Harrowing scene as Canadian cries for his dead wife at early morning accident in Kanchanaburi

[Almer]

34 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

12 is below min age to ride a scoot.

Go to any school and see the age of the kids ridding to and from school

[Arthur Mullard]

6 hours ago, bristolgeoff said:

You have to be very careful when riding a bicycle anywhere thailand is no different.respect the bigger vehicle anywhere do that and you will be ok

An apologist.

[Ralf001]

14 minutes ago, Almer said:

Go to any school and see the age of the kids ridding to and from school

I'll leave watching kiddies at school to you, certainly not my cup of tea.

[richard_smith237]

4 hours ago, Randy99 said:

Not so long ago, I was stopped at a red light.  A lady driving a lexus stopped behind me began advancing and pushing my bike out into the intersection with a series of little bumps by her bumper on my back wheel.  I locked up my brakes to no avail.  I turned around and gave her the finger.  She returned the favor.  Stunnung display of me, me, me syndrome.

Wow... This story is extreme.....  It must have taken huge resolve not to get off your bike and smash in her car....  

 

I don’t advocate a violent and escalating response...   but then sometimes it just seems justifiable, this seems like one of those examples. 

 

-------

 

I recall riding on a fairly busy road in Bangkok (1 lane in each direction) - I’d passed a Mazda then pulled in-front of it, behind the car in front. There a lot of space (about 50m). For some reason the Mazda didn’t like this hit his horn and accelerated up to my rear... So I slowed... as the traffic stopped in front, so did I, the Mazda stopped about 30cm from my rear-tire.  I got off my bike, went to the window of the Mazda, knocked on the window...  I was furious, but asked him if he was trying to run me over. I’ve never seen someone so apologetic...  The Mazda driver (had that pale complexion, neat mummys, boy look... absolutely cr@pped himself....  I’ve no idea why he did what he did - some people are just utter idiots. 

In hindsight, I was an utter idiot - Its impossible to know who we are dealing with in that situation.

 

These two examples highlight the ‘entitlement’ some clearly have when on the roads... me first, don’t get in my way, I will not yield...   ever notice when crossing a road or pulling out of a junction, people flash their lights and accelerate.... It seems drivers here will do almost anything not to have to ‘brake’, which seems to be a loss of face - the consequences are so frequently deadly. 

 

Condolences to the Canadian...    I wonder if his wife simply cycled out in front of the truck or as I suspect, the truck simply refused to brake, hit the horn and when he realised it was too late it was too late. 

[kcpattaya]

"PM sets target of zero lives lost in Thailand by 2050 with a two-thirds reduction in fatalities by 2027"

????

[richard_smith237]

23 minutes ago, Arthur Mullard said:

6 hours ago, bristolgeoff said:

You have to be very careful when riding a bicycle anywhere thailand is no different.respect the bigger vehicle anywhere do that and you will be ok

An apologist.

A realist. 

 

We all agree that attitudes towards road safety here are atrocious and something needs to be done, including a complete cultural shift.

 

But, recognising that the roads are dangerous and that we should be extra cautious is by no means being a Thai apologist - no one is making excuses for people who drive like many people do in Thailand and the general road attitudes, we (in this case bristolgeof) is / are pointing out an accurate facet of Thailand road use... The bigger vehicles have little respect for the smaller... and cyclists are so far down on the list of ‘respect’ it's as if they are unnoticeable. 

 

 

[sawadee1947]

6 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

always speeding, no idea of a braking distancing, no attention for other people on the road. Sadly another victim , which was not necessary. It seems that drivers can not slow down ever.. in a car or motorcycle it is always fast and faster, no distance at other vehicles.. seems they like to push you from the road. Look on Tv, the news, every day you see even on the road by yourself.. Never a car will slow down, but drives like nothing to see on the road.. You need a doctor certificate for a drivers license, but they could better do a mental test 

And now you might add all those accidents caused by ganga influence ????

[silver sea]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The woman was hit by a pickup driver travelling at speed who failed to stop on time after honking at the woman as she cycled her bike across the road behind her husband.
 

 

6 hours ago, bbko said:

Traveling at speed?  Is that a UK term for speeding? 

 

If I walk in my garden I'm traveling at a speed. am I not?

Yes it is used all the time in British English and is automatically understood to mean “at high speed”.
 

