116 replies to this topic
Posted 2008-04-14 17:26:46
 Robbie Dye, on 2008-04-14 13:26:33, said:
A cynic might say that that as Thailand does not have a war to fight, this is Mother Natures way of culling the population. I read today also that the Interior Minsiter is considering banning alcohol at Songkran next year, that would make it like a 7 day election and kiss goodbye to even more tourists. Let's face it, whatever we say or think, nothing will change because the Thais seem to LIKE risking their own lives and that of others with lunatic behaviour. I feel truly sorry for the loss of life incurred thus fare and for what is still to come. Happy Songkran, stay at home!
Banning alcohol won't change anything as the folk wont take any notice...same as the ice water and white powder (paeng)..
it has been illegal since years to drive (suan tang) the wrong way up the road on the side path..drive to the south from BKK and you will notice that you constantly have motorbikes driving in contra-direction up the side paths trying to get you and themselves to die (without a helmet on)
I never wwear a helmet except in BKK and even then only when i drive out of my area...never get stopped and even the few times i do they ask for 100 baht and off you go.
So banning alcohol just wont do anything
the real solution to stopping accidents is far far away in the future as the reason for the chaos and corruption is not the law, it is the hearts of the folk, which are greedy, uneducated, unmoral/ethical and corrupt.
This has to be dug up at the roots through education and social sciences.
Selfishness is the rule here and this is the cause for a completely beautiful country full of decadent souls
Posted 2008-04-14 17:37:10
mangostays, on 2008-04-14 18:05:26, said: prakhonchai nick, on 2008-04-14 15:31:50, said: gdhm, on 2008-04-14 14:32:03, said: It IS all very, very sad.
Unfortunately each holiday we read comments from the authorities that their target and hope is to have less deaths than the previous year.
If they manage that they consider it somewhat of a success but at what cost. It is merely a statistical success because an enormous number have still died.
We are told 86% who have died so far are motorbike riders and a huge number of deaths are drink related.
I would like to see how many of these died of head injuries and were NOT wearing helmets who may have survived otherwise ( very many I bet).
The Thais mostly do not want to wear helmets and are willing to accept being occasionally caught. The Thai law however says they must wear helmets (like them or not)
How to enforce??
It is not good using the UK system of points on the driving licence, or license confiscation because 46% do not have license (or insurance). BUt they all have ID Cards and their record can be recorded in Police computer databanks.
The answer is VERY simple increasing and stiff financial penalties. The drivers understand that one AND the traffic police need as policy to try and stop ALL they see (and not only during "road block purges).
I KNOW it would take up a huge amount of police time INITIALLY (and at first many would escape penalty due to volume of numbers) BUT, as in other countries, once the riders realized they were not getting away with it and increasingly they were being pulled up (anywhere and not only at road blocks) and were having to pay huge amounts in fines they would soon obey the helmet laws (even if for the wrong reasons). This would cause a drop in necessary policing on this issue quickly and the remaining "die hards" would be easy to identify and deal with.
At the same time the police should always check for valid driving licenses and confiscate motorbikes of rider not able to show a valid driving license and ONLY release the bike when one can be shown BY THAT rider. It does not matter (unless stolen) who owns the bike, because bike owners would soon make sure only licensed driver used or borrowed their bikes if they faced confiscation.
Some may feel that harsh but harsh penalties are already in place under Thai law which permit fines AND a maximum prison term of 1 month. Its just that nobody thinks the police and authorities will impose the maximum penalty and they do not - so there is no real deterrent to driving without a license. The truth is, too many Thais do and are allowed to do what they want and not what their own laws demand for theirs and others protection.
Regarding the lack of driving licenses It should not be forgotten that most without a license have never learned the highway code, correct riding techniques, knowledge of road signs or safe handing and road positioning of their motorbikes (hence why nearly every bike rider heavily cuts the corner when turning right AND they have no insurance to pay for damage to others property or medical bills (or their own).
My wife was told by a friend (who asked why she bothered to learn to drive and take her test last week - my wife passed  ) and I quote
"Oh I did my test 3 times and failed each time.It was so stupid I did not waste my money any more - I know I can drive well and I don't need the license most do not have them anyway".
