Farangs Were Crashed By A Isuzu Truck On Huaykaew Street.

[toshikun]

Around 12.45-01.00am, this Wednesday night (Night of December, 29, 2009). I was driving a car back to my condo with my two Thai friends (I am Thai too). I saw a red light was on at Sirimankalajarn intersection on HuayKaew street. And I noticed that there was a Isuzu truck with cab crashed a motorbike besides my car. And that Isuzu truck didn't stop at all to see the victims. After that I drove a car to see the Isuzu truck's plate number. Then I saw the plate number and called the 191 to report them. And let them know that two farangs might want an ambulance.

If you guys know two of these farangs that had been crashed by a Isuzu truck. Let them know that I reported the plate number to the police already. And they may have the webcams on HuayKaew street.

Toshi.

[Blinky Bill]

Well done, toshikun. Hopefully the police will act on your information.

[ajahnlau]

Hope the riders are okay and a BIG THANK YOU from a farang rider.

[Gonzo the Face]

When there is an accident, particularily where there are people down and injured, I think these hit and runners should get, automatically 1 year jail time..... self centered, ignorant, bast terds.

Good to hear of your involvement Toshikun. More people need to do like you did.

Also it would be interesting, if at all possible, to find out what , if anything the police response was.

Edited December 30, 2009 by Gonzo the Face

[Loaded]

Well done Toshikun and I wish more people were like you.

A few years ago I was following around 10m behind 3 drunk Thais all on one honda dream along Huay Kaew road. The inevitable happened and they fell off just before the police box at the Amari Rincome junction. I stopped to help. Apart from being very drunk they seemed fine. A large machete and a plastic bottle of what looked like home made rice whisky were also scattered on the road. As I got on my bike to ride off, one of them grabbed me while the others went to the police box on the corner. I understood enough Thai to know they were accusing me of causing the accident and wanted 5K THB from me as compensation. A police truck came and we were all taken to the police station opposite the zoo. The tourist police now turned up to 'help'. All were insisting I should offer compensation (payable through them without a receipt of course). Now, I'm on my own in the police station and I'm there because I stopped to help at an accident and I'm being pressured to pay compensation. Eventually after standing my ground and pointing out the many inconsistencies in the Thai's story the police said "OK, go". As I left the 3 Thais and a large group of their friends, who had arrived while this was going on, also went for their bikes to go after me. I think fair to say I feared for my life. I rode off as quickly as possible and managed to lose them.

My Thai friends couldn't believe I stopped at night to help at the scene of an accident. I guess this is a familiar scenario for Thais as well. The lesson I learned from this is to never stop at an accident in Thailand unless I see farang are hurt as I understand how they will react if helped.

[caf]

Well done Toshikun and I wish more people were like you.

A few years ago I was following around 10m behind 3 drunk Thais all on one honda dream along Huay Kaew road. The inevitable happened and they fell off just before the police box at the Amari Rincome junction. I stopped to help. Apart from being very drunk they seemed fine. A large machete and a plastic bottle of what looked like home made rice whisky were also scattered on the road. As I got on my bike to ride off, one of them grabbed me while the others went to the police box on the corner. I understood enough Thai to know they were accusing me of causing the accident and wanted 5K THB from me as compensation. A police truck came and we were all taken to the police station opposite the zoo. The tourist police now turned up to 'help'. All were insisting I should offer compensation (payable through them without a receipt of course). Now, I'm on my own in the police station and I'm there because I stopped to help at an accident and I'm being pressured to pay compensation. Eventually after standing my ground and pointing out the many inconsistencies in the Thai's story the police said "OK, go". As I left the 3 Thais and a large group of their friends, who had arrived while this was going on, also went for their bikes to go after me. I think fair to say I feared for my life. I rode off as quickly as possible and managed to lose them.

My Thai friends couldn't believe I stopped at night to help at the scene of an accident. I guess this is a familiar scenario for Thais as well. The lesson I learned from this is to never stop at an accident in Thailand unless I see farang are hurt as I understand how they will react if helped.

I second your thanks to Toshikun and also wish there were more like him.

You are absolutely right about the personal incident you described. Happens a lot in this country.

