Russian Rider Dies after Motorbike Crash Involving Container Truck on Samui Island

[webfact]

 

Samui Island, Surat Thani –A Russian rider died after his motorbike crashed before he was run over by a container truck on Samui Island.

The Samui Police were notified of the accident on Friday morning (January 26th) on the Tawee Ratch Pakdee Road in the Mae Nam sub-district near a post office. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the body of a 49-year-old Russian rider with severe head injuries. His name was not released to the media.

 

Three meters nearby first responders found the damaged motorbike.

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Full story: THE PHUKET EXPRESS 2024-01-27

 

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[hotchilli]

 Witnesses told police the motorbike rider lost control before being run over by a container truck.

The truck did not immediately stop but was later blocked by the Samui Traffic Police. The driver was identified only as Mr. Pongsakorn, 41. The Samui Police said the truck driver is facing charges of reckless driving causing death.

 

Fleeing the scene must be stooped, leave an accident and the sentence is doubled.

[Bruce Aussie]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

 Witnesses told police the motorbike rider lost control before being run over by a container truck.

The truck did not immediately stop but was later blocked by the Samui Traffic Police. The driver was identified only as Mr. Pongsakorn, 41. The Samui Police said the truck driver is facing charges of reckless driving causing death.

 

Fleeing the scene must be stooped, leave an accident and the sentence is doubled.

Hit and run is a common in Thailand.  I'm sorry I was too upset to stop.

[PETERTHEEATER]

The motorcycle (rider) lost control and crashed BEFORE the rider was run over by the truck?

[Tropicalevo]

41 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

The motorcycle (rider) lost control and crashed BEFORE the rider was run over by the truck?

When a foreigner is involved, Thai witnesses do not always tell the truth here on Samui

1  young girl on a motorbike had a toddler in front of her. She drove straight into a parked truck. Just not looking.

I stopped my jeep and went to see if I could help. eg take the toddler to hospital.

A crowd of 20 - 30 Thais soon gathered around and started blaming me until two Thais told them not to be stupid. I was nowhere near the accident. I was driving on the other side of the road going in the opposite direction.

 

2 worker from the hotel near where I live was diving fast down a narrow lane and hit a pot hole.

Came off his bike and smacked his head. Unconscious.

I was the first to arrive and again tried to help.

Another worker from the same hotel called the police and said that he had seen the accident and told them that I had hit is friend and knocked him off his bike.

The police examined my jeep but could not see any damage. The case was left open until the first guy recovered his senses and told the police that no one else was involved.

 

So forgive me if I read 'witness 'statements like the above with a bit of scepticism

[Ctkong]

In countries like thailand and China, it makes sense to let the medical profession or police to handle traffic accidents. You get to be blame because the victims can claim compensation for your insurance if they are not insured. Let the locals handle their fellow people . They know the method. Sad but it is what it is. 

[The Theory]

9 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

told them that I had hit is friend and knocked him off his bike.

Did you learn anything from those incidents ? 
You try to help, but there are some who really don't like farang and love putting them in trouble.  You just give them an opportunity. Stop being a hero, nobody cares at the end. 

[Banana7]

35 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

When a foreigner is involved, Thai witnesses do not always tell the truth here on Samui

1  young girl on a motorbike had a toddler in front of her. She drove straight into a parked truck. Just not looking.

I stopped my jeep and went to see if I could help. eg take the toddler to hospital.

A crowd of 20 - 30 Thais soon gathered around and started blaming me until two Thais told them not to be stupid. I was nowhere near the accident. I was driving on the other side of the road going in the opposite direction.

 

2 worker from the hotel near where I live was diving fast down a narrow lane and hit a pot hole.

Came off his bike and smacked his head. Unconscious.

I was the first to arrive and again tried to help.

Another worker from the same hotel called the police and said that he had seen the accident and told them that I had hit is friend and knocked him off his bike.

The police examined my jeep but could not see any damage. The case was left open until the first guy recovered his senses and told the police that no one else was involved.

 

So forgive me if I read 'witness 'statements like the above with a bit of scepticism

10 Years ago, I was advised to never stop for someone else's accident. If you do, there is a strong possibility you will be blamed for causing the accident, especially if no one else is around, and the victim is dead or unconscious.

 

[connda]

1 hour ago, Tropicalevo said:

When a foreigner is involved, Thai witnesses do not always tell the truth here on Samui

1  young girl on a motorbike had a toddler in front of her. She drove straight into a parked truck. Just not looking.

I stopped my jeep and went to see if I could help. eg take the toddler to hospital.

A crowd of 20 - 30 Thais soon gathered around and started blaming me until two Thais told them not to be stupid. I was nowhere near the accident. I was driving on the other side of the road going in the opposite direction.