I think that sums up the attitude.
Lets face it. The driving tests in all countries do not even mean you are a good safe driver but that you have satisfied the MINIMUM levels of competency to be allowed to drive on the roads with a full driving license. Clearly my wife' friend is a danger to herself and everybody else (and uninsured) her driving test failures PROVE that . Her complacent attitude is almost as dangerous.
May you and all families and friends have a safe and happy remainder of Songkran.
Regards
Dave
This could so easily have been written by me. Accidents will always happen, but it is necessary to ensure that they are minor ones and not major ones.
After every Songkran and New Year for the past 20 years, this being the time I have been in Thailand, successive governments set up committees to find out what went wrong and how to avoid the tragedy the following year. NOTHING EVER HAPPENS!. We are told that everyone must have valid licences and insurance, (which means no kid on motorbikes), helmets must be worn by drivers and passengers, checkpoints will always be set up to stop drunk drivers and speeding, but very little ever happens.
Kids still ride motorbikes year round (some as young as 10) and are allowed to drive them into schools often with 2/3 of their classmates aboard , helmets are rarely worn in rural areas, and most village people do not have driving licences. When caught by police (mainly at the end of the month!) fines are usually 100/200bt, and a blind eye is always turned to the kids driving. Add to all these problems the stupidity and toleration of water throwing and its a wonder the numbers of accidents and fatalities are not even higher.
My village has a checkpoint just before the road enters a major highway. The main town has a checkpoint set up at a traffic light controlled intersection. On the several occasions I have passed these during the past 3 days, the personnel are just sitting around talking, drinking soft drinks, and no doubt waiting for Songkran to finish when they can claim their pay. For what? They seem to do NOTHING!
You will never totally eliminate accidents, but they can be drastically reduced with full law enforcement, and harsh penalties - why not 5000bt for starters, to be doubled upon each additional infringement.
And totally ban water throwing except in public parks etc between consenting adults and children.
I am getting sick and tired of reading post after post, written by expats or tourists or whatever, complaining and criticising the Thai police, the Thai traditions and the resident Thai citizens for behaving in a manner 'they' deem unaceptable. Sure, should that Thai erson/cop/politician person behave like that in the the foreigner's home country then they would be given a good flogging and sent to jail forever, BUT YOU ARE NOT IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY!!!! For gods sake, you are an expat living in a foreign country, get with the program and accept that things happen differently over here. That means differnt rules, different standards and different, well everything. If you can't come to terms with kids driving motorbikes and cops taking backhanders and all the rest of the stuff that goes on in Asia generally, then please bugger off back home and stop anoying the rest of us, who actually quite enjoy it over here.
Please, PLEASE, stop using this site and simlar to vent your phobias, missunderstandings and other culture shock related fears - we know it can be anoying sometimes, and yes, it is confusing and often frustrating, but it's still better than crappy weather, 34% income tax (my backet anyway) and 17.5% VAT.
Incidentally, I went out yesterday in Koh Phangan, on a motorbike, with my 1 year old son. The thais did not throw water in our faces, nobody crashed into us and I didn't get stabbed or shot of done by the police. However,some Thai people did respectfully splash water over us with my blessing (shock horror!!!).
The only people who did throw water in my face as I was driving (slowly and sobely) along were the pissed tourists hanging out of the girly bars in Baan Tai.
Even the Thais want to do something about the horrific accident statistics that accompany this annual lunacy so it is hardly only a concern shared by foreigners.
Many of my Thai friends also hate the idiotic and drunk driving too.
When I for one see something wrong in Thailand I will say something about it. To accept the annual cull is tantamount to condoning the sad state of affairs on Thai roads. It needn't be like this.
And if your taking your one year son out on a motorbike during Songkran your an irresponsible idiot.
Posted 2008-04-14 17:56:26
I enjoy Songkran.
Sorry
Posted 2008-04-14 17:56:57
mangostays, on 2008-04-14 17:05:26, said: prakhonchai nick, on 2008-04-14 15:31:50, said: gdhm, on 2008-04-14 14:32:03, said: It IS all very, very sad.
Unfortunately each holiday we read comments from the authorities that their target and hope is to have less deaths than the previous year.
