Many Injured As Train Hits 9 Cars At Bangkok's Asoke Rail Crossing

[cowslip]

I think it's time to stop blaming the driver's.. train or car.. and start blaming the government for not building an overpass or underpass at this intersection. After all, Asoke / Ratchadapiesek is one of the Busiest Roads in Bangkok, and that Intersection just beside the Subway is just crying out for the Government to do something about all the Safety concerns.. but not in Thailand.. where the well-being and welfare of the People come dead last!

Let them walk in the Gutters.. that is where they belong... Is the prevalent attitude of all Thai Governments.

CS

in the bigger picture, you are right the BMA or someone like that are seemingly negligent here. However one has to drive according to one's immediate environment.

Saying there was no flyover there is not an excuse.

[Cheops]

Because it is the way it works in the city. Cars stop on tracks, and it is very hard to avoid.

People also get stuck in any other intersection.

Is it really hard to avoid? No, it isn't!

It's just because the super selfish drivers/people here! Every f..ing time they block every intersection where possible. If they just only let a 2 meter space between them and the car in front, other people can get through. But noooo, that would mean that I need to let go someone first is it!

If you are driving in BKK I think you will agree with me. Maybe there are some other countries where it's more worse, but most of the traffic problems getting worser due to the selfish people here. If you come from an U-turn or whatever it's difficult to get in the moving line. They just won't let anyone get in. As a reaction you need to up your agressive driving skills in order to get your car in the moving line, which is not helping in the total picture.

Ever noticed how Thais parking their cars in a parking lot? Do they follow the white arrows? No, they don't. They will just drive anywhere it pleases them. And if they are on their wrong way and another car is coming their direction, it's: cotood krab (I'm sorry). And they expect that is enough and it makes it ok. Well, Thai people if you are reading this. It's NOT ok! Just follow the rules and white lines. Is that so hard to do? I know, if you do it might happen that someone else get a parking spot first. We can't let that happen, can we??? Just f...ing grow up, will you!

Can you make the habits of Thai drivers better? Yes, you can, but that requires law-enforcement (ENFORCEMENT!)

So probably this situation will not change in the coming hunderd years here

Was this off-topic? I don't think so. The accident just happened, because the selfish driving here, nothing else. Don't tell me that the situation of stopping on the tracks is un-avoidable, because it's not ok. If everybody follow the law, lines and give way to other people, it would improve the situation tremendously. No, the traffic jams will not be solved, but it will help a lot with other traffic, which then can follow their way in stead of being blocked all the way.

I'll leave it at this for now. And don't get me started about the total chaos when I drove back to my BKK home end last month!!! It took me more than 5 hours to cover the stretch from Tammasat University to the beginning of the elevated tollway. It was total chaos and no police in sight to control what so-ever. By the way, where were the police during the floods anyway? Ok, that's another topic.

Above all is besides the fact (yes, fact!) that 98% of all Thai people can't drive/park properly!

A clearly annoyed driver!

this is clearly a case of "seeing" but not understanding. The poster just thinks that if he repeats the word "Thai" it makes sense.

I see you joined TV a couple of months ago. I guess if you will stay somewhat longer in this beautiful country you will change your mind and agree with me after you have taken of your pink glasses that is. Oh, and I don't think you even drive a car here, since you clearly cannot catch what I say.

Yes, I repeat the word "Thai" as we are in Thailand, aren't we?

Most of the people living and driving here are Thai? Aren't they?

Just post on topic and don't comment on comments, ok!

[cowslip]

Because it is the way it works in the city. Cars stop on tracks, and it is very hard to avoid.

People also get stuck in any other intersection.

Is it really hard to avoid? No, it isn't!

It's just because the super selfish drivers/people here! Every f..ing time they block every intersection where possible. If they just only let a 2 meter space between them and the car in front, other people can get through. But noooo, that would mean that I need to let go someone first is it!

If you are driving in BKK I think you will agree with me. Maybe there are some other countries where it's more worse, but most of the traffic problems getting worser due to the selfish people here. If you come from an U-turn or whatever it's difficult to get in the moving line. They just won't let anyone get in. As a reaction you need to up your agressive driving skills in order to get your car in the moving line, which is not helping in the total picture.

