5 Killed, 30 Injured In Khon Kaen Bus Accident

[webfact]

5 killed, 30 injured in bus accident

Khon Kaen - An air-conditioned bus heading from Nong Bua Lampu to Bangkok overturned here late Friday night, killing five passengers and injuring 30 others, police said.

The accident occurred at 11 pm on the Kudchim-Phuwiang Road in Nong Rua district.

Four of the five killed passengers were identified as Amporn Kaewprom, 27, Kesorn Kaewprom, 24, Suwitcha Namkote and Sommai Suppanam, 40. An unidentified five-year-old girl was also killed.

The driver, Jaknarin Saegson, 27, told police that he tried to overtake a truck but the road was in bad condition, causing the bus to lose control and plunge into the road side before it overturned.

He was arrested for reckless driving causing deaths and injuries.

-- The Nation 2011-01-15

[onnut]

Notice how fast he was arrested?

Shame they didn't do it to the 16 year old.

Let's make it fair and fine the driver 400 baht.

[Colabamumbai]

R.I.P. and slow down out there.

[powderpuff]

All young people. So sad.

[whybother]

Notice how fast he was arrested?

Shame they didn't do it to the 16 year old.

Let's make it fair and fine the driver 400 baht.

It makes it easy to arrest someone when there is only one vehicle involved. At the time of the accident on the expressway, it wasn't clear who was involved and who was at fault.

[thailandbluegrass]

RIP. Very very sad and my heart goes out to the families.

I hate taking any form of public transportation in Thailand for this reason. Large buses, Mini Vans etc all seem to want to go so fast and are crazy drivers. I dread when I HAVE to take one. The Government REALLY needs to adress this and set some better standards etc. Who cares if we arrive 1 hour late as long as we arrive alive.

Again, my heart goes out to the victoms families and RIP

[saintofsilence]

Very sad news for the families RIP

He told the police that the road was in bad condition , well any bus driver would know that you don't pass trucks on roads that are in poor condition or where the bus has to put its wheels into the soft road edges.

[ginjag]

RIP. Very very sad and my heart goes out to the families.

I hate taking any form of public transportation in Thailand for this reason. Large buses, Mini Vans etc all seem to want to go so fast and are crazy drivers. I dread when I HAVE to take one. The Government REALLY needs to adress this and set some better standards etc. Who cares if we arrive 1 hour late as long as we arrive alive.

Again, my heart goes out to the victoms families and RIP

I have noticed on several different journeys that the driver clocks in and out at stages of the trip. Is he on a timed run ??--does he have to arrive at a specific time, deadlines to meet. Knowing how fast these buses go, work it out. k.m. p.h. and time of arrival. between two cities, if you look his average speed in many cases is over the speed limit--thats average speed. frightening-yes !!!! Udon Khon Khen approx 2 hours-kilom 200 approx. busses restricted to 70/80. you guess who's fault, well the drivers -but--comments.

[Nisa]

Notice how fast he was arrested?

Shame they didn't do it to the 16 year old.

Let's make it fair and fine the driver 400 baht.

It makes it easy to arrest someone when there is only one vehicle involved. At the time of the accident on the expressway, it wasn't clear who was involved and who was at fault.

Not to mention she was a minor and police cannot even legally question her without her parents.

[Nisa]

It seems at least 2 or 3 times a month we hear about these van and/or bus accidents with numerous deaths and often it is a single vehicle accident. Clearly something needs to be done but I know I will not ever ride in one again unless the seat has seat belts.

[roatandon]

these are the ones we hear about...I love living in Thailand, I can handle the corruption, bad this, etc...etc...all the stories of houses lost...but my life is the only one i know i have 4 sure...The only thing scares me in this world besides a woman with a knife is thai driving...and i dont blame the drivers...and forget the statistics....most anything bad is hidden anyways...

It seems at least 2 or 3 times a month we hear about these van and/or bus accidents with numerous deaths and often it is a single vehicle accident. Clearly something needs to be done but I know I will not ever ride in one again unless the seat has seat belts.

Edited January 15, 2011 by roatandon

[ginjag]

It seems at least 2 or 3 times a month we hear about these van and/or bus accidents with numerous deaths and often it is a single vehicle accident. Clearly something needs to be done but I know I will not ever ride in one again unless the seat has seat belts.

Nisa, would you ride with the underaged, unlicenced driver at night then--but only if it had seatbelts. you would ???

[jimbeam1]

Same same. Only different day different location. Very sad R.I.P

jb1

Edited January 15, 2011 by jimbeam1

[Thongkorn]

The roads never cause accidents , bad driving does.