If they manage that they consider it somewhat of a success but at what cost. It is merely a statistical success because an enormous number have still died.
We are told 86% who have died so far are motorbike riders and a huge number of deaths are drink related.
I would like to see how many of these died of head injuries and were NOT wearing helmets who may have survived otherwise ( very many I bet).
The Thais mostly do not want to wear helmets and are willing to accept being occasionally caught. The Thai law however says they must wear helmets (like them or not)
How to enforce??
It is not good using the UK system of points on the driving licence, or license confiscation because 46% do not have license (or insurance). BUt they all have ID Cards and their record can be recorded in Police computer databanks.
The answer is VERY simple increasing and stiff financial penalties. The drivers understand that one AND the traffic police need as policy to try and stop ALL they see (and not only during "road block purges).
I KNOW it would take up a huge amount of police time INITIALLY (and at first many would escape penalty due to volume of numbers) BUT, as in other countries, once the riders realized they were not getting away with it and increasingly they were being pulled up (anywhere and not only at road blocks) and were having to pay huge amounts in fines they would soon obey the helmet laws (even if for the wrong reasons). This would cause a drop in necessary policing on this issue quickly and the remaining "die hards" would be easy to identify and deal with.
At the same time the police should always check for valid driving licenses and confiscate motorbikes of rider not able to show a valid driving license and ONLY release the bike when one can be shown BY THAT rider. It does not matter (unless stolen) who owns the bike, because bike owners would soon make sure only licensed driver used or borrowed their bikes if they faced confiscation.
Some may feel that harsh but harsh penalties are already in place under Thai law which permit fines AND a maximum prison term of 1 month. Its just that nobody thinks the police and authorities will impose the maximum penalty and they do not - so there is no real deterrent to driving without a license. The truth is, too many Thais do and are allowed to do what they want and not what their own laws demand for theirs and others protection.
Regarding the lack of driving licenses It should not be forgotten that most without a license have never learned the highway code, correct riding techniques, knowledge of road signs or safe handing and road positioning of their motorbikes (hence why nearly every bike rider heavily cuts the corner when turning right AND they have no insurance to pay for damage to others property or medical bills (or their own).
My wife was told by a friend (who asked why she bothered to learn to drive and take her test last week - my wife passed ) and I quote
"Oh I did my test 3 times and failed each time.It was so stupid I did not waste my money any more - I know I can drive well and I don't need the license most do not have them anyway".
I think that sums up the attitude.
Lets face it. The driving tests in all countries do not even mean you are a good safe driver but that you have satisfied the MINIMUM levels of competency to be allowed to drive on the roads with a full driving license. Clearly my wife' friend is a danger to herself and everybody else (and uninsured) her driving test failures PROVE that . Her complacent attitude is almost as dangerous.
May you and all families and friends have a safe and happy remainder of Songkran.
Regards
Dave
This could so easily have been written by me. Accidents will always happen, but it is necessary to ensure that they are minor ones and not major ones.
After every Songkran and New Year for the past 20 years, this being the time I have been in Thailand, successive governments set up committees to find out what went wrong and how to avoid the tragedy the following year. NOTHING EVER HAPPENS!. We are told that everyone must have valid licences and insurance, (which means no kid on motorbikes), helmets must be worn by drivers and passengers, checkpoints will always be set up to stop drunk drivers and speeding, but very little ever happens.
Kids still ride motorbikes year round (some as young as 10) and are allowed to drive them into schools often with 2/3 of their classmates aboard , helmets are rarely worn in rural areas, and most village people do not have driving licences. When caught by police (mainly at the end of the month!) fines are usually 100/200bt, and a blind eye is always turned to the kids driving. Add to all these problems the stupidity and toleration of water throwing and its a wonder the numbers of accidents and fatalities are not even higher.
My village has a checkpoint just before the road enters a major highway. The main town has a checkpoint set up at a traffic light controlled intersection. On the several occasions I have passed these during the past 3 days, the personnel are just sitting around talking, drinking soft drinks, and no doubt waiting for Songkran to finish when they can claim their pay. For what? They seem to do NOTHING!
