Punish The Parents To Set An Example On Law And Order In Thailand

[a99az]

I am plain fed up with seeing kids driving who are clearly under age, as I have said before here kids even drive to school and park in the school grounds, many have no crash helmets.The school seem to be unable or unwilling to do anything about it.

I blame the parents they allow it and should be held to account, the simple answer is to CRUSH any vehicle driven by an under age driver or any person with out a license or drunk (even if the said vehicle is not theres) plus a fine you would soon put a stop to most if not all of it.

, I mean would you lend your pride to a someone with out a license, if that law was in place?

[OZEMADE]

A lot of the parents dont have a drivers or riders license themselves, let alone the underage kids.

I know for certain that a lot of Thai's paid for their license because they can't read.

Because they cant read they cant drive out of their own town, they cant read the road signs.

They also dont know what the sign (NO U TURN) looks like.

I am for them the parents, guardian or owner of any motor vehicle or motor bike to be heavily penalised for letting any underaged or unlicensed person to take control of any machine.

How many do we read about running away from the scene of the accident.

[Chunky1]

if someone fires a gun into a crowd, they are not charged based on whether the bullets hit something, they are charged on intent. So, yes, charge the parents with "allowing a minor to drive" which I am guessing is a 500-1000 baht fine.

[Lovedog100]

Where I grew up, we could get a drivers permit at 15 1/2 where we could drive with a licensed adult in the car, or drive a motorcycle. At 16 we could get a license if the tests were passed. I don't see it as a problem. It's almost mandatory in an area where there is no mass transit. I do however drive by schools as they are being let out, and see many 10-12 year olds, on a motorbike, with two passengers and no helmets leaving the school. It's not uncommon to see them doing wheelies in front of the school, making U turns, with out looking to see if traffic is coming, or driving on the wrong side of the road. All this in sight of school official, and sometimes police men.

None of us saw what happened with the 16 year old girl. It's easy to assume it's her fault because she doesn't have a license. This in a country where only two traffic laws are randomly enforced. Driving with out a helmet, or driving while farang. I daily see Thai's old enough to drive, risk their lives, and others, to get two seconds ahead in traffic. Not to mention the countless Thai's that pull on to a major street with out stopping, or looking to see if traffic is coming. I don't see this as an age problem, but a traffic enforcement problem. The van that was hit, ejected 9 passengers, obviously no seat belts were being worn. Safety seems to be of a minor concern to Thai's. Until that attitude changes, many more of these accidents will happen. Few will get the coverages this one did, because the girl came from an affluent family. This accident only made the news because of the families wealth, and the fact that she was driving a new car, and carrying a smart phone. Had the van been hit by a 40 year old drunk Thai in a 10 year old pick up truck, we wouldn't have even heard about it.

[canuckamuck]

In other words a well educated, and well organized middle class

Of course the establishment has been orchestrated to ensure this never occurs. Nothing better than peasants and lords when you're an elite. Until Bastille day of course.

Edited January 4, 2011 by canuckamuck

[tallthai]

dominique355 has made the point that seems to have been missed by most. Initial accident reports stated that the girl had just returned from America. It is quite possible therefore that she already has a drivers license albeit for another country. Of course this would not be valid in Thailand because of her age. I do not offer this as an excuse for her actions, just something else to consider amongs all the other factors surrounding this very sad incident.

If I'm not mistaken, in the US if you're below 18 you get a drivers permit that requires an adult to be in the car at all times when you drive. Even then you're not allowed on the Freeway.

In this case she did not have an adult in the car, plus she was on the tollway. I think this is a moot point.

However I do agree with the article from the Nation.

In 1960 I WAS 14 and driving those things!! Don't see too many anymore. Sad...so sad.

Bob

As an American I had a learners permit at 14 (had to be accompanied by a licensed driver when driving). After passing the written and driving test at 16 years of age was issued a drivers license which had NO restrictions. Could drive anywhere as an adult.

Bob

Yeh, imagine back in the 60's with those street 300/400 hp rides at 16. .

[Chunky1]

is there a name behind who wrote this article?

[Chunky1]

Why do you guys keep saying that she had no license? She was issued a drivers license.

[pogal]

These articles serve nothing better than to further infuriate the educated and responsible people of Thailand, which unfortunately does not actually include any Thai's.

Thais don't really care about other peoples problems and so these articles are a complete waste of time. Nothing ever does or ever will change unless someone is making money out of it.

Get over it, accept it, something about this place keeps you here but its certainly not the driving standard, don't waste your breath or effort to think that your opinion or any newspaper is going to make a purely corrupt system and lifestyle change in any way.

You can be shot dead by a policeman(who then beats his wife to death) who never goes to Jail for it.