 

2 worker from the hotel near where I live was diving fast down a narrow lane and hit a pot hole.

Came off his bike and smacked his head. Unconscious.

I was the first to arrive and again tried to help.

Another worker from the same hotel called the police and said that he had seen the accident and told them that I had hit is friend and knocked him off his bike.

The police examined my jeep but could not see any damage. The case was left open until the first guy recovered his senses and told the police that no one else was involved.

 

So forgive me if I read 'witness 'statements like the above with a bit of scepticism

I have a code:  Don't get involved. 

In the US, Good Samaritan laws had to be passed to keep average citizens who help injured crash victims from being sued in civil court or charged in criminal court.  If there are such laws here, they don't apply to foreigner.   It is not worth the risk.  The limit to my assistance would be to call the cops.  And probably not even that.  It too easy to be accused of something your didn't do - "a rich farang." Why don't I get involved at all - because people lie and this is a nationalistic nation with xenophobic undertones.

[connda]

And no.  I'm not callous.  In the US in a state with Good Samaritan laws, I'd stop and render assistance.
Here in Thailand?  Not a chance.

[Gulfsailor]

There’s cctv footage from the accident. The victim was driving on the left of the container truck, and it appears the was going slightly faster intending to overtake it but the footage is short and not very clear. When he is halfway the container the bike slips on a wet piece of road close to the curb. He falls off the bike and unfortunately lands with his head in front of the rear wheels of the container. I doubt the driver of the truck even noticed it. Life is fragile. 

[richard_smith237]

 

2 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

When a foreigner is involved, Thai witnesses do not always tell the truth here on Samui

1  young girl on a motorbike had a toddler in front of her. She drove straight into a parked truck. Just not looking.

I stopped my jeep and went to see if I could help. eg take the toddler to hospital.

A crowd of 20 - 30 Thais soon gathered around and started blaming me until two Thais told them not to be stupid. I was nowhere near the accident. I was driving on the other side of the road going in the opposite direction.

 

2 worker from the hotel near where I live was diving fast down a narrow lane and hit a pot hole.

Came off his bike and smacked his head. Unconscious.

I was the first to arrive and again tried to help.

Another worker from the same hotel called the police and said that he had seen the accident and told them that I had hit is friend and knocked him off his bike.

The police examined my jeep but could not see any damage. The case was left open until the first guy recovered his senses and told the police that no one else was involved.

 

So forgive me if I read 'witness 'statements like the above with a bit of scepticism

 

Got to say it... Props to you...   Stopping is the human thing to do, good on you.

 

Dash-Cam footage also prevents false blame... And yes, I can see how a handful of ignorant locals could influence the story...

Witness statements are notoriously unreliable - yet so many people take them as absolute fact. 

[richard_smith237]

56 minutes ago, connda said:

I have a code:  Don't get involved. 

 

Thats not a code, thats cowardice....

 

56 minutes ago, connda said:

In the US, Good Samaritan laws had to be passed to keep average citizens who help injured crash victims from being sued in civil court or charged in criminal court.  If there are such laws here, they don't apply to foreigner.   It is not worth the risk.  The limit to my assistance would be to call the cops.  And probably not even that.  It too easy to be accused of something your didn't do - "a rich farang." Why don't I get involved at all - because people lie and this is a nationalistic nation with xenophobic undertones.

 

Bar stool rubbish...     Tell me you live in Pattaya without telling me you live in Pattaya !!!

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Banana7 said:

10 Years ago, I was advised to never stop for someone else's accident. If you do, there is a strong possibility you will be blamed for causing the accident, especially if no one else is around, and the victim is dead or unconscious.

 

Was the person who told you recently retired from special forces, is now a multi-millionaire but enjoys spending his time drinking in the beer bars so he can socialise with 'salt of the earth guys' such as yourself ?  

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, The Theory said:

Did you learn anything from those incidents ? 
You try to help, but there are some who really don't like farang and love putting them in trouble.  You just give them an opportunity. Stop being a hero, nobody cares at the end. 

 

He cares..  He cares that he's a human being and does the right thing....

 

Its incredible that there are so many callous shrinking violets on this forum who backup their cowardice with such ignorance - no wonder you think 'Thai's don't really like farang'...it seems you've hardly endeared yourself as a considerate and caring person.

 

-----

 

For the record - I have helped a couple of times... No issues whatsoever, not even a sniff of impropriety. 

The only time I wouldn't help is if doing so placed myself or my family in physical danger.

I can handle any idiots who may gossip and pin the blame...  dash-cam footage is quite convincing for that.

