Three Foreigners Killed In Road Accident

[huski]

BREAKING NEWS - See below

[george]

Three German tourists killed in road accident

CHON BURI: -- Three German tourists were killed and another severely injured after their van crashed into the back of a trailer, police said.

Police said the accident took place at about 11 am on the Bangkok-based motorway at the Kilometre marker 77 in Chon Buri's Muang district.

The drive of the van was identified as Suthep Chiangklang, 44, who died at the scene.

Police said the slain tourists were a man, a woman and a boy. Another German woman was also severely injured. She was rushed to the Chon Buri provincial hospital.

Police said Suthep was transporting the tourists from Pattaya to Bangkok and he might fall asleep and at crashed into the back of the trailer at high speed as the road did not show any trace of the van's brakes being put on.

--The Nation 2006-01-23

[Chivas]

Have lost count of similar incidents and always in the daytime where the driver just dozes off.

Fortunately theres not a chance in hel_l of me sleeping on public transport so have to date always managed to yell in their ears in time.

Chivas

[Rigger]

I refuse to hire mini vans after a incident a few years ago when I hired a driver and van to take a few of us up to Udon just as it got dark the driver slowed right down to 50km/h and still had trouble going around a few corners. It turned out the driver was half blind and then tried to charge me for the extra time it took to get there. Never again would I but my family and friends into a vehcle that I didn,t know the driver

[cbatson]

Likely a typical vehicle without safety belts. Truly tragic.

Chuck

[Anon999]

Likely a typical vehicle without safety belts. Truly tragic.

Chuck

Safety belts or not there is little or no chance of survival if he hit the back of a trailer at "high speed". Highly likely that the van went under the trailer. The bars on trailers in Europe are not fitted to most lorries and trailers in many countries including Thailand. That is something useful the Thai goverment could make compulsory that would save a lot of lives.

My condolonces to the their family and friends.

Edited January 23, 2006 by Anon999

[Darkling]

Its so tragic, my thoughts are with the family and friends. I had best say no more as i get so angry thinking of these bastards wiping out a whole family.

[Heng]

Yeah, we use our own driver who has explicit instructions not to drive over 100 AND not to change lanes for no reason at all (a favorite local pastime it seems). Our Toyota Granvia is serviced every 10k kilometers and gets a fresh set of tires every 40k kilometers. There's no reason why anyone can't instruct temporary drivers or hired for a specific trip drivers in the same way. They are working for YOU.

Never a scratch of even a close call. This life's too good to have it come to an end in a ball of twisted metal possibly on fire.

[Jim 50]

Its so tragic, my thoughts are with the family and friends. I had best say no more as i get so angry thinking of these bastards wiping out a whole family.

Tragic and DESPICABLE these high risk drivers are allowed to continue.

Why don't they license and monitor these idiots. So typical of Thailand.

[bangkapiboy]

It seems a lot of drivers on the Bangkok-Chonburi motorway think it's a nascar race. The scariest thing driving is when you get a bus passing you on the left side at 130km speed.

This is so sad.

[phuketsiam]

Yeah, we use our own driver who has explicit instructions not to drive over 100 AND not to change lanes for no reason at all (a favorite local pastime it seems). Our Toyota Granvia is serviced every 10k kilometers and gets a fresh set of tires every 40k kilometers. There's no reason why anyone can't instruct temporary drivers or hired for a specific trip drivers in the same way. They are working for YOU.

Never a scratch of even a close call. This life's too good to have it come to an end in a ball of twisted metal possibly on fire.

All good practice Heng, but the tourists are just not aware of the risks

[edh]

Why don't they license and monitor these idiots. So typical of Thailand.

Sadly not only Thailand.. Hey, people drive like bastards in Amsterdam as welll - only bicykles

[oljoe]

Which is why I always use the train [yes, there is one] from Hualampong Station to Pattaya and return

[rwilli]

Seems to me it was just a driver who fell asleep. Sad but it happens. I'm sure he did not want to die either.

[markokang]

My job is taking care of the dead and injured in Thailand. Here are some things may want to know. Around 70% of the dead and injured at night have alcohol in their blood.

Driving licences can be bought readily and easily for 500 Thai baht.

Even if a Thai owns a real licence, driving instuction and testing is not only sub-standard but bizzare at times.

Brides to police range from 100 to 300 Thai baht (for Thais).

Drivers are generally underpaid and overworked. "10 wheelers" as they are called here, are often in needless accidents because of driver error. Vans, because of sleep depravation.

Street lighting and vehicle lighting is inadequate and unmonitored. If there are ever campaigns to monitor this, bribes are used to escape more heafty fines.

Roads are sub-standard and down right dangerous! The BKK-Chon buri motorway is one of the worst in the whole country. Thaksin personally said no to a proposed upgrade of this road! This is from the Engineers mouth in charge of the proposal.

Actually more foreigners die on this road and in Pattaya than any other one place in Thailand. The amount of foreigners killed by rented motorcycles in and around Pattaya is scandelous too (no need to have a driving licence, just a passport will do).

