I ride in full safety gear. A mesh jacket, boots, full face helmet, gloves. I would be afraid to ride without the gear, but most people do. Most guys who ride here just slap on a skull cap under the guise of wearing a helmet and off they go. I'm not that brave, so I'm fully equipped.
The roads aren't bad and there is actual method to the traffic madness. Thais don't look where they're going, especially when changing lanes, but they do it slowly, so if you're alert, you can react. Not ideal conditions, but not THAT bad. I find it easier driving here than driving in New York.
