Elderly Recycler Killed on Pedestrian Crossing After Being Hit Twice by Motorbikes

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures from responders and CCTV.

 

A 79-year-old man was killed while crossing a zebra crossing early  morning on 6 April, when he was struck by a speeding motorcycle and then fatally hit by another vehicle following behind. CCTV footage confirmed that neither driver attempted to slow down for the pedestrian.

 

At approximately 05:55, Police Sub-Lieutenant Ramwalee Thongruang from Phra Samut Chedi Police Station received a report of a collision involving a pedestrian on Pracha Uthit 90 Road in Nai Khlong Bang Pla Kot subdistrict, Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan province.

 

 

Emergency services, including doctors from Phra Samut Chedi Sawatyanon Hospital and rescue volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation, rushed to the scene.

 

The victim, later identified as Mr. Sawai, was found lying face-down in the middle of the four-lane road, critically injured and surrounded by a pool of blood. Despite CPR and emergency treatment at the scene, he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards due to the severity of his injuries.

 

Nearby, a torn black garbage bag filled with recyclable materials lay scattered across the road. Roughly 20 metres away, a blue Yamaha N-MAX motorcycle was found overturned. A further 80 metres from the crash site, a severely damaged black Honda PCX was discovered, along with an empty beer bottle, raising concerns about possible alcohol involvement.

Two other individuals were seriously injured in the incident: Mr. Jakkrapong (29), a local resident, and Ms. Anthika (28), from Rat Burana district in Bangkok. Both were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

 

Eyewitness Mr. Prawet (62) told police he was riding his own motorcycle to drop off his wife when he saw the elderly man nearly halfway across the pedestrian crossing. A speeding black Honda PCX struck the man with full force, sending both the victim and the motorcycle flying. Moments later, a blue Yamaha N-MAX following behind, driven by a woman, ran over the man’s body.

 

Mr. Prawet immediately stopped to assist and called emergency services.

 

Police reviewed footage from a nearby CCTV camera, which confirmed the elderly man was legally crossing at the zebra crossing when the first motorbike hit him without braking. The second collision occurred almost immediately afterward.

 

Authorities are now investigating further, including interviewing the injured riders at hospital and have conducted alcohol tests. The deceased’s body has been sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for autopsy. Police have recorded the incident and will proceed with legal action against those responsible.

 

This incident has reignited concerns about pedestrian safety and the disregard for traffic laws, particularly the frequent failure of motorists to stop at pedestrian crossings.

 

 

-- 2025-04-06

 

[Kinnock]

The behaviour of Thai riders and drivers at pedestrian crossings is obscene. Odd how a kind and generous culture flips when in charge of a motor vehicle.

[Packer]

3 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

a kind and generous culture

 

[richard_smith237]

I hope this receives the same national outrage as the ophthalmologist who was killed on a crossing in Bkk a few years ago… 

[richard_smith237]

12 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

The behaviour of Thai riders and drivers at pedestrian crossings is obscene. Odd how a kind and generous culture flips when in charge of a motor vehicle.

Indeed - I’ve always called it the ‘eff-you’ switch - as if some get into a car or onto a motorcycle & the ‘eff-you’ switch is flipped on…. 

[Tropicalevo]

We have a lot of zebra crossings here on Samui.

We do not have many of these signs. See below

Mind you, I am not sure that they would make much difference as it seems that most signs are ignored anyway.

When the hotels paint a crossing on the road, there are signs as well as a guard with a lit up baton to wave folk down.

To be fair, I do see more people now stopping for crossings these days, probably due to all of the bad publicity in the press.

[NE1]

 

Pedestrian crossing or not , drivers / riders should be able to see a pedestrian or anything else for that matter in the middle of the road.

He was 79 , I guess he was walking slowly its not like he jumped out in front of them and they didn't have time to react.

The road looks well lit . 

Using phones while riding , certainly see that a lot now.

Whatever , Obviously not paying attention to what is in front of them.

[save the frogs]

why not just copy the system in western countries and get rid of these stupid crossings? 

put red and green lights. doesn't always work, but better than this crappy system. 

 

[Eloquent pilgrim]

 

 

This is very sad; a poor old man reduced to collecting recycling materials to get money for food, and this happens to him. R.I.P old timer, I know your life wasn't much anymore but it was still yours. 

 

 

 

 

[proton]

The usual excuse is- if I stop car behind me will hit us!

[proton]

15 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

why not just copy the system in western countries and get rid of these stupid crossings? 

put red and green lights. doesn't always work, but better than this crappy system. 

