Thai Woman Drops To Her Death In Lift Plunge

[webfact]

Woman drops to her death in lift plunge

THE NATION

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: -- A woman succumbed to severe injuries on Sunday night, in the first legally recognised death caused by a falling lift. The accident happened on Saturday at a furniture showroom in Nakhon Ratchasima.

It took place at the Home Furniture Class showroom when Siripun Kaysoong-nern led two customers, including a heavily pregnant woman, up in the lift.

While ascending, the lift suddenly started dropping from the fourth floor, possibly because a sling chain snapped.

All three people in the elevator sustained critical injuries. Prapawarin Jaidee had a miscarriage and is under intensive care at the Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital. The other customer, Kris Chuaychua, is stable but is still in hospital.

Police have not yet pressed charges pending examination of evidence. The investigation will determine whether the accident resulted from recklessness.

-- The Nation 2012-11- 20

[Thai at Heart]

investigation will determine whether the accident resulted from recklessness.

i hope they mean negligence.

[assayer]

What could possibly be negligent about not having an emergengy braking system on the lift??

[TomTao]

I feel sorry for the poor lady who lost her baby because of this accident, what a horrible way to lose your life, it must have been terrifying.

[jcw]

Are emeg brakes not required in Thailand?

[NanLaew]

What could possibly be negligent about not having an emergengy braking system on the lift??

That would be recklessly negligent then wouldn't it?

[FOODLOVER]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

[edwinchester]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

Mai bpen rai?

[Songhua]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

'extra work'

[Hockeybik]

The invention of the safety brake for elevators is literally what made lifts in buildings practical. Somehow the brake on this one must have been disabled or could it have malfunctioned? Awful.

[asiawatcher]

Lifts usually are run by electric motors driving traction cables or counterweight systems and they have automatic brakes in the event of slippage but I don't think they have anything to offset a cable breakage. If it is established it is cable breakage, I would think the owners could be held culpable as any 'regular' maintenance would require cable inspection and replacement if old. T.i.T., and like so many other 'mishaps', there will be a lot of finger pointing and the problem swept under the carpet after some payoffs. Sad for the injured and the pregnant lady's miscarriage.

[JeremyBowskill]

Very sad story, what a total waste of life.

[indothai]

Pending investigations; since the invention of the elevators, I believe all elevators DO have safety measures in place to prevent uncontrollable decent. I wonder what happened here.

[Thai at Heart]

A lot of these "local" furniture shops have elevators in the back of the building to move furniture up stairs. I was being ushered upstairs by a salesperson once, and the lift arrived. The door opened, and there was no lift, it was stuck a floor above. Does anyone think that a local furniture company can be bothered to pay the fee for an inspection, when it is principally used to move stock and the occasional customer upstairs?

Corruption, corruption, corruption. Pure and simple.

[petedk]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

'extra work'

Extra expense!

A tragic accident that should have been avoided.

Edited November 20, 2012 by petedk

[Payboy]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

'extra work'

Extra expense!

A tragic accident that should have been avoided.

Actually "unnecessary cost". Don't expect any changes though. Sadly, the victims will settle for a couple of hundred thousand Baht knowing that's the best they can get.

[bendejo]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

"time for go home already"

Something I've wondered about is where the elevators out here are made, and if the maker is also the entity that installs it. I've noticed most of the ones in big buildings are made in Europe, Japan, or US. The ones without a plate announcing the maker I assume to be of lesser quality. I would think China must be making these, maybe Taiwan.

This incident has me wondering if the elevator in question was made in Indonesia or Malaysia.

Edited November 20, 2012 by bendejo

[Pib]

The invention of the safety brake for elevators is literally what made lifts in buildings practical. Somehow the brake on this one must have been disabled or could it have malfunctioned? Awful.

It's like brakes on Thai bicycles...either they don't work or they don't have any.

[saengsureeya]

As with all other rules and regulations in Thailand: They are there, just as in any other (developed) country.

Problem is enforcement, maintenance and safety-awareness.

Usually, a (small) disaster need to happen first before something will be done to prevent it in the future.

[Pib]

As with all other rules and regulations in Thailand: They are there, just as in any other (developed) country.

Problem is enforcement, maintenance and safety-awareness.

Usually, a (small) disaster need to happen first before something will be done to prevent it in the future.

Usually even a (BIG) disaster doesn't result in real changes in Thailand...just results in saving-face rhetoric.

[gentman]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

"time for go home already"

Something I've wondered about is where the elevators out here are made, and if the maker is also the entity that installs it. I've noticed most of the ones in big buildings are made in Europe, Japan, or US. The ones without a plate announcing the maker I assume to be of lesser quality. I would think China must be making these, maybe Taiwan.

This incident has me wondering if the elevator in question was made in Indonesia or Malaysia.

you cant say lifts make in certain countries are of inferior quality or without certain safety features...nonsense...lifts without auto brakes system is unimaginable ,,there must be minimum standard....i would believe there is a lack of regular maintenance or non replacement of certain parts because of whatever reasons that lead to this....with maintenance, the lift will be given a certificate that you can see hang in it....

[davejones]

It doesn't only happen in Thailand. People get killed in lifts the world over, including USA and UK. Here's just one example - http://www.dailymail...nge-woman.html. You can find plenty more yourselves. If the company were negligent they should be punished, but this is nothing to do with Thailand in general. If it was there would be a lot more of these incidents, which there aren't. Some of you need to get over your constant anti-Thailand rants.

Edited November 20, 2012 by davejones

[smutcakes]

This is a terribly sad event.

However it can and does happen anywhere in the world. Obviously people on TV start shouting about lack of maintenance etc, but i would be interested to see their qualifications on lift maintenance.