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

17 minutes ago, Gulfsailor said:

There’s cctv footage from the accident. The victim was driving on the left of the container truck, and it appears the was going slightly faster intending to overtake it but the footage is short and not very clear. When he is halfway the container the bike slips on a wet piece of road close to the curb. He falls off the bike and unfortunately lands with his head in front of the rear wheels of the container. I doubt the driver of the truck even noticed it. Life is fragile. 

 

Do you have a link at all ?

 

Sounds like the Russian was trying to under-take the truck and got caught on the left handside.

 

As we all know (or should know) under-taking, or over-taking on the same side as a large truck is turning is a recipe for disaster.

 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, connda said:

If there are such laws here, they don't apply to foreigner.  

Ridiculous.  If there were, of course they would apply.  There are no laws in Thailand that do not apply to foreigners.

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, The Theory said:

Did you learn anything from those incidents ? 
You try to help, but there are some who really don't like farang and love putting them in trouble.  You just give them an opportunity. Stop being a hero, nobody cares at the end. 

I care.

[Northstar1]

Dead Russian? No loss!

[Tropicalevo]

2 hours ago, Banana7 said:

10 Years ago, I was advised to never stop for someone else's accident. If you do, there is a strong possibility you will be blamed for causing the accident, especially if no one else is around, and the victim is dead or unconscious.

 

So if you were lying in the middle of the road, you expect folk to just drive around you and ignore you

 

Unlike some posters here. I am a caring human being. In both examples that I quoted, I stopped to see if I could help

 

With the two girls, it was an offer to take them to hospital. They were both standing and in a bit of pain. The nearest hospital was at least 40 minutes away by car and the bike was useless.

 

In the case of the hotel worker, it was too dangerous to do nothing.

He and the bike were in the middle of a narrow lane, just after a blind bend. Anyone driving there would have wiped themselves or him it.

It was shift change time at the hotel.

So I parked the jeep before the bend and checked on the lad. I am not a medic and I do not try to treat folk.

I called my Thai business partner to come and help with translation with the stopped traffic. I called an ambulance and waited for it to come. Meantime, I moved the bike to the side of the road.

And some posters here would just try to drive around the accident. Unbelievable.

 

My post was not about being a 'hero' as suggested by one callous poster. It was about being careful to believe eye witness statements on Koh Samui.

[spidermike007]

I lived on Samui for many years. In Thailand we see much reckless driving, but Samui takes it to a whole different level. For some reason people think they can get on a car or a bike there and drive however they want to drive, as recklessly as they care to behave, and there will never ever be any consequences. There are. A friend of mine who worked for for Samui Rescue for years, told me that the numbers of deaths per month are astonishing, and that the authorities have been consistently lying about them for decades now. It is likely the highest per capita fatality rate on the planet, with regard to traffic accidents. 

 

A great deal of foreigners come to Samui either to live or to enjoy a nice vacation, and return home in a wooden box. 

[aussienam]

7 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

When a foreigner is involved, Thai witnesses do not always tell the truth here on Samui

1  young girl on a motorbike had a toddler in front of her. She drove straight into a parked truck. Just not looking.

I stopped my jeep and went to see if I could help. eg take the toddler to hospital.

A crowd of 20 - 30 Thais soon gathered around and started blaming me until two Thais told them not to be stupid. I was nowhere near the accident. I was driving on the other side of the road going in the opposite direction.

 

2 worker from the hotel near where I live was diving fast down a narrow lane and hit a pot hole.

Came off his bike and smacked his head. Unconscious.

I was the first to arrive and again tried to help.

Another worker from the same hotel called the police and said that he had seen the accident and told them that I had hit is friend and knocked him off his bike.

The police examined my jeep but could not see any damage. The case was left open until the first guy recovered his senses and told the police that no one else was involved.

 

So forgive me if I read 'witness 'statements like the above with a bit of scepticism

Unfortunate third world mob leech scamming mindsets of a segment of the population- regardless if you are a good Samaritan, you may be seen as a source of funds to fix one of their own. They know we most often have insurance, and assumptions we can source the money, even if it bleeds us dry of all our funds and forces us into destitution. 

 

But it's  a dog eat dog world with Thais lying against other Thais as well. I know of two separate road deaths of Thai people where blame was cast to the victims, hit and run scenario and very questionable investigation (virtually none, maybe brown envelope scenario and/or total disinterest). Families then ruthlessly scramble for assets left over with no morals or scruples. 

 

I'd have stopped as well, like many people.  Perhaps it's always wise to have dash cam and phone footage on outside the car to cover yourself and upload footage to a cloud server before authorities arrive for your own backup. 

 

[brianthainess]

In Australia it was part of the driving test to know first aid, DR. ABC

Danger to yourself

Response from victim

Airways check

Breathing

CPR