You will never totally eliminate accidents, but they can be drastically reduced with full law enforcement, and harsh penalties - why not 5000bt for starters, to be doubled upon each additional infringement.
And totally ban water throwing except in public parks etc between consenting adults and children.
I am getting sick and tired of reading post after post, written by expats or tourists or whatever, complaining and criticising the Thai police, the Thai traditions and the resident Thai citizens for behaving in a manner 'they' deem unaceptable. Sure, should that Thai erson/cop/politician person behave like that in the the foreigner's home country then they would be given a good flogging and sent to jail forever, BUT YOU ARE NOT IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY!!!! For gods sake, you are an expat living in a foreign country, get with the program and accept that things happen differently over here. That means differnt rules, different standards and different, well everything. If you can't come to terms with kids driving motorbikes and cops taking backhanders and all the rest of the stuff that goes on in Asia generally, then please bugger off back home and stop anoying the rest of us, who actually quite enjoy it over here.
Please, PLEASE, stop using this site and simlar to vent your phobias, missunderstandings and other culture shock related fears - we know it can be anoying sometimes, and yes, it is confusing and often frustrating, but it's still better than crappy weather, 34% income tax (my backet anyway) and 17.5% VAT.
Incidentally, I went out yesterday in Koh Phangan, on a motorbike, with my 1 year old son. The thais did not throw water in our faces, nobody crashed into us and I didn't get stabbed or shot of done by the police. However,some Thai people did respectfully splash water over us with my blessing (shock horror!!!).
The only people who did throw water in my face as I was driving (slowly and sobely) along were the pissed tourists hanging out of the girly bars in Baan Tai.
If you're getting sick... one solution my friend, stop reading the related posts
not everyone is an irresponsible fool who enjoys corruption and unlimited fun vs high taxes and cold weather... some of us happened to be here for a good reason and we enjoyed it and decided to stay here, make a life, inspired by asian and buddhist culture, thai people warmth and friendliness !
But please, stop thinking that only foreigners are complaining here, i am sure that parents of deceased kids during this holiday will surely know how to behave in the future, most of my thai friends, educated or not, know that Thai are bloody selfish and this creates a big gap in understanding and respecting each others, most Thai want to see things change, are sick of traffic, pollution, psychomaniac bus drivers, stupid high-so kids killing innocent people and get away with it... and yes, they want to celebrate songkran but are sick of drunk morons who just want to get a good one, get pissed till death and become total lunatics on the road !
This is THAI VISA, so yes only expats, foreigners of all sorts write their thought here, but go and survey in the streets of any province of Thailand, and you will have the same vision, Thai people are sick of Thai people today's behavior and egoistic attitude . Although you live in Koh Phan Gan, where the majority of locals just think of making as many bucks as possible out of sick farang who just happen to love living on an island with just sand and coconut trees ! There you might not find that type of responsible and tired Thai people
I wish your one y.o will grow up learning how to be a responsible driver 
Posted 2008-04-14 18:03:46
Seneque, on 2008-04-14 17:05:51, said: Girlaboutglobe, on 2008-04-14 16:49:47, said: Seneque, on 2008-04-14 16:27:18, said: Fun is being banned on a daily basis even in Thailand which is sad... accidents occurs (everywhere, evry holidays) and it is very regettable ... but please if you want to live peacefully and are bored with fun times, fun people, fun living I am sure there are plenty of destinations that would suit your way of life.
I think very few people are advocating against fun, but drunk driving falls waaaaaay outside the realm of fun, acceptable or otherwise. Have you ever done it? I did once and it was scary as he11. First and last time I ever attempted it, and I wasn't all that drunk. Why was it scary? Because I was conscious of the fact that I might hurt someone, hurt myself, damage my car or someone else's, or be arrested and banned from driving on the spot. I'm alright with the water throwing, even on the streets if it's not too reckless, I'm okay with people drinking, dancing, and partying while they're hanging out in front of their houses playing with water. But when people are causing accidents and deaths by drinking and driving, and by dumping several kilos of water on unsuspecting motorcyclists it kinda stops being fun, don't you think?
