At least 27 dead in north Thailand bus accident: police

[flyingdoc]

Absolute tragedy and waste of life.

When will any proper action be taken?

What does it take to awake authority to deal with this almost daily carnage?

[iamariva1957]

I am in mourning as we had a friend on board and still do not have word if she is a fatality or not. So I am venting here!

It really is not the buses or the drivers of them... but rather that dam road itself! The one that they want to make into the artery from Burma to Vietnam! It is a joke!

Between the Thai driving techniques which go beyond stupidity and the corners through the 'passes' in the mountains that were designed for carts and not anything larger... it is not a stretch to the imagination that things like this happen and will continue to happen no matter how good the buses or the drivers are. Yes, they add to the 'problem', but it is the road crews and those in charge of them that should also be investigated. Over 25 deaths at once should open all of our eyes and theirs to the issues!

But still the Minivans have the worst records! So... some advice... wear the seat belt it might just save you the next time!

Typical Thai optimistic thinking, with all this AEC nonsense that none of it's neighbors care about. Vietnam refuses entry to Thai vehicles, since December 25th, 2013 Thai vehicles can't even enter Vietnam if they go with an escort, like was previously possible (only for cars of course as Thai buses and trucks have never been able to enter Vietnam). The reality is this east-west road is just a way of claiming it's something more than it is perhaps for more investors to come in. Sure, now Myanmar has finally opened up overland travel from Mae Sot to it's coastal city of Mawlamyine (I've traveled on this road) but for now you still need to change vehicles at the border unless you go on a car or motorcycle tour, which requires advance permission. Currently only Laos allows Thai vehicles to enter without restrictions (except motorcycles) so this east-west road link is far from a reality as it will take many years (if ever) before all countries along this corridor agree on cross border traffic.

As I mentioned in another reply, I'm pretty sure the Vietnamese don't want Thai buses hurtling down their highways even after AEC takes hold. They have enough traffic issues of their own, but in their own way are actually doing something about it! For example, provincial authorities in some tourist cities have been instructed that only foreigners with Vietnamese driver licenses can rent motorcycles and scooters and the Vietnamese police regularly hand out large fines to drivers of buses/trucks that are speeding, overloaded, have expired registration etc. In the latter case in particular, such vehicles are confiscated until such time that large fines are paid and the issues leading to the confiscation are corrected. In Vietnam, a driver of a car is typically hit with a $50 or perhaps even $100+ fine for speeding, not a slap-on-the-wrist 100 Baht fine like in Thailand (or in many cases none at all).

Oh it will take longer than years! One only has to look at the road as it is right now and it can be seen that either they will divert the course of the road or do a hell of a good deal of blasting and clearing. There are parts that are only 2 lanes and no room on either side to expand... so in my opinion... just another money pit. Well into someone's pocket that is. None of it makes any sense at all. Besides, until the trucks are powerful enough to even climb the hills over the present 2-6 KPH (!) nothing will be different. It is all stupid! The answer, if there is even one, is to get the police away from their TV's or out of their hammocks or the food stall, and get them on the dam road doing what they are supposed to do. Well.. I can dream! ASEAN Community? Yea right, that will work!

[FAlanL1275]

You can make the brakes on a brand new bus fail with ignorance.

Can't go too fast, ride the brakes, should use engine braking.

""""Should be a professionally trained driver""""

[coma]

A very sad story indeed. And unfortunately all to come here in Thailand. No maintenance on vehicles, drunk/drugged drivers, no knowledge of basic traffic culture the list goes on and on.

This accident just happened near Bangkok today. A good example of how people drive in Thailand Luckily only 1 injured. Could have been a lot worse.

[SanukJoeII]

Why farang always negative? Thai people happy happy, always see sunny side.

This mabey part of new job-creation scheme by government. These people

government official! They die, make room promotion early! Hire graduate new. Promotion

new need train! Train teacher need! Train budget need! Budget manage-budget

person need. Budget mean tea-money!

Lord Buddha turn Wheel of Dhama, go to freeness.

People Thai turn Meat-Wheel Samsara--it go other way.

Important thing no NAI (speak english: "Lord") or PU YAI YAI

(speak english: "person who matter") harmed! NAi and PU YAI YAI

like gods and planets--them no have, exist no possible! Them

like what people physik poot "gravy" (sic. gravity). Only PU NOI

(speak english: "person no matter") die there. Them like

dust-space between gods and planets--nothing lose!

Sanuk Sanuk! Meat-Wheel spin and spin!

Thailand Forever!

First time I associate Newbie with Zombie.... what a load of crap!

To take only one thing out: the dead are retired government workers, so no job renewing scheme, quick promotion, they are valuable human beings who leave behind relatives that mourn... a bit of respect would have been appropriate. RIP

Edited March 25, 2014 by SanukJoeII

[stickylies]

ASEAN Community? Yea right, that will work!

fyi:

Rangoon-Naypyidaw-Mandalay highway AKA highway of death...