[Nisa]

It seems at least 2 or 3 times a month we hear about these van and/or bus accidents with numerous deaths and often it is a single vehicle accident. Clearly something needs to be done but I know I will not ever ride in one again unless the seat has seat belts.

Nisa, would you ride with the underaged, unlicenced driver at night then--but only if it had seatbelts. you would ???

Would you lay down in front of this vehicle?

Sorry your question is just a bit bizarre considering the topic and post of mine you are replying. So, I figured I'd ask you a silly one too.

But to answer your question, I don't know the 16-year old in question. So, I could see no reason to drive with her but I have driven with numerous 15 and 16 year olds in the US who didn't have their license yet and yes, I wore a seatbelt and yes there were times this took place at night and also sometimes took place on the freeways as this is the way kids learned to drive in the US (at least in California) and is (or was) perfectly legal.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Nisa

[Nisa]

The roads never cause accidents , bad driving does.

I would say "rarely" does the road cause accidents ... at least in Thailand.

[pipo1000]

It seems at least 2 or 3 times a month we hear about these van and/or bus accidents with numerous deaths and often it is a single vehicle accident. Clearly something needs to be done but I know I will not ever ride in one again unless the seat has seat belts.

Nisa, would you ride with the underaged, unlicenced driver at night then--but only if it had seatbelts. you would ???

Would you lay down in front of this vehicle?

Sorry your question is just a bit bizarre considering the topic and post of mine you are replying. So, I figured I'd ask you a silly one too.

But to answer your question, I don't know the 16-year old in question. So, I could see no reason to drive with her but I have driven with numerous 15 and 16 year olds in the US who didn't have their license yet and yes, I wore a seatbelt and yes there were times this took place at night and also sometimes took place on the freeways as this is the way kids learned to drive in the US (at least in California) and is (or was) perfectly legal.

So in California it's completely legal to drive on the freeway underage and without a license?

[IanForbes]

Nobody is at fault. It is all preordained and Buddha said it was okay.

[Nisa]

It seems at least 2 or 3 times a month we hear about these van and/or bus accidents with numerous deaths and often it is a single vehicle accident. Clearly something needs to be done but I know I will not ever ride in one again unless the seat has seat belts.

Nisa, would you ride with the underaged, unlicenced driver at night then--but only if it had seatbelts. you would ???

Would you lay down in front of this vehicle?

Sorry your question is just a bit bizarre considering the topic and post of mine you are replying. So, I figured I'd ask you a silly one too.

But to answer your question, I don't know the 16-year old in question. So, I could see no reason to drive with her but I have driven with numerous 15 and 16 year olds in the US who didn't have their license yet and yes, I wore a seatbelt and yes there were times this took place at night and also sometimes took place on the freeways as this is the way kids learned to drive in the US (at least in California) and is (or was) perfectly legal.

So in California it's completely legal to drive on the freeway underage and without a license?

Haven't lived there in a while but it used to be. As I stated this is how kids got their training to drive. They could drive with a responsible adult from age 15 1/2 and there was no restriction as to where and when as they obviously wanted the person to learn to drive everywhere and at all times because they would be allowed to when the go their license. I don't recall for sure but their might even have been a requirement to have a certain amount of time behind the wheel w/an adult before you could get your license.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Nisa

[473geo]

The most obvious observation in these accidents is the possibility that lives would have been saved by wearing seatbelts.

Unfortunately the driving laws in other countries, the age you can get behind a wheel, will not assist the the potential victims of the next van or bus accident.....and it will come as sure as the sun rises.......so come on Thailand make the fitting and wearing of seatbelts in these vehicles compulsory........

What are we waiting for.......

Edited January 15, 2011 by 473geo

[Nisa]

The most obvious observation in these accidents is the possibility that lives would have been saved by wearing seatbelts.

Unfortunately the driving laws in other countries, the age you can get behind a wheel, will not assist the the potential victims of the next van or bus accident.....and it will come as sure as the sun rises.......so come on Thailand make the fitting and wearing of seatbelts in these vehicles compulsory........

What are we waiting for.......

I remember in the US, as a kid, seat belts were rarely ever used and the most I would hear is that kids should sit in the back seat for safety. There were even those who thought a seat belt could do more damage to you in most accidents. Then they passed the laws and enforced them. At first we buckled up to avoid a ticket but now, at least for me, it is just crazy from a safety stand point to not buckle up. And if somebody is riding around with a kid w/o a seat belt people will look on shocked as if the parent has no regard for the life of the child. Point being is that enforcement and law make people aware of the reality of the dangers as do all the news reports which state if a driver/passenger in a fatal accident was wearing a seat belt.

