Picture: Siam Rath

 

ASEAN NOW notes that Thai media seem to be falling over themselves to get stories of people being hit on Zebra crossings. 

 

This follows a high profile case in which a female doctor called Kratai was killed on a crossing in Phayathai, Bangkok.

 

It would be foolish to believe there is a sudden spate of this kind of accident - the media are just on a roll for something that happens all the time, we suggest.

 

In this incident reported by Siam Rath Hua Mark police were called to Soi 24 behind Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, after a Grab biker on a Honda Click called Direk collided with Phimchaya and Nopparat who suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospital after first aid was administered.

 

Police plan to meet the rider and victims today.

 

Also meeting will be high level police and other authorities after an order by DPM Prawit Wongsuwon to get tough on motorists ignoring pedestrians at Zebra Crossings in the wake of Dr Kratai's death last week. 

 

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They seem to have no idea what zebra crossings are for, just like they seem to have no idea what indicators and brake lights mean. But the gov' is trying. Last time I renewed my Thai DL, about 3 years ago, we had to watch a lengthy road safety movie that dealt with all these issues.

They think that the Zebra crossing lines are just a painting on the road to make it look nicer.
Whenever I cross the road, it seems that drivers accelerate.

 

They would never pass a driver's test in Europe.

6 minutes ago, grain said:

They seem to have no idea what zebra crossings are for, just like they seem to have no idea what indicators and brake lights mean. But the gov' is trying. Last time I renewed my Thai DL, about 3 years ago, we had to watch a lengthy road safety movie that dealt with all these issues.

I did that too.
Most thais were just looking movies or facebook on their phones.

In the UK if you put one foot on the crossing cars have to stop.

 

Here if you stop there is every chance that you get rear ended or some motorbike 'flys' past... it really is difficult to sort this problem ....

Time to employ Lollipop men ........with guns.

regards Worgeordie

14 minutes ago, grain said:

They seem to have no idea what zebra crossings are for, just like they seem to have no idea what indicators and brake lights mean. But the gov' is trying. Last time I renewed my Thai DL, about 3 years ago, we had to watch a lengthy road safety movie that dealt with all these issues.

That's because they really don't know.

 

Same as they do not understand right of way; giving way to the left at an intersection when turning right, giving way to the right when entering a roundabout etc.

 

What passes for driver education here is comical, including that video you mention. 

7 minutes ago, worgeordie said:

Time to employ Lollipop men ........with guns.

regards Worgeordie

And they also need missile launchers at intersections that are triggered when someone runs a red light.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Grab biker on a Honda Click called Direk co

My Honda Click is called " Bert "

14 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Severe punishments enforced to set an example is the only way at the moment as there is no proper driver education or competency management. 

 

Even then it may not work as the Thais are belligerent by nature...

 

However, Vietnam managed to get everyone on motorbikes wearing helmets within weeks with a strategic campaign than included motorbikes being confiscated and destroyed if the rider was caught without a helmet.

But, I reckon 99.9% of bikes here belong to banks etc that hold the books.....????

In the USA, vehicles stop for you. However, vehicles are priority here in Thailand. I remember one time a guy screamed at me when he didn’t plan to stop with his motorbike. <deleted>

Maybe they now reliase that their are more offences to be prosecuted than just crash helmets

1 hour ago, transam said:

But, I reckon 99.9% of bikes here belong to banks etc that hold the books.....????

Yep It's like a merry-go-round with the lack of responsibility here. As I said, comical. 

4 minutes ago, Asquith Production said:

Maybe they now reliase that their are more offences to be prosecuted than just crash helmets

Crash helmets (or lack of) are the best money earners though, followed by no tax and then no license.

 

They couldn't really enforce anything else as they don't understand the road rules themselves, and actually patrolling to spot offenses and pulling over motorists means actual work. 

 

The objective is to make money, not to actually improve road safety.

This was in Thailand yesterday, refreshments available on a freshly painted pedestrian crossing, anyone getting knocked down could order tea or coffee or Mama noodles,  while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Police plan to meet the rider and victims today.

I imagine the talk will be along the lines of 'can one of you just please just agree to pay the other some compo and drop it so we can go back to sleep again' 

Why do people think they have rights on zebra crossings ? Fools.

Walk when there are no csrs and bikes. Or wait.

2 hours ago, Cake Monster said:

My Honda Click is called " Bert "

My Foza is called Big Boy. A honda click called Derik , gotta larf eh.

1 hour ago, roo860 said:

This was in Thailand yesterday, refreshments available on a freshly painted pedestrian crossing, anyone getting knocked down could order tea or coffee or Mama noodles,  while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. 

My wife told me that the noodle seller was surprised when it was pointed out how wrong & illegal it was.....I've been here for 10 years, never any problem. Maybe big joke can explain how that comes to pass?

4 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Time to employ Lollipop men ........with guns.

regards Worgeordie

What's wrong with a firm lady?

Go ahead punk, make my day!

Grab driver.  These food delivery drivers seem to be more reckless than normal.  I guess in a hurry to make a delivery and get the next order.

1 hour ago, Deli said:

Why do people think they have rights on zebra crossings ? Fools.

Walk when there are no csrs and bikes. Or wait.

Here's a clue, zebra crossings are for the use of pedestrians to cross a road safely, that's why they are there.............????

4 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Vietnam managed to get everyone on motorbikes wearing helmets within weeks

Yes indeed, and for those of you who have experienced trying to cross on a zebra crossing in Vietnam will know the routine to avoid all the motorbikes, as I have experienced on several occasions. It is scary but surprisingly (as the stock photo shows) the drivers will avoid you if you walk at a slow pace and do not panic. It is uncanny and I was never hit. Cars are not a problem because of all the motorbikes jamming the roads.

 

Traffic laws are going to be very difficult to near impossible to enforce .  It’s the mentality and behavior .as I have said.  Many people just don’t seem to care if they kill or injure someone  

There are drivers that do  give me the right of way as a pedestrian here in Bangkok. But very few. And in every country you do have bad  and uncourteous drivers to an extent  But this is one of the worse. And I have traveled to many countries. 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

to get tough on motorists ignoring pedestrians at Zebra Crossings

Why not install traffic light controlled "Pelican Crossings" or would this be more of a disaster????

Could experiment with one and see what happens - could be interesting!

 

5 hours ago, grain said:

They seem to have no idea what zebra crossings are for, just like they seem to have no idea what indicators and brake lights mean. But the gov' is trying. Last time I renewed my Thai DL, about 3 years ago, we had to watch a lengthy road safety movie that dealt with all these issues.

Did anyone watch?

Just now, Burma Bill said:

Why not install traffic light controlled "Pelican Crossings" or would this be more of a disaster????

 

Those are ignored too. There's a video on YouTube that shows even the police driving through the red light.

Im always worried about giving way, just might get rear ended or a motorbike come flying up the inside

3 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Why not install traffic light controlled "Pelican Crossings" or would this be more of a disaster????

 

Cost money and maintenance would be a joke....????

4 hours ago, JAS21 said:

In the UK if you put one foot on the crossing cars have to stop.

 

Here if you stop there is every chance that you get rear ended or some motorbike 'flys' past... it really is difficult to sort this problem ....

It's just part of the culture. I think they do know what the crossing is for, but they don't care, have the usual Me First attitude, and know there will be no consequences. So no, it's not difficult to sort it. It's impossible, without a cultural change from Me First to You First. Ain't going to happen.