Yes of course I agree on the drunk/driving scene which is getting obscene.... and many casualties resulting from it .... but please realise that we are slowly sliding into a policy (european/american style) where because one drown while not being able to swim we have to forbid the pool to the all / a metaphore of course ... but that's the way it is going ... and it is not fun
Yes I agree completely. Probably the main reason I enjoy living in Asia is that it IS fun, much of the West is overregulated to the point of being sterile and I wouldn't like to see Thailand become the same way. To be honest I don't think either culture's got it quite right, some sort of meeting in the middle would be the better for both. Who knows how far to the other extreme Thailand will end up? It'd be nice if they'd (continue to) improve regulations from this point but stop somewhere before the "age of lawsuit fears" that we have back home in Canada now, but I guess people anywhere just have to push for change until they're happy with what they've got. The point is to actually push though I think. 
Posted 2008-04-14 18:03:58
hi there 2 years ago i got shot by one of them water guns going up beach road, down i went ....i was on the motor bike ended up with grazed leg+ 8 stitches and 5 hours at soi 4 hospital now i think i was lucky i didnt get hurt real bad .
Now i walk and only when i need to at this time of the year. cheers.
Posted 2008-04-14 18:12:54
Sure I agree that people should control others who are doing dangerous acts while drunk! such a stopping them driving for their safety and that of others!
But, when do we get off telling Thai's to become westeners, I left the UK because of the lack of freedom, to park my car where I want! to drive my bike with the wind in my hair! I have life I can make my choices. I know there are idiots who could take my life. But, I have the choice.
If I feel the event is too risky, I don't go! On Songkang Hols I inist my wife takes her car to market not a motorbike, shes not worried, but I want my dinner! LOL
I came to live here with her because I wanted to have some control in my life, and I have learnt to live with "stupid" acts from Thai's, and I will scream at them as will my wife!
But I give the bikes 2sec longer before moving off the the lights, blow my horn at most junctions and warn bikes that I am behind them if they wobble more than 3 ins, or more than 2 up or have 50kilos of rice balanced on the back of the bike.
Chance will come in time, but, please don't let them change to western ways. Where is the fun in that?
Posted 2008-04-14 18:55:29
gmac, on 2008-04-14 14:06:41, said: Robbie Dye, on 2008-04-14 13:26:33, said: A cynic might say that that as Thailand does not have a war to fight, this is Mother Natures way of culling the population. I read today also that the Interior Minsiter is considering banning alcohol at Songkran next year, that would make it like a 7 day election and kiss goodbye to even more tourists. Let's face it, whatever we say or think, nothing will change because the Thais seem to LIKE risking their own lives and that of others with lunatic behaviour. I feel truly sorry for the loss of life incurred thus fare and for what is still to come. Happy Songkran, stay at home!
What a great idea - As I live here full time the thought of a dry Songkran (alcoholicly speaking) is music to my ears. No more drunken tourists thinking it's hilarious to soak residents trying to get on with their daily life. I often wonder how one of these "funseekers" would feel about having a bucket of iced water poured over him as he was on his way to work or the supermarket??
I'm no killjoy and have no problem with those that want to enjoy soaking each other from having their fun....BUT move it off the roads, get it into park areas let those whp don't want ot get involved get on with their lives in peace. If it was just 1 or even 2 days it wouldn't be a problem but here in Pattaya 10 days??? It's absurd - no wonder many residents leave the country for the period!
10 days? That must have changed this year or have I just missed the other 3 days in the past?
Posted 2008-04-14 19:11:14
MANGOSTAYS, you've got to be kidding me. This is my 4th Songkran here in Chiang Mai, and every year I've been here, it's the Thai people (newspaper, news, politicians, and just ordinary people in the neighborhood) who are complaining about the death toll during Songkran... and not just farangs here on this forum. I mean seriously, it's Thai people who are mainly dying. I thought GDHM brought up many valid points. One, the helmet law enforcement is atrocious here in Chiang Mai, except towards the end of the month. Also, the percentage of people who drive with actual valid driver's licenses is pretty bad itself. Well as for the nice polite throwing of water, that I've just haven't seen here in Chiang Mai (and I've been everywhere here over the last 4 years).
