One Dead, Four Injured In Latest Phuket Horror Smash

[webfact]

One dead, four injured in latest Phuket horror smash

Phuket Gazette

Phuket Kusoldharm rescue workers carefully remove the injured Mrs Amphrai from the cab of the pickup. Photo: Wichai Witthawat

Some of the bystanders who stopped to witness the first accident became accident victims themselves.

PHUKET: -- A fatal motorbike accident in Phuket last night was compounded when a car that slowed to survey the carnage was hit from behind and launched into a crowd of onlookers.

A pregnant woman was killed and four others were injured, one critically.

Thalang Police were notified at 6:45pm of an accident involving two motorbikes on Srisoonthorn Road (Route 4027), about 800 meters east of the Heroines Monument.

Dead at the scene was Sudjai Athaan, a 37-year-old rubber tapper and resident of Srisoonthorn Village 3. She was six-months pregnant. Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation workers transported her body to the Vachira Phuket Hospital morgue.

The second victim, an unidentified male, was rushed to Vachira Hospital for injuries described by rescue workers as “critical”.

After observing the wreckage, one rescue worker said Mrs Sudjai was probably driving against the traffic with a load of laundry when she hit the other vehicle head-on.

Neither person was wearing a safety helmet, the rescue worker said.

Just after police arrived at the scene and were beginning to question witnesses, a sedan heading toward the Heroines Monument slowed suddenly to survey the damage and to avoid hitting the large crowd that was gathering at the scene.

The sedan was hit from behind by an extended cab pickup driven by 44-year-old Amphrai Khaow-im.

The impact sent the sedan into a crowd of onlookers and motorbikes by the side of the road.

Two 21-year-old women, identified as Aphiya Khroomkaew and Issaphon Sae-lim, were injured.

Three motorbikes were also damaged in the second accident, rescue workers said.

Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation workers transported both Aphiya and Issaphon, as well as Ms Amphrai, to Thalang Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The fatal accident last night follows the death of Phuket Technical College student Sathaporn Kidthook after the motorbike he was riding collided with a six-wheeled truck in Rassada during rush hour yesterday morning, and the deaths of mother-to-be Erna Dahlan and her seven-month-old unborn child when they were run over by a truck in Patong on Sunday.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle11970.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-01-11

[laurentbkk]

Terrible ..... I feel so sorry for those people . but once again , no helmet , driving in the wrong direction , too many people around etc ... there is nothing more to be said .. those accidents will never end until a severe change is done in the mentality.

[COXYATCITY]

Terrible ..... I feel so sorry for those people . but once again , no helmet , driving in the wrong direction , too many people around etc ... there is nothing more to be said .. those accidents will never end until a severe change is done in the mentality.

you are 100 % correct, ;-(

[blackthorn2005]

Rubberneckers, the least they do is slow traffic down, in situations like this they cause injury or death.

[spidermike007]

The sedan was hit from behind by an extended cab pickup driven by 44-year-old Amphrai Khaow-im.

One can only hope that Amphrai Khaow-im is imprisoned for at least 20 years, and that he is fined enough money to bankrupt his entire family. He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter. If there was a crowd, with police, etc, then why did he not see it, and slow down? What a goon. What a misfit. Does he deserve a license to drive? No, it should be taken away, and he should be forced into another profession, when he is released from prison, after the ago of 64.

[lovetotravel]

The sedan was hit from behind by an extended cab pickup driven by 44-year-old Amphrai Khaow-im.

One can only hope that Amphrai Khaow-im is imprisoned for at least 20 years, and that he is fined enough money to bankrupt his entire family. He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter. If there was a crowd, with police, etc, then why did he not see it, and slow down? What a goon. What a misfit. Does he deserve a license to drive? No, it should be taken away, and he should be forced into another profession, when he is released from prison, after the ago of 64.

Don't be so harsh. You don't know all the details. Maybe the car in front stopped very fast with no warning, as was stated above. Also a violation of traffic laws.

When the police start enforcing traffic laws, like not driving on the wrong side of the road with no helmet and probably no head lights, these sorts of accidents, hopefully, will subside. Until then, it's just sad.

[LivinginKata]

The sedan was hit from behind by an extended cab pickup driven by 44-year-old Amphrai Khaow-im.

