File photo

 

By Subhabhong Rarueysong

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, Thailand suffered losses estimated at Bt500 billion in 2019 from road accidents and over 80 per cent involved motorcycles.

 

Thailand is the country with the highest death rate from road accidents in ASEAN of 32.7 per cent. By estimating the statistics of road fatalities over the next six years (from 2021 to 2027), the worst- case scenario is estimated at 18,606 deaths per year and about 15,399 deaths per year in a best-case scenario.

 

WHO had estimated the financial loss from road fatalities in various countries and in the case of Thailand, the losses due to accidents were estimated at 3 per cent of gross domestic product, or Bt500 billion on 2019 GDP of Bt16.87 trillion.

 

Deaths and road accidents during the first three months of this year are likely to increase after a sharp decline in numbers in 2020 to 17,831 from 22,000 in 2019, partly due to the April 2020 nationwide lockdown due to the Covid-19 crisis.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-04-19

 

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6 minutes ago, webfact said:

the losses due to accidents were estimated at 3 per cent of gross domestic product

Thailand accidents value is = to 3% of Thai GDP ? The only thing driving the Thai car business GDP it seems is Thais turning into Mad Max whenever they get in their cars

Well they have increased recently the speed on the highway’s, so they are very serious now about this problem.????

But it doesn't matter, because over the "seven dangerous days" of Songkran, apparently road deaths were about half of normal, same as every year. We can thank the statistic gatherers and Thai Tourist Authority for that I guess. 

8 minutes ago, cooked said:

But it doesn't matter, because over the "seven dangerous days" of Songkran, apparently road deaths were about half of normal, same as every year. We can thank the statistic gatherers and Thai Tourist Authority for that I guess. 

Half the normal because of Covid. Reduced travel and celebrations.

And those responsible for much of this carnage are those who just love to posture in front of the cameras. A pathetic lot.

3 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Thailand accidents value is = to 3% of Thai GDP ? The only thing driving the Thai car business GDP it seems is Thais turning into Mad Max whenever they get in their cars

It's amazing really when Thai car drivers are some of the slowest I've encountered living in many countries around the world. It has to be the motorbike contingent bumping up these figures. That, and lack of common sense and the me, me, me attitude.

5 minutes ago, jesimps said:

It's amazing really when Thai car drivers are some of the slowest I've encountered living in many countries around the world.

The slow ones are trying to hide the fact that they are drunk.

38 minutes ago, Asquith Production said:

Half the normal because of Covid. Reduced travel and celebrations.

You may have noticed that I wrote "same as every year'. You're telling me that Songkran travel was reduced by 50%? It wasn't. 

The Real Pandemic!

1 minute ago, Olad Mate said:

The Real Pandemic!

And No vaccines for this. ????

12 minutes ago, cooked said:

You may have noticed that I wrote "same as every year'. You're telling me that Songkran travel was reduced by 50%? It wasn't. 

I didnt say travel had reduced by 50%. Its a combination of travel and Covid restrictions. Plus every year that I can remember fatalities dont reduce by 50% they stay about the same.

18 minutes ago, jesimps said:

It's amazing really when Thai car drivers are some of the slowest I've encountered living in many countries around the world. It has to be the motorbike contingent bumping up these figures. That, and lack of common sense and the me, me, me attitude.

Approx 80% of deaths are from motorcycle accidents, from memory majority in rural provinces. A few years ago I was in Issan region, the rural roads were in a terrible condition, thinking at the time death traps, especially at night.

4 minutes ago, Tarteso said:

And No vaccines for this. ????

There is an alternative though....................

W.H.O.?   Same message each year when the funding goes out yet year after year the problem continues.  Like a drug addict you can't help the person until they want to help themselves!  Providing Thailand with funding each year we are talking millions to address the problem while leaders only solution is to put up more signs this is the same a person has gone to rehab a number of times asking for money to buy food you know what the outcome is going to be.

 

You want some results it is simple ask for some results!  Feeding them $$$$ isn't the solution the problem at this point is the W.H.O.

4 minutes ago, simple1 said:

Approx 80% of deaths are from motorcycle accidents, from memory majority in rural provinces. A few years ago I was in Issan region, the rural roads were in a terrible condition, thinking at the time death traps, especially at night.

 

Sure bad roads can lead to accidents. Here is a difference when you started learning to drive there was a sentence in your handbook " adjust your driving to the condition "  rain slow down, getting dark slow down, construction slow down, that simple line even on the written test can save lives so why isn't it there why isn't question related to " critical thinking " because the design is to just get them to pass the test memorization pure and simple without knowing why this is basically the Government school process.

