Nine Cambodians killed in Thai road accident

[wilcopops]

So long has the police remain in the dark when it comes to road safety, things will never significantly change. There are road safety groups both in Thailand and ASEAN but their advice is simply ignored by the powers that be.

Quite apart from the personal grief of family and friends, the cost to a nation through RTAs is astronomical. Money needs to be spent on improving roads, educating drivers etc etc but this cost will be returned in savings in lost labour, income, family support, invalid support, hospital treatment, police work, insurance claims, lost time due to traffic delays etc - the list goes on....

Edited April 11, 2014 by wilcopops

[wjhall]

I came from Bangkok to Sa Dao yesterday. The Minibus had 4 rows of seats (3 in each row plus 4 in the back) but also had fold down seats in the gangway. They managed to cram 16 adults plus 3 children in the back plus another 2 adults in the front with the driver.....a total of 21 passengers and luggage. And then drove flat out all the way weaving in and out of the traffic and using the hard shoulder often. Not a pleasant ride!!!

It's no wonder there are so many accidents!!!

[ginjag]

I came from Bangkok to Sa Dao yesterday. The Minibus had 4 rows of seats (3 in each row plus 4 in the back) but also had fold down seats in the gangway. They managed to cram 16 adults plus 3 children in the back plus another 2 adults in the front with the driver.....a total of 21 passengers and luggage. And then drove flat out all the way weaving in and out of the traffic and using the hard shoulder often. Not a pleasant ride!!!

It's no wonder there are so many accidents!!!

Ha Ha imagine fold down seats on a civil aircraft.

Even on them it would be safe compared with these extras, sardine carriers. In a bad smash you have no chance to get out. normally I am not fearful in confined areas , in these Mini buses yes---they are a no go.

[bander]

No use to warning Thais about drinking and reckless driving, they just don't want to listen.

Welcome to the hub of total madness

[NoshowJones]

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.

and why do the minibuses weave in and out of traffic? because Thai drivers have no idea of lane discipline. How many of them hog the outside lanes?

[NoshowJones]

I came from Bangkok to Sa Dao yesterday. The Minibus had 4 rows of seats (3 in each row plus 4 in the back) but also had fold down seats in the gangway. They managed to cram 16 adults plus 3 children in the back plus another 2 adults in the front with the driver.....a total of 21 passengers and luggage. And then drove flat out all the way weaving in and out of the traffic and using the hard shoulder often. Not a pleasant ride!!!

It's no wonder there are so many accidents!!!

Ha Ha imagine fold down seats on a civil aircraft.

Even on them it would be safe compared with these extras, sardine carriers. In a bad smash you have no chance to get out. normally I am not fearful in confined areas , in these Mini buses yes---they are a no go.

Read the previous post.

[janpharma]

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.

....Thai style...

[tullynagardy]

Those LPG tanks should be BANNED!!

In a crash situation they become an instant fireballs and they also destabilize the van making them much more likely to roll.

The price of van journys will go up but the odds of dieing go down

[ATF]

A year or two ago in Pattaya drink driving was so bad the Police were just stopping cars and telling everyone to get out and sit on the side of the road and sober up. Songkran a euphemism for death. Strange that Songkram (with an M) means war. Stay at home or go to another country. Wonder what the death count will be this year? Usually tops 5k, it's Xmas for undertakers.

[Coppernicussing]

This is under the topic of "Road Rage," at Songkrat.
Do the roads really get angry and cause bus-drivers to fly from it, into tress, drunkenly killing passengers?
Maybe they need to use a non-Buddhist pavement?
I wonder if the same thing kills students in American schools, when the gun of a Riddlin using liberal suddenly forces itself into some poor helpless sap's hands and takes over his Obama-dong schlarving brain and orders him to kill helpless children?

Has UCLA or Yale done any studies on this? Maybe they can use left-over funding from the global warming hoax? There has to be SOME thing we can do, as socialist commie leaning brain-dead twerps, to promote this!
Occupy Pavement!

Oooops. Did you say Cambodians? Sorry. My bad.

