Don't Stop for an Accident!

[SpokaneAl]

So my wife, sister-in-law (both Thai) and I were headed back home from our delicious 30 baht each dinner meal with me at the wheel of our car. As I was driving along a guy on a scooter in front of us suddenly heads off the road and onto the sandy shoulder where he crashes his bike and ends up flat on his back. As we approach he begins to sit up. I slow down and begin to pull over to make sure he is okay.

My wife and sister immediately begin yelling for me to not stop and keep going. I waiver a bit, and it seems like the guy is suffering no injuries so I pull back on the road and continue on. Their argument was that since I was the foreigner, even though I had absolutely nothing to do with the guy's accident, he could claim I caused the accident and no one would believe the foreigner.

Thoughts?

[FiftyTwo]

Why would you care about a random stranger on the road?

[CharlieH]

They are absolutely right, you would end up paying, even if it was to make it go away.

LISTEN to you wife she knows the score better than you !

[uptheos]

Absolute rubbish!

I've stopped to assist at two accidents since I've been here and the people were very grateful.

If I have an accident I hope someone will assist me, but I'd rather not find out.

Why does this BS scare mongering keep popping up?

[jbrain]

Wait, wait soon the posters, foreigners of course, gonna jump in to tell you that it's all a hoax by which 60 million people in Thailand are fooled, but those few foreigners know it isn't true.

[alyx]

Why would you care about a random stranger on the road?

Is " No comment" a comment ?

[HeijoshinCool]

I've stopped to help a few times, no problem, at least, not for me. (Once I did not, there were lots of people around, and the "victim" was stupid.)

On the other hand, just came up to my room after having a conversation with a Thai friend whose "farang" friend had court today.

Seems he was scootering along on Koh Chang, sometime back. Minding his own business. A Thai on a scooter whizzed by, rear-ended a pickup. Go boom. Pickup keeps going. Kind farang stops to lend aid, but guy is toast.

Long story short, mother of DOA demands 200k. Cheap son.

Cops arrest farang. Farang says no. Today in court, mom says, okay, I'll walk away for 25,000. Farang pays.

Moral of story: well, you decide for yourself.

[yingyo]

Why would you care about a random stranger on the road?

Because he isn't a Thai Buddhist.

[Showbags]

Best hope a family member of yours is never laying injured on the side of the road in urgent need and everyone drives on by like you did.

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

I think your missus has an outstanding character, good for you.

[yingyo]

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

Doesn't matter when there are immediate claims of wrong doing and the police need to hold someone during their initial investigation.

Many Thai people don't stop because they know that they could end up being extorted for everything they have.

Got a problem with that, move out of the jungle and back to a developed society with real police and judicial processes.

Edited November 1, 2013 by yingyo

[uptheos]

Best hope a family member of yours is never laying injured on the side of the road in urgent need and everyone drives on by like you did.

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

I think your missus has an outstanding character, good for you.

Exactly!

[uptheos]

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

Doesn't matter when there are immediate claims of wrong doing and the police need to hold someone during their initial investigation.

Many Thai people don't stop because they know that they could end up being extorted for everything they have.

Got a problem with that, move out of the jungle and back to a developed society with real police and judicial processes.

Been here 5 minutes and you know that 'many' Thai people don't stop.

Is this from personal experience?

[Showbags]

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

Doesn't matter when there are immediate claims of wrong doing and the police need to hold someone during their initial investigation.

Many Thai people don't stop because they know that they could end up being extorted for everything they have.

Got a problem with that, move out of the jungle and back to a developed society with real police and judicial processes.

Many Thais do not stop, what a load of rubbish, have you ever seen an accident with the crowds gathering for a little bo peep?

[HeijoshinCool]

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

Doesn't matter when there are immediate claims of wrong doing and the police need to hold someone during their initial investigation.

Many Thai people don't stop because they know that they could end up being extorted for everything they have.

Got a problem with that, move out of the jungle and back to a developed society with real police and judicial processes.

Many Thais do not stop, what a load of rubbish, have you ever seen an accident with the crowds gathering for a little bo peep?

There are sheep in Thailand?

[i claudius]

I've stopped to help a few times, no problem, at least, not for me. (Once I did not, there were lots of people around, and the "victim" was stupid.)

On the other hand, just came up to my room after having a conversation with a Thai friend whose "farang" friend had court today.

Seems he was scootering along on Koh Chang, sometime back. Minding his own business. A Thai on a scooter whizzed by, rear-ended a pickup. Go boom. Pickup keeps going. Kind farang stops to lend aid, but guy is toast.

