Injured Man Dies After Bangkok Cop Tells Ambulance To Move

[moe666]

... and once again I say, never move to Thailand, or you will die.

When I first moved here I saw this guy get his chest blown open by an exploding gas container. He was bleeding out right there in front of my office. I jumped into lifeguard mode and simultaneously tried to instruct his friend on first aid while also arranging for a ride in a neighbor's truck... I swear on my life, the friend looked me in the eye and waved me off while literally a dozen other people just stood there and did absolutely nothing. No ambulance was called. Nothing was done to stop the bleeding. I eventually organized the truck and a makeshift stretcher just to see the guy check out right there in front of me.

I dont know if it's Buddhism, or a general lack of faith in infrastructure or what. But from that day I knew for sure, gawd forbid I ever find myself bleeding on the street with nothing but Thais around me.

Footnote: I didn't get a single acknowledgement for at least trying to do something .. but at least I now know for certain how I react in an emergency.

I would say your statement is a bit broad, I could go back to the states tomorrow and die upon arrival

[GaryB1263]

I don't believe this story either.

[PREM-R]

It's not just the policeman telling them to move the ambulance, it's the fact that the paramedics actually did it that concerns me.

Thai cops carry guns, you do not argue with a guy with a gun... and the emotional level of an 8 year old.

[fstarbkk]

Wow!

Okay...it is pretty early and I try to get my thoughts in order on this...

A cop tells an emergency crew to move an obviously immobile crash victim and the ambulance car for 100 meters , in order to ease a traffic situation that occurs on almost every road in Bangkok every single day of the year.

Did I get that right?!

And because of that delay, the crash victim died?

This policeman should not only be taken off the job immediately, he should be punished.

This is almost as if he is actively being involved in killing that guy.

I am not a native english- speaker...but that is almost man- slaughter!

What an @$$hole!

Unbelievable!

I'm with you Doc. Of course we have no way of knowing whether the victim would have lived otherwise. But the sanctity of life here in Thailand is extremely income and/or family name dependent. So, in the case of a mere nameless motorcyclist the point is moot.

[robblok]

... and once again I say, never move to Thailand, or you will die.

When I first moved here I saw this guy get his chest blown open by an exploding gas container. He was bleeding out right there in front of my office. I jumped into lifeguard mode and simultaneously tried to instruct his friend on first aid while also arranging for a ride in a neighbor's truck... I swear on my life, the friend looked me in the eye and waved me off while literally a dozen other people just stood there and did absolutely nothing. No ambulance was called. Nothing was done to stop the bleeding. I eventually organized the truck and a makeshift stretcher just to see the guy check out right there in front of me.

I dont know if it's Buddhism, or a general lack of faith in infrastructure or what. But from that day I knew for sure, gawd forbid I ever find myself bleeding on the street with nothing but Thais around me.

Footnote: I didn't get a single acknowledgement for at least trying to do something .. but at least I now know for certain how I react in an emergency.

Sorry to dispute you but last week I was in a motorcycle wreck a truck driver and his wife came to my assistance as well as a Dr. from a local hospital. I wasn't bleeding out or unable to walk but these people were concerned about my well being and did help me. I guess it all depends on the Thais who are present as opposed to painting the entire country with a big brush

Same here.. i have had an accident too and Thais were concerned and more then willing to help. But its so much nicer to tar everyone with the same brush. Sure there are inconsiderate Thais.. but I bet you find those idiots back home too.

[Thaddeus]

It's not just the policeman telling them to move the ambulance, it's the fact that the paramedics actually did it that concerns me.

The power of the uniform.

It's way beyond time for the education system to start instructing that the people in uniforms work for the ones that aren't, not the other way around.

[Mampara]

It's not just the policeman telling them to move the ambulance, it's the fact that the paramedics actually did it that concerns me.

In Thailand The Police rules, and in some cases they are judge, jury, and executioner. People are naturally afraid of the Police and they are not considered as an protector of the people by many, rather as a "Tea Money brigade". I wonder what would happen if one of the paramedics slipped him a 1,000B note. further more vehicle's are considered as priority over humans.

