Two dead, seven injured after multi-vehicle collision at Kanchanaburi intersection

[webfact]

Two dead, seven injured after multi-vehicle collision at Kanchanaburi intersection

 

Picture: Thai News Agency

 

KANCHANABURI: -- Two drivers were killed and seven others were injured as four cars and a motorcycle collided at an intersection without traffic lights in Kanchanaburi yesterday morning.

 

The accident happened around 7am at a six way intersection in Tha Makaa district, reported Thai News Agency.

 

Tha Makaa police and medics who rushed to the scene found a black pick-up with Bangkok plates on its side in the middle of the intersection. Dead was its female driver Jaree Phailorm, 34.

 

In a klong by the side of the road they found a car with Kanchanaburi plates. Inside was its driver 28 year old Rachen Phuphakdeephan who was also dead.

 

Two other cars were also involved plus a motorcycle. A further seven victims with injuries including a 75 year old Frenchman were taken to hospital, Thairath reported.

 

Witnesses told police that the black pick-up and a car were following each other. A car came out onto the intersection and collided with the pick-up. Another car following took evasive action but hit a motorcycle and ended up in the klong.

 

Police are investigating.

 

Source: Thai News Agency / ThaiRath

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-03-24

[DrTuner]

Six way intersection, also know as the "Arena". Morituri te salutant..

[selftaopath]

There's an intersection in our village, but typically no one stops. Most - if not all - just buzz through it. I have stopped using this intersection. I really can not understand the mentality of just blindly going through an intersection. 

[kentrot]

I haven't seen the intersection. But reading that it is a SIX way intersection, a traffic-circle or ROUNDABOUT  might help.

 

They installed a new one at Jomtien 2nd Rd. & Wat Boon Rd.

But so far no one seems to understand that you give way to traffic in the circle.

Buses and cement trucks just barge through . Might is Right so to speak. But at least they have to slow down.

 

[selftaopath]

" give way " lol lol lol in Thailand?  Ahhhhhhhhhh good one. Thanks.

[AlQaholic]

In London they call this terrorism........

[al007]

3 minutes ago, AlQaholic said:

In London they call this terrorism........

 

And this is happening all the time here in Thailand, and it appears there is no willingness to stop it

[matador007]

...and its not even Songkran yet.

[Briggsy]

It has been discussed many times. Thai drivers have not reached the stage of development in terms of maturity, self-discipline and cognitive skills where they can deal with roundabouts correctly on a regular basis. Occasionally they may get it right by luck. Roundabouts are currently beyond them.

 

Easier than roundabouts, even unmarked junctions challenge around 80% of drivers.

 

Expect more mayhem and drive defensively.

[jvs]

I read in another newspaper the 75 year old was a Dutch citizen and not French as reported here.

[toofarnorth]

Talking of roundabouts , a mate and myself meet up for a coffee and ride out next to a roundabout in the town where I live  way up north.  Very few locals have yet to master using the roundabout. Just 2 days ago a pickup stopped on the r. to let on coming traffic go round. Once a bloke on a scooter came out of the police station also next to the r. and go around the wrong way to save himself the bother of going clockwise.  Roundabouts and U turns are far to technical for the locals .

[darksidedog]

Another accident that shows yet again that Thais simply do not know how to drive.

It might be a very good idea to have short clips on the TV every day, showing how to use a roundabout, how to approach intersections and all other aspects of road safety.

Quite clearly the rules of the road have not been understood when these people got their driving licences.

[Happyman58]

Oh they understand the rules alright But the thing that is lacking is patience  And they unfortuantly  dont have any Its me me first and i dont care as long as i get there first. And when the keystone cops are around who cares. They are probly trying to beat the traffic themselves

[whatawonderfulday]

2 hours ago, selftaopath said:

" give way " lol lol lol in Thailand?  Ahhhhhhhhhh good one. Thanks.

never will. It is always me me me me . 

[DekDaeng]

3 hours ago, selftaopath said:

There's an intersection in our village, but typically no one stops. Most - if not all - just buzz through it. I have stopped using this intersection. I really can not understand the mentality of just blindly going through an intersection. 

There is no need to stop using the intersection - just make sure you stop, look six ways, if there is nothing coming you can safely enter.

 

But best solution in this case would be a LARGE roundabout -

[expatoz]

Only 2 problems in Thailand. Drivers do not take any notice of the road laws and the police do not do their job to uphold the law. Hence all the carnage on the roads. 

[dictater]

Bangkok driver causing mayhem in Kanchanaburi. I saw an accident near to this site last year that ended with 12 people dead. I was just behind the pick up that caused it, Bangkok registration, who flew through the unsigned intersection while I was thinking, how can they see around that corner. They couldn't, collided with a farm truck which totaled the pick up and turned over wiping out another car in the process. I was stopped maybe 50 meters away watching.  Thousands of Bangkok residents come to Kanchanaburi every weekend and turn the roads into a nightmare. Local driving customs may not be 'right' but generally are somewhat safe, put the big faced, red plated, arrogant Bangkokians into the mix and that's when lives get taken. 

Edited March 24, 2017 by dictater

[seajae]

the problem is those that simply try to drive through them at the same speed they are doing instead of slowing down and giving way, it becomes a matter of face for many as they refuse to let anyone else cause them to stop. These drivers do not stop at stop signs and give way to all other vehicles, they do not give way to cars on their right, they do not give way when coming out of private driveways/houses, they even ignore traffic lights, the thought of stopping for others is simply not a part of their thinking. In most cases they have no idea who has right of way at any intersection, they usually just drive out slowly till they are blocking the road forcing other cars etc to stop for them when they should give way, arrogance and lack of respect for anyone else plus having no idea of the road rules is the cause, the fact that the police do not get out on the roads or try to control it doesnt help. Lets be honest, we all know that most thai drivers would never pass a driving test in any western country, one thai lady in Australia has failed it around 10 times so far and she had been driving 20 odd years in Thailand, says it all.

