Local boats ignore teens and leave them to drown in Chao Phraya River
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- Two boys drowned yesterday in the Chao Phraya River after two local boats refused to assist them.

Bang Kho Laem district authorities discovered the bodies of Raya Puangsatorn, 13, and Sarin Sae-kwong, 20, who drowned near the Pasi Pier in Khlong Toey district yesterday afternoon.

According to their friend, 16-year-old Pongsatorn Pongprayoon, the three boys met by the river to swim and get relief from the heat.

Raya jumped in the river first, but as he swam, he could not keep up with the rapid water.

The two other boys dived into the river to help their friend, but all of them found it difficult to survive on their own, according to Sanook.

Two local boats passed by as the boys were drowning, and Pongsatorn, the only survivor, said he called for help, only to be ignored. [read more...]

Source: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/04/23/local-boats-ignore-teens-and-leave-them-drown-chao-phraya-river


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-04-23

saw this on the thai news this morning, heartbreaking.

So, the boats did nothing, and the person filming did nothing. Great to see we are living in such a caring society now. Sad.

I find it difficult even to imagine this happening where I am from.
I would say the same for Thailand, if it weren't common knowledge that this is part of the culture.

What I can't figure out is why this is part of the culture.

what to say ? another terrible tragedy and the selfishness of some people who have better things to do than saving some kids ...... in what society do we live ...

Modern thailand.................pity they did not have 500baht in their hands all the boat would have come to them...sad

TIT...''Not my family..not my problem...mai pen rai ''.

Sadly this is a signal to just how selfish and self centered most Thai people have now become.

It isn't mine it doesn't affect me I'll ignore it.

My heart goes out to those lost teens who were someones children, a brother ,cousin, nephew etc

Indeed I wish a pox upon those who ignored those teens hopeless plight.

Thainess at it's best,what happened to TRT.Thai Rak Thai.

This is messed up I'd like to boot the filmer in in the teeth a few times then upload that. I think even a cold hearted Russian would have thrown a rope or something that floats out help

That is just plain sick.

So, the boats did nothing, and the person filming did nothing. Great to see we are living in such a caring society now. Sad.

There was a report a few days ago on how wonderful if was to see Thais praying for the victims of the Korean ferry disaster, now compare that with this and ? ? ?.

This seems to be the attitude not only in Thailand but in many places. People are not very concerned about others and their troubles. Not rite at all..Karma comes back to people very fast in Thailand I have noticed. Good or Bad....

Pretty sad......The Thai apologists will have a hard time spinning this one... How in god's name

could a boat drive past a drowning person ??

Maybe there are so many kids swimming, jumping off bridges and acting up in the klongs in Thailand maybe, just maybe, the boats guys thought it was all a game?

Or they are running their boats on illegal LPG cooking containers etc so don't want to attract attention. Or are not Thai, or...

Pretty sad......The Thai apologists will have a hard time spinning this one... How in god's name

could a boat drive past a drowning person ??

In fairness, did the boats know they were drowning? Did the boats even realize the people were there?

I am not trying to excuse wrongful behaviour, but know one knows what really happened.

I think this must be the right thread to post this link, NOT ?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/720491-heartwarming-thai-commercial-get-the-tissues-ready/

Heartwarming Thai Commercial - Get the tissues ready

I wish Karma will get back at those heartless, selfish and cruel people who did not move a finger to help those boys...

Sad, sad, sad.

saw this on the thai news this morning, heartbreaking.

the names of these people should be published all over to bring shame to them

I find it difficult even to imagine this happening where I am from.

I would say the same for Thailand, if it weren't common knowledge that this is part of the culture.

What I can't figure out is why this is part of the culture.

It's all part of the 'I don't want to get involved' and 'mai pen rai' attitude.

It is Thainess.

Nobility and chivalry here is pretty thin on the ground.

The right person needs to be passing.

Thainess at it's best,what happened to TRT.Thai Rak Thai.

That became Thai Rak Mo Cy long ago.

Perhaps they thought they were Rohingya.

on the other newspaper, it says the bib interviewed them (boat drivers) and they said they thought the kids were just playing, they see kids everyday in the river....

