It’s official: Phuket worst in Thailand for road accidents

[Lite Beer]

It’s official: Phuket worst in Thailand for road accidents
The Phuket News

Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong confirmed the 'Guarantee Arrest if Drink and Drive' campaign will go ahead in Phuket. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: A leading figure at the Phuket office of the Road Safety Network, which operates under the Thai Health Foundation, this week revealed that Phuket was now officially the worst province in the country for deaths and injuries resulting from road accidents.

“Today traffic accidents are responsible for the most deaths and injuries in Thailand, and Phuket has the highest record of traffic accident reports in Thailand,” said Dr Wiwat Seetamanotch, Vice President of the Phuket office of the “Road Safety Thai”. (See website here).

“According to statistics, the number of people in Phuket injured in traffic accidents is 4,952.55 per 100,000 and the death toll in Phuket is 72.04 per 100,000,” he said.

“About 30.63 per cent of these deaths and injuries are from alcohol-related accidents.”

Dr Wiwat delivered the news an event at Provincial Hall on Thursday (August 27) attended by Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong.

The event was held to mark the non-profit Safer Roads Foundation from the UK handing over of 39 breathalysers to the Phuket Police to use for its “Guarantee Arrest if Drink and Drive” campaign.

The breath-test units, costing a total of B1,143,000, were handed over by Safer Roads President Michael C Woodford.

“The new breathalysers we are receiving today are definitely a life saver,” Gov Nisit said. “Our police officers now have enough to use to prevent drunk people from driving and help police reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents on Phuket roads.

“Provincial police will push this campaign by stopping and checking all drivers to enforce the law on those who drink and drive in order to promote safer roads,” he added.

Dr Wiwat agreed: “One problem we have here in Phuket is that we do not have enough alcohol breathalysers and Mr Woodford and his foundation has generously come to the rescue and donated some.”

He added that the donation came as part of the Safer Roads Foundation campaign in 31 countries around the world to promote road safety.

“We know that Phuket is a tourist destination and officials need alcohol breathalysers in order to check drivers so they can reduce the number of traffic accidents,’ explained Mr Woodford.

“Our foundation hopes that everyone will respect the road law and be responsible drivers.”

Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Lt Col Theerapol Tipcharoen, however, downplayed the ‘zero tolerance’ push to eliminate drunk driving from Phuket’s roads.

“This campaign is not new, but maybe it has not been enforced as much as we should,” he told The Phuket News today (August 29).

“But from October, when we launch this campaign, we will ramp up our efforts to stop and check drivers – and if they are found over the limit, they will be arrested and charged.”

The legal limit for drunk driving in Thailand is 0.05 BAC, Col Theerpol confirmed.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/it-official-phuket-worst-in-thailand-for-road-accidents-53869.php

-- Phuket News 2015-08-29

[clockman]

The key word is, enforced! Plenty of laws. Non enforced.

[NamKangMan]

And to think, these statistics do not take into accout those who later die in hospital, and not at the scene of the accident.

“Today traffic accidents are responsible for the most deaths and injuries in Thailand, and Phuket has the highest record of traffic accident reports in Thailand,” - that would make Phuket's roads one of the most dangerous in South East Asia.

“About 30.63 per cent of these deaths and injuries are from alcohol-related accidents.” - what do you expect, when there this no affordable public transport on the island????

“One problem we have here in Phuket is that we do not have enough alcohol breathalysers and Mr Woodford and his foundation has generously come to the rescue and donated some.” - why does Phuket law enforcement need "donations?" Phuket is a wealthy province. What a disgrace.

"and if they are found over the limit, they will be arrested and charged.” - I know a guy here who was riding a motorbike, heavily intoxicated. The police escorted him to the narest ATM. He paid 10,000 baht, and rode away.

There will probably be a few arrests, and then it will be a nice earner for the BiB.

[Thian]

The worst of Thailand means the worst of the WHOLE WORLD!

Sure the quality tourists will like to hear that

[Kannikapor88]

Hard to believe that anywhere should be worse than Chiang Mai but seems like Phuket takes the prize for roadkillings in the World ...

