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Phuket teen motorcyclist misses truck, hits tree
Eakkapop Thongtub


An officer points to the point of impact on the tree. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Police arrived at the scene, near Wat Phra Thong in Tambon Thepkrasattri, at 11:30am to find Suprawat Kaniengkarn, 19, unconscious in the middle of the road and traffic backed up on southbound lanes.

One witness told police that the motorbike was heading southbound at speed when the truck slowed down and the driver signaled to make a left turn.

“The motorbike swerved to avoid slamming into the truck, but hit the tree instead,” said Maj Nattaya Supanpong of the Thalang Police.

“The truck driver said he signaled to make his turn into a tyre repair shop and thought that drivers behind him would pay attention and slow down,” he added.

However, although the truck was attempting to turn left from the centre lane, Maj Nattaya said he had yet to press charges against either driver over the accident.

“We have yet to talk with Suprawat, as he is still in hospital, and hence we have yet to determine who – if anyone should faces charges,” he said.

Mr Suprawat was initially taken to Thalang Hospital and later transfered to Vachira hospital in Phuket Town, where he has regained consciousness and is recovering from a head injury and a broken right arm.

He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-teen-motorcyclist-misses-truck-hits-tree-54026.php

-- Phuket News 2015-09-09

[LivinginKata]

No helmet - driving too fast to slow down for truck signal a turn. Wonder is he even had a driver license. Case closed.... 500 baht fine.

[krystian]

This is always the problem ,,, its always the big vehicle responsible even if the motorcycle drivers are obviously reckless when driving... These motorcycle drivers should be responsible too with their actions and not blame others.

[Stray]

“The truck driver said he signaled to make his turn into a tyre repair shop and thought that drivers behind him would pay attention and slow down,” he added.

However, although the truck was attempting to turn left from the centre lane, Maj Nattaya said he had yet to press charges against either driver over the accident.

According to the article, the truck driver was allegedly doing the correct thing. What charges could be levelled against the driver unless it is found that he is unlicenced or under the influence or alchohol, or drugs?

(I want to make it very clear that I'm NOT saying that he is unlicenced or was under the influence.)

It's a truck. Requires a greater turning circle. So, yes, makes sense that he wasn't attempting to turn into a tyre repair shop from the left lane.

His greatest error in judgement was thinking that other vehicle operators would "pay attention and slow down."

[nikmar]

At least were clear about which tree he hit.

[Just1Voice]

Arrest that damn tree immediately!

[steveyinasia]

This is always the problem ,,, its always the big vehicle responsible even if the motorcycle drivers are obviously reckless when driving... These motorcycle drivers should be responsible too with their actions and not blame others.

"These motorcycle drivers should be responsible too with their actions and not blame others.".....rule number one for most Thai drivers....it's not my fault.

[duckmandon]

“The truck driver said he signaled to make his turn into a tyre repair shop and thought that drivers behind him would pay attention and slow down,” he added.

However, although the truck was attempting to turn left from the centre lane, Maj Nattaya said he had yet to press charges against either driver over the accident.

According to the article, the truck driver was allegedly doing the correct thing. What charges could be levelled against the driver unless it is found that he is unlicenced or under the influence or alchohol, or drugs?

(I want to make it very clear that I'm NOT saying that he is unlicenced or was under the influence.)

It's a truck. Requires a greater turning circle. So, yes, makes sense that he wasn't attempting to turn into a tyre repair shop from the left lane.

His greatest error in judgement was thinking that other vehicle operators would "pay attention and slow down."

Trucks do need a greater turning circle which in most civilized countries overtaking on the left or Blind side is against the law. I don't know how many times I have almost creamed a motorbike doing this when I clearly indicate. Just stupidity again from a child like nation. Maybe it's about time you grow up. Younger countries in the world already have more maturity than a country that is 1000's of years old.

[steelepulse]

It's not just trucks that turn left from the middle lane. I've seen every type of vehicle possible turn left from the middle lane much more often than from the actual left lane. Dumbasses!

[cardinalblue]

BS.....you shouldn't have to turn from the center lane unless more than a pick up...what type of truck?

Bike speeding should be fined and truck driver if pick up or two axel type vehicle

Huge problem in Thailand in how how to take proper angles and where to turn from.

[Old Croc]

Must be 20 or 30 idiots coming off their bikes here every day, you can see hoards of these bandaged fools in Bangkok Phuket Hospital at any given time. Probably many more in the other hospitals.

Why is this one such big news?

[Jonmarleesco]

'“The truck driver said he signaled to make his turn into a tyre repair shop and thought that drivers behind him would pay attention and slow down ...' He did? Seriously?

'... Suprawat ... was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.' Nor at any other time, no doubt.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Jonmarleesco

[Stray]

'“The truck driver said he signaled to make his turn into a tyre repair shop and thought that drivers behind him would pay attention and slow down ...' He did? Seriously?

'... Suprawat ... was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.' Nor at any other time, no doubt.

From the OP article:

"One witness told police that the motorbike was heading southbound at speed when the truck slowed down and the driver signaled to make a left turn."

[ggt]

Bad luck? Or, poetic justice?

[fester the benevolent]

Surely the real news story here is that a truck in Phuket was going to a tyre repair shop?

Perhaps the driver had noticed that there was a microscopic trace of the tread visible on one of his tyres and was going to have it shaved off so that the offending tyre matched all the rest or something?