Ever noticed how Thais parking their cars in a parking lot? Do they follow the white arrows? No, they don't. They will just drive anywhere it pleases them. And if they are on their wrong way and another car is coming their direction, it's: cotood krab (I'm sorry). And they expect that is enough and it makes it ok. Well, Thai people if you are reading this. It's NOT ok! Just follow the rules and white lines. Is that so hard to do? I know, if you do it might happen that someone else get a parking spot first. We can't let that happen, can we??? Just f...ing grow up, will you!

Can you make the habits of Thai drivers better? Yes, you can, but that requires law-enforcement (ENFORCEMENT!)

So probably this situation will not change in the coming hunderd years here

Was this off-topic? I don't think so. The accident just happened, because the selfish driving here, nothing else. Don't tell me that the situation of stopping on the tracks is un-avoidable, because it's not ok. If everybody follow the law, lines and give way to other people, it would improve the situation tremendously. No, the traffic jams will not be solved, but it will help a lot with other traffic, which then can follow their way in stead of being blocked all the way.

I'll leave it at this for now. And don't get me started about the total chaos when I drove back to my BKK home end last month!!! It took me more than 5 hours to cover the stretch from Tammasat University to the beginning of the elevated tollway. It was total chaos and no police in sight to control what so-ever. By the way, where were the police during the floods anyway? Ok, that's another topic.

Above all is besides the fact (yes, fact!) that 98% of all Thai people can't drive/park properly!

A clearly annoyed driver!

" If they just only let a 2 meter space between them and the car in front" - OK how many cars in Bkk - a million? so how many metres of road is that?

Duh, I'm talking about a 2 meter space at an intersection!

"Every f..ing time they block every intersection where possible. If they just only let a 2 meter space between them and the car in front, other people can get through."

so how many intersections - do you do it? I very much doubt it - can you even drive?

[rogerman]

Also a fact that could be related to this is.....Trains have big problems stopping when they don't have any brakes...... Remember when they did a survey on the trains and maintenance?....99% of the trains needed new brakes

[cowslip]

<br>

<br>

<br>

<br>Because it is the way it works in the city. Cars stop on tracks, and it is very hard to avoid.<br>People also get stuck in any other intersection.

<br><br>Is it really hard to avoid? No, it isn't!<br><br>It's just because the super selfish drivers/people here! Every f..ing time they block every intersection where possible. If they just only let a 2 meter space between them and the car in front, other people can get through. But noooo, that would mean that I need to let go someone first is it!<br><br>If you are driving in BKK I think you will agree with me. Maybe there are some other countries where it's more worse, but most of the traffic problems getting worser due to the selfish people here. If you come from an U-turn or whatever it's difficult to get in the moving line. They just won't let anyone get in. As a reaction you need to up your agressive driving skills in order to get your car in the moving line, which is not helping in the total picture.<br><br>Ever noticed how Thais parking their cars in a parking lot? Do they follow the white arrows? No, they don't. They will just drive anywhere it pleases them. And if they are on their wrong way and another car is coming their direction, it's: cotood krab (I'm sorry). And they expect that is enough and it makes it ok. Well, Thai people if you are reading this. It's NOT ok! Just follow the rules and white lines. Is that so hard to do? I know, if you do it might happen that someone else get a parking spot first. We can't let that happen, can we??? Just f...ing grow up, will you!<br><br>Can you make the habits of Thai drivers better? Yes, you can, but that requires law-enforcement (ENFORCEMENT!)  <img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/annoyed.gif" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=""> <br>So probably this situation will not change in the coming hunderd years here  <img src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif" class="bbc_emoticon" alt=""> <br><br>Was this off-topic? I don't think so. The accident just happened, because the selfish driving here, nothing else. Don't tell me that the situation of stopping on the tracks is un-avoidable, because it's not ok. If everybody follow the law, lines and give way to other people, it would improve the situation tremendously. No, the traffic jams will not be solved, but it will help a lot with other traffic, which then can follow their way in stead of being blocked all the way.<br><br>I'll leave it at this for now. And don't get me started about the total chaos when I drove back to my BKK home end last month!!! It took me more than 5 hours to cover the stretch from Tammasat University to the beginning of the elevated tollway. It was total chaos and no police in sight to control what so-ever. By the way, where were the police during the floods anyway? Ok, that's another topic.<br><br>Above all is besides the fact (yes, fact!) that 98% of all Thai people can't drive/park properly!<br><br>A clearly annoyed driver!<br>