Currently, the number of average traffic deaths in Burma already stands at 15 per 100,000 peoples, compared to 38 deaths in Thailand. Yet, Thailand owns 16 times more cars than Burma, according to recent auto market research carried out by Deutsche Bank.

This party ain't over yet.................................................

[laobali]

Its deteriorating into a 3rd world country..

Time to open the 4th World with Thailand already the de facto #1?

[laobali]

Thailand's roads are among the most dangerous in the world

What a statement that is. It's not about unqualified drivers, not, or a bad maintenance of vehicles, ignorance, speeding and drunk drivers, without a license (to kill), corrupt police that oversees everything when getting money for it. Etc...

It's all the roads fault. Rest in Peace, hope not many will die in the hospitals.

But the poor souls who do are not even included in the road death toll.

[laobali]

Government officials, maybe this will cause some real action to be taken for once instead of the usual PR which is put out. RIP

Why would you think that?

[laobali]

He said the bus driver attempted to overtake another car at the curve, but skidded off the road.

Why would you decide to overtake a car at the curve on a dangerous mountain road?

What in god's name was he thinking?

And then turn around and blame it on the brakes...

That driver is directly responsible for killing 32 innocent people!

What in god's name was he thinking?

You're giving him far too much credit for having the ability to have cognitive reasoning capabilities.

I think it was a rhetorical question.

[laobali]

The accident, like all similar accidents, is very sad and most likely an avoidable tragedy. Quite why it's necessary to condemn Thailand and Thai people as sad, corrupt, 3rd World etc etc is also sad. Why live (or visit) here if it's such a horrible place?

The rose-coloured glasses are cheap?

[laobali]

Like a fellow member quoted, I too have said to my Thai Partner about the Carnage on the roads, and i get a look like ''Whats the problem'" ???

I find that difficult to fathom out, Life is cheap as chips here...

He no my friend I no care.

[Jim walker]

I take it the driver does not carry out a basic vehicle pre check prior to his journey what other result can you expect in Thailand other than complete carnage on the roads RIP to the deceased in this horrific accident and also RIP for all the dead in the next bus crash.

[jocko]

Its deteriorating into a 3rd world country..

Where are you from - Thailand is a 3rd world country! It's only smoke and mirrors that gives the impression that it is 2nd world - anyone that thinks it is 1st world has mental health issues.

Where are you from? Thailand is considered an upper middle income country. They no longer receive funding assistance from organizations like the ADB because they are not considered under-developed which is synonymous with the definition of 3rd world.

The World Bank classifies all low- and middle-income countries as developing.

Low income countries had GNI per capita of US$1,026 or less.

Lower middle income countries had GNI per capita between US$1,026 and US$4,036.

Upper middle income countries had GNI per capita between US$4,036 and US$12,476.

High income countries had GNI above US$12,476.

According to the UN's human development index (HDI) Thailand is considered upper mid level.

Mid level development examples are Cambodia, Bhutan and Laos. Low development examples are Pakistan, Burma and Nepal.

Saying Thailand is a 3rd world country based on traffic accidents is clearly taking it out of context.

Get your facts straight before denigrating a country otherwise you look pretty 3rd world yourself.

Average income does not tell you how many millionaires there are. So how can you really measure where the country is without these figures. Suggest you go back, eliminate the millionaires and then tell us that Thailand is not third world. Get your facts right !

It's more to do with third world thinking the money hardly matters.

They will never change they know best.

They are brainwashed at school how good Thailand is.

[schultzlivgthai]

What's really sad is, I've driven past a couple bad accidents, and just seen lots of people standing around taking pictures, talking and laughing like it's some kind of special event!! Sad, depressing and for me the worst part of Thailand.

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[ggold]

Never seen a country where brakes fail so much,am sure pads , discs an fluid were checked regularly eh?

why fix something if it ain't broken? There doesn't seem to be any need to check or maintain anything in Thailand, Just like the rail system!

[MaxYakov]

Its deteriorating into a 3rd world country..

Where are you from - Thailand is a 3rd world country! It's only smoke and mirrors that gives the impression that it is 2nd world - anyone that thinks it is 1st world has mental health issues.

This 1st/2nd/3rd World terminology is from the Cold War and does not necessarily indicate sophistication/state of development:

1st - Nato-aligned countries

2nd - USSR-aligned countries

3rd - All others

The term "developing" is more "today". In the case of Thailand, I prefer the term "retarded development" or even "reverse/retro development". Short forms: retards/revtards.

RIP to the victims and quick/full recoveries to the injured and my condolences to friends and families.

Edited March 25, 2014 by MaxYakov

[Asiantravel]

Wake the f up Thailand.