One can only hope that Amphrai Khaow-im is imprisoned for at least 20 years, and that he is fined enough money to bankrupt his entire family. He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter. If there was a crowd, with police, etc, then why did he not see it, and slow down? What a goon. What a misfit. Does he deserve a license to drive? No, it should be taken away, and he should be forced into another profession, when he is released from prison, after the ago of 64.

Don't be so harsh. You don't know all the details. Maybe the car in front stopped very fast with no warning, as was stated above. Also a violation of traffic laws.

When the police start enforcing traffic laws, like not driving on the wrong side of the road with no helmet and probably no head lights, these sorts of accidents, hopefully, will subside. Until then, it's just sad.

Just about what I started to write. We have no idea of the facts. Yes it's usually the case that the driver rear ending the car in front is at fault, but there might be mitigating circumstances.

[JulesMad]

As a farang do NOT stop at any accident site, but proceed with care. IF you stop, you might be blamed for the accident, even if you have nothing to do with it (own experience...) That is also why I will not help any Thai people involved in an accident anymore. There is NO "good Samaritan" rule in Thailand, unfortunately!

As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not (especially in traffic accidents)

Drive safely and watch everything (360 degrees)

[TerryLH]

Very sad. I hope all the injured people come out of this okay.

"He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter."

Maybe one of us din't pay attention when we read the article. I don't see where anyone died in the second accident. I think a death is one of the requirements for manslaughter. Did I miss that part?

"As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not..."

I'm happy to say that my experience in accident situations has been the opposite of what you are saying.

[Reasonableman]

Not enough info here to lay the blame at anyone's door, so why try? And yet another moan about farang being treated unjustly in every circumstance is becoming very very tedious indeed.

[kellbell]

Don't be so harsh. You don't know all the details. Maybe the car in front stopped very fast with no warning, as was stated above. Also a violation of traffic law

,Can you please point me to the actual traffic law that says you cannot stop your vehicle on the said highway ? Whether fast or slow ?

There are normally 3 warning signs on modern vehicles in the form of red lights that inform the vehicle behind you are stopping. One of which is normally now at eye level

Failure to stop in my opinion and the law in most countries is that you are travelling too close or not driving with enough due attention.

[HOOD Robin]

Very sad. I hope all the injured people come out of this okay.

"He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter."

Maybe one of us din't pay attention when we read the article. I don't see where anyone died in the second accident. I think a death is one of the requirements for manslaughter. Did I miss that part?

"As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not..."

I'm happy to say that my experience in accident situations has been the opposite of what you are saying.

Well, than you were very lucky my friend! JulesMad is right ! Many of us were already in such mafiosi "accidents" where the only intention is to suck the money out of us, the Farang ! And the BIB are what happy to intervere and show their consern to the farang... FORGET IT, most of them are part of those mafia !!

So follow that guy's advice and NEVER stop when you see a motorbike on the ground and next to it some Thai person being the victim, and in the immediate neighbourhoud somebody waving with his/her arm to please stop and give some help... Don't stop as YOU will be the one who's gonna need the help !!!!

[astanhope]

Very sad. I hope all the injured people come out of this okay.

"He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter."

Maybe one of us din't pay attention when we read the article. I don't see where anyone died in the second accident. I think a death is one of the requirements for manslaughter. Did I miss that part?

"As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not..."

I'm happy to say that my experience in accident situations has been the opposite of what you are saying.

My first read of the first two paragraphs of the article left me thinking that the second accident caused an additional death. Upon rereading it, it is apparent that there was no second death. I chalked my confusion up to the poor placement of the second paragraph:

A pregnant woman was killed and four others were injured, one critically.

As for being farang at an accident, I'm pleased to report that my experiences have also been the opposite of those of JulesMad. The highly cynical view of Thais and Thailand exists in so many comments on this board confuses me. While I've certainly been shaken down by the Thai cops in the past, I can't remember ever hearing them conveniently pinning cases on farang who happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. (I'm not saying that it couldn't happen or that it didn't happen. It just that it seems like such a non-Thai thing for the police to do.)

I haven't been to Pattaya or Phuket in more than 10 years. Lately the news stories about crime involving farangs in Thailand seem to emerge most frequently from Pattaya and Phuket. Have these two cities truly become centers for bad behavior?

