Pattaya: Deputy mayor admits mistakes after two surf skaters need 500K surgery each - no helmets were worn

[webfact]

Picture: Manager

 

A surf skate event that was held on Beach Road in Pattaya at the weekend turned into a disaster as many participants did not wear helmets.

 

Hailed by Pattaya News earlier as a resounding success it was anything but.

 

It was a disaster that one of the resort's deputy mayors has admitted was a big lesson for Pattaya.

 

It happened at the Pattaya Bikini Surf Skate event at the weekend.

 

Three people were injured - two so seriously from head wounds received from colliding with the road surface that they had to each have 500,000 baht's worth of brain surgery at Muang Pattaya Hospital.

 

Picture: Manager

They are still there as the authorities decide what to do next to help them with their care. 

 

They were not wearing helmets. Pictures of the event published by Manager showed that most people were not wearing them. 

 

Deputy Mayor Ronnakit Ekkasingh said that it was a big lesson for Pattaya.

 

It was meant to be a tourism promotion event but this happened.

 

He said that City Hall had tried their best to promote safety and the wearing of safety equipment prior to the event.

 

But so many people turned up that it was impossible to monitor properly.

 

Netizens turned on the organizers that included Central Marina and a group called Pattaya Boarder.

 

Picture: Manager

 

Those seriously injured are under the Thai UCEP or universal coverage insurance but this runs out after 72 hours. 

 

Though they have improved doctors are monitoring their cases continually.

 

Ronnakit said that he was in close contact with the organisers to determine who would take responsibility for the continued care of the injured.

 

They may need to be transferred to other hospitals.

 

They were unconscious after the accidents.   

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-03-31

 

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[keith101]

If there were no signs everywhere stating what safety equipment had to be worn to take part in the event (from the start) and was not being monitored properly to ensure all those taking part actually wore them then the organizers are responsible for the care of everyone injured .

If people joined from the sidelines then they are responsible for their own safety and any injuries .

[scubascuba3]

"Muang Pattaya Hospital"

 

Never heard of it

[champers]

I tbought the accidents were at Central Marina. Huge crowds and ambulances there at the weekend. Skateboarding in multi-storey car parks seems to be a thing, including the condo complex where I live. So many empty floors to play in. If anyone has an accident will the owners bear any responsibility?

[PJPom]

Ride a scooter, no helmet, your problem 

Ride a bike , no helmet, your problem 

Ride a skateboard, no helmet , your problem 

Do people have to be told unwise actions can sometimes have consequences.

There seemingly must always be someone to blame , look in the mirror !!.

[jacknorman]

Easy to avoid, everybody have to go in at the same gate and get a ticket, token stamp for free, if no safety equipment not get in, if somebody jump over the fences and have an accident and cant show admission stamp ticket ec, stand for your own bills

Edited March 31, 2021 by jacknorman

[onebir]

Not a helmet - or a bikini - in sight in the pic in the OP.

An enforcement travesty on sooo many levels.

[Upnotover]

They really are an odd lot.  Put them on a bike for a ride around the lake and they dress up like its the Tour de France, not one without a helmet/gloves, etc.

[HenryPattaya]

I would imagine for skate boards a nice even surface is needed 

[Susco]

5 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

"Muang Pattaya Hospital"

 

Never heard of it

 

After all those years here, and pretending on the forum you know everything better, you can't figure out where that hospital is located?

[tingtong]

The brain damage happened earlier.

All believed the face mask is the all in one protection they will ever need skateboarding.

 

 

[Damrongsak]

No soi dogs were injured at this event.  The winner:

 

[scubascuba3]

8 hours ago, Susco said:

 

After all those years here, and pretending on the forum you know everything better, you can't figure out where that hospital is located?

well, i know more than you, that's for sure, but you'd expect them to use actual hospital name, often location descriptions aren't great

[robbioff]

13 hours ago, Upnotover said:

They really are an odd lot.  Put them on a bike for a ride around the lake and they dress up like its the Tour de France, not one without a helmet/gloves, etc.

That’ll be the gents of advancing years with nothing better to spend their money on...I suggest that this is a different demographic sir..but agreed..

[jacko45k]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

He said that City Hall had tried their best to promote safety and the wearing of safety equipment prior to the event.

But not during!

How about no helmet no participation! For too long these people have been making speeches before events, do much handwringing after, and yet the situation remains unchanged. I often sit at traffic lights on Sukhumvit, waiting to turn into town and I count motorcycle users without helmets... usually 25-75%.

 

They see these rules as simply a way to extract money from foreign tourists at the 2nd/Klang junction or Beach Rd, in front of soi 9, rather than a safety necessity.

