File photo for reference only

 

Siam Rath reported on the growing fallout of the death of a female doctor - Dr Kratai - who was hit crossing the road on a zebra crossing by a policeman on a big bike on Friday.

 

Dr Kratai died from her injuries after the accident On Phayathai Road Bangkok. 

 

The incident has sparked much comment in Thai society not just about policemen, doctors and big bikes.

 

But about zebra crossings and law enforcement in traffic matters in general.

 

Mostly zebras they are just ignored by the majority of drivers, notes ASEAN NOW. It is said sardonically that if you get hit on one you might more likely get compensation than if you're hit elsewhere.

 

Now the media reported on comments made by spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Yingyot Themjamnong yesterday who said that DPM Prawit Wongsuwon was getting tough.

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

"Big Pom" - as he is known - was commenting in his capacity as the head of a committee meant to reduce traffic accidents.

 

Critics have said that this has been a total failure since its instigation in 2019 as the carnage on the Thai roads that sees 25,000 die annually continues unabated.

 

But now it appears that the death of the doctor might be a catalyst for some action despite years of dithering and lip service paid to the issue.

 

The operative word being "might".

 

Prawit has called for the transport and education ministries and other organisations including the RTP to get together at a meeting.

 

RTP chief Gen Suwat Chaengyodsuk said that this would take place at RTP HQ in Pathumwan, Bangkok, on Friday.

 

Measures to be discussed include proposals to fine people more for traffic violations.

 

Running red lights, speeding and violations at zebra crossings currently only attract fines of up to 1,000 baht.

 

Such violations have been recommended by a committee to be increased to 4,000 baht and are expected to be announced in March and implimented in July. 

 

Also up for discussion will be the whole "points deduction" scheme for licences with points perhaps docked for zebra crossing violations as well.

 

Also to be discussed are what to do about people who don't pay traffic fines.

 

ASEAN NOW notes that this case is a classic of the genre of "locking the stable door after the horse has bolted" and typical of the authorities scurrying to act because the death involved a doctor and one of the police's own.

 

Thai watchers will follow the fallout with interest but few will be holding their breath that real change will result.

 

More lip service, dithering and inaction and eventually sweeping the issue under the carpet are far more likely if past form is anything to go by.  

 

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so it only matters when a doctor is killed?. What about all the other thousands of people that are killed on the roads every year, why not take action then? 

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prawit demands action on zebra crossing and traffic law enforcement in Thailand following death of doctor

 

DPM Prawit Wongsuwon was getting tough.

Yeah what ever..........Start with the fact the poor doctor was killed by a Cop who then left the scene without so much as a sorry

 

Anarchy is way over due & would be a vast improvement over this ruling class of swine

I always stop for pedestrians on the zebra crossings and red traffic light crossings but it's dangerous, I always pull to the left and look in my mirrors because very few drivers stop. 

 

Makes me a little anxious, worried if I'm going to get hit from behind 

In most civilised countries a zebra crossing is referred to as a pavement crossing the road, and the police are quick to fine anyone who does not stop or allow pedestrians to cross.

Hollow words from previous statements on traffic laws in Thailand . 

Let us hope that something will be done this time around .

20 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I always stop for pedestrians on the zebra crossings and red traffic light crossings but it's dangerous, I always pull to the left and look in my mirrors because very few drivers stop. 

 

Makes me a little anxious, worried if I'm going to get hit from behind 

I am more worried about a car going around me and running over the person i have stopped for at a pedestrian crossing  . I seldom stop anymore .

First cars parking near the crossings would have to be stopped, crossing lights would really need to be installed to give a signal to motorists people are waiting to cross, not easy to see many poorly painted road marked crossings. 

Also yes stopping for a pedestrian at the moment when the driver behind cannot see the road markings is a definate invitation to be rear ended.

Upping the fines alone is not enough!!

Typical, it needs a Doctor to die before the toad surfaces and croaks an order. We all know that nothing will change. They will have their committee meetings on top of committee meetings, the end result being a big fat ZERO.

Education is again a contributary factor. Let me site you an example if I may........A few years ago my Wife got her car license. The very next day I stopped at the red light crossing outside Bangkok hospital in Hua Hin. My Wife asked me why I stopped. I told her the light is red, she replied, that if there was no one crossing then you do not need to stop...............needless to say, words failed me..........

Its more just plain Sh**✓ Thai driving.

 

Many times cars and trucks driving driving 120 kilometers down rural roads and by evening markets next to the road.

 

Just a stray dog or toddler walks out that vehicle swerves and kills a few people.

 

Its more of missing common sense gene in the population that can't be fixed.

 

There are good Thai drivers, its the few knuckle heads creating the problems.

 

 

"Big Pom" getting tough? Road accidents are the least of his worries. I think he is more worried about his position in the government and Et tu Brutus', the flour smuggler who is out there conniving and planning his downfall. He outgrew his usefulness to him. What a tangled web we weave.????

1 minute ago, Gandtee said:

"Big Pom" getting tough? Road accidents are the least of his worries. I think he is more worried about his position in the government and Et tu Brutus', the flour smuggler who is out there conniving and planning his downfall. He outgrew his usefulness to him. What a tangled web we weave.????

Same politics in all countries . All have to be looking behind them in politics

The poisoned dwarf has woken up !

Lots of red flashing lights with 10 second countdown then these pop up would work.

The "operative word MIGHT"

does NOT come into the equation....

Pedestrians have THE right and any vehicle should stop to allow such to cross the road in safety......

all drivers should be aware of this.......and adhere to the law/rules......

