29 killed in Thailand bus accident: police

[webfact]

29 killed in Thailand bus accident: police

BANGKOK, December 27, 2013 (AFP) - At least 29 people were killed and four badly injured when a bus plunged into a deep ravine in northeast Thailand, police said Friday.

The accident occurred around midnight Thursday-Friday in Lom Sak district, Phetchabun province while the bus was en route to the northern province of Chiang Rai.

"We suspect the bus driver fell asleep," Major General Sukit Samana, police commander of Phetchabun province, told AFP.

"We found 28 bodies in the ravine, which is about 30 metres (100 feet) deep. And one died at the hospital," he said.

Four others were in a critical condition.

"The eyewitness who informed the police said the bus went very fast before it plunged into the ravine," he said.
The bus, which was carrying 40 passengers, was completely destroyed in the accident.

The accident occurred as millions of Thai motorists are expected to travel during the New Year holidays.
Deadly road accidents are common in Thailand.

At least 20 people were killed in October when a tour bus carrying elderly Buddhist devotees plunged into a ravine in northeast Thailand.

A recent report by the World Health Organization said the country saw some 38.1 road deaths per 100,000 of population, compared to an average of 18.5 in Southeast Asia as a whole.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-12-27

[EricBerg]

And this just after police say they started a big traffic safety campaign.

RIP the victims and sympathy for their families and friends

[Gsxrnz]

Words fail me. If this happened in NZ it would be considered almost a national disaster and there would be a royal commission established to determine causes.

If there were any discrepancies in the drivers log book, hours spent driving versus the legal allowed hours, vehicle maintenance logs or any other causes that could be attributed to the company or its managers, then manslaughter charges would be made.

In Thailand, it's just same <deleted>, different day.

Edited December 27, 2013 by Gsxrnz

[chooka]

There absolutely no way I would take a bus in Thailand.

[Nowhereman60]

29 people killed almost weekly this happens and not much is done. A police person or teacher is killed in the south and not much is done. A protester is injured in Bangkok and people are in a uproar. Something is seriously wrong here.

[Scott]

My condolences to the family and friends of the victims and my wishes for the injured to make a speedy and full recovery. What a tragic way for many families to face the new year.

[wjhall]

Can't imagine drivers here even have a log book. They should fit tachographs to all buses and lorries and check on them routinely

[toonsai]

The carnage continues on the roads of Thailand... Never any single action taken by authorities (ALL colors) for a decade. When this bloodshed will end? Thailand’s roads 3rd most deadly in the World!!!!! TIT probably looking for the 1st place...

[Calimotty]

Words fail me. If this happened in NZ it would be considered almost a national disaster and there would be a royal commission established to determine causes.

If there were any discrepancies in the drivers log book, hours spent driving versus the legal allowed hours, vehicle or any other causes that could be attributed to the company or its managers, then manslaughter charges would be made.

In Thailand, it's just same <deleted>, different day.

If this happened in NZ it would be considered almost a national disaster and there would be a royal commission established to determine causes.

​If this happened in NZ to a truck load of sheep it would be considered a national disaster and there would be a royal visit to calm the survivors.

Words fail me (Not)

What drivers log book?

What maintenance logs?

What fatigue management system?

What driver alcohol and drug screening program?

And yes according to Buddhist philosophy,if you don't ever bother to address the facts you get the same <deleted> every day.

[craigt3365]

Until they start going after the owners with big lawsuits, nothing is going to change.

[jalansanitwong]

Until they start going after the owners with big lawsuits, nothing is going to change.

Good point but nothing will happen because its likely the bus company owners are friends or relatives of influential people. The company owner may himself be an influential person.

Nothing changes in Thailand.

[LuckyLew]

So sad

RIP to those who have needlessly and recklessly left us far too soon

Once again ... nothing will be done .... will be blamed on faulty brakes

[noddy77]

Until they start going after the owners with big lawsuits, nothing is going to change.

Is there any point in suing anyone in this country?

If the bus company loses and doesn't pay will they go to jail?

Enough money and you can't go to jail for murder so suing a bus company could only be to the benifit of lawyers.

[WitawatWatawit]

Don't expect anything to change (yes, we say that far too often). In the early 90s, I read a report in The Nation that was headlined something like "Thailand's worst year ever for road fatalities" (18,000, if I remember correctly). I waited for a day for some official reaction. Not a bloody peep from anyone. I wrote a letter of outrage to the editor, but it drew not a single response. Nada, zilch. Since then, as many as half a million people have been killed on the roads in Thailand - twice as many as the 2004 tsunami. I shudder to think of the number of people permanently incapacitated, the number of parentless children, the destruction to families, the effect on communities, the cost to the taxpayer.

[Halion]

Same shit , different day,sadly this country is past redemption. Useless waste of human life owing to inept and inadequate governance , control, enforcement and intellect. A third world gin palace on a good day.

