webfact Posted September 24, 2018 Share Posted September 24, 2018 Removal of vans to proceed, despite strike threat By KORNRAWEE PANYASUPPAKUN THE NATION File photo ABOUT 1,000 public-transport vans will be removed from Bangkok’s streets on October 1, as authorities stand firm by their 10-year age limit on the vehicles. They also insist passengers will not be affected. The Land Transport Department (LTD) has already decided not to extend the licences of 954 vans which expire this year, despite the operators’ threat to go on strike. Operators petitioned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday, asking him to consider extending the working life of vans from 10 to 15 years if the vehicles were still in good condition. They also threatened to withdraw some vans from October 1 if their proposal falls on deaf ears. “I don’t want to see passengers suffer from this. I want the government and the Transport Ministry to consider the request,” Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution, said. However, the LTD and relevant authorities insist old vans must be taken out of service to ensure public safety. Colonel Sombat Thanyawan, deputy commander of King’s Guard’s Second Cavalry Division, told a press conference at the Department of Land Transport yesterday that vans more than 10 years old must not be allowed to run on Bangkok streets because they are unsafe, pollute the air and are not insured, which leaves passengers at risk. The fine for violating the ban is Bt200,000. The LTD also says it would ensure that passengers are not affected by the operators’ threatened withdrawal of vans because it would provide buses from the Transport Company and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) if necessary. BMTA has already agreed to prepare buses for routes that 260 to-be-expired vans from the Victory Monument area are now operating. “We would make sure that there are enough buses, especially in the morning and evening rush-hours,” said LTD deputy director-general Cherdchai Sanunsrisakorn. There are currently about 5,000 vans operating on 170 routes within Bangkok and many connect the capital with nearby provinces such as Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan. Many people will be affected by the removal of vans, especially those travelling from/to Min Buri district, Rangsit and Victory Monument, said Cherdchai. He said that of the 954 vans expiring this year, 260 operated 11 different routes from Victory Monument, 191 vans (11 routes) from Min Buri, 28 vans from Rangsit and one from Chatuchak. Cherdchai also said the Land Transport Department planned to stop more vans from registering as public vehicles and encouraged van operators to change to minibuses, which were safer for passengers. The van operators would be offered low-interest loans as an incentive to make the switch. The department expected that there would be no passenger vans left on the street by 2028, he said. Operators explained that they were reluctant to buy new vans to replace old vehicles because several MRT/Skytrain lines were now being developed in Bangkok and adjacent provinces. The expanding train networks made the outlook uncertain for van services, they said. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30355146 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-25 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chang_paarp Posted September 24, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 24, 2018 1 hour ago, webfact said: The Land Transport Department (LTD) has already decided not to extend the licences of 954 vans which expire this year, despite the operators’ threat to go on strike. Operators petitioned Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday, asking him to consider extending the working life of vans from 10 to 15 years if the vehicles were still in good condition. They also threatened to withdraw some vans from October 1 if their proposal falls on deaf ears. Let me get this right. LTD wants to ban vans over 10 years old (974 this year, 4000 next year needing replacement). Owners want to make it 15 years if vans OK. LTD deadline is 1 October. If LTD does not bend to owners demands they will go on strike. Isn't that what the LTD wants? Did anyone think this through. 3 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DoctorG Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 Imagine if you can the number of klms these vans have notched up in ten years, all with minimum maintenance. Scary. 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dinsdale Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 Don't blame the drivers, blame the vans. Most pics I've sen here of fatals involving vans show vans that appear to be less than 10 yrs old.???? 3 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Esso49 Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 5 minutes ago, dinsdale said: Don't blame the drivers, blame the vans. Most pics I've sen here of fatals involving vans show vans that appear to be less than 10 yrs old.???? Don't get confused with the mental age of the van drivers 11 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Esso49 Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 24 minutes ago, DoctorG said: Imagine if you can the number of klms these vans have notched up in ten years, all with minimum maintenance. Scary. maintenance, what maintenance ? 5 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post anon537687643 Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 So the age of vans is the cause of accidents rather than the poor driving ? I mean .. jeezSent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect 7 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post fullcave Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 2 minutes ago, markaoffy said: So the age of vans is the cause of accidents rather than the poor driving ? I mean .. jeez Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect No but the vans are too old to meet safety requirements. Next they need to put a limit on vans transporting students to and from schools! I've seen vans as old as 40 years used for that purpose and with no goddamn seat belts! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AhFarangJa Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 6 minutes ago, markaoffy said: So the age of vans is the cause of accidents rather than the poor driving ? I mean .. jeez Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Of course, remember the Thai Male ego, they are all plopleshanal dwivers..... 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post geriatrickid Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 hour ago, dinsdale said: Don't blame the drivers, blame the vans. Most pics I've sen here of fatals involving vans show vans that appear to be less than 10 yrs old.???? Your comment has no point. Of course the vans appeared to be less than 10 years of age because most them are. Less than 20% are older than 10 years. The vans are finished after 10 years. It's called metal fatigue, obsolescence and end of mechanical life. It is unrealistic to expected these low quality vehicles to last more than 10 years. They start having issues after only a few years of heavy use. These are not the trams of Hong Kong which have been lovingly maintained by dedicated craftsman. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lupatria Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 (edited) Land Transport Control Board? There is neither control over the coffins on wheels nor the emotionally disturbed 'drivers' high on yaba, and armed to the teeth. Edited September 25, 2018 by Lupatria 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Vacuum Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 hour ago, fullcave said: I've seen vans as old as 40 years used for that purpose and with no goddamn seat belts! Do you seriously belive that the kids would have used them, if there was seat belts installed? