Pictures courtesy of Naewna

 

A public taxi failed to slow down at a red light and collided with a police vehicle leading a convoy transporting a donated lung from Chonburi to Siriraj Hospital, on 22 September. The officer on the police motorcycle, Sgt Maj Watcharanon Kongsinjeerapat, sustained injuries to his right leg and wrist. The collision did not impact the ambulance carrying the organ, allowing the lung to be delivered on time.

 

The incident occurred despite the police vehicle operating with emergency lights and sirens activated, with the convoy part of the Royal Initiative programme. The programme ensures that organ transfers and other critical missions receive continuous and efficient support nationwide. Cooperation from the public, including giving way to emergency vehicles, has been a key factor in the programme’s success in saving lives.

 

Police and traffic authorities emphasised the importance of allowing emergency vehicles to pass safely. Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn Jintakarnon, head of the traffic enhancement task force, stressed that every second counts when emergency lights are in use. Obstructing such vehicles can endanger patients awaiting treatment and violate traffic laws under the Land Traffic Act, with fines ranging from 500 to 4,000 baht depending on the violation.

 

Authorities reminded drivers that when they hear sirens or see flashing lights, they should check rearview mirrors, reduce speed, and move left to allow passage. If traffic prevents movement, drivers must stop to clear a path. After an emergency vehicle passes, following it closely is strictly prohibited.

 

Traffic police continue to urge public awareness of emergency vehicle protocols, highlighting that compliance can directly save lives. Educational campaigns and law enforcement measures have been used to reinforce adherence to traffic rules surrounding critical medical missions. Public cooperation remains crucial to maintain the safety and efficiency of organ transfer operations.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A taxi collided with a police motorcycle escort during a lung transfer on 22 September 2025, injuring one officer.

• The collision did not affect the ambulance carrying the organ, which reached Siriraj Hospital on time.

• Authorities emphasised strict adherence to traffic laws and yielding to emergency vehicles to save lives.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Naewna 2025-09-24

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

the ambulance carrying the organ, allowing the lung to be delivered on time

That was a bit of excitement for the lung. 

 

Poor motorbike. 😔

 

Cop deserves every thing he got - he ran a red light without looking 

Glad the lung got there in time. Lungs are in high demand. In most countries, cars are required to move to the right or left lanes to make room for emergency vehicles (not including, well, you know). How would that ever be accomplished here???

On 9/24/2025 at 7:36 AM, JoePai said:

Cop deserves every thing he got - he ran a red light without looking 

 

Kind of - but there’s also what’s known as an 'all-red-phase' which is a stagnant interval where both traffic lights remain red for a few seconds to allow vehicles already in the junction to clear safely. This interval typically lasts around 3-4 seconds in Thailand.

 

The fact that the taxi entered during this period suggests it also ran a red light. It may have been at a junction equipped with a countdown timer - a feature intended to help drivers anticipate light changes, but which in practice often has the opposite effect. As anyone familiar with driving here knows, those timers are frequently treated not as a signal to slow down, but as a challenge to speed up and “beat the light”.

 

In this case, there appears to be a double failure. First, from the traffic policeman, who did not properly manage the junction to secure a clear path for the emergency motorcade. Second, from the outrider, whose duty is precisely to halt and control traffic, ensuring the route ahead is safe for the convoy to pass. Both lapses contributed to an entirely preventable situation - very normal for Thailand traffic - in this case three people being careless rather than the just the usual two.