Phang Nga Boosts Safety Measures After Tourists Injured in Road Crash

[snoop1130]

Photo via Facebook/ แอ้ม - เลิศศักดิ์ ปนกลิ่น

 

In a determined effort to restore tourist confidence, officials in Phang Nga are swiftly implementing safety measures following a devastating road accident that critically injured two German tourists and hospitalised their toddler. The crash, which took place on the late afternoon of April 15th in the Khao Lak area, involved a speeding pickup truck colliding with the family on a zebra crossing near Phetkasem Road.

 

The victims, 34-year-old Phillip David Lothar and 32-year-old Linda Raub, were crossing the road with their 23-month-old son, Fiete, when the vehicle struck them. The accident left the couple with serious injuries, necessitating their immediate transfer to intensive care at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Remarkably, their son escaped with only minor injuries.

 

The driver involved, a 60-year-old man known as Choei, remained on site after the collision and was promptly arrested on charges of reckless driving causing injury. This shocking incident served as a wake-up call for local authorities, triggering an emergency meeting chaired by Phang Nga Governor, Pairot Petchyuan.

 

At the meeting, there was a concerted call for urgent and visible action to mitigate the damage to Phang Nga’s tourism image. Attendees included key representatives from the police, disaster response units, transport office, and local government, all focusing on a rapid and effective response strategy.

 

 

 

Key safety measures introduced include repainting zebra crossings in high-risk zones with vibrant red-and-white colours to increase visibility. Furthermore, speed bumps and clearer speed limit signage are being installed, alongside the repair of faulty traffic lights in pedestrian-heavy areas. There is strict enforcement targeting speeding vehicles, particularly among locals, taxi drivers, and public transport operators.

 

In a show of support, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office has been tasked with visiting the affected tourists, offering aid and delivering a gift basket to the hospital, although the family was too unwell to receive visitors.

 

Khao Lak police have intensified speed checks on Phetkasem Road, quickly catching seven speeding motorists in a single afternoon operation. Additionally, the province’s tourism office has mobilised TAC Centre medics to improve emergency response times and is deploying volunteers at key tourist crossings to enhance pedestrian protection.

 

Determined to demonstrate a firm stance on tourist safety, Governor Pairot pledged decisive legal action, stating, “We will pursue legal action decisively to demonstrate our commitment to tourist safety.” As Thailand’s tourism reputation faces scrutiny, Phang Nga officials are keen to prove their dedication to ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated, aiming to safeguard visitors and rejuvenate trust in the region’s safety, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-18

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

, offering aid and delivering a gift basket to the hospital, although the family was too unwell to receive visitors.

 

So who is looking after the poor little lad?

[newbee2022]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Photo via Facebook/ แอ้ม - เลิศศักดิ์ ปนกลิ่น

 

In a determined effort to restore tourist confidence, officials in Phang Nga are swiftly implementing safety measures following a devastating road accident that critically injured two German tourists and hospitalised their toddler. The crash, which took place on the late afternoon of April 15th in the Khao Lak area, involved a speeding pickup truck colliding with the family on a zebra crossing near Phetkasem Road.

 

The victims, 34-year-old Phillip David Lothar and 32-year-old Linda Raub, were crossing the road with their 23-month-old son, Fiete, when the vehicle struck them. The accident left the couple with serious injuries, necessitating their immediate transfer to intensive care at Bangkok Hospital Phuket. Remarkably, their son escaped with only minor injuries.

 

The driver involved, a 60-year-old man known as Choei, remained on site after the collision and was promptly arrested on charges of reckless driving causing injury. This shocking incident served as a wake-up call for local authorities, triggering an emergency meeting chaired by Phang Nga Governor, Pairot Petchyuan.

 

At the meeting, there was a concerted call for urgent and visible action to mitigate the damage to Phang Nga’s tourism image. Attendees included key representatives from the police, disaster response units, transport office, and local government, all focusing on a rapid and effective response strategy.

 

 

 

Key safety measures introduced include repainting zebra crossings in high-risk zones with vibrant red-and-white colours to increase visibility. Furthermore, speed bumps and clearer speed limit signage are being installed, alongside the repair of faulty traffic lights in pedestrian-heavy areas. There is strict enforcement targeting speeding vehicles, particularly among locals, taxi drivers, and public transport operators.

 

In a show of support, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office has been tasked with visiting the affected tourists, offering aid and delivering a gift basket to the hospital, although the family was too unwell to receive visitors.

 

Khao Lak police have intensified speed checks on Phetkasem Road, quickly catching seven speeding motorists in a single afternoon operation. Additionally, the province’s tourism office has mobilised TAC Centre medics to improve emergency response times and is deploying volunteers at key tourist crossings to enhance pedestrian protection.

 

Determined to demonstrate a firm stance on tourist safety, Governor Pairot pledged decisive legal action, stating, “We will pursue legal action decisively to demonstrate our commitment to tourist safety.” As Thailand’s tourism reputation faces scrutiny, Phang Nga officials are keen to prove their dedication to ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated, aiming to safeguard visitors and rejuvenate trust in the region’s safety, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-04-18

 

 

Well, it's all about Thailand's reputation (?) as a safe holiday destination and to secure business.

However, how Somchai should know what these zebra crossing will mean if he never learned it (where?). 😳

[biggles45]

Problem is that it's just not one crossing in one place, it's everywhere. Thais will not stop for pedestrians it's not in their culture. It would take many years and a complete National re education effort to change this. 

[Xonax]

It is not very smart, to establish a 6-lane highway through the center of a tourist hot-spot. They should have digged it down or made a ring road. Or at least have made pedestrian tunnels or bridges. There are plenty of speed bumps near the zebra crossings, but as we all have experienced in taxis, most speeding Somchai's doesn't care to slow down at speedbumps, since it's most likely not their own cars.

 

[hotchilli]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

At the meeting, there was a concerted call for urgent and visible action to mitigate the damage to Phang Nga’s tourism image

We must not kill or injure tourists, it looks bad on social media.

[Aussie999]

Oh dear, here we go again, more lip service to boosting safety.

[NorthernRyland]

47 minutes ago, Xonax said:

It is not very smart, to establish a 6-lane highway through the center of a tourist hot-spot. They should have digged it down or made a ring road. Or at least have made pedestrian tunnels or bridges. There are plenty of speed bumps near the zebra crossings, but as we all have experienced in taxis, most speeding Somchai's doesn't care to slow down at speedbumps, since it's most likely not their own cars.

 

these choke points are all over Thailand. Problem is anywhere a road exists Thai people will build right up to the edge and provide no parking so people park in the streets. Government could fix this by banning parking on the street and this would kill those businesses unless they built parking and moved inside off the street.  It really is a stupid design and very dangerous. 

[Peterphuket]

Thais, as soon as they get in the car they feel like royalty, and the plebs have to step aside, you see it everywhere.
And I don't think I will live to see this change.

[phil2407]

Sorry that’s utter BS & I know even with traffic light crossings not safe in Thailand but FFS if 1 can stop knowing someone is crossing the other just too stupid or doesn’t care! 
hope he pays all the hospital bills or the Germans insurance company (if they have which is likely) sue him for all medical expenses & compensation as much as possible 

about time they learnt