Swede's Split-Second Distraction Triggers Buriram Accident

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Khaosod

 

A 65-year-old Swedish man miraculously walked away from a dramatic crash in Buriram after reaching for a fallen water bottle while driving. The accident rocked the Lahansai-Ban Kruad road on April 15th, turning a routine drive into a chaotic scene.

 

The man, identified as “Mr. Mats,” was behind the wheel of a 2025 Toyota All New Hilux Champ when the vehicle suddenly overturned, slamming into and toppling a streetlight. Remarkably, Mr. Mats sustained only minor injuries—scratches on his arms and legs.

 

Rescue workers arriving at the scene were met with resistance from the visibly shaken driver, who only calmed down once his Thai wife arrived to help translate and ease his nerves.

 

She later explained that Mats, a long-term resident of Ban Sam Khoei in the Tachong sub-district, was simply heading home after dinner when the water bottle dropped near the pedals. Reaching down to grab it led to the vehicle losing control.

 

 

 

His wife also noted that Mats may have reacted with distress due to lingering anxiety from a previous surgery, compounding the shock of the crash.

 

Police Lieutenant Colonel Manop Thongphlapphla, the investigating officer, issued an important reminder: drivers should never reach for fallen items while the vehicle is in motion. “If something drops near the pedals, slow down, pull over, and stop the vehicle before retrieving it,” he urged.

 

As for the damaged streetlight, repairs will be addressed in discussions with local authorities. The incident stands as a clear warning—minor distractions behind the wheel can lead to major consequences. Mr. Mats is lucky to have walked away with a story rather than a tragedy.

 

Based on a story by Khaosod

 

-- 2025-04-16

 

 

[Gottfrid]

Total dork! He should of course had stoped the car to pick up the bottle. 

[Barnet1900]

1 minute ago, Gottfrid said:

Total dork! He should of course had stoped the car to pick up the bottle. 

Do me a favour. As if people do that. 

 

Of course it's safer, responsible and the correct way of doing it but in reality nobody stops every time they drop something.

 

It also warns us of distractions whilst driving. Same rubbish. Yes, we should all face frontwards and never look left or right. Don't talk to anybody in the car. Don't look at the radio when changing the track etc...etc...should of, could of, would of. Easy to preach after the event and when it's not you.

 

There is another scenario that probably caused his reaction which is panic. If you drop a bottle onto the driver's foot well it will roll under or around the peddles. Most people's instant reaction, rightly or wrongly, is to grab it.

 

 

[Gottfrid]

49 minutes ago, Barnet1900 said:

There is another scenario that probably caused his reaction which is panic. If you drop a bottle onto the driver's foot well it will roll under or around the peddles. Most people's instant reaction, rightly or wrongly, is to grab it.

 

Yes, most stupid people instant reaction is to grab it. A sensible person and secure driver, do not panic as well as try the breaks before the bottle goes under and remove that function. And if try the breaks and they work, why not stop?

Other things you try to point out are ridiculous. Just look at the list below:

• Never look left or right: Of course you have to, otherwise you cannot look in the back mirrors or be safe when driving. However, that can be done and over in only 2 seconds.
• Don´t talk to anybody in the car: Why not? You can´t talk to people at the same time as looking at the road and traffic in front of you? Of course you can, and if you need to look at somebody, then that can also take about 2 seconds.
• Don´t look at the radio when changing tracks: Why not? That also only take 1-2 seconds if you need to change tracks.

Now we compare that to reaching down to the pedals in the car while driving. First, you will be totally detached from the road. You will not even know if you drive straight or not. After that a thing like that might take 5 seconds or more........

Do you get it now?

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The man, identified as “Mr. Mats,” was behind the wheel of a 2025 Toyota All New Hilux Champ when the vehicle suddenly overturned, slamming into and toppling a streetlight. Remarkably, Mr. Mats sustained only minor injuries—scratches on his arms and legs.

