules and serious staff, that's why people come to Thailand. Thailand in Thai means freeland. People like to be free to do what they want.
Posted by
Feisty Farang
on
January 3, 2015 14:31
Editor Comment:
Doh. That's not in dispute, FF.
The wisdom in a role model for young fans all over the world riding a motorcycle as she is doing is perhaps something you and Beyonce both need to consider.
Funny how money and brains make very strange bedfellows? Their heads can pop like water-melons, just like the locals heads do and including people that I have known. If your head is not important to you, by all means don't protect it. Please don't leave your brains on our roads, it makes them difficult to ride or walk on. Thank you.
Posted by
Robin S
on
January 3, 2015 14:37
Personally I think given the massive income she has she could fly around the island by helicopter hire flashy Ferraris etc she is an inspiration of not letting money go to your head! Let her enjoy herself and stop being a bore. There are far more serious issues facing Thailand!
Posted by
Feisty Farang
on
January 3, 2015 14:53
Editor Comment:
Needless crashes on the roads kill thousands each year and you think there are more important issues than saving lives? I think you're showing your usual tunnel vision self-interest.
Their heads, their responsibility. Could it be more simple than that? Same goes for all sorts of 'laws'.
Posted by
Matt
on
January 3, 2015 14:54
I do not wear a helmet. I am over 18 years sold and like the fact that I can choose. Nanny states that insist on do this, don't do that, look at Queensland pubs you walk in and there are sometimes sign saying you can get fined for this and that being drunk etc, give me a break. Then the pokies.....people sit in their pubs playing machines, wow what a life.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
January 3, 2015 15:19
Editor Comment:
That's a sign you are prepared to ignore laws when it suits you, FF.
just go on reporting totally irrelevant stuff about her and other celebreties and make sure that none of them will ever come back to phuket.why? this is not news but a total waste of time.
Posted by
Buddy
on
January 3, 2015 15:23
Editor Comment:
What's ''totally irrelevant'' to you Buddy is news to millions of others. Whether the celebrities come back or not is totally their decision. Some return. Others explore the entire world. If we get the chance, though, rest assured that we will pass on your suggestion to Beyonce.
Was it just a photo opportunity ? Driver's foot appear to be at the ground . The drivers does not wear a helmet too and the two motorbikes ahead in traffic do not feature helmets either...the pickup truck is illegally transporting people in the back ..looks like a normal day in Phuket :) I think people in Phuket have other role models.
Posted by
sailor
on
January 3, 2015 15:24
not wearing a helmet?...Look, it could be worse..they could have been renting jet skiis and really putting their lives in jeopardy
Posted by
sky
on
January 3, 2015 15:30
In many US states it's legal to drive a motorbike without a helmet, only eye protection is required.
Given the number of locals who choose not to use a helmet, it's plausible they thought they were in compliance with local laws.
Sure not knowing the law is no excuse and naturally being famous carries the responsibility of being a role model, like it or not, but I do think the tone of the article is below PW standards and more like you'd expect from a tabloid.
Personally I like the fact that she's mingling in just like any average tourist.
Posted by
Herbert
on
January 3, 2015 15:39
I don't agree that people coming to Thailand to get free of the rules and feel freedom:
back home in Europe we drink in clubs more, often equivalent of 0.75-1l of strong spirits per evening , we party more , better , wilder and longer - sometimes until 9am, that follows sauna , and then go to bed 11pm,get up 4pm , go to lunch, gym, sauna, dinner, amd back into the club.
In France they have all-over-the-year after party clubs , like on Ibiza, that are open until 1pm.
Still:
- you leave your car at night club parking in the early morning, leave by taxi and come back to pick it up later afternoon.It routinely applies also to all ferraris and high olive engine cars, as police will make no difference applying mandatory few days of incarceration if you have alcohol on blood more than double of legal limit ;
- it is if ten really well packed inside, it's really difficult to move inside, but any pushing or similar altercations are extremely rare, people are not in habit to exhibit their bad temper , although most of them are visibly drunk; I think I've been to thise clubs more than 1 thousand times per my life, but there were just few accidents of fighting, even when someone mistakenly trying to solicite someone's GF - as everyone understand that they came not to a church, but to the club.
I guess bad behavior of people in Phuket on club scene is linked more the facts that so many of them don't go out regularly back at home : in most cases they can't afford it financial, or have too tight working schedule or in some cases their social or family status precludes it . So once they finally got here, minds are blown away, they do no used to control their alcohol intake and related behavior, they are not used to club behavior protocol etc.
Would they do more clubbing back at home, they would be used to vices of the clubbing and do not exhibit too much of their bad character.
