Phuket Chinese tour bus rammed by 'unstoppable' 10-wheeler

[webfact]

Phuket Chinese tour bus rammed by ‘unstoppable’ 10-wheeler
Eakkapop Thongtub


Truck driver Tiradech Chanalim, 35, said the brakes on the 10-wheeler had failed. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: -- Chinese tourists who had only just landed on the island were welcomed to Phuket early this morning (Mar 7) by a 10-wheeled truck slamming into the back of their bus while they were heading from Phuket International Airport to their hotel in Patong.

The accident occurred at the main intersection on Thepkrasattri Rd in Koh Kaew at about 3:45am.

The driver of the truck, Tiradech Chanalim, 35, was taken to hospital for minor injuries sustained in the impact, said Sen Sgt Maj Sompong Chanchatri of the Phuket City Police.

“None of the 14 Chinese tourists were reported to have suffered any injuries in the accident,” said Sen Sgt Maj Sompong said, adding that all 14 tourists had already been taken to their hotel in Patong by alternative transport.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-chinese-tour-bus-rammed-by-unstoppable-10-wheeler-56498.php


-- Phuket News 2016-03-07

[BigBadGeordie]

Shocked......NOT

“He said that the truck’s brakes failed and he could not avoid hitting the back of the bus, which was waiting at the traffic lights,” Sen Sgt Maj Compong said.

Edited March 7, 2016 by BigBadGeordie

[canopus1969]

‘unstoppable’ 10-wheeler

Incorrect - the bus stopped it

[LivinginKata]

We have yet to conclude our investigation, and at this stage we are investigating the possibility that the truck driver might have fallen asleep at the wheel, Sen Sgt Maj Sompong said.

Exactly - driver fell asleep after many hours of driving from Bangkok ..

[eisfeld]

At this time of the night, the streets are empty. A bus stopped at a traffic light also doesn't do an emergency brake that can't be avoided.

Even if his brakes failed (all at the same time?), he could have used engine braking to slow down and even if he doesn't know how to do that he could have swayed around the bus as there's enough space on this four lane street. So yea, I call bullshit. Driver error 99.9%.

I see these trucks and buses sometimes in the night steamrolling through Thepkrasattri Road near the Heroines Monument, highly dangerous.

[soalbundy]

welcome to Thailand...krummmmmp !!! nobody hurt is good luck, we have lucky number plate.

[worgeordie]

We have yet to conclude our investigation, and at this stage we are investigating the possibility that the truck driver might have fallen asleep at the wheel, Sen Sgt Maj Sompong said.

Exactly - driver fell asleep after many hours of driving from Bangkok ..

Too tired to run away !

regards Worgeordie

[Srikcir]

TAT should issue every foreign tourist with an Accident Survival Kit - 500 baht mandatory fee.

Maybe a catchy slogan:

"If you have to ASK, it's too late."

[soalbundy]

Shocked......NOT

“He said that the truck’s brakes failed and he could not avoid hitting the back of the bus, which was waiting at the traffic lights,” Sen Sgt Maj Compong said.

they usually fail if you don't press your foot on the pedal

Edited March 7, 2016 by soalbundy

[Shot]

The brakes were made in China

[Ulic]

Welcome to Phuket, your tour will start with a 7 am breakfast and a complementary

Thai massage paid for by the truck company.

[mercman24]

another day, another one, look at the time. the crash woke him up,"where am i, i am sure i am home in bed" what's that bloody bus doing there.

[mercman24]

i wonder , do the police ever get into the vehicle to check if the brakes are working, i doubt it, just take the drivers word for it.so dam obvious or perhaps not,

[swerver]

The brakes were made in China

Ja okay the brakes were made in China and the driver was made in Thailand.

If the brakes are hydraulis it has a dual master cylinder so when one part of the brake system does not woork the other halve does work and still stops the vehicle, except that in Thailand 99% of drivers are tailgaters which doesn't leave any room just in case.

If the brakes are Airbrakes on the dashboard there is an instrument showing the driver the condition of the Air system and when it falls below normal an alarm is automatically activated warning the driver his brake system is below normal so he can move over to the side of the road and park the vehicle.

LOL in LOS!@#$.

[NeverSure]

Do larger vehicles such as 10 wheelers and larger have air brakes in Thailand? If they do, air brakes are designed to "dynamite" if they lose pressure. They are heavy spring loaded to be "on" all of the time and the air pressure releases them so that the vehicle can move. A truck that is shut off with its air pressure bled off Can. Not. Be. Moved. Brake failure usually causes a big truck to stop immediately.

Of course they still need maintenance, replacing, adjusting...

[bheard]

The brakes were made in China

Ja okay the brakes were made in China and the driver was made in Thailand.

If the brakes are hydraulis it has a dual master cylinder so when one part of the brake system does not woork the other halve does work and still stops the vehicle, except that in Thailand 99% of drivers are tailgaters which doesn't leave any room just in case.

If the brakes are Airbrakes on the dashboard there is an instrument showing the driver the condition of the Air system and when it falls below normal an alarm is automatically activated warning the driver his brake system is below normal so he can move over to the side of the road and park the vehicle.

LOL in LOS!@#$.

Do larger vehicles such as 10 wheelers and larger have air brakes in Thailand? If they do, air brakes are designed to "dynamite" if they lose pressure. They are heavy spring loaded to be "on" all of the time and the air pressure releases them so that the vehicle can move. A truck that is shut off with its air pressure bled off Can. Not. Be. Moved. Brake failure usually causes a big truck to stop immediately.

Of course they still need maintenance, replacing, adjusting...

Lots of nice ideas about brakes on trucks, but this is Thailand we are talking about. The problem is - even with the best braking system in the world, it needs two requirements to operate correctly.

1. Correct maintenance - unlikely in Thailand - here it's "fit and forget", and

2. The system needs to be activated by a driver - pressing the pedal.

Pretty clearly in this case (in particular, plenty of others have been reported) requirement #2 was not met.

[Bkungbank]

Thailand should have safety inspection for all public transport vehicles every six months including motocycle,tuk-tuk and boat.

[simon43]

..he could have used engine braking to slow down

Arai wa?! No have in Thailand

[excalibur2000]

welcome to Thailand , have a happy holiday ,

[NamKangMan]

welcome to Thailand , have a happy holiday ,

And they haven't even been diving and snorkeling yet.