"The bodies keep mounting up on Thailand's roads" - damning report airing on UK TV

[Essaybloke]

5 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

So how is it a 'largely inaccurate report', apart from the Police quote?

"In a largely accurate report..."

It actually says 'accurate'.... apart from the copper's ingenuous contribution. 

[OnTheRun]

1 hour ago, ChrisKC said:

So the concensus here is that all police are corrupt. Have you all met all the police? No! So stop being cynical and wrong,

How about ALL the police I've met are corrupt? 

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, cardinalblue said:

thai gov has no clue where to start

They can't, because this should have been tackled decades ago when Thais first began driving in numbers. Now it's too late. I've posted this before, but for those who didn't see it......

There are many reasons that Thais drive as they do.

1 - I have never detected any sign of common sense in a Thai, and I've been living here for over 25 years. I am not sure how you teach that, but anyway there is no movement to do so.

2 - The Thais have a Me First mentality that is deeply ingrained, and that is the last thing you want to see in a driver.

3 - The education system demands that you do not think for yourself but listen and obey, so Thais do not develop the necessary skills to actually think. That may result in my first point above.

4 - Learning to drive in a proper and responsible manner is quite difficult, and Thais do not do difficult. Thais do 'near enough', but on the roads that isn't 'good enough'. One mistake can cost lives, so being lucky enough to get it right most of the time isn't good enough either.

5 - They have absolutely no concept that the vehicle they are attempting to operate is a potential killer. No concept at all.

6 - Along with inadequate teaching of all things about how to drive properly and safely, there is no test to determine if you have reached a standard where you are not a danger to yourself and others before you take to the road.

7 - Thais do not seem able to join the dots, and realise that if, for example, they drive at 120 kms an hour five metres behind the vehicle in front, or drive at night with no rear light (or front light if they are driving on the wrong side of the road because they have no concept of the danger), then they would have no time to react if the vehicle in front breaks suddenly. Ask any Thai what their safe braking distance is and they would have no idea.

8 - There are zero police patrols to help prevent accidents by pulling aside selfish and stupid drivers. Their only presence is setting up road blocks which seems in my experience to have only one purpose - to check your tax disc is in the window and up to date.

9 - Police have absolutely no interest in enforcing the law even when they are static beside the road, watching kids three or four on a bike go by with no helmet, no license, no ability to properly control the bike they are on. And that goes also for the parents and schools who allow Thailand's future to play Russian Roulette every time they go out. The police know they get paid anyway, so why work?

10 - The government does nothing to resolve the road death/accident toll as nothing practically can be done. The problem began decades ago when Thais first began to drive in numbers. No meaningful test was introduced and enforced, and now it is far, far too late. It would mean retraining every driver (and who would do that - it would be similar to those who teach English not being able to speak the language themselves). And it would mean the drivers having to take a proper western-style test before gaining a license. And it would mean police patrols to catch those who drive as if they are playing a video game. Now, anyone can drive as they like and put themselves and others in danger as they know they have zero chance of being caught. They can drive that way with total impunity. And it would require said (non-existent) police to actually enforce the law. And not one of those things is possible in Thailand.

To finish, nothing can or will change and survival on Thai roads will continue to be a lottery. All we can do is remember the words that were used in the 70s police drama Hill Street Blues as the force were sent out on patrol - 'Let's be careful out there'.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

It should be easier to control the traffic than a virus...

The lock down controlled the people for 3 months, after that freedom of movement was largely given back and up went the statistics again.

It is a proven fact they cannot control the people on the roads or change their habits of a life time.

In the video the driver who ploughed into the shop killing the father & seriously injuring the girl is a typical instance. One year in jail and no compensation... ridiculous !

Should have been manslaughter in the least.

Insurance companies are as much to blame for the hard ship faced by the victims... They scam people for premiums but never pay-out when an accident takes place.

 

 

 

[Eddy Ozark]

When people think they have an answer to all the questions, they are usually wrong.

[bbbbooboo]

Hmmm.... this slaughter has been going on 12 years that I know of. Maybe Thais should do something about it.... DUH...... TIT?

