Thailand Weekly Vol. 48
Thailand News and Stories Delivered Free to Your Inbox Every Sunday 🇹ðŸ‡
Another week means another edition of Thailand Weekly baby. We’re getting real close to the 1-year mark now which is hard to believe. Just a couple more editions! In all honesty, when we first came up with the idea of doing a weekly newsletter, I had considered bringing in someone else to write them, but I’m so happy I didn't. It’s become such a fun part of my weekly routine and something that I look forward to every Sunday. Hopefully you guys look forward to as well. Cheers! 🇹ðŸ‡
Foreigners Involved In Over 500 Phuket Motorbike Accidents Over Past 2-Months
Phuket authorities have reported that more than 500 motorbike accidents on the island in the last two months involved foreign tourists. Phuket’s Vice-Governor stated that many of the accidents occurred because tourists rented motorbikes without valid licences and lacked familiarity with the roads. He also added that some tourists drove at high speed while wearing swimwear, which is not recommended. Authorities have also highlighted the ongoing issue of bike rental companies renting bikes to tourists without the appropriate licences. The Phuket Tourist Police have previously reminded rental companies that renters must hold a licence that is specifically valid for driving a motorbike.
Our Take
Man, this just goes to show the risks of renting a bike over here. I mean seriously… if you break it down, that’s about eight foreigners per day that are getting into motorbike accidents on Phuket alone. I’m not advising against riding or anything like that… at the end of the day, it’s a great (and cheap) way to get around and explore Thailand (especially the Islands), but I do feel that it’s important to understand the risks associated with it. At the end of the day, just use common sense. Wear a helmet. Avoid riding at night. Don’t speed. Don’t drink and drive. Some of those things are so easy to do over here, but bad things can happen fast on Thai roads, so be extra cautious.
‘Tipsy Tubing’ In Pai Hit by Alcohol Ban
On the heels of a viral video showing hundreds of backpackers taking part in ‘tipsy tubing’ festivities down the Pai River in Mae Hong Son, TAT officials have taken action and implemented an alcohol ban on the activity in the name of keeping everyone safe and protecting travellers from poor service, price gouging, and unwanted accidents. Operators are now required to enforce a prohibition on drinking alcohol while tubing down the river and also must provide at least one lifeguard for every 10 tubers. As things currently stand, there’s only five river-tubing operators registered with the Mae Hong Son Tourist Police that will be affected.
Our Take
Although ‘tipsy tubing’ sounds super fun, it does feels like a bit of a disaster waiting to happen. You have a bunch of sketchy elements in play… hundreds of intoxicated travellers, scorching sun, a flowing river, and likely nowhere near enough lifeguards to monitor everything properly. It’s probably a good idea that TAT has told operators to no longer sell or permit booze, but in all honesty, I’ll believe that when I see it. I suspect that ‘tipsy tubing’ will push on par for the course and continue to play out exactly like it always has. Perhaps I’ll head to Pai sometime this spring to do a little field research and report back to you 😉
Thailand Travel Tip - Get Lifted
This weeks Thailand Travel Tip is aimed at those that happen to be in Bangkok this Wednesday March 1st… the grand opening event of what I feel has become one of the coolest cannabis stores in all of Bangkok - Cloud Nine. Chris and I will both be attending, so if you happen to be in the Big Mango this week and want to have some fun, be sure to pop by to enjoy some awesome tunes, good people, all sorts of giveaways and prizes, and of course, quality cannabis. Here’s the official event page where you can find the details. Festivities will begin at 9PM, so if you’re looking for a unique Bangkok experience, come say hello!
TAT & Netflix Partner Up
TAT and Netflix have partnered to create a brand new travel guide that is set to enhance visitors' experiences throughout the Kingdom and help tourists explore some of Thailand's most stunning locations that have been showcased in popular Netflix films and TV shows. The goal is to draw quality tourists and offer valuable travel advice as well as facts and stats about Thailand's culture and heritage. The Guide will also provide recommendations for unique experiences and destinations throughout the country that may not be well-known at surface level.
Our Take
This is a pretty cool initiative that I’m actually looking forward to. Tip of the hat to TAT. Beyond that though, this story made me think of an AMAZING Thai movie (on Netflix) that I wanted to recommend to you guys… ‘One For The Road’. It premiered at Sundance back in 2021 and was the Thai entry for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. Not many people have seen it or heard of it, but given that all of you are Thailand Lovers at heart, I figured it’d be a good flick to recommend. If you end up watching it, send me an email and let me know what you think!
Only In Thailand 🇹ðŸ‡
Talk about hidden talents! This past week, a Grab Food deliveryman in Khon Kaen became an overnight sensation on Thai social media after a video of him playing the piano and singing at a bakery went viral. The video clip shows the man wearing his helmet while playing the piano and singing a song as diners enjoyed his impromptu performance. The bakery, called ‘Pastella Studio’, posted the clip and expressed their gratitude for the musical interlude. A classic case of never judge a book by its cover… super cool 🇹ðŸ‡