Prapoj

dominique355 has made the point that seems to have been missed by most. Initial accident reports stated that the girl had just returned from America. It is quite possible therefore that she already has a drivers license albeit for another country. Of course this would not be valid in Thailand because of her age. I do not offer this as an excuse for her actions, just something else to consider amongs all the other factors surrounding this very sad incident.

If I'm not mistaken, in the US if you're below 18 you get a drivers permit that requires an adult to be in the car at all times when you drive. Even then you're not allowed on the Freeway.

In this case she did not have an adult in the car, plus she was on the tollway. I think this is a moot point.

However I do agree with the article from the Nation.

As an American I had a learners permit at 14 (had to be accompanied by a licensed driver when driving). After passing the written and driving test at 16 years of age was issued a drivers license which had NO restrictions. Could drive anywhere as an adult.

Bob

Agree. However US road is different from Thai road, hence it requires a little more responsibility and maturity.

The problem that the government will have is explaining to the Cambodian Government why the chief clown was in Cambodia on the orders of the PM - see the story in the paper that must not be mentioned today.

You must be talking about a different paper than "the other paper" then because the article I read in "the other paper" didn't say the PM ordered Panich into Cambodia.

If he (Abhisit) wasn't aware that Panich was going to enter Cambodian territory during his little look around why would Panich feel the need to inform him that he had done so. - In the early hours of the morning

We have second-hand words saying that Panich allegedly was talking to his aide to allegedly inform him to allegedly talk to Abhisit's aide in order to allegedly tell Abhisit.

Until something more definitive is reported on, it's nearly the 7 degrees of Kevin Bacon in terms of Panich actually talking to Abhisit.

I like the way you use the word "allegedly".

As the BKK Post editorial today pointed out, the police have been less than forthcoming with details or information about the details of how the accident occurred. There was some reporting of traffic expert types who apparently had seen video CCTV footage of the car and the van just prior to the accident. The interpretations of that footage, as least based on the news reports describing it, were not particularly clear or uniform.

But at best, it didn't do anything to absolve the girl of some responsibility in this...Based on the facts that have emerged thus far, I think it's pretty hard to argue the van driver bears more responsibility than the girl. But I'm not part of any lynching mob, as some have dubbed it, wrongly I think. I am, however, very interested to know and hear what the results are of the actual accident investigation, and to see if the justice system handles the case impartially and based on the facts as they are produced.

However, I do agree with the larger point that this episode is just one of hundreds or who knows how many where similar circumstances are involved, and those don't and haven't gotten the same kind of attention. That's sad, but it's a fact of life and the way the news media and Thai society operates.

The bottom line is, the girl (and any others culpable) should be held responsible under the law for what she's done, in accord with the law. But probably more importantly, the case ought to serve as a wakeup call for Thais and Thai authorities for the serious need to reform their traffic enforcement practices, so hopefully, the same thing doesn't keep happening again and again.

"Based on the facts that have emerged thus far, I think it's pretty hard to argue the van driver bears more responsibility than the girl. " I respect your view. But my view is the opposite, because I also believe that there is no evident that the sedan crash into the van, a finding by a well qualified expert, and LEADER of the investigation.

"Please tell Somkiat to inform the prime minister that we are already inside Cambodia. I planned to call the prime minister myself but it is okay now," Mr Panich says on the phone to his secretary .

Time to get a good lawyer.

Try reading the Nation.

The whole thing, back to back?

There's this artice which states he gave the order to check out the border region, but nothing specifically about crossing over into Cambodian territory.

There's a press conference to follow shortly apparently. Will be interesting to hear what is said.

Some instruction need not be spelled out to the last details.

For an example, PM give the order to control the protesters. He did not give the order to shoot at the protesters.

Where are PADs loyal fans in TVF?

Not much has changed since their illegal airport seizures it seems.

Personally think the govt will have more to gain through having these clowns locked up for a while.

Stage is now set for Hun Sen to release the prisoners to much fanfare and handshakes with Abhisit...

... or not. Time will tell.

The problem that the government will have is explaining to the Cambodian Government why the chief clown was in Cambodia on the orders of the PM - see the story in the paper that must not be mentioned today.

