4 Young Swedes, 1 Thai Dead In Horror Smash Near Phuket

[z12]

The mentality here is that they must get in front of you at ANY cost! Then they normally slam on the breaks and turn off the road!

yea i have been trying to figure that out for years. happens every day. my favorite are the farmer pickups that pull out into fast moving traffic, requiring everybody in the left lane to slam on their brakes, then they turn down the next road 20 meters down. they couldn't wait for a break in traffic? or they thought it wasn't a big deal because they were only going a short distance?

my Thai wife never noticed any of this until i started pointing it out. one thing i always tell her - the maximum wait time for a Thai is 15 seconds (on or off the road). if a car has waited 15 seconds or more, expect them to pull out into traffic. this by the way is also the case at red lights in Isaan.

With the LONG lights and traffick jams in Bangkok, Thais must have the patience of Buddha.

Edited February 2, 2012 by z12

[vahack]

Thailand roads are not safe.

I repeat for the white people looking to visit here - Thailand roads are not safe.

Every single road in the Kingdom is crazy dangerous. I risk my life driving my car 15 minutes to Macro. At least 10 speeding pickup trucks, buses, or 10-wheelers fly past me on every trip (at 130-150km+).

Thailand roads are not safe.

Thailand is not safe for many aspects of health and safety... especially the roads. RIP to the victims and their families, no-one deserves to go that way.

But I have to ask why people keep quoting this comment with a 'like'? It clearly implies that only white people can drive, or that white people are the only ones who don't know how dangerous Thailand's roads are. Both of which are rather derogatory claims.

I think you'll find its got more to do with a country's laws and road safety, not the color of someone's skin. I also think you'll find that many people know how dangerous the roads are here, but often they don't have a choice when travelling as most routes, especially short ones, simply don't have flights.

you are clearly a {insert derogatory adjective}. it wasnt a racist statement. it is a message for any farangs (even more racist word btw) from outside the Kingdom looking to holiday here. i think its a good idea to keep repeating that this place is freaking dangerous. its not all 70s disco music and slutty 17 year olds. you risk your life coming to Thailand.

if it makes you feel better i could include the 20-30 non-white visitors that come to Thailand every year? but they werent the intended audience of my message. write your own.

[marioDC]

Thailand roads are not safe.

I repeat for the white people looking to visit here - Thailand roads are not safe.

Every single road in the Kingdom is crazy dangerous. I risk my life driving my car 15 minutes to Macro. At least 10 speeding pickup trucks, buses, or 10-wheelers fly past me on every trip (at 130-150km+).

Thailand roads are not safe.

Agreed! I spent the last 2 years behind the wheel while living outside of Bangkok and I eventually lost count of the near death experiences I narrowly escaped. Most of the time it was the commercial vehicles (buses, trucks, and vans) I had to watch out for as the majority of the drivers operate their vehicles like they were in Formula One.

I've been driving in Bangkok and neighbouring towns, villages, ... for over 6 years now and I've never had any accident ... so go figure. And I 'm not Thai. By the way, did you ever drive a car in Saoudi Arabia ? They are far more dangerous drivers then Thai. Oh yes, and I've driven there also with no accidents.

[Pavlik39]

What would have been the outcome if the truck driver had been a Swedish farang and the car passengers Thai.

[Pib]

My condolences to the families of the victims.

Wouldn't surprise me that the truck diver fell asleep. Thai truck drivers put in very long hours, make low wages, some (maybe most) take pills to help keep themselves awake, it's a hard way to make a living.

[z12]

Thailand roads are not safe.

I repeat for the white people looking to visit here - Thailand roads are not safe.

Every single road in the Kingdom is crazy dangerous. I risk my life driving my car 15 minutes to Macro. At least 10 speeding pickup trucks, buses, or 10-wheelers fly past me on every trip (at 130-150km+).

Thailand roads are not safe.

Agreed! I spent the last 2 years behind the wheel while living outside of Bangkok and I eventually lost count of the near death experiences I narrowly escaped. Most of the time it was the commercial vehicles (buses, trucks, and vans) I had to watch out for as the majority of the drivers operate their vehicles like they were in Formula One.

I've been driving in Bangkok and neighbouring towns, villages, ... for over 6 years now and I've never had any accident ... so go figure. And I 'm not Thai. By the way, did you ever drive a car in Saoudi Arabia ? They are far more dangerous drivers then Thai. Oh yes, and I've driven there also with no accidents.