[Happyman58]

3 minutes ago, seajae said:

the problem is those that simply try to drive through them at the same speed they are doing instead of slowing down and giving way, it becomes a matter of face for many as they refuse to let anyone else cause them to stop. These drivers do not stop at stop signs and give way to all other vehicles, they do not give way to cars on their right, they do not give way when coming out of private driveways/houses, they even ignore traffic lights, the thought of stopping for others is simply not a part of their thinking. In most cases they have no idea who has right of way at any intersection, they usually just drive out slowly till they are blocking the road forcing other cars etc to stop for them when they should give way, arrogance and lack of respect for anyone else plus having no idea of the road rules is the cause, the fact that the police do not get out on the roads or try to control it doesnt help. Lets be honest, we all know that most thai drivers would never pass a driving test in any western country, one thai lady in Australia has failed it around 10 times so far and she had been driving 20 odd years in Thailand, says it all.

Well said Sir  You are so right  Because those cars that are stuck halfway across the road blocking traffic have no respect for anyone Had it happen to me yesterday and man i gave him the horn treatment. Does not even sink into them Like trying to kill fleas on a dog with a glass of water Mission Impossible

[laislica]

The roads here were designed for elephants, horses and water buffaloes, their driver didn't need to do anything, the animal knew what to do.

50 years ago in Spain, folk drove without looking, they would change lane/direction at will, as if their vehicle would take care of everything.

After years of TV advertising and ENFORCEMENT of the Laws, driving in Spain is better now.

Except for major holidays when mayhem breaks out!

 

Thailand needs to start ENFORCING first, until then nothing will improve.

Driving under age and or without a valid license is quite the norm here - no enforcement so why bother.

But hey, isn't that one of the charms of being in the Wild East?

 

RIP to the dead and get well soon to the injured.

 

 

[farcanell]

A six way intersection, with a klong on one side?

is this correct???

thats a load of roads coming in from one direction! ( maybe there is a bridge that's not in the picture?)

[elgordo38]

3 hours ago, selftaopath said:

There's an intersection in our village, but typically no one stops. Most - if not all - just buzz through it. I have stopped using this intersection. I really can not understand the mentality of just blindly going through an intersection. 

They are in a hurry to find a casino?? 

[Andrew Dwyer]

In Ayutthaya there is a roundabout with a large bell shaped old monument ( excuse my ignorance of the correct name for this ) on top.
Just before the roundabout the frontage road joins the main road to create 7 lanes which in turn funnel down into 3 lanes almost immediately going round the roundabout.

Needless to say: Absolute carnage !!

Insane road structure + inadequate driving abilities =......well, you all know the outcome !!


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[elgordo38]

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

Another accident that shows yet again that Thais simply do not know how to drive.

It might be a very good idea to have short clips on the TV every day, showing how to use a roundabout, how to approach intersections and all other aspects of road safety.

Quite clearly the rules of the road have not been understood when these people got their driving licences.

I like your TV idea. Maybe Mr. Prayuth would step aside every Friday night and give up his time slot for a more valuable traffic TV programming. Then there is the problem of getting to the masses to tune in. Its tough to overcome a know it all attitude. 

[hotchilli]

Most roundabouts in Thailand that I've seen, traffic on the roundabout gives way to that coming onto it.
The reverse of roundabouts worldwide, where traffic on the roundabout has priority.

[tiocfaidh]

Most roundabouts in Thailand that I've seen, traffic on the roundabout gives way to that coming onto it.

The reverse of roundabouts worldwide, where traffic on the roundabout has priority.

The French used to give way to traffic coming onto a roundabout. A Frenchman was taken to hospital after this RTC

 

 

 

[sandrabbit]

In Belgium & France it used to be give way to the right so people could just pull out in front of you from a side road .......

[sanukjim]

"Ignorance" and "Stupidity" are the words that fit well here. Also very,very,little policing of the roads "If Any".

[selftaopath]

1 hour ago, seajae said:

the problem is those that simply try to drive through them at the same speed they are doing instead of slowing down and giving way, it becomes a matter of face for many as they refuse to let anyone else cause them to stop. These drivers do not stop at stop signs and give way to all other vehicles, they do not give way to cars on their right, they do not give way when coming out of private driveways/houses, they even ignore traffic lights, the thought of stopping for others is simply not a part of their thinking. In most cases they have no idea who has right of way at any intersection, they usually just drive out slowly till they are blocking the road forcing other cars etc to stop for them when they should give way, arrogance and lack of respect for anyone else plus having no idea of the road rules is the cause, the fact that the police do not get out on the roads or try to control it doesnt help. Lets be honest, we all know that most thai drivers would never pass a driving test in any western country, one thai lady in Australia has failed it around 10 times so far and she had been driving 20 odd years in Thailand, says it all.

I could not agree more. AMEN.

[Nurseynutcase]

42 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Most roundabouts in Thailand that I've seen, traffic on the roundabout gives way to that coming onto it.
The reverse of roundabouts worldwide, where traffic on the roundabout has priority.

 

Sorry but that statement is not strictly true.  I lived in the middle east in the 80s and it was the same there as here - give way when you are on the roundabout not the other way round.

 

Carnage just the same.