The best New Year’s gift for Thai people

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
The best New Year’s gift for Thai people
CHULARAT SAENGPASSA

BANGKOK: -- PRETTY SOON, Thailand will enter a new period of “Seven Dangerous Days” with all the usual huge publicity to remind motorists they should help to promote road safety.

Authorities are always eager to highlight such campaigns ahead of festive seasons such as the New Year holidays, during which large numbers of people will hit the roads. But have these concerned authorities done their job fully in preventing road accidents?

As I was driving along the Bang Na - Bang Pa-in Motorway yesterday, I noticed that signs reading "construction ahead" were installed again at a spot just a few hundred metres away from an actual construction site. Vehicles on that motorway move at the speed of no less than 100 kilometres an hour. So when the signs are only visible so close to the site, there is a real risk of accidents.

According to the Highways Department, such signs should be installed at least one kilometre ahead of the actual construction areas on the motorway, and there must be several signs to alert motorists, installed 300 metres apart.

As a frequent user of this motorway, I have seen several accidents take place there.

When I turned into the Bang Na - Trat Road yesterday, I also noticed that some repair work was underway on inbound lanes in front of Rajavinit Road - without any signs to remind motorists.

Such flaws in the road-warning system reminded me of how many times I have felt scared when driving along the Bang Na - Bang Pa-in Motorway at night and seen lighting that signalled construction work ahead at very short notice. What would have happened to me if I could not have switched to another lane in time?

So very often, road accidents happen because authorities concerned provide less than perfect driving lanes.

Inappropriately-placed barriers, poorly signalled road repairs and insufficient lighting are quite common on our roads. Most motorists must have noticed such things before. The fortunate ones are still alive, but not all are lucky at all times.

In addition to human error, vehicles, road conditions and circumstances - all are factors that can cause accidents.

So while soft measures like campaigns may help curb road accidents, authorities concerned must be acutely aware that hard measures are equally needed. Please provide proper infrastructure so that we all can use the roads safely.

At present, many traffic areas in Thailand are known as "dangerous bends or curves" where many road accidents happen. In particular, people have heard about "Kong roi sop" (A curve that has claimed hundreds of lives). When agencies hear about this, they should visit the spot and examine how they can reduce accident risks. Increase lighting and install signs, if necessary. All such hard measures can help.

Don't ignore the need to introduce hard measures. When a tour bus skidded off a mountain in Nan province last year, authorities discussed a plan to ban double-decker coaches on mountainous roads because statistics showed the vehicles were not suitable for such travel. But no ban has actually materialised since.

And just on Sunday, a double-decker tour bus crashed in a mountainous area in Chiang Mai, killing at least 14 including 13 Malaysian tourists.

According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety, Thailand ranks third worst in terms of dangerous roads. Road accidents kill 38 people per 100,000 population each year. With such notoriety, Thailand trailed behind just Eritrea (48 deaths per 100,000 population) and Libya (41 deaths per 100,000 population).

The Thai government has vowed to reduce the number of annual road deaths to no more than 10 per 100,000 by 2020.

To achieve that goal, all agencies involved as well as people in Thailand must be aware of their duty and take both soft and hard measures in the prevention of road accidents.

For motorists, respect traffic laws and ensure vehicles are in good condition. No speeding, no drink driving, and no riding without wearing safety belts or safety helmets.

For authorities, make sure road conditions are safe for all. It will very likely be one of the best New Year gifts of all for Thais.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/The-best-New-Years-gift-for-Thai-people--30275392.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-22

[onetime]

The biggest gift for Thai people would be to change their belief systems regarding class-ism, racism, image, face, nationalistic pride, fear of the unknown. (xenophobia)

Or, you could just give them a lobotomy.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

Pretty soon, Thailand will enter a period of " Seven Dangerous Days"​.

So what happened to "We safe Thailand Safe" that we heard about yesterday?

Edited December 21, 2015 by HiSoLowSoNoSo

[WaiLai]

quoted from the article:

"The Thai government has vowed to reduce the number of annual road deaths to no more than 10 per 100,000 by 2020."

* this translates to continued carnage is expected for the next 4 years

My 1st question is: "Is this this the best that the government of happiness can do?"

My 2nd question is: "What measures are the government about to take to create such change?"

My 3rd question is: " If the current government has been in power for a year then please explain why carnage on the roads has continued to rise during it's watch?"

I think a performance evaluation is in order here and perhaps even an attitude adjustment!

[nkg]

quoted from the article:

"The Thai government has vowed to reduce the number of annual road deaths to no more than 10 per 100,000 by 2020."

* this translates to continued carnage is expected for the next 4 years

It's the usual cheap talk. Thailand are currently at 40 deaths per 100,000. Do the government truly believe that they can reduce road deaths by 75% in 4 years? Has any country in the history of motor vehicles ever managed such a feat? Of course not.

What an insultingly stupid promise. Whoever made it knows that they will never be held to account. It's a childish, absurd piece of fiction that makes a mockery of a very serious problem.