You can drive without a license and kill 9 people and only pay 400 baht for it.

You can order the assassination of prominent Muslim lawyers and never go to jail for it.

You can do anything you want with money and a innately corrupt legal system.

etc, etc,......

TIT

Enjoy it for what it is:)

[OZEMADE]

Why do you guys keep saying that she had no license? She was issued a drivers license.

Must have been after the accident as it clearly states in the Nation she was unlicensed and underage.

[Tanaka]

Good editorial, the family is a primary institution of socialisation, if it fails to education the children to the accepted norms, mores and laws of their society the child will be dysfunctional. This leads to anti-social behaviour in the child, which are carried through to adulthood. However, its not the only primary institution of socialisation, there is also the media, education system, peers and government. Should they also be held accountable and punished if an individual behaves in an anti-social manner?

You should have stopped writing halfway down. You are missing the point. These organisations and authorities are not responsible for the actions of an individual. He or she is, if of age. If the person is underaged, the parents should be responsible and punishable. As the editorial adequately says.

[Tanaka]

Why do you guys keep saying that she had no license? She was issued a drivers license.

Must have been after the accident as it clearly states in the Nation she was unlicensed and underage.

And you cannot get a licence for a car at the age of 15 or 16.

[jimbeam1]

There is a big school down the road from me.

Everyday I see hundreds HUNDREDS of underage school children riding motorcycles to school, many of them three-up and almost all with no helmet.

Things only get said when tragedies like this occur but as long as there is widespread corruption and as long as the Police keep on doing the fine job they're doing, then nothing will ever change.

Two kids got killed going to school 2 months ago, hit by a songtheiw loaded, nay, overloaded with kids. The Police decided to man the school gates but after a month they stopped. Probably too busy doing important work (collecting money)...

That just about says it all. There is plenty of law but no order. When I arrive home after going out in my car, I feel a big sense relief, that I made it ok.Apart from the odd occasion when I have had to pay some louse tea money.

jb1

[Pib]

Setting an example in this particular case would provide plenty of short term media hype, but until serious enforcement of traffic laws begin to occur on a day-to-day basis then this tragic incident will soon be forgotten.

Now, how do we make a good start toward serious enforcement of traffic laws to hopefully change the attitude that many Thai's have toward driving--reform the police force and end police corruption. By corruption, I mean the police gladly accepting on the spot / through the car window half-price payment for an "un-issued" traffic ticket. This should be quick and easy to do, right? Shouldt only take a few mere decades...oh, I can be more positive than that...how about just one decade?

Edited January 4, 2011 by Pib

[shunima]

These articles serve nothing better than to further infuriate the educated and responsible people of Thailand, which unfortunately does not actually include any Thai's.

Thais don't really care about other peoples problems and so these articles are a complete waste of time. Nothing ever does or ever will change unless someone is making money out of it.

Get over it, accept it, something about this place keeps you here but its certainly not the driving standard, don't waste your breath or effort to think that your opinion or any newspaper is going to make a purely corrupt system and lifestyle change in any way.

You can be shot dead by a policeman(who then beats his wife to death) who never goes to Jail for it.

You can drive without a license and kill 9 people and only pay 400 baht for it.

You can order the assassination of prominent Muslim lawyers and never go to jail for it.

You can do anything you want with money and a innately corrupt legal system.

etc, etc,......

TIT

Enjoy it for what it is:)

Disagree... for the "educated" this opinion piece (or should I say journalistic masterpiece) is utterly nonsense and is taken as such. Don't forget... it's "The Nation".

[Pi Sek]

Why do you guys keep saying that she had no license? She was issued a drivers license.

Must have been after the accident as it clearly states in the Nation she was unlicensed and underage.

And you cannot get a licence for a car at the age of 15 or 16.

Oh yes you can... as this case proves.

[meandmine]

I am a new to thaivisa, having lived in Thailand 4out of 5yrs and shortly to return I have seen many many things here that are impossible for me to believe and understand I could tell of these things but I would not like to bore you. I have followed Thaivisa for a few yrs and found it interesting to read what other people think and write. But for me the most important thing is this is Thailand and life and culture is very very different from the U/K. I am saddened to see 9 deaths any where in the world and my heart go,s out to their family's saying this I understand somebody must be held responsible and accountable.

Firstly a driver with or without a licence and being under age. really end of story for that person plus any persons assisting her which seems to be many. The outcome of this carnage is not going to be quick end easy but will take quiet a fair time. I do hope I am not intruding on your site but I read it every day. As for the outcome of this matter and loads of things people think are wrong in Thailand that is going to take centuries to put right.

