Monday, April 13, 2009

Phuket Songkran marred by road deaths

PHUKET: Phuket’s Songkran celebrations have been marred by the deaths of two Thai citizens and one foreigner in motorcycle accidents.

Chotinrin Gerdsom of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) said that over April 10-11 there were 11 road accidents, with 12 injuries and the death of an 18-year-old Thai man.

Ekkachai Jantuang died in hospital on April 11 after his motorcycle smashed into a pick-up truck in Thalang District the previous night. Mr Ekkachai was not wearing a helmet and was drunk at the time of the accident, Mr Chotinrin said.

There were another two fatalities yesterday morning, it was reported. At 2:30am, a Swedish citizen identified as “Claus” (surname unknown) was killed in Karon. The 45-year-old man, who was riding a motorcycle, died after he overshot a bend on Patak Road and his head hit the side of a drainage ditch.

At around 8:45am the same morning, a 39-year-old Thai woman was killed. Sawai Chamnan, from Khon Kaen province, lost control of her motorcycle and smashed into the concrete wall along Nanai Canal on Nanai Road Soi 8 in Patong.

Mr Chotinrin also announced the results of inspections at the nine major checkpoints established across the island for the Songkran period.

During April 10-11, the first two days of inspections, 6,824 people were stopped by police. Of these, 1,631 were found in violation of the law. A total of 666 were charged with driving without a license; 451 with failing to wear a safety helmet; 292 with failing to use a seatbelt; 122 with riding an unsafe motorcycle; and 100 with drink driving.

– Source: Manager online

Source: Phuket Gazette

There were another two fatalities yesterday morning, it was reported. At 2:30am, a Swedish citizen identified as "Claus" (surname unknown) was killed in Karon. The 45-year-old man, who was riding a motorcycle, died after he overshot a bend on Patak Road and his head hit the side of a drainage ditch.

I knew "Claus". He was a good mate of one on my neighbours. He was often round using our pool. All his buddies were in shock yesterday, especially as they witnessed the accident.

RIP

Can't say i am surprised.

Also, it would be interesting to see how farangs were caught drink driving out of the 100 arrested.