Horror smash in NE claims five lives - doctor, teacher and child dead, 8 year old seriously injured

[webfact]

Daily News Thai Caption: Collision tragedy claims 5 lives

 

Det Udom police and Chee Tum Khor rescue services were called to the Sai Nam Yeun to Det Udom road in Ubon Ratchathani, NE Thailand yesterday afternoon at 3pm after a head on collision between a Toyota pick-up and a Honda City.

 

The City had overturned after plunging 10 meters down an embankment.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Dead inside the car were three women - 64 year old Yuwadee Kharam, 36 year old Nanthapha Kharam, a teacher at Bua Thong School in Bua Ngam sub-district and Sujitra Kharam, 32, a doctor of Thai traditional medicine at Sirinthorn Hospital in Ubon.

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Nanthapha's six year old daughter was also dead and her 8 year old brother Jesadaporn was taken to hospital with grievous injuries.

 

Thai Rath reported that Sujitra was driving her car.

 

The driver of the Toyota who was alone was 58 year old Khongkha who also died in hospital.

 

Initial investigations revealed that the family in the City were off to buy building supplies for an extension to their property in Ban Somsa-art sub-district.

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

The accident happened in Ban Khaem, Muang Det sub-district.

 

The road is two lanes at a 10 meter elevation from adjoining land.

 

Police are investigating who was negligent in the tragedy.

 

Daily News had many pictures of the aftermath of yet another fatal collision in Thailand where 20-25,000 die on the roads annually.

 

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[2baht]

11 minutes ago, webfact said:

yet another fatal collision in Thailand where 20-25,000 die on the roads annually.

Ah well, tomorrows Tuesday!

[brianthainess]

Police are investigating before any legal proceedings. But they're all dead.   

[seajae]

someone driving on the wrong side of the road, its fairly normal here especially if there is a bit of a right hand  bend in the road or double lines

 

[ezzra]

 Lax law enforcement, negligent police presence and enforcement, irresponsible and careless drivers. That's the reason why Thailand's road fatality rate is more than double the global average of 18 fatalities per 100,000 population.

[KhunLA]

OR ... one of the drivers simply had a health oops, heart attack, stroke and crossed over, and that's why they are called accidents.

[Peterphuket]

Everyday again and again, yesterday in my neighborhood,  two people dead on a motorbike in the evening, they hit an unlit tractor that was briefly parked there, and so on.....

[Bangkok Barry]

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

OR ... one of the drivers simply had a health oops, heart attack, stroke and crossed over, and that's why they are called accidents.

With 20-25,000 deaths a year that's quite a lot of health oops (whatever that is).

[Bangkok Barry]

It's really quite simple. If you drive in a safe manner (safe speed, correct side of the road, paying attention) then these things don't occur. Of course, having two drivers in the same place at the same time doing just that is a bit of a lottery in Thailand.

[Will B Good]

I drive from Nong Bua Daeng to Chaiyaphum and I am horrified to witness the risks drivers are prepared to take........overtaking at high speed on bends, brows, dips,.....it is no wonder these accidents are so common.

[Liverpool Lou]

5 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Police are investigating before any legal proceedings. But they're all dead.   

No, they're not all dead, a child survived and he could be the beneficiary of legal proceedings.

[Liverpool Lou]

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

OR ... one of the drivers simply had a health oops, heart attack, stroke and crossed over, and that's why they are called accidents.

Well said.

[Liverpool Lou]

8 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

OR ... one of the drivers simply had a health oops, heart attack, stroke and crossed over, and that's why they are called accidents.

With 20-25,000 deaths a year that's quite a lot of health oops (whatever that is).

He did not post that they were all health related.

[Ralf001]

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

OR ... one of the drivers simply had a health oops, heart attack, stroke and crossed over, and that's why they are called accidents.

Nah.

Lax law enforcement, negligent police presence and enforcement is to blame for this tragic incident as pointed outed out by another poster.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, 2baht said:

Ah well, tomorrows Tuesday!

Tuesdays child is full of grace..

maybe a lucky day for some.

[2baht]

3 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It's really quite simple.

Obviously not, or they would fix the problem!

[transam]

3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Nah.

Lax law enforcement, negligent police presence and enforcement is to blame for this tragic incident as pointed outed out by another poster.

So you blame the police for this accident, there's me thinking it was an individual making a wrong decision....

[Bangkok Barry]

18 minutes ago, 2baht said:

Obviously not, or they would fix the problem!

They can't. Apologies to those who have read this before:

 

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 26 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.

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.

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'.

[KannikaP]

8 hours ago, ezzra said:

 Lax law enforcement, negligent police presence and enforcement, irresponsible and careless drivers

How would any of that prevented this accident please?

[xylophone]

6 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

They can't. Apologies to those who have read this before:

 

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 26 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.

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.

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'.

Great post Bangkok Barry and I totally agree with what you have said.....thanks for posting it even if you did so before.

[Ralf001]

14 minutes ago, transam said:

So you blame the police for this accident, there's me thinking it was an individual making a wrong decision....

Nope, ezzra is the one blaming the police.

I merely reposted his/her's pathetic post.

 

 

[digger70]

4 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It's really quite simple. If you drive in a safe manner (safe speed, correct side of the road, paying attention) then these things don't occur. Of course, having two drivers in the same place at the same time doing just that is a bit of a lottery in Thailand.

It'a a lottery every time one ventures  out on the Thai roads,It doesn't matter how good off a driver/rider  one is it all comes down to what the other drivers/riders are doing and how capable they are.

[TKDfella]

29 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

They can't. Apologies to those who have read this before:

 

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 26 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.

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.

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'.

Very close to where I live is dual carriageway (two lanes on each side) passing through a local market area. It has a couple/three 'U' turns but about three weeks ago, one, which also has a road on the left, had traffic lights installed. When I use it, I turn right to take me to the town centre or the ring road. Every time I have used it since I have seen drivers disregarding the red light. This morning at around ten o'clock I thought I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was at said junction waiting at a red light, to turn right and at green i started my manoeuvre with only one car stationary at the red opposite. I was about half way around the carriage when a white pickup ignored the red light and was coming straight at me. There was plenty of room on my left for the pickup to go but that didn't appear to be the driver's intention. So I put 'my foot down' and screeched over to the vacant left and stopped.The white pickup zoomed by in the center of the road and I watched as it sped, actually bouncing off the curb of the central reservation at one point. As I continued to the end of this road I thought that I would see a white pickup piled up somewhere but I didn't. 

[Bangkok Barry]

14 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

As I continued to the end of this road I thought that I would see a white pickup piled up somewhere but I didn't. 

Not then, but probably tomorrow. In Thailand red lights are treated as a suggestion, not an order.

[RichardColeman]

11 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Police are investigating before any legal proceedings. But they're all dead.   

Sure bet any garage maintenance people have their fingers crossed

[Confuscious]

7 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It's really quite simple. If you drive in a safe manner (safe speed, correct side of the road, paying attention) then these things don't occur. Of course, having two drivers in the same place at the same time doing just that is a bit of a lottery in Thailand.

Mostly it's the other driver, a driver in a modified pick-up with a lot of black smoke and acting like Ayrton Senna who will kill the driver who drives in a safe manner.

[Confuscious]

In none of both cars there is a dashcam recording of the accident?
 

[MrJ2U]

13 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Police are investigating before any legal proceedings. But they're all dead.   

Families of the deceased usually claim for compensation.