[ezzra]

Life in Thailand is cheap, grieving families not wanting to create 'scene' bury their dead

and continue with life, no uproar, no graveness, no demand for investigation, and until

this situation will change where someone will have to be ultimately liable for the carnage

and lack of safety measures put in place to insure the safety of the traveling public, it will

continue to be like that.... life in Thailand is cheap...

[ThaiTrav]

And this just after police say they started a big traffic safety campaign.

RIP the victims and sympathy for their families and friends

How many Bus accidents last 12 months now ?......................5 , 6 ,,or even 10 . Wake up Stupid Thailand!!!!

[Yunla]

RIP, my prayers are with the families of these poor people at this time.

[NCC1701A]

yes if you are reading this and plan on coming to Thailand for any reason please cancel your trip.

it is far too dangerous here.

[pacharaphet]

yes if you are reading this and plan on coming to Thailand for any reason please cancel your trip.

it is far too dangerous here.

Well then, we thank you for your sacrifice, as you seem to still be there in the dangerous place you refer to as here.

[KED]

Where is the Thai outrage? Why doesn't a grass-roots group form of Thai citizens demanding that road safety be addressed and things change. To do nothing and to see these road deaths continue is insane.

[lucjoker]

Life in Thailand is cheap, grieving families not wanting to create 'scene' bury their dead

and continue with life, no uproar, no graveness, no demand for investigation, and until

this situation will change where someone will have to be ultimately liable for the carnage

and lack of safety measures put in place to insure the safety of the traveling public, it will

continue to be like that.... life in Thailand is cheap...

keep the people dumb,devoted , ignorant and fearful ........the wish of any ruler.

It works fantastic over here but also in 90% of the world.

90% of us can not fill in their tax papers and surely have no clue what happens with their money.

99% will be shocked when told how low their pension will be and will know it only when they are actually pensioned.lol

[osiboy]

tragic , more so that nothing will change , no lesson learned , only that lives here are worthless . RIP

[jaapfries]

Words fail me. If this happened in NZ it would be considered almost a national disaster and there would be a royal commission established to determine causes.

If there were any discrepancies in the drivers log book, hours spent driving versus the legal allowed hours, vehicle maintenance logs or any other causes that could be attributed to the company or its managers, then manslaughter charges would be made.

In Thailand, it's just same <deleted>, different day.

1. Driver's Log-Book ?

2. Hours spent driving <> Legal hours allowed ?

3. Vehicle Maintenance Logs ?

4. Vehicle Safety Records ?

5. Driver's Driver's License ?

Are you diluted, or don't you know how things work in Thailand ? ? ? ?

NONE of the above either exist, are practiced or are adhered-to in Thailand.

It's not that the LAWS aren't here; they are and they are EXCELLENT laws, the only problem is NOBODY ENFORCES THESE LAWS ! ! ! !

Love Thailand, but HATE some of the prevailing conditions here !

(PS: 21 years working/living in Thailand)

[ericnoodeeka]

2 words: absolutely shocking.

[worgeordie]

Thai bus drivers just don't seem to know how to use the gears

to slow down on hills, most likely in 4th gear flying around the

bends, tries to brake going too fast, brakes fade,he and passengers

are f%#ked,hope he did not get to run away !

RIP the folks who lost their lives,and it will never stop,thats the irony

of it all,and I thought all buses where supposed to be fitted with seat

belts.

regards Worgeordie

[prestburypark]

You all forget that the (Thai) driver was naturally gifted to drive a bus, training and education on safety was not needed as his superiority to other drivers was apparent to him from an early age.

His falling asleep at the wheel was his only ever mistake and should not cast any doubts on his true abilities.

But really with a road traffic system where there are no penalties except paltry fines, any transgressor can continue driving no matter what they have done on the road until they have killed themselves, and probably others too.

When I tell Thai friends about suspended licenses and points systems they simply do not believe it is possible to have control like that.

Out on my bike I have drivers try to kill me for fun so it seems, head on aggression,(but they do flash their lights so I guess that's ok then) side ways swiping, trying to race and overtake, it is murder out there. It aint going to change soon by the feel of things, so its game on to survive.

[brfsa2]

The failure of thai authorities to address road safety reminds me of this from Inferno "The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of crisis"

This is a definitely a crisis where people just turn the head and move on with their life and says "it's karma"

[stevehaigh]

the crash was on a bridge on the Lok Sak side of Nam Nao national park on route 12. i've been over that road many times, its a beautiful drive in the day but i wouldn't want to do it at night.

[NangrongJ]

If the driver fell asleep then one has to question why. What rest periods di he have? How many hours has he driven in the past 24 and all week? When did he last stop and what was his schedule?

This would form the basis of any incident investigation, and I have carried out many, in many countries. Sadly, this backward country adopts an Ostrich mentality to what is not an accident but negligence.