If that is what you are driving in the picture, I am quite frankly surprised you don't crash OFTEN. hehehe

Edited February 2, 2012 by z12

[z12]

What would have been the outcome if the truck driver had been a Swedish farang and the car passengers Thai.

It would not be good, that is for sure. It is bad enough there were farangs even as passengers. They maybe would be blamed for distracting the car driver.

Edited February 2, 2012 by z12

[Jimjim]

I once road in a mini-bus from Chumpon to Ranong, for a visa run. It was terrifying, the van/bus driver kept passing other cars on blind corners as it was a windy route. I was so afraid of dying. I wanted to sleep because I was really tired, but no way that was going to happen being thrown from side to side going around corners so fast. I also used to drive a lot myself to a province outside BKK and saw some absolutely insane driving and a few horrible accidents with one van smashed from driver seat back to the last seat. Saw people under sheets on the side of the road, even a few kids across from my school. Thailand's roads are so unsafe and it's despicable the lack of appreciation for human life in the country.

[Pib]

Life is cheap in Thailand.

[Beetlejuice]

Very tragic.

So young, it makes me think about my own kids, I could cry, truly I could.

All these Thai bashers on here. As yet we are not in possession of all the facts and are not able to assume anything.

The problem is that many tourists are not familiar with the Thai system of driving, different road rules and so on. I can remember the very first time I hit the roads in Thailand, it came as an awful shock, and it was a miracle that I survived the first year. But eventually I learned to drive defensively in Thailand, but it took time.

I believe that young inexperienced tourists like these should not be let loose on the roads here without first being briefed on the dangers of Thailand’s roads. At least the travel agencies should issue leaflets just to make them aware.

[Yoknapatawpha]

why would the story print the names of the deceased but not the name of the driver? seems tasteless.

[atyclb]

"...Police are now hunting the driver, who fled the scene."

It seems this is true in the majority of tragic motorway accidents. And 99% of the time the driver is found, usually within a few hours. Why do they do it? It's a mystery to me.

1 ) Because they don't like taking responsibilty for their actions

2 ) It could invariably involve paying some form of compensation.

Agree with points 1 and 2. There is also the issu of

3) avoiding a possible drug/alcohol test

4) fear of being lynched to exact revenge for the accident. Can happen in thailand. Cambodia is quite common and ambulances are often escorted by military with automatic weapons to deter mob behavior at road accident scenes.

[softgeorge]

Very tragic.

So young, it makes me think about my own kids, I could cry, truly I could.

All these Thai bashers on here. As yet we are not in possession of all the facts and are not able to assume anything.

The problem is that many tourists are not familiar with the Thai system of driving, different road rules and so on. I can remember the very first time I hit the roads in Thailand, it came as an awful shock, and it was a miracle that I survived the first year. But eventually I learned to drive defensively in Thailand, but it took time.

I believe that young inexperienced tourists like these should not be let loose on the roads here without first being briefed on the dangers of Thailand’s roads. At least the travel agencies should issue leaflets just to make them aware.

Actually they were passengers in a vehicle driven by a Thai, don't bash the tourists simply because they were seated in the vehicle.

[softgeorge]

why would the story print the names of the deceased but not the name of the driver? seems tasteless.

Respect for the Thais. It is respectful not to release names until after family have been notified and they give thier permission for the release.

Edited February 2, 2012 by softgeorge

[thaiIand]

A tragic loss of life.

FYI. I live in a small village on the coast south of Pattaya, every day seafood truck drivers drive like absolute maniacks down our small soy on thair way to supply the several seafood restaurants near the beach. The soy is also near to several schools so quite a lot of kids walking and playing in the soy, this does not however slow the trucks as they drive "flat-out" to deliver the produce.

I have also encountered these maniac fish truck drivers on the sukhumvit road in the area when driving to work.

The police of course are useless regarding this subject and it would no doubt bring me much greif and would end up being a target if I were to report them.

my moobaan only has 4 streets and a mom who lives in the back drivers her fortuner at over 85kph on the small lane that turns around the park (dead angle) and swerves in it, every single day at least 4-5times. On top of that that lane only has space for 1 and a half car, so if a car is coming the other way, frontal colision.

she's almost hit other kids a few times, dont think she'll stop.. its not a thai truck driver mentality, its a thai mentallity.