This campaign will not change anything since it in the end comes down to Police to enforce the law and they are not interested or able in doing that ...

[Thian]

I wonder when they start realizing that something has to be done to stop this.

Thailand is allready in the top 10 of the world of having the most fatal roadaccidents.

When will that ever change? They even don't use indicators, drive against traffic, park wherever they want, stop where they like, cut eachothers of all the time.......

and there i drive with my 60 hours of drivinglessons with an instructor next to me in a car with double pedals for safety. And my driverslicense is not even valid here, i need to buy an international driverslicense every year.

[LeungKen]

Baiting post removed

[AJBangkok]

This really is tragic, the primary reason why tgere is so many accidents is that there is no affordable public transport system in phuket. I'm sure the government knows this but there are just too many vested interests stopping them from dealing with the problem.

[ChrisY1]

Congratulations to Phuket......!! Officially the hub of road kill.

But will the authorities ever do anything about the high score?...........probably not!

[Valentine]

Are the accident figures based upon the official population of Phuket or the real population which has to be at least one million.

[schlog]

Are the accident figures based upon the official population of Phuket or the real population which has to be at least one million.

I guess like most figures here based only on the official population.

Traffic is sure worse on Phuket but i think this numbers are not correct.

They also forget to count the 20 million tourists per year.

Edited August 30, 2015 by schlog

[KarenBravo]

This really is tragic, the primary reason why tgere is so many accidents is that there is no affordable public transport system in phuket. I'm sure the government knows this but there are just too many vested interests stopping them from dealing with the problem.

I really don't believe that any more. How many people would give up their cars and motor-bikes to ride on a public bus. Not many.

Can you really see Thais with bags and bags from Tesco Lotus waiting for a bus?

If you look at most of the crashes involving four wheels, they are coaches and mini-vans.

These drivers have tight schedules and/or long journeys, so they drive too fast as they have time-tables to meet.

Edited August 30, 2015 by KarenBravo

[Valentine]

Are the accident figures based upon the official population of Phuket or the real population which has to be at least one million.

I guess like most figures here based only on the official population.

Traffic is sure worse on Phuket but i think this numbers are not correct.

I certainly agree the accident rate in Phuket is really bad (I see the results virtually on a daily basis) & the driving here is awful but I do dispute the rate per 1,000 may not be as bad as they make out.

Edited August 30, 2015 by Valentine

[lee b]

It's bad everywhere in Thailand, but I agree that driving in Phuket is really very dangerous. It's also very bad in Chiang Mai but luckily I have not seen that many accidents but have heard alot about them from other locals and falangs living here.

[dpeti73]

Its very simple without any racism Thai drivers dangerous its because they don't care about rules, driving aggressive and when they sitting in those big car they think they are invulnerable. How many times we can see they hold a children on front seat, heavy raining daytime and darkness no way they turn on the headlights, etc...

Edited August 30, 2015 by dpeti73

[hutchings1963]

what a load of bull shit,it does not tell you how many accidents were on a bike with no helmet,come on junta wake up mate,about time police done there work instead of ignoring people at checkpoints with no helmet,or to young to ride or no licence ,if the police done there job properly they could halve the accidents,but they are not worried because higher up do not care so why should they.

[Maggusoil]

I wonder when they start realizing that something has to be done to stop this.

Thailand is allready in the top 10 of the world of having the most fatal roadaccidents.

When will that ever change? They even don't use indicators, drive against traffic, park wherever they want, stop where they like, cut eachothers of all the time.......

and there i drive with my 60 hours of drivinglessons with an instructor next to me in a car with double pedals for safety. And my driverslicense is not even valid here, i need to buy an international driverslicense every year.

Considering the alcohol related accidents only run at 30%, why are we not looking at the causes of the other 70%??

This is a band aid, as usual. Idiotic or non existant licencing standards, driver education and vehicle road worthiness need a lot more energy

than trotting out some breathalysers.

Think how many times you see the way people drive here and shake your head or worse.