[Tywais]

As for being farang at an accident, I'm pleased to report that my experiences have also been the opposite of those of JulesMad. The highly cynical view of Thais and Thailand exists in so many comments on this board confuses me.

As have mine.

[balo]

I have been a bystander to traffic accidents in Bangkok at least 3 times and never been blamed for the accident.

Thais are not stupid, trying to blame a farang without any reasons at all , I dont think its any different in Phuket.

.

[MILT]

As a farang do NOT stop at any accident site, but proceed with care. IF you stop, you might be blamed for the accident, even if you have nothing to do with it (own experience...) That is also why I will not help any Thai people involved in an accident anymore. There is NO "good Samaritan" rule in Thailand, unfortunately! As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not (especially in traffic accidents) Drive safely and watch everything (360 degrees)

Get a grip! You are insulting and generalizing at best. I don't where you came from nor do I care, but at any rate this sort of diatribe is not accurate. I understand this is your's and a vast majority of TV members reality/point of view. I just don't find your statement true especially living here as long as I have. And you like living in Thailand?

[aussiebrian]

As a farang do NOT stop at any accident site, but proceed with care. IF you stop, you might be blamed for the accident, even if you have nothing to do with it (own experience...) That is also why I will not help any Thai people involved in an accident anymore. There is NO "good Samaritan" rule in Thailand, unfortunately! As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not (especially in traffic accidents) Drive safely and watch everything (360 degrees)

Get a grip! You are insulting and generalizing at best. I don't where you came from nor do I care, but at any rate this sort of diatribe is not accurate. I understand this is your's and a vast majority of TV members reality/point of view. I just don't find your statement true especially living here as long as I have. And you like living in Thailand?

[aussiebrian]

Very sad. I hope all the injured people come out of this okay.

"He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter."

Maybe one of us din't pay attention when we read the article. I don't see where anyone died in the second accident. I think a death is one of the requirements for manslaughter. Did I miss that part?

"As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not..."

I'm happy to say that my experience in accident situations has been the opposite of what you are saying.

Well, than you were very lucky my friend! JulesMad is right ! Many of us were already in such mafiosi "accidents" where the only intention is to suck the money out of us, the Farang ! And the BIB are what happy to intervere and show their consern to the farang... FORGET IT, most of them are part of those mafia !!

So follow that guy's advice and NEVER stop when you see a motorbike on the ground and next to it some Thai person being the victim, and in the immediate neighbourhoud somebody waving with his/her arm to please stop and give some help... Don't stop as YOU will be the one who's gonna need the help !!!!

I always stop and help if I can if it looks like they need help. Never been blamed for causing anything. Been living here nearly 7 years, that is a lot of collisions I have stopped for. When I stop, I always make sure I park safely and it is safe to stop. I have been able to be of assistance on many occasions. How many collisions have you stopped for, where you were innocent and someone tried to blame you and extort money from you? Once? Twice? Has this happened every time you have ever have stopped?

With maybe over 50 collisions where I have stopped for to render assistance, it must give very good odds at not being blamed

[elektrified]

Terrible ..... I feel so sorry for those people . but once again , no helmet , driving in the wrong direction , too many people around etc ... there is nothing more to be said .. those accidents will never end until a severe change is done in the mentality.

you are 100 % correct, ;-(

+2

Terrible.

[jalansanitwong]

I always stop and help if I can if it looks like they need help. Never been blamed for causing anything. Been living here nearly 7 years, that is a lot of collisions I have stopped for. When I stop, I always make sure I park safely and it is safe to stop. I have been able to be of assistance on many occasions. How many collisions have you stopped for, where you were innocent and someone tried to blame you and extort money from you? Once? Twice? Has this happened every time you have ever have stopped?

With maybe over 50 collisions where I have stopped for to render assistance, it must give very good odds at not being blamed

How could you possibly have come across 50 serious accidents. Ive been here 12 years and seen only 2. Never stopped to render assistance either. You rendered assistance at all of them ? Are you a volunteer paramedic?

[thaiIand]

any picture of the pickup? The accidents happened about 3mins before i got there and i had to wait forever to move away from victory monument..

before i got there a pickup truck seemly drunk and crazed almost crashed into me and at least 7 other cars while trying to pass through traffic from left and right.. had a feeling it might be him

[chrisinth]

Very sad. I hope all the injured people come out of this okay.