When I first arrived many moons ago I met an 80 year old expat from my own country who had lived here for a very long time and who told me three things; be cautious in thailand; go with the flow; and don't stop at accidents you could get framed.

I have never been in a situation where there is an accident but I would be in a dilemma trying to weigh up being framed or doing the natural thing and trying to help. Depend on circumstances I think.

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Toshikun,

We join with others here in thanking you for helping out ! A very Happy (farang) New Year to you and your family and friends.

best, ~o:37;

[NaiGreg]

I love life in Chiang Mai but the one thing that really troubles me (and it is just about the ONLY thing) is this Thai concept of "chon-laow-nee" (crash-then-flee)

The troubling part is that [some] parents teach their children that this is the right thing to do.

Ugly.

It is pervasive, but not all Thais adopt this position. When my wife (Thai) was involved in an accident and assisted an injured victim and went to the hospital with her (to insist she get good care), the police, insurance adjuster, hospital personel and the victim, herself, were awed by this strange behavior.

It was all easily explained when they found out she had once lived in America. Some of America must have rubbed off onto her.

-NG

[SM7WGP]

Dont even stop as a bystander and look at an accident if you are farrang in Thailand because maybe you will be accused to be the reason for the accident. And they try to charge you money and in the end the police at the seen will get his share to.

This is Thailand

[PeaceBlondie]

I got left for dead by a Thai. Next day she turned herself in. She couldn't claim against me and had to pay 3000 baht under the table.

[caf]

I got left for dead by a Thai. Next day she turned herself in. She couldn't claim against me and had to pay 3000 baht under the table.

Glad it turned out ok for you in the end. But that's the problem isn't it. Because there is a reluctance to help such incidents as the one you experienced do not always have such a happy ending.

In France it is illegal not to help. The reasons why that does not happen here have been aired. Farangs particularly face a dilemma in helping or not.

Incidentally, if the 3000 was under the table, how did you find out about it? Is it a going rate.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

I live near that intersection and late at night it's basically lawless. In general at three way intersections late at night then be wary and keep moving. An intersection can behave completely different during the day to night. I think western minds see a red light and assume your supposed to be stopped but some intersections behave very differently late at night. Use your rearview mirrors and get out of the way.

If I was to offer a single most important safety tip then that would be to avoid being on the roads late at night in Thailand. Maybe its alcohol or bad habits or even fear of ghosts but whatever the reason it's the worst time to travel.

[realthaideal]

Toshi: Good on you. More people need to do like this. I too have been at the scene of an accident and had to call 191, luckily nobody accused me of anything.

Loaded: Same thing happened to a friend of mine about 2 yrs ago. He saw the whole thing when a speeding guy hauled recklessly by him up Huay Kaew at night and then crashed. He went to check to see if people were alright and noticed the guy was in his car on his phone a few minutes. He came out finally and started screaming at my friend in Thai right as his buddies rolled up (the phone call). He was knocked to the ground once but managed to lock the guy up to keep him from swinging anymore as cops arrived. It was alleged that he had caused the guy to swerve (little rich boy in daddy's nice car) and thus the accident. His bike was impounded and he was hauled to the police station with the other guy. It took every connection this guy could find and some help from a lawyer to get this all cleared and his bike released. He was just trying to help. I still probably would stop too if I saw injuries, but with the adage in mind "The road to hel_l is paved with good intentions."

Blondie: Luckily some cats have nine lives, though they come through a little worse for wear.

[PeaceBlondie]

Toshi: Good on you. More people need to do like this. I too have been at the scene of an accident and had to call 191, luckily nobody accused me of anything.

;;;;

Blondie: Luckily some cats have nine lives, though they come through a little worse for wear.

14,000 baht worse....The lady was very nice, later. They're only spineless bad Buddhists for a few hours. And she dressed well.

[sleepyjohn]

I told him he was very lucky that she did leave, as being a Farung I am sure he would have had to pay to fix her car.

My experience has been quite different, and personally I think we should behave as we would like others to behave if we were in a problem.

I have had two at fault people drive into my car in recent years.

One paid a fair repair price of several thousand baht on the spot, think i paid a thousand more for the repair.

