Chinese tourist injured in Phuket accident

[Thaivisa News]

Phuket:- A Chinese tourist was injured Wednesday morning when a car he was driving on a Patong road fell into a hole at a construction site that had no warning sign.

The Paton unit of the Kusoltham Phuket Foundation was informed of the accident at 7 am. The unit was informed that a car fell into a hole where a roadside drainage was being built on Siriraj Road in Tambon Patong of Krathu district and a foreigner was still inside the car.

Rescuers from the unit rushed to the scene with an ambulance and found a white Toyota Vios with Phuket license plate partially stuck in the hole. Its left side from the front wheel to the back wheel fell into the hole. Its left hood was damaged.

The rescuers removed the foreigner from the car and rushed him to the Patong Hospital. He was identified as Choy Po Fai, 40. He had a severe cut on his left knee that happened when the car fell into the hole and his knee hit a part of the car.

Doctor treated his wound and discharged him.

Witnesses said the car was driving from the Paton downtown on the road heading to Tambon Karon in Mueang district. The car headed into the hole and caused a loud bang.

There was no sign to warn motorists about the hole.

Several social networkers have posted photos of the incident on web boards and Facebook pages to criticize the Patong municipality and the contractor for not putting up a warning sign.

[Mcffee]

a hole at a construction site that had no warning sign.

I guess the government can be held responsible here and has to pay for the damages?

[schlog]

Which government? The Paton or the Krathu?

[LivinginKata]

Which government? The Paton or the Krathu?

Think you mean Patong or Kathu ? And both the same, Patong is part of the Kathu area authority.

I would expect the private contractor building the drains will have to pay the damages.

[stevenl]

Which government? The Paton or the Krathu?

Think you mean Patong or Kathu ? And both the same, Patong is part of the Kathu area authority.

I would expect the private contractor building the drains will have to pay the damages.

I think he refers to the terminology used repeatedly in the op.

[schlog]

Which government? The Paton or the Krathu?

It was meant ironically......

[sawadee1947]

a hole at a construction site that had no warning sign.

I guess the government can be held responsible here and has to pay for the damages?

maybe someone removed the warning sign, probably a farang, cause not Thais would do that

[LivinginKata]

Which government? The Paton or the Krathu?

It was meant ironically......

Woosh - right over my head. Guess I am just used to the mangled spelling in these news reports.

Noticed plenty of warning signs up today.

[webfact]

Chinese man drives car into Phuket construction ditch
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- A Chinese man was injured in Patong yesterday morning (April 22) after driving his car into a ditch at the side of the road which has been made to install new drains.

At 7am, rescue workers from Patong Hospital were called to assist with a man, named as Choy Po Fai, 40, who was trapped in his Toyota Vios after driving it into a ditch in the road just before Simon Cabaret on Sirirat Rd.

The area where the accident happened is currently having a new system installed.

One witness to the accident said, “I saw the Toyota coming from Patong towards Karon and then plunge into the ditch.”

Another witness added, “There are no signs in the construction area to let drivers or motorists know of the hazard.”

Police have yet to question Mr Fai so it is unclear whether he was trying to avoid an on-coming car or attempting to overtake or pass another vehicle from the left when he drove ito the ditch.

Pictures of the accident have alrady circulated on Social Media and questions have been raised as to who should be held responsible for accidents around construction site like this one in Patong.

Speaking to The Phuket News, Mr Weerasak, a technician for the Highways Department said, “Construction is taking place all the way from the intersection toLe Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and there are signs all along the way, even where the accident happened.

“Also, the construction is taking place at the side of the road not in a lane. The Highways Deprtment is currently widening the road from two to four lanes.”

Mr Fai was taken to Patong Hospital with scratches and abrasions on his left knee but was later released.

The insurance company has already had the vehicle recovered from the ditch.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/chinese-man-drives-car-into-phuket-construction-ditch-51990.php


-- Phuket News 2015-04-23

[Local Drunk]

Must be a lot like driving in China...

[Strangebrew]

Maybe driver needs to open eyes instead of squinting all the time.

[ExPratt]

I was going to say "Welcome to Thailand" but if he's from Mainland China this will be a minor faux pas on behalf of the Drainage contractors, shake hands alls forgotton