American Tourist, 7 Thais Killed In Phitsanulok Bus Accident

[george]

American tourist, 7 Thais killed in Phitsanulok bus accident

PHITSANULOK: -- A Phayao - Bangkok air-conditioned bus overturned in this lower northern province late Thursday night, killing an American tourist and 7 Thai passengers and injuring 31 others.

Police said the accident happened on Phitsanulok - Uttaradit Road in Prom Piram district at 11:45 pm.

The American was identified as Andrew Michel Bludigis.

Passengers told police that the driver, Pornchai Siplaek, 40, was speeding the bus along the way to overtake other vehicles and the bus lost control and overturned at the spot.

The driver fled the scene.

-- The Nation 2008-04-18

[PhilHarries]

The driver fled the scene.

Well I never .

Seems to be a spate of bus accidents just recently, time for a crackdown methinks.

RIP to the deceased and condolences to their families.

[Scott]

My condolences to the family and friends of all the victims.

[baboon]

Question: Why do the drivers flee the scene? It s not like the bus companies do not know who they are?

More needless deaths due to stupidity and lack of law enforcement. May they RIP.

[Mike45]

Question: Why do the drivers flee the scene? It s not like the bus companies do not know who they are?

More needless deaths due to stupidity and lack of law enforcement. May they RIP.

Maybe he was drunk or stoned and he wants to sober up before the authorities find him.

My condolences to the families of the victims.

I understand now why when I was recently driving the extended family around they were scared of my driving. I drove to fast and to near to one of these buses.....I didn't realize how dangerous they are.....I won't make that mistake again.

Edited April 18, 2008 by Mike45

[koheesti]

Question: Why do the drivers flee the scene? It s not like the bus companies do not know who they are?

Maybe he was afraid the surviving passengers would turn on him?

[baboon]

Question: Why do the drivers flee the scene? It s not like the bus companies do not know who they are?

More needless deaths due to stupidity and lack of law enforcement. May they RIP.

Maybe he was drunk or stoned and he wants to sober up before the authorities find him.

My condolences to the families of the victims.

I understand now why when I was recently driving the extended family around they were scared of my driving. I drove to fast and to near to one of these buses.....I didn't realize how dangerous they are.....I won't make that mistake again.

Question: Why do the drivers flee the scene? It s not like the bus companies do not know who they are?

Maybe he was afraid the surviving passengers would turn on him?

Both fair points, but will running away not put the driver in even hotter water with the authorities as an admission of guilt?

[cclub75]

Question: Why do the drivers flee the scene? It s not like the bus companies do not know who they are?

More needless deaths due to stupidity and lack of law enforcement. May they RIP.

It's a tradition. A conditioned reflex.

Drivers always flee. Well... most of the times.

I'm surprised that no one tried before to study this...

[Boater]

these bus drivers are the worse breed ( taxi drivers, lorrydrivers and Tuk Tuk Drivers following in second place )

I do the trip between Phuket and Samui, and have seen on sevral occasions near bus crashes, which are always caused by the driver overtaking with on coming traffic or on a blind corner........

I was once so shocked by one bus drivers actions on the road, i rang the bus company to complain about the driver as i feared he would crash with the way he was driving, and surprise surprise the company was not interested!!! even the police seem to want to do nothing!

They need to bring in stricter rules for coach and bus drivers!!!

Does anyone know whether they have to take a seperate test in Thailand to drive a bus ??? as many bus drivers seem to judge the speed and distance and motions of the bus as if they where driving a pick up......??..........

[gpdjohn]

I will never take a bus in Thailand.

I will walk first or take a train and fight the scabies.

RIP

Prayers to the families and survivors.

[pauleastasia]

"The Road Safety Center Friday ended its road toll monitoring throughout the Songkran Festival's so-called "seven dangerous days" and concluded there was a total of 368 deaths and 4,803 injuries in 4, 243 accidents nationwide.