I know what you mean but the problem is who the f*kc is in charge of this place right now? I mean, who's got any real power or even any incentive for that matter to think seriously about these issues?

[Asiantravel]

"Accidents happen on this road very often,'' Thai Provincial Governor Suriya Prasatbunditya told the Associated Press news agency. "We've put warning signs up to caution road users but the accidents keep happening.''

what can you say.....................?

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26727212

[laobali]

Wake the f up Thailand.

I know what you mean but the problem is who the f*kc is in charge of this place right now? I mean, who's got any real power or even any incentive for that matter to think seriously about these issues?

Governments may come and go but 'thainess' stays the same.

[sailblue]

The road ststictics are also linked to the earlier statement about Thailand being highly rated on drinking booze as well.

But amazingly they have done nothing to breath test or get hemets worn, apart from outside my house at Jomtien Beach where they stop foreigners every day. But I think they let them go after discussing matters inside their little tinted window office.

[harber8]

With the death toll being so high so this must be classed as a national tragedy. Obviously the government will be addressing the nation at some point. Won't they??

A priminister who stands next to Barack Obama on state visits must feel the need to address such a tragedy. The truth is unless it reaches foreign media they just ignore it.

Condolences to the bereaved.

[laobali]

With the death toll being so high so this must be classed as a national tragedy. Obviously the government will be addressing the nation at some point. Won't they??

A priminister who stands next to Barack Obama on state visits must feel the need to address such a tragedy. The truth is unless it reaches foreign media they just ignore it.

Condolences to the bereaved.

Even with foreign media coverage they still ignore it. Familiarity breeds contempt. Just another day, another bus/minivan/car/truck/bike 'accident' with dozens dying. What's new?

[dustybooky]

Instead of dwelling on this horrible accident, I prefer to give my opinion on the root cause: An obcession with amassing, hoarding wealth legally or otherwise.

Curruption is often central to this

People take bribes for overlooking safety regulations being applied Result (s), A few or a few hundred people die maybe because the installation of "copy" brake pads saved a few TBs.or cheaper materials were used in building an apprtment block or a dam. Key individuals who profess their love of country (often strident ultra-nationalists) are not immune from accepting tea money that will help sink an otherwise good development program.

Corruption...

It hurts every facet of life (usually well beyond the value of the bribe itself) .

Its not that people don't care...its worse they are immune to it, its at every level of society in many countries including ceartain "first world" countries where income inequality is just as bad as underdeveloped nations.

A survey a few years ago said a majority of Thais were OK with corruption

If the % is changing in a positive way (an awakening of sorts) it isn't enough because while many are against it for others...

that 500TB bribe they just paid out will turn out to be a big timesaver time which will be used to gather substantailly moreTB

My kid lost a contest in school not because he was second best but because #1's mom paid for her daughter to win.

I know my wife still enters him in such rigged events and never comes in a winner but I'm happy that bothe she and he unsterstands why.

3 to 500K bribes are paid out to enter the police force, how many years would it take for an honest cop to make that amount back on their meager salaries?

Some may say my 2 bths work has little to do with the tragic death of 27 people, I beg to differ. There is at least one of the things I mentioned above or if not then another that was a major critical (if not The...) issue at the heart of this

When money becomes the new religion (it has been for a while), the value of life and its quality take the hit and get de-valued.

You only need have a good sense of observation a memory of how things have changed to see the big picture, fortunately these conclusions cannot be blocked out form your reasonong as ithe skyline has been by those huge advertisement signs.

[Tomtomtom69]

I am in mourning as we had a friend on board and still do not have word if she is a fatality or not. So I am venting here!

It really is not the buses or the drivers of them... but rather that dam road itself! The one that they want to make into the artery from Burma to Vietnam! It is a joke!

Between the Thai driving techniques which go beyond stupidity and the corners through the 'passes' in the mountains that were designed for carts and not anything larger... it is not a stretch to the imagination that things like this happen and will continue to happen no matter how good the buses or the drivers are. Yes, they add to the 'problem', but it is the road crews and those in charge of them that should also be investigated. Over 25 deaths at once should open all of our eyes and theirs to the issues!

But still the Minivans have the worst records! So... some advice... wear the seat belt it might just save you the next time!

Typical Thai optimistic thinking, with all this AEC nonsense that none of it's neighbors care about. Vietnam refuses entry to Thai vehicles, since December 25th, 2013 Thai vehicles can't even enter Vietnam if they go with an escort, like was previously possible (only for cars of course as Thai buses and trucks have never been able to enter Vietnam). The reality is this east-west road is just a way of claiming it's something more than it is perhaps for more investors to come in. Sure, now Myanmar has finally opened up overland travel from Mae Sot to it's coastal city of Mawlamyine (I've traveled on this road) but for now you still need to change vehicles at the border unless you go on a car or motorcycle tour, which requires advance permission. Currently only Laos allows Thai vehicles to enter without restrictions (except motorcycles) so this east-west road link is far from a reality as it will take many years (if ever) before all countries along this corridor agree on cross border traffic.

