Poorly-regulated ‘Motorbike for hire’ industry in Patong

According to the reports of Thai News Agency, there has been an alarming number of motorcycle accidents in Kathu district, where more than half of the 500 accidents reported to Kathu Police involved unlicensed foreign motorcyclists, all thanks to the poorly-regulated “motorbike for hire” industry in Patong.

Kathu Police Superintendent Col Grissak Songmoonnark was quoted as saying, “About 60% of motorcycle accidents are from unlicensed foreign motorcyclists, but there are so many unlicensed foreign motorcyclists that we can’t check the exact number. We can count only when accidents occur.”

At the motorcycle rental shops in Patong, foreign tourists and expats can easily rent a motorcycle without having a license. The rental of a motorbike for a 24-hour period – about 150 baht, is more or less the same as for just a single ride in a tuk-tuk in the resort town.

Local residents are also bitter about the fact that some foreign motorcyclists resort to reckless riding ignoring all the Thai traffic rules. Motorbike rental is also popular among some Thai criminals, who use the vehicles when carrying out crimes such as “snatch and runs” thefts.

However, the Land Transportation Department on Phuket insists tourists and expatriates can ride motorcycles in Thailand only when they have been issued a motorcycle license by the department. Motorbike licenses are obtained by submitting identification documents and a work permit or an address guaranteed by the Thai Immigration Office, then passing written and practical tests. The process can be done in a day.