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilotman Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 hour ago, dinsdale said: Don't blame the drivers, blame the vans. Most pics I've sen here of fatals involving vans show vans that appear to be less than 10 yrs old.???? What? Its the drivers, many drunk most cant drive to save their lives. good riddance. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monspencer Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 No matter what the age of the vans, just get rid of all the ones that emit that foul black smoke. After all, motor vehicle exhaust emissions are a significant source of pollution, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. These pollutants can be harmful to human health and the environment and lead to the formation of ground level ozone (smog). And while we are at it do the same to all other types of vehicles breaking the emissions law (and Thailand does have one), e.g.lorries, buses, cars, motorbikes and scooters. But then this is Thailand and who gives a damn about the law. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Lupatria Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Vacuum said: Do you seriously belive that the kids would have used them, if there was seat belts installed? To answer your question: Edited September 25, 2018 by Lupatria 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newnative Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Hope the LTD sticks to its guns and doesn't back down. But, instead of all these 1000s of vans clogging the streets, why not upgrade the absolutely horrible bus system with some modern air-conditioned buses. All the buses I see are ancient; most look way older than 10 years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Percy P Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 What about other vehical. such as tut tuts,they are a smelly noisy black smoke polluting vehicle and lot's look more then 10 year old. I do not use them .and there expensive . There small why not battery powered. I always use the train for transport outside the city.I live in Hua Hin .0920 train from HP 44B. Arr HHin 13:30 hrs, no rush. Van from city 200B. 3-3.5 hrs. Train interesting journey. Many new refurbished stations. Food at H /Pong station superb. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post varun Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 Good move by the LTD. However, the fundamental problem of monkey-brained Somchai's driving the majority of public vans does not go away. Only a miracle of human evolution can solve that. Once a monkey-brained Somchai, always a monkey-brained Somchai.. 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbrit Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 There is a reason these minivans have a slang name of flying coffins - many of these drivers have no care for safety, its all about money above anything else. On the Bangkok - Sattahiip - Rayong route, I regularly see the drivers at super high speed and jumping red lights constantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toofarnorth Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 ' Brakes failed ' is an issue quite common with minibuses , would all these buses with failed brakes be the ones over 10 yo ? Or do 9yo minibuses on occasion suffer from 'Brakes failed ' syndrom ? As I said when this first came up , I would rather leave myself in the hands of a driver who has had his minibus for 10 years and alway had it maintained with pride than a 20 yo who has borowed a new one for the day. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post zaZa9 Posted September 25, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted September 25, 2018 2 hours ago, geriatrickid said: Your comment has no point. Of course the vans appeared to be less than 10 years of age because most them are. Less than 20% are older than 10 years. The vans are finished after 10 years. It's called metal fatigue, obsolescence and end of mechanical life. It is unrealistic to expected these low quality vehicles to last more than 10 years. They start having issues after only a few years of heavy use. These are not the trams of Hong Kong which have been lovingly maintained by dedicated craftsman. I disagree. Toyota commuters are very well built vans. They are 'toyota tough'. They run turbo diesels that can do a million kilometres. Any I have observed have been their owners pride and joy and well maintained . They are not cheap to buy. The comment you reject has a point. And that is that it doesnt matter how well crafted any vehicle is if it is placed in the hands of a moron. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCC1701A Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 remove them all from everywhere. execute the drivers. next case. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerkinsCuthbert Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 hour ago, newnative said: Hope the LTD sticks to its guns and doesn't back down. But, instead of all these 1000s of vans clogging the streets, why not upgrade the absolutely horrible bus system with some modern air-conditioned buses. All the buses I see are ancient; most look way older than 10 years. View the LTD as an opening gambit; almost certainly there will be a compromise, taking a thousand vans off the road at one go would play havoc with commuting, even allowing for partial substitution by the BMTA, and after all, whatever happened to the ban on riding on pickup beds? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 5 hours ago, Chang_paarp said: Let me get this right. LTD wants to ban vans over 10 years old (974 this year, 4000 next year needing replacement). Owners want to make it 15 years if vans OK. LTD deadline is 1 October. If LTD does not bend to owners demands they will go on strike. Isn't that what the LTD wants? Did anyone think this through. The van drivers have had 10 years to save up for a new van.... they are just beefing about putting their hand in their pockets to update old models instead they want to flog them to death for another 5 years... then maybe another extension.!!!! Get the old rubbish off the roads !!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destiny1990 Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Just bulldozer them and also the Phuket TukTuks other cleaner solutions might pop up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkok Barry Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 4 hours ago, fullcave said: No but the vans are too old to meet safety requirements. Next they need to put a limit on vans transporting students to and from schools! I've seen vans as old as 40 years used for that purpose and with no goddamn seat belts! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Grumpy Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Doubt many vans actually make it to 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Warrior Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 its the idiot drivers that need to taken off the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aupee Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said: Seeing these photos proves to me that its endemic in Thailand not just in the more remote moo bans. It shows that thousands of Thais do not value there children and without thought or fear or love, expose them to danger and possible death daily. When its too late they cry foul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aupee Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 7 minutes ago, michael walker said: its the idiot drivers that need to taken off the road They are not drivers they are money grabbing idiots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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