As I mentioned in another reply, I'm pretty sure the Vietnamese don't want Thai buses hurtling down their highways even after AEC takes hold. They have enough traffic issues of their own, but in their own way are actually doing something about it! For example, provincial authorities in some tourist cities have been instructed that only foreigners with Vietnamese driver licenses can rent motorcycles and scooters and the Vietnamese police regularly hand out large fines to drivers of buses/trucks that are speeding, overloaded, have expired registration etc. In the latter case in particular, such vehicles are confiscated until such time that large fines are paid and the issues leading to the confiscation are corrected. In Vietnam, a driver of a car is typically hit with a $50 or perhaps even $100+ fine for speeding, not a slap-on-the-wrist 100 Baht fine like in Thailand (or in many cases none at all).

Oh it will take longer than years! One only has to look at the road as it is right now and it can be seen that either they will divert the course of the road or do a hell of a good deal of blasting and clearing. There are parts that are only 2 lanes and no room on either side to expand... so in my opinion... just another money pit. Well into someone's pocket that is. None of it makes any sense at all. Besides, until the trucks are powerful enough to even climb the hills over the present 2-6 KPH (!) nothing will be different. It is all stupid! The answer, if there is even one, is to get the police away from their TV's or out of their hammocks or the food stall, and get them on the dam road doing what they are supposed to do. Well.. I can dream! ASEAN Community? Yea right, that will work!

Some good points, but I wasn't commenting so much on the condition of the road (which is still much better than anything in Myanmar, Laos or Vietnam) but trying to point out the unrealistic rhetoric constantly being spat out by Thai government officials about AEC this, AEC that and how road links will help to connect communities in neighboring countries.

Why don't these government officials mention the fact that Vietnam doesn't want Thai vehicles driving inside it's borders, and that Myanmar only allows Thai vehicles in for a day, no more than 12km from the border? My point being that the east-west link will probably never become what it's hyped up to be. Yes you can currently travel all the way from Mawlamyine in Myanmar to Danang in Vietnam (I have travelled most of this road on different trips) but you can't do it in one vehicle except with special permission from the Myanmar and Vietnamese governments that needs to be arranged well in advance. You generally have to change vehicles at each border. By starting in Laos and using a Lao vehicle you could conceivably drive to Mae Sot and then back to Danang, but I have never seen any Lao buses travel that far inside Thailand. A Thai bus won't get past the Lao/Vietnam border or even into Myanmar. So the whole concept is basically a failure. Government officials should stop with their sensationalist headlines. Unless there has been an agreement signed between Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam on cross border traffic, which all parties agree to, one can assume it's nothing. I recall there was a GMS cross-border traffic agreement signed some years back, but guess what? It's not being adhered to!

[nuananddon]

I've driven that highway many times between Tak and Mae Sot. The past few years the road itself has been improved many times with numberous passing lanes installed and the road widened. So it has become a lot more safe then 6 or 7 years ago.BUT, the drivers haven't improved one bit, still see the passing on blind curves, passing over the solid yellow lines and just careless behavior. Thats one of the mysteries for me, most Thai people are curtious and polite until they get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle

[chrissables]

There is no such thing as an accident. It is people who drive to fast, dont maintain their vehicles and basically dont care about life in general that are the root cause. The standard of driving is low.

Thailand out of respect for the Thai people needs to enforce the laws and make everyone take a driving test that demonstrates their capability to be in charge of a motor vehicle.

Of course there is such a word, but this was not an accident i would agree.

[peecee]

Brake failure, failure to brake, all same same.

Lack of maintenance isn't the same as driver incompetence.

[crazygreg44]

more deaths due to the inability of bus drivers using LOW GEAR on downhill mode . . . but instead stepping onto the brakes permanently, leading to sure brake failure.

WHEN will SOMEBODY stop this madness and START / FORCE TEACHING ALL these dumb and daft bus and truck drivers on how to properly drive their buses and trucks downhill ???

As long as those drivers haven't had any training, and never heard of the low gear method, more brake failure deaths are to be expected soon.

[Cricketnut]

Never seen a country where brakes fail so much,am sure pads , discs an fluid were checked regularly eh?

And how does one prove brake failure in a ravine 150 metres in depth with the bus a total wreck in such a short period of time? Sorry but it wasn't the drivers fault and on and on, how bout using gears in slowing down the bus? Sorry can't Dai that either as that would bring the driver culpable for neg driving causing death. Is there such a thing as accountability to such and other matters in Thailand! I think not...

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