See Collins dictionary: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/at-speed

 

However, so that your readers know that you are writing in BritEng, with BritEng meanings,  you have to say, as webfact did in OP: “… travelling at speed…” with a double “l” in  the word “travelling”

 

Please don’t confuse us with your AmeriEng spellings ☺️????????

 

 

But very sad story. Kind and gentle thoughts to husband and the family.

 

 

 

[mberbae]

Weed is NOT what causes drivers to speed. Try Meth or alcohol.

We all know the dangers of cyclists and pedestrians here in LOS.

It will never change until the Powers that Be take it seriously.

[Nemises]

Riding a bike (with or without a motor) on the most deadliest roads on the planet. What could possibly go wrong?

 

RIP 

[Muzzique]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

a freak road traffic accident

Yeah, the driver was speeding and hit this poor Woman. How freaky is that!!!

 

Seems to me Thailand is full of freaks.

 

Thank goodness Marijuana is coming to help calm all these drivers down before they get behind the wheel. 

That sounds like a great plan to save lives.

 

[Dont confuse me]

Whilst I agree with most of the comments, I do feel that if the report is accurate it states, "she cycled across the road" 

 

Depending which direction she was travelling perhaps it may be the case of the vehicle having right of way?

 

In any event not a nice thing to happen for all concerned.

 

I await responses from accident reconstruction specialists and driving test examiners not forgetting the usual keyboard know it alls.

[xylophone]

7 hours ago, nchuckle said:

If doing a full on emergency stop you’ll have both hands on the wheel and there’s no time to honk the horn . If he did that suggests he wasn’t doing all he could to stop and perhaps trying to scare her ?

Agree with your comment, and as you probably know, one of the ways that drivers here try to convey to other road users that THEY have the right of way is to honk their horns or flash their lights, which according to a Thai friend basically says: – I'm coming through/get out of the way.

 

No care and attention or consideration for others on the road, just blind, wilful ignorance.

 

RIP the poor woman.

[Paris333]

I am European and I live and work in office 3-4 months every year in Thailand. Many times walking on the sidewalk in order to avoid cars and motorbikes killing me I have jumped into fountains. (swimming is better than....hospital).In Bangkok I use BTS Skytrain -MRT for commuting. One time I rent bike and i I regret it because of many accidents I saw on my way. I think the Government should impose TV spots for Traffic Safety every day in hours of high viewership. Source: Countries with the most and least road traffic deaths.....https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/10/countries-with-the-most-and-least-road-traffic-deaths/

[TropicalGuy]

8 hours ago, cardinalblue said:

Bristol,

 

why don’t you answer the question the other way around….

 

why is there no respect for bicyclists by car drivers here?

 

I know a number of cyclists in my own compound…a question of respect or fear? They won’t ride with me in the surrounding villages b/c of immense fear about driving behaviors here….they won’t leave our own moobaan…it has nothing to do with cyclists’ respect.

Bad Enough on motorbikes here. 
Bicycling on any public roads here is near suicidal; incredibly stupid. Safer jumping into an alligator pond or off a bridge. ???????? 

[TropicalGuy]

2 minutes ago, Paris333 said:

I am European and I live and work in office 3-4 months every year in Thailand. Many times walking on the sidewalk in order to avoid cars and motorbikes killing me I have jumped into fountains. (swimming is better than....hospital).In Bangkok I use BTS Skytrain -MRT for commuting. One time I rent bike and i I regret it because of many accidents I saw on my way. I think the Government should impose TV spots for Traffic Safety every day in hours of high viewership. Source: Countries with the most and least road traffic deaths.....https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/10/countries-with-the-most-and-least-road-traffic-deaths/

“ we’re not in Kansas anymore “ 

(Wizard of Oz) 

“ Kansas just went bye bye”(Matrix)

[thailand49]

3 hours ago, Adumbration said:

Lots of police in Thailand but zero policing.

Certainty their job function isn't the same as in the west instead of preventive they only react and when they do they are untrained in acting. Moving cones and blocking busy road sent it down to the next light is the solution. 

[TropicalGuy]

11 minutes ago, xylophone said:

Agree with your comment, and as you probably know, one of the ways that drivers here try to convey to other road users that THEY have the right of way is to honk their horns or flash their lights, which according to a Thai friend basically says: – I'm coming through/get out of the way.

 

No care and attention or consideration for others on the road, just blind, wilful ignorance.

 

RIP the poor woman.

