Six Killed In Van Accident In Samut Prakan

[unanimosity]

Crazy bloody tailgaters, all the van drivers in this country need much, much, more driver training... They're a JOKE! Think they're F1 drivers risking people lives everyday.

Fell very sorry for all (and their families) but the driver!

R.I.P. and condolences to the loved ones.

To think that more training is the answer is naive. Everybody knows the drivers must be more diligent in updating their amulets.

[unanimosity]

Another chicken-shit driver runs from the scene. What a detestable scumbag.

And you would expect him to hang around and lose face? Doubt if any of his peers feel that way and probably even endorse his action as understandable..

[travelmann]

yet more tripe from TV members who like to post opinions based on little or no evidence or "better still" - hearsay or their own personal prejudices.

One is left wondering why there was a fire ATER the rescue workers had started their work.

Probably all smoking at the scene as fuelled sprayed around, was it gas powered, dieseil dont ignite easily needs pressure

[hehehoho]

About few months ago I'm driving my Fortuner (with the wife riding shotgun) in the right most lane during about a 90-100Km like the rest of the traffic in this lane. A saw a van just like the one in the news story in my rear view mirror gaining fast and going from lane to lane to gain that extra meter and second while adding in some tailgating. When he went by me I could see the van was full of Thai's talking to each other and apparently not concerned about the driving. I bet they had never said anything to the drive about his fast, quick lane changing, tailgating driving.

Well that is part of the problem, the Mai Pen Rai culture.

You can't criticize a Thai minivan driver's insane driving because he and you and everyone present will lose face.

So you think Mai Pen Rai and everything will likely be okay, which is much better than everyone losing face.

And I fully expect none of these passengers were wearing seat belts if the van had seat belts (which it probably did) for passengers.

Probably not. Most taxis and minivans I've been in have had the seatbelt straps cut or tied down with plastic ties so no one can use them.

Using seatbelts does two things:

It shows a lack of confidence in the driver's skill and ability and thus causes you and him to lose face. (worse than possible death)

And using them might actually cause an accident, simply due to you using them, due to superstitious beliefs within the culture.

[Willeyeam]

Crazy bloody tailgaters, all the van drivers in this country need much, much, more driver training... They're a JOKE! Think they're F1 drivers risking people lives everyday.

Fell very sorry for all (and their families) but the driver!

These vans are to be avoided. Either as a passenger or as a fellow road user.

Totally agree with you both on this one - Everyday I do a run to school to pick up my son at about the same time as these idiots are returning their potential road kill from Internon - they sit about a metre from the back of your bumper trying to do 120+ while you are trying to overtake some other idiot at the other end of the speed scale doing about 10KMH in his Mazda Famila!

The best thing to do is just take your foot off the throttle or gently apply the handbrake just enough to slow the idiots into worrying that maybe you have no brake lights.(They suddenly back off) - I hear a lot from Thais here about being terrified of those huge lorries, but to be honest, in my opinion those drivers are not that bad - but these idiots in the minivans should be used as crash test dummies!

Just hold your place in the right lane and let the idiots go down the inside - not worth risking killing someone on a bike or whatever for the sake of these dipshits.

The funny thing is, a lot of Thais will tell you they have been driving for 10+ years - and the even funnier thing is, they still drive as badly as the first time they got into a car - They LEARN NOTHING!

Edited January 6, 2012 by Willeyeam

[Pib]

........

IMHO many of these blue-lettered license plate drivers are some of the most dangerous drivers on the road based on how I see them drive....but I expect they consider themselves professional drivers. There is a big difference between driving for a profession and being a safe, professional driver.

Blue lettered plates? Can you elaborate please?

Most vans used in the people transport business have license plates which have blue lettering versus black lettering like a standard vehicle.

[osiboy]

Very sad.

Happens all over the World unfortunately.

yeah sure it does, only its 80% less likely to happen, in a country like thailand with aspirations to be a modern country and be taken seriously by the 'big boys' it must get its act together and stop this crazy loss of life usually due to lack of safety measures,.. crazy !

