Meth: a Ticking Timebomb Gone Viral

Out-Takes and Other Observations II

Thailand is a strange but wonderful place to live. As mentioned in a previous post, I love to observe people in all their weirdness. When I'm in Australia, most people appear to me to be 'normal'. But, when I'm visiting another country, 'normal' is no longer a relevant way to describe people. So now it is me who has become the abnormal one.

In the past, I've referred to the fact that Thai people have an aversion to wearing motorcycle helmets. I would estimate that only around 20% of locals could be bothered to take this simple precaution, that in the event of a collision, may save their life or prevent a serious head injury...but why?

I have a few theories... throughout history, people have to be dragged kicking and screaming towards change. Trying to force people to wear helmets is seen in many places, not as a good way to stay alive, but as an infringement of their civil rights.

They say, "Helmets don't save lives or prevent head injuries!" Statistics say, "Yes, they do."

They say, "I'm a rebel...why do you think I ride a motorcycle in the first place?" I say, "Is this a midlife crisis thing or do you subconsciously want to die before you get too old to fuck?"

There are many good reasons to ride a motorcycle, but we all know the head is extremely vulnerable in an accident, and this should cause even the most intelligence-challenged males of our species to take note. The bottom line is that looking cool is no longer relevant when presenting to an ICU with a head injury.

Another reason I believe Thais don't wear helmets is because Farangs DO have to wear them. This helps separate them from us, and is kind of like saying, "HAHA". There are some Farangs who don't wear helmets, which I assume is their way of showing the locals that they are just as cool. I think anyone who has driven on Thailand's roads would know there are no rules, but in the event of an accident between a Farang and a local, it will always be the Farang's fault.

I need to be careful because I am treading on thin ice here, but I've noticed that Thais like to present themselves (unless they are working in labour-type jobs) in the best possible light. Fashion is big (all school kids look like they have been starched and ironed before school) and a helmet might mess up one's hair. Having a motorcycle licence is limited to being a Farang thing. I see many young school-age kids getting around on scooters (with no helmets, of course). I've seen Grandma riding a scooter with up to three kids doing the after-school pick-up...and again, no helmets on any of them. Even parents...a father and mother with two siblings and a baby. It beggars belief.

The following comments are written in a general sense. The men in Thailand are softly spoken and don't normally have a lot to say. Thai women, however, talk a lot...and they don't just talk a lot, but are like fog horns. I would say it's attention-seeking. Most Thai men smoke cigarettes, but in the last six months I have been here, I have seen no Thai women smoking.


Thais don't particularly like foreigners, and I can see their point of view. But I think they fail to realise that if every foreign national left the country tomorrow, they wouldn't like the situation they would find themselves in. It's very much a love-hate relationship for both parties. It's symbiotic, where we come to Thailand to take advantage of the lower cost of living and the many other benefits of being here. But without us, their economy would collapse and the rate of poverty would increase exponentially.

Politics in Australia is SO boring, and it makes little difference to the average citizen which of the two parties gets into power. The upcoming American election has descended into a game of name-calling, and in my opinion, the country that is looked upon as the leader of the West could do much better. And considering just how close it's going to be, makes me fearful of what will happen no matter who wins. But politics in Thailand is something else altogether. Here, they change political leadership and policy as often as they change their underwear. Although it seems a bit off that the recently fired Prime Minister was replaced by his daughter. No conflict of interest there, I'm sure.