Therefore myself I never went to Thailand primarily for partying, as we have it home, but for the things we don't have : climate, beaches / warm sea, food, spa, nature, service / people .
So that's why I agree with Ed's theses above.
Posted by
Sue
on
January 3, 2015 15:52
Sue,
Too many explanations in the one post but those "olive engines" has got me. Are they the ones that run on olive oil?
Posted by
Manowar
on
January 3, 2015 16:29
Manowar, yes, they do : as gasoline in Europe is so expensive because of high excise tax, so you better use extra virgin olive oil to fill a tank; cost of olive oil is subsidized from the EU bdg,so it will be cheaper , and probably smells better, just give a try!
Posted by
Sue
on
January 3, 2015 16:43
ED u that knows best every time why u not crusade that the helmet law should mean a safe helmet not a piss pot that u can buy in 7/11? u really think this worthless helmets we wear here are anything else then sun protection ? stupid law. .u need something on ur head but no need to be of any protection...
Posted by
frog
on
January 3, 2015 16:49
Sue, Im not sure whether the extra virgin oil would ignite in my engine as I think it lacks the explosive power to move my pistons. Although, I can see the advantage for some, of ones exhaust smelling like freshly consumed Bruschetta.
Posted by
Manowar
on
January 3, 2015 17:08
Glad to see the article and its tone; as an American citizen its embarrassing to see stupid tourists from my country. Many apologies for the ignorant couple, too bad Americans are so ignorant.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 3, 2015 17:40
veh in front being a pickup overloaded with people in it isn't too flash either
law or no law its a dangerous and unsafe practice.
Posted by
slickmelb
on
January 3, 2015 18:34
To drive without a helmet is stupid.
Simple as that.
No brain no helmet
Posted by
Bror
on
January 3, 2015 18:48
@Sue, don't know where in Europe you are from and what high olive cars you are talking about...but of course can't buy extra virgin oil cheaper than gasoline, I pay 47 THB per ltr 95 Octane, diesel and 92 is tad lower than that, and there is no extra virgin olive oil around for that price. So which "Europe" are you from ? And where are these olive cars popular ? There are a few idealists that have converted their motors to run on waste cooking oil and stuff like that, but that is very few and not in any kind of large scale . But maybe I misunderstand you, it is not a fact but just wishful thinking ?
Posted by
Sailor
on
January 3, 2015 19:10
Who said that famouse people have more brain than other stupid people?
If the police have the same picture, why don't they do something about it?
Posted by
Retired roadworker
on
January 3, 2015 19:16
Fiesty Farang,
As you say, I'm over 18 years, still stupid like a child. The problem with people like you, when you have an accident, you may kill some other innocent people at the same time. Go home or stay home you imbessile.
Posted by
Retired roadworker
on
January 3, 2015 19:26
@ Feisty Farang
Speak for yourself.
I never came here because I want to break the rules. If anything, I find individuals with your mindset despicable.
You are right about this country appealing to those who wish to do so.
I on the contrary find the lack of justice and fair law enforcement among the most infuriating flaws in Thai society.
Whatever country I am in, I will respect the laws, regardless of if I agree or to what degree others comply with them.
You belong to a group of people I want to have nothing to do with. I'm sure the feeling is mutual.
What you describe as freedom I call anarchy. If you want a society where everyone is free to do whatever the heck they want, you'd feel right at home as a cave man in the stone ages.
Perhaps it's not much of a leap for you after all.
Hope this helps.
Have a nice day.
Posted by
Herbert
on
January 3, 2015 19:37
For people that should be role models taking fun from captive animals is what upsets me even more than not wearing a helmet..
Posted by
Mr Masinut
on
January 3, 2015 19:38
@Ed: My buddy Buddy is not suggesting that celebreties should not come to phuket, on the contrary, they should be encouraged to come here rather than discouraged with these kind of "reporting". why u not focus on reporting actual news!? we all know u can do so much better, no doubt about that. this is worthless activism rather than interesting and valuable journalism.
Posted by
BuddyFriend
on
January 3, 2015 20:35
Editor Comment:
You are confusing ''news'' with ''PR promotion'' Buddy's buddy. If it was ''PR promotion'' we'd leave it to the others.
@Ed: Telling your readers that Beyonce is riding on a scooter through Phuket without an helmet is not reporting "news". It is irrelevant to the island and the world. Reporting "news" means to write or tell people the facts, the facts of events, matters or happenings, which are important or at least interesting to read about. Reporting about a celebrety riding with or without a safety helmet is just worthless and ultimately disturbing the person's privacy.
