Lucky escape and Thai concept of danger

[longballlarry]

So, I was walking along the pavement yesterday in Hua Hin, holding my 3 years olds hand, and as I stepped onto a solid concrete drain cover ( measuring about 1' by 2' ), the whole thing just gave way and collapsed from under me. ( I weigh 95kg ). My left leg stayed on the pavement and the whole lower right side of my body dropped into the hole, with my right elbow holding me out. I cut up the inside of my right knee and thigh, banged my elbow and jarred my neck and back. Below was a drop of around 10 feet, with a fast running sewer at the bottom. So lucky my son didnt fall in, god knows what would have happened. I tried to make it safe by putting some objects in front of the hole to warn people, as some sniggering Thai bystanders (who didnt really seem to care and clearly couldnt see the danger this now exposed hole meant for passers by, especially kids), just looked on amused. Ah well. A clean up of my leg at the clinic last night and a stiff back this morning, but very lucky none the less. Be careful of drain covers people !!

[Thaiberius]

I'm pleased you weren't too badly hurt. Thai pavements are a nightmare, loose slabs, exposed electrical wires, broken drain covers, loose kerb stones. I try to avoid puddles during the rain as there have been many instances where exposed electrical wires have killed people. A couple of years ago in Patong, if I remember correctly, there were a couple of fatalities within a few days of each other, one an Australian I think. Both faulty wiring and rain on the pavement.

Thai's have an unfortunate habit of laughing at other people's misfortune and nobody can accuse them of being politically correct. Just their way I suppose.

[weegee]

No problem here....You cant walk on the pavement for those stalls and rubbish....and shops that extend to the cars parked in the gutter.

Glad you are ok....you were lucky to get away with some scratches. DEFINITELY start a course of Antibiotics...

[DP25]

The EXACT same thing happened to me in Hua Hin about 5 years ago. On that busy road parallel to the beach behind the Hilton. I lost my shoe in the sewer and had to walk back to my hotel barefoot and my leg covered in filth. I can't believe it is still happening

[Thaiberius]

As you walk from Sukhumvit Road into Soi 4 Nana just before the bug stall there is a drain cover in the road. One night a few years ago I was walking from the 7/11 across the road to Morning Night. The road was flooded in usual fontock style when I saw a guy literally disappear in front of my eyes when he stepped in a puddle. Almost immediately a Thai guy jumped in and pulled him out. A big crowd gathered so I don't know what happened after that. Just a warning, never assume a puddle has a bottom to it.

[cgphuket]

Funny, but i often worry about that exact thing happening and always walk careful when stepping on them, glad your ok.

[marko kok prong]

My local town is similar,they put new road markings right down the main street,with areas marked out for parking etc,which everyone ignores yet have done nothing to fix the shocking state of the pavements.

[evadgib]

They're well marked here; usually by the odd palm leaf or a plastic chair!

[Fookhaht]

I believe a book came out a few years ago in Thailand, written by a foreigner, with the title, "Don't Step on the Manhole Covers."

All it takes is one bad experience with one bad manhole cover to reinforce that advice.

Been there, done that, got the stinky shoe and banged-up knee.

Is it because Thai civil engineers spend all four years at the university partying/drinking 24/7?

[CharlieH]

Yep, I have a definite oversion to all types of cover here, wont step on them always go around them.

[arthurwait]

Yep, I have a definite oversion to all types of cover here, wont step on them always go around them.

Safe sex is best.

[katana]

I seem to recall a story from several years ago in the BKK Post when a Westerner fell in a sewer in BKK. Apparently he was walking on the pavement in Sukhumwit Rd and the ground just gave way beneath him.

[falkan]

it's bad luck to step on concrete drain covers..