 

In the end, if you know the roads are bad why doesn't a Thai driver on a bike?  ????  no matter what is done the one and only thing that works for any country is " doubt "  there isn't enough money or personnel in any country to enforce and there must be first and foremost a process for enforcement here there is ZERO!  the theory of the honor system doesn't work never has and going to the Temple getting a mark put on your bike or car is just a scam!

I am willing to bet that a lot of this is due to 2 things.

 

1 most drivers in country have no licence 

2most do not wear helmets

 

Reminds me of a friend of my father's.  He had his licence but his wife or kids insured the car to get it licensed for the road.

 

Ontario Police in Napanee used to make a list of things they wanted repaired during the winter because every year for 5 years he used to get drunk and have an accident in the same place.

 

He only changed when his son was old enough to work construction and drive.

 Solution is easy make it mandatory to have insurance on vehicles.  Any infraction raises the insurance rate.

 

6 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

 

Sure bad roads can lead to accidents. Here is a difference when you started learning to drive there was a sentence in your handbook " adjust your driving to the condition "  rain slow down, getting dark slow down, construction slow down, that simple line even on the written test can save lives so why isn't it there why isn't question related to " critical thinking " because the design is to just get them to pass the test memorization pure and simple without knowing why this is basically the Government school process.

 

In the end, if you know the roads are bad why doesn't a Thai driver on a bike?  ????  no matter what is done the one and only thing that works for any country is " doubt "  there isn't enough money or personnel in any country to enforce and there must be first and foremost a process for enforcement here there is ZERO!  the theory of the honor system doesn't work never has and going to the Temple getting a mark put on your bike or car is just a scam!

 

Been mentioned many times on this forum. Appalling driver testing for licence, practically zero enforcement, endemic corruption etc etc. Each time I return to Thailand, have a house in Pattaya,  takes me a week or so to readjust to Thai driving - so far lucky over thirty years only experienced being rear ended a few time by motorcycles and avoided by inches T boning a Thai family on a motorbike who pulled out in front me from a side road.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, Thailand suffered losses estimated at Bt500 billion in 2019 from road accidents and over 80 per cent involved motorcycles.

What losses I don't see any losses?

How much is this in Chinese submarines? Equally idiotic and avoidable! 

Quote

WHO Estimates Thailand’s Losses from Road Accidents in 2019 at Bt500 Billion

If the WHO could have provided the GiGs (Generals in Government) with a way to personally profit from a reduction of those numbers, then there would be a real incentive for change.

We need to lockdown the roads as soon as we reach a critical point or maybe reduce the allowed driving hours. 

1 hour ago, Poet said:

The slow ones are trying to hide the fact that they are drunk.

Drunk, on the phone or just having a nap

2 hours ago, Poet said:

The slow ones are trying to hide the fact that they are drunk.

 

I agree. Or they have no license and haven't a clue how to drive. Or both.

I've posted this before, so if you've seen it already just pass on by....

 

There are many reasons 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 brakes 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'.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

3 per cent of gross domestic product, or Bt500 billichildon on 2019 GDP of Bt16.87 trillion.

This figure is borne by families who lose a child or bread winner.  It is of no consequence to the decision makers in their Mercs. They will continue to enjoy snuffling in the public purse.

11 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

I've posted this before, so if you've seen it already just pass on by....

 

There are many reasons 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 brakes 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'.

In summary then ,most Thais do not have the fundamental intelligence to drive - their poor education system (see lowly position on. PISA EDUCATIONAL TABLES) does nothing to address that and the powers that be don’t care - 'if some peasant wants to kill him self and others,so what'.

There IS no real solution without change to those fundamentals.

again thai poor driving standards. Can say no more on this matter . insurance should increase their rates !!!! no wont improve thai driving !!!

Thai drivers need to go on a crash course of attitude adjustment. They have already passed with flying colours the crash course in driving. 

6 minutes ago, nchuckle said:

In summary then ,most Thais do not have the fundamental intelligence to drive - their poor education system (see lowly position on. PISA EDUCATIONAL TABLES) does nothing to address that and the powers that be don’t care - 'if some peasant wants to kill him self and others,so what'.

There IS no real solution without change to those fundamentals.

 

And that is why the government does absolutely nothing to address the problem, as it is out of control and without a fundamental change in the whole of Thai society and culture it cannot be remedied. The government knows that but can't say it.