[z12]

Very tragic.

So young, it makes me think about my own kids, I could cry, truly I could.

All these Thai bashers on here. As yet we are not in possession of all the facts and are not able to assume anything.

The problem is that many tourists are not familiar with the Thai system of driving, different road rules and so on. I can remember the very first time I hit the roads in Thailand, it came as an awful shock, and it was a miracle that I survived the first year. But eventually I learned to drive defensively in Thailand, but it took time.

I believe that young inexperienced tourists like these should not be let loose on the roads here without first being briefed on the dangers of Thailand’s roads. At least the travel agencies should issue leaflets just to make them aware.

The Swedish farangs were not the drivers. They had a Thai driver. No telling what the truck driver was, Thai or some other Asian.

[Tywais]

why would the story print the names of the deceased but not the name of the driver? seems tasteless.

The Thai driver of the sedan is listed in the OP. The driver of the truck may not have been known at the time of the article as he did a runner.

[thaiIand]

kbb thats not true, most are hidden.

This week ive seen 4 dead/severly injured motorbike vs car accident

none reported in thai newspaper/english newspaper

in fact 2 days ago was just in front of my house next to a massive speedbump. guy for sure lost a leg if not worse

there are two sets of stats on road casualties

Vachira Morge

Police

they are very similar

agree most are not in media, but according to above stats, road casualties are 1/3 of what they where 10 years ago

maybe doctors are getting better at saving people and leaving them cripples eh

[Darkman]

Sad indeed. But also sad to see all the barstool-judges around here. You don't know what happened, but you are all ready to put the blame on the truckdriver. What about an unexperienced Swedish driver, new driverslicence, rental car and driving (for a Swede) on the wrong side of the road ?? OR

a Thai driver in the Swedes car, trying to impress the young ladies ??

Why rush to blame the driver you say! HE RAN AWAY from the scene of the accident, enough said. In most countries that's enough to get you locked up whether you caused the accident or not.

[Asianrider]

RIP to families involved, tragically sad story ....

I arrived in Phuket yesterday afternoon, took the meter taxi from Airport to Phuket and the driver who didn't know where the hotel was anyway, drove like a stunt extra out of one of the Death Race films -( not a great start to a relaxing break ....

[pacovl46]

"...Police are now hunting the driver, who fled the scene."

It seems this is true in the majority of tragic motorway accidents. And 99% of the time the driver is found, usually within a few hours. Why do they do it? It's a mystery to me.

It's an automatic flight response. He knew he's caused it so he fled. It's like when someone tries to start a physical fight with you and you respond either with fighting back or trying to flee.

[jehricaholic]

Nothing less than life in prison, and a 5 million baht fine, that his family would be forced to pay would be sufficient punishment for this sub human truck driver, who did not have the courage to face the music, after he was responsible for five deaths. Until Thailand gets serious with commensurate punishment for these insects, it will keep happening. Also, the trucking company should be forced to pay the fine. That would compel them to be more careful in their selection of drivers, rather than hiring untrained insects.

You gotta love these armchair 'guilty until proven innocent' types

[yougivemebaby]

RIP

[soi41]

After reading all the posts on this thread, thaibashing, racism and everything inbetween, I wonder how it comes that we only react to a horrific accident like this, when someone from our own "tribe" is the victim. Accidents like this happens every week, pickup trucks with constructionworkers hit by a truck,bus,train and 8-10 death and nobody cares. But as soon a farang is involved, it is a complete different story.

Do we consider a white life worth more than a brown life ?

[yougivemebaby]

After reading all the posts on this thread, thaibashing, racism and everything inbetween, I wonder how it comes that we only react to a horrific accident like this, when someone from our own "tribe" is the victim. Accidents like this happens every week, pickup trucks with constructionworkers hit by a truck,bus,train and 8-10 death and nobody cares. But as soon a farang is involved, it is a complete different story.

Do we consider a white life worth more than a brown life ?

I'd say it's more of a war against classes than a race thing. No one cares about the poor Thai deaths. They only care about the people with money dying. It's taking money out of their pockets as a dead Thai isn't.

[z12]

After reading all the posts on this thread, thaibashing, racism and everything inbetween, I wonder how it comes that we only react to a horrific accident like this, when someone from our own "tribe" is the victim. Accidents like this happens every week, pickup trucks with constructionworkers hit by a truck,bus,train and 8-10 death and nobody cares. But as soon a farang is involved, it is a complete different story.