[KarenBravo]

Considering the alcohol related accidents only run at 30%, why are we not looking at the causes of the other 70%??

This is a band aid, as usual. Idiotic or non existant licencing standards, driver education and vehicle road worthiness need a lot more energy

than trotting out some breathalysers.

Think how many times you see the way people drive here and shake your head or worse.

Or, to look at it another way and apply some logic; 30% of accidents are caused by drunk drivers whilst 70% are caused by sober drivers.

Far safer to drive drunk

[Maggusoil]

My personal experience exactly. When I've had a few or even one, I am twice as careful. No drink driving acccidents in 59 years.

Some people cannot handle their liquor.

Let the outcry begin.

[KarenBravo]

My personal experience exactly. When I've had a few or even one, I am twice as careful. No drink driving acccidents in 59 years.

Some people cannot handle their liquor.

Let the outcry begin.

You do know that I was joking...........right?

[Maggusoil]

My personal experience exactly. When I've had a few or even one, I am twice as careful. No drink driving acccidents in 59 years.

Some people cannot handle their liquor.

Let the outcry begin.

You do know that I was joking...........right?

Maybe, but I'm not . . .

[Shot]

[fred Kubasa]

Okay maybe Phuket is leader this month but Pattaya is almost neckn' neck so watch out next month !

Like Avis they are " trying harder " 1 trying

[Jonmarleesco]

Some record. And one that, given sufficient publicity, will be less than helpful to Phuket's tourism ambitions.

[NamKangMan]

This really is tragic, the primary reason why tgere is so many accidents is that there is no affordable public transport system in phuket. I'm sure the government knows this but there are just too many vested interests stopping them from dealing with the problem.

I really don't believe that any more. How many people would give up their cars and motor-bikes to ride on a public bus. Not many.

Can you really see Thais with bags and bags from Tesco Lotus waiting for a bus?

If you look at most of the crashes involving four wheels, they are coaches and mini-vans.

These drivers have tight schedules and/or long journeys, so they drive too fast as they have time-tables to meet.

I would suggest the answer to your question lays in the Pattaya baht bus system.

They are used by locals, expats and tourists. You do see Thai's with shopping bags on the baht buses there, also expats. Probably because at 10 baht a journey, it's cheaper than paying for parking and/or the gasoline.

You see bar girls using them, legit Thai hospitality staff using them, expats using them, and of course, tourists. Many of these are understandably intoxicated.

In fact, many Thai's living and working in Pattaya do not have a motorbike there. They have no need for one. Totally the opposite to Phuket, where everyone MUST have access to a vehicle here.

Does the baht bus system in Pattaya stop all accidents - of course not. Does it stop all intoxicated driving / riding - of course not. However, for sure it has stopped a lot of accidents, and therefore, saved many from injury and death, not to mention, extortion.

You can hire a motorbike in Pattaya, but most tourists have no need to, unlike here.

Now, compare that, for example, to living / staying in Kata, and going for a night out in Patong. 400 baht into Patong, and 800 baht back to Kata. So, what do many expats and tourists do, buy / rent a motorbike / car, and sadly, many don't make it home.

Now picture the drunk Thai's on the road here, whether that be bar girls, or Thai guys coming out of a karaoke place. No public transport options for them here at all, so they drive / ride.

So, I have to disagree with you, KB.

In my opinion, many people would leave "the liability motorbike" at home, when going for a drink, IF, there were proper public transport options on Phuket, and I am not talking about a high speed monorail. Simply, make the tuk-tuks drive around like baht buses for a set hop-on / hop-off fare, like the Pattaya baht bus system.

Not only would it save lives, but also go a long, long way to luring back the western tourists market to Phuket.

[AJBangkok]

I would have to agree. Wet slippery roads during the rainy season are a factor in a number of road accidents. Very few people want to ride a motor bike in the rain and If there was an an affordable and reliable public transport system many would leave the bike at home.

As NKM says a jump of jump on baht bus system like Pattayas would also be a major factor for saving lives. If there was such a service many tourists would forgo the bike or car rental. Many locals would not need a motorbike or car.

