Driver In British Cyclists' Fatal Road Accident Released On Bail

[Lite Beer]

Driver in British cyclists' fatal road accident released on bail

By Digital Media

CHACHOENGSAO, Feb 18 - Police said here on Monday the driver of a pickup truck who allegedly hit a British couple while they were on a world tour cycling in Chachoengsao newsjslast Wednesday has been released on bail and will face a charge of dangerous driving leading to the death of others.

Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both 34, were killed when hit by the pickup truck while cycling on the Route 304 Phnom Sarakam-Kabinburi Road in this eastern province.

Police Lt-Col Supachai Loangsukcharoen said the bodies of the couple are being kept at a charity association in the province pending their family's collection. The British embassy has contacted the local authorities to bring their bodies back to the UK.

Col Supachai said driver Worapong Sangkhawat, 25, who was seriously injured in the crash, has been released on bail after posting Bt300,000 bail bond.

A police investigation team are collecting evidence to charge him for dangerous driving leading to others' death. If found guilty, he could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.

The Guernsey couple set off on a round-the-world adventure in July 2011 and had cycled through Europe, the Middle East and China.

The British newspaper the Telegraph quoted a British Foreign Office spokesperson as saying that "We are aware of the deaths of two British nationals in Thailand on February 13 and we are providing consular assistance."

On their website, Two on Four Wheels, the couple posted a travel journal, photographs and short films from the 23 countries they had visited. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-02-18

[JetsetBkk]

Worapong Sangkhawat, 25, who was seriously injured in the crash...

Never see him again, then.

[surangw]

insurance?

[up-country_sinclair]

I'd bet most of that 300,000 was put up by his insurance company. Good luck finding Worapong if/when this ever goes to trial.

RIP to the cyclists.

[Chicog]

From another report: "... the 25-year-old Thai driver, who was arrested at the scene on Wednesday, had reached down to pick up his hat from the floor of the truck causing the vehicle to swerve into the couple."

Cretin.

[FDog]

From another report: "... the 25-year-old Thai driver, who was arrested at the scene on Wednesday, had reached down to pick up his hat from the floor of the truck causing the vehicle to swerve into the couple."

Cretin.

A hat is such an urgent necessity when driving a car.

Hope he was also wearing long pants as that is also a very important issue when getting a licence.

[lizardtongue]

You gotta feel for the families, all that way then a Thai half wit kills them! I wonder if we will ever hear the final out-come?

[katana]

It's been picked up in the Thai media today (18/02/13).

Investigating police think the accident was caused by a combination of the Thai driver speeding and his falling asleep at the wheel.

The 25 year old driver from Udon Thai province claimed the accident occurred when he dropped his hat and bent down to pick it up.

Police have charged him with careless driving and he's out on 300k Baht bail.

http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1361171136&grpid=&catid=06&subcatid=0600

http://www.khaosod.co.th/view_news.php?newsid=TUROd01ERXdOREU0TURJMU5nPT0=&sectionid=TURNd01RPT0=&day=TWpBeE15MHdNaTB4T0E9PQ==

http://news.sanook.com/1170868/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2-%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B9%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A4%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%88/

[MaxYakov]

I felt both saddened and angered by the loss of these two bicyclists. However, after researching the 304 highway in the reported area of the accident, I came to the conclusion that the two had placed themselves into a high-risk situation by attempting to travel on the shoulder of a relatively high-speed 4-lane, divided highway. In my country, traveling on the shoulder of such a highway would have been illegal in any type of vehicle. In Thailand, I've seen motorbikes traveling on the shoulder at relatively low speeds as well. Highway shoulders are intended for emergency situations and not for extended traveling. An experienced and knowledgeable driver knows that just stopping on such a shoulder for any reason and for even a short period of time is extremely hazardous.

As a bicyclist in Thailand (mainly central Bangkok), I am constantly aware of the potential for being run down from behind by an aberrant vehicle even if were traveling legally on the road. A motorcycle cop was mowed down from behind and killed by a speeding Ferrari on Sukumvit road not too long ago. On parts of Sukumvit Road (or any road) I seek the safety of the sidewalk if I feel the traffic is too fast and potentially dangerous.

I believe these two bicyclists had placed themselves into a high-risk situation, perhaps out of the lack of an alternative route. Or was it the hubris of having traveled for so many months on potentially dangerous roads?