The other also admitted fault but we went to Changpuak Police Station. They took down the details and we had a chat and it was agreed the young man would go to Suzuki with me to talk about the repair cost. He would pay me at a certain time next day, to be witnessed at the station. Next day he wriggled and said he couldn't get enough money blah blah I refused his offer with the desk sergeant looking on and said we already have an agreement and I have to be without a car for three days that's quite enough hassle thankyou, he then went to his other back pocket and took out the money ha-ha!

It was duly recorded as paid and the book closed. Quite a good informal way of dealing with things I thought.

I think the rule is....be reasonable and polite, don't ask for the world, and be willing to possibly lose a bit......and things seemed to work out OK.

In a related vein I was in a pretty posh hotel one night when I saw a 40yo Japanese or Korean hitting an elderly farang (probably only five years older then me ) sitting down with blood all down him. The doormen were just looking on! I dealt with him with appropriate force. It turned out he was a guest I think as he was escorted back in later. No problem in fact the management came and apologised and thanked me profusely.

Edited December 30, 2009 by sleepyjohn

[IanForbes]

Add me to the list of others here thanking toshikun. It's too bad that others couldn't follow the same thoughtful reaction. I often drive late at night and see all sorts of strange behaviour. I have my awareness up 100% when I ride and ALWAYS see near misses every night. One moment of distraction is all it takes to get in an accident. I've been hit twice in the past week by irresponsible drivers when I was stopped or moving very slowly. Fortunately there was no damage because I was aware of what was happening and was able to avoid a more serious situation.

[sleepyjohn]

I told him he was very lucky that she did leave, as being a Farung I am sure he would have had to pay to fix her car.

My experience has been quite different.

I have had two at fault people drive into my car in recent years.

One paid a fair repair price of several thousand baht on the spot, think i paid a thousand more for the repair.

The other also admitted fault but we went to Changpuak Police Station. They took down the details and we had a chat and it was agreed he would pay me at a certain time next day, to be witnessed at the station. Next day he wriggled and said he couldn't get enough money blah blah I refused his offer with the desk sergeant looking on and said we already have an agreement and I have to be without a car for three days that's quite enough hassle thankyou, he then went to his other back pocket and took out the money ha-ha!

It was duly recorded as paid and the book closed. Quite a good informal way of dealing with things I thought.

I think the rule is....be reasonable and polite, don't ask for the world, and be willing to possibly lose a bit......and things seemed to work out OK.

Personally I think we should, if it's not reckless, behave as we would like others to behave if we were in a problem. Toshikun displayed this.

I was in a pretty posh hotel reception area when I saw a 40yo Japanese or Korean hitting an elderly farang (probably only five years older then me ) sitting down with blood all down him. The doormen were just looking on! I dealt with him with appropriate force. It turned out he was a guest I think as he came back in later, but under close escort. The management came and apologised and thanked me profusely. No problemo.

Edited December 30, 2009 by sleepyjohn

[djk]

Well done toshikun, wish you were there when I got hit on my honda click by a toyota fortuner. Luckily I got away with broken ribs and a bloody nose but it would have been nice to have got the number plate of the hit n' run b£%@ards!!!

Also, I too advise being careful at stopping to help at accidents, me and a friend witnessed a drunk Thai guy crash his car into a lamp post. We stopped to check he was OK, he was OK just a little shaken. To our surprise though he jumped out the car and started screaming that it was our fault, next thing some more Thai guys come out of nowhere and kicks and punches were being thrown at us. Luckily the police arrived before we were too outnumbered. I'm not saying don't do anything in these situations, just be cautious.

[Thakkar]

Mrs. T has always warned me never to stop at an accident as I could face a shakedown. However when such a situation presented itself, our instincts took over and we did stop.

A motorcycle had grazed us and fallen. As we stopped, I saw that apart from the helmetless woman, there was a helemtless child that had fallen to the ground. We left the motorcycle at a stall and drove mother and child to the nearby Thepanya hospital. As we approached the hospital the mother protested that she couldn't pay. We said not to worry. The minor wounds were cleaned and dressed. Some x-ray and tests were done on the child to ensure no internal injuries. We paid and drove them back to their bike where the woman's husband was waiting (she had called him from the hospital. Apparently he was more worried about the bike than his family. In his defense, it *was* a brand new Honda Click which were all the rage at the time). He demanded several thousand baht for the damage to his bike (a few scratches and a broken mirror from the fall). I refused, saying that even though we weren't at fault, we had taken mother and child to the hospital and paid 2000 for the child's tests.