[UKJASE]

me and the mrs use these vans quite regularly from hua hin to bangkok, and we use the same company, and so know some of the drivers to say hello to etc

most rides have been ok, but two were real scary ( we always sit in the first row of seats if we can - the mrs is always asleep, but i always stay awake for the view!!)

from now on, i have printed the image of the accident from this story, and one other horrific image from google images, and i am going to take them to my local copy shop 2mo and get the two laminated back to back..... next time, if he drives like an idiot i am going to pick my moment and show him the card...... not sure what effect it will have, but i cant speak thai so what option do i have...... i dont care so much about saving face, when it comes to saving face, body, organs, soul etc

[Hooters]

big deal. TV is a bit unique in that it delivers news on a platter with pics often gruesome to an audience that lapse it up through sheer boredom i would guess. Before coming here did anyone trawl websites for fresh kill back home?.... nope

[Thunder26]

I've driven for five years in Thailand and the highest danger comes from the vans, as they are very aggressive overtaking sedans believing they are better fit cars! Next come the buses, that don't care keeping their driving lane, mostly they drive in the middle on 2 lanes. Then come taxis, there so many and I can't put them in one pot. Some of them are very good drivers, but in the same time there are very bad drivers. It depends on luck who you get. Adding to that there are majority of drivers who have no clue about keeping space between cars. In Thai road culture, the closer you get the cooler you are. That is so moronic and needs proper education. Be safe!

[hehehoho]

If you think TV is unique I don't think you've been around very long.

[philw]

big deal. TV is a bit unique in that it delivers news on a platter with pics often gruesome to an audience that lapse it up through sheer boredom i would guess. Before coming here did anyone trawl websites for fresh kill back home?.... nope

YES

[bobbysan124]

Condolences to families of those who lost their lives, and wishes for good, quick recovery to the injured.

[maprao]

Limped from the accident more likely. Amazing he could manage given the damage and his location.

I think they are referring to the truck driver not the van driver RIP

[Screws]

"he almost lost control. I mean the van almost went up on its two right side wheels...the van wobbled back and forth and the wife and I both gasped, as we thought for a second it appeared the van was going to lose total control and begin flipping over and over down the road probably at 120Km.

Fortunately the van regained control, pulled back into the middle lane and slowed down to around 60Km. As we caught him and drove past you could see the passenger's inside was giving him verbal hell as I expect they all took a crap in their pants and thought they were going to die. And I fully expect none of these passengers were wearing seat belts if the van had seat belts (which it probably did) for passengers."

Took one of these vans recently. When the traffic was light - medium at 120 k, driver stayed with them. When the traffic got heavy, same 120 k, all of a sudden he needed to do 140, so weaving from lane to lane. When I could only see the top of a taxi inches in front of our front bumper I shouted at him very loudly from the back seat. Had the desired effect, he suddenly realised how dangerous he was driving, and slowed down a lot. Got there.

Asia needs to learn feedback. Still take them when necessary, they do appear to have changed - but still ready to shout when necessary.

Took one today, driver did not go above 114 k.

There was an interesting post earlier about a mutiny on a Pattaya bound mini - resulting in the driver getting beaten up by the co's owners henchmen a few days later, and an apology from the owner with free return, different driver.

I am sure these guys are racing - 'best time to Victory!!!!!!'

Songteaws do it on Sukhumvit ~ Jomtien whenever they see another one - over 100 k, with people standing in the back -

[Screws]

me and the mrs use these vans quite regularly from hua hin to bangkok, and we use the same company, and so know some of the drivers to say hello to etc

most rides have been ok, but two were real scary ( we always sit in the first row of seats if we can - the mrs is always asleep, but i always stay awake for the view!!)

from now on, i have printed the image of the accident from this story, and one other horrific image from google images, and i am going to take them to my local copy shop 2mo and get the two laminated back to back..... next time, if he drives like an idiot i am going to pick my moment and show him the card...... not sure what effect it will have, but i cant speak thai so what option do i have...... i dont care so much about saving face, when it comes to saving face, body, organs, soul etc

You should also get the pic. of the guy hanging from the elevated after that unlicensed hiso chick (16 yo) cut the van off - around 9 - 12 months ago.

