Natalie tour bus spotted on dangerous Phuket hill. It won't happen again, says tour firm

[webfact]

Natalie tour bus spotted on dangerous Phuket hill. It won't happen again, says tour firm
Wiparatana Nathalang


The bus with the distinctive green Natalie logo on its side this morning rounds the bend at the bottom of Patong Hill where the fatal accident took place on December 29.

PHUKET: -- Despite an announcement yesterday (January 13) that buses working for Natalie Tour are no longer travelling east-to-west across Patong Hill, a Phuket News reader this morning spotted – and photographed – a Natalie bus doing just that.

The reader then put the pictures on Facebook.

Natalie Tour does not own tour buses. It charters six from other companies such as J&W Car Rental & Transport, or Best Way Trip Co.

It was one of J&W’s buses that crashed on December 29 with the loss of two lives.

After the crash Natalie Tour and the bus owners decided that their buses would no longer make the trip down the steep and winding section of Patong Hill near Wat Suwankiriwong.

Prasit Sornwattana, Phuket General Manager of Natalie Tour, said that the company has a new policy not to send buses over Patong Hill from east to west.

However, he said, “This morning a driver from Best Way Trip went over the hill.”

The manager of Best Way did not return calls this morning, but a member of the company’s staff told The Phuket News, “The bus went in for repair before the accident [of December 29] and this was the first time that it and the driver had been on the road since then.

“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

“It won’t happen again.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/natalie-tour-bus-spotted-on-dangerous-phuket-hill-it-wont-happen-again-says-tour-firm-44004.php


-- Phuket News 2014-01-14

[eezergood]

Who would have thought, dont accept responsibility & done listen to prudent advice!

[andreandre]

Who would have thought, dont accept responsibility & done listen to prudent advice!

“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

[steelepulse]

>>“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

Is that the best story they can come up? Accident was over two weeks ago and the driver knew nothing about the policy change...................................

[stevenl]

>>“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

Is that the best story they can come up? Accident was over two weeks ago and the driver knew nothing about the policy change...................................

Since the policy change is from yesterday that is not so strange.

[steelepulse]

>>“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

Is that the best story they can come up? Accident was over two weeks ago and the driver knew nothing about the policy change...................................

Since the policy change is from yesterday that is not so strange.

When I was going to University I worked for a transportation company that had many busses. I worked in the office and had to directly communicate any necessary info to every driver starting a shift, so yes, I do find it strange that a major policy change was not relayed to the driver.

[starkey_rich]

Looks like Best Ways are the new Pegas.

Just read the story about one of their buses in an accident in Chalong

[stevenl]

>>“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

Is that the best story they can come up? Accident was over two weeks ago and the driver knew nothing about the policy change...................................

Since the policy change is from yesterday that is not so strange.

When I was going to University I worked for a transportation company that had many busses. I worked in the office and had to directly communicate any necessary info to every driver starting a shift, so yes, I do find it strange that a major policy change was not relayed to the driver.

It may come as a surpise to you, but you're in Thailand.

[stevenl]

Looks like Best Ways are the new Pegas.

Just read the story about one of their buses in an accident in Chalong

Best Ways is a bus operator, Pegas(t) a tour operator (mostly) renting their buses from companies like Best Ways.

[LivinginKata]

Does anyone really believe that these coaches will stop going over the hill into Patong - no way, as profit trumps safety every time.

[starkey_rich]

>>“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

Is that the best story they can come up? Accident was over two weeks ago and the driver knew nothing about the policy change...................................

Since the policy change is from yesterday that is not so strange.

It may have only come in to effect yesterday but it was proposed last week giving them plenty of time to relay the message.

Just another Thai thing.No one to enforce anything.Driver would have got away with it if some one had not taken the photo.Nice one.

[starkey_rich]

Looks like Best Ways are the new Pegas.

Just read the story about one of their buses in an accident in Chalong

Best Ways is a bus operator, Pegas(t) a tour operator (mostly) renting their buses from companies like Best Ways.

So it's a Best Ways bus then.Yesterdays bus was rented by Natalie Tour but still a Best Ways bus

[stevenl]

Looks like Best Ways are the new Pegas.

Just read the story about one of their buses in an accident in Chalong

Best Ways is a bus operator, Pegas(t) a tour operator (mostly) renting their buses from companies like Best Ways.

So it's a Best Ways bus then.Yesterdays bus was rented by Natalie Tour but still a Best Ways bus

Yes, but your comparison with Pegas is not correct. Except of course that both are involved in accidents and probably will be on a regular basis. As long as they keep their schedules as tight as they are the drivers are forced to keep hurrying up. It could get even worse now they are forced to take a detour with Patong Hill not an option anymore, because I don't see their timetable adjusted.

[andreandre]

>>“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

Is that the best story they can come up? Accident was over two weeks ago and the driver knew nothing about the policy change...................................

Since the policy change is from yesterday that is not so strange.

It may have only come in to effect yesterday but it was proposed last week giving them plenty of time to relay the message.

Just another Thai thing.No one to enforce anything.Driver would have got away with it if some one had not taken the photo.Nice one.

Exactly right..also I ,and i only presume that others nowadays have a mobile phone..anyone else out there have one?

Great wee device for communicating with others apparently.....

[Ulic]

Rules and regulations are for the the other guys. Do you know who I think I am.

[thailandbeachisland]

I will take photos of speeding PEGAS buses at Pattaya, my dashcam has already nice videos of them, what should I do to make them stop ?

These monkeys are so dangerous, I hope they will kill themselves when the bus will be empty !

Edited January 14, 2014 by thailandbeachisland

[SOTIRIOS]

Who would have thought, dont accept responsibility & done listen to prudent advice!

“A notice telling the driver that he was not to use Patong Hill east-west was prepared, but he left this morning before we could give it to him.

....maybe they could have called his mobile....or was it 'engaged'......

[ThaiMouse]

So the bus company does not change policy and the authorities on phuket speak porkies again. What happened to ban all busses etc using this hill? Hang I am so lucky I dont ever have to use this hill? BUT the busses now have to use Kata/Karon hill or Kamala hills to get to Phuket? What a shortsighted solution.

Time to pack up and move to CM.

Phuket should change the last letter of its' name to a letter "y" not a t.

Tourist safety, no just don't go there . . . disgusting.

Edited January 14, 2014 by ThaiMouse

[falangadang]

Natalie tour bus spotted on dangerous Phuket hill. It won't happen again, says tour firm

a spokesperson added ...we're willing to go over the top to ensure that this is the last time this will ever happen!

[Somtamnication]

They way these people think, they may end up suing the photo taker for defamation and loss of face.

[ableguy]

rather a baffling conundrum. in my extensive travels i have rarely found myself in a location where the kitchen staff were unable to obtain the makings of a satisfying meal based on my cultural tastes. perhaps you need a more imaginative chef who can work within the constraints of local availability to provide suitable regalement

Not everyone can digest dictionary's

Really guys , what do you expect ? You know where you live.