When compared to the same period last year, this year's figures were 31 less accidents, seven more deaths, and two less injuries, said Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Banditkul." (The Nation)

Is the -31 +7 -2 numbers that are quoted supposed to be considered an improvement? That is more dead on the roads in 1 week than they get in the UK on average per year.

This happens every year at Songkran so "mai pen rai". Those who have had the power to take actions to stop the carnage on the roads, like those that seem to be effective anywhere else in the world should hold their heads in shame.

My girlfriends sister Nui was actually on this bus and is now in hospital. She has been severely disabled all her life and works selling lottery tickets in Bangkok, now she has several broken bones and possible internal injuries. She has told the family that when she got on the bus a farang guy was sitting in her seat. She agreed to swap seats with him, this was Andrew Michel Bludigis who was then killed in the accident. She is in absolute shock. Its a terrible tragedy for all involved.

My girlfriend said her family were distraught about the death of Mr.Bludigis, there is no positive element to that twist o fate. I hope that if nothing else this tradegy will make foreigners who come here more aware of the dangers of being on the roads at his time, in fact at anytime of the year in Thailand.

On behalf of Nui and her family, sincere condolences to the family of Mr.Bludigis's and to all the people effected by this tragedy.

[Gravelrash]

Once when driving the single carriage road Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, there was a bus in front that just went into the "overtaking" lane (oncoming) and just kept going. I really thought I had seen it all here, but this took the cake. He was forcing on-coming traffic onto the shoulder to avoid a head on, and he kept it up for kilometers. To what end, to save 10 minutes on the trip? I have seen countless acts of driving criminal stupidity from buses; private cars are one thing, but when transporting other people, they really don't care.

So my girlfriend recently went home for Songkran, she usually takes the bus, but I put her on the train. I know they can also have accidents, but short of derailing that is a lot of metal to contend with. So the night she left I get a call, she is in Lumphun with a delay, apparently a pickup was hit not getting across the tracks quick enough, the passengers didn't even feel it, just were told later. Maybe he was using one of the many makeshift crossings (the rail authority say they are powerless to stop these ) so didn't get the flashing lights and gate.

The road from Pitsanalok to Uttaradit is a straight double carraigeway except for a hilly area where there are a few tighter turns, something any regular user of the road would know. Personally I would never travel by long haul bus in this country. Sad again for all the victims and their sufferring families.

[Johpa]

Question: Why do the drivers flee the scene? It s not like the bus companies do not know who they are?

It is the bus and truck companies that tell them to flee the scene so that the company phuu yai can do the talking and negotiating with the police.

[yakuzaphil]

The Nation got the name wrong, his name was Andrew Michael Bunikis, 20 years old. He was a student at University of Notre Dame, in Phayao volunteer teaching at an orphanage. My company in Bkk helped arrange for him to volunteer there last May for a month and he just fell in love with Thailand, the people, and its culture.

He loved volunteering there so much that he arranged take a semester off to come back to Phayao in December on his own. He was a great kid with a huge heart. He was on his way down to Chonburi to visit a friend before heading back to the States.

I have contacted the US embassy on his behalf, but they have to wait for verification of the body through a passport/id card before contacting the relatives. The police in Pitsanulok told us they didn't find his passport, but found his name in his wallet. Now I'll sit here all weekend knowing that this nice kid is gone and his parents won't even be informed until Monday at the earliest.

It's just a shame and could have been avoided. I feel bad for everyone on that bus - except that worthless lowlife piece of s*** driver who carelessly wasted some good lives. Sincere condolences to all the departed and injured.

I'm drinking one for Andrew tonight. RIP kiddo~

[sbk]

Off-topic and racist posts have been deleted. Please read the forum rules before posting as further such posts will result in a warning and possible suspension.

[cbmi]

I am Andrew's cousin and I was informed today of his passing. As soon as I found out, I went online to find more information and came across this site. I can confirm that the family was notified and is aware of the news.