[Prince77]

I would guess that 90% of the fatal road accidents involves motorbikes and drunk driving.  So it is not a matter of YOUR skills to operate a vehicle but of just good luck not being wiped of the road by others.

 

So how to handle this matter: heavy penalties, loss of driving licence, loss of vehicles, prison terms without suspension... I know, wishful thinking and will take a long time.

 

Until then I will not drive on a bike or motorbike by myself.

[fraggleRock]

I reported this on a post yesterday! I like the official who states they have a 10 year road accident reduction plan.  I bet the Government and especially the TAT are going ape s**t!

Edited August 23, 2020 by fraggleRock

[Thomas J]

[Prince77]

With 60 traffic fatalities per day I wonder why the destroy the Thai economy together with millions of people in the light of 50 dead people during the whole time of pandemic through Corona?

[rudi49jr]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"The bodies keep mounting up on Thailand's roads"

And it will continue to do so unless at least two things change: the police actually start doing their job of enforcing traffic rules and regulations, and drivers don't get a license without proper training. Neither will probably happen any time soon, so the carnage will go on, and on, and on.

[Huckenfell]

6 hours ago, colinneil said:

What a priceless comment.... A policeman that does not accept bribes, he must be the only 1 in the whole country.

Notice his name is not mentioned.

 

[Huckenfell]

How does such a policeman manage to live and support his family on his wages,

[Markus Rider]

Ohhh so many bad big bike drivers..... They conclude so much to the dead bodies on the roads as corona..... Well done! Proper actions implemented!! 

[transam]

1 minute ago, Huckenfell said:

How does such a policeman manage to live and support his family on his wages,

Free family health care, can borrow low interest money via the job, Pension after 20 years... 

[P100]

6 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

He doesn't accept too small bribes!

[jerolamo]

5 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said:

It should be easier to control the traffic than a virus...

Because it is easy to control the number of covid infected people and death, but not to control the one from road accident...

 

[Huckenfell]

6 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Do Sky realise the ones who dont die at the scene are not added to the list? would be a lot higher if that was the case

Thats it in Thailand, die in hospital from the crash and you are not counted in the road toll.

 

[colinneil]

2 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

So the concensus here is that all police are corrupt. Have you all met all the police? No! So stop being cynical and wrong,

You are the wrong that is wrong, police here are corrupt.

Been involved with them twice both times serious matters.

First time my ex paid a senior policeman 20.000 baht, he told me give me 50.000 and your problem will vanish.

Second time, local government big wig, destroyed my life driving a government pickup, police turned my bike around, and claimed i was the one going against the traffic not him.

Every last 1 of them are corrupt.

[SunsetT]

Watch the policeman's throat after he denies that they accept bribes. Note the guilty gulp...555.

[Flying Saucage]

2 hours ago, Thaijack2014 said:

The only true part of this video is that the deathtoll is high. But to compare it with the actions against covid, I think this is going too far. Even a country like Germany has more people die on the road then because of the virus and there the deathtoll of the virus is a few hundred times higher then in Thailand and the country is considered safe.

If Thailand were to deal with that they should just shut off all traffic. And apart from that... how often I see people driving wearing a mask but no helmet?

 

Like already mentioned above, the lack of proper training is according to me the main reason why there are so many accidents. The roads are not dangerous, it is the people on it who even don't know any basic traffic rules. I got my Thai drivers licence last year and it is just a joke. That licence doesn't proof anything. This is one of the few things the government should start changing. A requirement of a minimum amount of lessons and at an examn proof that you learned those lessons and not just some stupid parking and driving backwards.

 

 

Germany has around 3000 traffic deaths a year, at a population of 82 millions. In average 8 people killed per day in traffic, totally on spot and later in hospital. In Thailand 76 per day on the road, and nobody counts the deaths who died later in hospital.

 

Germany has currently between 4 an 10 deaths per day caused by or with Covid. Nobody knows the corresponding number from Thailand, as the official numbers ar censored for political purposes, and as very few tests are done.