[Deli]

When I started skating more than 40 years ago, there we just no helmets for skaters and we all survived with bruises and broken teeth.

Donno what's all about it - you know the risk when you ride. That's it.

[Xonax]

17 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

"Muang Pattaya Hospital"

 

Never heard of it

You know that Muang translates to City:  https://www.facebook.com/inter.pattayacityhospital/?rf=161809467320243

 

[petermik]

On 3/31/2021 at 9:12 AM, scubascuba3 said:

"Muang Pattaya Hospital"

 

Never heard of it

 

7 hours ago, Xonax said:

You know that Muang translates to City:  https://www.facebook.com/inter.pattayacityhospital/?rf=161809467320243

 

Anyone who has been visiting/living here aught to know Muang means in the City...therefore Muang City Hospital is as you rightly point out is the City Hospital here on soi Buakhaow and scuba fully knows that...he`s just being pedantic.

[petermik]

13 hours ago, tingtong said:

The brain damage happened earlier.

All believed the face mask is the all in one protection they will ever need skateboarding.

 

 

Yes a brilliant idea from the Town Hall here....it`s noticeable that the Deputy Mayor is put in the firing line to admit the cock-up....the head honcho is nowhere to be seen....wonder why?

[nausea]

2 hours ago, robbioff said:

That’ll be the gents of advancing years with nothing better to spend their money on...I suggest that this is a different demographic sir..but agreed..

Not where I live; plenty of young skinny guys; and they travel in packs; I suspect all the gear is more of a status thing than anything else; don't want to be mistaken for some pleb who can't afford a motorbike.

Edited April 1, 2021 by nausea
Spelling

[Venom]

Obviously these were complete beginners, most likely first time on a skateboard. 

[jaiyen]

It must be a cultural thing to not wear protective gear.  Rarely do you see skateboarders, BMX and downhill bike riders wearing more than very basic gear, Always wearing T shirt and shorts !  Cos it looks cool ?  Scars, broken limbs and broken teeth aren't cool.  Or is it to impress a few girls ?

[Greenhill]

19 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

"Muang Pattaya Hospital"

 

Never heard of it

It's the hospital in central Soi Bukhaow, which was in the news recently, requiring major refurbishment after being only open for 7 years!!

[connda]

Getting out of bed in the morning and living life is fraught with risk.  Accidents happen.  Does that mean you wrap yourself in bubble-wrap and wear a helmet 24/7 because you might fall down.  If it wasn't head injuries that it would be an elbow or knee.  So body armor is needed, right?
So to safely navigate life, one should wake up and don bubble-wrap, body-armor, mouth-guard, and a helmet - oh, and a face-mask, ear-plugs, and goggles. 

Or you just accept living is a risk and carry on.

 

Edited April 1, 2021 by connda

[Nanaplaza666]

20 hours ago, keith101 said:

If there were no signs everywhere stating what safety equipment had to be worn to take part in the event (from the start) and was not being monitored properly to ensure all those taking part actually wore them then the organizers are responsible for the care of everyone injured .

If people joined from the sidelines then they are responsible for their own safety and any injuries .

Maybe in amerika where if you fall on a just mopped floor of a bodega you can go for millions but don't forget TIT 

[Scott Tracy]

21 hours ago, keith101 said:

If there were no signs everywhere stating what safety equipment had to be worn to take part in the event (from the start) and was not being monitored properly to ensure all those taking part actually wore them then the organizers are responsible for the care of everyone injured .

If people joined from the sidelines then they are responsible for their own safety and any injuries .

 

I disagree. People are responsible for their own safety and should be properly equipped to take part in whatever activity they are involved with. 

 

having said that, failure to control and monitor is a responsibility of the organisers. If someone chooses to turn up at the control points without the proper safety equipment, they should be 'couselled' and told they cannot take part. Each person should be issued a number, and those without a number are not taking part and are not the responsibility of the organisers.

Organised activities should be insured. They have to be where I come from. Officially taking part, as above, means insurance covers you. 

[chilli42]

Organizing an activity that statistics demonstrate as not being particularly safe (not to mention the state of Thai roads) is not an inspired choice.  Participating in an activity that is known to have safety risks, with no protective gear, seems to be ill-advised.  Seems to me both parties are to blame here

[Scott Tracy]

16 hours ago, Susco said:

After all those years here, and pretending on the forum you know everything better, you can't figure out where that hospital is located?

 

It's called Pattaya City Hospital, in English. Muang is not an English word and it has no place in the text of the article.

[brianthainess]

I'm sure that insurance covering the event will help, Oh what you didn't register the event,  Poo hitting fan, and whistling

[Surelynot]

Deputy mayor admits mistakes....

 

Wait on.........what day is it today????