For intercity traveling, I have a 26 inch folding bicycle that can be easily placed into the cargo compartment of a bus and would be used only for city bicycling at my destination. Bicycling on relatively high-speed roads even within a city I also consider to be high-risk.

I tell people that the essential of bicycling in Thailand is not being in the wrong place at wrong time. Placing oneself on the shoulder of a high-speed highway in any vehicle, especially for an extended period of time, is tempting fate.

I'm forming a conclusion that a lot of the vehicle deaths and injuries in Thailand are due to the negligence and arrogance of the vehicle operators themselves, compounded by other factors such as poor infrastructure and a lack of serious law enforcement.

Edited February 18, 2013 by MaxYakov

[chooka]

So the driver is seriously injured, can we presume then he is still in hospital?

[jamhar]

http://news.yahoo.com/round-world-uk-cyclists-killed-thailand-161455377.html

currently number one story on US Yahoo front page.

[JLCrab]

The problem in riding a bicycle among the motorized traffic is that things happen so fast that you have no time to get out of the way. A serious bicycle accident in the USA between myself and a distracted Ford F-150 pickup truck driver convinced me of that.

[Chao Lao Beach]

There are areas of Thailand that are great for cycling. This is a newly built 100km+ road coastal in Chanthaburi.

I see more cyclist around here than anywhere else in Thailand.

Many overnight at the free legal camp sites right next to the beach.

They actually have signs for the riders, like sharp left bend ahead !!!

http://bicyclethailand.com/bicycle-riding-on-the-chantaburi-coast/

[laurentbkk]

so if I understand well an English guys cannot go back to his home because for some pretended broken furniture and this Thai driver who killed 2 tourists get released on bail .???????????

when justice shows up its better to be Thais here . This guy will never have 10 years in jail , he will NEVER get any problems ....

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

it's cautionary tale. I love living in CM for the most part and I love bicycling.

The trick is to not get delusional about the risks of being on the Thai roads.

Live to ride another day. I resist the urge to buy a road bicycle. Keep to small soi's and sidewalks in dangerous areas. Ride surgically calculated routes to get out in the country and mountains where the riding is blissfully nice.

The pickup driver clearly is at fault but the Brits had been taking a lot of risks and after some of the dangers they faced in the XYZ -Stan countries I think they became numb to risk assessment and perhaps overestimated their luck.

Let's all learn from their demise and strive to avoid becoming road kill.

I

[p_brownstone]

On parts of Sukumvit Road (or any road) I seek the safety of the sidewalk if I feel the traffic is too fast and potentially dangerous.

Did I misunderstand that?!

You have absolutely no right to put pedestrians at risk merely to indulge your hobby!

Stay on the road or leave the bicycle at home.

Patrick

[madmitch]

I felt both saddened and angered by the loss of these two bicyclists. However, after researching the 304 highway in the reported area of the accident, I came to the conclusion that the two had placed themselves into a high-risk situation by attempting to travel on the shoulder of a relatively high-speed 4-lane, divided highway. In my country, traveling on the shoulder of such a highway would have been illegal in any type of vehicle. In Thailand, I've seen motorbikes traveling on the shoulder at relatively low speeds as well. Highway shoulders are intended for emergency situations and not for extended traveling. An experienced and knowledgeable driver knows that just stopping on such a shoulder for any reason and for even a short period of time is extremely hazardous.

Maybe in your country (and mine) but not in Thailand. The shoulders here are always used by motorcycles as it's the safest place for them on the highways. They are also used by vehicles travelling in the wrong direction but that's a different story. Emergencies? No, just leave the car where it regardless of how much traffic congestion is caused.

I know this road pretty well (though the exact location of the accident has not been divulged yet as far as I have seen). It is part of the main route from Aranyapratet to Bangkok and it's not easy to stick to quieter roads. And are the rural routes any better, with drivers speeding, overtaking on blind bends etc. etc.

So, in short, I don't think the cyclists did anything wrong and the blame falls entirely upon the pick-up driver.

