Please Wear A Helmet!

[MrPlum]

I was rather saddened to see someone I know, a really nice guy, full of life, turned into a virtual cabbage recently, after a motorcycle accident. It's hard to recognise him as the same man. This is the second one this year I'm aware of. Great guys, almost killed.

Even though I enjoy the greater freedom you have on the road here, and dislike authority telling me what I can and can't do, I ALWAYS wear a helmet when driving my 'motorbike'. I should have been dead 15 years ago after a serious crash but protective clothing saved me.

Holidaymakers who come here and young men out drinking, who throw caution to the wind can pay a heavy price. Flip-flops, shorts, no helmet, sometimes no shirt, they tear around believing it will never happen to them. In a battle between flesh/bone and concrete, it's not difficult to work out who is going to come off worst.

Great to feel the wind blowing across your bald patch. NOT so great when your jawbone is being worn away by the pavement.

PLEASE THINK SERIOUSLY BEFORE DRIVING ON THAILAND'S ROADS WITHOUT A HELMET!

[Terry]

Mr. Plum, the problem is that some folk think that the concrete is far softer in Thailand

[Dahling]

My head says this is (obviously) very sensible advice.
My less rational heart is occasionally not inclined to listen.
It's been wrong before.

[hhfarang]

It's too f'ing hot here to wear a helmet, leathers, and boots... that's why I drive an SUV...

[The understudy]

Hi there guys!

On Sunday 18th I just lost a Senior friend in an motorcycle accident cause riding with out a Helmet.

It was 4am when it happened I don't know wether he was drunk or not but he died because he lost control over his bike and hit his head on the concrete.
I learned from this devastating news as I was off my flight back from, Germany! On facebook. I posted ny condolences as well... But it was also sure that I have to go to the Mourning ceremony organized by us old Stamford Students on the 5th day of the 7 day Mourning period.
Over 50 old Stamford Students showed up to the Mourning Ceremony to honor him and showing the last respects to our Man P'Job Kunakorn.
During the last couple of years I had many friends who had been injured or in worse case died from motorcycle accidents.
Thais and foreigner find it a nuisense to wear a helmet when riding a Motocycle here in Thailand... Especially on short distances Little do they know it saves life's.... it really does!

Well in the actual funeral inky 30 or so Stamford old students showed up. As he was cremated at the Thepsirin Temple last Saturday!


Your's The understudy!!!!

[Vital Spark]

One life ruined, and another life taken far too soon. Both Mr.P and the Understudy are coping with the aftermath of the complacency of the bike riders.

Every term, and many times during the term, I rant to my lovely students about the importance of wearing a helmet. I tell them (pointing to my head) that this is very soft, and the road is very, very hard. Some of them nod and some of them giggle. They complain when the local cops fine them 200 baht for not wearing a helmet. I think it should be 1,000 baht, just to get into their very thin skulls that it's a serious matter. Not only should it be on their head, but the chin strap should be tightened. More looks of amusement and wonderment from my 'educated' students.


VS

[Homer]

When I was 30 I crashed during an off-road motorcycle competition and was taken to an emergency room. Shortly after I was wheeled in the father of the young man on the other side of the curtain from me arrived. Their initial conversation revealed the son had been in a motorcycle accident on the street and, as usual, wasn't wearing a helmet.

The son asked 4 or 5 questions one would expect to hear, something like 'where's mom?', 'which hospital is this?', 'what happened to my bike?', 'what did the doctor tell you?'. Dad answered them, the son went quiet for a minute or two, then asked the same questions again. The cycle of quiet followed by the same questions continued until I was wheeled to X-Ray. Dad gave the same answers each time. Sounded like he was having a hard time controlling his fear about his son's possible permanent brain damage.