<br><br>this is clearly a case of "seeing" but not understanding. The poster just thinks that if he repeats the word "Thai" it makes sense.<br>

<br><br><br>I see you joined TV a couple of months ago. I guess if you will stay somewhat longer in this beautiful country you will change your mind and agree with me after you have taken of your pink glasses that is. Oh, and I don't think you even drive a car here, since you clearly cannot catch what I say.<br><br>Yes, I repeat the word "Thai" as we are in Thailand, aren't we?<br>Most of the people living and driving here are Thai? Aren't they?<br><br>Just post on topic and don't comment on comments, ok!<br>

<br><br>I take it then the fist thing you did when you came to Thailand was join TV - I guess you needed a space to vent your vitriol?<br>however if you think that the length of time one has ten on TV justifies the stuff they post may I suggest that you look gain at your meagre offerings and reconsider.<br><br>

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Edited December 15, 2011 by cowslip

[Misterwhisper]

I don't think the train driver should justify his misjudged braking distance.

The selfish drivers trying to inch their way home and ignoring rules of the road are to blame.

I agree with you. But drivers in this country are not only selfish, they are also largely ignorant of traffic rules. That ignorance not only significantly contributes to congestion, but it also is the cause of many avoidable accidents such as this one.

In civilised countries young drivers are taught during long (and expensive!) hours of compulsory traffic rule theory classes that it is against the law to drive onto a railway crossing if 1) traffic ahead has come to a standstill, 2) it can be gleaned that otherwise one would come to a stand on the tracks and 3) when the crossing warning lights go on, the railway employee waves a red flag or the barriers are descending.

Likewise, one never drives onto a road intersection when 1) trafic ahead is already partly blocking that intersection, 2) traffic lights have changed from red to yellow and one can reasonably expect to get stuck on the intersection.

These rules have been set up for a reason, and as far as I know the very same traffic laws also do exist in Thailand. Not that anyone would enforce them... or heed them.

Edited December 15, 2011 by Misterwhisper

[ginjag]

Maybe there should be a guy with a red flag walking in front of every train?

There should be a guy waving a red flag in front of most policemen.

[Cheops]

so how many intersections - do you do it? I very much doubt it - can you even drive?

Yes, I ALWAYS keep a space at intersections, so other's can pass where needed. I also let people blend in and go first when needed. And yes, I drive a car (you would know if you have seen some other posts of me!). About 25 year now of which 6,5 years in Thailand.

[MaxYakov]

We need to stop assuming that things here are the same as they are in the West. In the UK if you hear the sirens/bells telling you a train is coming, you get the HELL away from the tracks, as the trains usually go past at over 60mph (used to be 90mph, and at smaller crossings in the middle of nowhere they would not slow down at all and go past at 125mph), and they ain't stopping! Also, the trains tend not to have crossings at busy traffic junctions, for safety reasons.

However, returning to Thailand, it is very common at a busy junction with a railway crossing over it, for traffic to get stuck on the tracks - and they don't get much busier than the junction at Asok/Phetchaburi, where there are cars stopped on the tracks almost constantly during busy hours.

The train is supposed to stop and wait as the cars get out of the way (it can hardly go around the cars - the only control its driver has, is over its speed). That's what the guy with the torch and red flag does at the junction - tells the driver of the train to stop or go.

In this case the guy with the flag was waving frantically telling the train to stop - and people here are blaming the cars?

I was at the junction as they were still clearing the line last night, about an hour after the incident. More telling to me was that the song-taew driver I spoke to said that the train driver was probably drunk. If that were the case, would people here still blame the cars' drivers?

1) We can assume that physical laws in Thailand are the same, however. My personal USA defensive driving rules say: NEVER STOP A VEHICLE ON TRAIN TRACKS. Additionally, in the USA, some class of vehicles (i.e. buses, trucks) must at all times stop at rail crossings (and, ideally, check for oncoming trains) before proceeding across.

2) In Thailand (or anywhere for that matter), if one leaves a hole at an intersection, people will go around and fill the hole even if is a risk of being stopped on train tracks or blocking an intersection after the light turns green for cross-traffic, causing gridlock. It is much more risky to attempt to 'gridlock' a moving train, however.

