Pedestrian Crossings in Thailand Demand Enhanced Safety Measures

[webfact]

File photo for reference only

 

Calls for improved safety at pedestrian crossings in Bangkok have intensified, particularly in high-risk areas near schools and hospitals, following incidents that underscore the urgent need for reform.

 

Chamaipan Santikarn, manager of ThaiHealth's Social Mobilisation for Motorcycle Safety Project, has highlighted these concerns after a recent accident where a 68-year-old South Korean tourist was struck by a motorcycle at a crossing outside the Kidney Institute Hospital on Phaya Thai Road, Ratchathewi district. This location, notably, is the same where an ophthalmologist tragically lost her life to a speeding motorcyclist two years prior.

 

Ms. Chamaipan points out that the recurrence of such accidents at the same location, despite visible stop signals, signals a broader issue with Thailand's road safety measures. She asserts that enhancing safety isn't an insurmountable challenge; government intervention can play a pivotal role in implementing effective solutions.

 

In several countries, innovative measures have been adopted to preempt road accidents. For example, rumble strips have been proven effective in slowing down vehicles before they reach pedestrian crossings.

In China, the ELLUMIN Intelligent Pedestrian System employs illuminated signs and smart sensors to aid safe crossing, while South Korea boasts a smart crosswalk system, featuring ground-level crossing lights, particularly beneficial for pedestrians focused on their mobile phones. This system is complemented by audio alerts and illuminated signs, enhancing visibility even at night.

 

Furthermore, enhanced enforcement through technology, such as cameras and sensors that capture licence plates of vehicles breaching crossing rules, could dramatically reduce violations at these crossings.

 

Recent CCTV data have identified twenty high-risk pedestrian crossing areas in Bangkok, predominantly situated in front of educational institutions and medical facilities. These include Bangkok Intercare School, Yothinburana School, Kidney Institute Hospital, Buengthonglang High School, Rattanakosinsompoch Bangkhunthian School, and Big C on Itsaraphap Road.

 

Addressing the safety challenges at pedestrian crossings is crucial for reducing accidents and ensuring the well-being of residents and visitors alike. As Thailand grapples with these issues, integrating international best practices and technology-driven solutions can substantially enhance pedestrian safety across the nation’s bustling streets, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-17

 

 

[smedly]

if you ask the average driver what they are supposed to do at a pedestrian crossing the will likely answer correctly, so why do they not do it ???

 

simple answer - who is enforcing them to do so and if they don't what penalties are they going to face..........................zero

 

the police are responsible for the road carnage here simply because they have no clue about what they are supposed to do, they really have no idea what their job is

[MikeandDow]

Driver Training,  but most of all ENFORCEMENT

[PJ71]

The only solution is barriers similar to those are car park entry / exits, but that's not gonna happen...

[Tropicalevo]

There is another issue.

The government and 'concerned citizen groups' always focus on Bangkok.

Here on Samui, it is the wild west on crossings.

Most are so badly faded, that with the poor or non existent street lights, one cannot see them.

In the busy areas eg markets, the traders and customers park their trucks on them so that you cannot see the non-faded sections.

Pedestrians can't walk through the trucks anyway.

At one market there are two 'faded' crossing less than 10 metres apart. 

Then we have 'rogue' crossings.

This is where hotels paint a crossing for their guests to cross from the hotel to the beach access.

They then put an aggressive flag-waver in a uniform by them - to stop the traffic when the VIP guests want to cross the road.

I am tempted at times to take said flag-waver out.

I check my mirrors and see an empty road behind me but this dumb cluck is trying to stop me with his 'power' flag.

I do not stop.

[Hardcastle P]

Not a cat in hells chance.

[Harrisfan]

10 years jail for hitting pedestrians will fix it.

[lordgrinz]

3 hours ago, smedly said:

the police are responsible for the road carnage here simply because they have no clue about what they are supposed to do, they really have no idea what their job is

 

The police aren't police in Thailand, they are foot soldiers for the RTP mafia. They have no interest in enforcing laws, unless it benefits their leaders (Mafia Don's), they could care less about the safety of civilians.

