Hi Tom, I've been riding motorbikes for over 51 years and passed the UK police advanced motorcycle course. So I also rode marked police bikes during my service. Yes I bought a 250cc bike when I moved to pattaya as I considered it a small bike as most of mine were 750cc to 1000cc. My advanced training wasn't about riding fast but safely and recognising hazards that could hurt you in an accident. At first all was ok but it was a sensory overload of hazards as I was spotting way to many dangerous things all coming at me in all directions. I always wore full leathers, boots, gloves etc when in the uk and even in this heat I always wore a full face helmet decent boots and gloves. But I decided to give up regularly riding here as imo it's just to dangerous, so sold my bike and got another car instead. I would never say, don't ride a bike, even here as I love riding, so each to their own. But for me I've hung up my helmet as I was convinced someone with no idea what they are doing would crash into me sooner or later. Anyway I like the subject you've covered here. Great job as usual my friend.
Cover both brakes with your middle finger of each hand at all times . Allways wear a helmet . Always wear covered shoes , it doesnt matter how slowly youre riding , the road will make a painfull mess of your feet when the bike is sliding sideways down the road .
All excellent points. I'm renting a scooter here on Koh Samui, where traffic is much easier compared to Pattaya and other regions of Thailand... As a renter, it still takes a few days to adjust to the bike. Remember friends, despite the heat, always put on your helmut, keep plenty of space around vehicles, anticipate obstacles and problems down the road, and keep to the speed limit.
16:00 Thank you. It is so true it's safer taking a baht bus, taxi ect. I actually loved not having to drive and just look at the scenery out the window! Also even if you don't get hurt you have to probably deal with damages. Do you think someone might jump in front of you as a scam like they do in China?
I’m sure that does happen. I half heartily joke with myself sometimes that if a car hits me, what kind of damage will I cause?ha ha ha Of course I don’t want to be hit by hard all.
I say no. But that’s a no for me. If anyone is looking for advice I would say if you didn’t grow up riding them in your country you shouldn’t start in Thailand
I totally agree with you. At my age I will never heal if have accident. Also I am not very fast to react these days so decided never ride a motorbike again. Car/truck or Bolt is the way for me now.
Motobike riders in Pattaya are wondering what you are talking about - red lights, one-way streets, speed limits, zebra crossings, valid driving license, traffic rules, driving without alcohol and drugs - what is all that supposed to be? Seriously - only experienced motorcyclists who are willing to drive carefully and passively should rent a scooter there.
I have been riding motorbikes since the age of 12, motocross, and sports bikes. Now 60 given up. Even when In Thailand I never hired a bike. Too easy to have an accident, holiday ruined. Bolt taxi, or walk worked for me. Thank you for your good vlog, and the time spent. 😊
Nice video Tom. I had a few motorcycles for several years and I never felt safe at all on them. In fact that is the reason I dont ride them anymore. And that is traffic in New York State. When I look at the traffic at least in the Pattaya area where you are it has to be 10x more dangerous, at least in my opinion. I'll stick with 4 wheels at this point in my life. There is just no protection on a bike. Stay safe on yours buddy.........
I was in a bar on a soi and wee were sitting at some tables outside. Me and my friend had two girls with us. Anyway I went to go to the toilet and get some beers at the bar. I heard this massive motorbike noise and then a shaping sound on the floor. And then this bike smashed into the table we were at. My friend managed to jump up and avoid it. But the two girls got hit by the bike. One girl was very badly hurt. The thsi guy who was driving the big bike was drunk as a skunk. I drove bikes in london for 10 years and was very confident. I hired a bike in pattaya one time and took it back after one hour. I thought ill get very badly hurt if I'm bot carefully. They drive on the same side as us so I thought I'd be OK but I just couldn't handle it. Me and my mates hired a car in America one time. When it was my turn to drive I crashed within five minutes 555. That was me done driving there. Stay safe tom
What you’re describing is exactly the problem. For the most part, we can control our own actions, but having to worry about everybody else doing the right thing is the biggest issue, in Thailand.
6:45 One of my best friends cannot speak anymore, can't walk, left arm doesn't work, right arm 80%, left leg 50%, right leg 80%. and this is from crashing his motorcycle in the USA.
