Nine Cambodians killed in Thai road accident

[webfact]

Nine Cambodians killed in Thai road accident

BANGKOK, April 11, 2014 (AFP) - Nine Cambodians were killed Friday when a mini-bus carrying migrant workers returning home for the Buddhist New Year crashed and burst into flames in eastern Thailand, police said.

The smash was the first major accident of Thailand's Songkran holidays, which bring carnage to the roads each year despite regular safety campaigns.

The mini-bus left the road on a sharp curve in Chanthaburi province in the early morning and smashed into a tree, local police officer Major General Chatchai Chaipetch said by telephone.

"Nine people, all of them believed to be Cambodians, were killed at the scene and more than 10 were hospitalised," he said.

A local rescue worker said 14 people were rushed to hospital, including three who were in critical condition.

Thailand's roads are among the world's deadliest and accidents are common, especially on buses travelling during the night.

Hundreds die each year in road accidents during the Buddhist New Year holidays owing to a dangerous mix of alcohol, busy roads, water throwing festivities and reckless driving.

The celebrations officially run from Sunday to Tuesday, but roads and public transport are already busy with people returning home.

A recent report by the World Health Organization said Thailand saw 38.1 road deaths per 100,000 people in 2010 -- behind only the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean and the South Pacific island of Niue.

Dozens of people have been killed in several major accidents involving double-decker buses in recent months, prompting calls for a safety crackdown.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-04-11

[webfact]

Fatal road crash on Sukhumvit kills eight Cambodians



BANGKOK: -- A passenger van taking Cambodian workers back home from Bangkok to celebrate Songkran festival skidded off the Sukhumvit highway in Tha Mai district of Chanthaburi province and rammed at a roadside tree.

The van overturned and caught fire, killing eight passengers and injuring 12 others.

Police said that the tragic incident happened at about 7.00 a.m. Friday on Sukhumvit highway in Tambon Thungbencha of Thamai district.

The LPG-powered Toyoto Commuter van with 20 people, all Cambodian workers, and a Thai driver, skidded off the road when it made a swerve at high speed.

The van rammed at roadside tree, overturned and burst into flame when the LPG gas leaked from the two tanks installed at the rear.

Eight died in flames and 12 others were injured. They were later rescued and rushed to Tha Mai and Phra Pokklao Chanthaburi hospitals for treatment.

Investigation revealed that 19 Cambodians chartered the bus to deliver them to Ban Laem checkpoint in Pong Namrom district of Chanthaburi province to visit their families and also celebrate the Songkran festival in Cambodia.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/fatal-road-crash-sukhumvit-kills-eight-cambodians/

-- Thai PBS 2014-04-11

[patayayaya]

The insanity begins

[webfact]

RT @191Thailand: Passenger van crashed & burst into flames on Sukhumwit in Chantaburi. 8 dead & 12 injured - TR @ittipat_Rw: http://t.co/aAR4HkXSEz#Thailand

[Dancealot]

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17

[Tompa]

Went by it this morning when going to bangkok, absolute chaos. Cars going the other way (towards bkk) were stopping in the middle of the lane just to get a look. Wouldn't surprise me if there were follow on accidents too

[mrtoad]

I am in Chanthaburi at the moment, and was initially going to drive to Bangkok tomorrow morning, but given that the carnage has already started on the roads, I'm going to head back to Koh Chang and hide for the weekend.

Very sad, to see loss of life , but as I drive on this road regularly the standard of driving on the main roads in Chanthaburi shocking and normally at high speed.

[ginjag]

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17

I understood most of these mini buses -private hire were 12 passengers seated----were these persons or SARDENES. ??

[lawrence1366]

The insanity begins

The meaning of Songkran is lost every year where it has become a week of road carnage. Instead of paying respects to the elders, it has become a time where the elders are attending funerals each year. Can you imagine the number of lives or friends lost during this darkest week of the whole year? Yet we see the same old babbling a day or a week before Songkran that more police checks, education on safe driving, more rest points, more emergency services? Don't think any of this will help save lives.

[Loles]

These migrant workers are unprotected and exploited well in TH. No rights, no safety standards, no labor rules, no medical treatment. And among them there are many true slavers.

Shame on TH.

[Just1Voice]

And people wonder why I stay home and don't go out unless I have to for the past 4 years of the 6 I've been living here during Songkran.

[Som wat]

Sawatdee Phi Mai.

[ginjag]

These migrant workers are unprotected and exploited well in TH. No rights, no safety standards, no labor rules, no medical treatment. And among them there are many true slavers.

Shame on TH.

Pretty much similar to US here. BUT we spend an awful lot of money here. But I agree with your post---USED seems the operative word.

