‘High’ driver races minibus with 40 passengers to flee police

By The Nation

 

 

In what might have felt like their worst nightmare come true, 40 passengers on a minibus bound from Phra Pradaeng to Phahurat on Tuesday night found themselves erratically swerving from side to side on the road while hurtling at high speed as the driver, who later admitted to being high on meth, tried to elude pursuing police officers.
 

The ordeal ended for passengers when a police car managed to block and stop the bus on Thaksin Road in Thon Buri district at 8pm. But the van driver jumped out and ran across the road with the police in hot pursuit. They caught him.

 

 

The driver, Wichit Duangsopha, 38, from Samut Sakhon allegedly admitted to police he that he had taken a methamphetamine pill before leaving the Bus No 82 depot in Phra Pradaeng.

 

For police, the episode began when Pol Lt-Colonel Pratya Krasaelap, the traffic police chief of the Bukkalo police station, was directing traffic in front of the Big C Dao Khanong shopping mall. He saw a minibus driving at a dangerously high speed in the second lane and swerving from side to side.

 

 

Pratya radioed police to stop the minibus at an upcoming checkpoint, but the bus sped past, prompting a car-chase for about 500 metres before the bus was hemmed in and stopped.

 

Pratya said he took the action out of concern for the safety of passengers.

 

The bus driver was charged with allegedly driving under the influence of drugs.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30352688

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-22

All the number '82' bus drivers are just like him.

These were the green buses a few years ago.

Changed colour, but not the drivers.

I see them every day. Mad as hatters.

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

The bus driver was charged with allegedly driving under the influence of drugs.

What about dangerous driving and no concern for the safety of his passengers?  Or is that an excepted part of everyday life on Thai roads?

 

 

Charging the companies who hire these idiots might help

EGO ,Lawlessness and lack of condsideration for  passengers and public is the core of all that is wrong with Thailand..''The Unprofessionals ''

Edited August 22, 20188 yr by mok199
speliings

55 minutes ago, webfact said:

erratically swerving from side to side on the road while hurtling at high speed

 

If that's an indication of being high on drugs, there aren't enough police to chase them all.

 

 

Thailand needs to enact mandatory random drug testing for all transport operators.  This is SOP in the west for truck drivers, tour boat operators, bus drivers and train operators.

I'm sure the bus companies can hire good drivers if they can offer good salaries. Bus fare hike is always rejected, so the commuters need to take the risk. Nothing comes cheap.

1 hour ago, Dmaxdan said:

What about dangerous driving and no concern for the safety of his passengers?  Or is that an excepted part of everyday life on Thai roads?

 

 

Nobody died,no damage,mai pen rai.

A huge Police chase !!  500 metres ! Wow !         Police should set up a permanent drug testing station at Mo Chit and swab all drivers starting a journey.  That would be a good start.  Then others at all bus stations. 

The bus driver was charged with allegedly driving under the influence of drugs. ???

And not endangering the life of passengers and pedestrians ?!?!?

Seems this driver was unlucky to be stopped as esentially they all drive like that

6 hours ago, webfact said:

erratically swerving from side to side on the road while hurtling at high speed

That's the normal mode of operation for most  of those white mini buses and for quite a large percentage of the rest of Thai traffic...they cant stay in a lane for more than 30 seconds, if someone is in front they have to get past...brake lights come on  on vehicle in front...change lanes and get past them !!!

All bus drivers are incompotent erraric morons. Is there any that arent on drugs? Im amazed how many people travel on buses, taxis, etc. Im sick of criticizing but i think thais need to put their big boy pants on and come to terms with the reality that theirs something wrong mentally here. 

7 hours ago, mok199 said:

EGO ,Lawlessness and lack of condsideration for  passengers and public is the core of all that is wrong with Thailand..''The Unprofessionals ''

Wrong ! They are egotistical Amateurs, with no respect for law and Order.

10 hours ago, shady86 said:

I'm sure the bus companies can hire good drivers if they can offer good salaries. Bus fare hike is always rejected, so the commuters need to take the risk. Nothing comes cheap.

 

Right you are. Pay peanuts, get monkeys...

to the drug lovers in here there always comment drugs not dangerous and people not get addicted 

can we please hear your comments on this story 

like I always say 

Drugs are dangerous for users but also very dangerous for normal people 

 

When I worked in northwest of Australia and drove buses onto mine sites I was subjected to 3 breath and drug tests in morning and one in afternoon, all we ask for here is one before they are allowed to do what should be a mandatory pre-start check and leave on their journey.  How hard can that be ????????

23 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

What about dangerous driving and no concern for the safety of his passengers?  Or is that an excepted part of everyday life on Thai roads?

 

 

Rhetorical question !!

This is the main reason I drive myself instead of trusting a Thai driver. Never had an accident in 7 years. 

Nothing will be done