Van collision with truck leaves 11 dead

[paulbrow]

9 minutes ago, newnative said:

   Yes, likely the driver's fault. But, also likely that if the passengers had been in a proper bus designed for passengers and not cargo, there might not have been 11 killed.

If you look at the first news article on page 1, you'll see that it was a standard 9 passenger van, not a cargo van. Or maybe I misunderstand your post?

[justaphase]

Vans are death machines, I never go in them. Just one slight buckle and you'll never get the door open, especially fighting to get out with 10 others. Gas as well. Boom!

So sad about the accident.

They wont get rid of the vans cos of the Toyota/government connection.

[Colabamumbai]

The govt. wants to replace the van's with safer small buses, van owners are objecting. 

[crickets]

Never changes....RIP

[dingdongrb]

I really doubt the van driver dozed off. I suspect he was trying to pass another vehicle while going around a curve or another blind spot. I have seen how crazy the drivers can be.

[Asquith Production]

18 hours ago, Handsome Gardener said:

When thai police set up road blocks/checks they are condemned on here as pointless

 

What would be your strategy ? 

You cannot stop speeding vans with a road block. Where are the patrolling police vehicles to catch moving traffic offences.

[owenm]

These vans are death traps because of crazy inexperienced drivers, and passenger vans that aren't fit for purpose.. 

 

A logbook system with mandatory 15 min breaks every 3-4 hrs would help eliminate driver fatigue. Speed limited to max 100kmh. Front vision recording cameras made mandatory. Min. insurance of 100k Thb per passenger in all people moving vehicles, be it vans or buses. Driver's responsibility that all passengers are wearing seat belts, and banning drivers from using any mobile phone while driving.. 

 

All wishful thinking, as I know nothing will change with government inaction.. And all previous governments have all been talk and no action.. TIT.. 

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Just like RTP and people in the government, who have dozed off behind their desks. Another accident, this time with 11 dead, will not wake them up. 

Things will only change when you see the headline 11 high ranking government officials killed in road horror crash... otherwise don't hold your breath !

[newnative]

34 minutes ago, paulbrow said:

If you look at the first news article on page 1, you'll see that it was a standard 9 passenger van, not a cargo van. Or maybe I misunderstand your post?

Yes, I realize it was a passenger van--which I feel are totally unsuitable and unsafe to haul passengers.  You're pretty much a goner if you're in an accident because there's no way out for most of the passengers--who are usually packed in, as this one was.  

[KKr]

16 hours ago, GalaxyMan said:

If ever there was a country that absolutely needed a totally driverless car system, it would be Thailand. Even at today's level of the technology, the death rate would plummet.

Driverless motorbikes would be even better as most traffic victims were on two-wheelers I seem to remember.

[RotBenz8888]

18 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

I first saw it this morning on KhaoSod Thai version.

ThaiRath also covers it.

It's a question of numbers (of death). Sad but true.

 

Dozed off at 4 AM in Sa Khaeo province. Probably behind the wheel since many hours.

Did he forget his speed pills?

 

His Birdy Four in One. 

[Nickymaster]

Accept that this is how things are done in Thailand or leave if you can. NOTHING is going to change, nobody cares or knows what safety means. 

[30la]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

GPS on chartered van involved in Sa Kaew smash had been disabled

By Thanapat Kijjakosol
The Nation

 

 

An inspection of the chartered van, which collided with an 18-wheel truck in Sa Kaew’s Wang Somboon district early on Sunday resulting in 11 deaths and four injuries, revealed that the speed-monitoring GPS device had been disconnected prior to the crash.

 

The van, bearing the registration 34-0405 Bangkok, also was found to have exceeded the 90km/hour limit on six occasions (between 92km/hour to 106km/hour) since leaving Bangkok for Chanthaburi’s border checkpoint as it travelled through Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri and Sa Kaew, according to the Department of Land Transport's GPS Center.

 

The information was revealed by Sa Kaew Transport Office's specialist Suriya Chucherd who joined officials from the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office and the Road Accident Victim Protection’s Sa Kaew branch office in inspecting the scene. He said the van was installed with a GPS device as required by law but that signal was disconnected from time to time.

 

The last signal was detected in Sa Kaew and showed that the van was travelling at 85 km/hour before the signal was lost. The authorities suspect the GPS device was cut to allow the driver to speed. The 18-wheel truck's GPS device showed it was running at to 48km/hour before the crash.

 

The van, which was transporting Lao workers for visa renewal to the Chanthaburi immigration checkpoint, crashed at around 4am on the Sakaew-Chanthaburi Road. The accident was originally thought to have been caused by the van driver Sansern Sathongkhan, who died in the crash, falling asleep at the wheel, sending the van into the opposite lane and into the path of the oncoming truck.