There is a chance that the boat operators were not aware of the difficulties the swimmers were in, especially considering the noise of their engines.

Judging by the shadow in the very last frame, the person taking the video had companions who also ignored the boys' plight. How could they appear to be so laid back under the circumstances? I'm wondering if this is some kind of hoax. Have the bodies of the drowned boys been recovered? As the survivor swam to the shore, the head of one of the other swimmers reappears quite a distance from where he went down and then disappears again, towards the top of the frame. The camera then remains focused on the survivor. Is it possible that the others swam to safety out of view?

Pretty sad......The Thai apologists will have a hard time spinning this one... How in god's name

could a boat drive past a drowning person ??

In fairness, did the boats know they were drowning? Did the boats even realize the people were there?

I am not trying to excuse wrongful behaviour, but know one knows what really happened.

This is a valid point but would depend on how close or otherwise the boats were to the deceased.

If they were in anyway close I'd like to think or at least hope those on the boats could tell the differnce between the screams of swimmers having fun and those of swimmers in distress and screaming in terror.

on the other newspaper, it says the bib interviewed them (boat drivers) and they said they thought the kids were just playing, they see kids everyday in the river....

I think if they looked at them they would of seen the distress on their faces. Find it hard to believe nobody heard their screams!

Sad news.

And no - it is not just a "Thai" thing ! That is absolute BS.

This happens all over the world, all the time. It seems that the larger our population gets, the less willing we are to come to the aid of our fellow man. People are far more willing to "turn a blind eye" and pretend not to see something happening, rather than risk getting involved and exposing themselves to potential problems.

Used to be a time, not all that long ago in fact, when you'd walk down the street and look on-comers in the eye and greet them, even if it was just a polite nod of the head. Nowadays it's more likely that if anyone sees you looking in their direction, they'll turn their head and look away, scared that making eye contact may lead to an unpleasant confrontation.

Back when I was still in the military, I used to walk around downtown Vancouver and noticed nobody was willing to make eye contact, even though I was a clean-cut, decently dressed, polite mannered pedestrian.

I've seen a woman passed out on the edge of a street corner with people stepping around her to cross the street. Nobody was even giving her a glance until I stopped to see if she was OK. After I got the phone out to call 911, 1 other person stopped by, checked the woman's eyes and pronounced "OD" and then walked away (the woman wasn't dead, but had over-dosed. No idea what happened to her after the ambulance finally arrived.)

People will drive by an accident and gawk, but rarely will anyone actually stop and try to help out. Too worried about potential lawsuits, or just don't want to be "inconvenienced".

I've encountered other people (in other countries), looking all beaten and bloodied, but when I've offered assistance have been F Off'd. A couple times I've seen people passed out on a street or floor of a bar, and when I've tried to check them out, suddenly everyone gets the impression that I should be responsible for that person, including for whatever sh!t they've caused or bills they owe. No one seemed to care until I stopped by. These days, I see someone (especially in Pattaya) like that, I'm probably going to do like everyone else and ignore it. I'll still carry a first aid kit on the bike for road trips though.

People's attitudes are changing, rapidly, and we are becoming more and more of a dog eat dog society. The news stories of people risking their lives to help other people are news because such acts are becoming ever so rare. For every instance of someone trying to help there are probably dozens and dozens where everyone just looked away and pretended not to notice, just like this particular case.

I expect a lot of you guys have experienced the same thing as I have. Drive by a bad accident, want to stop and help and I'm told no, no you may have big probem. That is something I have never gotten used to here and never will.

Actually it appears the boats were approaching at high speed to provide help, and that they were female single person with high noise motors so am sure could not hear much (although they both stopped in water to look from 20 or so meters away). But by this time only one (survivor) was likely viable to them and he appeared to be in control and male so no contact was made? Best I can explain it - it seems they were going to provide help as one boat pasted on one side and the other on the other side and did stop to apparently check.

on the other newspaper, it says the bib interviewed them (boat drivers) and they said they thought the kids were just playing, they see kids everyday in the river....

I saw a news story on the TV in this and it did look like they were just going round them to avoid hitting them. One did look behind and make to turn, looked unsure if was prank or not. The kids were very close to the shore as well. This version does ring true from what I saw, but I could be wrong.