[GarryP]

I felt both saddened and angered by the loss of these two bicyclists. However, after researching the 304 highway in the reported area of the accident, I came to the conclusion that the two had placed themselves into a high-risk situation by attempting to travel on the shoulder of a relatively high-speed 4-lane, divided highway. In my country, traveling on the shoulder of such a highway would have been illegal in any type of vehicle. In Thailand, I've seen motorbikes traveling on the shoulder at relatively low speeds as well. Highway shoulders are intended for emergency situations and not for extended traveling. An experienced and knowledgeable driver knows that just stopping on such a shoulder for any reason and for even a short period of time is extremely hazardous.

Maybe in your country (and mine) but not in Thailand. The shoulders here are always used by motorcycles as it's the safest place for them on the highways. They are also used by vehicles travelling in the wrong direction but that's a different story. Emergencies? No, just leave the car where it regardless of how much traffic congestion is caused.

I know this road pretty well (though the exact location of the accident has not been divulged yet as far as I have seen). It is part of the main route from Aranyapratet to Bangkok and it's not easy to stick to quieter roads. And are the rural routes any better, with drivers speeding, overtaking on blind bends etc. etc.

So, in short, I don't think the cyclists did anything wrong and the blame falls entirely upon the pick-up driver.

Would have to agree with you there. I cycle in Bangkok and its environs and you must be careful because there are some real idiots behind the steering wheels of assorted vehicles. I cycled on the shoulder of Bang Na Trat to Bang Pakong a couple of weeks ago, and down the old Sukhumvit Road to Bang Poo last Sunday. As long as you watch out for oncoming motorcycles going the wrong way down the hard shoulder (especially with Bang Na Trat) you are reasonably safe. At least you are in no more danger than a motorcycle in the same place. You cannot watch out for what is coming up behind you all the time, regardless of what vehicle you are riding/driving, otherwise you migt as well stay at home. (I was under the impression that China is even worse for bad driving than Thailand and they survived that.)

The driver in this case, needs to be severly punished as the blame rests solely on his shoulders, but I will not hold my breath waiting to hear the good news. To even suggest that the cyclists were partly to blame for being there is contemptible.

[KravMaga]

I'm struggling to come to terms that some people on this page are laying blame with the couple for having the audacity to cycle on the road! The driver was driving (probably at a ridiculous rate) not watching where he was going and mowed down two innocent cyclists and they're to blame? This couple had cycled through Iran and Afghanistan enroute to Thailand, they cannot hardly be accused of being stupid tourists who should know better, can they? Or have I missed something here?

[Card]

You gotta feel for the families, all that way then a Thai half wit kills them! I wonder if we will ever hear the final out-come?

And true for so many foreign tourists in Thailand.

[Baerboxer]

so if I understand well an English guys cannot go back to his home because for some pretended broken furniture and this Thai driver who killed 2 tourists get released on bail .???????????

when justice shows up its better to be Thais here . This guy will never have 10 years in jail , he will NEVER get any problems ....

Yes - you just about some it up. Many Thai laws are purposely written vaguely so that the "officers" can exercise their wise judgement. Even if you speak,read and write Thai fluently you're still only a Farang in the eyes of the law and no one will complain if you're treated less than a citizen.

[HeijoshinCool]

Okay, so they made it through the all of Europe, the Middle East and the vastness of China ...

[lannachiangrai]

Does anyone know if Worapong Sangkhawat had his blood alcohol levels checked? A high percentage of the accidents I have seen in Thailand have been caused by alcohol related negligence. Worapong could have been reaching for a hat or maybe reaching down for the whiskey bottle for another swig . . .

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

There's a companion thread today about the Thai couple accused of torturing the Karen girl they had kidnapped having disappeared and missed their police summons after having been released on bail.

Now we have a Thai driver accused of running down and killing two Brit bicyclists being released on bail.

Why in the world does the Thai legal system routinely release on bail people accused of killing others???

I'm not saying bail should never be granted in fatality cases. But the system for deciding such things is clearly broken, given the tendency of suspects in such cases here to disappear upon release.

[theajarn]

"Driver in British cyclists' fatal road accident released on bail"

but of course. Next thing you know the driver can't be found and is in another country or on the run...

[MaxYakov]

On parts of Sukumvit Road (or any road) I seek the safety of the sidewalk if I feel the traffic is too fast and potentially dangerous.

Did I misunderstand that?!

You have absolutely no right to put pedestrians at risk merely to indulge your hobby!

Stay on the road or leave the bicycle at home.