There's nothing in the Bangkok Post that says Panich was in Cambodia on the orders of the PM. it merely says he was told to check the contested border areas.

The deliberate intrusion into Cambodia seems to have been his group's own initiative.

Try reading the Nation.

Once again Youtube seeks and shows the TRUTH!!

Let's ban, or at least block youtube in Thailand, AGAIN (remember the last time?).

PM says he assigned Panich to inspect disputed border area

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that he sent Democrat MP Panich Vikritseth to inspect the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia before the MP was arrested last week.

Speaking to reporters before attending the weekly Cabinet meeting, Abhisit said the meeting would discuss measures for providing help to Panich and six other Thais now detained by Cambodian authorities.

Abhisit said he would hold a press conference over the issue after the Cabinet meeting.

-- The Nation 2011-01-04

Oh shit. All hell break loose now.

Why did he (PM Mark) kept quiet for 1 WEEK?

If the video were not release by the Cambodia, will PM Mark admit it?

Does not sound good to me.

Defense Ministry spokesperson denies minister's alleged involvement in arrest of 7 Thais by Cambodia /TAN_Network

The 7 were arrested by Cambodia. Why does Thai have to denies? It puzzle me. Am I alone?

Pity the Khmer soldiers didnt react like their Thai counterparts.

They should've stripped the 7, tied their hands behind their back and made them lie face down on the ground. Belt'em if they even try to look up.

Thai nationalists say Cambodia 'kidnapped' border group

Speakers: Werasak Samrit, Thai Patriot Network leader; Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Thai Patriot Network leader; Mrs Pratanapa, Thai Patriot Network member

Does Samritt sound familiar to you? I thought she was a hot babe of ThaiVisa.

http://www.radioaust...01/s3106007.htm

There is a big school down the road from me.

Everyday I see hundreds HUNDREDS of underage school children riding motorcycles to school, many of them three-up and almost all with no helmet.

Things only get said when tragedies like this occur but as long as there is widespread corruption and as long as the Police keep on doing the fine job they're doing, then nothing will ever change.

Two kids got killed going to school 2 months ago, hit by a songtheiw loaded, nay, overloaded with kids. The Police decided to man the school gates but after a month they stopped. Probably too busy doing important work (collecting money)...

... a teacher of the village Nong Trud (Trang province)rides his MC to the school every morning without wearing a helmet. He shows the pupils how to treat the law with contempt. Questioned why he does so, he answered: " Don' worry, accidents only happen in Bangkok and big cities."

This behaving reflects the attitude of most of the Thai people. And there is no change in sight.

Every morning I see police send their childen to school on back of their police bike in Bangkok. 9 out of 10, the children don't wear helmet. I did not know children are exempted. I will put a camera in my car and will try to take some shots (while changing lane).

Has anyone discovered what caused the accident.

A thai visa investigation team, consisting of highly trained chimpanzee's was dispatched not long after the accident occurred, however, they seem to be having problems with their local ISP and are all caught up trying to define terminolgy used by one of the local print media news papers.

I am sure that they will eventually get to the bottom of this & report back to us all through their highly skilled forum posters who is probably presently asleep after bashing away at the keypad all night in a disagreement with another poster regarding a minor spelling issue.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/12/30/national/What-went-wrong-30145480.html

"The van showed no trace of being hit by the sedan" The director of the Traffic and Transport Development and Research Centre, Dr Tawatchai Laosirihongthong, who led the investigation, told the Nation Channel's morning news.

I understand if the parents allow the kids to drive, but if the kids drive without their parents knowledge, that is crossing the line. Many of you have kids and teenagers and all of us were teenagers at one point. For the most of us our parents did not condone the things we did, and if we were caught by them we would have been punished.

So if parents are held accountable for our actions, being caught by the authorities is a better deal, you get a walk while mom and dad get jail time.

I suppose you would rather your children go to jail themselves.

