Two Phuket motorcyclists die in separate accidents

Phuket Gazette

Rescue workers attend the accident scene 500 meters north of the notorious Baan Ko En ‘death bend’ in Thalang. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- The deadly stretch of Thepkrasattri Road that runs through the northern Phuket village of Kor En claimed another life before dawn today after months of no serious accidents.

An unidentified man was riding in the northbound lane at about 3am when he lost control of his motorbike and hit a pole, breaking his neck.

When Tah Chat Chai Police arrived at the scene, about 500 meters north of the notorious “death curve” (map here), the rider was already dead.

Police could not identify him as he was not carrying any identification cards, said Capt Prakob Boonkwun.

Just hours before, another motorcyclist also broke his neck after crashing into a pole on the Khaolan-Bang Jo Road in Srisoonthorn.

At the scene, Thalang Police found Somporn Kunakham, 24, seriously injured.

“He was rushed to Thalang Hospital, but pronounced dead soon after arrival. His neck was broken and he had serious wounds to his head,” Capt Niphon Temsang said.

Eyewitnesses reported that Mr Somporn was riding at high speed and not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Two-Phuket-motorcyclists-die-in-separate-accidents-19990.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-01-18

One reasons there is so many accidents at Thalang, is the crazy traffic. Vans are constantly zig-zagging between lanes. Sometimes coming to motorbike lane, sometimes even left of it.

oh well they said it ..no helmet ...... I wonder if sometime Thais think that helmet is only for decoration ...government should teach their people how important it is ..... or maybe some thais believe nothing can kill them . We ofter see full family on motorbike, with kids etc ....of course no helmets ... just one question : how many people should die before government takes serious action about road safety here ?

You have one day to be born and one day to die and you can do nothing to influence either is the mindset of many.

oh well they said it ..no helmet ...... I wonder if sometime Thais think that helmet is only for decoration ...government should teach their people how important it is ..... or maybe some thais believe nothing can kill them . We ofter see full family on motorbike, with kids etc ....of course no helmets ... just one question : how many people should die before government takes serious action about road safety here ?

Helmets do not protect you against a broken neck.

Besides it's not up to the governments, but up to the people themselves to be careful. jmo.

Don't you just love it when the 'map here' link is missing in EVERY article that states 'map here'???

Don't you just love it when the 'map here' link is missing in EVERY article that states 'map here'???

Follow to the source. Map is there as embedded image.

It is interesting to see the comments made here regarding the two tragedies involved here with two Thais losing there lives. In other threads when tourists die in similar circumstances it is usually very different..."How many more tourist have to die etc etc etc".. Interesting

Not sure if this is the same location with different name.

http://www.thephuketnews.com/driver-killed-near-notorious-phuket-bend-36406.php

Not sure if this is the same location with different name.

http://www.thephuket...-bend-36406.php

According to the article a different curve 'The Mak Prok corner is around three kilometres from the Khor Ane corner,'

OK. Thanks. A bit confusing, the PG article said Kor en or Ko en corner.

You have one day to be born and one day to die and you can do nothing to influence either is the mindset of many.

Fate, Karma, all part of Buddhist philosophy

oh well they said it ..no helmet ...... I wonder if sometime Thais think that helmet is only for decoration ...government should teach their people how important it is ..... or maybe some thais believe nothing can kill them . We ofter see full family on motorbike, with kids etc ....of course no helmets ... just one question : how many people should die before government takes serious action about road safety here ?

Helmets do not protect you against a broken neck.

Besides it's not up to the governments, but up to the people themselves to be careful. jmo.

One of my neighbours, a farang, takes / collects his two children from school on weekdays, he wears a helmet that makes him look like Darth Vader but the children wear nothing. On the days his Thai wife does the run she just gets on with it, no Darth look for her, probably spoil her new hairdo

Let's have a bit of respect here - many posts removed .....

One post discussing moderation removed.

Looking at lack of helmets in isolation is simplifying the problem.

Yes, wearing proper helmets will definitely reduce deaths and injuries.

But the problem is so much more - unlicensed riders, unregistered bikes, unroadworthy bikes, children riding, drunk riding, speeding etc.

The Thai Government either don't care or don't know how to tackle the problem.

It's not that hard to impose serious fines and prison terms, impound bikes, teach school kids, etc....but I doubt this will ever happen. Not the Thai way.