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When you are on vacation or have long stay in Thailand, the transportation, traffic situations and road accidents are things to keep in mind. Compared to Europe or elsewhere in the world, traffic in Thailand can be more chaotic and traffic jams are a constant annoyance. So if you have a valid driver’s license it can be more fun and more comfortable to travel around Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya and another places with a motorbike.
Road accidents in Thailand
However, you can’t just hop on your bike and go anywhere. Wearing helmets is required by law when you ride motorbikes in the Kingdom. Still, road accidents can be deadly and are increasingly common in Thailand. Data reported by the website Thai RSC about traffic accidents in Thailand can make you think the traffic in Thailand is insane.
According to WHO, "Motorcycle drivers and/or passengers account for 73% of road traffic deaths, compared with 15% in the United States of America."
How to protect yourself
Luckily, there are many Thai manufacturers that produce helmets to international standards for everyone on the road. Wearing helmets while riding and being aware of other cars and motorbikes that don’t care about road manners and don’t stick to traffic rules are the most important safety precautions when riding a motorbike in Thailand. If the traffic situation in Thailand could be improved, it would not only be great for Thais but also for foreigners who could enjoy their trips in Thailand without being too concerned about road safety.
Helmets
Now, coming to our next question: Which helmets do you prefer to use? What design or type of helmet suits your style? We’ll showcase 6 types of helmets with different details and designs for you to choose from to wear on the road and to keep you safe.
6 types of helmets
Full-face helmets offer the most protection around your head and neck and are considered the safest type of motorcycle helmet to protect you from potential impacts. The chin bar is integrated with the rest of helmet so that the full-face helmet can protect your entire head, from top to bottom, front to back. Most full-face helmets have ventilation throughout the helmet to evaporate sweat, reduce visor fogging and let fresh air come through.
Modular helmets, also known as flip-up helmets, are equipped with chin bar sections that pivot upward on rear hinges. Basically, modular helmets are hybrids of full face and open face helmets. These helmets make it easy to eat, take a break or make a phone call without having to take the helmet off. The material is similar to full face helmet but structural strength and protection are inferior to the full face variety because the chin bar isn’t integrated with rest of the helmet.
Open face helmets cover the top, back and sides of your head but leave your face exposed. These helmets have been favorites of Thai riders for a long time. They offer less protection for your face, though. On the positive side, they allow you to enjoy the cool breeze on the ride and, if you ride slowly, can be the choice for sightseeing tours.
4. Half Helmet
Half helmets only cover the top of your head but some may offer more protection on the back of your neck and ears. They provide you less protection than open face helmets. Most half helmets do not come equipped with a visor or face shield, so you need to wear sunglasses or eye goggles to protect your eyes from the sunlight, dirt or bugs.
5. Off-road Helmet
Off-road helmets are designed, as their name suggests, to ride off the streets and are perfect for dirt road riders. Their design is different form full face helmets with low weight and high protection. They come equipped with sun peaks to protect your eyes from the sun. They don’t offer eye protection though, so you should have glasses or goggles handy for a safe ride.
(Image credit: Fortnine)
6. Dual-sport Helmet
Dual-sport helmets mix the designs of off-road and a full-face helmets. Their exterior is similar to off-road helmets with large visors and lower chin bars, but, like full face-helmets, they offer more interior padding and comfort. As a halfway point between each of these styles, dual-sport helmets are designed to be used both on and off the road.
Final Thought
Getting yourself protected with helmet is essential. However, it can't guarantee your safety when riding motorcycle. Therefore, it is also important to get yourself insured. At Luma, we have comprehensive health insurance plan that covers worldwide accident coverage. If you are interested to learn more about our polcies, click here.