Just watch spring news a few minute ago. There was a phone interview with Sirichoke Sopa (remember him on the Bout affair?), PM Mark most trusted right hand man. Sirichoke Sopa confirm that PM Mark approved of Panich Vikitsech (Democrat MP) fact finding mission, days before he set off. The facts was to be used to aid the government dealing with PAD 25-Jan protest on the matter. Sirichoke Sopa also confirm that PM Mark and Panich Vikitsech did spoke again during the wee hours of the morning when Panich Vikitsech was about to set off from Bangkok to carry out PM Mark's task.

Just a though (my thought):

Sirichoke Spoa may be jealous of Panich Vikitsech, so want to remove a competitor (to be PM Mark balls licker).

If I am Mark Zuckerberg, I would sell today. This will make be richer than Thaksin family 10 times already. (Thaksin was only valued at around 2 billion USD at his prime).

So we have 2 problem this week. UDD bail, and also PAD arrest in Cambodia.

From the clip above, "More PAD starting trouble in Khmer territory. Don't they have airport they have to hijack?." Khmer soldier arresting the 7 yellow shirt PAD/MP.

Must be quote of the year.

We do not know who is on the other side of the phone line. The MP could be just acting, talking to a dummy phone, to frame the PM Mark. Just a thought.

Kids want to have sex, dress like adult, they don't wanna play games after they turn 14. They want to talk on the cellphones, use makeup, smoke and party. They should be treated accordingly. She definately did not want to be a child, she took adult responsibilities and failed to follow simple rules. She is not a child.

This is your view, and I respect your view. However, I view it differently. I think they still just want to be kid at that age.

The van driver is dead. Unless there is a video footage, no one can proof if she did smile or not. Let by gone be by gone. We cannot bring back the dead by uncovering the truth.

Sorry, <deleted> are you talking about?

I am talking about the version of the witness, who just happened to be a paying passenger inside the van at the time of the incident. I would say he rates fairly highly as a witness based on the fact he has nothing to gain or lose by distorting anything.

This has nothing to do with a smile & nothing about bringing back the dead.

The truth needs to be uncovered due to the severity of the situation, nothing more, nothing less.

I would like to see your attitude if one of your loved ones had been killed in this fashion.

The witness, who just happened to be a paying passenger inside the van at the time of the incident. He/she is expecting compensation in one form or another. Hence there IS a conflict of interest. He/she knew that he/she cannot squeeze any compensation of of a dead van driver, hence, quite possible, he/she will have to indicate that the other party (happen to be rich) is wrong, to mile as much compensation as possible. This is just my view, and may not be the view of majority. Please respect my view.

Haven't they been given enough? Why must they be treated differently? Why special privileges?

Very impressive article on the topic:

http://asiancorrespo...ngkok+Pundit%29

The real problem is not these seven morons.

It's that:

The two men who were killed were part of a group of eight who crossed into Thailand; another group of 13 loggers crossed the border the same day, four of whom were arrested by Thai authorities and later released, Touch Ra added.

On Monday, Hor Namhong met with Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya. Among other things, they discussed the shootings of Cambodian loggers by Thai border guards, and Hor Namhong said Kasit had agreed to press Thai authorities to be more lenient with Cambodian trespassers.

If the only result of Hun Sen's angriness is to make the world aware of the killing of Cambodian civilians by Thai army, it's a success.

Is this a fact?

There was no mentioning of any death until you point it out.

If there were any shooting, I am sure Thai press would have reported it already.

Hence I reserved my right to believe you, yet.

He said that the van driver was driving normal (not swerving and driving straight and even smiled to him when he entered the van).

But then again, perhaps the accident was caused by the 16 year old girl's failure to smile at him? Seems that would be been a key clue to whether she was capable of "driving normal"; at least for him...

My point being, this guy doesn't really impress me as someone who is reliable or someone who is not unreliable and even an avid coin collector in his spare time.

Don't you mean because this witnesses version of the incident doesnt go with the desired outcome for your hidden agenda that it can't be relaibe. I mean what has he said or done that so extreme other than account for what was going on inside the van in the moments before the incident.

Yet you would prefer to take the versions as supplied by the offending driver, who has absolutely no reason to lie about anything

The van driver is dead. Unless there is a video footage, no one can proof if she did smile or not. Let by gone be by gone. We cannot bring back the dead by uncovering the truth.

Only 8 year old. So sad.

ICT censorship? Just perhaps.