Do we consider a white life worth more than a brown life ?

Not at all, had it been a farang driving the truck, assuming he caused the accident, it would be big news, and he would be in big trouble, regardless of the car having farangs or thais in it. Mostly people, no matter who they are want the truth and they want fair justice. Not lynch mobs and not letting the guilty go free, regardless of who they are.

Edited February 2, 2012 by z12

[atyclb]

Thais have always struck me a low on peripheral awareness, you see this with pedestrians and supermarket trolley users. I have wondered if this is partly due to the fact that most Thais seem to start their day with a Red Bull or M100, ultra high caffeine drink. This does concentrate the mind but often to the extent of mental tunnel vision.

Their education system (barring few institutions) does not train the mind 'how to think" Rote memorization, no discussion with teachers that are a product of the same system, fear of breaking a social rule, massive cheating and corruption at all levels of society add up to produce predominant incompetence. This is not my opinion, but that of Thai's that think outside of the box.

Peripheral awareness requires some basic cognitive abilities many take for granted. People walk into each other all the time. It is so basic to just look ahead and choose your route based on other peoples positions and paths. I believe this same deficiency carries over to driving abilities, not to mention lack of training, purchasing licenses, etc etc.

Many of the issues stem from the qualitative deficits in education. That is just the way it is and tragic many die in traffic accidents. Perhaps things will improve when The ASEAN treaties come into effect?

Edited February 2, 2012 by atyclb

[Darkman]

Very tragic. So young, it makes me think about my own kids, I could cry, truly I could. All these Thai bashers on here. As yet we are not in possession of all the facts and are not able to assume anything. The problem is that many tourists are not familiar with the Thai system of driving, different road rules and so on. I can remember the very first time I hit the roads in Thailand, it came as an awful shock, and it was a miracle that I survived the first year. But eventually I learned to drive defensively in Thailand, but it took time. I believe that young inexperienced tourists like these should not be let loose on the roads here without first being briefed on the dangers of Thailand’s roads. At least the travel agencies should issue leaflets just to make them aware.

Here we go. Blame the tourists..

[dighambara]

Thailand roads are not safe.

I repeat for the white people looking to visit here - Thailand roads are not safe.

Every single road in the Kingdom is crazy dangerous. I risk my life driving my car 15 minutes to Macro. At least 10 speeding pickup trucks, buses, or 10-wheelers fly past me on every trip (at 130-150km+).

Thailand roads are not safe.

Agreed, Thai roads are not safe, because Thai people refuse to take responsibility for their actions, whether driving, work habits, or lack of ability.

However, it was a very strange comment for this reason: Are the roads any safer for brown people or black folks..??

It's unusual that the Author writes as if American, but adds a racist comment....

[stevenl]

Thailand roads are not safe.

I repeat for the white people looking to visit here - Thailand roads are not safe.

Every single road in the Kingdom is crazy dangerous. I risk my life driving my car 15 minutes to Macro. At least 10 speeding pickup trucks, buses, or 10-wheelers fly past me on every trip (at 130-150km+).

Thailand roads are not safe.

Thailand is not safe for many aspects of health and safety... especially the roads. RIP to the victims and their families, no-one deserves to go that way.

But I have to ask why people keep quoting this comment with a 'like'? It clearly implies that only white people can drive, or that white people are the only ones who don't know how dangerous Thailand's roads are. Both of which are rather derogatory claims.

I think you'll find its got more to do with a country's laws and road safety, not the color of someone's skin. I also think you'll find that many people know how dangerous the roads are here, but often they don't have a choice when travelling as most routes, especially short ones, simply don't have flights.

you are clearly a {insert derogatory adjective}. it wasnt a racist statement. it is a message for any farangs (even more racist word btw) from outside the Kingdom looking to holiday here. i think its a good idea to keep repeating that this place is freaking dangerous. its not all 70s disco music and slutty 17 year olds. you risk your life coming to Thailand.

if it makes you feel better i could include the 20-30 non-white visitors that come to Thailand every year? but they werent the intended audience of my message. write your own.

Any idea how many Indians, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese come to Thailand every year? Obviously not, my guess is you don't notice them because to you they are Thai.