[Carrerakiss]

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

Well within limits then.

EDIT: Well within THAI limits

[shrimpythailand]

I left a bit early from work but no big Viphawadee rd lineup this year at the endf=oftheVPtollway here in Rangsit...but you have to be sooo careful driving during Songkran... if not crazy highway drivers then just drunks backing up on a slow road and hitting your car - Songkran for me now is to be careful - stay home and enjoy - don't drive the highways at night is my new motto... even when the lights are ok - you have someone trying to pass on a 2 lane country "highway"... the "invisible third lane" here...sad to hear this story - everyone wants to get home safe - but it is that one jerk going to fast or drunk or whatever that will ruin your life...4-500 dead - mostly kids on motorcikes - but also the staggeringnumber of injured every holiday as well... plus deaths not counted if not dead on the road.... die in hospital later and it doesn't count for the road kill numbers...be very safe out there this Songkran...

[ATF]

This is under the topic of "Road Rage," at Songkrat.

Do the roads really get angry and cause bus-drivers to fly from it, into tress, drunkenly killing passengers?

Maybe they need to use a non-Buddhist pavement?

I wonder if the same thing kills students in American schools, when the gun of a Riddlin using liberal suddenly forces itself into some poor helpless sap's hands and takes over his Obama-dong schlarving brain and orders him to kill helpless children?

Has UCLA or Yale done any studies on this? Maybe they can use left-over funding from the global warming hoax? There has to be SOME thing we can do, as socialist commie leaning brain-dead twerps, to promote this!

Occupy Pavement!

Oooops. Did you say Cambodians? Sorry. My bad.

Twenty odd years ago a friend and myself traveled from BKK to Korat a day or two after the Songkran Exodus. We lost count of the number of blue air-con buses overturned or in ditches along the Friendship Highway. Methamphetamine and alcohol a winning combination.

[SOTIRIOS]

....was this the 'Road Rage...' posting....???

[kieran2698]

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.

I'm not sure who you are referring to when you say 'US' but I work and live in Thailand. I am protected by Thai labor laws which ensure I get paid an above average salary. I do have rights as an employee and there are labor rules which stipulate to my employer a maximum amount of hours I should work, a minimum pay and a minimum amount of paid holiday and sick leave amongst many other rights. I receive a very good standard of medical insurance which is another of the labor rules for those of my circumstance. The Cambodian workers who Loles is referring to do not have these luxuries and so their situation is really not similar to mine at all.

[tetleythedog]

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The insanity begins

Yep. And being typically Thai they say that it's the roads ...............CRAP ! I have been driving here over 9 years 0 accidents! It's common knowledge to anyone with half a brain that it's NOT the roads..............it's the Thais !!!

[Jonmarleesco]

Roads aren't deadly; stupid driving is! And safety campaigns are a complete and utter waste of manpower unless and until road users are made fully cognisant of the rules of the road, those rules are rigidly enforced, and the penalties are sufficiently severe, and relevant.

[oldsailor35]

I did the 70 klm run from Surat to Donsak yesterday. At least 4 mini busses overtook me, i was doing around 90 klm per hr. These busses all had lights flashing and were weaving in and out. Then a group of Harley riders caught up with me, i think that the lead rider had difficulty in getting the group past me, so he just came along side,i drive on the left unless overtaking, promptly waved me down, got in front and slowed me down to about 50 then took off down the road like a bat out of hell. Talk about bloody irresponsible people.

[77Dan]

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

In Theravadin countries, eg Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos, the Buddhist New Year is celebrated from the first full moon day in April. Cambodians weren't going home for Thai new year after all. I thought Vesak was Buddha's birthday.

Edited April 11, 2014 by 77Dan

[thurien]

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

you should not count by weight

[laobali]

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

Well within limits then.

EDIT: Well within THAI limits

No others apply!

[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.