Thais are generally nice people, but behind the wheel of a vehicle they become very aggressive and violent because of the stresses of driving in a crazy environment coupled with their inadequate driving skills. Not just aggressive driving, but actual road rage, and the use of weapons and hand-guns at the scenes of accidents is prevelant! Beware.

I love Thailand and thats why I stay and volunteer here but am so sad when the government doesn't accept its responsiblities for all the above!

Edited January 23, 2006 by markokang

[genghis15]

I've caught the bus the last couple times 'cos I don't like Thai minivan/cab drivers much. The bus drivers are not much better, but I feel a little safer in a bus----at least it won't go under a trailer.

Train would be better still, doesn't run weekends, tho' I don't think.

[bikerlou47]

My job is taking care of the dead and injured in Thailand. Here are some things may want to know. Around 70% of the dead and injured at night have alcohol in their blood.

Driving licences can be bought readily and easily for 500 Thai baht.

Even if a Thai owns a real licence, driving instuction and testing is not only sub-standard but bizzare at times.

Brides to police range from 100 to 300 Thai baht (for Thais).

Drivers are generally underpaid and overworked. "10 wheelers" as they are called here, are often in needless accidents because of driver error. Vans, because of sleep depravation.

Street lighting and vehicle lighting is inadequate and unmonitored. If there are ever campaigns to monitor this, bribes are used to escape more heafty fines.

Roads are sub-standard and down right dangerous! The BKK-Chon buri motorway is one of the worst in the whole country. Thaksin personally said no to a proposed upgrade of this road! This is from the Engineers mouth in charge of the proposal.

Actually more foreigners die on this road and in Pattaya than any other one place in Thailand. The amount of foreigners killed by rented motorcycles in and around Pattaya is scandelous too (no need to have a driving licence, just a passport will do).

Thais are generally nice people, but behind the wheel of a vehicle they become very aggressive and violent because of the stresses of driving in a crazy environment coupled with their inadequate driving skills. Not just aggressive driving, but actual road rage, and the use of weapons and hand-guns at the scenes of accidents is prevelant! Beware.

I love Thailand and thats why I stay and volunteer here but am so sad when the government doesn't accept its responsiblities for all the above!

[ranjitsidhu]

A tragedy and this is something that was waiting to happen. I have seen many reckless drivers carrying tourists driving recklessly. Overtaking at blind spots etc. May God Bless the deceased and heal the injured lady.

[chonburi]

My job is taking care of the dead and injured in Thailand. Here are some things may want to know. Around 70% of the dead and injured at night have alcohol in their blood.

Thais are generally nice people, but behind the wheel of a vehicle they become very aggressive and violent because of the stresses of driving in a crazy environment coupled with their inadequate driving skills. Not just aggressive driving, but actual road rage, and the use of weapons and hand-guns at the scenes of accidents is prevelant! Beware.

I love Thailand and thats why I stay and volunteer here but am so sad when the government doesn't accept its responsiblities for all the above!

Good on you for doing this Mark, I hope not to have an accident because of the things you mention here (which I agree are all true) but if I do, I hope you're around to assist me.

[bggg]

Tragic and DESPICABLE these high risk drivers are allowed to continue.

Why don't they license and monitor these idiots. So typical of Thailand.

It was my understanding that they are required to be licensed. My maid went to gether with family members to buy a Mini Van to use for these purposes. All parties were required to take a class and be tested for a livery type license. (not sure what it is called here). We have hired any drivers in our years here. My DH and I both watch the closely, many times suggesting a coffee stop when we see a need. After a while you learn who is good and who is not. Unfortunately that is a luxury tourists do not have. My sympathies to all families involved.

[Scott]

I don't like hiring/riding in the mini-vans. At least with a bus, I can stop and get out without too much offense to anyone. I have asked van drivers to slow down/be careful--in a very nice and polite way, but they usually get worse.

Difficult situation for all concerned.

[Moonhunteruk]

Just a quick note

I dont know if ne one else has noticed but i used to get a mini van from Trang to Had Yai every month last year and never failed to notice that the mini van drivers do nothing all day but drive to and from their destinations but inbetween when they are waiting for the vans to fill up they are either having a beer or a couple of shots of ya dong with the rest of the drivers playing cards.

This cannot help for the obvious reasons and is something that should be addressed by the government.

Mike

[wilko]

My job is taking care of the dead and injured in Thailand. Here are some things may want to know. Around 70% of the dead and injured at night have alcohol in their blood.

Driving licences can be bought readily and easily for 500 Thai baht.

Even if a Thai owns a real licence, driving instuction and testing is not only sub-standard but bizzare at times.

Brides to police range from 100 to 300 Thai baht (for Thais).

Drivers are generally underpaid and overworked. "10 wheelers" as they are called here, are often in needless accidents because of driver error. Vans, because of sleep depravation.

Street lighting and vehicle lighting is inadequate and unmonitored. If there are ever campaigns to monitor this, bribes are used to escape more heafty fines.

Roads are sub-standard and down right dangerous! The BKK-Chon buri motorway is one of the worst in the whole country. Thaksin personally said no to a proposed upgrade of this road! This is from the Engineers mouth in charge of the proposal.