[JetsetBkk]

That "RKU News Facebook" page is not for the feint hearted. Never seen so much blood and gore, and finger pointing at dead bodies.

[pisico]

<deleted> since when did the police have authority over ambos in a life and death situation? I have attended numerous serious incidents and accidents and we definitely can not give orders to ambo's. An ambulance attending a life threatening situation can park anywhere it bloody well likes as human life takes priority over everything. Who cares if traffic is held up if it saves a life. What the BIB should have been was diverting traffic down another route ( if possible) even if it is 1km back down the road.

I would hate to be in this coppers shoes if it was in Australia as he would be in a pile of poop and facing internal disciplinary action and lets not forget a coronial inquiry where he could be found to have contributed to the death and the civil action that may come after. If it was an Aussie ambo the copper would have been told to pull his head in and to F off.

My Thai girl friend who holds a Master's Degree from a prestigious university here, who has been to the USA and who works as an executive in a Security company in Laksi, explained to me how wrong I was thinking that I, a human being, had the right of way over cars at crosswalks. She quoted parts of the Thai Driver's license textbook: "pedestrians should not block the passage of cars in order to maintain the traffic flowing". Another Thai friend, who has traveled to Japan and other countries said with a smile across his face that, the better the car the greater the right of way.

My constant pet peeve when I walk in and out of the building where I live: the Thai "(in)security guards" frantically whistle me out of the way whenever a car approaches to go into the parking area. Vehicles trump human life in Thailand... that is obvious. Farang can't understand Thainess.

[uptheos]

I expect some hi-so cars were honking and of course this puts the BIB in a state of terror!

[gemini81]

I don't believe this story either.

Yeah, they probably pulled it out of their rear ends for amusement; just wanted to create some conspiracies for online forum members.

6 posts and new to the area indeed!!!!!

[Unkomoncents]

This is ultimately why I left Thailand. Beautiful country but you can't raise a family in a place where you can't expect the police to put the safety of others first, especially when the proper course of action is so obvious.

Think I'm headed that way... gets tiring after many years. One would like to read they ignored the jerk off and saved someone's life, but the reality is, if they had have proceeded, there is every chance it would have drawn its pistol!

The thing is, and this is what I tell myself: you can always return to Thailand. I love so many things about the country, but it is a place that is truly entrenched. Things will have to really change on the ground before Thais are willing to do something about it. They have a long history of seeking justice but I worry because they are so willing to accept the way things are for way to long. You can read about in Thai (Tai southern Chinese)/Kmer/Burmese history.

[monkey4u]

I hope this clown in a uniform gets to kiss a light pole. Let his ambulance park 100 metres away, then tell him to walk to it

(Oh but I am badly injured ) Too bad!

[pattayadingo]

That policeman should have been directing traffic to ease the jam, not insisting the ambulance meve. If it had been his son / daughter you can bet he would not have made the ambulance move.

[uptheos]

That policeman should have been directing traffic to ease the jam, not insisting the ambulance meve. If it had been his son / daughter you can bet he would not have made the ambulance move.

Gawd.....have you seen the confusion when they do?

More than likely direct everyone to run over the guy!

[Businessman]

I don't believe this. As if.

It can be seen there's little respect for ambulances, and traffic doesn't give way here.

I agree. But have you noticed recently that all types of vehicles (mostly busses, vans and trucks) install red and blue strobe lights and race down the highways expecting people to get out of the way. I for one, say "Get in line, Somchai!" to these selfish people.

What they are doing is not helping the situation at all. How do I tell at 10pm in the dark if its a suicide-van (aka rot-tour) behind me or a legitimate emergency vehicle? Why in heavens name the police do not crack down on these people? And, as suggested, crack down hard on motorists that do not give way (when physically possible).

From this farang's point of view it would appear that many Thai's don't give a single thought to anyone other than themselves. People can be dying around you, but God forbid should you do anything that is in the least but inconvenient to help above all give up your place in a line of traffic, which from what I see is more sacred than the emerald buddha and all the temples combined.

It saddens me deeply when I see overt displays of selfishness here. I know that for every selfish act I see, there is probably a selfless act going on... but it is hard to ignore the stain that selfishness makes in the fabric of this society. It's overwhelming sometimes. From corrupt politicians at the top all the way down to "Joe Average" in their car... caring about anything more than themselves seems an impossibility.