[transam]

I am a new to thaivisa, having lived in Thailand 4out of 5yrs and shortly to return I have seen many many things here that are impossible for me to believe and understand I could tell of these things but I would not like to bore you. I have followed Thaivisa for a few yrs and found it interesting to read what other people think and write. But for me the most important thing is this is Thailand and life and culture is very very different from the U/K. I am saddened to see 9 deaths any where in the world and my heart go,s out to their family's saying this I understand somebody must be held responsible and accountable.

Firstly a driver with or without a licence and being under age. really end of story for that person plus any persons assisting her which seems to be many. The outcome of this carnage is not going to be quick end easy but will take quiet a fair time. I do hope I am not intruding on your site but I read it every day. As for the outcome of this matter and loads of things people think are wrong in Thailand that is going to take centuries to put right.

But remember in LOS not just a few drive under age or no insurance or no crash hat but probably millions, cos the policing is virtually non existent and the populous know it. Until the police start policing nothing will change.

People on Tv in the past have said '' they don't work cos of low wages '', <deleted>. I sat in my garden and did my own survey. Sat for two hours ( with a beer of course ), pen and paper, after dark. Bikes and cars, no lights, under age kids, no helmets. All stuff covered by Thai Law. Knowing roughly the fines, in 2 hours l came up with 20,000 bht, IFFF, the police nicked and fined them. But they prefer to sit in a bar talking rubbish all day or moon lighting, running their own business.

Bundles to be earned and more important, lives saved. .

[earthpig]

never have I personally lived in a country with such a wholesale disregard for safety as this one. it isnt only automotive safety, its everything.

once i visited a daycare/nursery that took children from the age of 2+. the school had a swimming pool, and had dutifully surrounded it with a stainless steel fence. when i visited, the pool was not in use, but the gate was wide open, with teachers and 2 years olds passing directly in front of the gate, a couple of meters from the water.

anyone who lives here has their stories.

"mai ben rai", karma, fatalism: call it what u want, its all so sad.

Edited January 4, 2011 by earthpig

[slapout]

I just look at the 'Driver Education' required to lower insurance rate and thru which most students enroll in during the 15th year in the great plains area of the US/ The requirement for gradation is 30 hours of classroom work, with tests, requiring passing grade, 6 hours of driving on the highways/roads with teacher seated beside the driver. Most highschool offer this course and it is also available for 150 to 160 per student by private companies.

This gives a idea of the apparent lack of commitment to beginning road safety by several groups in Thailand, from the top down, just by a lack of anything similar.

[Pi Sek]

I am a new to thaivisa, having lived in Thailand 4out of 5yrs and shortly to return I have seen many many things here that are impossible for me to believe and understand I could tell of these things but I would not like to bore you. I have followed Thaivisa for a few yrs and found it interesting to read what other people think and write. But for me the most important thing is this is Thailand and life and culture is very very different from the U/K. I am saddened to see 9 deaths any where in the world and my heart go,s out to their family's saying this I understand somebody must be held responsible and accountable.

Firstly a driver with or without a licence and being under age. really end of story for that person plus any persons assisting her which seems to be many. The outcome of this carnage is not going to be quick end easy but will take quiet a fair time. I do hope I am not intruding on your site but I read it every day. As for the outcome of this matter and loads of things people think are wrong in Thailand that is going to take centuries to put right.

With all due respect, "a driver with or without a licence and being under age" applies to a large proportion of the Thai population. Whilst this is obviously a bad thing, it has been accepted culturally to date and is still accepted now. This case is different because 1) the driver in question was a Bangkok hi-so type and; 2) high body count. Certainly this would signal "the end of the story" in the UK or the USA, but here?

Traffic laws have not been strictly enforced - ever - in this country and, as you correctly point out, it will take a long time to put this right.

[Pi Sek]

Oh and 3) the totally apathetic Twitter message that she allegedly sent.

[thedude]

Isn't it just the perk of living in Thailand that we can get away scot free even with Murder?

Surely we must live with the consequences if we choose to live in Thailand? Those who can't accept it have already left.

Anyway, it doesn't matter what most of us think, the story will be twisted out of context until a suitably plausible explanation is profered through the press and media, the parents will not so much be mentioned and it will get swept under the carpet along with all the other unsolved crimes, end of, we move on.

[shunima]

Why do you guys keep saying that she had no license? She was issued a drivers license.

Must have been after the accident as it clearly states in the Nation she was unlicensed and underage.

And well boy, we all must be happy that we have such a reliable resource for our information. Every country should have its own "The Nation" as the spearhead of investigative journalism!

[Secularist]

dominique355 has made the point that seems to have been missed by most. Initial accident reports stated that the girl had just returned from America. It is quite possible therefore that she already has a drivers license albeit for another country. Of course this would not be valid in Thailand because of her age. I do not offer this as an excuse for her actions, just something else to consider amongs all the other factors surrounding this very sad incident.