Thai beliefs may cause them to worry less about death but they certainly don't want their baby or toddler to be spattered all over a Soi. Yet, I still cringe when I see these families riding three or four on a bike with one or two of them being a small child. Sadder is that I often see the parent with a helmet but not the child.

[transam]

The most obvious observation in these accidents is the possibility that lives would have been saved by wearing seatbelts.

Unfortunately the driving laws in other countries, the age you can get behind a wheel, will not assist the the potential victims of the next van or bus accident.....and it will come as sure as the sun rises.......so come on Thailand make the fitting and wearing of seatbelts in these vehicles compulsory........

What are we waiting for.......

I remember in the US, as a kid, seat belts were rarely ever used and the most I would hear is that kids should sit in the back seat for safety. There were even those who thought a seat belt could do more damage to you in most accidents. Then they passed the laws and enforced them. At first we buckled up to avoid a ticket but now, at least for me, it is just crazy from a safety stand point to not buckle up. And if somebody is riding around with a kid w/o a seat belt people will look on shocked as if the parent has no regard for the life of the child. Point being is that enforcement and law make people aware of the reality of the dangers as do all the news reports which state if a driver/passenger in a fatal accident was wearing a seat belt.

Thai beliefs may cause them to worry less about death but they certainly don't want their baby or toddler to be spattered all over a Soi. Yet, I still cringe when I see these families riding three or four on a bike with one or two of them being a small child. Sadder is that I often see the parent with a helmet but not the child.

And the parent only wears it cos of a police fine.

[Nisa]

The most obvious observation in these accidents is the possibility that lives would have been saved by wearing seatbelts.

Unfortunately the driving laws in other countries, the age you can get behind a wheel, will not assist the the potential victims of the next van or bus accident.....and it will come as sure as the sun rises.......so come on Thailand make the fitting and wearing of seatbelts in these vehicles compulsory........

What are we waiting for.......

I remember in the US, as a kid, seat belts were rarely ever used and the most I would hear is that kids should sit in the back seat for safety. There were even those who thought a seat belt could do more damage to you in most accidents. Then they passed the laws and enforced them. At first we buckled up to avoid a ticket but now, at least for me, it is just crazy from a safety stand point to not buckle up. And if somebody is riding around with a kid w/o a seat belt people will look on shocked as if the parent has no regard for the life of the child. Point being is that enforcement and law make people aware of the reality of the dangers as do all the news reports which state if a driver/passenger in a fatal accident was wearing a seat belt.

Thai beliefs may cause them to worry less about death but they certainly don't want their baby or toddler to be spattered all over a Soi. Yet, I still cringe when I see these families riding three or four on a bike with one or two of them being a small child. Sadder is that I often see the parent with a helmet but not the child.

And the parent only wears it cos of a police fine.

I just heard they recently announced a 1,000 baht fine for kids w/o helmets (possibly all passengers) on a bike and assume that it goes to the driver/parent. I have been noticing the motorbike taxis in my area have been offering helmets to passengers the last few days. Problem is the police seem to drop off enforcement very fast with these things. I think it was sometime earlier this year they announced a 2,000 baht if cars didn't stop for pedestrians in cross walks and actually saw them giving tickets for this for a while but now it is like the law was never enacted. I really don't understand this because this is a perfect opportunity for police to get extra tips even if they don't give an actual ticket. I personally believe harassing and delaying the driver to any extent will get the word out. So, be it a 2000 baht fine or a 200 baht pay off ... it still helps.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Nisa

[JohnAllan]

Notice how fast he was arrested?

Shame they didn't do it to the 16 year old.

Let's make it fair and fine the driver 400 baht.

"Shame they didn't do it to the 16 year old". Still enjoying the witch hunt, I see. Didn't occur to you that at fault though she undoubtedly was - and underage - there is a very good chance that the passenger van driver - tragically killed in the accident - was also at fault?

[gemini81]

The most obvious observation in these accidents is the possibility that lives would have been saved by wearing seatbelts.

Unfortunately the driving laws in other countries, the age you can get behind a wheel, will not assist the the potential victims of the next van or bus accident.....and it will come as sure as the sun rises.......so come on Thailand make the fitting and wearing of seatbelts in these vehicles compulsory........

What are we waiting for.......