Andrew and his family live in a different state and we infrequently met, but my mom and his were close - we were shocked and saddened by his death. It was nice to find this forum to air my grief and hear the stories. I thank everyone involved for their well wishes. I will check in periodically, but prefer not to discuss anything until the situation is more fully known. Again - thank you all. CB

[Scott]

cbmi: Please accept my condolences and express the deepest sympathies from many of the expat community in Thailand. I am also sure this extends to the countless orphans he helped and the positive attitude he portrayed. A good and well needed ambassador of good will.

To a few previous posters, the fleeing is usually done for self preservation. It is very, very common for survivors and by-standers to turn on the drivers and beat them senseless. It does not matter about who was right or wrong either. The police are often of little assistance. I once saw (and I know this is probably an anomoly) them handcuff a man and then allow a crowd of people hit, punch and eventually kick him nearly to death. When the victim was unconcious (or possibly dead), he was thrown in the back of a pickup and taken away by the police. That, by the way, was a relatively small accident with no injuries.

It's a sad commentary on the state of things that these people--and yes there are some very, very bad bus drivers--need to flee.

[john b good]

"and the bus lost control"

The bus did not lose control, the driver lost control !!

[visitor1]

I am Andrew's cousin and I was informed today of his passing. As soon as I found out, I went online to find more information and came across this site. I can confirm that the family was notified and is aware of the news.

Andrew and his family live in a different state and we infrequently met, but my mom and his were close - we were shocked and saddened by his death. It was nice to find this forum to air my grief and hear the stories. I thank everyone involved for their well wishes. I will check in periodically, but prefer not to discuss anything until the situation is more fully known. Again - thank you all. CB

Please accept my condoleances.I had met Andrew at ND -and spoke with him before his first trip to Thailand.I was very impressed with this young man.(I am the parent of one of his friends).It is a very,very sad day.

[Rtwo]

Question: Why do the drivers flee the scene? It s not like the bus companies do not know who they are?

It is the bus and truck companies that tell them to flee the scene so that the company phuu yai can do the talking and negotiating with the police.

Whilst the above is undoubtedly true in many cases, the act is also a direct response to the Thai notion of conflict avoidance and loss of face. By putting as much time as possible between the incident and any subsequent questioning, the perpetrator feels (almost certainly correctly, at least here in Thailand) that they will have mitigated the consequences of their actions. The practice is deeply ingrained and crosses all sections of society and educational background so it would be quite wrong IMHO to assume it’s any more likely to happen after a bus accident than with any other incident where a Thai feels threatened. This is not a racist comment rather it is an observation on part of regional social behaviour. Detractors to the system can criticize all they like but they are unlikely to see any change for many generations if at all. If you don’t like the heat, keep out the kitchen but if you come be aware that life is cheap here.

[phetpeter]

"and the bus lost control"

The bus did not lose control, the driver lost control !!

I think as a tour bus owner for nearly 20yrs in the UK, My observations here make me feel I should comment! Never delay a bus journey till the last minute, leave yourself options to wait for the next bus!, if the driver (s) look tired, or unkempt attire or their vehilce as previous damage. should you consider waiting? I might! I would if the journey involves late night driving. plus you could scream at the driver if he acts in a dangerous manner more than once! Don't just sit there, same with the vol of the movie! most Thai's are cowards scared to say anything, but you will be their hero if you open your mouth! just be firm not act like crazy farang!

if up north going to BKK. treat yourself...fly or by train.....just hold back on the beers for a few days!

[phetpeter]

"and the bus lost control"

The bus did not lose control, the driver lost control !!

I think as a tour bus owner for nearly 20yrs in the UK, My observations here make me feel I should comment! Never delay a bus journey till the last minute, leave yourself options to wait for the next bus!, if the driver (s) look tired, or unkempt attire or their vehilce as previous damage. should you consider waiting? I might! I would if the journey involves late night driving. plus you could scream at the driver if he acts in a dangerous manner more than once! Don't just sit there, same with the vol of the movie! most Thai's are cowards scared to say anything, but you will be their hero if you open your mouth! just be firm not act like crazy farang!

if up north going to BKK. treat yourself...fly or by train.....just hold back on the beers for a few days!

