Helmet Heroes Thailand
Gloria talks to Rick of Helmet Heroes Thailand
I am using the term Patriot for a series of articles to feature in the magazine. Firstly because I love the alliteration, and secondly because I wanted a word to describe some very special people who live amongst us here in Pattaya. Sometimes given a military connotation, the word patriot actually describes someone who deeply loves, supports and defends their country (or, for the purposes of this article, their city). They often demonstrate loyalty through service, sacrifice, or civic engagement. True patriotism goes beyond mere pride—it involves striving to make improvements for all, for freedom, and for progress. In April I wrote about Margaret Grainger of The Hand to Hand Foundation and last month Liz and Lhen Lhen at Mercy Pattaya. .If you missed these articles you can still read them online at pattayatrader.com.
For this month’s article I went to the police station on Pattaya Beach Road (right next to Central Festival) and met with Rick to see first hand what he does. In a city famed for its bustling streets, this quieter but profoundly impactful initiative is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable road users: children. Rick Brown, known on social media as Savvy Rick Brown, is the founder of Helmet Heroes Thailand. Alongside his dedicated partner in this mission, Max Kimberley-Thompson, Rick is turning personal adversity into a beacon of hope, one helmet at a time, right here in Pattaya.
For Rick, the journey to founding Helmet Heroes Thailand began after a dreadful bullying incident when he was just 14 years old. It led to a life-altering bicycle accident, leaving him with spinal trauma and PTSD. This harrowing experience sowed the seeds of a deep-seated desire to protect others. So after moving to Thailand, a country he now calls home, his observation of seeing countless children riding motorcycles without helmets sparked a transformative mission.”It was a lightbulb moment,” Rick shares. “I knew I had to do something. My own accident taught me how quickly a life can change, and seeing these kids so exposed, I couldn’t stand by.”
Driven by this newfound purpose, Rick, under his online persona ‘Savvy Rick Brown,’ researched extensively, sourcing high-quality, safety-certified children’s helmets from a local Thai manufacturer. What began in December 2023 with just three helmets and an unwavering determination has quickly blossomed into a powerful community-driven safety initiative. Helmet Heroes Thailand was born, with a clear and ambitious mission: to provide a free, safety-certified motorcycle helmet to every child in Thailand and, eventually, beyond. The ultimate goal? To distribute over one million helmets.
This is no small undertaking, especially in a country where motorcycle accidents are a leading cause of injury and death among children, with statistics indicating that only a small percentage of children wear helmets. But Rick isn’t alone in this fight. A crucial partner in this endeavor is Max Kimberley-Thompson, a well-known figure in Pattaya and the President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya. Max’s involvement has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of Helmet Heroes. “When Rick shared his vision, it resonated deeply with the Rotary’s mission to create lasting change in communities,” Max explains. “Road safety, especially for children, is a critical issue in Thailand. Partnering with Helmet Heroes allows us to leverage Rotary’s network and resources to support this vital cause effectively.”
Together, Rick and Max have forged powerful collaborations, most notably with the local Thai police in Pattaya. The Central Police Station on Beach Road has become a recurring venue for their helmet distribution events. These events are more than just giveaways; they are community engagements where safety education is paramount. Officers often assist in fitting the helmets, demonstrating correct usage, and reinforcing the importance of road safety to children and their parents.A unique and heartwarming aspect of these distributions is also the involvement of the wider community, including tourists. While Helmet Heroes doesn’t have a formal program for tourists to distribute helmets, their public events, often held in visible locations like the Central Police Station, draw attention and support from visitors. Tourists often witness these distributions, learn about the cause, and are moved to contribute, whether through donations or by simply spreading the word. This interaction adds another layer to Pattaya’s image, showcasing a community actively working to protect its youngest members.
“It’s incredible to see the support from everyone – locals, expats, and even tourists who are just here for a short time but want to make a difference,” Rick says. “Every helmet is only 550 Thai Baht, about $15 USD. It’s a small price to protect someone for the next five years.” Since its inception, Helmet Heroes Thailand, with the support of partners like the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya and various local businesses and sponsors including Ducati Motor Thailand and Pattaya House Builder, has distributed hundreds of helmets – nearing 1,000 by early 2025. They’ve organized events at local schools, like Tantrarak Elementary School, alongside their efforts at the police station, always emphasizing that education is just as important as the helmet itself.
Local police have reported observing improved helmet usage rates among children in areas where distributions have taken place, a testament to the project’s effectiveness. For Rick and Max, these are the tangible results that fuel their continued dedication. “We’re not just giving away helmets,” Max emphasizes. “We’re building a culture of road safety. We’re showing children that their community cares about their well-being. And we’re providing a practical tool that can prevent tragedy.”
Rick’s transformation from a victim of bullying to a proactive protector of children is a powerful narrative. His social media presence as Savvy Rick Brown helps to amplify the message, reaching a global audience and inspiring others to take action in their own communities. He often shares updates, personal stories, and information on how to support Helmet Heroes, including through their website, helmetheroesthailand.org. Donors even have the option to have their brand logo or image added to sponsored helmets, creating a unique way for businesses to show their corporate social responsibility.
As Helmet Heroes Thailand continues to grow, its sights are set on reaching more children in more provinces across the nation. For Pattaya, it’s a story of resilience, compassion, and proactive change, proving that heroes can emerge from ordinary people driven by extraordinary missions. And for the children of Thailand, it’s a chance for a safer journey, one helmet, one hero, at a time.Many thanks to Arawana Hotel who donated the helmets for this occasion. If you would like to support Helmet Heroes Thailand or learn more about their mission and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.helmetheroesthailand.org. Donations go directly towards purchasing safety-certified helmets for children in need.