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Tourist vans in Thailand a scary proposition – Do you dare ride in one?

January 15, 2016August 28, 2019 James BaileyOdd Tips, So you're in Thailand

Four Mexican Tourists Die In Minivan Crash in Phichit and 6 injured. Why does this recent news headline suprise me in the least? Doing a simple Google search for "tourist minivan crash Thailand" and you will see scores of images showing crashed minivan's, some with fatalities, all with injuries. Now I have caught a couple of these vans, and have now made a decision to never set foot in one again while in Thailand. Aside from the above graphic images, what would make me feel that unsafe being a passenger in a minivan in Thailand?

Tourist vans in Thailand – Four Mexican tourists die in minivan crash in Phichit and 6 injured. Why does this recent news headline surprise me in the least? Doing a simple Google search for “tourist minivan crash Thailand” and you […]

The bodybagged temporary tourist in Thailand Part 2 – Scooter Crashes

January 14, 2016August 28, 2019 James BaileyMotorcycling, So you're in Thailand

I wrote my first story on the Bodybagged Temporary Tourist in Thailand after living in Thailand for a couple of months. The story came about from personal experiences, news reports and feeling I had sufficient first hand advice and suggestions to give. Since writing the first story, I have purchased a big bike, a Kawasaki Versys 650, and traveled close to 6000km on Thai roads and seen more than most. What has prompted me to continue writing on Bodybagged Temporary Tourist in Thailand was the recent viral call to action on Facebook and other social media, both here in Thailand and internationally for blood donations for a young the British girl, Lucy Hill in Chiang Mai who was in hospital in intensive care after an accident. Now I won't profess to know the full story, as I was not there, but it seems the 19 year old Miss Hill, a university student was riding pillion on the back of a scooter, when a car driving on the wrong side of the road hit them. Now in a western world, this in itself would seem cut and dry, a car is traveling on the incorrect side of the road, so they must be in the wrong. After spending as much time as I have in Thailand on the roads, seeing vehicles, both cars, trucks and scooters riding down the wrong side of the road is nothing short of normal here. Scooter riders will even ride on footpaths to avoid gridlock in Bangkok. Over the period that this accident happened, labelled the ‘7 deadly days’ of the New Year by Thai officials, hundreds of Thais died on the road. There was even a reported 3'500 motorbike accidents, many being serious and a lot ending in fatalities. Now this young girl coming to Thailand for the first time, deciding to jump on a bike with a group is nothing short of insanity. I have seen these young tourists riding in groups, behaving with reckless disregard for their own safety. Riding without helmets, wearing singlets, thongs, or even bare feet at times. Zooming around with seemingly glee abandon for their own safety, riding with the co-ordination of a drunk monkey, and expecting that they will be safe. It simply makes me sick in the stomach to watch their behavior. All I think when I see this is them riding a coffin! Let's face facts, these young tourists believe they are invincible, we all felt it at their age, turning 40 was so far away, growing old was something everyone else does. They are going to live forever and live life to the fullest no matter what! Legally, most of these young tourists will not have the right to be riding here in the first place, and not having the appropriate license to do so will automatically void any insurance cover they have, weather it be for damage to the bike, or worse yet, hospital care. I am not singling out Miss Hill or suggesting that she brought this on herself, what I am saying is that Thailand roads are a very dangerous place to put yourself, no matter where you are in Thailand. Recently I spent some days visiting a hospital brain injury unit, where I saw first hand the real results of this epidemic in Thailand. 98% of the patients that were in the ward need not have been there. They were all victims of motorcycle road accidents.

Now I wrote my first story on the Bodybagged Temporary Tourist in Thailand after living in Thailand for a couple of months. The story came about from personal experiences, news reports and the feeling I have sufficient first hand advice […]

Amphawa floating Markets and longtail ride

January 6, 2016April 13, 2017 James BaileyPlaces to visit

Amphawa floating Markets located on the Mae Klong River is one of the most popular floating markets near Bangkok. Damnoen Saduak still trumps Amphawa for size, but does not match up for authenticity where most of the visitors are Thai’s. Amphawa markets […]

Snorkeling in Thailand, is it really worth the trouble?

January 6, 2016April 14, 2017 James BaileyPlaces to visit

Snorkeling Phuket Phi Phi Island James Bond Island Monkey Island

Should you spend your cash on heading out on one of the private adventures you see being sold on every street corner in Phuket? Well I say a resounding yes! Now if your an avid scuba diver or snorkeler, then […]

Rescue yourself from Pattaya by visiting Koh Larn

January 5, 2016April 14, 2017 James BaileyPlaces to visit

If you have found yourself in Pattaya, you will be well aware that the beaches and water leaves a lot to be desired. It is a far cry from the idealistic photos everyone see’s when they think of Thailand. Well […]

Family fun at Jomtein Beach Pattaya Thailand

January 4, 2016April 13, 2017 James BaileyPlaces to visit

Jomtien Beach is a 6 km straight stretch of beach which is a much quieter place compared to its sexy tourist neighbor to the north. Relaxing on Jomtein beach for the day can be much quieter and far less full […]

Sathorn Unique: Climbing Bangkok’s Ghost Tower

October 13, 2015April 13, 2017 James BaileyPlaces to visit, So you're in Thailand

Ghost Tower: Climbing Bangkok’s Abandoned Skyscraper

Bangkok’s Sathorn Unique skyscraper was built to become a premium luxury apartment complex with amazing views of the Chao Phraya River. That was until this massive construction undertaking was suddenly left abandoned due to the collapse of the Thai Baht […]

Khaosan Road Bangkok

August 29, 2015June 29, 2016 James BaileyPlaces to visit, So you're in Thailand

Even visiting Khaosan Road Bangkok after a rainy afternoon still shows you just how popular the area is with the tourists. The locals defiantly know this, taking every opportunity to tout their items for sale. This area, with all its […]

First time to Thailand? What to pack?

July 13, 2015May 17, 2017 James BaileyPreplanning your escape

First time to Thailand? What to pack? In my opinion pack as little as possible. Whatever you currently have packed, halve it right now. Considering the climate you’re heading to, having 3 pairs of jeans is nothing but over kill. […]