I hear these sad stories all the time. it’s just one more reason to drive even more carefully, especially in a place that’s known as the most dangerous place in the world to drive a motorbike
Cheers, Tom. Some good advice. When I retire in Thailand, I will get a scooter and maybe a truck, especially if my body starts to break down with age. If I was there just for a short period, I wouldn't drive. I heard that the majority of these deaths involved no helmet/drink driving, mainly men. I find it shocking to see three / four people on a scooter, sometimes with young children. Using a bike initially in Pattaya is to ride like a beginner, as being complacent as an experienced biker is not the same as the experience in your own country. I was wondering why the Thai police do not seem to stop the Thai people riding without helmets?
In the old days foreigners were definitely target but any more The police probably follow more of a quota system like every 3rd motorbike. In the old days, the thought process was that the Thai National couldn't afford the ticket. Today I think it's a different story.
I’m not sure about that; Personally, I think most motorbike accidents that I see are involving Thai nationals. If you go step further, most of the Tourist involved accidents happen in a relatively small area being tourist areas. Where the capita relates to the entire country of Thailand. Of course this is just my opinion.
I can’t answer that but I know that Thailand drives on left side of the road due to British influence. I also know that there has been proposals to change to the right side, driving in the recent years in Thailand. Personally for me it seems more natural to be driving on the left-hand side of the road and puts me in a bad position when I return to the USA because I’ve become so accustomed to driving here.
Hi Tom, I've been riding motorbikes for over 51 years and passed the UK police advanced motorcycle course. So I also rode marked police bikes during my service. Yes I bought a 250cc bike when I moved to pattaya as I considered it a small bike as most of mine were 750cc to 1000cc. My advanced training wasn't about riding fast but safely and recognising hazards that could hurt you in an accident.
At first all was ok but it was a sensory overload of hazards as I was spotting way to many dangerous things all coming at me in all directions.
I always wore full leathers, boots, gloves etc when in the uk and even in this heat I always wore a full face helmet decent boots and gloves.
But I decided to give up regularly riding here as imo it's just to dangerous, so sold my bike and got another car instead.
I would never say, don't ride a bike, even here as I love riding, so each to their own.
But for me I've hung up my helmet as I was convinced someone with no idea what they are doing would crash into me sooner or later. Anyway I like the subject you've covered here.
Great job as usual my friend.
I'm guessing it must have been tough giving up something you'd spent so much time with. Still look pretty impressive life.
Tom, Outstanding video! You are doing a great public service about an extremely serious issue. I am definitely a fan of your work.
I appreciate that! Thank You
Cover both brakes with your middle finger of each hand at all times . Allways wear a helmet . Always wear covered shoes , it doesnt matter how slowly youre riding , the road will make a painfull mess of your feet when the bike is sliding sideways down the road .
Good advice
All excellent points. I'm renting a scooter here on Koh Samui, where traffic is much easier compared to Pattaya and other regions of Thailand... As a renter, it still takes a few days to adjust to the bike. Remember friends, despite the heat, always put on your helmut, keep plenty of space around vehicles, anticipate obstacles and problems down the road, and keep to the speed limit.
Excellent advice. Thanks for mentioning this
16:00 Thank you. It is so true it's safer taking a baht bus, taxi ect. I actually loved not having to drive and just look at the scenery out the window! Also even if you don't get hurt you have to probably deal with damages. Do you think someone might jump in front of you as a scam like they do in China?
I’m sure that does happen. I half heartily joke with myself sometimes that if a car hits me, what kind of damage will I cause?ha ha ha Of course I don’t want to be hit by hard all.
great advice Tom, helps me prepare when I go there ,thanks
Glad to help
I say no. But that’s a no for me. If anyone is looking for advice I would say if you didn’t grow up riding them in your country you shouldn’t start in Thailand
I know right? If such a tough call. It worked out good for me, but I’ve seen time and time again people getting seriously hurt.
I totally agree with you. At my age I will never heal if have accident. Also I am not very fast to react these days so decided never ride a motorbike again. Car/truck or Bolt is the way for me now.