I give way to people waiting to cross or are on the crossing.....

I was brought up to do so.......when learning to drive yonks ago !!!!

when renewing my licence here.....I HAD to watch a video.....

A VIDEO that was all thai audio....

I do NOT rememeber seeing anything regarding what a driver should do when approaching or seeing pedestrians on a crossing....

can others confirm his....

Bye the way when watching the vid.....there were THAIS ASLEEP when they werre supposed to have eyes open and WATCH !!!!!

You know that the situation is hopeless when even TRAFFIC COPS ignore traffic rules.

28 minutes ago, itsari said:

50 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

I always pull to the left and look in my mirrors because very few drivers stop. 

I am more worried about a car going around me and running over the person i have stopped for at a pedestrian crossing  . I seldom stop anymore

Yeh, as I said, you pull over to the left. 

Keep curb side away from the traffic.

If you stop in the middle of the road you will get hit. 

 

No one goes around you when you pull over to the left, unless they drive on the footpath......... that's been done before. 

 

Not stopping at a pedestrian crossing for someone to cross the road is an offense. 

40 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

In most civilised countries a zebra crossing is referred to as a pavement crossing the road, and the police are quick to fine anyone who does not stop or allow pedestrians to cross.

The key words being 'Civilised' and 'Quick' !

Changes only happen after someone has died, especially

someone seen as a VIP , other wise no preemptive measures,

laws ,are enforced , even then any crackdowns don't last long..

regards worgeordie

The cops find it easier taking money off the public at routine checkpoints, rather than enforcing any traffic laws. Regularly get one 100-200m from a set of traffic lights, which gets red light runners at every change, but never seen the cops nicking people for it. Same goes for pedestrian crossings, where one takes ones life in ones hands every time.

I wouldn't object to seeing cops at the lights or the crossings, but I do object to their tea money habits, which I suspect will not change even if a few politicians blow off hot air, on a subject that never sees any action taken.

 

The problem is that when you stop, the pedestrian thinks it's safe to cross, then some a******e doesn't stop and runs them down. I'm very wary and aware when stopping for pedestrians as I don't want to put them in danger.

46 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

In most civilised countries a zebra crossing is referred to as a pavement crossing the road, and the police are quick to fine anyone who does not stop or allow pedestrians to cross.

it is a PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.....nothing to do with a pavement.......

6 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Yeh, as I said, you pull over to the left. 

Keep curb side away from the traffic.

If you stop in the middle of the road you will get hit. 

 

No one goes around you when you pull over to the left, unless they drive on the footpath......... that's been done before. 

 

Not stopping at a pedestrian crossing for someone to cross the road is an offense. 

It is not an offense to not stop . Thailand has a rule that the pedestrian must wait until the way is clear 

9 minutes ago, big dendrobenaes said:

The "operative word MIGHT"

does NOT come into the equation....

Pedestrians have THE right and any vehicle should stop to allow such to cross the road in safety......

all drivers should be aware of this.......and adhere to the law/rules......

I give way to people waiting to cross or are on the crossing.....

I was brought up to do so.......when learning to drive yonks ago !!!!

when renewing my licence here.....I HAD to watch a video.....

A VIDEO that was all thai audio....

I do NOT rememeber seeing anything regarding what a driver should do when approaching or seeing pedestrians on a crossing....

can others confirm his....

Bye the way when watching the vid.....there were THAIS ASLEEP when they werre supposed to have eyes open and WATCH !!!!!

The one time out of four License renewals i got pulled to watch a Video it was noticed that the Vid' must have been at least 30 years old looking at Vehicles and People's clothes; shows how keen they are to make people aware of the latest rules and laws.  Meanwhile in the another room ajoining mine were about forty Young Thai's who were, without exception, playing with their phone's and ignoring the Video completely that they were supposed to watch to obtain their first License.  A Female Civil Servant 'in charge' of the room was busy....playing with her phone as well !

7 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

The one time out of four License renewals i got pulled to watch a Video it was noticed that the Vid' must have been at least 30 years old looking at Vehicles and People's clothes; shows how keen they are to make people aware of the latest rules and laws.  Meanwhile in the another room ajoining mine were about forty Young Thai's who were, without exception, playing with their phone's and ignoring the Video completely that they were supposed to watch to obtain their first License.  A Female Civil Servant 'in charge' of the room was busy....playing with her phone as well !

typical !!!!

1 hour ago, Kaopad999 said:

so it only matters when a doctor is killed?. What about all the other thousands of people that are killed on the roads every year, why not take action then? 

It often takes a high visibility person getting hurt for any action to be taken. I think it was about 12 or 13 years ago that someone "important" got killed turning across the traffic and into the main entrance at Mahidol. Within a few days, Mahidol fixed it. Just closed off the road permanently from any right hand turns across traffic. 

If they had a Highway Code it might be a start. Overtaking on a pedestrian crossing is a definite nono in the UK. And teach people rights of way. Education, education, education.

 

Anyone that has a licence must produce it at the centre that issues them. They will be issued with a copy of the Thai highway code, which they will sign for. After 30 days they will return for a test. Fail, and you lose your licence until you can pass the test.

17 minutes ago, itsari said:

It is not an offense to not stop . Thailand has a rule that the pedestrian must wait until the way is clear 

Nope, the law has been changed 

New rules, you must stop 

In congested Bangkok traffic, you most often don't notice the pedestrian crossing, before it is too late to hit the brakes.
 

20 minutes ago, big dendrobenaes said:

it is a PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.....nothing to do with a pavement.......

It's a pedestrian crosswalk. I never let my zebras cross the street.