MK1

Running red: police probe deadly DJ Doris crash

Phuket Gazette -

By Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: One of the drivers involved in the accident that killed Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’, early yesterday morning ran a red light, Phuket Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.

“We believe that one of them drove through a red light as the lights were working at the time of the accident,” said Wichit Police Investigator Ekarat Chartthai. “However, we have to wait for forensic officers to investigate the accident further.”

The green plate taxi that collided with Mr Norris’ motorbike was travelling from Phuket International Airport toward Rawai. Mr Norris was riding from Rawai and turned right by the Choor Su Gong Naka Shrine near Phuket Town when the accident occurred, Lt Ekarat explained.

At the scene, police found the body of Mr Norris about five meters from the motorbike. Injuries sustained in the impact indicate that he was struck from the left.

“We have charged the taxi driver, Jongsak Bussarakam, with reckless driving causing death. However, we are continuing our investigation into the cause of the accident,” Lt Ekarat said.

"Unfortunately, the Traffic Police CCTV camera at that junction was not operational at the time of the accident," he added.

An outpouring of emotion continues to wash the island on social media sites since the announcement of Mr Norris’ tragic death.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Running-red-police-probe-deadly-DJ-Doris-crash-23265.html

Bit of a confliction of evidence, the lights were previously reported as flashing amber. Now reported as operating and the taxi ran the red?

Correction, as per PG story ‘one of the drivers ran the red’. In most cases the driver of the car is usually charged first, unless there is other evidence to the contrary, because the car driver should’ve had sufficient vision to see the motorbike. As is always the media are only drip fed limited information by Police and are prevented from carrying out their own indepedent investigation particularly after someone has been charged.

Never known a taxi to slow down at a yellow light, or a red light, for that matter.

Indeed, and the other big Red-light offenders are also bus drivers.

How convenient the CCTV at that Junction was not working at the time. Hopefully, other CCTV footage from other intersections or locations are available including possible witnesses come forward to assist with explaining the circumstances that led to this tragic event.

Running red: police probe deadly DJ Doris crash

By Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: One of the drivers involved in the accident that killed Paul Norris, Phuket’s renowned ‘DJ Doris’, early yesterday morning ran a red light, Phuket Police confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.

“We believe that one of them drove through a red light as the lights were working at the time of the accident,” said Wichit Police Investigator Ekarat Chartthai. “However, we have to wait for forensic officers to investigate the accident further.”

The green plate taxi that collided with Mr Norris’ motorbike was travelling from Phuket International Airport toward Rawai. Mr Norris was riding from Rawai and turned right by the Choor Su Gong Naka Shrine near Phuket Town when the accident occurred, Lt Ekarat explained.

At the scene, police found the body of Mr Norris about five meters from the motorbike. Injuries sustained in the impact indicate that he was struck from the left.

“We have charged the taxi driver, Jongsak Bussarakam, with reckless driving causing death. However, we are continuing our investigation into the cause of the accident,” Lt Ekarat said.

"Unfortunately, the Traffic Police CCTV camera at that junction was not operational at the time of the accident," he added.

An outpouring of emotion continues to wash the island on social media sites since the announcement of Mr Norris’ tragic death.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Running-red-police-probe-deadly-DJ-Doris-crash-23265.html

Mods please remove MK1 post . And for good measure ban him.

Total disgrace of a post

Not meant in bad taste, just a fact of life, he deserved a better quality of life being leading celebrity on the island.

Sorry to hear DJ Doris had gone this way. I imagine that the radio wages he was on perhaps didn’t justify the means to buy or rent a car which in hindsight could have perhaps contributed to saving his life.

The US embassy obviously has had a risk assessment done by the NSA, who have most likely in turn bugged and intercepted every telephone from the Thai military & Police down to the Anti-government protestors, so therefore you must expect they have good reason to fore-warn in light of the current situation. Otherwise, their citizens will be bitching about having no-warning at all after an event, if the circumstances do spiral out-of-control. Ever since Snowden expose them; you can not underestimate US intelligence.

How about resolving this the old fashion way…Dual pistols at dawn!

