Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing helmet laws here in Thailand. Yeah, a lot going on with this. This is causing some consternation here it seems like. I thought of making this video after reading a recent article from the Bangkok Post, bangkokpost.com, the article is titled: Thailand's new helmet law sparks questions from foreign residents. Quoting directly: "A new Nationwide Road Safety campaign launching in Thailand on 1 June has sparked debate among residents and visitors alike, as authorities begin stricter enforcement of motorcycle helmet regulations in an effort to reduce road accidents and fatalities. The "Safe Roads Project" initiated by Thai Traffic Police, will see intensified checks on motorcyclists and passengers who fail to wear helmets, with violators now facing an increased fine of up to 2,000 baht - quadrupled from the previous 500-baht penalty. The campaign targets high-risk areas, particularly roads near schools and educational institutions, with a focus on building a culture of compliance with traffic laws." Quoting further: "Under the new directive, both drivers and passengers on motorcycles are legally required to wear crash helmets at all times, regardless of distance or location. Authorities say the regulation aims to tackle Thailand's persistently high rate of road traffic injuries, particularly among motorcycle users." So yeah, this seems to be again causing some consternation just in Thailand at large just because it is a significant increase in terms of the fines.

For those that have never been to Thailand or been around Bangkok, look riding around on a motorcycle without a helmet, I mean that's a pretty common thing you see around here. It's not at all unheard of. Many people are known to do it. It just is what it is. That said, to see the fines increase to this level, that is a significant amount, and it is also interesting because apparently now, it's not only targeting the driver, which in the past I can remember being on a motorbike taxi a few times over the years, the near 20 years I have been here, and I didn't have a helmet on. I was on the back of a motorbike taxi, didn't have a helmet, was what it was. And he basically got in trouble, the driver. Now apparently it looks like it is going to be aimed at both folks whether or not, both people involved who are on the motorcycle had a helmet on or not. 

That is a big change; that's really kind of almost for lack of a better term a sea change in terms of Thai traffic laws. I expect this will have significant ramifications long-term for expats and locals alike.

I do have to also kind of wonder if there isn't maybe a revenue generation motive behind some of this. As I have discussed in other videos, the Revenue Department - and I get that the Police are not the Revenue Department, they are two different things - but Government is Government and Government likes revenue; like any government they like taxes and all that good stuff. I have to wonder, is there maybe something in the budgets going on where there has been a determination that more revenue would be nice and if you couple that with an initiative that would increase Road Safety, it is viewed as a win-win by those who can promulgate these kind of regulations. It's a good question; I don't know the answer to it. 

That said, it looks like the thing to take away from this video is you are going to need to be assiduous in wearing a helmet here in Thailand lest you face a more significant fine compared to times past.