Long story short, mother of DOA demands 200k. Cheap son.

Cops arrest farang. Farang says no. Today in court, mom says, okay, I'll walk away for 25,000. Farang pays.

Moral of story: well, you decide for yourself.

Do you have a link to this story ,or is it something you heard ? i have been involved in an accident where it was the Thais fault and they tried to get money ,i stood my ground and told them to deal with my insurance company . end of story ,they did nothing.

[CharlieH]

@ uptheos

Just because peoples opinions or perhaps experiences are different to yours it does not make it "rubbish"

in my experience and from that of family members, it is generally considered best not to get involved, especially as a "ferang".

Thais as stated, and in my personal experience also will not get involved in many things that do not directly concern them.

Oh and by the way, I've been here more than 5 minutes.

[jbrain]

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

Doesn't matter when there are immediate claims of wrong doing and the police need to hold someone during their initial investigation.

Many Thai people don't stop because they know that they could end up being extorted for everything they have.

Got a problem with that, move out of the jungle and back to a developed society with real police and judicial processes.

Many Thais do not stop, what a load of rubbish, have you ever seen an accident with the crowds gathering for a little bo peep?

There are sheep in Thailand?

Yes, not far from my home is the Pattaya Sheep Farm, and it's quite popular

They even have a restaurant that serves sheep steak.

Edited November 1, 2013 by jbrain

[uptheos]

@ uptheos

Just because peoples opinions or perhaps experiences are different to yours it does not make it "rubbish"

in my experience and from that of family members, it is generally considered best not to get involved, especially as a "ferang".

Thais as stated, and in my personal experience also will not get involved in many things that do not directly concern them.

Oh and by the way, I've been here more than 5 minutes.

A guy goes off the road on a scooter, could do with a bit of help no doubt. car following with 3 people, two being Thai citizens albeit two hysterical Thai citizens and no-one helps!!

[yingyo]

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

Doesn't matter when there are immediate claims of wrong doing and the police need to hold someone during their initial investigation.

Many Thai people don't stop because they know that they could end up being extorted for everything they have.

Got a problem with that, move out of the jungle and back to a developed society with real police and judicial processes.

Many Thais do not stop, what a load of rubbish, have you ever seen an accident with the crowds gathering for a little bo peep?

Yeah, with their phones out to get the gory photos of people hurt and injured, so they can have a giggle with their friends later.

[CharlieH]

@ uptheos

Just because peoples opinions or perhaps experiences are different to yours it does not make it "rubbish"

in my experience and from that of family members, it is generally considered best not to get involved, especially as a "ferang".

Thais as stated, and in my personal experience also will not get involved in many things that do not directly concern them.

Oh and by the way, I've been here more than 5 minutes.

A guy goes off the road on a scooter, could do with a bit of help no doubt. car following with 3 people, two being Thai citizens albeit two hysterical Thai citizens and no-one helps!!

I'll give you one better, Guys comes off his motorcycle could be dead could be unconcious, people stood in a crowd at the roadside, body left in the centre of the carriageway, no one touches or moves him, the bus I am on drives right over him at 70kph (approx) THUMP ! no one batted an eyelid and the bus didnt even stop !

[Showbags]

Problem with your story is that you had 2 credible Thai witnesses with you.

Doesn't matter when there are immediate claims of wrong doing and the police need to hold someone during their initial investigation.

Many Thai people don't stop because they know that they could end up being extorted for everything they have.

Got a problem with that, move out of the jungle and back to a developed society with real police and judicial processes.

Many Thais do not stop, what a load of rubbish, have you ever seen an accident with the crowds gathering for a little bo peep?

There are sheep in Thailand?

yes and they stand upright and follow evreyone else around.

[seajae]

under normal circumstances and in Australia I would stop everytime because it is the right thing to do, also the law isnt there to get pocket money. The trouble here is that if there are no other witnesses apart from you and your partner or friends than you can easily be held responsible as we have seen in other posts in the past. Even my wife says that it is very risky stopping as the police will just want someone to blame or you can easily be used a a cash cow. If you have a dash cam you are covered but without it you can easily be held accountable, anyone denying this happens in Thailand is simply fooling themselves. Have to admit I would certainly have second thoughts about stopping but the other part of me knows that in most cases I would.

[elektrified]

@ uptheos

Just because peoples opinions or perhaps experiences are different to yours it does not make it "rubbish"

in my experience and from that of family members, it is generally considered best not to get involved, especially as a "ferang".