OFF TOPIC : RIP Poor Lady BUT I behave as pedestrian the same as this pick up m, on sidewalks & in malls here by making a breaststroke motion with my arms yelling” comin’ thru” when encountering blocking groups oblivious to others????????????

 

in Madrid  evenings there are so many walking dead zombie oldies lurching around blocking sidewalks it’s like that Michael Jackson “ Thriller” video with Vincent Price; forced to walk on the road there everywhere in city Centre…..

[TropicalGuy]

7 minutes ago, thailand49 said:

Certainty their job function isn't the same as in the west instead of preventive they only react and when they do they are untrained in acting. Moving cones and blocking busy road sent it down to the next light is the solution. 

Or moving “ crones” if in Madrid city Centre at night ????????????????

[TropicalGuy]

1 hour ago, Nemises said:

Riding a bike (with or without a motor) on the most deadliest roads on the planet. What could possibly go wrong?

 

RIP 

Deadliest here for motorbike deaths.

In Arab countries NOBODY is stupid enough to drive other than four wheels as its absolute mayhem even then, highest four wheel deaths are in these hellhole places…where they will drive at huge speed feet from your rear bumper in rain & fog ????

[TropicalGuy]

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

A realist. 

 

We all agree that attitudes towards road safety here are atrocious and something needs to be done, including a complete cultural shift.

 

But, recognising that the roads are dangerous and that we should be extra cautious is by no means being a Thai apologist - no one is making excuses for people who drive like many people do in Thailand and the general road attitudes, we (in this case bristolgeof) is / are pointing out an accurate facet of Thailand road use... The bigger vehicles have little respect for the smaller... and cyclists are so far down on the list of ‘respect’ it's as if they are unnoticeable. 

 

 

Cyclists (unless Lycra clad on racing bikes) are seen here as Less than pedestrians….. open contempt& disregarded ????

[PEE TEE]

Just wonder how many cyclist get killed per day world wide ? I have riding in Thailand now for 22 years with no problems (touch wood ) 

[Chongalulu]

28 minutes ago, TropicalGuy said:

Deadliest here for motorbike deaths.

In Arab countries NOBODY is stupid enough to drive other than four wheels as its absolute mayhem even then, highest four wheel deaths are in these hellhole places…where they will drive at huge speed feet from your rear bumper in rain & fog ????

Tried 'brake testing' them ? A fractional  dab on the brakes with the left foot (right foot still on accelerator) so the brake lights come on and the car dips momentarily without actually slowing down. Watch their panicked faces and the mouth howling " mummy ! ". ???? 

[Chongalulu]

28 minutes ago, PEE TEE said:

Just wonder how many cyclist get killed per day world wide ? I have riding in Thailand now for 22 years with no problems (touch wood ) 

The cyclists with different experience to your own are unable to post any more…. ???? 

[Shammy]

....

[transam]

1 hour ago, nchuckle said:

The cyclists with different experience to your own are unable to post any more…. ???? 

Nothing to do with experience if you get taken out by a truck driver that has time to honk his hooter before he takes you out......????

[Eaglekott]

13 hours ago, webfact said:

failed to stop on time after honking at the woman

This is a common thing here in Thailand among both Bike and Car drivers. They honk the horn or flash the High beams trying to tell you "Here I come" instead of using their breaks to avoid an accident.

[transam]

1 minute ago, Eaglekott said:

This is a common thing here in Thailand among both Bike and Car drivers. They honk the horn or flash the High beams trying to tell you "Here I come" instead of using their breaks to avoid an accident.

Yes, it is a common trait here, sure we have all experienced it..????

(PS. Brakes)...

[richard_smith237]

4 minutes ago, Eaglekott said:

This is a common thing here in Thailand among both Bike and Car drivers. They honk the horn or flash the High beams trying to tell you "Here I come" instead of using their breaks to avoid an accident.

Exactly....    anything else other than applying the brakes... flashing lights, hit the horn, accelerate... anything to force the other party to ‘get out of my way’....   of course when the other party doesn’t ‘get out of their way’ there is an impact......    There is no such thing as defensive driving here... 

So many actions would and could be avoided if the mentality was to slow down and take caution instead of assert ones road presence.... 

[itsari]

10 hours ago, Deli said:

Riding a bycicle in Thaland is a sign of insanity, if not in a very isolated place. 

Insanity if you are not aware of how many  Thai people drive on the roads.