Posted by
Holger
on
January 3, 2015 21:29
Editor Comment:
You and other people have made Beyonce a celebrity and millions of people enjoy her music. That puts her into a separate category, public figures. As part of the equation of achieving fame and wealth, privacy is sacrificed. Like it or not, public figures are inevitably newsmakers in everything they say and do. The alternative: go live in a cave.
@Herbert, we are talking giving adults the decision if they want to wear a helmet or not, not armed robbery, rape and pillage! I looked at website today for a pub I used to drink at in Australia, there was two signs one saying they adhere to a drinking policy and a gambling policy. People normally do both these activities for a stress relief, reading all these obvious rules only makes many people more stressed. If you want a state to "nanny" you go and live in one, but do not lecture Thailand. You sound very unhappy here. Frankly if this is the best news to report it is a sad state of affairs. There must be more important news!
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
January 3, 2015 22:02
Helmets not being worn is a non-story here. Only when it's Beyonce is it noteworthy.
Posted by
Pinot
on
January 3, 2015 22:39
I think with all that ballast providing a low center of gravity she is unlikely to come off. Very irresponsible and completely unaware of the traffic situation in Phuket though.
Posted by
Mister Ree
on
January 3, 2015 23:19
She is on holiday. She is not behaving like a perfect role model. Only he who is never driven without helmet in Thailand shall shout her.
But then again, the foto is "official" from theirs twitter feed. And with a helmet and the big butt the chances are, people get confused and think its Queen Latifa on Phuket. So I think there is good cause and a higher ground for her to drive without helmet.
Posted by
Lena
on
January 3, 2015 23:27
Were you struggling to find news for the day? This headline is just incendiary for no reason. Also the caption is comical. Beyonce not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle is going to influence young girls all over the world to do the same. Who writes these "articles"?
Posted by
Amy
on
January 4, 2015 01:49
Editor Comment:
Beyonce is a newsmaker. The fact she wasn't told to obey the law in Thailand during the Seven Days of Danger and wear a helmet makes the incident news. Yes, the caption is comical. Yes, young fans are influenced by everything Beyonce says and does.
@Sailor
...do you mean you fill 92 gasoline in your car in Europe? :O Most of cars nowadays require 98, and as exception allow temporarily use 95. I actually don't remember a car in Europe that stated in a manual not 98 recommended.But 92 probably last time it was my old father's car.
European Commission collects statistics on price-at-pump for 95 across the EU weekly and publish it in the "Oil Bulletin", the latest available is as per 15.12.2014.:
http://goo.gl/X5n1tb
highest prices are in Italy and in the Netherlands, roughly 1.6EUR/litre (64THB).
Refined olive oil producers prices were rather volatile during last years, because of poor harvest in 2014, but we can see that price reached ca.1.60EUR/kg, see International Olive Council
http://goo.gl/aB03Xk
Olive oil density can be assumed 0.8kg/l, so 1l at producer prices as above means price of 1.33 EUR/l. Assuming ave.VAT rate 20% and possibility to buy in bulk at producers prices,must would give the retail price of 1.6 EUR/l, that is quite comparable with 95 gasoline price.
98 gasoline would cost more.
Actually, olive oil issue should be seen in the context of my feedback on typo of mine that Manowar became really curious about - that was indeed about high volume engine cars, that are parked usually until afternoon at night club spots after the party night, before owners , already with more sober brains, will come back to pick them up... :))
Posted by
Sue
on
January 4, 2015 02:05
I thought the selection of octane 92, 95 or 98 was determined by engine design to achieve maximum output under anticipated operation. Theoretically determined by mean effective pressure, length of stroke, area of pistons, number of firing strokes per revolution, number of cylinders and engine mapping characteristics.
In any case, the use of any oil is restricted to a diesel engine and not your standard Carnot cycle petrol engine where compression is too low for oil combustion.
Posted by
Manowar
on
January 4, 2015 06:38
Sure are desperate for news morisen..hundreds and hundreds of ''non celebs'' do the same thing week in week out.
Pathetic attention seeking again by PW!
Posted by
Mark
on
January 4, 2015 09:07
Editor Comment:
Our values are not in question, Mark/Andre/Mal. Your lack of them is widely known - at least on Thai Visa. Enough said.
feisty farang sometimes i wonder if your the full quid over a lot of your comments i suppose saying you come from queensland is some kind of an excuse for you. next you will be saying queensland is part of australia.the saying is you only move their to die but looks like you have chosen thailand
Posted by
bondi
on
January 4, 2015 09:18
@ fiesty farang
The so-called nanny states exaggerate sometimes with their laws, control and bureaucracy, that's right.
The opposite is a non-nanny state. It's picturesque and charming for people like you, because you can drive a bike without helmet.