As far as weaning locals off their bikes and cars I admit it wouldn't happen overnight but it would eventually happen. If monthly public transportation costs were a fraction of a bike or car loan payment then more people would opt for that.

[stevenl]

I would have to agree. Wet slippery roads during the rainy season are a factor in a number of road accidents. Very few people want to ride a motor bike in the rain and If there was an an affordable and reliable public transport system many would leave the bike at home.

As NKM says a jump of jump on baht bus system like Pattayas would also be a major factor for saving lives. If there was such a service many tourists would forgo the bike or car rental. Many locals would not need a motorbike or car.

As far as weaning locals off their bikes and cars I admit it wouldn't happen overnight but it would eventually happen. If monthly public transportation costs were a fraction of a bike or car loan payment then more people would opt for that.

A public bus system like Pattaya is simply not viable. It may be viable and happen locally, especially in Patong, but between other beaches: no, unless the government is willing to set it up and take the losses for a system like that.

[727Sky]

The roads both in the cities and outside account for many of the accidents along with dissimilar vehicle speeds. Young bucks weaving in and out of traffic going almost light speed while thinking they are indestructible is always a challenge to avoid.

There is very little lane discipline and the number of cars trying to get someplace on narrow crowded roads brings out the absolute worst in some people.

I drive to various places more than I probably should and I must admit there are very very few times when the word "IDIOT" does not escape my lips.

A friend of mine told me long ago he thought it was safer here than many places..."I said how so"? His reply was, "If you just imagine everyone here will do something stupid and try to kill you....you shouldn't have any problems". He has certainly been right more than once.

I would say start in each city and make one way roads and widen them so there is actually parking; or demolish an old building every few blocks and put up a parking lot. Tuk Tuk drivers should be required to carry insurance ! Two friends of mine have been scraped or side mirror broken by some dude who thought his driving was better than the too small of a space for his Tuk Tuk to get by...

Seems like some of these fixes would be better than submarines in the long term.

[bangarang]

And apparently during the "7 days of danger" campaigns we always seem to have the fewest incidents... something is wrong with the numbers in thailand... which is it?

[NamKangMan]

I would have to agree. Wet slippery roads during the rainy season are a factor in a number of road accidents. Very few people want to ride a motor bike in the rain and If there was an an affordable and reliable public transport system many would leave the bike at home.

As NKM says a jump of jump on baht bus system like Pattayas would also be a major factor for saving lives. If there was such a service many tourists would forgo the bike or car rental. Many locals would not need a motorbike or car.

As far as weaning locals off their bikes and cars I admit it wouldn't happen overnight but it would eventually happen. If monthly public transportation costs were a fraction of a bike or car loan payment then more people would opt for that.

A public bus system like Pattaya is simply not viable. It may be viable and happen locally, especially in Patong, but between other beaches: no, unless the government is willing to set it up and take the losses for a system like that.

Well, the coach buses transporting around all the Chinese tourists on Phuket seem to be making a profit, otherwise, they wouldn't be in existence.

I agree transport would have to be Government / Thai Military implemented here.

I can't see why some smaller buses running along the coast road, even at 100 baht a passenger, wouldn't be popular, and make money, with baht buses running around Patong, even at 20 baht a journey.

Even if a bus system along the coast road ran at break even, or even a slight loss, and was Government subsidized, at least it would stop Phuket from going broke, which, I suggest, it is.

Clearly, with the terrible road death statistics Phuket has, there is an obvious problem here.

In my opinion, the Thai military was Phuket's last chance for transport, and to lure back the western market.

The Thai military will not even go up against the various transport mafia on Phuket, so I can only see a further decrease in western tourists here, with the continual road death and injury to those who continue to reside here.

Transport is an essential service, like electric, water, education, medical etc, and it's in the control of criminals here, and whilst it remains in their control, I don't expect Phuket to progress in the tourism industry, and in fact, in my opinion, I expect it to slip even further behind its competitors.