American on Dirt Bike Kills Thai Woman Crossing Road in Chiang Mai

[Leadidge]

What is it with people on these forums?

Everyone’s an expert, all were eye witnesses, all know exactly what happened, who’s to blame and what punishment they deserve ……apparently!!!!

What’s that saying about the word ASSUME??? 🤔

[superal]

3 hours ago, BarBoy said:

It's amazing how quickly the RTP can charge a farang with these types of crimes, yet when a Thai commits them it's just business as usual..

 

There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered, including the following:

 

Did he have a licence?

Was he speeding?

Did he have insurance?

Was the bike road legal at the time of the incident?

Was he under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs?

Was the woman crossing the street at an appropriate place, ie, a crosswalk, or was she just crossing at a random spot without looking both ways?

 

These are all questions that the courts MUST get the answers to if the police do indeed charge him with such a serious crime.

 

Everybody should be entitled to a fair trial and due process no matter the seriousness of the case. I just hope that the RTP conducts it's investigations properly and impartially (wishful thinking, I know...)

I agree with all that you quote which will apply in most of the Western world but here in Asia a farang is not seen as an equal to locals unless there are plenty of funds available to fight your corner . 

Digressing now but I know of at least 3 farangs who met suspicious deaths . There were no post- mortem examinations / autopsies and the bodies were cremated the following day with the police involvement / inquiry  at a low level . 

Some of the comments here are of ignorance and made without any form of evidence .

[NorthernRyland]

3 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

If this guy had been sharp enough he would have seen her, she didn't just appear out of nowhere, so he was either going too fast, driving recklessly, drunk or just not paying attention. All of which are crimes if you're on the road. 

 

They'll let literally anyone rent any kind of motorbike with or without a license then they're off to races.

 

You could step off the plane first time in Thailand go rent some huge dirt bike because it looked cool, find some YouTube video of Mae On rides and then have Google maps take you straight through some tiny village.

 

Rules of the road only exist in your mind when you're out there. Literally anything could happen, dogs, children, 80 year blind women and you're expected to be watching out for all of them. It's an accident waiting to happen.

[Zack61]

3 hours ago, novacova said:

Pedestrians have the right-of-way where we come from and here as well.

Only at designated pedestrian crossings. Otherwise I use the hierarchy of vulnerability. Small gives way to big. Big gives way to bigger. If you think you are going to come off second best in a collision then yield and give way. 
This article offers no explanation or evidence of what happened so all the Sherlocks out there should take a deep breath and chill. It’s possible the lady stepped in front of him. I know it’s possible as I’ve done it myself except it was in front of a car. Also in Chiang Mai. Lucky to be alive with no serious injuries. 

[BarBoy]

2 minutes ago, superal said:

I agree with all that you quote which will apply in most of the Western world but here in Asia a farang is not seen as an equal to locals

You are right.

 

However, deep down most Thais know we are better than them, even if they would never admit that publicly.

 

The inferiority complex runs very deep here...

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, NorthernRyland said:

you can kind of see from the picture it was a small 2 lane road.

 

Here's a random but representative road in Mae On district.

Not representative of the road in question which is shown on the Khaosod English site.

[bkk6060]

18 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

When riding a motorbike or a car in Thailand, one always has to be on the lookout, have eyes on the front side, and back of your head, always looking for pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes, dogs, cows, cars and trucks, otherwise it's just a hazard waiting to happen.

 

If this guy had been sharp enough he would have seen her, she didn't just appear out of nowhere, so he was either going too fast, driving recklessly, drunk or just not paying attention. All of which are crimes if you're on the road. 

Yes exactly very intelligent post.  Thailand is different when driving or riding in western countries. 

People with experience here know this.  

Always be looking out for the other person your head needs to be on a swivel here.  People walk across in front of me all the time.  Sometimes they stick their hand out.  They really don't have the right of way if it is not a crosswalk. But, it is your responsibility to stop.

It is rare to see on these cases that they are already charging him criminally most of the time they will say it is still under investigation.  

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, TedG said:

Dirt bike or dual sport?   

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/american-rider4.jpg

[NorthernRyland]

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Not representative of the road in question which is shown on the Khaosod English site.

ok just saw that. Much more information there. Looks like it was in an area with traffic and more possibilities for crashes.

[zepplin]

7 hours ago, smedly said:

acting an idiot on your dirt bike, no sympathy for your reckless behavior..................idiot

 

 

RIP

She could have just stepped out without looking as well you know…. No where did it say he was riding in a dangerous manner!

 

[dutch boy]

4 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Bunch of inexperienced idiots on motorcycles on the roads now.

Only a fool with a death wish gets on a motorbike in Thailand!

[Liverpool Lou]

50 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Most likely an adventure bike. Do you have the link to the original article.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/01/03/american-man-apologizes-to-family-of-thai-woman-killed-in-dirt-bike-accident/

[KhunLA]

52 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

If he's not in the wrong it'll cost him nothing apart from living with the fact that he's killed someone accidentally.

 

You've obviously no idea what you're on about.

While driving a dirt bike illegally & cited for recklessly causing death ... I'm pretty sure I know what I'm on about.