"He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter."

Maybe one of us din't pay attention when we read the article. I don't see where anyone died in the second accident. I think a death is one of the requirements for manslaughter. Did I miss that part?

"As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not..."

I'm happy to say that my experience in accident situations has been the opposite of what you are saying.

Concur on all above points Terry, well said!

[unanimosity]

The sedan was hit from behind by an extended cab pickup driven by 44-year-old Amphrai Khaow-im.

One can only hope that Amphrai Khaow-im is imprisoned for at least 20 years, and that he is fined enough money to bankrupt his entire family. He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter. If there was a crowd, with police, etc, then why did he not see it, and slow down? What a goon. What a misfit. Does he deserve a license to drive? No, it should be taken away, and he should be forced into another profession, when he is released from prison, after the ago of 64.

He is not the exception, he is the norm. Anybody that has spent any time on Thai streets and roads knows how it is common practice to drive one direction while looking another, that, and pulling into traffic without looking and expecting the flow of traffic to avoid you.

[unanimosity]

The sedan was hit from behind by an extended cab pickup driven by 44-year-old Amphrai Khaow-im.

One can only hope that Amphrai Khaow-im is imprisoned for at least 20 years, and that he is fined enough money to bankrupt his entire family. He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter. If there was a crowd, with police, etc, then why did he not see it, and slow down? What a goon. What a misfit. Does he deserve a license to drive? No, it should be taken away, and he should be forced into another profession, when he is released from prison, after the ago of 64.

Don't be so harsh. You don't know all the details. Maybe the car in front stopped very fast with no warning, as was stated above. Also a violation of traffic laws.

When the police start enforcing traffic laws, like not driving on the wrong side of the road with no helmet and probably no head lights, these sorts of accidents, hopefully, will subside. Until then, it's just sad.

Just about what I started to write. We have no idea of the facts. Yes it's usually the case that the driver rear ending the car in front is at fault, but there might be mitigating circumstances.

How can you state that the driver rear-ending the front car is at fault until you have had a chance to know all party's social status and net worth?

[aussiebrian]

I always stop and help if I can if it looks like they need help. Never been blamed for causing anything. Been living here nearly 7 years, that is a lot of collisions I have stopped for. When I stop, I always make sure I park safely and it is safe to stop. I have been able to be of assistance on many occasions. How many collisions have you stopped for, where you were innocent and someone tried to blame you and extort money from you? Once? Twice? Has this happened every time you have ever have stopped?

With maybe over 50 collisions where I have stopped for to render assistance, it must give very good odds at not being blamed

How could you possibly have come across 50 serious accidents. Ive been here 12 years and seen only 2. Never stopped to render assistance either. You rendered assistance at all of them ? Are you a volunteer paramedic?

Sounds like you live under a rock or hardly ever leave home. I never said serious accidents, they were your words. No, I am not a para medic but have had first aid training. I do not often give medical assistance but have done that, normally it is a matter stopping my bike on the road in front of someone lying on the ground, putting my hazard lights on to avoid them being squashed by another vehicle and if they are not seriously injured, helping them get off the road, People here always leave the vehicles where they landed till police of insurance arrive and this can be dangerous to other vehicles approaching. too, especially at night. Not hard to let them use your mobile phone if they don't have one to ring someone or police or ambulance, or to look for witnesses that saw the accident if they are incapable to do that. Many things you can do to help. I have traveled over 250000 km around Thailand. On some trips, especially in the wet, it is not unusual to see 2 or 3 collisions along the way. I don't stop at all, usually only when it looks like it has just happened with few or nobody assisting.

Just 2 days ago, I was in a restaurant and heard a bike come down on a wet road, and it was a girl with her young child on the bike, both injured. She needed help, or would you just leave her there and ignore it. Each to their own.

[chrisinth]

Very sad. I hope all the injured people come out of this okay.

"He was obviously not paying attention, or he would not have plowed into the car, sending it into the crowd. This is manslaughter."

Maybe one of us din't pay attention when we read the article. I don't see where anyone died in the second accident. I think a death is one of the requirements for manslaughter. Did I miss that part?

"As farang you are always guilty, even if you are not..."

I'm happy to say that my experience in accident situations has been the opposite of what you are saying.