He was adamant so we had to call our insurance company rep who came promptly, bargained with the guy (with some help from the guy's wife, who was clearly embarrassed) and finally advised us to pay him 500 baht for the broken mirror rather than have the guy report the matter to police, causing more complications.

So our cost: 2,500 baht plus possibly (as the insurance company had gotten involved), a lower no claims bonus when we renewed.

Instead of being upset, Mrs. T & I were just relieved that the child was OK. Would we do the same again? I'd like to think we would, but I hope I never have to find out.

[Rinrada]

Old saying...if farang not in Thailand then accident cannot happen.......

Fould the same enlightned thoughts all over the middle East and Africa...from the 70s onwards ...looks like the idea has caught on.....$$$$$$......

[IanForbes]

Mrs. T has always warned me never to stop at an accident as I could face a shakedown. However when such a situation presented itself, our instincts took over and we did stop.

A motorcycle had grazed us and fallen. As we stopped, I saw that apart from the helmetless woman, there was a helemtless child that had fallen to the ground. We left the motorcycle at a stall and drove mother and child to the nearby Thepanya hospital. As we approached the hospital the mother protested that she couldn't pay. We said not to worry. The minor wounds were cleaned and dressed. Some x-ray and tests were done on the child to ensure no internal injuries. We paid and drove them back to their bike where the woman's husband was waiting (she had called him from the hospital. Apparently he was more worried about the bike than his family. In his defense, it *was* a brand new Honda Click which were all the rage at the time). He demanded several thousand baht for the damage to his bike (a few scratches and a broken mirror from the fall). I refused, saying that even though we weren't at fault, we had taken mother and child to the hospital and paid 2000 for the child's tests.

He was adamant so we had to call our insurance company rep who came promptly, bargained with the guy (with some help from the guy's wife, who was clearly embarrassed) and finally advised us to pay him 500 baht for the broken mirror rather than have the guy report the matter to police, causing more complications.

So our cost: 2,500 baht plus possibly (as the insurance company had gotten involved), a lower no claims bonus when we renewed.

Instead of being upset, Mrs. T & I were just relieved that the child was OK. Would we do the same again? I'd like to think we would, but I hope I never have to find out.

Nice to hear there are still a few good samaratins around, despite getting ripped off by the greedy husband who should have been thankfull. And then there is another side to being scammed. I have two sides to me. One is very generous and friendly. But, the other is extremely hostile. You REALLY don't want to get on the hostile side of me. I am a hunter and enjoy stalking my prey. Should I get scammed I can assure you there WILL be consequences to those that do the scamming. The guy with the busted mirror would wind up with a whole lot more loss than that... and let him believe that Buddha was at fault.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

if your not a trained medical/rescue person be careful about ever moving someone in an accident because you can greatly increase nerve and spinal damage and cause unnessary paralysis or even death if you try to move or reposition an injured person. Even Thai rescue people move people too much and too soon. Only a qualified professional who knows how to immobilize the spine with a backboard should deal with a bad accident.

In some countries a person can be sued for causing additional injuries due to lack of proper rescue technique.

It's appropriate acting as traffic control to prevent another vehicle from hitting a downed person is while waiting for trained rescue personnel to arrive. Don't let your emotions take over and cause additional damage due to some need to help.

[Ulysses G.]

Today I went to Burma for visa run. It's a four hour bus ride to the boarder of Northern Thailand. On the way back, we were on rout for about 3 hours, when the bus came to a halt in the middle of the highway. From the lights of the bus, we all could see that we just came upon a motorcycle accident.

There was a teenage school girl, lying face down on the pavement. No helmet. But lots of blood. I could see one Thai man franticly trying to do something, and I could see a group of bystanders all just watching. Everyone on the bus kinda got out of their seats to stare at this girl, lying still on the road, bleeding. The feeling is hard to describe, everyone so captivated by what, a moment ago, was life.

