Bangkok Rajadamari New Years Crush

[KKvampire]

I was at the Rajadamri central world New year countdown last night, or part of it, and there was some nasty incidents because of the volume of people and the mismanagement of dealing with them.

It was along the Arnoma Hotel side . People were funneling along on both directions in a narrow section on the footpath in a 30 metre distance directly outside the hotel. A high fence was put up by the Hotel and then there were metal barricades on the opposite side of the footpath,

The fact that there was no control of the many thousands of people , children in particular moving in both directions made a huge squeeze and there was no control of the movement. Children were crying , there was times when my friend and I were squeezed so tight it was dangerous. There was one guy with megaphone on the Arnoma hotel side shouting out to people in Thai . It was potentially a disaster, one girl did faint and was carried out eventually. Problem about escaping was the white board fence was so high , about 2 and half metres it was not possible to climb over it.

When I did get out of the section I saw 3 policemen sat down and informed them. Do I need to tell you their reaction? Just looked away with no interest,

We can add negligent to the list that includes corrupt and useless to their CV

Edited January 1, 2012 by KKvampire

[lazygourmet]

Why on earth did you decide to go there ?!?

You should only blame yourself for being a part of it...

[KKvampire]

Why on earth did you decide to go there ?!?

You should only blame yourself for being a part of it...

Usual standard of replies on TV

[impulse]

Usual standard of replies on TV

Yeah, I found myself in the same crush (at least I hope there was only one) and I was just walking from Pantip to the BTS. First I tried to walk through the "secured" fenced in area, then had to turn around and it took almost 30 minutes to walk about 100 meters through the crowd. I warned a few folks entering where I had just gotten through the crowd, but there was really no reasonable way around the crush if you were trying to get from point "A" to point "B".

It was a disaster waiting for someone to pull the trigger. And by the time I was in it deep enough to know what a mess it was, it was too late to get out.

Edited January 1, 2012 by impulse

[bkkjames]

Lg is right, countless topics every year on where to watch fireworks-most saying cw is seriously overcrowded, then the day after people moan about the crowds.

[KKvampire]

Lg is right, countless topics every year on where to watch fireworks-most saying cw is seriously overcrowded, then the day after people moan about the crowds.

I never read about it before and even if I did nothing wrong with posting my experience . but hey, on TV many posters make it their mission to attack those who have a complaint ,, until they have one thereself

[villagefarang]

The reason many people go to these events is to be part of a huge crowd and they wouldn’t attend if it were a small orderly event. Protecting people from themselves is a mindset from the old country. I for one appreciate a little benign neglect from the authorities and letting people sort things out themselves. I watched the crowds for ten years from our condo but chose not to walk in their midst as I don’t like crowds.

[Nikki1611]

I am sorry to hear that you got crushed. I was outside McDonalds Big C and positioned myself on the steps. No pushing around. I waited for the crowd to leave before walking back home around Pantip. It was a pleasant evening for me.

[jybkk]

Actually, I think both OP and the "critics" have a point.

Shame on Thai authorities for not being able to manage a crowd on such a previsible event (it's not like New Year in Central World is the latest fad, it has been overcrowded for years).

On another hand, whoever has lived in Thailand for more than a few months should be wise enough to know how poorly authorities can sometimes perform and therefore try to avoid putting themselves in a situation where the quality of their service is crucial.

[aussiebebe]

sorry to hear about the crush, but the central world concert on TV looked great, I wished I was there when I saw it. Non-crush related: it looked funny how the Prius had as much stage space and TV time as the band just because Toyota were giving one away!

I didn't go out or on holiday for the first time in years and had a great time with friends and family; my condo has a communal roof-top garden and we could see 100s of fireworks displays around the city.

[hehehoho]

Out on the street? Did they not have any fireworks in the police owned nightclubs, sorry, 'licensed noodle stores' this year?