I don't recall seeing a lot of bikers on my three trips. But I'll tell you tomorrow or a bit after. Maybe you were there at the same time as a rally? They do have biker rallies around Thailand.
I got the impression these guys were Aussie expats, but I can't say for certain if they are a permanent fixture. If they had been Yanks, the design of the patches on their vests would indicate they were a criminal organization. Not really sure if that sort of thing translates to expat clubs in Thailand.
Yes, please do let us know how your Hua Hin trip goes; if you have time to give accommodation recommendations/reviews in addition to intel on the bar scene, it would be appreciated.
I was in Hua Hin just over a week ago and didn't see any.biker gangs, I'm not sure it's an issue there now.
Nana and the surrounding sois tends to get a few bikers these days, although I've never seen them as a problem. They are generally well behaved and just out to have a good time like everyone else. I'm under the impression that they have clubbed together nad started investing/owning certain Nana bars now.
Nana Plaza is the one place that I have seen what is a well known criminal biker gang presence on every visit. I get the impression that particular MC club owns partial interest in some of the bars.
I would imagine that they either have to tone down their behavior to exist in Thailand or be in possession of some type of stay of of jail card.
I've never seen them starting trouble, as it would be counter productive to their business interests, but I make it a point to move to another bar anytime I see that element as a patron in a bar.
Briefly on the subject of bikers. There's a bar several of them congregate at along southern Buakhao with their big (useless) Harley-type bikes. I was a biker back in the UK and anyone into bikes will probably agree that the low-rider style is purely aesthetic (if you like that sort of thing), otherwise they handle and go round corners like shit.
It seems like a bunch of middle-aged dudes having some sort of mid-life crisis as they relish their rebellious look while making the girls squeal as they rev some lardy low-rider engine. Thais seem easily impressed by revved engines and loud music from vehicles, much like most of us did when we were teenagers before we grew up and realised what a cunt we looked at the time. There's no place like Thailand where you can so easily impress the impressionable.
Back to Hua Hin. My last visit there was 15 years ago so anything I could offer is horrendously out of date and patchy. But going somewhere off the beaten fleshpot track can be very relaxing and enjoyable, a nice change of pace.
My personal destination of choice for that is Cambodia, as most of my Thai time is spent playing Mr.Charlie in Pattaya. When I first arrived I believed they thought my name was Chip.
Your analysis probably accurately describes the majority of tough guys who festoon themselves in ink and leather and then go zooming around on noisy bikes. Most aren't tied to criminal organizations. It all made perfect sense until you got to the part about Mr. Charlie having "crisps & chips" in Pattaya.
You damn Brits, sure talk funny sometimes.