Has anybody ever seen a Thai policeman stop anyone for dangerous driving? I know I haven't in all my years here. However, I've seen hundreds of motorcyclists stopped and asked for a backhander fined for not wearing a helmet.

Until police corruption is ended and the existing laws are enforced, nothing will change.

(That said, I'm rather sceptical that Thai police actually know what constitutes safe driving.)

I drove 200 km's on my bike yesterday   - and within the first 600 metres was fined 200 baht for not having the paper copy of my licence. ( I had my licence ).

I drove through at least seven permanent police check points, I reckon four were manned. The worst example of overloading I saw was a guy transporting 3 metre scaffolding poles. Lashed by rope, this would have caused carnage if this guy had hit anything. It's so regular to see pick ups carrying ridiculous weights and unstable loads it's hardly worth mentioning. Like the guy I see every week that puts between 10 and 12 motorcycles on the back of his pick up. Yeh, great to watch, terrifying if an accident occurs.

It would be easy to clamp down on this level of stupidity. 

Not if you confine those pickups to rural roadways only

Me – I would prefer outlawing anyone in the back of a pickup on any roadway.

How much are those pick up cages you see all over the place in Isaan?

Twenty-five people, including kids, died due to being thrown out an unsecured seating area. I reckon the cage would have saved some. 

Barking up the wrong tree. It is a deep seated cultural aspect, of not giving, of predestination. Of having the amulet. Of having made merit. Of being raised beyond ones position by having a vehicle.
I repeat, no altruism. That a western christian concept. It can not change rapidly. Seat belts are not regarded as as a safety measure, but things you put on when police are about, about to fine you for not wearing it. A crash helmet is not to save your head being crushed, but to avoid a fine. But there is no fine, money passes hands, but no fine or prosecution.

Is this a western song?
Yes, one posted by bleth:

Sorry, a western argument, but absolutely logical.
"But who am I, mr policeman, where am I on the caste pyramid?
Touch me, lowly fellow and see what happens. And so it goes down the line, to the lowly police, who know who they can touch.The hi so police are not interested in such minor matters. The job is not policing, it is recouping the investment, paid by family, to retain their wealth.
Thai way, not logical.

I'm pretty sure from my A-level biology lessons that animals do think.  The frog that was pithed for my edification by having a needle inserted through its foramen magnum into its brain almost certainly thought "WTF?"

(WTF = "why this frog?")