Pattaya Songthaew Driver Sparks Outrage After Tourist Falls While Alighting

[hotchilli]

  On 1/24/2025 at 11:06 PM, Georgealbert said:

The footage has sparked widespread debate online, with many criticising the driver’s negligence. Commenters questioned why the driver failed to check if all passengers had safely disembarked before pulling away.

One commenter wrote, “This kind of carelessness could lead to serious injuries. Drivers must be more responsible.”

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The usual 5-4-3-2-1 countdown and off we go again.

[PJ71]

  On 1/25/2025 at 4:19 AM, baansgr said:

Really, how are Thai kids gonna get to school? 

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Is baht bus the only form of transport you've seen here?

[NickyLouie]

  On 1/24/2025 at 11:27 PM, Jingthing said:

I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. The issue is there on stepping on and stepping off. Many really do rush to get going before they should. I think it's even worse on boarding because they might look in a crowded bus that you have entered but then you might need to get to the back of the bus, so you're still walking when they speed up.  Then there is speeding in general. A certain percentage drive like total maniacs.

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Were you hurt badly in that fall ?

[dddave]

  On 1/24/2025 at 11:27 PM, Jingthing said:

I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. The issue is there on stepping on and stepping off. Many really do rush to get going before they should. I think it's even worse on boarding because they might look in a crowded bus that you have entered but then you might need to get to the back of the bus, so you're still walking when they speed up.  Then there is speeding in general. A certain percentage drive like total maniacs.

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Last year, it was pretty big news when a Korean man fell off the back of a Baht-Bus, also on Soi Buakhao and died of his injuries.  Lots of announcements of strict load-enforcement rules, not allowing  standees and hanger's on at the rear platform.   That lasted about a day.

[dddave]

  On 1/25/2025 at 6:16 AM, Pattaya57 said:

Rubbish. If anything Baht bus in Pattaya have very slow drivers as they're always looking for passengers to pick up. 

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Agreed.  I ride Baht-buses frequently and the vast majority of rides are just normal, stop & start trips.

[SAFETY FIRST]

I hope the old guy is OK but seriously, some people, disabled especially should catch suitable transport. 

 

A baht bus is not designed for the disabled. 

 

[Jingthing]

  On 1/25/2025 at 8:04 AM, NickyLouie said:

 

Were you hurt badly in that fall ?

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It wasn't a fall. While sitting I was thrown into a sharp metal object that was part of the interior of the bus which resulted in cuts and a lot of bleeding. I wouldn't call it a serious injury though. It was just surprising that such a thing could happen just sitting on a bus and no collision either just by reckless driving. 

[Jingthing]

  On 1/25/2025 at 10:37 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

I hope the old guy is OK but seriously, some people, disabled especially should catch suitable transport. 

 

A baht bus is not designed for the disabled. 

 

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Sometimes people with physical or old age issues are invited to sit in the driver's compartment. There is a wide range of so called disability. Obviously wheelchairs are a problem but many older people and others are just slower and I don't think it's unreasonable to expect drivers to accommodate them. 

[baansgr]

  On 1/25/2025 at 7:57 AM, PJ71 said:

Is baht bus the only form of transport you've seen here?

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No but for a family with 3 kids going to different schools, it's the only one they can afford. 

[PJ71]

  On 1/25/2025 at 1:03 PM, baansgr said:

No but for a family with 3 kids going to different schools, it's the only one they can afford. 

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A thai family with 3 kids will be going to school on a scooter.

 

A farang family with 3 kids i'd expect to have a car.

[EVENKEEL]

Hope Bob's OK.

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

Not convinced a geriatric disabled person should be "vacationing" in Pattaya.  Better to just stay in his home country.

[Woke to Sounds]

Driver was probably just hopped up on cheap cigarettes and M-150s and a bit hasty with the accelerator.

[baansgr]

  On 1/25/2025 at 1:15 PM, PJ71 said:

A thai family with 3 kids will be going to school on a scooter.

 

A farang family with 3 kids i'd expect to have a car.

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Really, you need to get out more,

[jacko45k]

  On 1/24/2025 at 11:27 PM, Jingthing said:

I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. The issue is there on stepping on and stepping off. Many really do rush to get going before they should. I think it's even worse on boarding because they might look in a crowded bus that you have entered but then you might need to get to the back of the bus, so you're still walking when they speed up.  Then there is speeding in general. A certain percentage drive like total maniacs.

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My first thought too.... 

Although I expect passengers would need to get to the front to pay their 10 baht. 

There is an age and mobility level one must reconsider whether Baht busses are suitable. Great as they are, not for everyone.