By the way lets name some of the worst companies, I know 99 group killed at least three people here in Phetchabun-Lomsak with stupid danergous driving.(under and overtaking)

[sriracha john]

Notre Dame junior dies in Thailand bus crash

Andrew Bunikis, 20, a University of Notre Dame junior from Phoenix, died in a bus crash near Bangkok, Thailand.

The bus crash occurred on a road in the Prom Piram district at 11:45 p.m. Thursday local time, according to an online story in the Bangkok newspaper The Nation. Seven other people were killed in the crash, and 31 were injured, the newspaper reported. The bus overturned and the driver fled the scene, according to the newspaper.

"Andrew’s family and the Notre Dame family have suffered and shared a tragic loss," said the Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president. "We assure the Bunikis family of our prayers during this difficult time, confident that Andrew will be embraced by the fullness of God’s love."

An accountancy major and resident of Zahm Hall on campus, Bunikis was on a leave of absence from Notre Dame this semester, continuing his participation in a service program in a rural area of northern Thailand that he first undertook last summer through the university’s Student International Business Council.

He taught English and organized other education programs while serving as a mentor and friend to children living in the area.

He is survived by his parents, Caroline and Al Bunikis, and his sister, Michelle.

Plans for a funeral in Phoenix and a memorial Mass on campus are pending.

- South Bend Tribune (Indiana, USA) / (today)

[LomSak27]

Whilst the above is undoubtedly true in many cases, the act is also a direct response to the Thai notion of conflict avoidance and loss of face. By putting as much time as possible between the incident and any subsequent questioning, the perpetrator feels (almost certainly correctly, at least here in Thailand) that they will have mitigated the consequences of their actions. The practice is deeply ingrained and crosses all sections of society and educational background so it would be quite wrong IMHO to assume it’s any more likely to happen after a bus accident than with any other incident where a Thai feels threatened. This is not a racist comment rather it is an observation on part of regional social behaviour. Detractors to the system can criticize all they like but they are unlikely to see any change for many generations if at all. If you don’t like the heat, keep out the kitchen but if you come be aware that life is cheap here.

Excellent post. I should note the company I worked for years ago advised all employees to get away from the scene of the accident if possible, then turn oneself in. Let the company lawyers and Thai handlers smooth it. Perhaps a relic from the past, but in a fatal accident the survivors and or bystanders might administer justice on the spot, permanently. That is the main reason drivers flee the scene. They would rather be in trouble, in jail and alive than beaten to death on the spot by a mob.

[seagull]

There is nothing I could say or do to ease the pain that the parent's and loved ones are feeling right now. At these tragic loss of a young and promising lad, and the others that lost their lives, at the hands of a reckless driver. Nevertheless, my prayers and condolences goes to the bereaved.

[jonniebkk]

Whilst the above is undoubtedly true in many cases, the act is also a direct response to the Thai notion of conflict avoidance and loss of face. By putting as much time as possible between the incident and any subsequent questioning, the perpetrator feels (almost certainly correctly, at least here in Thailand) that they will have mitigated the consequences of their actions. The practice is deeply ingrained and crosses all sections of society and educational background so it would be quite wrong IMHO to assume it’s any more likely to happen after a bus accident than with any other incident where a Thai feels threatened. This is not a racist comment rather it is an observation on part of regional social behaviour. Detractors to the system can criticize all they like but they are unlikely to see any change for many generations if at all. If you don’t like the heat, keep out the kitchen but if you come be aware that life is cheap here.