If I'm not mistaken, in the US if you're below 18 you get a drivers permit that requires an adult to be in the car at all times when you drive. Even then you're not allowed on the Freeway.

In this case she did not have an adult in the car, plus she was on the tollway. I think this is a moot point.

However I do agree with the article from the Nation.

I didnt check every State but this is from the State of Florida

With your Intermediate License, you may:

• 16 years old - only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.

• 17 years old - only drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.

[meandmine]

Following my 1st post approx 1hr ago I am back to follow up my interest and make a comment I have what I call my wife and her daughter 14yrs old they both ride a motor bike the wife wears a skid lid all the time the young wears hers until she is out of my sight

when I ask why she takes the skid lid off she pretends not to understand which angers me. I have now come to the conclusion that I am wasting my breath but see,ing how I have not seen many of her school chums 3/4 on a bike without skid lids and BIBs outside the school allowing this I now understand that there is not much LAW in Thailand.

As posts have stated the BIBs are only interested in TEA MONEY. In the 4yrs I have been here I have had a motorbike and car licence THAI I have only been spoken to by BIBs once and they only asked where I lived and that did not cost anything touch wood but I never ride a bike without my lid on I have known a few mates in the U/K who are now dead and seen many accidents here and that did not have to happen mostly because of what I call STUPIDITY .

As for the punishment of parents HOW can you Punish if there is no LAW

[shunima]

dominique355 has made the point that seems to have been missed by most. Initial accident reports stated that the girl had just returned from America. It is quite possible therefore that she already has a drivers license albeit for another country. Of course this would not be valid in Thailand because of her age. I do not offer this as an excuse for her actions, just something else to consider amongs all the other factors surrounding this very sad incident.

If I'm not mistaken, in the US if you're below 18 you get a drivers permit that requires an adult to be in the car at all times when you drive. Even then you're not allowed on the Freeway.

In this case she did not have an adult in the car, plus she was on the tollway. I think this is a moot point.

However I do agree with the article from the Nation.

I didnt check every State but this is from the State of Florida

With your Intermediate License, you may:

• 16 years old - only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.

• 17 years old - only drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.

And riding a buffalo along a highway in Mongolia doesn't require a permit at all (but can be nonetheless dam_n dangerous). What is your point? Are you bored?

[transam]

Following my 1st post approx 1hr ago I am back to follow up my interest and make a comment I have what I call my wife and her daughter 14yrs old they both ride a motor bike the wife wears a skid lid all the time the young wears hers until she is out of my sight

when I ask why she takes the skid lid off she pretends not to understand which angers me. I have now come to the conclusion that I am wasting my breath but see,ing how I have not seen many of her school chums 3/4 on a bike without skid lids and BIBs outside the school allowing this I now understand that there is not much LAW in Thailand.

As posts have stated the BIBs are only interested in TEA MONEY. In the 4yrs I have been here I have had a motorbike and car licence THAI I have only been spoken to by BIBs once and they only asked where I lived and that did not cost anything touch wood but I never ride a bike without my lid on I have known a few mates in the U/K who are now dead and seen many accidents here and that did not have to happen mostly because of what I call STUPIDITY .

As for the punishment of parents HOW can you Punish if there is no LAW

The Law is there when it suits them.

[fxe1200]

Sat for two hours ( with a beer of course ), pen and paper, after dark. Bikes and cars, no lights, under age kids, no helmets. All stuff covered by Thai Law. Knowing roughly the fines, in 2 hours l came up with 20,000 bht, IFFF, the police nicked and fined them. But they prefer to sit in a bar talking rubbish all day or moon lighting, running their own business.

Bundles to be earned and more important, lives saved. .

There is another problem with the police in Thailand. They do have to transmit their "regular earnings", as fines and such, to the headquarter in Bangkok, and from their they will get paid their salary, and their expenditures, i.e. gas for 25km on a motorcycle a day.

That is one reason the policemen are so "highly motivated". In Germany for example, the fines cashed on the street, will end up in the cash till of the local county. Thus it will automatically support the local police and enable them to buy speedguns, traffic light cameras, or whatever is necessary to enforce the law, according to the requirements of the county police.

[ginjag]

Why do you guys keep saying that she had no license? She was issued a drivers license.

Must have been after the accident as it clearly states in the Nation she was unlicensed and underage.

And well boy, we all must be happy that we have such a reliable resource for our information. Every country should have its own "The Nation" as the spearhead of investigative journalism!

Suppose the underage young woman was stopped 10 mins PRIOR to the incident, police check- asked for her licence ( does have, but not supposed to have) or just not have...............and she had to pay T money.............she would have been allowed to drive on and have the said mishap ???????????????????????????