Nicholas Paul KNIGHT

My condolences to the families who lost loved ones. However a cautionary note to the Minister of Transport and all his lickspittles , again this accident highlighting the almost non-existent training it appears and lack of any control; of driver training . Air brakes are as they say require AIR , constant use depletes the reservoir and the slow speed does not allow it to be replenished . Too often Thais use brakes instead of what should happen using a lower gear to go downhill, the engine is far better than brakes on large vehicles going downhill . Most Thais I have spoken to agree but still fail to implement this safety feature. So again the country is dealing with loss of like which unless a mechanical fault ( not brake failure )_ is due to Driver error or lack of judgement AGAIN .. About time like in many countries, Buis/ Coach drivers are regularly tested both in competence and health wise to ensure the safety of Paying Passengers. Sadly here life is cheap !!

To the doom talkers and the uneducated, if your actually read what is happening and as in so many things here it is not necessarily what is said , it is what is not said. I believe those who monthly or whenever dep[osit into Thai banks living expenses and occasionally larger sums to covers costs of houses, cars etc and CAN PROVE where the money is coming from , they would probably have zero p[robl;ems. However those who frequi8ently deposit large sums without necessarily advising from where the funds come from are a red flag to an already over policed system which has been abused over the p[ast few decades and thanks to computerisation now becoming visible . My bank forwards money and it requests reasons and what the payment is pension etc. Nothing whatsoever to do with THE Visa process . So pull in your necks and make sure your payments into the country are unambiguously clear

AS p[er usual p[eople stating unclear signage as a cause, maybe BUT IOT IS THE DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL DRIVERS to pay7 attention to ensuire ALL ROAD TRAFFIC laws are followed no matter what . Poor enforcement is also part opf the cause, when was the last time anyone saw a uniformed police officer standing at a Zebra crossing, ion 23 years here. Never seen,when I asked. To hot, to polluted or to many vehicles was the answer . After 30 years a cop those answers are at best pathetic, typical of the sloping shoulders adopted by many . not only in this country but also my own sadly.

One born every minute what a wally

While such actions are indefensible, there could be a Medical reason why this occurred including a very weak bl;adder withy the inability to retain. Too often In Large transportation hubs toilet facilities are a long way apart or very hard to find.

And the senior officer still in charge.................Predictable stupidity

Having run a Custody Suite in the UK<, it would take a complete change of attitude by the RTP to begin toe even be comparable to the UK POLICE STATIONS. Sadly the cultural problems will always remain . Plus the way RTP deals with often minor offences border on illegal detention.

This so-called tale of underground nastiness hidden from public view is nothing new in a town o pr city that offers the range of services from the humble drink to a full blown physical encounter with a member of the opposite sex.. I remember Wanchai , Hong Kong., Boogie Street Singapore, Even in the UK there are places that almost seem off limits to sane adults. However what is evident here is the Authorities lack of uprating the infrastructure to deal with the teeming visitors all out for a good time. Hence overcrowding, lack of facilities, oppresive environments. Lack of any local officials to deal with the mainly drunk patrons. Change doubtful as this shady situation is NOT recognised by officials because they would have to admit it actually happens contrary to main Government view.

Cynical this may sound but no matter what as a Parent you do, when they are alone, children for whatever reason choose to ignore parental advice and do what kids do . I feel for the mother but sadly nowt she can do .

Great ideas but WHILE many offenders m,any Law Enforcement officers NEVER get stopped even if they are known to be drinking then the Publics trust is lost and will never be recovered > Too many people never get stopped and rarely checked unless it will financially benefit that officer

Pot calling the kettle black, springs to mind, obviously as with many accusations about FOREIGN naughty people, normally a Thai tittle tattling to ensure their nefarious activities carry on illegally and unseen by the authorities who are too BUSY CHASING DOWN THE MIST OF MISINFORMATION .

The simple fact that the government can get details from your bank in order to detect FRAUD , is nothing NEW. Now for example they know where you are due to the Biometric details utilising the UK Customs and Excise departments . Nothing new, those that maintain a UK address to get the uprating of pensions and benefits are not only acting criminally but also very stupidly . I have known one or two that have been caught and also some that still try to get around the system , although in honesty those numbers are dwindling as people realise the futility of their actions. 24 years ago I knew the facts and figures relating to pensions especially their Old Age Pension, those that claim ignorance are themselves ignorant . No-one in their right mind moves to relocate to another country and does not check on every part of your life that will be affected including pensions. The 3 year letter to prove life is as ludicrous as it is stupid, however it satisfies some oik in a Government Office somewhere and I would hate to deprive that person of a job . After nearly 24 years here The only problem has been postal notifications so 23 years ago acquired a PO Box, now no problems. If you have a problem solve it and stop bloody moaning

There speaks another educated idiot with ZERO common-sense

I am an Englishman, just put him on the next plane those idiots can go.