The judges have made a serious mistake if indeed the judgement does state:-

"tantamount to an attempt to overthrow the current political system"

Such an uncalled for 'judgement' as this when the referral to the court did not seek it suggests that the Judges are honoring a commitment to persons unknown.

QUOTE ”The court said the move violated articles 3, 68 and 125 of the charter and was tantamount to an attempt to overthrow the current political system” UNQUOTE.

The court has handed down its decision. Therefore, not up to us thereafter to challenge or question their decision, particularly on complex constitutional law, because they’re respectfully more well-informed on the subject than thou.

This is what happens when you become a proxy for a family member and allow that exiled member to continue to input and pull the strings from a far. She and her party members knew the risks and now the caretaker government looks like a pathetic dysfunctional backward organization, now the Constitution Court has ruled and exposed them.

If I was one of those 310 colluding law makers, I would be securing a seat on that plane for when Yingluck decides to cut and run with the remaining family fortune rather than have to face the risk of impeachment alone…maybe some of them can sleep on the sofa at Thaksin’s in Dubai.

Anything other than Registered post or EMS with Thai postal service appears to be discretional delivery. Sorry to say, unless you pay a higher fee for some sought of tracking service, you get exactly what you pay for and that is no assurance of delivery at all.

As per post #44 by simple1, I agree in part your legal case could perhaps be tracked or even to the extent that at commission be collected for referral to Lawyer outside of the embassy. However, I doubt you could sue the embassy for services that did not meet your expected outcome because of being referred to or provided a list of Lawyers to choose from outside of the embassy because effectively they’re transferring all of the risks shared between you and to the Lawyer you choose to run with in the end.

According to the latest reports, the real issue Yingluck would perhaps prefer you to focus on is that Panda-Lin Hui at Chiang Mai Zoo appears to be anxious! Therefore, doubts surround, if test prove positive, that one embryo will produce one cub.

However, better luck is considered if tests prove positive to two-embryos, based on overseas cases, which is a positive indication of at least one-cub.

Based on this Zoologist encryption and interpretation; tests that prove one embryo = Coup. Tests that indicate two embryo = No Coup.

Keep watching the Panda; only the Panda knows the likely outcome.

Thai airways is on the edge of bankruptcy for years now , I just came back from abroad 2 days ago in biz with TG , awful service , lousy food and staff over 50yo looking bored .... No wonder they have issues ....I prefer not to mention the food and the terrible seat and arriving at suvharnablabla airport after 11h flight discharged in a bus .... the corruption at TG is very well know for the last 2 decades ...

Providing Cheese & Crackers are still on the menu then everything should be OK. However, the hostesses are becoming like old fruit though. The labor union of the airline is most likely spinning fear in order to rid the airline of fat-cat management so their members can get a pay rise.

And maybe it’s the fear of a Coup that’s also affecting Panda- Lin Hui's pregnancy at Chiang Mai Zoo..Hmm?

Just like they keep guessing; so do we. Excessive Panda hormone levels are to blame.

The army is right....the coup will not take place now.....it will be after the elections.....if they ever happen!

But then of course, there is also the emergency decree, as a last resort, that Yingluck continues to spin in hope that the people will believe her ...The tanks ultimately serve a dual-purpose should Yingluck fail and so far, since Bangkok is not safe for her including for her supporters, the likelihood of a Coup must be a distinct possibility, no matter how others wish to play down the risk.

If this proposed ‘User-Pays’ system for consular services does eventuates, then this should fairly justify the reasoning for the appointment of a paid Consulate Representative to be established in Phuket in the end, supported by actual paid staff, rather than the previous intention to just appoint a replacement in an Honorary (voluntary-type) capacity.

Red press sympathizers spinning fear with intent to further aggravate the situation. Many quotes from PCAD have perhaps been taken out of context. We all know on the 13th of January, proposed road closures in Bangkok could indirectly cause the cancellation of flights or even an Airport to close.This is nothing new. I dare say, ‘Khaosod English’ have been using ‘Google Translate’ to interpret Mr Detchart quote from Thai to English. For example, at the end of one critical quote used, they had the audacity to misspell his name as ‘Dechart’ instead of ‘Detchart’. If Khaosod English were ever challenged in a potential defamation case they would perhaps most likely say, as part of their defense, “ohh sorry lost in translation due to misspelling and misunderstanding”. Perhaps ignorance with respect to lack of education is a useful tactical technical defense in Thailand.