3) One can tell the train operator to stop, but the train itself has to cooperate with the plan to stop.

4) I would say that vehicle drivers are responsible for most rail crossing accidents, except where there were faulty crossing signals, or unmarked tracks on blind curves, etc. Even the drivers who were trapped on the tracks should have been alert for an oncoming train and prepared to either move or immediately abandon their vehicles. They were probably too busy SMSing or surfing the internet or just 'spaced out' with boredom or weren't even aware they are on the tracks. The general defensive driving rule I have for this is: AVOID CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO HAVE TO USE ITS BRAKES. The reason for this rule should be obvious.

I wish all the injured swift and complete recoveries.

Edited December 15, 2011 by MaxYakov

[Gweiloman]

Som nam na. Personally I wouldn't care what color the traffic light was if there ate cars in front of me and I couldn't clear the tracks I would wait all day rather than stop my car on RR tracks with no way exit what are you effin kidding me?! Blaming the train driver nope it's just common sense something that is lacking here with most drivers. I would agree with the other posters who rightly point out that Thais behind the wheel are extremely selfish and just plain idiotic drivers.

saying som nam na to someone who was brutally hurt in an accident seems a bit cruel. you must be a real Scrooge.

Sometimes, one has to be cruel to be kind. That's the only way that some people will ever learn.

[NanaFoods]

BKK Drivers will not change anytime soon.

Time for more overpasses, underpasses, or elevate the train.... something infrastructure.

I think that may be the only way to "help" BKK drivers from stopping on tracks..

[baboon]

Why was the signal protecting the crossing cleared if the crossing was blocked by road vehicles?

[Cheops]

I take it then the fist thing you did when you came to Thailand was join TV - I guess you needed a space to vent your vitriol? however if you think that the length of time one has ten on TV justifies the stuff they post may I suggest that you look gain at your meagre offerings and reconsider.

Haha, let's see:

cowslip joined a couple of months ago and has made 345 posts.

I joined about 6 years ago and have made less than 150 posts!

Those statistics speak for itself! If you comment, just think before you do.

Mostly I only post to ask something, but now I felt that I indeed needed to vent my annoyance. And all of what I wrote in above post is simply the true about the drivers in Thailand.

[chrisinth]

I don't think the train driver should justify his misjudged braking distance.

The selfish drivers trying to inch their way home and ignoring rules of the road are to blame.

I agree with you. But drivers in this country are not only selfish, they are also largely ignorant of traffic rules. That ignorance not only significantly contributes to congestion, but it also is the cause of many avoidable accidents such as this one.

In civilised countries young drivers are taught during long (and expensive!) hours of compulsory traffic rule theory classes that it is against the law to drive onto a railway crossing if 1) traffic ahead has come to a standstill, 2) it can be gleaned that otherwise one would come to a stand on the tracks and 3) when the crossing warning lights go on, the railway employee waves a red flag or the barriers are descending.

Likewise, one never drives onto a road intersection when 1) trafic ahead is already partly blocking that intersection, 2) traffic lights have changed from red to yellow and one can reasonably expect to get stuck on the intersection.

These rules have been set up for a reason, and as far as I know the very same traffic laws also do exist in Thailand. Not that anyone would enforce them... or heed them.

As a point of interest, how many farangs reading this thread stop the flow of traffic until the exit is clear (on the other side of the tracks) before crossing rail lines? You need to answer this truthfully to understand that you just don't do it!

[TheWalkingMan]

When I read the headline I was wondering how could a train hit 9 cars. Amazing Thailand.

[bdenner]

Whilst working in BKK in the early 2000s I lived quite close to this crossing and often amazed at seeing the trains stop for the traffic to clear. This has been an accident in the waiting for years.

The whole layout is wrong with side streets close to the crossing so if one were to stop to keep the line clear the idiots coming from the left or those wanting to change lanes just jump into the holes left on the track.

Sorry for the train driver and car passengers BUT som nom nah to the idiots driving the cars. Will a lesson be learnt? I think NOT!

[Cheops]

I don't think the train driver should justify his misjudged braking distance.

The selfish drivers trying to inch their way home and ignoring rules of the road are to blame.