[Thian]

The best gift would be a new policeforce who really does their job and is trained for it.

On Kanchanaphisek road one can see accidents happening every 30 minutes.

[BSJ]

The biggest gift for Thai people would be to change their belief systems regarding class-ism, racism, image, face, nationalistic pride, fear of the unknown. (xenophobia)

Or, you could just give them a lobotomy.

555! Took the words right out of my mouth!

[chainarong]

The best New Year's gift for any country is zero road deaths , however in the Asian circuit has a few obstacles to avoid number one is the driver has not enough common sense to understand that he is driving a lethal weapon, the motor vehicle it is a rocket on wheels it uses a propellant that can injure, maim or kill, the driver therefore needs to understand the road conditions , obey those stupid signs and be cautious of others intentions , it is documented that at any given minute a car driver has to monitor as many and varied conditions as a Jumbo Jet captain has to do on landing , when you come to think of it driving a motor car sure has its responsibilities. Happy and Safe Driving this Xmas Everyone. ...............................

[Plutojames88]

The facts are there are several varieties of humans on earth .

Races that stem from various geographies on the planet.

Of which some are more understanding of practical applications rather than merely verbal platitudes .

Thailand is not one of these.

It's known as having carnage that is many many times higher than first world countries with a similar population .

You can regularly see transport workers enjoying a beer at a rest spot.

A motor taxi driver sipping down some Mekong whiskey and playing checkers with bottle tops.

School children eating ice cream and riding one handed with no helmets.

Zig zagging bikes avoiding pot holes left untouched.

Youth racing each other along drags.

Buses at break neck speed Corning bends in torrential rain.

Cement trucks that look like ISIS are in charge perilously heading towards towns on highways at 120 kilometres an hour.

Border run drivers that act like their in a dark cartoon with invincible forces protecting them ( see tangling Buddha) weaving in and out of traffic.

The insanity of Thailand drivers , roads , authorities that police it , laws and attitude is beyond belief.

How many of us know of funerals that some Thai partner attends over the years.?

If you had just a dollar every time you heard the phrase "" motor bike accident""

I have been to six funerals in twenty years

And skipped three.

It's really commendable they try and begin to address the horror .

But really it's like a butcher shop mentality

And the ghouls who show us the bodies in news coverage will be very busy over this period

Edited December 22, 2015 by Plutojames88

[madmitch]

If its the choice of the above or an iPhone 6 I know which gift any Thai person would choose.

[Guest]

The biggest gift for Thai people would be to change their belief systems regarding class-ism, racism, image, face, nationalistic pride, fear of the unknown. (xenophobia)

Or, you could just give them a lobotomy.

Pot, meet kettle ... Kettle, meet pot.

By the way, xenophobia is not "fear of the unknown" ... it is

... intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries

Now please go look in a mirror and repeat that a few times.

You really owe it to yourself to make your New Year Resolution to get out of Thailand ... clearly, it is simply a very poor fir for you. If you want to know how much you will be missed, put your hand in a bucket of water, pull it out and look at the hole you left behind.

[onetime]

The biggest gift for Thai people would be to change their belief systems regarding class-ism, racism, image, face, nationalistic pride, fear of the unknown. (xenophobia)

Or, you could just give them a lobotomy.

Pot, meet kettle ... Kettle, meet pot.

By the way, xenophobia is not "fear of the unknown" ... it is

... intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries

Now please go look in a mirror and repeat that a few times.

You really owe it to yourself to make your New Year Resolution to get out of Thailand ... clearly, it is simply a very poor fir for you. If you want to know how much you will be missed, put your hand in a bucket of water, pull it out and look at the hole you left behind.

In large part, Thailand fits criminals. I don't mind if I'm not missed by criminals.

You're right on the xenophobia topic. I should have been more clear.

Thailand is a xenophobic nation. If they were able to get past their fear of the unknown, they wouldn't be so xenophobic, would they?

[oneday]

"...But have these concerned authorities done their job fully in preventing road accidents?..."

Hell no! And they won't for decades to come.

[arrowsdawdle]

The biggest gift for Thai people would be to change their belief systems regarding class-ism, racism, image, face, nationalistic pride, fear of the unknown. (xenophobia)

Or, you could just give them a lobotomy.

Do not mess up and give a Thai a gift, except when there is no occasion or holiday. The only gift considered appropriate for weddings, holidays, etc. is cash, period. Somebody may tell you they gave a gift and it was well received but all that means is they bought the act masquerading the disappointment.

[tukkytuktuk]

Money. This is the best gift for the Thai people. Money number one. Worshipped and craved. Money is everything to them.

[superal]

Thanks Admin for your thoughts at this eventful time of the year when the roads will be packed with many frustrated drivers . It is a time to avoid driving here if possible . We are critical of driving standards and behavior only because we know better having come from a western world where there is more control , driving education and enforcement . The standards here are normal to the Thai people and they do not know any better but that does not mean to say it should be acceptable . For sure reformation and education will be a huge task but must be addressed and I truly hope the government are successful in lowering the awful stats . Number one rule for me would be to teach consideration for other road users and to be aware of their actions . e.g. They have no way of telling another driver to please pass or proceed first as an act of good manners .The flashing of headlights meaning they are coming through . ( this has caught many tourists out ). Yet away from their vehicles they are different people , almost always friendly and helpful .