Excellent post. I should note the company I worked for years ago advised all employees to get away from the scene of the accident if possible, then turn oneself in. Let the company lawyers and Thai handlers smooth it. Perhaps a relic from the past, but in a fatal accident the survivors and or bystanders might administer justice on the spot, permanently. That is the main reason drivers flee the scene. They would rather be in trouble, in jail and alive than beaten to death on the spot by a mob.

I certainly agree that these are the most likely reasons for the "flight reflex" of Thai bus and truck drivers (and sometimes car drivers too) when they have been in a accident. It is not an attempt to ascape responsibility.

Thai insurance companies tell their auto insureds basically a variation on this theme (without the fleeing from the scene part) when one is in an auto accident. Basically, clam-up, don't say a word about how/what happened to anyone (including the police), and to call the insurance company. When the company rep arrives, tell him/her the facts of what happened. They will then discuss the matter with the other parties/police.

Certainly a sad story but I don't agree with those who say they will never ride a Thai inter-city bus. It's like airplanes, when you calculate the odds of being injured/killed vs. driving your own car even and the amount of people conveyed on buses, the risk is deminimus.

[mikethevigoman]

these bus drivers are the worse breed ( taxi drivers, lorrydrivers and Tuk Tuk Drivers following in second place )

I do the trip between Phuket and Samui, and have seen on sevral occasions near bus crashes, which are always caused by the driver overtaking with on coming traffic or on a blind corner........

I was once so shocked by one bus drivers actions on the road, i rang the bus company to complain about the driver as i feared he would crash with the way he was driving, and surprise surprise the company was not interested!!! even the police seem to want to do nothing!

They need to bring in stricter rules for coach and bus drivers!!!

Does anyone know whether they have to take a seperate test in Thailand to drive a bus ??? as many bus drivers seem to judge the speed and distance and motions of the bus as if they where driving a pick up......??..........

I used to ride all over thailand on a big road bike, without fail EVERYTIME i rode there would be buses and lorrys driving like complete tw@ts,.they just overtake with a "im bigger than you ' attitude,.. for a bike coming the other way we are nothing, i have more than once been forced off the road,.and the final straw was on a mountain road one came the other way round a blind bend on the other side of the road, i nearly went over the edge of the cliff,. so ,i dont ride at all now on roads as i feel i was going to be killed or chase after one these morons and kill them, , any long distances now are done in the air, much safer,.

[wasabi]

This is terrible news all around. Andrew sounded like a very likeable honorable guy. There's too few of them around! So sorry to hear about him being on the bus. It does seem there are few safe ways to get around Thailand. Buses and taxis seem equally dangerous. I guess with a taxi at least you could try to tell the guy to slow down and possibly get a response. The way some of these bus drivers treat their buses like race cars is truly ridiculous.

[sibeymai]

I too have seen my share of crazy bus drivers and now do not travel by bus at all in Thailand.

However, posters here are all too quick to blame the driver. Given that maintenance is of an equally poor standard to driving it is just as possible that the bus suffered a mechanical failure which caused the driver to loose control.

There are serious bus accidents in all countries and I'm fairly certain in western countries they don't tend to be caused by poor driving, undertaking, overtaking or speeding as these practices would lead to massive claims against the bus companies and drivers for negligence and possible criminal prosecution resulting from accidents. There is also an active police preswence on highways to prevent behaviour likely to cause accidents.

Sadly in Thailand there are none of these factors present: the police are largely inactive and reactive; the legal system is not effective in punishing offenders; drivers and other company staff responsible for the vehicle are poorly trained (if at all); roads can be in poor condition; road users don't seem to have and consideration for others and take unnecessary risks and frequently endanger others.

In all probability the driver was indeed at fault, but there is a real possibility he was not and the crash was the result of factors beyond his control.

Leaving the scene is no admission of guilt in Thailand either.

[CROBKK]

"and the bus lost control"

The bus did not lose control, the driver lost control !!

no no no. That would mean having someone take responsibility. Where are you? This is Thailand, ok. Its the bus problem or maybe farang manufacturer defect, not Thai mistake. Got it?