 

What are you smoking ... 

[Liverpool Lou]

39 minutes ago, tamsam6 said:

Except for this at the end of the original article

"Police have indicated they will charge him with reckless driving causing death. "

Not sure how this was overlooked in all the bashing.

Not up to the police as to whether he will be indicted though, that's up to the Prosecutor's Office.

[NorthernRyland]

3 minutes ago, zepplin said:

She could have just stepped out without looking as well you know…. No where did it say he was riding in a dangerous manner!

 

 

Investigation revealed that Mrs. Kia was crossing the road to get dinner when the accident occurred. Philip was riding his dirt bike alongside his friend, who was on another motorcycle. Police have indicated they will charge him with reckless driving causing death.

... อ่านข่าวต้นฉบับได้ที่ : https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2025/01/03/american-man-apologizes-to-family-of-thai-woman-killed-in-dirt-bike-accident/

 

Could have been both. Going too fast and some person steps out not paying attention.

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Why not...they're not illegal here are they?

Unless modified for street use, and registered, they are illegal here to drive on the street.

 

Edit ... you may be correct, and it was street legal, as someone else, with more time on his hands has pointed out.

[transam]

51 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Ah, and a farang of course is highly educated and therefore intelligent? And driving always carefully and respect the laws?

What are you smoking?🤣

Are you looking at it from your own personal angle.........?......🤔

[KhunLA]

1 hour ago, moose7117 said:

 

If people would bother to look at the original article on the news website, they would clearly see pictures of the bike involved and the area of the accident.

The bike is a rental and the current tax sticker is clearly visible in the photograph.

Look at the photos, the rider is wearing quality safety gear, the big has good quality gear fitted. it is currently registered.

 

so the bike was fully legal and suitable for road use.

 

as to weather the rider was speeding or the lady who was hit goes, we will never know unless more information is released.

That wasn't shown in the OP, and I don't care that much about some dude running over someone who doesn't know how to crass the street safely,  to search out news-blips about.  

 

Digesting after my brekkie, or wouldn't even bother replying to comments.

 

OK, took a peek at the KhaoSod blip, and notice it is registered & insured ... but ... is that for trail or street, as I don't the the required turning signals, or headlights, for it to be street legal.

 

 

[Captain Flack]

I have removed a post which is misquoting the OP.

 

@NaaKap you either misquoted the wrong person or if you intended to called the OP News Team a fool, I will happily suspend you.

[Surasak]

4 hours ago, mdr224 said:

Whose at fault here from the comments seems to depend on whether you like the US or not

Nothing against the US, but some of the people who live there? Like any other country, there are advantages and then there are people.

[Liverpool Lou]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Why not...they're not illegal here are they?

Unless modified for street use, and registered, they are illegal here to drive on the street.

 

Edit ... you may be correct, and it was street legal, as someone else, with more time on his hands has pointed out.

May be?  I am correct.

[BarBoy]

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

He left Thailand without assistance from anyone before an arrest warrant was issued. 

That's convenient, isn't it?

 

and you don't think any palms were greased to help facilitate his escape???

 

you can't be that naive can you, surely Lou?.....

[denishuahin]

You have to wait to see the outcome, but the police have already made up their mind who is at fault. 
From experience, it's your (expats) fault; even if you pay the victims family, if you pay the police, maybe not your fault.
He could have been driving sensibly, but I wonder if he has a real licence, not one you pay for, if he took the test, has insurance, or tax on the bike. If not, he's in real trouble. 
Thailand road accidents kill 215 during New Year holidays . As I have been told it can'tbe be their fault, because they are dead.   

[BarBoy]

3 minutes ago, denishuahin said:

As I have been told it can'tbe be their fault, because they are dead.   

How utterly ridiculous eh.

 

TIT folks.

[KhunLA]

12 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

May be?  I am correct.

Maybe not, as I edited my earlier reply ...

https://aseannow.com/topic/1347786-american-on-dirt-bike-kills-thai-woman-crossing-road-in-chiang-mai/page/5/#findComment-19487547

 

[TedG]

24 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

That wasn't shown in the OP, and I don't care that much about some dude running over someone who doesn't know how to crass the street safely,  to search out news-blips about.  

 

Digesting after my brekkie, or wouldn't even bother replying to comments.

 

OK, took a peek at the KhaoSod blip, and notice it is registered & insured ... but ... is that for trail or street, as I don't the the required turning signals, or headlights, for it to be street legal.

 

 

These bikes are 100% street legal from the factory. 

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, TedG said:

These bikes are 100% street legal from the factory. 

I guess you didn't read my reply ... where are the headlight & turning signals ?

[Ralf001]

5 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I guess you didn't read my reply ... where are the headlight & turning signals ?

 

Turn signal are at the top of the forks, head light is in the front plastic.

 

 

[PJ71]

43 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

While driving a dirt bike illegally & cited for recklessly causing death ... I'm pretty sure I know what I'm on about.

Was this in Thailand?

[TedG]

7 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I guess you didn't read my reply ... where are the headlight & turning signals ?

On the bike. Open your eyes.