Locals scared witless as driverless pick-up moves all by itself!

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Locals in Kamphaengphet were in for a shock yesterday when a parked pick-up started moving in front of a local hospital.

 

It was on fire and security rushed to save the occupant by smashing the windows as it came to a halt on the other side of the road.

 

But there was no one in the vehicle - it had moved all by itself. There was no question of it rolling on an incline - it is flat in that area.

 

Local trader Phothong Koktrakoon, 62, said: "There was a big bang. Then it started to move. It turned and crossed the road. It was on fire.

 

"Security came and smashed all the windows to get the driver out - but there was no one inside.

 

"It put the hairs on the back of my neck up, I can tell you!".

 

Khamphengphet hospital security guard Tawatchai Phankhaetkit told Thai Rath that he had seen the vehicle move and got a fire extinguisher and smashed the windows.

 

He confirmed the pick-up had moved all by itself across the road.

 

The startled wife of the owner of the pick-up said her husband had gone into the hospital to have his teeth done. She had no idea what happened.

 

Police started an investigation as locals peered in the engine compartment to gain some clues.

 

But the only big surprise on this occasion was that Thai Rath did not report that people were scrabbling to buy lottery tickets with the pick-up's number, 3222.

 

They just noted that there was rain and lightning in the area at the time of the incident.

 

Source: Thai Rath

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2017-07-28

Hopeless..

Just some lost soul needing a ride home...

 

And since this soul apparently lack a chauffeured limousine, I don't think there was much luck present.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Locals scared witless as driverless pick-up moves all by itself!

Locals scared, witless, as driverless pick-up moves all by itself!

 

Makes more sense with the commas.

Were all the windows so darkened with film that no-one could see into the vehicle? Probably.

That new driverless technology is amazing.  It must be the Google prototype.

 

Strike that.  Maybe it's a Samsung.

Edited July 28, 20178 yr by rijb

why did the pick-up cross the road?

because that's where the scared locals live.

FAT... <deleted> Amazing Thailand.

A crass comment removed.

His wife wasn't a lottery seller by any chance ? and buisness a bit slow 

And the best part of the story (other than no one was hurt)? We have our new lottery picks. Yay.

Pretty common with vehicles on fire to start driving. Something to do with the solenoid of the starter motor failing and starting the engine. Then when the car is in gear it will start moving on the starter until the battery is drained or cables burn through. 

6 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

Locals scared, witless, as driverless pick-up moves all by itself!

 

Makes more sense with the commas.

..anagram of TESLA = STEAL

3 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

why did the pick-up cross the road?

because that's where the scared locals live.

..wouldn't take too much excitement to make one witless.

Of course a handbrake (parking brake) is never used here for its nominal purpose, whether on auto or manual transmission!

3 hours ago, Gulfsailor said:

Pretty common with vehicles on fire to start driving. Something to do with the solenoid of the starter motor failing and starting the engine. Then when the car is in gear it will start moving on the starter until the battery is drained or cables burn through. 

Have you heard of putting the car in Park/and or handbrake on?Then it won't move!

No doubt they will be setting up a shrine there soon.

 

6 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

why did the pick-up cross the road?

because that's where the scared locals live.

 

"... because that's where the scared witless locals live. ..."

1 hour ago, digger70 said:

Have you heard of putting the car in Park/and or handbrake on?Then it won't move!

I have. But generally you put a manual transmission car in first or second gear when parked, so that the handbrake won't get stuck when not using it for some time. Definitely in freezing temperatures you shouldn't use the handbrake while parked. 

Btw. even with the handbrake on the car will move when left in a low gear. So your solution with handbrake only works when also leaving the car in neutral. Don't know anyone who does this. Also why bother? In case of your car burning it moving or not is the least of your concerns. 

20 minutes ago, Gulfsailor said:

I have. But generally you put a manual transmission car in first or second gear when parked, so that the handbrake won't get stuck when not using it for some time. Definitely in freezing temperatures you shouldn't use the handbrake while parked. 