Thais as stated, and in my personal experience also will not get involved in many things that do not directly concern them.

Oh and by the way, I've been here more than 5 minutes.

A guy goes off the road on a scooter, could do with a bit of help no doubt. car following with 3 people, two being Thai citizens albeit two hysterical Thai citizens and no-one helps!!

I'll give you one better, Guys comes off his motorcycle could be dead could be unconcious, people stood in a crowd at the roadside, body left in the centre of the carriageway, no one touches or moves him, the bus I am on drives right over him at 70kph (approx) THUMP ! no one batted an eyelid and the bus didnt even stop !

I find that hard to believe. I've seen a number of accidents and Thai people are very helpful and on scene immediately. I was in an accident myself and there must have been 20 people all around me immediately calling for an ambulance, directing traffic and so forth.

Edited November 1, 2013 by elektrified

[richard_smith237]

I think it despicable that someone would not stop to help some who's injured. Humanity is lacking in some people who hide behind rumour and fear.

If first on the scene and If there is no obvious and immediate risk to you or others in your car I see no reason not to stop.

It is those, whoever they are and for whatever reasons who don't stop who prevent this world from getting any better, you are no better than those morons who may try and place the blame at your feet.

I have stopped at the scene of an accident, it was night time, the guy was unconscious on the road (drunk on motorcycle had simply ridden into a sign in the central reservation). I stopped other people from moving him, checked he was breathing and had a pulse. Asked someone to call an ambulance and asked the other people who arrived on the scene to head further down the road and use the lights on their phones to alert other traffic.

An ambulance arrived after 10mins, the paramedic took over the scene and we drove off... not even a sniff of blame from those involved with trying to help. People responded well to instructions.

I have no desire to get involved with another incident - I don't want the hassle. However, that wouldn't prevent me from helping where I can.

I did see 2 guys on a motorcycle drive into a ditch last Songkran. I slowed, saw they were ok brushing themselves off so I continued.

I also have a dash-cam - that can prove I was not involved if necessary, but realistically I can't see it coming to that. Nice to have though, an added security.

[maccaroni man]

Granted it is a pitty that stopping to help those in need is taking a risk and the fact is it is a crap shoot on whether or not you will become the victim. I know serval Thai medical professional who do not stop for fear of the liability.

[yingyo]

I always would have, until I moved to Thailand as an adult and started to become more Thai.

Now that I have done that I think solely about myself a lot more.

[yingyo]

Actually the same with giving to charities.

A few years ago gave some baht to the blind man singing while being led by his wife. Then watched as they walked down the road, got into their own tuk tuk and he drove off.

So not a baht more to anyone.

Amazing how becoming more Thai makes you a more selfish, uncaring person.

Odd that, eh.

[ajs500]

Perhaps we need a Poll..I would not stop, Firstly for the most quoted reason and secondly there is nothing much I could do.

[willsiom]

here's my take on this subject, driving my girls sporty Honda jazz back from universal gym today on sukhumvit, being from uk I indicated to turn left and didn't expect a young kid to smash right into side of car on his bike....I shit as I seen him fly thru the air and thought oh no hes gonna be really hurt and a whole world of crap is coming my way!!! he gets up shouting in thai limping an holding his back, jacket ripped to bits cut arms, but thank god he had a lid on, anyway a taxi driver stopped woman started crowding round so I said to him lets park bike up and I take you to hospital, you can all imagine my panic....he said banlamung hospital so I take him, my girl took his id card went to desk I sat him down, about an hour later after xrays and and cuts all dressed up we head back to his bike to inspect damage!..two indicator smashed both wing mirror bent exhaust bent and scratched to f***, I had already paid the hospital bill 1200 then said how much do you want to mend bike? they were talking in thai an am thinking I don't care how much it cost am just glad hes not dead!!! he asked for 4000 and took gf number to get back in touch if it cost more....I would of give him way more....here's the best bit, 4 hours later he rang my gf and said thanks for repair there's 1100 left over!!!!!! obviously she said keep it...just shows people there are some good honest thais out there despite the slagging they get of us farrang.... anyway some of you might know him, his mum is married to a german guy and have a bar on soi 31...I will be going to that bar very soon and ring that bloody bell all night....peace out!!!

Edited November 2, 2013 by metisdead
Edited for profanity.

[jaffacake32]

Driving my car a while back in the UK with my Thai ex husband in the car, came across an accident that had just happened, 2 cars had hit head on. I got out to help, phone an ambulance etc., my ex wanted me to keep driving, couldn't understand why I would want to get involved