From Champ to Chump...

[AsiaCheese]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

lingering anxiety from a previous surgery

 

Could that maybe be a good enough reason for not driving at all? Just saying.

[AsiaCheese]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, most stupid people instant reaction is to grab it. A sensible person and secure driver, do not panic as well as try the breaks before the bottle goes under and remove that function. And if try the breaks and they work, why not stop?

Other things you try to point out are ridiculous. Just look at the list below:

• Never look left or right: Of course you have to, otherwise you cannot look in the back mirrors or be safe when driving. However, that can be done and over in only 2 seconds.
• Don´t talk to anybody in the car: Why not? You can´t talk to people at the same time as looking at the road and traffic in front of you? Of course you can, and if you need to look at somebody, then that can also take about 2 seconds.
• Don´t look at the radio when changing tracks: Why not? That also only take 1-2 seconds if you need to change tracks.

Now we compare that to reaching down to the pedals in the car while driving. First, you will be totally detached from the road. You will not even know if you drive straight or not. After that a thing like that might take 5 seconds or more........

Do you get it now?

 

Going at a slow-ish 60 km/h, in two seconds, the car has crossed 33 meters. 

[Harrisfan]

So many idiots

[FlorC]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

a 2025 Toyota All New Hilux Champ

Really ? Looking at the bottom of the car , maybe 2015 ?

 

[Gottfrid]

6 minutes ago, AsiaCheese said:

 

Going at a slow-ish 60 km/h, in two seconds, the car has crossed 33 meters. 

So, that means you just proved it´s a big difference between 2 and 5 or more seconds, right? Thank You! That was my point.

[Myran]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Total dork! He should of course had stoped the car to pick up the bottle. 

"Should have", not "should of".

[steven100]

he should stick to pushbikes ... 

[Barnet1900]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Yes, most stupid people instant reaction is to grab it. A sensible person and secure driver, do not panic as well as try the breaks before the bottle goes under and remove that function. And if try the breaks and they work, why not stop?

Other things you try to point out are ridiculous. Just look at the list below:

• Never look left or right: Of course you have to, otherwise you cannot look in the back mirrors or be safe when driving. However, that can be done and over in only 2 seconds.
• Don´t talk to anybody in the car: Why not? You can´t talk to people at the same time as looking at the road and traffic in front of you? Of course you can, and if you need to look at somebody, then that can also take about 2 seconds.
• Don´t look at the radio when changing tracks: Why not? That also only take 1-2 seconds if you need to change tracks.

Now we compare that to reaching down to the pedals in the car while driving. First, you will be totally detached from the road. You will not even know if you drive straight or not. After that a thing like that might take 5 seconds or more........

Do you get it now?

 

 

Do I get what? You have lots of experience in dropping things whilst driving and not picking them up right? 

 

The points, you so eloquently call ridiculous, are general responses to what driving authorities have down as distractions. They're not my ideals but what people preach but never practise, including myself. You have misunderstood the entire post. 

 

Looking left or right at passing distractions, pretty ladies, sights, viewpoints etc...tbst was my example, not looking in your mirrors or turning. Clueless.

 

Changing the radio station requires you to take your eyes off the road numbnuts. 2 seconds is not going to be dangerous no? How long does it take to reach down and pick something up? Both depends on who does it. 

 

Talking to someone whilst not looking another 2 seconds? Again, depends on the person. How many times have you seen passengers telling the driver to watch the road? It happens far too often but once again you've completely misinterpreted it for your own benefit.

 

So taking your eye off the road for 2 seconds is safe then? I get it now. You're my hero....

 

If you had any concept of what my post was talking about it would have saved you time.

 

All distractions are potentially dangerous but some are unavoidable or simply caused by human reactions. These clowns who say you should do this and not do that are the, "I told you sooo," brigade. The most annoying, sad, desperate group of outcasts around. 

 

Just to make it clear enough.

