blazed said:
I have been in Thailand for the past month my main mode of getting around citys has been [by] moped and it's amazing. Nobody wears helmets apart from a few in the big cities like Bangkok and I love that fact people are confident I never wear a helmet on a bicycle I know I won't crash and IF I did I have strong bone marrow in the brain I'm sure I would be alright.
I have been in Bangkok almost 9 years and have yet to see a 'moped'; the closest that I have come to seeing a moped was when I saw a Honda cyclomotor at a Harley Davidson dealer's. Are you referring to the 'Step Thru' scooters and the smaller motorcycles up to 125cc?
I love your sweeping statement "Nobody wears helmets apart from a few in the big cities..." What utter piffle! Most wear helmets on the main roads and as they turn off the main roads and into the sois (side streets) they take their helmets off. Motorcyclists and pillions can and do get fined for not wearing a helmet. To you and I, the fine is not a great amount - 100 Baht - but to a Thai on minimum wage, it is more than half a day's pay and don't think that it will only be 100 Baht to you. You are a 'farang' (foreigner) so expect to pay 400 or 500 Baht!
You say that you 'love that fact people are confident'; I take it that by 'people' you are referring to motorcyclist without helmets. There are a number of reasons why people do not wear helmets and I'll give you just four:-
1) It's too hot.
2) It messes up my hair.
3) I'm not going far.
4) I can't afford one.
New motorcycles do come supplied with helmets but they are of such inferior quality that you would be better off wearing the safety helmet that comes with a 'Bob the Builder' playset! Even the cheapest Arai helmet will add about 50% to the price of a cheap 'Step Thru'!
I have asked high ranking police officers why they don't stop more helmetless riders or those who have more than two people on a motorcycle, the answer - manpower & time!