 

 

Got the lights near us with a red and green as well in seconds- they still wont stop

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, proton said:

 

Got the lights near us with a red and green as well in seconds- they still wont stop

people need to be "educated" with heavy fines. 

streets are chaos. needless lives being lost. 

[connda]

55 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

Police reviewed footage from a nearby CCTV camera, which confirmed the elderly man was legally crossing at the zebra crossing when the first motorbike hit him without braking. The second collision occurred almost immediately afterward.

Another person killed in a crosswalk in the wee hours of the morning. 

Lessons learned:  Assume the crosswalk isn't there, look both ways, look both ways again, keep your head on a swivel as you cross and be prepared to yield to vehicles which can kill you.  

It Wasn't His Fault!!!

100%.  It wasn't his fault and now he's dead.  He could still be living if he'd been cautious and not "in the right." 

[MikeandDow]

Without some sort of physical barriers this will continue,  red green light they will keep on going

[MartinL]

3 minutes ago, proton said:

 

Got the lights near us with a red and green as well in seconds- they still wont stop

 

A wall that pops up on red light at crossings might do the trick.

[Eloquent pilgrim]

1 minute ago, MartinL said:

 

A wall that pops up on red light at crossings might do the trick.

 

 

I admire your optimism 

 

 

[BangkokReady]

16 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

people need to be "educated" with heavy fines. 

streets are chaos. needless lives being lost. 

 

This is the real answer.  People on Thai roads know that they can drive dangerously fast, and they know that they don't have to stop for pedestrians on pedestrian crossings, regardless of what the law say.  Until something is done to change this, the deaths will continue.

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, Packer said:

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

a kind and generous culture

 

 

A cynical person might come to the conclusion that Thais aren't actually as kind or as generous as they seem...  🤔

[spidermike007]

This incident has reignited concerns about pedestrian safety and the disregard for traffic laws, 

 

That statement would be amusing if it were not tragic. It just does not seem like there's much regard for human life here, and how somebody could mow down an old man crossing the road and not stop and offer assistance is extraordinary.

 

Also the story is a little bit confusing, are the two injured people in the hospital the drivers of the motorbikes that ran this guy over? One can only hope they will be punished severely.

 

The real crux of this issue is the extreme lack of law enforcement, and a total unwillingness on the part of the so called police to engage in traffic safety. I guess it's a lot easier for them to set up roadblocks and collect cash than it is to engage in real law enforcement that saves lives. 

 

 

[save the frogs]

11 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

This is the real answer.  People on Thai roads know that they can drive dangerously fast, and they know that they don't have to stop for pedestrians on pedestrian crossings, regardless of what the law say.  Until something is done to change this, the deaths will continue.

 

maybe practically "encouraged" because pedestrians are 2nd class citizens. 

Not owning a vehicle is not good for GDP.

I know the motorcycle taxi guys hate me because I walk everywhere and they're not making money off me. 

and the sidewalks suck. 

it's not pedestrian friendly at all.

 

[Captain Flack]

Troll post removed

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

This incident has reignited concerns about pedestrian safety and the disregard for traffic laws

 

Until the next interesting tiktok video diverts the attention of outraged netizens.

 

Oh, look!  Surfing squirrel!

[lordgrinz]

4 hours ago, NE1 said:

Whatever , Obviously not paying attention to what is in front of them.

 

They would fly through the pedestrian crossing even if they did see him, I see it all the time, usually multiple bikes travelling around the pedestrians in the Zebra crossing at speed, no concern for the safety of others. This is a me-first society, lacking any care in the world for other people, all they care about is themselves, they prove it every day.

[Geoffggi]

Build two substantial speed humps on both sides of the crossing is the only thing that will slow traffic down

[Mike_Hunt]

 Drivers of motor vehicles in Thailand have zero respect for pedestrians. This is a huge problem that the government will not address. 

[henryford1958]

One thing i have learnt in my years in Thailand. NEVER cross the road at a zebra crossing. I have nearly been run over twice in exactly the same situation.

[roo860]

Ch32 news this morning 

 

 

[Captain Flack]

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[NoDisplayName]

20 hours ago, MikeandDow said:

Without some sort of physical barriers this will continue,  red green light they will keep on going

 

Physical barriers?  Like automatic gates or crossbars?

 

Yep, works flawlessly at railroad crossings.

[MikeandDow]

1 hour ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Physical barriers?  Like automatic gates or crossbars?

 

Yep, works flawlessly at railroad crossings.

If you have a better idea please tell !!  even if there are Physical barriers Thais will still try to get around, no idea about safety, just think of themselves