I agree with you. But drivers in this country are not only selfish, they are also largely ignorant of traffic rules. That ignorance not only significantly contributes to congestion, but it also is the cause of many avoidable accidents such as this one.

In civilised countries young drivers are taught during long (and expensive!) hours of compulsory traffic rule theory classes that it is against the law to drive onto a railway crossing if 1) traffic ahead has come to a standstill, 2) it can be gleaned that otherwise one would come to a stand on the tracks and 3) when the crossing warning lights go on, the railway employee waves a red flag or the barriers are descending.

Likewise, one never drives onto a road intersection when 1) trafic ahead is already partly blocking that intersection, 2) traffic lights have changed from red to yellow and one can reasonably expect to get stuck on the intersection.

These rules have been set up for a reason, and as far as I know the very same traffic laws also do exist in Thailand. Not that anyone would enforce them... or heed them.

As a point of interest, how many farangs reading this thread stop the flow of traffic until the exit is clear (on the other side of the tracks) before crossing rail lines? You need to answer this truthfully to understand that you just don't do it!

If the red lights are flashing that the a train is coming and I see that I will not be able to continue due to a red light or other issue: Yes, for sure I will not wait on the tracks, but before the crossing rail lines!

[patjem]

Maybe there should be a guy with a red flag walking in front of every train?

Given the logic of drivers here (which will not amazingly change any time soon, let's face it), the railway official would be better deployed to stand in the road in front of the crossing to wave his red flag, and letting cars cross only when the exit is clear.

[DocN]

We need to stop assuming that things here are the same as they are in the West. In the UK if you hear the sirens/bells telling you a train is coming, you get the HELL away from the tracks, as the trains usually go past at over 60mph (used to be 90mph, and at smaller crossings in the middle of nowhere they would not slow down at all and go past at 125mph), and they ain't stopping! Also, the trains tend not to have crossings at busy traffic junctions, for safety reasons.

However, returning to Thailand, it is very common at a busy junction with a railway crossing over it, for traffic to get stuck on the tracks - and they don't get much busier than the junction at Asok/Phetchaburi, where there are cars stopped on the tracks almost constantly during busy hours.

The train is supposed to stop and wait as the cars get out of the way (it can hardly go around the cars - the only control its driver has, is over its speed). That's what the guy with the torch and red flag does at the junction - tells the driver of the train to stop or go.

In this case the guy with the flag was waving frantically telling the train to stop - and people here are blaming the cars?

I was at the junction as they were still clearing the line last night, about an hour after the incident. More telling to me was that the song-taew driver I spoke to said that the train driver was probably drunk. If that were the case, would people here still blame the cars' drivers?

Drunk or not- there should be no cars on the tracks, if a train is nearing!

I don't know the place (or I at least don't recall it), but I know the one at Phyathai BTS- idiotic motorcycle and car drivers are "hopping" trough at last second.

Thank god, the train there usually does not speed through....

[Ricardo]

&lt;deleted&gt; why dont they have the technology that has existed in teh USA for 50? 100? years that allows the road to be closed when the train is coming with a gate? how backwards is Thailand?

Or perhaps a bridge at every major urban level-crossing might solve the problem, we invented those long before the railway, and it might speed-up rail-transport as one nears Hualumpong ?

[thaihome]

As the posters here that have actually gone through that intersection have said, this rail line is little used and there is no place for an overpass anyway. Suggesting such only highlights never having been there.

Due to the little use of the track and almost constant congestion of the intersection, the vehicles actually have the right of way and when a train does come, it almost always has to stop and let the vehicles clear the track before proceeding, something the drivers have become accustomed to happening.

In most cases, when a train comes, there is not time for the intersection to clear before the train, even traveling at walking speed as it does in that area, so it eases to a stop and waits. If the traffic police are manually controlling the light, they will turn the signal green out of sequence to clear the intersection, but even that can take several minutes to accomplish.

It is not what one would consider safe, but in fact it is a system that has worked for many, many years and this is one for the few instances where circumstances were unfavorable and an accident happened. If one were to do a risk assessment and take how many vehicles go through the intersection every day versus how many accidents have happened, it would score fairly low in the risk rating.

If you have never driven through that intersection at 6:00PM then you are not qualified to make any comment on who is at fault and are just using this as an excuse to make the usual Thai drivers rant.

