Thai MotoGP will offer much-needed riding lessons 

I don’t understand how watching the world’s best motorcyclists showing off their skills can be considered an inspiration for more road deaths in Thailand. I would say the opposite. What’s more, we already have World Superbike here. 
It has been reported that less than 50 per cent of Thai motorcyclists hold licences. This might explain why so many of them don’t seem to realise that traffic drives on the left side of the road, know how to turn left, right, or use the brakes properly. A particular hazard in rural areas is the number of motorcyclists driving after dark without a rear light. Do they know what it’s for? Do they even know it’s there? 
My dear niece, aged 15, has been motorcycling to school since she was 10. I asked her what happens if she gets stopped by the police.  “Bt20!” she replied. And that occurs so infrequently that it makes bike, rather than bus, a sound economic choice. 
I conclude that the horrific death toll among motorcyclists is because few have been formally trained. The obvious solution is to try different methods of law enforcement for those who don’t have licences – temporary confiscation of the bike, for example – but in lawless Thailand, it might be more effective for the police to tour the schools to demonstrate safe and correct motorcycling skills. While they’re at it, they could introduce the novel concept of the Motorcycle Driving Licence. 
For an immediate lesson in braking, safe overtaking and the crucial importance of tyres, I urge all budding Thai motorcyclists to tune in to MotoGP this Sunday at 3.30pm. 
Nigel Pike 
Phang Nga