Actually more foreigners die on this road and in Pattaya than any other one place in Thailand. The amount of foreigners killed by rented motorcycles in and around Pattaya is scandelous too (no need to have a driving licence, just a passport will do).

Thais are generally nice people, but behind the wheel of a vehicle they become very aggressive and violent because of the stresses of driving in a crazy environment coupled with their inadequate driving skills. Not just aggressive driving, but actual road rage, and the use of weapons and hand-guns at the scenes of accidents is prevelant! Beware.

I love Thailand and thats why I stay and volunteer here but am so sad when the government doesn't accept its responsiblities for all the above!

Very interesting post and mostly one would have to say is "the bleedin' obvious". There is one thing that I've spent a bit of effort trying to un-earth and that is figures for the amount of foreigners killed on Thai roads. I'm aware that that is a difficult one and in itself not so revealing, but divided by nation it might shed some light on what's going on.... For instance do the US or UK embassies keep records?

Whether "Thaicology" changes behind the wheel, I'm not so sure - they seem to do what you see everywhere; that is maintain "jai yen yen" until a certain point and then explode in to extreme violence. The code of the road here is different. Whereas the general rule in the UK is to give way or move over, here the general feel seems to be drift on through until you can get no further. I've seen some totally crazy manoeuvres here but if you look at the driver you see little or no sign of aggression or excitement, just a sort of going with the flow.

[mraloha]

eventually the word is going to get out about the "dangers of thailand" and tourist will stop coming here.

i hate taking taxis on the super highway in bangkok. they have little concern for safety, and are in a hurry to dump you off and get another fare. they only seem to care for themselves. i have talked to some taxi drivers and they say it is hard to make a living because of high fuel cost and the fact that the city gives out so many taxi licenses, i am sure this is another form of graft.

i also think that official motorcades in this country set a bad example for drivers. it is as though people drive in the fast lane in a unsafe manner to show they are important. yesterday i had to pull off the road for a motorcade here in chaingmai. i got out of my car and noticed 6 new police escort cars . i never see these new police cars on the road enforcing traffic. it is as though the people of thailand are expendable and all the tax money is given to the high officials while thais and farangs are dying in record numbers on the highways. if you talk to thais one on one most of them recent this system and only give it lip service because they are afraid of going to jail if they speak their mind. i truly believe that thailand will never enter the 21 century until this dangerous caste system changes.

i live in chaingmai and used to ride a harley as my transport. driving became so crazy here that i sold my harley and now drive a large SUV with two airbags, slowly and carefully through traffic.

[thaiowl]

I'm lucky enough to own a car and therefore am not forced to take public transport. Most people don't own a car and have to rely on the dubious driving skills of someone who drives for hours at a time, hence the carnage on the roads.

The Bangkok-Chonburi motorway is one of the worst roads for deaths because of the high speed limit. It's not a bad road, but the locals have little experience at driving at such high speeds.

With regards to driving laws, driving licences, police etc., as with most developing countries, the law doesn't work and deaths inevitably occur. Such countries are usually poor and corrupt - Indonesia, Philippines, Nigeria, South America etc, etc. There has to be a political will to change this, but the politicians are corrupt and are interested in keeping the status quo.

I know one person who has died in a car accident in my home country. In Thailand, I have many friends/acquaintances who have lost friends and family on the roads. Many girls resort to working in bars after their husbands have been killed in a road accident.

[terdsak_12]

It'll happen again, and again, and again, and again. You get the idea.

[Plus]

Bangkok-Chonburi motorway is only a two lane road and often hard breaking is the only way to avoid crashing into backs of trailers. You can of course say that driving below the speed limit (120 kmh) is a better way but it is unrealistic to expect Thais to follow the rules. Imagine trailers puttering along at 80, then some old pickup loaded with live chickens tries to overtake them at 90. What can the van driving at 140 do?

They expanded the road between Bangkok and the new airport and right lane cruising speed seem to be 130-140, in the "lefter" lanes people drive as slowly as 80. It's a dangerous mix but at least there is plenty of space to avoid any collision, not so after you pass the airport.

[gregchambers]

The Chon Buri to Pattaya road is the worst I have ever seen, basically totally ruined by the mad overloaded speeding lories - I say this as someone who has ridden a small motorcycle along it! They need to upgrade the railway to carry all the freight!

[Plus]

The surface is ok, we just drove there on New Year. It's certainly not ruined by Thai standards. And if you are driving along it outside the fence you don't have to pay tolls. The road is as good as the main one but there are small motorcycles to avoid!

[Captain Chaos]

I don't like driving the Bkk-Chonburi Motorway much either, for the reasons that have already been stated by others. Personally, I suggest taking the elevated tollway from Bangna to Chonburi which is much less heavily used. I know this isn't convenient for some people, but it's OK for me (work in Bangna, live in Yannawa).

Of course, you still have to navigate the Sukhumvit Road from Chonburi to Pattaya (50km or so I guess) but the traffic lights and sheer volume of traffic keep speeds somewhat lower.

Just a thought.

CC