TH

Edited December 15, 2011 by thaihome

[tragickingdom]

The police is always quick to judge the train driver, while they should blame their own immense and unimaginable incompetence. Even a 3 year old child would not park on a railroad not even for a few seconds. Bangkok people are used to very slow driving trains, that does not mean that they have a own responsibility to give the police or any other the finger. If a traffic light is red, you stay off the railroad. If police demand you do that. You come out of the car., Record it on your phone and post the idiocy on the internet while receiving the fine. Never listen to a Thai policeman. It could get you killed.

[CosmicSurfer]

I think it's time to stop blaming the driver's.. train or car.. and start blaming the government for not building an overpass or underpass at this intersection. After all, Asoke / Ratchadapiesek is one of the Busiest Roads in Bangkok, and that Intersection just beside the Subway is just crying out for the Government to do something about all the Safety concerns.. but not in Thailand.. where the well-being and welfare of the People come dead last!

Let them walk in the Gutters.. that is where they belong... Is the prevalent attitude of all Thai Governments.

CS

in the bigger picture, you are right the BMA or someone like that are seemingly negligent here. However one has to drive according to one's immediate environment.

Saying there was no flyover there is not an excuse.

It's all the Same Issue.. Thai's have no respect for the Law and the Government has no respect for the People who voted them in.. It is all a Sum-Num-Nah situation... Or as we say in more Real democracies, "you get the Government you deserve!".

If Thais can't be bothered to elect a government that actually cares for them and works to make their lives safer and more convenient, and a Government that enforces the Laws that they do pass, then why should anyone expect them to respect any laws or rules of the Road.. after all they weren't put in place for them.. they are there for the Other guy.. or to show off when someone asks.. "Do you have any laws here?? or is Everything corrupt?"

The only pity or empathy I have left for any Thai or Thailand is that, that I have for a Junkie... They created their own hell to live in... Sum-Num-Nah!!!

CS

Edited December 15, 2011 by CosmicSurfer

[trainman34014]

The only way to stop all this tragedy is to have proper 'closing gates' and not barriers. Such gates should be opened and closed by a single operator who knows when trains are coming, preferably up to five minutes before they arrive, as was standard practice in the UK for many years. Once these gates are closed to road users they cannot get onto the tracks in any way other than by demolishing the gates. There are two parties responsible for this 'accident'. The Railway company should lobby the Government for the appropriate funds to build proper crossing gates to protect the public, who's attitude is fairly often suicidal in its approach to driving in general, and the Government itself that has a fundemental responsibility to protect its citizens. You certainly cannot blame the train driver who is trying to control a train of up to 600 tons, in the dark, and is totally reliant on the correct signaling procedures for the safety of his train and its passengers. Some blame can be attached to the road users as they often act in a childlike manner in this country, but prevention is the best way to deal with such situations.

[trainman34014]

I think it's time to stop blaming the driver's.. train or car.. and start blaming the government for not building an overpass or underpass at this intersection. After all, Asoke / Ratchadapiesek is one of the Busiest Roads in Bangkok, and that Intersection just beside the Subway is just crying out for the Government to do something about all the Safety concerns.. but not in Thailand.. where the well-being and welfare of the People come dead last!

Let them walk in the Gutters.. that is where they belong... Is the prevalent attitude of all Thai Governments.

CS

in the bigger picture, you are right the BMA or someone like that are seemingly negligent here. However one has to drive according to one's immediate environment.

Saying there was no flyover there is not an excuse.

It's all the Same Issue.. Thai's have no respect for the Law and the Government has no respect for the People who voted them in.. It is all a Sum-Num-Nah situation... Or as we say in more Real democracies, "you get the Government you deserve!".

If Thais can't be bothered to elect a government that actually cares for them and works to make their lives safer and more convenient, and a Government that enforces the Laws that they do pass, then why should anyone expect them to respect any laws or rules of the Road.. after all they weren't put in place for them.. they are there for the Other guy.. or to show off when someone asks.. "Do you have any laws here?? or is Everything corrupt?"

The only pity or empathy I have left for any Thai or Thailand is that, that I have for a Junkie... They created their own hell to live in... Sum-Num-Nah!!!