Maybe a little "What a wonderful world" played along side the national anthem would help?

[pedro01]

Wow!

Okay...it is pretty early and I try to get my thoughts in order on this...

A cop tells an emergency crew to move an obviously immobile crash victim and the ambulance car for 100 meters , in order to ease a traffic situation that occurs on almost every road in Bangkok every single day of the year.

Did I get that right?!

And because of that delay, the crash victim died?

This policeman should not only be taken off the job immediately, he should be punished.

This is almost as if he is actively being involved in killing that guy.

I am not a native english- speaker...but that is almost man- slaughter!

What an @$$hole!

Unbelievable!

Well - there is no evidence that the crach victim died because of the actions of the policeman.

[gemini81]

I don't believe this. As if.

It can be seen there's little respect for ambulances, and traffic doesn't give way here.

I agree. But have you noticed recently that all types of vehicles (mostly busses, vans and trucks) install red and blue strobe lights and race down the highways expecting people to get out of the way. I for one, say "Get in line, Somchai!" to these selfish people.

What they are doing is not helping the situation at all. How do I tell at 10pm in the dark if its a suicide-van (aka rot-tour) behind me or a legitimate emergency vehicle? Why in heavens name the police do not crack down on these people? And, as suggested, crack down hard on motorists that do not give way (when physically possible).

From this farang's point of view it would appear that many Thai's don't give a single thought to anyone other than themselves. People can be dying around you, but God forbid should you do anything that is in the least but inconvenient to help above all give up your place in a line of traffic, which from what I see is more sacred than the emerald buddha and all the temples combined.

It saddens me deeply when I see overt displays of selfishness here. I know that for every selfish act I see, there is probably a selfless act going on... but it is hard to ignore the stain that selfishness makes in the fabric of this society. It's overwhelming sometimes. From corrupt politicians at the top all the way down to "Joe Average" in their car... caring about anything more than themselves seems an impossibility.

Maybe a little "What a wonderful world" played along side the national anthem would help?

I give way for ambulances & volunteer rescue, but yeah, the vans and fools with strobes and silly blinking lights: I pull up close to the car in front and show them they must yield & wait their turn as do the rest of us. Can't change it but can certainly make a statement to those who aren't paramedics nor getting a police escort, that they're no more VIP than anyone else.

Teaching respect and proper road rules will certainly take considerable time. Harder when in BKK, traffic is so thick, everyone is on edge trying to get somewhere in a hurry, thinking of # 1. Policies like 1st time car buyer didn't help.

[Tomtomtom69]

It's Bangkok. Traffic is always backed up because those idiots who designed the road system only built one third the road space the city needs. The internationally accepted norm is 25%, Bangkok has just 8% of it's surface area dedicated to roads. It is thus both disgusting and inhumane what the policeman did to "ease" traffic, which I suspect wouldn't have helped one bit especially not at that time of day as I'll explain below.<br /><br />The Romklao intersection is very familiar to me. Coming from Suwinthawong road around 6.30-7am or a bit afterwards, there actually isn't that much traffic on Ramkamhaeng road itself, at least not in the vicinity of this intersection, but Romklao road is backed up all the way from the Lad Krabang Airport Link Skytrain station/Suvarnabhumi airport access road/motorway. This is due to factors including road works where the separating median is still under construction (not sure why they ever decided to rebuild that unless it had something to do with subterranean water pipes or something), there are a huge number of trucks mostly headed for the Lad Krabang Industrial Estate and so traffic gets backed up. It doesn't help that the traffic people seem to have permanently blocked access to Krungthep-Kreeta road, which makes absolutely no sense and this is also where the ambulances wait for any pending emergencies. I suspect the ambulance in question was originally parked at this intersection (Krungthep-Kreeta / Romklao / Chao Khun Thaharn) then all it had to do was a left turn and drive straight for about 8-10km before reaching the accident site.<br /><br />Also everyone knows that Ramkhamhaeng road is notorious for traffic jams; initially the road has 4 lanes in each direction near Romklao road but later on before Lam Sali it becomes three and at times only two (although parts of it also have a 2-lane in each direction elevated road). It seems that all that traffic from the perimeter of Bangkok is fed into an ever decreasing number of possible paths to Bangkok - from the accident site you can either turn left to Ramkamhaeng (for either Klongtan, Srinakarin or Serithai), right to Suwinthawong (Chachoengsao province), straight to Suwinthawong (for Lamlukka, Pathumthani or Raminthra, Minburi) and that's about it. Given Bangkok only has a few long straight roads and very few smaller feeder roads the traffic situation is just hopeless.<br /><br />RIP to the deceased individual and hopefully this copper will get what he deserves.