Patrick

Firstly, the sidewalks (footpaths) of Sukumvit Road I had in mind, as are many other of the sidewalks along Sukumvit Road are marked with a bicycle lane. Not that this has anything to do necessarily with bicyclist or pedestrian safety. I see these sidewalk bicycle lanes as a lame attempt by the BMA to support bicycles and a very poor alternative to dedicated bicycle lanes on the street.

Secondly, I did not I state that I rode the bicycle on the sidewalk, did I? I actually do, when it is safe for me and the pedestrians. With me, all other vehicles and pedestrians always have the right-of-way. I have never hit or injured a pedestrian either on the road or a sidewalk; I usually avoid sidewalks because it irritates pedestrians, has its own risks and increases my travel time. I am extremely careful in this regard because I don't want to injure them, me or, most of all, my bicycle.

Thirdly, my bicycling in Bangkok is not a 'hobby' or a recreation. It is my primary mode of transportation. If more people used bicycles the Bangkok pollution, heat and traffic congestion would be less.

Fourthly, I very much appreciate your recommendation with regard to my bicycling. How many years have you been bicycling in central Bangkok?

Edited February 19, 2013 by MaxYakov

[sstuff3]

Unfortunate as it may be, it is possible that this was indeed "just an accident".

[theajarn]

There are areas of Thailand that are great for cycling. This is a newly built 100km+ road coastal in Chanthaburi.

I see more cyclist around here than anywhere else in Thailand.

Many overnight at the free legal camp sites right next to the beach.

They actually have signs for the riders, like sharp left bend ahead !!!

http://bicyclethaila...antaburi-coast/

AMAZING....!!! I don't believe it???!? THIS is in THAILAND???

[Fozfromoz]

There are areas of Thailand that are great for cycling. This is a newly built 100km+ road coastal in Chanthaburi.

I see more cyclist around here than anywhere else in Thailand.

Many overnight at the free legal camp sites right next to the beach.

They actually have signs for the riders, like sharp left bend ahead !!!

http://bicyclethaila...antaburi-coast/

AMAZING....!!! I don't believe it???!? THIS is in THAILAND???

Photoshopped tourist brochure?

[SunsetT]

I felt both saddened and angered by the loss of these two bicyclists. However, after researching the 304 highway in the reported area of the accident, I came to the conclusion that the two had placed themselves into a high-risk situation by attempting to travel on the shoulder of a relatively high-speed 4-lane, divided highway. In my country, traveling on the shoulder of such a highway would have been illegal in any type of vehicle. In Thailand, I've seen motorbikes traveling on the shoulder at relatively low speeds as well. Highway shoulders are intended for emergency situations and not for extended traveling. An experienced and knowledgeable driver knows that just stopping on such a shoulder for any reason and for even a short period of time is extremely hazardous.

Maybe in your country (and mine) but not in Thailand. The shoulders here are always used by motorcycles as it's the safest place for them on the highways. They are also used by vehicles travelling in the wrong direction but that's a different story. Emergencies? No, just leave the car where it regardless of how much traffic congestion is caused.

I know this road pretty well (though the exact location of the accident has not been divulged yet as far as I have seen). It is part of the main route from Aranyapratet to Bangkok and it's not easy to stick to quieter roads. And are the rural routes any better, with drivers speeding, overtaking on blind bends etc. etc.

So, in short, I don't think the cyclists did anything wrong and the blame falls entirely upon the pick-up driver.

My girlfriend insists that the hard shoulders in Thailand are nothing more than motorbike 'lanes' and that motorbikes should remain in them as much as possible. How many Thais believe this? Maybe she is right? Thais have the uncanny ability to twist and get everything wrong! (The Thai Highway Code is in Thai so cannot verify this). But if this is the case the hard shoulder should provide cyclists and motorcyclists more safety than if it were treated by driver's as a lane only to be entered in emergency, i.e., drivers expect to see it used by motorbikes, and anything else that moves in Thailand! and therefore we wary of drifting into it.

I dont think there is anything wrong with cycling on a footpath/paved pedestrian area for safety or leisure as long as u ride slow enough to give way completely to all pedestrians so as not to endanger, intimidate, or frighten them. If it is so congested that this is not posible then I dismount and push my bike.

...............A very tragic accident, and my heart goes out to all those friends and loved ones that they have left behind.