 

In hindsight, stopping would have been the correct path to take but I'm guessing he reacted as normal humans do.

[Barnet1900]

48 minutes ago, AsiaCheese said:

 

Could that maybe be a good enough reason for not driving at all? Just saying.

Absolutely. Now that makes more sense.

 

Let's say he dropped something, panics, swerves and pulls the steering wheel too hard or whatever and ends up wrecking the motor. All over in a flash and complete shock after the event. Sounds very much like previous experience and lingering anxiety would do that for certain.

[connda]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

His wife also noted that Mats may have reacted with distress due to lingering anxiety from a previous surgery, compounding the shock of the crash.

Miss the opportunity:  "Brake Failure"

 

[richard_smith237]

It was an accident, he made a daft mistake...  Luckily no one else what involved or hurt.

At least it wasn't a Drunk Driver, dangerous driving etc causing the accident like so many others.

 

Some excellent 20/20 hindsight going in this thread already !!... 

 

 

 

 

[WDSmart]

As long as no one else was hurt, I say just fine him. There is no need for jail time. Also, he could be required to take a very complete driving test to verify that he should be able keep his license. 

[richard_smith237]

10 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

As long as no one else was hurt, I say just fine him. There is no need for jail time. Also, he could be required to take a very complete driving test to verify that he should be able keep his license. 

 

Why 'fine him' ?....   it was an accident, he made a silly mistake...  They happen all the time all over the world...

 

Its the same as if someone pulled out in front of someone else - its an an accident, no one gets fined for those sort of events.

 

He wasn't speeding or drunk etc... 

 

 

 

 

[WDSmart]

Just now, richard_smith237 said:

 

Why 'fine him' ?....   it was an accident, he made a silly mistake...  They happen all the time all over the world...

 

Its the same as if someone pulled out in front of someone else - its an an accident, no one gets fined for those sort of events.

 

He wasn't speeding or drunk etc... 

 

 

 

 

I recommend fining him because 1) he damaged public property, and 2) the cause of the accident was his improper driving. But, if he gets no fine and just has to pay (or more likely his insurance will have to pay) to restore all the damage, that's okay with me.

[Photoguy21]

4 hours ago, Barnet1900 said:

Do me a favour. As if people do that. 

 

Of course it's safer, responsible and the correct way of doing it but in reality nobody stops every time they drop something.

 

It also warns us of distractions whilst driving. Same rubbish. Yes, we should all face frontwards and never look left or right. Don't talk to anybody in the car. Don't look at the radio when changing the track etc...etc...should of, could of, would of. Easy to preach after the event and when it's not you.

 

There is another scenario that probably caused his reaction which is panic. If you drop a bottle onto the driver's foot well it will roll under or around the peddles. Most people's instant reaction, rightly or wrongly, is to grab it.

 

 

What roads do you drive on? Just asking so I can avoid them.

[richard_smith237]

2 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

What roads do you drive on? Just asking so I can avoid them.

 

Because you're a perfect driver and have never ever made a mistake.... right ? 

[Snackbar]

Red flags all over this story
 

That truck is more than 5 yrs old

 

 

[Photoguy21]

15 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Because you're a perfect driver and have never ever made a mistake.... right ? 

Evidently considerably better than you

[Barnet1900]

6 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

What roads do you drive on? Just asking so I can avoid them.

 

28 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

It was an accident, he made a daft mistake...  Luckily no one else what involved or hurt.

At least it wasn't a Drunk Driver, dangerous driving etc causing the accident like so many others.

 

Some excellent 20/20 hindsight going in this thread already !!... 

 

 

 

 

That was my first reaction oddly. Nobody else was involved fortunately and it was an accident.

28 minutes ago, WDSmart said:

As long as no one else was hurt, I say just fine him. There is no need for jail time. Also, he could be required to take a very complete driving test to verify that he should be able keep his license. 