[krisb]

&lt;deleted&gt; since when did the police have authority over ambos in a life and death situation?  I have attended numerous serious incidents and accidents and we definitely can not give orders to ambo's.  An ambulance attending a life threatening situation can park anywhere it bloody well likes as human life takes priority over everything.  Who cares if traffic is held up if it saves a life.  What the BIB should have been was diverting traffic down another route ( if possible) even if it is 1km back down the road. 

 

I would hate to be in this coppers shoes if it was in Australia as he would be in a pile of poop and facing internal disciplinary action and lets not forget a coronial inquiry where he could be found to have contributed to the death and the civil action that may come after.  If it was an Aussie ambo the copper would have been told to pull his head in and to F off. 

When you say we have attended numerous accidents, what is it you do in Thailand ?

I mean we as an Aussie copper.  I did actually say I have attended.

ok. Yes you did say I, also said we can't tell ambos. That's the bit I was referring.

Sent from my LG-E612 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[roiethome]

When the BIB behave like this, it is no wonder we all treat them with contempt.

[NomadJoe]

&lt;deleted&gt; since when did the police have authority over ambos in a life and death situation? I have attended numerous serious incidents and accidents and we definitely can not give orders to ambo's. An ambulance attending a life threatening situation can park anywhere it bloody well likes as human life takes priority over everything. Who cares if traffic is held up if it saves a life. What the BIB should have been was diverting traffic down another route ( if possible) even if it is 1km back down the road.

I would hate to be in this coppers shoes if it was in Australia as he would be in a pile of poop and facing internal disciplinary action and lets not forget a coronial inquiry where he could be found to have contributed to the death and the civil action that may come after. If it was an Aussie ambo the copper would have been told to pull his head in and to F off.

Yeah same in the states. EMT's, paramedics and firefighters are in charge at incident scenes. Cops are for security and traffic control only and are actually required by law as well as protocol to obey medics/firefighters orders. But TIT and things are different here.

[Thai at Heart]

&lt;deleted&gt; since when did the police have authority over ambos in a life and death situation? I have attended numerous serious incidents and accidents and we definitely can not give orders to ambo's. An ambulance attending a life threatening situation can park anywhere it bloody well likes as human life takes priority over everything. Who cares if traffic is held up if it saves a life. What the BIB should have been was diverting traffic down another route ( if possible) even if it is 1km back down the road.

I would hate to be in this coppers shoes if it was in Australia as he would be in a pile of poop and facing internal disciplinary action and lets not forget a coronial inquiry where he could be found to have contributed to the death and the civil action that may come after. If it was an Aussie ambo the copper would have been told to pull his head in and to F off.

Yeah same in the states. EMT's, paramedics and firefighters are in charge at incident scenes. Cops are for security and traffic control only and are actually required by law as well as protocol to obey medics/firefighters orders. But TIT and things are different here.

I guess they are lucky he didn't clamp them.