I stood up, went to move and couldn't. I wanted to help, I knew how to help but I froze. My heart started to race as I tried to move. I was physically squirming, wreathing, trying to move, but I was anchored down by something. Fear. Fear had gripped the pit of my stomach and pulled me down. I did nothing, I choked.

I watched. A few minuets went by before the man finally got one of the bystanders to help him turn her over by holding her head. I did nothing. The feeling I was having was too much. I knew what should be done. I was trained in advanced first aid, though I never had to use it for something serious. I could have done something. But instead, I gave in to the fear.

Fear is ugly. Fear is watching someone suffer and doing nothing about it. I was afraid of what people might think if I tried to help. I was afraid that if I tried to help I would make a mistake. But most of all, I was afraid that if I went out there, I was rolling over a corpse and then there would be nothing that could be done. Do you hear what I am saying? I let the fear of me not being able to do anything, stop me from even trying. I feel sick. Fear is all that is ugly. With all those people staring at this girl, bleeding on the highway, and not doing anything. That is ugly. I feel less than human. I feel hollow and nauseous. I let the fear control me.

Why am I telling you this? We are all human. We are all afraid of something. We will all make a choice when the fear comes for us, whether we let it control us, or we confront it. Even the decision to do nothing is still a choice. One can not escape choice.

The thing that upsets me is that I know how to disarm fear. You simply do the thing that is making you afraid. How many times throughout my commercial diving career have I had a scare in the water, a near miss or lost air. And how many times did I get the fear when it came time to go back in. As soon as I did it I would neutralize the fear. It would have been no different tonight. I know that as soon as I stepped off the bus I would have taken the power away from the fear. The fear only exists in my head, I am the one that controls it. But tonight, on that dark road I realized who I am. I am not as strong as I thought I was. I hesitated, and within that moment of idleness, the chance for me to do good passed. They tuned her over, someone gave a jacket to make a pillow with. And then I saw her raise her hand, she was now conscious. She was alive.

The bus then slowly pulled to the left of her and passed with everyone's faces pushed up against the windows, trying to get in that last glimpse of mortality. I pitied her. Lying in the middle of the highway at night with traffic passing her slowly on both sides, looking up at strange faces caught in headlights.

Then it struck me. Sooner or later, we all are going to be in that same place. Lying helplessly, in need…suffering, with strange faces looking down. I can only hope that when its me, that those strange faces are doing what they can to ease my suffering…. instead of just watching, whispering.

Please, when life gives you a chance to show that you are human, do the right thing. Don't let fear control you. No matter how big or small, when you see that you can help someone that is in need….do it. Don't make the same mistake I made tonight, because there is truly nothing more expensive than regret. I swear, the next time life puts me in a situation where I know I can help, I will not falter….I will not fail.

Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Perhaps they will give one of us courage when we most need it.

[JUDAS]

Thanks for posting VIBE. Sometimes there's a lot to be learnt from the experience of others.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

if your not a trained medical/rescue person be careful about ever moving someone in an accident because you can greatly increase nerve and spinal damage and cause unnessary paralysis or even death if you try to move or reposition an injured person. Even Thai rescue people move people too much and too soon. Only a qualified professional who knows how to immobilize the spine with a backboard should deal with a bad accident.

In some countries a person can be sued for causing additional injuries due to lack of proper rescue technique.

It's appropriate acting as traffic control to prevent another vehicle from hitting a downed person is while waiting for trained rescue personnel to arrive. Don't let your emotions take over and cause additional damage due to some need to help.

I was a qualified Diver Medic Technician at the time, meaning, while working offshore on remote locations, I was the medic for all injuries, diving related or not. I knew what needed to be done, hence the internal struggle I had watching others that did not know what to do, try to help.

In some countries yes, people sue, here, I doubt it. Such a weak cope out for not helping someone. One day, that someone might be you.

Dont let my emotions take over?? Cause additional damage?? What kind of messed up comment is that? I was trained in more than ADVANCED FIRST AID, so tell me, how I would cause additional damage? The two boys that were lying on the pavement kept trying to get up, and I stopped them from doing so. So by keeping them still untill professionals arrived I was causing harm?? Unreal.

