Songkran Celebrant Killed In Pickup Truck Crash

A speeding pick-up truck containing 4 people returning from the Bangsaen Songkran festival crashed into an electric pole near Sri Racha. One person died and 3 others were injured. The driver faces a drunk driving charge if tests show he was legally drunk.

SRI RACHA – April 16, 2013 [PDN]; at 5:30 p.m., a report of a vehicle crashing into a traffic pole was received by Pol.Capt. Udom Koikeb, police officer of the shift, Sri Racha provincial police, Sri Racha, Chonburi. The police went to the scene with rescuers from Sawangprateep foundation Sri Racha.

The incident occurred on Sukhumwit Rd. Pattaya inbound, opposite of anti-aircraft battalion 12, Bangpra, moo 10, Bangphra, Sri Racha.
Full story:--http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2013/04/17/songkran-celebrant-killed-in-pickup-truck-crash/
--PATTAYA DAILY NEWS 2013-04-17

How are civilized people supposed to feel about this? Songkran is not even anywhere close to what is was meant to be.

Suppose this was, say, 21st October, would we have a reduced level of sympathy for the driver for driving recklessly under the influence because it wasn't a recognized festival period? And indeed, would there be a greatly reduced number of apologists for his actions because it was not Songkran?

Although the driver lives on to tell all about about his near miss, 32 year-old Khun Ampol is dead ..... what kind of celebration is that?

All of you who argue that Songkran is just harmless fun need to consider how funny it would be if you were one of those on the slab in the morgue. There is no room in any civilized society for a festival that EXPECTS several hundred deaths over the "celebratory" period. It's time for Thai society to shun this idiotic festival.....

The driver faces a drunk driving charge if tests show he was legally drunk.

If he was legally drunk, surely he shouldn't face any charges.

I dont really see what this sort of thing has to do with Songkran. I'm pretty sure that drivers can get drunk any day of the week, regardless of what day it is.

The incident occurred on Sukhumwit Rd. Pattaya inbound, opposite of
anti-aircraft battalion 12, Bangpra, moo 10, Bangphra, Sri Racha...

Opposite anti aircraft battalion 12 ???????

What the heck is that & where is it? They reference it as a point that everybody should know about.

RIP

Another Thai driver sadly showed off his skills, seems Songkran period is the favourite time to do so

There is an Anti-Aircraft Battalion on Sukhumvit?

Where is it? I want to go and have a look at what they deem an anti-aircraft battery. And who do they expect to shoot down...errant Thai Airways flights on the way to KL & Sing?

<deleted>?

There is an Anti-Aircraft Battalion on Sukhumvit?

Where is it? I want to go and have a look at what they deem an anti-aircraft battery. And who do they expect to shoot down...errant Thai Airways flights on the way to KL & Sing?

http://en.gplace.com/anti-aircraft-division-12

The incident occurred on Sukhumwit Rd. Pattaya inbound, opposite of

anti-aircraft battalion 12, Bangpra, moo 10, Bangphra, Sri Racha...

Opposite anti aircraft battalion 12 ???????

What the heck is that & where is it? They reference it as a point that everybody should know about.

They helped you out by also mentioning Bangpra, Moo 10, Sri Racha but you chose to ignore that bit, and does it matter "what the heck" it is? Not that it would be too difficult anyway to work out from it's title.

There is an Anti-Aircraft Battalion on Sukhumvit?

Where is it? I want to go and have a look at what they deem an anti-aircraft battery. And who do they expect to shoot down...errant Thai Airways flights on the way to KL & Sing?

<deleted>?

Why don't you go down there and tell them you want to check them out? I'm sure they'd be delighted to oblige you.

Took you a few minutes but good to see you were able to work out "what the heck" it was. Did you work it out all by yourself or did you have to get someone to help you?

Legally drunk? Let's hope he didn't get drunk without getting a permit first.

Who writes that stuff???

The weird thing is that although road deaths during Songkran attract lots of comment, the rate of deaths during this week is scarcely different from what goes on during the other 51 weeks of the year.

The weird thing is that although road deaths during Songkran attract lots of comment, the rate of deaths during this week is scarcely different from what goes on during the other 51 weeks of the year.

That’s a very good point. There was an article in The Nation 2 days ago, stating that there are up to 26,000 road deaths a year in Thailand.

If that number is anywhere near accurate, then this year’s Songkran holiday should be considered a success, or maybe at least an improvement to the rest of the year.

The weird thing is that although road deaths during Songkran attract lots of comment, the rate of deaths during this week is scarcely different from what goes on during the other 51 weeks of the year.

That’s a very good point. There was an article in The Nation 2 days ago, stating that there are up to 26,000 road deaths a year in Thailand.

If that number is anywhere near accurate, then this year’s Songkran holiday should be considered a success, or maybe at least an improvement to the rest of the year.

The official figure is about 8-9000. The unofficial figure is 26,000.

The 320 deaths over Songkran was the official figure. That would put the unofficial figure at just under 1,000.