[pacovl46]

Crazy bloody tailgaters, all the van drivers in this country need much, much, more driver training... They're a JOKE! Think they're F1 drivers risking people lives everyday.

Fell very sorry for all (and their families) but the driver!

The problem in Thailand is that it's far too easy to get a driver's license. You do a theoretical test and then drive around a bit on the parking lot and there you go. The next problem is that the cops don't really enforce the law either. Normally people just get fined for instance for not carrying a driver's license on them (no one checks if they actually have one), unless there was an accident, and then they are sent on their way. They need to step up it and begin with a proper driver's education!!!

Edited January 6, 2012 by pacovl46

[webfact]

Van crash claims six lives, seven injured

Thirapol Khumsuk

The Nation

Samut Prakan

Six people were killed and seven injured when a speeding van crashed into a trailer in Samut Prakarn early yesterday.

One of the victims, Wantaya Klinhom, burned to death when the van caught fire as rescue workers tired to pull her out of the wreckage.

"We were about to help her," Napat Klomkliang, a member of the Ruamkatunyu Foundation, said.

Failing to control the blaze, rescue workers were forced to call the fire department, which took up to two hours to put out the fire.

The accident took place at about 7am on the BangkokChon Buri motorway in Samut Prakan's Bang Bo district. The van, which is owned by a transport firm, ran from Mor Chit Bus Terminal and Chachoengsao.

Those killed at the scene included Wantaya, Paitoon Chaweewong, Song Khamjanta, Sureeporn Jarerndee and an unidentified woman. The sixth victim, Poonsap Chaweewong, succumbed to injuries at Chularat 11 Hospital.

The hospital's director Dr Chutima Pincharoern said the seven injured passengers were being treated at her facility, but that Jaroon Petchnadee, 23, was in a critical condition.

"Others have broken bones and are awaiting surgery," Chutima said.

Pol LtColonel Phirasak Supattanakul, 66, said the Chachoensaobound van was going at great speed and suddenly hit the trailer.

"All the people I had spoken to in the van have died," he said sadly.

Pol LtColonel Suriyan Winijmongtri, an investigator with the Highway Police Division 8, said the driver had fled the scene.

-- The Nation 2012-01-07

[rfukata]

Yes the van drivers drive like idiots.

Other drivers are not much different, regret to say. As a frequent driver, I see idiots on an every-single-minute basis.

Especially vans and public open-air red-colored buses (ohh, my Gott....!!)

very true +1; We risk our lives on the road every day driving our children's to school - only 8 kilometers away. Even on the 'private'

intl. school campus in Ubon, some drivers (parents of students) as well as school van drivers drive like

'idiots' with total ignorance concerning traffic rules despite carrying kids- Its a real pity, and reflects the low mentalities of most idiot drivers.

[Nylarac]

Given that we all know how reckless Thai drivers can be and how busy the roads are, riding in a minibus is a gamble with your life. But you choose to make it. You want to entrust your life to a chimp behind the wheel? That's your affair. Otherwise take the train or a big bus. Let the Thais kill each other. This is old news.

[parmo1]

This is Thailand , a third world country, it is not Sweden or England, tyres are bald, drivers drunk , drive in all lanes, lorries are overloaded, carsdrive on wrong side of the road. It is the norm

[corkman]

Sad and scary .. but I've said my bit about the vans in previous threads a year ago or so. I will use them locally only, from my village to the next town, when he doesn't get the chance to go supersonic. But on the highway to Bkk ? at 140+ kmph ? .. jostling for position with six other vans and five buses and a couple of monster, over loaded trucks .. f****** crazy. The only thing to compare it with is the pod racing scene in the original Star Wars movie.

But yes, sad and scary, and nothing will change until an important politician's daughter is smashed to bits... then they will slow down for about 72 hours, until it is forgotten.

^ Star Wars analogy ...... LOL.....

[Maeklong]

Having seen these guys in action on this road myself, here's my take.