 

The 11 bodies of the Thai van driver and 10 Lao migrant passengers will be transferred to the Royal Thai Police's Institute of Forensic Medicine in Bangkok, a police source said.

 

Sa Kaew govonor Wichit Chatpaisit led officials to visit the three injured victims at the Sa Kaew Crown Prince Hospital, while the slightly-injured truck driver Subin Pengmoo was treated at the Wang Somboon Hospital. Wichit was able to visit only the male passenger Thaothat Pomprasert as two others - identified as Thatthasim Sisisik and Kedsana Silipon - were in surgery. 

 

Only eight of the deceased have been identified including the van driver Sansern and the names of the three others, two males and one female, remain unknown. The seven deceased Lao nationals were identified as Silisack Hatihasinh; Phannthayongsa Bouakheua; Douangmala Bouakheua; Kaisone (last name unknwon); Keokounnavong Sengdeuan; Sillphone Ketsana and Nhouyphathanah Lyvong.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30374940

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-08-19

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R.I.P. I really hope someone will have to pay handsomely for this multiple murder!
The transport office and the police must seriously begin to control all these criminals who play with the lives of innocents!

[Hank Gunn]

9 hours ago, Handsome Gardener said:

I couldn't be arsed to read all of that given the first paragraph was the most inane thing I've read for a while. I know what it meant there was no need for the 5000 word (or felt like it)explanation.

 

Second paragraph - I already know you will have absolutely nothing to back that up - nothing. Regurgitated old wives tales.

 

So you've never seen a roadblock catch a drink driver ? so at each roadblock you stand with the police and monitor each person stopped and action taken right ? I mean how would you have the faintest clue who's been stopped for what ? 

 

The last paragraph ? of course most people on here would disagree as it's a predominantly anti thai forum - they are not going to stamp out the horrendous figures overnight - but if they do nothing the whingers get agitated, when they do something the whingers get agitated ! 

 

 

It was you who said, and I quote, "It wasn't a case of 'biting'...". If English isn't your first language or your reading comprehension isn't up to snuff, then it's only your fault if someone politely tries to explain the use of a common English idiom.

 

And just what is an "old wives tale" with my assertion about checkpoints being primarily about checking registration? I've seen it with my own eyes. My college-age nieces and nephews, whose sole mode of transportation is a motorbike experience it. My wife has explained it to me as well (someone who was born and raised here). Oh, and the fact I've seen people, on more than one occasion, ride down the road in the wrong direction and not be stopped is "an old wives tale"?

 

You seem to imply, that I'm saying these roadblocks never catch a drunk driver. Where did I say that? You're putting words in my mouth. They are however, primarily concerned with fining people for expired or non-existent licenses and/or registration, since that is the easiest thing to do for these lazy @$$es that call themselves police. No active policing needed.

 

The problem is, they (the police) continue to do nothing to actively enforce traffic laws and ensure road safety in this country. That's why people complain (and rightly so). That's not "whinging", that's justifiable concern and frustration with the BIB who are known as not much more than an organized criminal organization. You buy a position and make a monthly payment to your superiors to keep it. IF you haven't figured that out by now, you're absolutely hopeless. It's called being realistic.

[Hank Gunn]

9 hours ago, Handsome Gardener said:

How much did you hand over in cash each time at these 'revenue generators' ?

 

Oh wait you've answered - nothing - 'revenue generators' that don't produce revenue, how weird is that ?

 

I've been stopped probably 100+ times at checkpoints - handed over zilch, not one baht. 

 

Stop making it up

So because fines are directly pocketed and actual tickets are not recorded it's not a revenue generating exercise. Right, got it.

[Katipo]

The fact these GPS trackers can be disabled so easily is quite disturbing. Although it's quite possible the driver made an illegal modification, which again, is quite disturbing. It's almost certain that he's been flicking it on and off for quite some time, and it's rather disturbing that no one noticed, or cared, or bothered to check. Even more disturbing is that there are probably 100's if not thousands of other van drivers on the road at this very minute who do a similar thing.

If any of your friends or loved ones want to travel by van in Thailand, just show them the disturbing photo in this article. RIP ????

[Thaifriends]

While riding on these vans which goes other provinces, one must keep an eye on the driver. Most are drinking redbull perhaps to hydrate or detox. Cant figure out but they are always above 120kms/hr

[owenm]

Maybe international travel insurance policies to Thailand will need to add to their dangerous activities list, using a people mover minibus for inter provincial travel as a passenger, along with zip line activities, unlicensed motorbike driving and jetskis.. And maybe in the future high-speed boats.. 