Well, well, well, this is very disappointing indeed. I didn’t think ex-politicians who had well exceeded their used by dates would be subject to a bounty hit list after retirement. I guess since Yingluck son was threaten in public by Suthep, this has opened up a new can of worms, in terms of installing fear in peoples minds

.

I wonder what the bounty sponsor is paying to hit leaders and ex-leaders of political parties besides a night out at a casino of their choice? Perhaps this year there will be very little vote buying but more sponsored political target hits, like these, against those influential figures who have endorsed the boycott of the February 2nd election.

Obviously, this is not necessary a lay down Misere win for the Shinawatra’s neither, otherwise we wouldn’t be seeing or potentially led to believe its open season on politicians; like duck hunting. However, Politicians and Mayor’s in the past in Thailand have also been known to have arranged their own self-style staged attempted political hits to raise their public image or gain a better outcome in legal proceedings before, so nothing can be ruled out. T.I.T

Very sad to see this kid die this way and based on observations yesterday there appears to be very little enforcement of the helmet safety wearing policy in particularly along Thepkrasattri road at this time. With due respect, this is perhaps because Thalang Police resources have currently been absorbed and focused on the protection of one certain undisclosed V.I.P for several weeks now.

The whole of Thepkrasattri Road has had Police positioned along it, most hours, at 200 meter intervals, but still multiple helmetless-motorbike riders just pass-on-by, under their noses, without being pulled over for non-compliance. What is the point of having laws if there not enforced? Respectfully ,V.I.P’S would perhaps do the Police and island community a favor by getting around the island via helicopter than preventing Police from doing their real job since their prolonged presence appears to be such a time consuming distraction putting other peoples lives indirectly at risk. R.I.P Khun Thanawat.

As per the lifeguard approach to first aid with this problem, I would recommend all to take a bottle of vinegar at all times, to include as part the essential beach kit, since this problem is not exclusive to Nai Harn beach alone and also authorities are reluctant to admit other locations at this time of year.

Brakes are typically air pressure activated on modern buses,and have dual systems for back up and is generally very reliable .Brake failure in modern ,maintained vehicles is quite rare [except it seems in LOS}

All these drivers who claim ''brake failure'' are obviously as we know not trained in even the most basic operating skills and using this as an excuse for their own shortcomings.

In fact what is actually happening in the majority of cases is called brake fade, caused mainly by relying only on the brakes when descending hills [and at excessive speed]..the brakes overheat rapidly and the friction surfaces overheat and glaze and dont grip as they should.

The first thing to do on starting a descent in a bus or heavy truck is to select a low enough gear that will hold the vehicle at a safe speed, 2nd is use of exhaust brakes if fitted and then use light braking to give added control to speed.

I was taught to use on descent, whatever gear you would be in to climb the same road..2nd gear needed to go up means 2nd gear to come down,,easy!

Thanks for your response. So rather than selecting a low-range gear, these drivers prefer to ride the brake on & off which in turn perhaps constantly uses up, in the end, all available air-pressure, generator can’t keep up to refill reserve air pressure tank because the driver is riding the brake, then tank pressure eventually becomes empty which consequently causes the brake to not operate or as you put it 'brake fade'.. Then if true, the root cause is not actual brake failure in the real sense and Bus companies need to improve design capacity of air-pressure tanks or alternatively trained drivers to use low gear selection to avoid repeat occurrences?

Not quite...the drivers, by not using the lower gear to control the speed are relying heavily on the brakes alone..tho not on and off..believe me and i've done it,[once, when i had a bus jump out of gear] you/they are not on and off the brake..you are standing on that brake pedal with all your might, which only makes the brakes heat up more and fade more..this is what brake fade is..like they're fading away to absolutely no stopping power at all!!

