Safety Concerns Surge in Pattaya as Low-Hanging Signs Pose Threat to Tourists

[malibukid]

1. no kidding, ended up in hospital for some stitches.  Thailand is built for short people

[Modern Coding]

5 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Maybe it's just me but I tend to look where I'm walking, and therefore avoid walking into static objects.

I confirm: it is not just you!

[brianthainess]

9 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

That's pretty much the standard response I've received in Thailand. My wife always says, "Your fault. Watch where you're going."

Stick your leg out and see if she sees it before tripping. just a suggestion.

[spidermike007]

When I lived on Samui many years ago the big hazard was low hanging signs from stores with very sharp edges. You could easily cut your forehead wide open by walking into one of these, you're looking down at the incredibly uneven sidewalks and it's hard to always have total situational awareness when hazards are all around you, up, down and all around. The authorities need to do a better job of monitoring this kind of thing and public safety needs to be taken seriously. It's not something that's ever been a concern for any of the officials. 

[spidermike007]

When I lived on Samui many years ago the big hazard was low hanging signs from stores with very sharp edges. You could easily cut your forehead wide open by walking into one of these, you're looking down at the incredibly uneven sidewalks and it's hard to always have total situational awareness when hazards are all around you, up, down and all around. The authorities need to do a better job of monitoring this kind of thing and public safety needs to be taken seriously. It's not something that's ever been a concern for any of the officials. 

[brianthainess]

I suspect the clinic opposite got them lowered to make money from Falang. 

It's always us that have to pay for the Thai mistakes. 

[brianthainess]

On the up side there are signs, whereas on Koh Chang there is not ONE sign at any crossing, not one.

[BigStar]

56 minutes ago, eddie61 said:

There is some exceptionally good pointing here….

 

Yes, we're pointing around everywhere. Hanging wires, uneven pavement, hazardous roads, low toilet doors, missing manhole covers, carelessness about traffic laws/rule (only Thais), obstacles on the ground. Turned into a kind of delicious pointing fest, in fact, sticking it to the Thais, heh. And, yes, we've inevitably pointed overseas to the paradise of the UK to show how things should be done.

[richard_smith237]

5 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Maybe it's just me but I tend to look where I'm walking, and therefore avoid walking into static objects.

 

There's always one with some dumbed down response such as this... 

 

Thailand's pavements are a hazard.... even when you are being extremely careful.

Uneven slaps, holes in drains, hanging wires, tree-roots, vats of hot oil from food vendors, slippery surfaces (after food vendors drain their oil) etc etc... 

 

And what for those of poor sight.... 

 

Obstacles such as this sign are a hazard to many people, regardless of whether some posters are too dumb to consider this... 

 

 

[John Drake]

12 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

When I lived on Samui many years ago the big hazard was low hanging signs from stores with very sharp edges. You could easily cut your forehead wide open by walking into one of these, you're looking down at the incredibly uneven sidewalks and it's hard to always have total situational awareness when hazards are all around you, up, down and all around. The authorities need to do a better job of monitoring this kind of thing and public safety needs to be taken seriously. It's not something that's ever been a concern for any of the officials. 

 

Where are you going to start? And how much are people willing to pay for increased safety? Many of the people who voice fear over safety concerns would be the first ones to complain about the increased costs of making Thailand safer. To achieve basic safety, you'll need to do a lot more retroactively than raise signs. You'll also need to:

* increase the height of balustrades

* maintain crosswalks and police them

* enforce laws against scooters riding against the direction of traffic

* maintain safety standards and inspections (remember the people killed in hotels a few years ago by bug bombs?)

Oh, why go on? The list is a mile long. But the point is, if you want all this stuff, you're going to need to pay for it. Who is the first to sign up for their taxes and fees to be increased?

[Screaming]

It might have to do with the state of Inebriation of the foreigners doing the walking.

[fire2rescue99]

Teacher, I’ve got a boo boo! Hardy har har. This is probably the least dangerous of all the pedestrian hazards in LOS. Pedestrians beware ! Everywhere! 
Self effacing moment follows: Years ago in Paris, I was distracted by a feminine form across the street from me. While gawking, I walked full stride into one of those curbside pay parking stands. I knocked myself to the ground, jumped up, brushed myself off and continued on as if there was nothing to see. I was totally embarrassed and imagine it provided great amusement to anyone that may have caught a glimpse.

[peter zwart]

another example of "not much thinking here"

[charleskerins]

6 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Maybe it's just me but I tend to look where I'm walking, and therefore avoid walking into static objects.