Btw. even with the handbrake on the car will move when left in a low gear. So your solution with handbrake only works when also leaving the car in neutral. Don't know anyone who does this. Also why bother? In case of your car burning it moving or not is the least of your concerns. 

 

A parked car or truck with the manual transmission left in a low gears is far less likely to to move than if it were left in high gears. It's a matter of gearing. The engine will turn over much easier in a high gear.

2 hours ago, Classic Ray said:

Of course a handbrake (parking brake) is never used here for its nominal purpose, whether on auto or manual transmission!

Not usually, That's why they have the button to override the auto transmission park....so the vehicle can be moved....and then parked!!

39 minutes ago, Gulfsailor said:

I have. But generally you put a manual transmission car in first or second gear when parked, so that the handbrake won't get stuck when not using it for some time. Definitely in freezing temperatures you shouldn't use the handbrake while parked. 

Btw. even with the handbrake on the car will move when left in a low gear. So your solution with handbrake only works when also leaving the car in neutral. Don't know anyone who does this. Also why bother? In case of your car burning it moving or not is the least of your concerns. 

How often have you experienced freezing  conditions in Thailand sufficient  to not use a handbrake?

Didn't think so.

3 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

How often have you experienced freezing  conditions in Thailand sufficient  to not use a handbrake?

Didn't think so.

I drive an automatic in Thailand. 

41 minutes ago, Gulfsailor said:

I have. But generally you put a manual transmission car in first or second gear when parked, so that the handbrake won't get stuck when not using it for some time. Definitely in freezing temperatures you shouldn't use the handbrake while parked. 

Btw. even with the handbrake on the car will move when left in a low gear. So your solution with handbrake only works when also leaving the car in neutral. Don't know anyone who does this. Also why bother? In case of your car burning it moving or not is the least of your concerns. 

And by the way it's not a parking brake...the purpose of a hand brake is to slow/stop the vehicle when all others means fail. It's an emergency braking system.

2 minutes ago, Gulfsailor said:

I drive an automatic in Thailand. 

Then you will be familiar wit the button that allows vehicles to be moved in neutral

20 minutes ago, Gary A said:

 

A parked car or truck with the manual transmission left in a low gears is far less likely to to move than if it were left in high gears. It's a matter of gearing. The engine will turn over much easier in a high gear.

True when the car is being pushed/pulled by an outside force. But in the case of fire reaching the starter solenoid it's the exact opposite. Its like an emergency roll away procedure on a railroad for instance when the engine won't start. Just put the gear in 1 or 2, lift the clutch and start her up. The car will start to lurch forward. That's what's happening in the case of a burning car. 

And by the way it's not a parking brake...the purpose of a hand brake is to slow/stop the vehicle when all others means fail. It's an emergency braking system.

This may have been its original use, back in the 60s, but not any longer.

Here's what my 2016 Honda Accord owner's manual says:


Parking brakes also have ratcheted locking mechanisms, which is not something you generally want on a dynamic braking system.

My previous car, a 97 Prelude, had a warning about not using the parking break while driving, as this might cause the wheels to lock up and cause an accident.

New models now have electronic parking brakes, which will defy any attempt to use them while the car is moving.

3 hours ago, tryasimight said:

And by the way it's not a parking brake...the purpose of a hand brake is to slow/stop the vehicle when all others means fail. It's an emergency braking system.

That's funny, the parking brake in my truck is activated by foot so I'm sure it's not a hand brake. It is a parking brake and an emergency brake.

15 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

Locals scared, witless, as driverless pick-up moves all by itself!

 

Makes more sense with the commas.

Comma splicing? As a former grammar nazi, should have read:

"Some locals were scared witless as a driverless pick-up truck rolls by itself"

 

5555555

Quite clearly spirits (Phi ) are involved here, who else released the parking brake?