Your taking my comment way too personally. I was cautioning people who might try to get too involved who aren't properly qualified. You did the right thing it sounds like because you basically did nothing. Telling a person not to move is generally good advice but essentially a non action. You also left out in your earlier post that you had any advanced training or certification so please don't jump on me for not being a psychic mindreader.

Seriously you have those qualifications and you still had some internal conflict about gettting involved? <deleted> !

Directing traffic, maintaining a safety perimeter, maintaining calm, preventing other untrained people from causing follow on injuries, calling for emergency assistance. All good stuff for a non trained professional but don't get carried away and make matters worse if your NOT really qualified.

Edited December 31, 2009 by CobraSnakeNecktie

[IanForbes]

Can you insert a scanned picture of you with a gun 30 years ago here please? I'd love to know what goes on inside your head !!

Why would I need to post a photo of me hunting? I've got lots of more recent pictures than 30 years ago, but that has nothing to do with this discussion. I was just pointing out that there are consequences for everything we do in life. Some people run from anything dangerous or threatening and others don't. Life is so much more full and enjoyable if you are willing to take a few risks. I've attended many messy accident scenes because I was an industrial first aid attendent. You just react and take care of what needs doing. But, if some greedy person thinks they can profit from other people's generousity then they need to be taken care of. I commend the OP and others who have come to the aid of people in need. Who knows when I will be that person needing help.

[Blinky Bill]

Can you insert a scanned picture of you with a gun 30 years ago here please? I'd love to know what goes on inside your head !!

What a silly request. Ian doesn't want to or need to, so I thought I'd throw one in of yours truly, who, by the way is capable of extreme kindness or extreme violence depending on the situation.

Seems that the good intentions of the OP have bought out a wangker or two.

Edited December 31, 2009 by Blinky Bill

[Stumbo]

Well done Toshikun and I wish more people were like you.

A few years ago I was following around 10m behind 3 drunk Thais all on one honda dream along Huay Kaew road. The inevitable happened and they fell off just before the police box at the Amari Rincome junction. I stopped to help. Apart from being very drunk they seemed fine. A large machete and a plastic bottle of what looked like home made rice whisky were also scattered on the road. As I got on my bike to ride off, one of them grabbed me while the others went to the police box on the corner. I understood enough Thai to know they were accusing me of causing the accident and wanted 5K THB from me as compensation. A police truck came and we were all taken to the police station opposite the zoo. The tourist police now turned up to 'help'. All were insisting I should offer compensation (payable through them without a receipt of course). Now, I'm on my own in the police station and I'm there because I stopped to help at an accident and I'm being pressured to pay compensation. Eventually after standing my ground and pointing out the many inconsistencies in the Thai's story the police said "OK, go". As I left the 3 Thais and a large group of their friends, who had arrived while this was going on, also went for their bikes to go after me. I think fair to say I feared for my life. I rode off as quickly as possible and managed to lose them.

My Thai friends couldn't believe I stopped at night to help at the scene of an accident. I guess this is a familiar scenario for Thais as well. The lesson I learned from this is to never stop at an accident in Thailand unless I see farang are hurt as I understand how they will react if helped.

It is a sad judgement on a twisted society where people wanting to help are in turn accused and bled for money. Guess the Good Samaratin story never was never popular here. And of course how many could be helped that aren't as those selfless enough to offer aid are afraid of the consequences.

I have heard of this also happening to others, it is not a folk tale.

[mcgriffith]

Well, now that all has been said and done and posted...I'm going off to a party. On Huay Kaew Road.

I will not be taking a .375 H&H Mauser, with the Kahles sight.

Just my Wave 100 S.....

Happy New Year! And best wishes to you all from the Thai Visa team.

[Blinky Bill]

I will not be taking a .375 H&H Mauser, with the Kahles sight.

Happy New Year! And best wishes to you all from the Thai Visa team.

McG, I feel so out-gunned, mine was just a little Sako Forrester .243 with a Leopold 3-9x40 scope. Good enough for the little piggies though and then some.

How's the Kretek supply?