CS

And which party would you expect the Thai people to vote for to get a Government that 'cares for them' ? Ordinary people here are faced with a no win situation when it comes to political parties, but of course, you know that don't you ?

[edgarfriendly]

I think perhaps spreading the word that railways are haunted might keep cars away.

but maybe not.

Pity the train driver!!

This is the same as the locals who stop still on escalators/ train doors/ anywhere really, ignoring the fact that there are OTHER HUMANS with lives worth living.

KraP!

[CosmicSurfer]

I think it's time to stop blaming the driver's.. train or car.. and start blaming the government for not building an overpass or underpass at this intersection. After all, Asoke / Ratchadapiesek is one of the Busiest Roads in Bangkok, and that Intersection just beside the Subway is just crying out for the Government to do something about all the Safety concerns.. but not in Thailand.. where the well-being and welfare of the People come dead last!

Let them walk in the Gutters.. that is where they belong... Is the prevalent attitude of all Thai Governments.

CS

in the bigger picture, you are right the BMA or someone like that are seemingly negligent here. However one has to drive according to one's immediate environment.

Saying there was no flyover there is not an excuse.

It's all the Same Issue.. Thai's have no respect for the Law and the Government has no respect for the People who voted them in.. It is all a Sum-Num-Nah situation... Or as we say in more Real democracies, "you get the Government you deserve!".

If Thais can't be bothered to elect a government that actually cares for them and works to make their lives safer and more convenient, and a Government that enforces the Laws that they do pass, then why should anyone expect them to respect any laws or rules of the Road.. after all they weren't put in place for them.. they are there for the Other guy.. or to show off when someone asks.. "Do you have any laws here?? or is Everything corrupt?"

The only pity or empathy I have left for any Thai or Thailand is that, that I have for a Junkie... They created their own hell to live in... Sum-Num-Nah!!!

CS

And which party would you expect the Thai people to vote for to get a Government that 'cares for them' ? Ordinary people here are faced with a no win situation when it comes to political parties, but of course, you know that don't you ?

They could always try .. "None of the Above" .... and then create a REAL party of the people.. Not just the Farmers or the Middle Class... Not the Red shirts or Yellow shirts.. Both those movements are equally corrupt and no better then the systems they are trying to replace. They need a Leader that will do like Nelson Mandela, Nehru and Lech Wałęsa did.

Where is the Thai 'Occupy Wall Street (Silom)'???

Politics only helps those that helps themselves.. Get involved and stop following the Biggest Pockets!

CS

Edited December 15, 2011 by CosmicSurfer

[saengsureeya]

Of course I'm a holy driving saint, but if I approach a crossing (cross road or train or whatever) and my car would block the crossing, I stop just before the crossing and will only proceed if the lights are still green and if my car won't block the crossing.

On numerous occasions I've been waiting at a green light but with the crossing blocked; I don't know how many times cars behind me were blowing their horn or even try to get around me to fill in the gap that there was between me and the car in front of me.

[eladblum]

Yeah,

So it's the heavy traffics fault, the train drivers fault but not the IDIOTS driving the cars!!!

Oh I know! those 9 cars didn't have a buddha image in them, right?

Problem is what do the drivers do when they are faced with a red light in front and they are actually on the crossing before the warnings are given?

This is part of the reasons that the trains will stop for the traffic over here and the reason they guy is on the tracks with his red flag/torch. I would put this down to traffic mis-management more than anything else.

I don't think so. It's common sense - You DO NOT enter a junction if you can't cross it.

And if you do, you definitely can't stop on the railway.

If you can't see a space for your car after the railway - YOU STOP! even if it's green light!!!

Yes, this require a 10 seconds planing ahead. I'm sorry that it's so difficult for some humans.

[Thaddeus]

Trains are not normally held responsible for accidents with vehicles at crossings. A train is very difficult to stop.

I try to make sure I can get over the tracks, but that's not always possible in BKK traffic.

Living in the boonies I haven't done a great deal of driving in BKK but I have done a little and I was at this particular rail crossing a few weeks ago. I stopped before the tracks as it was obvious that I couldn't get across, what happened? cars and motocais passed me and stopped in the gap that I had left.

When the traffic began to move I had to move with it or I would have been there all day.

Only one real way to prevent this from happening again - barriers.