[DocN]

It doesn't only happen in Thailand. People get killed in lifts the world over, including USA and UK. Here's just one example - http://www.dailymail...nge-woman.html. You can find plenty more yourselves. If the company were negligent they should be punished, but this is nothing to do with Thailand in general. If it was there would be a lot more of these incidents, which there aren't. Some of you need to get over your constant anti-Thailand rants.

So...let me get this straight: you are basically saying that the safety- regulations in the US or UK are as abysmal as the safety regulations - or better:the enforcement- in Thailand?

I guess, that also goes for safety- belts in cars, helmets on motorbikes, car- safety in general, blocked or locked fire- exits in nightclubs or hotels or thelistisendless?!

IMHO the fact that not more accidents of this kind happen in Thailand is a) pure luck b ) due to the fact, that maybe you can not read Thai eg Thai-language newspapers or c) pure luck!

When things like this happen in the US or UK (or France or Germany) they are a) accidents b ) followed up by an investigation and c) a fine, for the entity who is responsible...plus there are controls, that can and mostly will not be gettin' over with by a littl epresent of...let's say...300 Baht for the person controlling.

[Steiner]

Lifts usually are run by electric motors driving traction cables or counterweight systems and they have automatic brakes in the event of slippage but I don't think they have anything to offset a cable breakage.

Just the opposite, the emergency braking system is meant to handle exactly that emergency.

Elisha Otis would demonstrate his invention in front of crowds by being hoisted up in an open wooden elevator and then having the rope holding it cut to demonstrate that it would not fall more than a few feet.

[barneywill]

My wife wonders why I prefer to take the stairs. Think I'll continue to do so.

[scorecard]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

"time for go home already"

Something I've wondered about is where the elevators out here are made, and if the maker is also the entity that installs it. I've noticed most of the ones in big buildings are made in Europe, Japan, or US. The ones without a plate announcing the maker I assume to be of lesser quality. I would think China must be making these, maybe Taiwan.

This incident has me wondering if the elevator in question was made in Indonesia or Malaysia.

you cant say lifts make in certain countries are of inferior quality or without certain safety features...nonsense...lifts without auto brakes system is unimaginable ,,there must be minimum standard....i would believe there is a lack of regular maintenance or non replacement of certain parts because of whatever reasons that lead to this....with maintenance, the lift will be given a certificate that you can see hang in it....

A few years back this subject came up at the AGM of my condo. There was a 30 day inspection of the lifts (as required by law, and the BMA do occasionally visit condos / office buildings etc., and check lift maint. records) and the maintenance company (Thai company, quite professional) had indicated that the cables needed replacement (about 400,000Baht), they provided photographs and they had organized for a few members of the committee / condo owners to look at the actual cables to see what was worn etc. Maint. company owner also suggested we get a second opinion from an engineering company etc. That didn't hapen.

Bottom line at the AGM - most owners wanted to just forget about it and not replace the cables and they 'won' the vote. The Maint. company owner attended the AGM in case they were needed to answer any specific questions. He immediately indicated he was cancelling the contract and said he would provide a small refund.

One of the owners said immediately: 'never mind, I can organize a fake certificate to say the lifts are inspected every 30 days, so we can cancel the lift maint. totally and save money.' No further discussion, next agenda item...

[smutcakes]

Is there a Thai word for maintenance?

"time for go home already"

Something I've wondered about is where the elevators out here are made, and if the maker is also the entity that installs it. I've noticed most of the ones in big buildings are made in Europe, Japan, or US. The ones without a plate announcing the maker I assume to be of lesser quality. I would think China must be making these, maybe Taiwan.

This incident has me wondering if the elevator in question was made in Indonesia or Malaysia.

you cant say lifts make in certain countries are of inferior quality or without certain safety features...nonsense...lifts without auto brakes system is unimaginable ,,there must be minimum standard....i would believe there is a lack of regular maintenance or non replacement of certain parts because of whatever reasons that lead to this....with maintenance, the lift will be given a certificate that you can see hang in it....

A few years back this subject came up at the AGM of my condo. There was a 30 day inspection of the lifts (as required by law, and the BMA do occasionally visit condos / office buildings etc., and check lift maint. records) and the maintenance company (Thai company, quite professional) had indicated that the cables needed replacement (about 400,000Baht), they provided photographs and they had organized for a few members of the committee / condo owners to look at the actual cables to see what was worn etc. Maint. company owner also suggested we get a second opinion from an engineering company etc. That didn't hapen.

Bottom line at the AGM - most owners wanted to just forget about it and not replace the cables and they 'won' the vote. The Maint. company owner attended the AGM in case they were needed to answer any specific questions. He immediately indicated he was cancelling the contract and said he would provide a small refund.

One of the owners said immediately: 'never mind, I can organize a fake certificate to say the lifts are inspected every 30 days, so we can cancel the lift maint. totally and save money.' No further discussion, next agenda item...

What law is this?

[hellodolly]

This is indeed a very unfortunate accident. I myself use the lift every day but often wonder what would happen if the cable was to break.

That being said I drop the thought when I realize there are millions of lifts in the world and up until today I have never heard of one falling like this one and killing some one. So I will continue to use them with out any more worry than before. It is a big world and there will always be strange things happening in it. Rare and imposable things.

Take the oil spill in the Carriabian. If you knew all the safety factors involved to prevent it you would say it was impossible.

I heard engineer who was working on what happened there and their were so many safe guaurds that it supposidly could not happen. Yet it did.

[williamrai]

i cant even imagine the flow of thoughts when this was actually happening with them....

i pray for speedy recovery...