Police blitz on motorcyclists not wearing helmets

[Gaybutton]

I'd bet money that higher causes of death include not wearing a helmet on motorcycles

If you want to bet money on something, bet it on how long this "blitz" will last. My bet would be 2 weeks at most . . .

I like this line: "Police will begin enforcing mandatory wearing of crash helmets for motorcyclists and passengers from June 1".
If that's the case, then why have they not been enforcing it?
__________________________________________

Police blitz on motorcyclists not wearing helmets

B2,000 fine, double for repeat offenders

May 27, 2025

Police will begin a nationwide blitz on motorcyclists and their passengers not wearing crash helmets from June 1, with offenders facing fines of 2,000 baht.

It is part of a broader campaign to reduce road accidents and improve traffic discipline.

Pol Lt Gen Nitithorn Jintakanon, head of the traffic police image enhancement taskforce, on Tuesday announced the launch of the “Safe Roads Project”.

It aims to instill road safety awareness and ensure more effective traffic management. The initiative includes stricter enforcement of helmet use, particularly in high-risk areas and near schools.

Provincial police have been instructed to identify key roads with frequent traffic violations or accidents and to focus enforcement efforts there, Pol Lt Gen Nitithorn said.

The campaign also targets roads near schools and educational institutes, where compliance with traffic laws will be closely monitored.

Under the directive, both motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear helmets at all times while riding. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of 2,000 baht, with repeat violations potentially incurring double penalties.

The regulation is intended to reduce fatalities and injuries, which remain high among motorcyclists in Thailand.

The fine has been increased from the previous 500 baht.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ng-helmets

[thewayhelooks]

Obviously, whoever wrote this is not an investigative reporter asking the difficult questions.

[Gaybutton]

Obviously, whoever wrote this is not an investigative reporter asking the difficult questions.

Probably because he knows all he will get for answers are sheepish looks and shoulder shrugs, perhaps mixed in with a denial or two . . .

[Gaybutton]

Where I live, on "The Dark Side", nearly nobody is wearing helmets. The very few I saw who were wearing helmets are probably those who would be smart enough to be wearing helmets anyway, "blitz" or not. In my area I have seen no police enforcement at all.

[Jun]

Obviously, whoever wrote this is not an investigative reporter asking the difficult questions.

Would such a reporter be at risk of either libel action or police harassment ?

The local English language newspapers don't seem to expose much of the corruption in Thailand.
I'd imagine the far more important Thai language newspapers are the same.

As for helmets, I've seen police roadblocks where they don't even stop people without helmets. So that's another side effect of corruption. People needlessly dying as helmet laws are not enforced.

[christianpfc]

In Vietnam, there is over 99% compliance with helmets when I counted in Saigon in 2023. You can educate your people, it just need the will to do so.

[KeithAmbrose]

Presumably only those without cash on them will be charged?

[Gaybutton]

Presumably only those without cash on them will be charged?

That's if any police are really out there at all, enforcing this. I've been all over town and have yet to even see a police presence anywhere, but plenty of people on motorbikes without helmets.

I think what they need is not police threats. I've seen that dozens of times over the years and they never work very long if they work at all. I think what they need is a media blitz. I truly believe that is the only chance of convincing people reluctant to wear helmets. Many Thais, especially minimally educated Thais, fully believe just about anything they see on TV, even commercials.

When it comes to bad accidents, too many are the type who believe "These things happen to somebody else, not to me".

[Dodger]

.......You can educate your people, it just need the will to do so.

Totally agree,

BUT...in Thailand they would have to start by educating the Commanders of the Thai Police Force so they actually understand what LAW ENFORCEMENT really means.

Right now the BIB are not expected to enforce any laws. They are simply expected to react to violations as they occur and look good for the cameras.

Jay and I were watching the news one night when they were showing a violent altercation between a few Grab drivers and local Thai taxi drivers. The camera zoomed over to where 3 uniformed BIB were casually walking towards the altercation - appearing as if they really didn't want to get involved. I asked Jay "why aern't those police running versus walking",,,and he said "because they don't want to wrinkle their uniforms". I laughed my ass off, but he wasn't joking...

[Gaybutton]

in Thailand they would have to start by educating the Commanders of the Thai Police Force so they actually understand what LAW ENFORCEMENT really means.

I don't know what makes you think they don't already know exactly what it means - only do what provides tea money and/or makes them look good in the media.

Remember the words "law" and "enforcement" are almost an oxymoron around here. There is no law unless it is enforced . . .