God bless you for your uncanny and skillful wariness

[ThaiFelix]

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Did they happen to say "Beware of Low Hanging Signs"?

I think more likely "Watch your feet for Potholes"

[charleskerins]

36 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

When I lived on Samui many years ago the big hazard was low hanging signs from stores with very sharp edges. You could easily cut your forehead wide open by walking into one of these, you're looking down at the incredibly uneven sidewalks and it's hard to always have total situational awareness when hazards are all around you, up, down and all around. The authorities need to do a better job of monitoring this kind of thing and public safety needs to be taken seriously. It's not something that's ever been a concern for any of the officials. 

How dare you come on here with an intelligent and common sense post?   The sidewalks if there are ones have potholes ,jagged edges , wires and then you have the low hanging signs   ,unattended dogs but sure blame the medium height people.

[BigStar]

19 minutes ago, fire2rescue99 said:

Teacher, I’ve got a boo boo! Hardy har har. This is probably the least dangerous of all the pedestrian hazards in LOS. Pedestrians beware ! Everywhere! 
Self effacing moment follows: Years ago in Paris, I was distracted by a feminine form across the street from me. While gawking, I walked full stride into one of those curbside pay parking stands. I knocked myself to the ground, jumped up, brushed myself off and continued on as if there was nothing to see. I was totally embarrassed and imagine it provided great amusement to anyone that may have caught a glimpse.

 

Yup. Happens here more than people like to admit, I think. Last year I was taking one of my fast walks on the beach when a Russian hottie in a thong totally distracted me. My head was revolving around watching her instead of my path and of course that was precisely the moment a tree root shot up from the ground. And I fell right over it. Got up and cleared outta there.

[charleskerins]

27 minutes ago, Screaming said:

It might have to do with the state of Inebriation of the foreigners doing the walking.

Yes they were jogging while drunk

[gravity101]

1 hour ago, hkt83100 said:

On the other hand I would like to know why most of the toilet doors are lower than the other doors in the house, normally. To be seen in many restaurants.

Often wondered that too. Those 5'5" plastic doors.

[IAMHERE]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

Malaay Curve

Always thought of as Hanuman Statue intersection.

[bristolgeoff]

Happened the other night going into a bar,hit some wood only happened once.Thais are generally shorter so i do it sometimes,but as a rule i lower my head and look ahead for signs that are lower.The footpath potholes  wires can be included in the risk.Welcome to thailand

[Retfed50]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

God only knows how you'd get on in Thailand if your visually impaired or even blind...

The pavements are a nightmare.

Thailand is definitely not handicap friendly!

[Will B Good]

Do the Chinese fit under these signs?.....that is critical.

[rwill]

"Sign not too low, you too high."

[pomchop]

7 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

Maybe it's just me but I tend to look where I'm walking, and therefore avoid walking into static objects.

 Walk around thailand long enough and sooner or later you will trip or bang your head.  Maybe not get cocky too soon as it WILL happen.  Some get lucky and only stub a toe etc.  Others not so lucky end up with a face plant in the pavement. 

 

Believe it or not most people do "tend to look where they are walking"  and do manage to "avoid walking into objects" .  Certainly a good idea but still no guarantee of future results.

[Brick Top]

Its the foreigners fault for being taller than the average Thai , well thats the excuse when a kitchen company fitted and charged me 300,000 baht for a kitchen that ended up with the granete worktops being 75 cm high instead of 90 cm

[charleskerins]

1 hour ago, John Drake said:

 

Where are you going to start? And how much are people willing to pay for increased safety? Many of the people who voice fear over safety concerns would be the first ones to complain about the increased costs of making Thailand safer. To achieve basic safety, you'll need to do a lot more retroactively than raise signs. You'll also need to:

* increase the height of balustrades

* maintain crosswalks and police them

* enforce laws against scooters riding against the direction of traffic

* maintain safety standards and inspections (remember the people killed in hotels a few years ago by bug bombs?)

Oh, why go on? The list is a mile long. But the point is, if you want all this stuff, you're going to need to pay for it. Who is the first to sign up for their taxes and fees to be increased?

Fine them

[Antiparovian]

Too drunk to duck?

[Andycoops]

Another keystone cops moment from the city hall Muppets...

[HuaHinNew]

OMG, now we have to worry about looking out for another thing trying to kill us in Thailand......

 

I guess "sign of the times"..... 555