Carnage on the Thai roads: You ain't seen nothing yet says official as DUI is blamed

[webfact]

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Chief of the probation department Witawan Sunthornkhajit was in upbeat but realistic mood ahead of the so called "seven deadly days" on the infamous Thai roads at Songkran.

 

He said that it was true that road accident fatalities in 2021 had fallen but much of that can be put down to the pandemic, closure of clubs and pubs, a lot of checkpoints, non-existent Songkran and New Year holidays coupled with much fewer people travelling.

 

He warned there was a high chance of this year being worse whether it was figures for the Songkran holidays or the year in general. 

 

Key to having an impact on the deathtoll is addressing DUI.

 

With the backing of justice minister Somsak Thepsuthin the probation department would be issuing EM or electric monitoring bracelets to offenders again this year.

 

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The message at an event outside Fortune Town in downtown Bangkok yesterday was drive safely so there will be less accidents.

 

One picture published by Siam Rath showed Witawan and a local cop painting a kerb.

 

Behind them was a placard saying in Thai "Mao Mai Khap" - Don't drink and drive. 

 

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[KannikaP]

How will painting a kerb stop someone drinking then driving?

[Dmaxdan]

15 minutes ago, webfact said:

Key to having an impact on the deathtoll is addressing DUI.

Just crush the offenders cars and be done with it!

[Wiggy]

It often doesn’t matter how carefully you drive if thousands are driving around p***ed. 

[mancub]

8 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

How will painting a kerb stop someone drinking then driving?

It won't. but at least the victim will gave a chance of seeing what sent him flying. Unless "blind" drunk !

[ThailandRyan]

Kerb as in Curb, but painting one will not curb the DUI accidents...

[ezzra]

If their DUI policing is anything like their 'Kerb' language skills, i feel pity for the fools. (paraphrasing Mr. T)...

[sammieuk1]

Dazzled by the paint on the kerb Somchai fell into a micro sleep only to wake up to find his brakes had failed ???? 

[KhunBENQ]

The yearly big excitement about the "Songkran carnage".

It never has been true at least for the number of road deaths.

There is nothing better for road safety than big fat jams/gridlocks.

(and of course the Covid downturn, bans add to that)

Sunday's numbers must be among the lowest ever seen, 21 deaths of which 16 on motorbike.

[keithkarmann]

Until Thais get the rid of the idea that they can't be wrong at anything, nothing is going to change because it is always the fault of someone else. The road carnage is never going to decrease.

[vandeventer]

Better stay at home with all these crazy people coming out at once.

[rtco]

2 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

Just crush the offenders cars and be done with it!

With them in it!

[RafPinto]

A police officer working.
Picture of the year.

[Almer]

20 minutes ago, keithkarmann said:

Until Thais get the rid of the idea that they can't be wrong at anything, nothing is going to change because it is always the fault of someone else. The road carnage is never going to decrease.

Correct, I’ve had my wife’s family listen to a 15 year old about driving skills and totally ignore my 50years vocational exp, they are never wrong and I am never to old to learn

[SAFETY FIRST]

Why are the cops painting the roads?

 

Anything to get out of doing their duty and pulling over people riding unregistered, untaxed, unroadworthy motorbikes and without helmets. 

 

Oh well, at least their out and about, not stuck in their air conditioned police boxes eating their somtam. 

 

 

[Photoguy21]

10 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Why are the cops painting the roads?

 

Anything to get out of doing their duty and pulling over people riding unregistered, untaxed, unroadworthy motorbikes and without helmets. 

 

Oh well, at least their out and about, not stuck in their air conditioned police boxes eating their somtam. 

 

 

They may not be wearing a helmet but they are probably wearing a face mask so doesnt that give the same protection?

[Purdey]

The official translation of  "Mao Mai Khap" is "don't drive drunk". No one in the alcohol business wants to stop anyone having a drink, just don't get drunk...

[Asquith Production]

Acknowledging theirs a problem and doing little about it is probably worse than just burying your head in the sand.;

[off road pat]

3 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

Just crush the offenders cars and be done with it!

Nah,...Confiscate the car and sell it !!! The proceeds would be used to help innocent victims of road accidents !!!

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Key to having an impact on the deathtoll is addressing DUI.

So the crackdowns over the last decade or more aren't working...

maybe change something?

Or if you're short on new ideas paint something... worked for the pedestrian crossings.

Edited April 12, 2022 by hotchilli

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, KannikaP said:

How will painting a kerb stop someone drinking then driving?

They might trip and break a leg before getting in the car.

[jethro69]

4 hours ago, Dmaxdan said:

Just crush the offenders cars and be done with it!

Cannot, the bank owns the cars.

[piewarmer]

Those red and white striped kerbs mean absolutely no parking (unless using hazard lights), Songtaews and Tuk-Tuks also exempted.

Edited April 12, 2022 by piewarmer

[overherebc]

1 hour ago, keithkarmann said:

Until Thais get the rid of the idea that they can't be wrong at anything, nothing is going to change because it is always the fault of someone else. The road carnage is never going to decrease.

And that will never happen. The being wrong part I mean.

Edited April 12, 2022 by overherebc

[ThaiFelix]

Herein is the gist of the problem.  Last year a 14 year old girl on a motor cycle, with 2 mates on the back, were skylarking in the soi behind us when they hit a 10 year old and broke his leg. 

 

My Thai sister in law, a bright university educated lass with a high end job, was called in to liaise between the families over compensation.  Two weeks later she posts a video on facebook of her own 10 year old riding a motorcycle in a suburban street, minus helmet, and boasting how clever she is!!  

 

Do you see whats missing?

 

Edited April 12, 2022 by ThaiFelix

[Road Warrior]

like the picture police painting kerb line !!!  bet Thai's dont know what this  means ???  most Thai's dont know which way to drive & what red light means and yellow box at traffic lights .most think it a place park prior to light change  !!!

[sawadee1947]

5 hours ago, KannikaP said:

How will painting a kerb stop someone drinking then driving?

No hands free to hold a bottle?

[Bundooman]

31 minutes ago, piewarmer said:

Those red and white striped kerbs mean absolutely no parking (unless using hazard lights), Songtaews and Tuk-Tuks also exempted.

Those yellow and white stripes look yellow and white to me........

[Bangkok Barry]

5 hours ago, Wiggy said:

It often doesn’t matter how carefully you drive if thousands are driving around p***ed. 

And each year at Songkran tens of thousands are caught not even having a license. Not that that would make any difference.......

[Nicholas Paul KNIGHT]

2 hours ago, rtco said:

With them in it!

How many Police Cars will be crushed then I WONDER ..........................lol