 

I guess in Thailand there are also around 10 deaths caused by/with Covid every day now. But the diagnosis will be pneumonia, heart attact, thrombosis, most times probably. Never Covid, of course, because no tests. Very few patients are tested, no deceased persons are tested.

[John CS]

And UK road traffic statistics up to June  2018

26,000+ killed or seriously injured

165,000 total incidents

 

 

[Bendi]

I feel sorry for ýou people. So negative and this is the place you get your hard on.

[Fortean1]

On the 17th driving with my wife and extended family from Bangkok to Pran Buri I witnessed a Thai Highway Police vehicle pulling over a speeding truck.  The first time in 12 years of driving here.  I had to clap my hands quickly and regrasped the wheel.  No cargo and the typical short cab and body with that aluminum design body work.  That same truck caught up with us on Petchkasem Road in Petchaburi.  My speed was between 90 and 95 kph.

Edited August 23, 2020 by Fortean1
typos

[Flying Saucage]

2 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

So the concensus here is that all police are corrupt. Have you all met all the police? No! So stop being cynical and wrong,

Just ask any Thai. Every Thai (except a policemen) will confirm that you are wrong.

[Anna Rak]

After the millions that will watch this report by Sky, I wonder how many will be rushing to book there long awaited holiday to Thailand when and if they ever reopen the boarders.

 

Let's see if TAT can put a figure on that. 555

[Huckenfell]

3 hours ago, Thaijack2014 said:

The only true part of this video is that the deathtoll is high. But to compare it with the actions against covid, I think this is going too far. Even a country like Germany has more people die on the road then because of the virus and there the deathtoll of the virus is a few hundred times higher then in Thailand and the country is considered safe.

If Thailand were to deal with that they should just shut off all traffic. And apart from that... how often I see people driving wearing a mask but no helmet?

 

Like already mentioned above, the lack of proper training is according to me the main reason why there are so many accidents. The roads are not dangerous, it is the people on it who even don't know any basic traffic rules. I got my Thai drivers licence last year and it is just a joke. That licence doesn't proof anything. This is one of the few things the government should start changing. A requirement of a minimum amount of lessons and at an examn proof that you learned those lessons and not just some stupid parking and driving backwards.

 

 

Like everything else 'on road' the licence test is just another money grabbing exercise. Quite a joke really.

[WhyamIhere]

"Collecting motorcycle helmets of the dead", what a unique hobby! 

[NeoDinosaw]

3 hours ago, Deli said:

The Brits rather should protect their country and avoid Zodicas arriving to their shores from France than commenting on Thai roads situation, which is none of their business.

It is their business since a large number of Brits  come on holiday to Thailand   (or at least they used to !).  It is reasonable for them to be warned   

[spidermike007]

What really boggles my mind is 58 deaths from covid and the entire nation shut down. Over a thousand deaths a month from the highways and yet when was the last time they shut down the highways, or for that matter did anything to improve traffic safety?

 

The police are are so extraordinarily apathetic when you combine that with severe incompetence, and extreme corruption it's just not a good mix. When you mix in the extreme apathy of the government what you have is an incredibly volatile situation that results in a massive loss of life.

 

I would refer to the Army's unwillingness to address Traffic Safety as a form of sadism directed toward the nation and its people. There is so much that could be done to improve the situation here starting with getting the highway police to actually patrol the highway! Which is something they're completely unwilling to do. Have you ever in all of the time you've been in Thailand, seen a car being pulled over for speeding or reckless driving? For me, never after over a decade, not once, the only time the highway patrol ever show up is after an accident. So, I get back to my original question. What on earth does the highway patrol do and why on earth are they even needed? Why even spend the money on them if they're going to do anything? Just give up and surrender, and admit utter failure. 

 

You have to get them to actually patrol the highways. If there is no deterrent, murderous fools, will continue behaving and driving like fools. 

 

And Thailand is NOT 9th. That is a pure fabrication. Most studies put them at #2. Behind Libya. And without the IUD's.