[hdkane]

The facts are there are several varieties of humans on earth .

Races that stem from various geographies on the planet.

Of which some are more understanding of practical applications rather than merely verbal platitudes .

Thailand is not one of these.

It's known as having carnage that is many many times higher than first world countries with a similar population .

You can regularly see transport workers enjoying a beer at a rest spot.

A motor taxi driver sipping down some Mekong whiskey and playing checkers with bottle tops.

School children eating ice cream and riding one handed with no helmets.

Zig zagging bikes avoiding pot holes left untouched.

Youth racing each other along drags.

Buses at break neck speed Corning bends in torrential rain.

Cement trucks that look like ISIS are in charge perilously heading towards towns on highways at 120 kilometres an hour.

Border run drivers that act like their in a dark cartoon with invincible forces protecting them ( see tangling Buddha) weaving in and out of traffic.

The insanity of Thailand drivers , roads , authorities that police it , laws and attitude is beyond belief.

How many of us know of funerals that some Thai partner attends over the years.?

If you had just a dollar every time you heard the phrase "" motor bike accident""

I have been to six funerals in twenty years

And skipped three.

It's really commendable they try and begin to address the horror .

But really it's like a butcher shop mentality

And the ghouls who show us the bodies in news coverage will be very busy over this period

You stated the matter much better than I could have...I used to live in a rural area of Thailand, and much of the village residents' social life was centered on attending the funerals of people killed in "accidents"...to me, this is a truly simple matter to fix...make the police and government employees do their jobs...and enforce safety laws.

[ldiablo]

I thought the best New Year's gift for the Thai people was the PM's new hit song entitled "Because you are Thailand"?

[Guest]

The biggest gift for Thai people would be to change their belief systems regarding class-ism, racism, image, face, nationalistic pride, fear of the unknown. (xenophobia)

Or, you could just give them a lobotomy.

Pot, meet kettle ... Kettle, meet pot.

By the way, xenophobia is not "fear of the unknown" ... it is

... intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries

Now please go look in a mirror and repeat that a few times.

You really owe it to yourself to make your New Year Resolution to get out of Thailand ... clearly, it is simply a very poor fir for you. If you want to know how much you will be missed, put your hand in a bucket of water, pull it out and look at the hole you left behind.

In large part, Thailand fits criminals. I don't mind if I'm not missed by criminals.

You're right on the xenophobia topic. I should have been more clear.

Thailand is a xenophobic nation. If they were able to get past their fear of the unknown, they wouldn't be so xenophobic, would they?

In the spirit of Christmas, let's try another color and see if you get the message:

Pot, meet kettle ... Kettle, meet pot.

At the risk of feeding a troll, may I ask how a country that welcomes (and relies upon) tourism, is xenophobic?

I am not judging you if Thailand is not your cup of tea. If you are waiting for it to change its fundamental nature, do not hold your breath on that ... the temple on my street was ancient before the Farang landed on Plymouth Rock ... and it will be here after the American financial Ponzi scheme implodes.

All I am suggesting here is you seem very, very bitter and unhappy in the Kingdom, and it might be a pleasant gift to yourself to reconsider your migration here and find a "better" country.

As to your bizarre reference to criminals ... I have lived in Bangkok non stop for more than 5 years. So far, not one problem for me, or anyone I know. (Do you live in the sewer ... I mean Pattaya?)

I walk the streets of a city with 12,000,000 people 24/7 and after all these years, do not give crime or danger a second thought. That simply is not the way it is in the USA and parts of Europe.

Anyway, not really up for a go with you .. we come from far different reference points and perspectives, and neither of is is "wrong" here.

But one of us is living in a country with people they despise, and to me .. that is a very sad waste of a life.

Make next year "your" year and put Thailand in your rear view mirror. It will be the best for all parties concerned.

Have a very Merry Holiday Season.

(I will be taking my beautiful Thai wife to Phuket for a week on the beach ... ummm ... looking for the downside, ain't seeing it !!! 555)

[fred Kubasa]

A green card to another place !

[cyberfarang]

There can be no improvements to road safety because the infrastructure isn`t there. There are no systems installed only unwritten rules that override the official laws. This is one of the reasons why Thailand will not cross the other side into the developed nations.

[casindonet]

Read in another news that general P wrote a new song as a new year gift for thais.......shouldn't that be the best gift?

[bangon04]

"What would have happened to me if I could not have switched to another lane in time?"

duh! what about the radical notion of driving at a speed where you can see far enough ahead at night so that you can stop in time???

Great example of Thai thinking. Blame the roadworks. I know that Thai roadworks can be eccentric, but the drivers do have some responsibility, don't they?