I'm not sure who you are referring to when you say 'US' but I work and live in Thailand. I am protected by Thai labor laws which ensure I get paid an above average salary. I do have rights as an employee and there are labor rules which stipulate to my employer a maximum amount of hours I should work, a minimum pay and a minimum amount of paid holiday and sick leave amongst many other rights. I receive a very good standard of medical insurance which is another of the labor rules for those of my circumstance. The Cambodian workers who Loles is referring to do not have these luxuries and so their situation is really not similar to mine at all.

This is you. and a small % of others. I am speaking for MOST of the RETIRED ex pats and visitors here, I love it but know full well no matter how much money you spend here or how good you are to the country with free help and the rest we tend to be classed as necessary evils.

I get along fine in my area-integrate as much as possible but still know the score.

Good for you if you want to work and get the benefits---with a permit to work and have the comforts to boot --Brilliant.

[carter1882]

I absolutely despair about this carnage. And not just at Songkran but throughout the year. It is nothing short of a national disgrace and this comes from someone who loves this country immensely for so many good reasons. Frankly, travelling on the roads, even just leaving the house over the next week is too risky. I am going to watch the Masters for a few days and the only other movement will be to the relative safety of the exercise bike.

With many more new and inexperienced drivers on the road due to the government's policies, the death toll will only be get worse. Do youself a favour and don't become another addition to the statistics.

[Johnnie99]

The insanity begins

Merely a continuation, I fear.

[philw]

I absolutely despair about this carnage. And not just at Songkran but throughout the year. It is nothing short of a national disgrace and this comes from someone who loves this country immensely for so many good reasons. Frankly, travelling on the roads, even just leaving the house over the next week is too risky. I am going to watch the Masters for a few days and the only other movement will be to the relative safety of the exercise bike.

With many more new and inexperienced drivers on the road due to the government's policies, the death toll will only be get worse. Do youself a favour and don't become another addition to the statistics.

Oh dear...........

Lived here 26 years, drive a car and a small honda bike, do over 50,000 km a year, have driven all over the country and am still alive.

I also think the last few years have seen a great improvement in driving standards, particularly HGV and bus drivers.

Stay at home in your shell and enjoy the golf, although it is rather sad that you are afraid to venture outside.

Standards obviously need to improve but what do you expect ??

It's not Sweden, thankfully.

[sgiandubh69]

Ever looked at the so called Thai driving test? Its a complete joke.

Absolutely no point in road safety campaigns when any half wit can get a driving licence and drive on the highway. Add an over abundance of very thick, stupid and fueled up people that have no consideration for others and you have a formula for carnage - just look at the facts.

[tomyumchai]

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.

but were reading about low paid cambodians who havnt any idea on safety v cost of 1 seat. i expect they wanted the bus for the lowest possible price hence filling it right up.

[catinthehat]

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.

There is no income stream for the BIB from this. So it will continue. As will most law enforcement work with little or no income derived from it.

Sad but true in a land where they have easily managed to put a value on a persons life.

[cardinalblue]

On the surface one would hope all traffic deaths are counted in the stats; but TIT so it would terrible and wrong if they did not include non-Thai fatalities in their totals...

CB

[kieran2698]

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.

I'm not sure who you are referring to when you say 'US' but I work and live in Thailand. I am protected by Thai labor laws which ensure I get paid an above average salary. I do have rights as an employee and there are labor rules which stipulate to my employer a maximum amount of hours I should work, a minimum pay and a minimum amount of paid holiday and sick leave amongst many other rights. I receive a very good standard of medical insurance which is another of the labor rules for those of my circumstance. The Cambodian workers who Loles is referring to do not have these luxuries and so their situation is really not similar to mine at all.

This is you. and a small % of others. I am speaking for MOST of the RETIRED ex pats and visitors here, I love it but know full well no matter how much money you spend here or how good you are to the country with free help and the rest we tend to be classed as necessary evils.

I get along fine in my area-integrate as much as possible but still know the score.

Good for you if you want to work and get the benefits---with a permit to work and have the comforts to boot --Brilliant.

To compare your situation to a Cambodian worker is extraordinary. I work and am entitled to benefits as should they be but unfortunately they are not given this same benefit and many are even enslaved.

What rights do you feel you are being denied?