Well, than you were very lucky my friend! JulesMad is right ! Many of us were already in such mafiosi "accidents" where the only intention is to suck the money out of us, the Farang ! And the BIB are what happy to intervere and show their consern to the farang... FORGET IT, most of them are part of those mafia !!

So follow that guy's advice and NEVER stop when you see a motorbike on the ground and next to it some Thai person being the victim, and in the immediate neighbourhoud somebody waving with his/her arm to please stop and give some help... Don't stop as YOU will be the one who's gonna need the help !!!!

Believe it or not, but here "Up Country" the police handle accidents on an extremely professional and neutral way, regardless of who is involved in the accident. There are photos taken every time (for serious incidents) before any vehicle is moved and statements taken where possible. It is quite believable that in the commercial areas (Bkk, Pattaya, Phuket) there is a different attitude from some of the BIB.

Mind you, they have a lot of practice as they drive like maniacs up here!

I would not hesitate to render assistance in any accident if I could; if you have the experience and training that could possibly save a life, use it! To watch someone bleed out because you can't be ars*d to get involved is a poor excuse, and to the people who support this attitude, I hope you are never in the situation where no one will help.

[Fishenough]

Sounds like you live under a rock or hardly ever leave home. I never said serious accidents, they were your words. No, I am not a para medic but have had first aid training. I do not often give medical assistance but have done that, normally it is a matter stopping my bike on the road in front of someone lying on the ground, putting my hazard lights on to avoid them being squashed by another vehicle and if they are not seriously injured, helping them get off the road, People here always leave the vehicles where they landed till police of insurance arrive and this can be dangerous to other vehicles approaching. too, especially at night. Not hard to let them use your mobile phone if they don't have one to ring someone or police or ambulance, or to look for witnesses that saw the accident if they are incapable to do that. Many things you can do to help. I have traveled over 250000 km around Thailand. On some trips, especially in the wet, it is not unusual to see 2 or 3 collisions along the way. I don't stop at all, usually only when it looks like it has just happened with few or nobody assisting.

Just 2 days ago, I was in a restaurant and heard a bike come down on a wet road, and it was a girl with her young child on the bike, both injured. She needed help, or would you just leave her there and ignore it. Each to their own.

50 accidents does at first sound quite high, but that is one accident roughly every 5000 km - sadly not unrealistic with Chiang Mai city driving. Having traveled half your mileage, and after witnessing many accidents I carry a first kit with me when traveling (but not whilst running around in town) - and it's has been used several times. Like wise witnessed 2 accidents during rain burst within 10 meters of each other within 2 minutes of each other once. 3 of the accidents I assisted were very serious, and not that I saved any lives, but was most definitely able to assist and was shown much (thou unnecessary) appreciation. Only downside noted is that when dealing with Thai police things do not move quickly.

I stop (trained first responder) when safe to do so, your own safety is the number one priority, you can't help anyone if your injured, in the way, or just down right stupid or panicky, and of course there is a need for assistance. Access each situation very carefully, and if it does not feel right, don't stop but consider staying safely some distance away if little other help is in sight.

If there are few people around the accident scene, do you that don't stop still pass on by?

Edited April 17, 2012 by Fishenough

[HongKongPhooey]

I stop (trained first responder) when safe to do so, your own safety is the number one priority, you can't help anyone if your injured, in the way, or just down right stupid or panicky, and of course there is a need for assistance. Access each situation very carefully, and if it does not feel right, don't stop but consider staying safely some distance away if little other help is in sight.

There was a whole thread on this a while back.

I believe you have got it spot on with what you said above. Every situation will be different and needs to be assessed individually. There will be times when things don't seem right and stopping isn't an option, when a mob has already formed and looking for justice etc etc.

I believe the vast majority of times however, you will be in no danger and will be thanked for taking the time to help. I also believe that if you don't have enough common sense to allow you to make a judgement call about such a matter, then it is probably you who is the danger. A bit like the old people who sit in the middle lane on the motorway oblivious to the world around them, and too scared to change lane!

Making a blanket decision to never stop at an accident where you may be able to help is just plain selfish and cowardly IMO. And more to the point, if your opinion is so low of the vast majority of people you live among, then my question would be how could you live among these people? I could never live somewhere I thought the vast majority of people want to do me harm!!