The air is supplied by a compressor run by the engine and is stored in tanks as you say to keep a back up supply of air at all times..even if the engine or compressor fail you still have a good reserve of air.so . no , its not the capacity or design that is the problem..its 100% driver training, or lack of , and to some degree, no doubt,maintenance issues and also by the driver that these tanks should be drained daily of water that builds up...

.

On reflection, maybe these drivers are not telling lies, as they have indeed had "brake failure" but don't realise that they are the cause of it by their own actions and is not a mechanical failure as one would read into it.

A very interesting and informative explanation…thank you.

I would be willing to bet that the angle of the slope into Patong is beyond these buses manufactures recommended limits when loaded.

Agreed - all these drivers say (after the accident) oh the brakes did not work. When the reality is that the bus was going too fast, going out of control, and the brakes are not designed for that condition.

Just today I was observing many coaches driving style. I saw one coming down Patak Road into Kata (just at the bend at Kata School) and the speed and angle of sway was alarming. Thought it might tip over. Another bus on the Karon to Patong road was clearly driving far too fast on a downhill section. I can see that no lessons have been learned with the 2 deaths.

So the time when the bus driver lost-control over the bus is when the brakes failed, but if I may ask, from an engineering aspect, what typically operates the brakes on buses like these is it mechanical or air-pressure controlled?

Brakes are typically air pressure activated on modern buses,and have dual systems for back up and is generally very reliable .Brake failure in modern ,maintained vehicles is quite rare [except it seems in LOS}

All these drivers who claim ''brake failure'' are obviously as we know not trained in even the most basic operating skills and using this as an excuse for their own shortcomings.

In fact what is actually happening in the majority of cases is called brake fade, caused mainly by relying only on the brakes when descending hills [and at excessive speed]..the brakes overheat rapidly and the friction surfaces overheat and glaze and dont grip as they should.

The first thing to do on starting a descent in a bus or heavy truck is to select a low enough gear that will hold the vehicle at a safe speed, 2nd is use of exhaust brakes if fitted and then use light braking to give added control to speed.

I was taught to use on descent, whatever gear you would be in to climb the same road..2nd gear needed to go up means 2nd gear to come down,,easy!

Thanks for your response. So rather than selecting a low-range gear on steep hill decent, these drivers prefer to ride the brake on & off which in turn perhaps constantly uses up, in the end, all available air-pressure, generator can’t keep up to refill reserve air pressure tank because the driver is riding the brake, then tank pressure eventually becomes empty which can also consequently cause the brake to not operate or potentially as you put it 'brake fade'... Then if true, the root cause may not be actual brake failure, in the real sense, and Bus companies should perhaps improve the design, such as the capacity of air-pressure tanks for this particular purpose or alternatively train drivers correctly to use low gear selection on steep hills, etc, to avoid repeat occurrences?

I would be willing to bet that the angle of the slope into Patong is beyond these buses manufactures recommended limits when loaded.

Agreed - all these drivers say (after the accident) oh the brakes did not work. When the reality is that the bus was going too fast, going out of control, and the brakes are not designed for that condition.

Just today I was observing many coaches driving style. I saw one coming down Patak Road into Kata (just at the bend at Kata School) and the speed and angle of sway was alarming. Thought it might tip over. Another bus on the Karon to Patong road was clearly driving far too fast on a downhill section. I can see that no lessons have been learned with the 2 deaths.

So the time when the bus driver lost-control over the bus is when the brakes failed, but if I may ask, from an engineering aspect, what typically operates the brakes on buses like these is it mechanical or air-pressure controlled?

The length of the shadow is about the same as the length of the bus, 12 meters. The bus travelled that distance in a bit more than one second or so. Therefore the speed of the bus was between 40-50 km/h when it hit the wall.

The traffic flow was restored in less than 1 minute after the crash (some 45 seconds missing from the video).

The video also appears to be running slightly slow, not in real-time, so judging the speed is a little difficult unless you also know how many frames per second the video was running at. However, the video certainly indicates the bus had a problem with ‘stopping’ since the bus continued in motion after first impact with car & concrete barrier.