[petedk]

"Enhanced safety measures" is not the right answer.

 

Enhanced law enforcement is necessary. Most drivers know the crossings are there, but have no intention of stopping

 

 

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

She asserts that enhancing safety isn't an insurmountable challenge; government intervention can play a pivotal role in implementing effective solutions.

enhancing safety isn't an insurmountable challenge... but changing drivers habits is...

[kingstonkid]

5 hours ago, smedly said:

if you ask the average driver what they are supposed to do at a pedestrian crossing the will likely answer correctly, so why do they not do it ???

 

simple answer - who is enforcing them to do so and if they don't what penalties are they going to face..........................zero

 

the police are responsible for the road carnage here simply because they have no clue about what they are supposed to do, they really have no idea what their job is

I also think the lack of officers to enforce this is a huge issue.  Imagine if the police actually stopped and laid a huge ticket on people.  The other side of it is that you can not legislate stupidity.  Walking while reading your phone and not looking is a huge problem here.

[lordgrinz]

6 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

Walking while reading your phone and not looking is a huge problem here.

 

Riding a motorcycle against oncoming traffic, no helmet, while looking at your smartphone isn't much better, but I've see many Thai's doing it.

[tjintx]

 

I just walk across.  If some car or truck keeps coming, I stand my ground and stare 'em down.    

 

Has it gotten better?  Don't know.   As soon as they release me from the hospital, I'll check and let everyone know.

[biggles45]

I recall some years ago BKK came up with a brilliant solution. Flags in holders, at the crossings, which people could wave as they walked, stopping the traffic. 

Unfortunately they had to abandon the idea as a truck wiped out some tourists! 

Not stopping for pedestrians is part of Thai Culture and would be hard to change without serious enforcement and big penalties. 

[Peterphuket]

4 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Driver Training,  but most of all ENFORCEMENT

Maybe, but don't underestimate Thai culture and their Characters.

[cardinalblue]

Driver training and enforcement…who cares about enhancements if drivers disobey the rules?

 

a hopeless situation now under the current climate 

[MikeandDow]

54 minutes ago, Peterphuket said:

Maybe, but don't underestimate Thai culture and their Characters.

Its nothing to do with Thai culture or the Charcters  its to do with the RTP doing there JOB and Enforcing the LAW

[JBChiangRai]

I see 4 issues with pedestrian crossings.

 

First, they are often placed within 5 metres of a 4-way junction, often times there is a building on the corner, hiding the crossing from View.

 

Secondly, they are so dirty. They are often impossible to see, only people with local knowledge know they are there.

 

Thirdly, pedestrians seem to think they are supposed to wait for the traffic to stop before stepping out, this is incorrect, you should step onto the crossing and appear to be assertive, not timid.

 

Finally, the vehicles seem to think they have priority and won’t stop for timid looking pedestrians.

I step straight out onto them, assertively and make it clear that they will have to stop or hit me.  I’m always ready to jump out of the way but it’s rarely necessary..

 

 

 

[Spermwhale Whalen]

1 hour ago, biggles45 said:

I recall some years ago BKK came up with a brilliant solution. Flags in holders, at the crossings, which people could wave as they walked, stopping the traffic. 

Unfortunately they had to abandon the idea as a truck wiped out some tourists! 

Not stopping for pedestrians is part of Thai Culture and would be hard to change without serious enforcement and big penalties. 

Driving through Nonthaburi last week I passed a pedestrian crossing that had large flags in holders. That's the first time I've seen them. 

[Peterphuket]

2 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Its nothing to do with Thai culture or the Charcters  its to do with the RTP doing there JOB and Enforcing the LAW

Ha, ha, ha, how long do you stay in LOS?😂

[Bruce Aussie]

Only way they will stop at pedestrian crossing would be big pop up bollards when lights are red. 

[Rimmer]

incomprehensible post removed