The driver was trying to skirt around cars driving as fast as the speed limit (120 KMH) in the two right lanes, and since it is not a van or taxi driver's attribute to be patient, he decided to go racing up the left side, saw the 18 wheeler in front, then intended to cut back in to the right at the last second. Except maybe someone was cutting up the middle lane doing something similar to go around a vehicle in the rightmost "fast lane". Looking in the rear or side view mirror to judge his re-entry hole, he forgot to look in front, maybe miscalculating the speed of the 18 wheeler.

End of 6 people's lives.

End of story.

[madmitch]

I took one of these minibuses on this exact route last year. It wouldn't surprise me if it was the same driver. Ridiculous speed in fairly heavy traffic, changing lanes all the time, tailgating with flashing lights. I had done the trip before but never as scary as this.

I took a taxi back from Bangkok to Chachoengsao. 700 baht to arrive without being scared sh!tless was a much better deal. But I can (just about) afford that. Most can't so are at the mercy of these maniac drivers.

[anterian]

We are always reading about passenger vans and motorbike accidents, are there any statistics comparing regular taxis with these? Similarly are motorbike taxis less accident prone than normal motorbikes?

[Roj]

yet more tripe from TV members who like to post opinions based on little or no evidence or "better still" - hearsay or their own personal prejudices.

One is left wondering why there was a fire ATER the rescue workers had started their work.

As a former London Fireman from many years ago I attended a lot of RTA`s and in a proportion of these the vehicle caught fire when we arrived on the scene. This was virtually always caused by a ruptured fuel pipeline being ignited by the battery before we had a chance to routinely disconnect it. Maybe Thai rescue workers aren`t briefed to carry out this necessary action. That aside these minibuses are a dangerous way to travel. You only have to see the amount of them sporting Toyota Racing Development stickers and fitted with ridiculous, torque sapping, big bore `silencer` boxes to understand the mentality of those driving them. The poor girl who died in the fire deserves redress for her terrible death but with Thai driving offence sentencing being on a par with that of the UK I don`t expect those responsible have too much to worry about.

[elshaheen]

I was waiting for this to happen.

The drivers of these vans race through traffic, completing with other drivers of vans to see who gets to Bangkok first.

I took a Van from Pattaya on Dec. 31, 2011 on New Year’s Eve and the driver was absolutely insane and the passengers were watching the driver passing cars, trucks, etc. One passenger told him to slow down, but he refused. Even some of the Thai’s told him to slow down.

Our van left Pattaya across from Com(something plaza) at 4:30 p.m. and arrived in Bangkok (near Victory monument) at around 8:30 p.m. I asked to speak to someone about the driver and was told brushed off. There is no regulation to these drivers and their needs to be.

Since then that night, I feel much safer taking the bus back to Bangkok.

[whybother]

Was the truck even moving at the time of the accident?

If the truck was doing 60-80 kmh, the van would have hit it but wouldn't have stayed stuck under the truck the way it is?

It was mentioned that "the driver fled", but I don't really see how the van driver could have survived that impact, and I doubt that he would have had a chance to jump before hitting the truck.

Which leads me to assume that the truck was stopped and the truck driver fled, probably because he shouldn't have been stopped where he was.

[hehehoho]

Next time somebody is in a van that's being driven like a lunatic, video it and the driver on your phone and post it up. Make sure to get the company name etc. in the video

[OzMick]

yet more tripe from TV members who like to post opinions based on little or no evidence or "better still" - hearsay or their own personal prejudices.

One is left wondering why there was a fire ATER the rescue workers had started their work.

As a former London Fireman from many years ago I attended a lot of RTA`s and in a proportion of these the vehicle caught fire when we arrived on the scene. This was virtually always caused by a ruptured fuel pipeline being ignited by the battery before we had a chance to routinely disconnect it. Maybe Thai rescue workers aren`t briefed to carry out this necessary action. That aside these minibuses are a dangerous way to travel. You only have to see the amount of them sporting Toyota Racing Development stickers and fitted with ridiculous, torque sapping, big bore `silencer` boxes to understand the mentality of those driving them. The poor girl who died in the fire deserves redress for her terrible death but with Thai driving offence sentencing being on a par with that of the UK I don`t expect those responsible have too much to worry about.

in this case, the battery would have been difficult to get to; not easy before it got crumpled. Just another reason to avoid them.