[theshu25]

  On 1/25/2025 at 10:38 PM, baansgr said:

Really, you need to get out more,

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Sounds like he should move back to his own country,mthe wingher.

[bkk6060]

They could careless and blame it all on you.

[morrobay]

  On 1/25/2025 at 6:36 AM, Pattaya57 said:

 

 

I do think people stupid enough to get up in a moving baht bus should be banned though

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Look at the video: The songkow does not appear to be moving. That passenger just fell away from the back of bus. So it's an illusion the bus went forward. Also if the passenger was holding on to those vertical poles ( as should always be the case,) the fall would not have happened. The problem is all on the risky exit by the passenger 

[PJ71]

  On 1/25/2025 at 10:38 PM, baansgr said:

Really, you need to get out more,

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Nah, don't think so.

[AlexRRR]

For those folk that like to stand on the back and hang on, recently involved in a motor accident where a bus coming down Pratumnak hill failed to stop slamming into a songthaew that was pushed in to the back of us while stationary at the lights, fortunately no one was on board the damaged songthaew if they where they would be peeling them off the handle bars.

[jacko45k]

  On 1/25/2025 at 11:48 PM, morrobay said:

Look at the video: The songkow does not appear to be moving. That passenger just fell away from the back of bus. So it's an illusion the bus went forward. Also if the passenger was holding on to those vertical poles ( as should always be the case,) the fall would not have happened. The problem is all on the risky exit by the passenger 

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I took anther look and disagree, it appears to not have quite stopped yet, when the guy tried to step off. When older, and struggling, better to ring the bell and wait until it stops before even getting up from the seat. Didn't a Chinese (HK) guy die after a fall from a baht bus a while ago?

[pomchop]

Baht bus is the perfect vehicle to transport people around Pattaya.  It is convenient easy and cheap.  Of course there are occasional accidents just like there are with massive 50 pax buses and public transport in every city in the world.  But a few people get hurt here and some are calling for them to be banned?

 

Just try and imagine what a giant mess it would be if baht buses were all replaced with big buses that could not even fit into many pattaya streets that are served well by the baht bus.  Or how about  massive ugly view blocking slabs of concrete with a bkk type bts system and loads of stairs  running along beach road trapping lots of wonderful fumes below and people falling down the stairs or escalators?  Maybe replace the baht buses with a few thousand more taxis and cars and motorbikes?

 

  

 

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

  On 1/25/2025 at 10:37 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

I hope the old guy is OK but seriously, some people, disabled especially should catch suitable transport. 

 

A baht bus is not designed for the disabled. 

 

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It's not designed for transporting people at all.

 

It is a modified pick-up truck. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

  On 1/28/2025 at 1:56 AM, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

It's not designed for transporting people at all.

 

It is a modified pick-up truck. 

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Sure maybe where you come from its a modified pick up truck, we are in Thailand, have you forgot?

 

So it's a people mover. 

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

  On 1/28/2025 at 2:10 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

Sure maybe where you come from its a modified pick up truck, we are in Thailand, have you forgot?

 

So it's a people mover. 

 

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*yawn*

 

😴

[watchcat]

  On 1/24/2025 at 11:06 PM, Georgealbert said:

The video shows an older male tourist, who is using walking aids, attempting to step off the songthaew when the vehicle began to move. The sudden motion caused him to fall onto the road. Fortunately, bystanders, some believed to be staff from a nearby entertainment venue, rushed to help the man and escorted him to safety at the roadside.

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Why did he get off at a "entertainment venue"?  On a sidenote the green buses in bangkok are more or less racing to come first to the customers. Same in Pattaya?

[morrobay]

  On 1/28/2025 at 2:48 AM, watchcat said:

 

Why did he get off at a "entertainment venue"?  On a sidenote the green buses in bangkok are more or less racing to come first to the customers. Same in Pattaya?

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Come on: You could throw a stick up In the air here and it would come down on an *" entertainment venue" And that guy was likely to fall regardless of any motion. That is a long step down going forward. Should be a side step hanging on to the assorted bars. It's only the 20 year olds that can get off like he attempted . *  When the following word starts with a vowel, entertainment, then (an) is used instead of (a)

[jacko45k]

  On 1/28/2025 at 1:56 AM, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

It's not designed for transporting people at all.

 

It is a modified pick-up truck. 

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In the absence of long pieces of wood and plastic piping, it seems sensible to chuck a few paying passengers in there and make money. To be honest, accidents are few, say compared to these large compressed gas coaches that roast dozens quite often. They are quite efficient and whenever I have been in Thai towns that don't use them, sorely missed.