If you get a fine doesn't it need to be in relation to breaking the law? Honestly, I'm just asking because I don't know how that would be possible without witnesses and based on the testimony of a very shaken and disoriented individual. They could go for driving without due diligence but again, no solid proof so a compromise will probably be sought.

 

I think the license test is a good idea but again, being it's Thailand the test isn't worth a thing. 

19 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

What roads do you drive on? Just asking so I can avoid them.

I'll pm all the routes I take so you can avoid me and if you can do the same, so I can learn from you, well, my life would be complete. 

[GammaGlobulin]

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Total dork! He should of course had stoped the car to pick up the bottle. 

 

Hindsight is 20/20, it has been said.

 

[Magictoad]

5 hours ago, Barnet1900 said:

Do me a favour. As if people do that. 

 

Of course it's safer, responsible and the correct way of doing it but in reality nobody stops every time they drop something.

 

It also warns us of distractions whilst driving. Same rubbish. Yes, we should all face frontwards and never look left or right. Don't talk to anybody in the car. Don't look at the radio when changing the track etc...etc...should of, could of, would of. Easy to preach after the event and when it's not you.

 

There is another scenario that probably caused his reaction which is panic. If you drop a bottle onto the driver's foot well it will roll under or around the peddles. Most people's instant reaction, rightly or wrongly, is to grab it.

 

 

"Don't look at the radio when changing the track."?

[Fat is a type of crazy]

1 hour ago, Myran said:

"Should have", not "should of".

Assuming I am not missing some joke 'should of' is ok and appropriate with some added punctuation, proper tense, and better spelling  ... He should, of course, have stopped the car to pick up the bottle. 

[WDSmart]

21 minutes ago, Barnet1900 said:

1 hour ago, WDSmart said:

As long as no one else was hurt, I say just fine him. There is no need for jail time. Also, he could be required to take a very complete driving test to verify that he should be able keep his license. 

If you get a fine doesn't it need to be in relation to breaking the law? Honestly, I'm just asking because I don't know how that would be possible without witnesses and based on the testimony of a very shaken and disoriented individual. They could go for driving without due diligence but again, no solid proof so a compromise will probably be sought.

 

I think the license test is a good idea but again, being it's Thailand the test isn't worth a thing. 

Yes, my understanding of the law, even here in Thailand, is that a "fine" is a monetary punishment for breaking a law. IMO, however, his admission of reaching down (on the floor?) for a water bottle while driving could be considered "reckless driving," which would, again IMO, be breaking the law.

I agree that the driving test in Thailand is not very good, but perhaps this driver could be made to take one that is more thorough.

[richard_smith237]

31 minutes ago, Photoguy21 said:

46 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Because you're a perfect driver and have never ever made a mistake.... right ? 

Evidently considerably better than you

 

And there is your flaw....  the delusion. The moment you announce you're “better,” you expose the exact opposite. Confidence built on ignorance isn’t superiority.

 

Your response shouts 'Dunning-Kruger effect'...  highlighting your cognative bias and zero self-awareness. You’re not making a point; you’re performing your own lack of insight.

 

Claiming to be a “better driver” than someone you’ve never even encountered? That level of baseless arrogance is cognitive flatlining. 

 

 

[Barnet1900]

1 hour ago, Magictoad said:

"Don't look at the radio when changing the track."?

No....maybe it's a British thing and it's not coming across clearly. 

 

The examples I stated were just flippant ones based on what I grew up being told. The views of the ideals rather than reality. I was taught to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. Don't cross your hands when turning. Keep your eyes on the road at all times, look at the road and stop changing the music over etc...etc...

 

Of course you need to look left, right, at the radio, talk, everyone does but they're considered to be distractions that we should avoid.

 

Your reaction is actually the point I was making. It's not realistic to drive like that, just as it's complete lunacy to suggest that someone who grabbed a bottle was doing so through choice and did so deliberately.