[Tomtomtom69]

Actually, I have seen drivers here move over for ambulances and I would go as far as saying most drivers generally do try. Having said that, the odds are stacked against the drivers of these ambulances from being able to get through traffic, sirens or not. It is thus up to the police. If the police who control the antiquated traffic lights made a rule that no one direction would be kept waiting at the lights for more than 2 minutes then traffic would flow more easily.<br /><br />It's so frustrating and random the way they keep some lights on hold for up to 45 MINUTES while another direction is allowed to go through that entire time.<br /><br />Last week after spending more than an hour on Taksin Bridge coming from Krung Thonburi around 4.45pm I followed other frustrated drivers across the Surasak intersection and blocked traffic (by accident) when the police unexpectedly decided to turn the lights in my direction red after we were already in the middle of the intersection. My car and a number of others blocked at least one lane of traffic coming from the left. Like I gave a crap about that direction of traffic...soon however one smart policeman did find a small space for me to drive into thus allowing that one lane to become unblocked - it did however involve me having to reverse and then turn into the lane adjacent to me.<br /><br />Surprisingly yesterday along the same route and roughly the same time of day (5pm) it was incredibly fast - took just 5 minutes to cross Taksin Bridge and the Surasak intersection, how do you like that. Anyway can't wait until the Skytrain network currently under construction is complete - it should allow you to travel from the outskirts of Bangkok from places like Bang Yai or Bang Khae right into downtown, no need for a car. Looking forward to that day but it might take a few more years.

[Cats4ever]

&lt;deleted&gt; since when did the police have authority over ambos in a life and death situation? I have attended numerous serious incidents and accidents and we definitely can not give orders to ambo's. An ambulance attending a life threatening situation can park anywhere it bloody well likes as human life takes priority over everything. Who cares if traffic is held up if it saves a life. What the BIB should have been was diverting traffic down another route ( if possible) even if it is 1km back down the road.

I would hate to be in this coppers shoes if it was in Australia as he would be in a pile of poop and facing internal disciplinary action and lets not forget a coronial inquiry where he could be found to have contributed to the death and the civil action that may come after. If it was an Aussie ambo the copper would have been told to pull his head in and to F off.

It is not Australia.

[Sydebolle]

In a country where:
- ambulances are later than the "body snatchers"
- "body snatchers" are later than the paparazzi
- ambulances pay toll fees on the highway and have to cue for that
- government officials get roads emptied for their little fun trips just to show their power
- an MB can do anything and a pick-up nothing

... there might be some room for improvement; speaking of which makes Thailand a top hit on the list!

[Lancelot]

There needs to be more awareness of how important it is to move out of the way of an ambulance when its sirens are on. The ambulance should always have priority when moving through traffic. If there was more awareness of this, I doubt the police officer in question would have been so stupid and heartless.

It's amazing how inconsiderate people can be for some, but how respectful they can be for others.

I personally have never seen any drivers yield to a Thai ambulance.

So much for Thais Love Thais...

[cooked]

A guy drove out in front of me a week ago and fell off his motorbike. Quite a bit of rubber got used up. When I wanted to get out to see if he was ok the wife told me to drive on because 'Farang pay'. Maybe a scam. But I am unhappy that it is against the general moral climate to help people.

[johnlandy]

There needs to be more awareness of how important it is to move out of the way of an ambulance when its sirens are on. The ambulance should always have priority when moving through traffic. If there was more awareness of this, I doubt the police officer in question would have been so stupid and heartless.

It's amazing how inconsiderate people can be for some, but how respectful they can be for others.

If there was more awareness of this, I doubt the police officer in question would have been so stupid and heartless.

I don't think heartless enters into it but would be sure beyond doubt that stupid is the appropriate adjective.

[I Like Thai]

... and once again I say, never move to Thailand, or you will die.

When I first moved here I saw this guy get his chest blown open by an exploding gas container. He was bleeding out right there in front of my office. I jumped into lifeguard mode and simultaneously tried to instruct his friend on first aid while also arranging for a ride in a neighbor's truck... I swear on my life, the friend looked me in the eye and waved me off while literally a dozen other people just stood there and did absolutely nothing. No ambulance was called. Nothing was done to stop the bleeding. I eventually organized the truck and a makeshift stretcher just to see the guy check out right there in front of me.

I dont know if it's Buddhism, or a general lack of faith in infrastructure or what. But from that day I knew for sure, gawd forbid I ever find myself bleeding on the street with nothing but Thais around me.

Footnote: I didn't get a single acknowledgement for at least trying to do something .. but at least I now know for certain how I react in an emergency.

Rather than try to instruct someone else on 1st aid, why not just do it yourself. Basically you didn't do anything either

(not that anything you wrote is true in the 1st place)