Just to add about the seat numbers on these Toyota commuter mini bus, look up the Toyota manual and you will se how many they are made to carry.

I understood that a car vehicle license privately you can drive up to x number of persons after that you need a public hire BUS license that is paying passengers and above x number.

[Artisi]

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17

Does it really make any difference to the outcome whether it was 17 or 20.

[Dancealot]

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17

Does it really make any difference to the outcome whether it was 17 or 20.

As a matter of fact: it does.

[Artisi]

And people wonder why I stay home and don't go out unless I have to for the past 4 years of the 6 I've been living here during Songkran.

I don't wonder as I am of the same mind-set - just stay out of the carnage where it's much safer - at home or the local shopping centre. You have the rest of the year to celebrate under slightly safer conditions.

[sae57]

Buddhist New Year???

It's the traditional Thai new year. The Buddhist new year is Visaka, in June this year.

But this has gone beyond toleration, this repeated horror. Are things seriously getting worse or is it more reporting? -I've travelled in vans designed for 15 packed with over 20... No more!

--S

[mrtoad]

Until The BIB actually start properly enforcing traffic laws, the road carnage will continue. The minivan's are death traps, often overloaded and driving at breakneck speeds, weaving in and out of traffic. The next 7 days, with the combination of wet roads, water throwing and alcohol will sadly result in significant loss of life and injuries, as it always does.

[Jessi]

These migrant workers are unprotected and exploited well in TH. No rights, no safety standards, no labor rules, no medical treatment. And among them there are many true slavers.

Shame on TH.

^ What he said.

[salavan]

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17

2 on the roof maybe 3 not sure

[gp2002]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17 alt=blink.png width=20 height=20>

I understood most of these mini buses -private hire were 12 passengers seated----were these persons or SARDENES. ??

Considering most of the larger mini vans have three rows of four seats, one row of three seats plus driver and front seat passenger equals 17 people. Where they fit 20 people I have no idea.

[gerry123]

they will probably not show up on the stats as they are not Thai

[ratcatcher]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17 alt=blink.png width=20 height=20>

I understood most of these mini buses -private hire were 12 passengers seated----were these persons or SARDENES. ??

Considering most of the larger mini vans have three rows of four seats, one row of three seats plus driver and front seat passenger equals 17 people. Where they fit 20 people I have no idea.

On the floor between the seats. These are Khmer people not 200lb farangs. They can squeeze tight. I feel sorry for these people, dirt poor, probably saved up a few hundred baht for their simple Songkran in their village and now their families will have funerals instead of fun.

Blame surely lies squarely with the driver;

Too damned sad..

[ginjag]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17 alt=blink.png width=20 height=20>

I understood most of these mini buses -private hire were 12 passengers seated----were these persons or SARDENES. ??

Considering most of the larger mini vans have three rows of four seats, one row of three seats plus driver and front seat passenger equals 17 people. Where they fit 20 people I have no idea.

There seems to be confusion on the heading Mini bus and mini van.

A van to my mind and always was in the UK as having no side windows. A mini bus described as a Toyota commuter has without it being long wheel base the basic is 12 seats approx., and then it's a squash riding, I have done visa runs in the past and dreaded one full .

These usually carry government people in convoys with police escort are about 12 seats, and are Toyota.

These larger mini buses are death traps little room for movement inside -and emergency get out near nil.

[laobali]

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17

Well within limits then.

[laobali]

The insanity begins

The meaning of Songkran is lost every year where it has become a week of road carnage. Instead of paying respects to the elders, it has become a time where the elders are attending funerals each year. Can you imagine the number of lives or friends lost during this darkest week of the whole year? Yet we see the same old babbling a day or a week before Songkran that more police checks, education on safe driving, more rest points, more emergency services? Don't think any of this will help save lives.

And the same old babbling about the babbling about Songkran.

[Gonzo the Face]

...... and no mention yet that The brakes failed

[laobali]

19 in a mini van... the last new clip says 20.... I thought the maximum was 17

Does it really make any difference to the outcome whether it was 17 or 20.

As a matter of fact: it does.

To you, but why?

[ginjag]

...... and no mention yet that The brakes failed

In most cases in this land they get the translation wrong it is NOT brakes it is BRAINS FAILED

[Roadman]

Truck, bus, train, mini van take your weekly pick,,,12, 9, 21, 5, 28 dead take your weekly pick...thai, Burmese, Cambodian, Falang,Thai take your weekly pick,,,drugs, booze, brake failure take your weekly pick...absolutely pathetic Thailand...incompetence and corruption out of control...no wonder the country is politically corrupt. It is also morally corrupt.