You’re definitely taking the right road so to speak.
Motobike riders in Pattaya are wondering what you are talking about - red lights, one-way streets, speed limits, zebra crossings, valid driving license, traffic rules, driving without alcohol and drugs - what is all that supposed to be? Seriously - only experienced motorcyclists who are willing to drive carefully and passively should rent a scooter there.
Hahaha, you’re so right.
I have been riding motorbikes since the age of 12, motocross, and sports bikes.
Now 60 given up.
Even when In Thailand I never hired a bike.
Too easy to have an accident, holiday ruined.
Bolt taxi, or walk worked for me.
Thank you for your good vlog, and the time spent. 😊
No doubt a voice of experience, Thanks for your input.
Nice video Tom. I had a few motorcycles for several years and I never felt safe at all on them. In fact that is the reason I dont ride them anymore. And that is traffic in New York State. When I look at the traffic at least in the Pattaya area where you are it has to be 10x more dangerous, at least in my opinion. I'll stick with 4 wheels at this point in my life. There is just no protection on a bike. Stay safe on yours buddy.........
Thanks so much. I really think about it every time I go out on my motorbike.
WOW! I think anout this all the time. I always tell people i will never drive in Thailand. But i know the convenience of it. Maybe one day. LOL
Exactly! I felt the same way and then I made that leap. I still drive very carefully now.
I was in a bar on a soi and wee were sitting at some tables outside. Me and my friend had two girls with us. Anyway I went to go to the toilet and get some beers at the bar. I heard this massive motorbike noise and then a shaping sound on the floor. And then this bike smashed into the table we were at. My friend managed to jump up and avoid it. But the two girls got hit by the bike. One girl was very badly hurt. The thsi guy who was driving the big bike was drunk as a skunk. I drove bikes in london for 10 years and was very confident. I hired a bike in pattaya one time and took it back after one hour. I thought ill get very badly hurt if I'm bot carefully. They drive on the same side as us so I thought I'd be OK but I just couldn't handle it. Me and my mates hired a car in America one time. When it was my turn to drive I crashed within five minutes 555. That was me done driving there. Stay safe tom
What you’re describing is exactly the problem. For the most part, we can control our own actions, but having to worry about everybody else doing the right thing is the biggest issue, in Thailand.
6:45 One of my best friends cannot speak anymore, can't walk, left arm doesn't work, right arm 80%, left leg 50%, right leg 80%. and this is from crashing his motorcycle in the USA.
I hear these sad stories all the time. it’s just one more reason to drive even more carefully, especially in a place that’s known as the most dangerous place in the world to drive a motorbike
Cheers, Tom. Some good advice. When I retire in Thailand, I will get a scooter and maybe a truck, especially if my body starts to break down with age. If I was there just for a short period, I wouldn't drive. I heard that the majority of these deaths involved no helmet/drink driving, mainly men. I find it shocking to see three / four people on a scooter, sometimes with young children. Using a bike initially in Pattaya is to ride like a beginner, as being complacent as an experienced biker is not the same as the experience in your own country. I was wondering why the Thai police do not seem to stop the Thai people riding without helmets?
In the old days foreigners were definitely target but any more The police probably follow more of a quota system like every 3rd motorbike. In the old days, the thought process was that the Thai National couldn't afford the ticket. Today I think it's a different story.
@@MargaritasinParadise 👍I didn't think of the cost implications! Cheers!
😀
3:36 do you think the careless tourists raise the per capita number of deaths on a motorbike, or the tourists make very little difference?
I’m not sure about that; Personally, I think most motorbike accidents that I see are involving Thai nationals. If you go step further, most of the Tourist involved accidents happen in a relatively small area being tourist areas. Where the capita relates to the entire country of Thailand. Of course this is just my opinion.
No
I get it.
Why do Americans drive on the wrong side of the road easy for uk citizens lol 😊😊
I can’t answer that but I know that Thailand drives on left side of the road due to British influence. I also know that there has been proposals to change to the right side, driving in the recent years in Thailand. Personally for me it seems more natural to be driving on the left-hand side of the road and puts me in a bad position when I return to the USA because I’ve become so accustomed to driving here.