The major problem with tourism in Thailand is TAT ,, stupid ideas and mainly uselesds themes. Fix the Tourism Infrastructure , clean up all Tourism Venues, increase safety on waterborne activities . Show the world this is done the Tourists will return . Scamming Thais shopuld get automatic 2 years in priSon for tarnishing THAILANDs IMAGE

Sadly another case of mistreatment by the training arm of the Army which like the RTP seem to be unaccountable for their actions. Having served years ago learnt that the Army marches on its stomach and if the lower ranks are taken care of the senior ranks must be okay. Sadly here those ideas are not apparent seen many Thai troop[s moving about Thailand most seem okay buit5 not that happy.

Personally a complete pratt !!

Good now remove all corruption practices from the inspection and testing process . Only needs now a stringent testing process for Bus and Coach drivers, might have a chance of suceeding

Roads being inanimate cause no failures ,. the FAILURES are in Enforcement by Inspectors, RTP, and other agencies concerned with Passenger Transportation. The failure of systematically checking on Transport Companies so they abide by the rules, and would lose licences to operate if even ONE mode of transport found to be illegal in any way. Finally driver training it is apparent that many drivers are poorly trained in basic road safety and ways to deal with accidents including blown tyres. But then GOOD MAINTAINANCE would ensure GOOD TYR ES are on ALL COMPANY VEHICLES. ROADS DO NOT FAIL, PEOPLE FAIL PEOPLE through INCOMPETENCE, CORRUPTION , GREED AND COMPLETE L;ASCK OF EMPATHY FOR THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC WHO PAY money to go from A to B safely.

This story is a joke, more so when you consider that many so-called Pensioner Benefits are no longer available in the UK . Most sane informed people will know full well the situation regarding their State Pension, Benefits and whether or not it is uprated in the country they are going to retire to , so to state What do I do ? , Simple answer read the small print and plan accordingly `. to give an interview bemoaning their lot is ludicrous and brings attention to their complete lack of any form of planning . Although many would like to see the situation change , it would be nice but also would mean many would pay more income tax which will never benefit the expats living overseas just those that reside in the UK. It is true those who served in the emergency services do have their pensions uprated normally by the CPI as published in October , the retired Military and Civil servants are the same I believe. It only really effects those with no other pension at all and I would be surprised that that number would no longer be large any more as even 50 years ago Companies and others were pushing for Company pensions or something similar to assist the workforce. Only those that refused to invest in their future after work will now feel disadvantaged

Not surprised I remember during my teaching time in Udon Thani at one particular school , A Englishman was school;ing one or two children in the bible etc, told him not to do it, but he ignored me . PLain to see the children were torn between obeying the teacher rather than just walk away . I took action by informing ther Director, needless to say that man and his wife were not amused. DID i CARE NO !!

For starters to many requests. Today blow a p[ositive then immediately arrest take to Police Station either a further breath test on a dedicated calibrated breath test machine or blood or urine. Keep it simple , no need to seek permission if positive arrest , of unsure arrest , take to the station for either another breath test, blood or urine. No need to ask. Leaves out possibility of corruption except at the initial breath test. Note pay the doctor to come to the station easier.

A MAJOR GENERAL no less, expounding HILTERITE to deter smokers. Completely contrary to the Hippocratic Oath , although maybe a Military doctor may consider himself exempt rather like Dr Mengele !!

Over the years whenever you see lorries with an extraordinary overhang of the load or even the Sugar cane lorries so overloaded that even turning is dangerous, you know somewhere somehow there is little of any oversight by the authorities and if there is oversight money has changed hands . Like all road checks, some vehicles sail through even though you know they are illegal, overloaded, speeding etc. Overladen lorries are one of the causes of brake failure resulting in many accidents so lack of enforcement those corrupt officials are also complicit in accidents as well.

Convicted drug dealer who escaped to avoid justice, sorry serves him right. Nice to see The Police interaction,. sad it did not work the other way around .