Take today for instance... On the way to the moat for the festivities, my wife and I were on my motorbike (both of us wearing helmets). At the White Elephant Monument there is a police checkpoint, and instead of the police actually checking and pulling people over for drunk driving, not wearing seat belts, or not wearing helmets, the police were throwing ICE water at those passing by and those who weren't throwing water were sitting in the shade drinking. One thing when you are off-duty, but to be on duty and doing this is sort of shocking IMHO.
As for those who complain... I'm not for banning of Songkran, or banning of Alcohol, but it makes sense to have the Police do a better job of making sure those who do drink and drive, don't wear helmets, etc., are punished. Sure it's not the US, but for many who get caught drunk driving, have to pay stiff fines, possibly lose their driving privileges, and made to clean up the highways in bright orange jumpsuits. So why not have those who cannot afford to pay heavy fines, actually do some sort of community service like cleaning up the millions of plastic bags on the streets and roads.
Posted 2008-04-14 19:21:44
300-400 dead ... it's not that much, compare it with the living deaths in EU, that's far worse ... take a chill pill !!
Posted 2008-04-14 19:22:01
It is a trade off isn't it? Thailand is a mixed package, to start changing one thing will have a cumulative effect. The point many here miss is that the Thais don't agitate for change, as such it is reasonable to assume most like things the way it is. Plus many foreigners find more plusses than minuses or wouldn't be here.
Songkran is something you plan for. I have kids so can't avoid it, they naturally love it. Some twits have claimed that the farnags changed Songkran into this free for all. But it is the Thais doing most of it. Adults pick a street corner and throw water on passer bys for days on end, why don't they get bored? Same goes for the guy driving the pickup for days on end with the back packed with drenched revellers.
It is though the poor old motorbikes that really cop it tuff. My car was out of action so took the bike, really copped some heavy hits to the face and head, am an experienced rider and braced for it, but can see how easy someone could lose control. Thais probably blame it on karma. If you have a car you can go through Songkran dry as I did last year.
Sober drivers here are bad enough and yes the drunks are lethal. Change will prabably will come in time, but as in all countries, politicians change things when there are votes in it. Or apply a simplistic fix to show they are acting, but no realstic improvement is seen. Still just a few more days to go...
Posted 2008-04-14 19:27:44
LinkPopularity, on 2008-04-14 20:21:44, said: 300-400 dead ... it's not that much, compare it with the living deaths in EU, that's far worse ... take a chill pill !!
You should tell that to my Thai mother in law.
Her eldest son was killed by a drunk driver. She has been suffering terribly since the day he died.
Your an idiot.
Posted 2008-04-14 19:37:03
It is ok Lah, if you die in accident it had to happen, this is called faith.
No worry maybe in your next Thai life you will be a LB as you have been having sex with other girls then your wife.
Mai pen rai.
Please believe me, most Thai people do not care about anything.
They just live day by day.
Posted 2008-04-14 19:41:26
I stay in Pattaya last Songkran with my Australia husband, and I see drunk tourists everywhere throwing water and some times bucket loads at people as they walk past or ride a bike, also the girls in the bars want to look smart so the join in to impress their Farang boyfriends
This year I go to Songkran in Australia where respect is shown, and no one is drunk or throw water
So as a Thai I say ban all drink in the bars, and drinking in public places, and if we loose drunk tourists I not care
Maybe then more good farang will come to Thailand, and we have respect for our holidays
I never will come Thailand again in April
Posted 2008-04-14 19:52:55
gmac, on 2008-04-14 14:06:41, said: Robbie Dye, on 2008-04-14 13:26:33, said: A cynic might say that that as Thailand does not have a war to fight, this is Mother Natures way of culling the population. I read today also that the Interior Minsiter is considering banning alcohol at Songkran next year, that would make it like a 7 day election and kiss goodbye to even more tourists. Let's face it, whatever we say or think, nothing will change because the Thais seem to LIKE risking their own lives and that of others with lunatic behaviour. I feel truly sorry for the loss of life incurred thus fare and for what is still to come. Happy Songkran, stay at home!
What a great idea - As I live here full time the thought of a dry Songkran (alcoholicly speaking) is music to my ears. No more drunken tourists thinking it's hilarious to soak residents trying to get on with their daily life. I often wonder how one of these "funseekers" would feel about having a bucket of iced water poured over him as he was on his way to work or the supermarket??