But please do not forget to mention the other side. If anyyone can do anything at any time without any penalty, you will get mafia-like structures, corruption, wild development, environmental problems, favoritism.
Jet ski cowboys and tuk tuk drivers are just as happy as you are not living in a nanny state.
Posted by
Georg The Viking
on
January 4, 2015 09:19
Bullocks Mr editor. This story is nothing more than sensationalism. How many Australians die due to breaking Thailand laws. Absolutely low class of you, mate.
Posted by
quin
on
January 4, 2015 11:12
Editor Comment:
I think you're a vowel or two short of an intellectual, quin. Precisely what you are trying to say remains a mystery - and that's probably a good thing. And I am not your mate.
@Bondi, why is it then that SE QLD has one of the fastest population growing rates in Australia. I would like to remind you that QLD and WA are the only two states that make money over expenses, guessing by your name you are from NSW a state that draws on the federal govt to which QLD pays it surplus and NSW has a deficit. Anyway I don't care which state someone comes from but to talk so negatively about a state you border shows what a redneck you are. By the way I am British from London.
Posted by
Feisty Farang
on
January 4, 2015 12:26
They came here to get away and relax, just leave them alone...
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 4, 2015 13:23
Editor Comment:
Perhaps they should stop posting photos on the Internet, then.
I agree with FF. Your head is your responsibility to take care of. Who is anyone else to tell you what you should and shouldn't put on it!? The same applies with drug and prostitution laws. These are not matters for the criminal justice system, unless they hurt someone else. In some places, the next step will be telling you what food you can and can't eat! Don't eat that cheeseburger! The cholesterol level is too high and you might hurt yourself!
Posted by
Matt
on
January 4, 2015 14:07
Editor Comment:
Amateur anarchists want to cherrypick the laws that they choose to obey, and forget the ones that don't suit them. Laws governing road safety are designed to protect you from yourself. Seatbelts and helmets both save lives. Laws governing drugs and prostitution are not relevant to this article. We are also less worried about whether you kill yourself with a cheeseburger.
Actually having done some more research WA and QLD are not the only states to run surpluses my apologies.
2nd @Matt I think you miss the point, a person's head is their own to do with what they want when riding a motorcycle if it smashes into something it does not hurt anyone else more than wearing a helmet and it smashing into something, drugs and prostitution are not comparable.
Laws come and go, gays were put in prison before now we have to go overboard to accommodate them. Changing the subject some governments are over doing things, with many things bad for you, many foods, don't go out in the sun, wear a mask in built up areas, do exercise etc etc. All these laws increase stress which I think is a massive underestimated killer.
Posted by
Feisty Farang
on
January 4, 2015 15:35
Editor Comment:
There should be a law against it.
@FF
It's not about smashing heads of ignorants, it's about the enforcement of laws.
There is a law in thailand to wear a helmet in traffic. If you not wear it you break the law. Nobody ask you about your opinion about it. It is law.
Ok, if you like it that they not proper enforce their laws you have to consquent and accept it in every other case of law violation.
You think if you smash your head to mash, that's just your decision, you do not really hurt somebody?
Wrong thinking.
You're wasting taxpayers' money and the time of people. Apart from the bad example for every child that gets a lifetime shock when it sees your brain mass distributed on the street.
By the way, the argument, not to hurt somebody, fits many violators of the law.
Posted by
Georg The Viking
on
January 4, 2015 16:12
Editor Comment:
Phuket's public hospitals are overcrowded with people who are a needless drain on the community.They decided not to wear helmets or disobey other laws because it suits them.
I agree with you Ed there should be a law against it - stress we should all live in a utopia, hahahaha. There should also be a law for all these cute Thai girls breaking foreigner's heart.
Posted by
Fesity Farang
on
January 4, 2015 16:49
@FF: "There should also be a law for all these cute Thai girls breaking foreigner's heart."
No law needed. It is called stupid tax.
Posted by
Lena
on
January 4, 2015 17:35
Manowar, the said Oil Bulletin gives price-at-pump for diesel oil virtually the same, ca. 1.5EUR/l in UK and Italy, so it is roughly bulk price of olive oil. There are quite a number High Olive engines e.g. MBenz many models with large volume diesel engines.
Posted by
Sue
on
January 4, 2015 19:40
Lena, BTW civilized countries like UK are considering proposals to limit "stupidity tax" for the tax bearers:
http://goo.gl/72AuiC
- similarly as consumers should be protected from excessive interest on loans they light-heartedly taken.
I think Thailand here has a good opportunity to lead this initiative, to demonstrate the world that eligible tax payers , in case if they will opt to apply for that taxation scheme , will be subject to treatment in accordance with a principle of proportionality.