Sixty road deaths average per day should be included as a dangerous activity unless the government gets serious about change.. 

[Thaifriends]

Only solution is to convert on CNG and put fuel cutt off limit in the software of commercial vehicles. Buses have cng but they can accelerate to 100 plus. At least can start from buses to limit 80km/hr. Its a builti in software or could be added to limit speed. Driver cant touch or tamper ECU.

[Orton Rd]

I know some have a different experience but I have never been in any van here where anyone used a seatbelt, or where I had a seat where one was working. Usually they are tied up, but they do have signs with the penalty displayed for not having them, maybe Thais think they are like a lucky amulet, as long as you have them they work? Not as daft as it sounds, our neighbour bought a baby chair for her car but kept it in the boot, she thought that's all you had to do.

[armadillo215]

20 hours ago, Handsome Gardener said:

When thai police set up road blocks/checks they are condemned on here as pointless

 

What would be your strategy ? 

Well...You know...Like almost all other countries...Put police in patrol cars...PATROLLING, shooting radar....

OK...Now let the insults begin...

[spidermike007]

This is a very good reason why the immigration system needs to be reformed. There are no need for border runs. My guess is they were eventually dreamed up as a way to support the economy, or due to the van companies paying bribes to senators. Do away with this inane requirement. It is dangerous. And limit the speed of vans to 100kph. Major deterrents need to be put in place, if the government cares one iota. Unfortunately, they do not. If they care at all, it has to do with the nation being at the top of the worldwide carnage list, and the ensuing humiliation that comes with that rather horrendous distinction. It has little to do with the people, as the army has shown over and over again, that the people always come last. 

[armadillo215]

40 minutes ago, Katipo said:

The fact these GPS trackers can be disabled so easily is quite disturbing. Although it's quite possible the driver made an illegal modification, which again, is quite disturbing. It's almost certain that he's been flicking it on and off for quite some time, and it's rather disturbing that no one noticed, or cared, or bothered to check. Even more disturbing is that there are probably 100's if not thousands of other van drivers on the road at this very minute who do a similar thing.

If any of your friends or loved ones want to travel by van in Thailand, just show them the disturbing photo in this article. RIP ????

I could have sworn the article state the driver fell asleep and swerved into oncoming traffic...I could be wrong. But your basic premise is correct...

[kevinmartyn]

I'm not the least bit surprised! I seen these vans drive over 140 fully loaded and driver on his mobile here in Thailand!

[mike787]

Yep!  This is life in Thailand.  Just another road kill stay.  Welcome to LOS, and everyone don't forget your 90 day report to mom (immigration).

[PlastikbinLina]

20 hours ago, seajae said:

The vans need to be speed limited to 100k at most and driving times need to be

As I have seen in most places here in Thailand the 100km is maintained recklessly even along roads through built up busy streets in towns where 60 km should be a maximum limit.

[kensisaket]

20 hours ago, seajae said:

and still the govt does nothing to stop this carnage, the vans are death machines and the drivers need to be properly tested and licensed. The vans need to be speed limited to 100k at most and driving times need to be adhered to, maximum time behind the wheel needs to be made mandatory with random testing for drugs & alcohol. The amount of accidents and deaths vans cause is beyond a joke

 

I wouldn't say doing nothing. They are on a permanent median building binge here in Issan even if it means turning a 4 lane road into 3 lanes (1 1/2 in each direction). They definitely keep you from crossing into oncoming traffic.  

[outsider]

20 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

Just like RTP and people in the government, who have dozed off behind their desks. Another accident, this time with 11 dead, will not wake them up. 

 

So true. And since 'only' two Thais and 11 foreigners are involved, the newsprint today will be fish-wrap tomorrow.

 

Then it'll be forgotten.

 

But, if one - even just ONE - of them involved is a celebrity, a superstar, an elite, or someone who knows-someone-connected-to-someone, all hell will break lose. Blames will be rolled out, heads will roll, anyone in uniform will say something stupid to the media, there will be knee-jerk reactions, new laws enacted, followed by crackdowns that go nowhere.

 

Then it'll be forgotten.

 

Until it happens again.

 

Repeat.

[RichardColeman]

21 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

GPS on chartered van involved in Sa Kaew smash had been disabled

Sorry, but I am still yet to understand just why it matters if they have a GPS if the Thai driver still has a Thai brain ?

[khomlong1]

Said it before. As there is no money to be made from road safety, the government doesn't care.