I'm no killjoy and have no problem with those that want to enjoy soaking each other from having their fun....BUT move it off the roads, get it into park areas let those whp don't want ot get involved get on with their lives in peace. If it was just 1 or even 2 days it wouldn't be a problem but here in Pattaya 10 days??? It's absurd - no wonder many residents leave the country for the period!
Excuse me if i'Ve mis-interpreted a line above... "no more drunken tourists" .... the Thais don't get drunk during Songkran?????? You live here full time??? How long would that have been?? 27 years have shown me that the most problems with this country have been self-inflicted by Her own loyal compatriates... TIT
Posted 2008-04-14 19:54:59
AlexLah, on 2008-04-14 20:37:03, said: It is ok Lah, if you die in accident it had to happen, this is called faith.
No worry maybe in your next Thai life you will be a LB as you have been having sex with other girls then your wife.
Mai pen rai.
Please believe me, most Thai people do not care about anything.
They just live day by day.
Hardly the meaning of "FAITH." It is indeed called something quite different. I am not so sure what Thailand you live in that MOST Thai people are without care. 
Posted 2008-04-14 20:13:09
Supaporn, on 2008-04-14 19:54:59, said: AlexLah, on 2008-04-14 20:37:03, said: It is ok Lah, if you die in accident it had to happen, this is called faith.
No worry maybe in your next Thai life you will be a LB as you have been having sex with other girls then your wife.
Mai pen rai.
Please believe me, most Thai people do not care about anything.
They just live day by day.
Hardly the meaning of "FAITH." It is indeed called something quite different. I am not so sure what Thailand you live in that MOST Thai people are without care.
I hope he means fate. Faith is when you are in your place of worship and it blows up. 
Posted 2008-04-14 21:23:32
Gravelrash, on 2008-04-14 19:22:01, said: It is though the poor old motorbikes that really cop it tuff. My car was out of action so took the bike, really copped some heavy hits to the face and head, am an experienced rider and braced for it, but can see how easy someone could lose control. Thais probably blame it on karma. If you have a car you can go through Songkran dry as I did last year.
Heading down 'Heartbreak Hill' from Kamala on the scooter in the early morning (thought it would be safe) took a full bucket of water in the face. So farkin angry I could easily have murdered someone. Still makes my blood boil.
So next year went to Patong in the car suit and tie for work, the eejits jump out in the middle of the road IN FRONT OF A MOVING VEHICLE and demand the windows be wound down.
All I ask is no water throwing at or from moving vehicles by the gods of common sense.
Posted 2008-04-14 21:40:51
Maxi101, on 2008-04-14 15:08:43, said: Boater, on 2008-04-14 14:04:12, said: Even they where to ban alcohol next year, it is only the sale, thus people will stock up prior... also note songkran for example has only lasted 1 day in Samui.... how they could ban for 7 days!, kiss goodbye to the tourists!!!!
If they pin pointed the promblem to BAD policeing, maybe there would not be so many deaths.......
I myself have lost a very good friend yesterday who was killed..... he will be just another satistic, but the crash/acciedent was avoidable if the police where doing there Job !!!!!!!!
Yes give the police the fault, you are not really reaslistic arent you.
maxi
To begin with, they are the biggest crime syndicate in the country, don`t let the uniform fool you, secondly, they are directly responsible for the way people drive year round by not patrolling the roads where the carnage http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...d=1926410&#
Complete Edithappens and pulling anyone over on the spot when committing infractions, standing on the corner with shiny boots for a thousand years will never change anything. There are practically no patrol cars I bet because they would be scamming the petrol needed to run them and ripping off parts for resale.  , Cops couldn't help busting a safe in Phuket, it was loaded with tsunami aid money and no one was punished , how could they manage a simple budget for a fleet of vehicles? The only vehicles available seem to be shiny new pick up trucks reserved for carrying top brass from home to work and meetings or old pick-up trucks where the whole night shift is cowardly cramped in the box at the back doing their rounds after dark. I`d love to interview the top forensic scientist of ths country and discuss about these guys, I bet she could keep us entertained for hours.
