I thought it was obligatory that the police attend to all accidents where there is an injured or dead person or persons? But this is a strange place with no rules?

Posted by Robin on May 5, 2013 22:38

Robin, it is logical if a person(s) is seriously injured and an ambulance arrives first they take the person(s) to hospital asap the Poilce attending is secondary. Preservation of life should take priority I know this is the law in other countries, even once the victim gets to hospital they can only talk to Police when they are well enough surely you have seen this on TV.

Posted by Lost in Translation on May 6, 2013 10:47

@Lost in Translation, I don't believe anything seen on TV, those are stories. Instead I rely on my own 21 years experience as a Trauma EMT. Ed thanks for updating the article. Hope the chap pulls through, got some nasty roasties on his face though?

Only a Full-Face helmet gives full head protection in most cases. Now before I draw fire from the cheap charlies and whingers, yes if you bang your head hard enough in a full-face, the resultant shock can move your brain hard enough to send you to your next life.

Posted by Robin on May 6, 2013 12:11

The unfortunate injured motorcycle rider appears to be wearing a 200 baht p1sspot helmet. They are better than nothing. Just. A decent helmet is better, of course, though even that is no guarantee.

I would like to see Thailand move towards a standardized helmet test where only those that have passed inspection are allowed to be sold.

Posted by mr Man on May 6, 2013 14:06

mrMan, I would support your idea except for one important fact, a helmet that meets any for of safety test would push the price far beyond what most Thais could afford, Example, my open face helmet, from Australia cost AUS$300, close to B9000, close to 30 days pay for many Thais. Even a "cheap Aus$100 helmet is close to 10 days pay. Now if you were to by one for each person, on the bike, well, do the math.

Posted by Phuket_IOC on May 6, 2013 16:20

Phuket_IOC - I hear you. As a motorcyclist myself, I know the sky is the limit on the price you 'can' pay. A quick look online shows helmets in the UK from 30 pounds which is about 1,500 baht. EEC and UK certified. As price clearly is an issue in Thailand, perhaps the Government could put 'not recommended for road use' on cheap p1sspots, and 'suitable for road use' on helmets that have passed a QC and standardized safety test. http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/takachi-tk-160-helmet-in-silver-4429.html

Posted by Mr Man on May 6, 2013 16:36

@ PIOC

Why would a Thai be buying a helmet in Australia or the UK ?

Thailand produces plenty of products that adhere to international safety standards and export industry accounts for over 60% of GDP.

What's stopping Thailand from producing equally high quality helmets in Thailand ?

Local production costs are a fraction of those in developed nations and as such the price would be nothing like in AUS or UK.

Why they are not doing this, I do not know but if they wanted to, they could produce high quality, financially obtainable helmets for the local population.

Btw, my Schuberth helmet cost EUR 1400, so what ?

Posted by Stephen on May 6, 2013 17:08

@Stephen. I'm guessing that what is stopping them producing and selling helmets that are of decent quality is that, basically, they don't have to. Price matters, and if a consumer can adhere to the 'wear a helmet' law for 200baht then many of them will - including Motorcycle taxi riders whom one would have thought had a vested interest in protecting their asset! If the law forces people to buy a better helmet then the market will suddenly appear.

Posted by Mr Man on May 6, 2013 17:43

@ Mr Man

I think you are absolutely right about the reason.

The culture of doing things properly has not yet gained much of a foothold in Thailand.

Posted by Stephen on May 6, 2013 19:33