I remember in the US, as a kid, seat belts were rarely ever used and the most I would hear is that kids should sit in the back seat for safety. There were even those who thought a seat belt could do more damage to you in most accidents. Then they passed the laws and enforced them. At first we buckled up to avoid a ticket but now, at least for me, it is just crazy from a safety stand point to not buckle up. And if somebody is riding around with a kid w/o a seat belt people will look on shocked as if the parent has no regard for the life of the child. Point being is that enforcement and law make people aware of the reality of the dangers as do all the news reports which state if a driver/passenger in a fatal accident was wearing a seat belt.

Thai beliefs may cause them to worry less about death but they certainly don't want their baby or toddler to be spattered all over a Soi. Yet, I still cringe when I see these families riding three or four on a bike with one or two of them being a small child. Sadder is that I often see the parent with a helmet but not the child.

And the parent only wears it cos of a police fine.

I just heard they recently announced a 1,000 baht fine for kids w/o helmets (possibly all passengers) on a bike and assume that it goes to the driver/parent. I have been noticing the motorbike taxis in my area have been offering helmets to passengers the last few days. Problem is the police seem to drop off enforcement very fast with these things. I think it was sometime earlier this year they announced a 2,000 baht if cars didn't stop for pedestrians in cross walks and actually saw them giving tickets for this for a while but now it is like the law was never enacted. I really don't understand this because this is a perfect opportunity for police to get extra tips even if they don't give an actual ticket. I personally believe harassing and delaying the driver to any extent will get the word out. So, be it a 2000 baht fine or a 200 baht pay off ... it still helps.

painting one's self into a corner can be avoided by not talking so excessively. (Sometimes less is more).

On the flip side, seat belts are no guarantee, and can sometimes leave you trapped or smashed or needing to be cut out.

Changes from the Dept. of Transportation are what're needed to minimize the accidents...VIP+ Upcountry+high speed= disaster.

[asiawatcher]

RIP. Very very sad and my heart goes out to the families.

I hate taking any form of public transportation in Thailand for this reason. Large buses, Mini Vans etc all seem to want to go so fast and are crazy drivers. I dread when I HAVE to take one. The Government REALLY needs to adress this and set some better standards etc. Who cares if we arrive 1 hour late as long as we arrive alive.

Again, my heart goes out to the victoms families and RIP

I have noticed on several different journeys that the driver clocks in and out at stages of the trip. Is he on a timed run ??--does he have to arrive at a specific time, deadlines to meet. Knowing how fast these buses go, work it out. k.m. p.h. and time of arrival. between two cities, if you look his average speed in many cases is over the speed limit--thats average speed. frightening-yes !!!! Udon Khon Khen approx 2 hours-kilom 200 approx. busses restricted to 70/80. you guess who's fault, well the drivers -but--comments.

Lunatics behind the wheel without any heavy vehicle training in how to handle large wallowing suspension and vehicles that should be governed. Then you get the same lunatic who wants to overtake - no wonder there are so many accidents. Road conditions? No not this time. The road out there is quite good and unless it was dug up recently that one won't wash. Another case of stupidity and a resultant loss of innocent lives who probably did not have an alternative mode of transport to get to their destinations.

[rakman]

It seems at least 2 or 3 times a month we hear about these van and/or bus accidents with numerous deaths and often it is a single vehicle accident. Clearly something needs to be done but I know I will not ever ride in one again unless the seat has seat belts.

Nisa, would you ride with the underaged, unlicenced driver at night then--but only if it had seatbelts. you would ???

Would you lay down in front of this vehicle?

Sorry your question is just a bit bizarre considering the topic and post of mine you are replying. So, I figured I'd ask you a silly one too.

But to answer your question, I don't know the 16-year old in question. So, I could see no reason to drive with her but I have driven with numerous 15 and 16 year olds in the US who didn't have their license yet and yes, I wore a seatbelt and yes there were times this took place at night and also sometimes took place on the freeways as this is the way kids learned to drive in the US (at least in California) and is (or was) perfectly legal.

I hope the 15 1/2 or 16 year old had their "Learner's Permit" which made their driving legal, while accompanied by a licensed driver.

I taught my mom to drive a stick shift car (she was licensed, but only had driven automatic transmissions) before I got my Learner's Permit. We used secondary roads in industrial areas so she could get the hang of shifting.

[whybother]

<snip>

On the flip side, seat belts are no guarantee, and can sometimes leave you trapped or smashed or needing to be cut out.

<snip>

I would much rather be trapped and needing to be cut out, than thrown around the car or out of the car. I would think the seat belts would stop the smashing part.

[metisdead]

Discussion of the Khon Kaen bus crash is on-topic to this thread, while discussion of a train accident is another topic altogether. One post removed.

[bangon04]

All young people. So sad.

But probably not from rich or educated families.....