Since Thailand aspire to increase share of quality visitors and long-stayers, I think it would be wise step, as then they will be sure, would they get island fever, their account in the end will be not completely empty.
Such government intervention will be welcome as will also create internationally positive impression about the country and its government.
Posted by
Sue
on
January 4, 2015 21:11
Appropriate and well considered comment Alan.
Sue, I only have one question. Most people are familiar with they taxes they are required to pay. Just how did you learn about this "stupid tax"?
Posted by
Manowar
on
January 5, 2015 05:02
Feisty Farang you should change your name to Foolish Farang. It's juvenile selfish attitudes like yours that cost the rest of the community millions every year. We didn't introduce helmet laws in Australia to infringe on your personal freedom, we introduced them to stop families being destroyed and to stop idiots like you having to be cared for in institutions for the rest of their lives because of the avoidable brain damage they sustained in accidents. Not to mention the trauma others have to suffer cleaning up the mess after your "freedom' to choose" results in a bloody pulpy mess on the roadside. Go ahead, encourage the tourists not to wear helmets either just so we can all be sure their insurance wont cover the accident and their families will have to pay tens of thousands of dollars to repatriate their mangled children back to their home countries. Seriously, grow up.
Posted by
pete59
on
January 5, 2015 05:24
feisty farang i think you should have look at gst grant that nsw is given back after the allocation of the gst money.now you say your pom i can understand your comments.im so glad my forefathers left there and came to live here in 1848.love being called a redneck but living in watsons bay vaucluse i don't have a problem with this.yes sth queensland has a growing population and WHY because they cannot afford to live in eastern suburbs.so people move there to retire and die. death taxes ??
Posted by
bondi
on
January 5, 2015 09:28
Bondi, are we name calling or discussing issues relevant to Phuket. This conversation is way off track. By the way I choose to live in SE Queensland and would not live anywhere else. You make it sound a little snobby, are you sure you visit Phuket? Sorry Ed, just could not let the snobbery go without comment.
Posted by
Davemc60
on
January 5, 2015 10:26
This is an excellent summary diagram on what skills and qualities teens should develop to be prepared well for challenges in life:
http://goo.gl/OT4uC
Some adults may take assessment how well they are equipped with the same at their nature biological age..
Posted by
Sue
on
January 5, 2015 13:53
people claiming they are adults and should decide by themselves to wear a helmet or not is missing a very important point about traffic laws. Accidents incur huge cost to society and more so on average if you don't wear a seatbelt or a hemlet. I propose a new law; you can chose not to wear a helmet/ seat belt but anybody that ends up in an accident not wearing a helmet or seatbelt will have to be fully personally responsible for treatment cost. There you go, freedom lovers.
Posted by
christian
on
January 5, 2015 15:33
@ Christian. Spot on the nose with your last proposal. " I propose a new law; you can choose not to wear a helmet/ seat belt but anybody that ends up in an accident not wearing a helmet or seatbelt will have to be fully personally responsible for treatment cost." They must be held responsible for all their own and the other/s health and damage / treatment as well. "Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty"
Posted by
Robin S
on
January 5, 2015 17:16
davemc60 yes sorry got off the track.it just annoys me that people choose to not obey thailands laws.however flimsy they may be.you see people doing things here that they would be too scared to do at home eg riding without helmets.and yes have been coming to phuket for 30 yrs now spending about 5mths per year here.first came to pattaya on r@r oh so many years ago
Posted by
bondi
on
January 6, 2015 09:53
I apologize on behalf of the fiesty farangs-holgers et al, who seem to miss the point that Thailand is statistically the #1 most dangerous for motorcycles (per 100,000 population)in the world..
(#2 most dangerous for roadways)
Then they add to the problem by being part of it, lashing out at the editor for their own inherent shortcomings. That's Abysmal +1
The power and internet in my part of Canada were out for 2 days, hence my late apology on behalf of those troubled souls.. the troglodyte brigade.
Posted by
farang888
on
January 8, 2015 22:47
Dear readers why is nanai road in patong been targeted again for money buy the police this time for football and size of tv screen this happend last night and was told till 31 of january this month do not show football..
Posted by
Anonymous
on
January 27, 2015 12:16
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Ed, the whole point is to get away from the rules and serious staff, that's why people come to Thailand. Thailand in Thai means freeland. People like to be free to do what they want.
Posted by Feisty Farang on January 3, 2015 14:31
Editor Comment:
Doh. That's not in dispute, FF.
The wisdom in a role model for young fans all over the world riding a motorcycle as she is doing is perhaps something you and Beyonce both need to consider.