Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

        Based on the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2018, the estimated fatalities per 100,000 population has reached 32.7 in Thailand. This includes 24.3 for motorcyclist, 4.0 for car user, 1.1 for cyclists and 2.5 for pedestrian (WHO, 2018). Taking account of the positive impacts of protecting the rights of vulnerable groups and creating employment opportunities, this study aims to understand a newly developed relationship among uncertainty avoidance, caring-driven occupational health and effective government /community caring.

        Of the total sample of 30 respondents, 87 % were male and 13% were female; 3.3% were aged 18–30, 50% were aged 31–50 and 46.7% were aged 51 or above; 16.7% were working for this occupation within one year, 13.3% were 1~3 years, 10% were 3~5 years, 16.7% were 5~10 years, and 43.3% were 10 years or above; 13 were local Bangkokians and 17 from other provinces; and 50% were living within 2 kilometers’ distance, 40% were 3~5 kms, and 10% were 6 kms or above. The main barrier is language but we overcame the difficulty. Translation into Chinese from Thai (the language of the interviews) took place with the assistance of a student translator, who is a scholarship winner in the university and independent from the research project. At the end of the interview process, we cross-checked all the notes one by one, to ensure accuracy and veracity among  the three languages of communication.

        We strongly support the integration of motorcycle taxis into government mass transit planning. Further, this research explores the care-driven loop relationship connecting motor riders and customers. This study aims to build a mood of ‘ we’re all in it together’ to have greater overall effect. It is not about the motorist, the passenger, etc. It is about people, about the citizens, about each and every one of us.

        One way of improving understanding is for additional research to be conducted, building on the current findings and extending them to other parts of Bangkok and further afield, in terms of both time and space. Understanding this situation better is important not just in terms of human dignity and equality but also because of public health and road safety for all.