Edited by Tony Clifton, 2008-04-14 22:06:17.
Posted 2008-04-14 22:22:04
I spent most of this Songkran in the hospital, well actually 2.
I rescued my sister in law from the government hospital
and a 4 hour+ boat transfer to an different gov. hospital.
And added weeks or years of hel_l no doubt..
6:15-6:30 AM Friday a truck stopped much more abruptly
than it normally should have, without normal signals,
as normal as they ever get used here.
She rear ended it face first.
Thank the gods, pick one, she had a helmet on.
She would not be here now. She only has a shattered jaw,
and 2 years minimum of a plate from ear to chin, and lots of dental work.
After 6 hours on the operating table with a real, professional surgeon.
But she will live, still look sweet and has all her faculties.
I transfered her, on my dime, to a good farang cliented hospital,
with a staph that can actual take and read xrays, and CT scans,
the government hospital couldn't even TAKE a simple xray...
let alone fix a face properly. I looked, I could take a better xray,
I have NO DOUBT.
Of course the cost is high, most Thais are not insured,
and trucking companies don't feel the need to inssure delivery vehicles
more than the mandatory.
But family first I will take care of her.
It seems most people start to disregard the normal rules of the road
a notch more during Songkran, must be something about renewal
and washed aways sins. They seem to ignore even more caution,
in favor of re-incarnation having just been purified.
The problem is THEIR actions affect others. Who likely may NOT
want to come back as something else, but continue in this life time.
I saw another bad accident this morning mini-van cuts across to driveway,
and motorcyclist with morning shopping hits it head one,
and leaves head shaped dent on minivan front.
10 am....
It is not hard to cry for the Thai people on a day such as this....
Edited by animatic, 2008-04-14 22:39:23.
Posted 2008-04-14 22:36:56
Lets face it. The driving tests in all countries do not even mean you are a good safe driver but that you have satisfied the MINIMUM levels of competency to be allowed to drive on the roads with a full driving license.
YES YES YES PLEEEEEAAAAASE - imagine they would enforce this ... no more traffic jams any where in Thailand since only 1 out of 10,000 of current drivers will be able to drive
One should also see one major fact which causes the high death rates here .... 8 people on the back of pick up - 4 people on a motorcycle - one accident 12 dead
Policing ????? just the other day driving into Bangkok I noticed : 2 so called Policemen on a byke driving through red lights .... another driving up the wrong lane against oncomming traffic ...... a Motorbyke with a whole family (2 adults and 2 small kids) driving up the wrong side of a major road with lots of soy's going off and cars coming out .. of course you can hardly see anything when coming out of one of those sois since carsare parked right to both cornersand you have to edge your way out .... the wording "common sence" is simply not in the Thai dictionary nor is concern for others
Posted 2008-04-14 23:38:03
A great thing about Thailand is the freedom. Some people from the west think that a policed state makes us "safer". But by restricting and controlling everything, you lose your freedom. You might "feel" safer, but you are only giving up your freedom to choose.
If you really have a problem with a holiday in a country that you are visiting, stay indoors, or go home. Why do people always want to control everything?
Posted 2008-04-15 00:58:39
Blah, Blah, Blah,
It is the Thais country and they will do and think how they want. You don't have to agree with them but should respect that it is their country. If you don't like what transpires during Songkran, then don't visit during that period. If you live there, it is one of the many things about Thailand you have decided to tolerate and accept in return for living there. I lived there for 4 years and stayed in during Songkran going out only when it was necessary and prepared myself accordingly.
It comes around every year around the same time.....no surprises.
Regards,
Martian
Posted 2008-04-15 01:19:24
george, on 2008-04-14 06:52:44, said: Songkran death toll rises to 180
BANGKOK: -- A total of 76 people were killed and 1,103 others were injured in road accidents on Sunday, the third day of the 7-dangerous-day of Songkran festival, the Road Safety Monitoring Centre announced Monday.
Jaral Phakdeethanakul, permanent secretary for Justice Minister who is an official of the road safety centre, said 1,018 road accidents happened Sunday.
He said the accumulated death toll of the three first day of the seven dangerous period rose to 180.
He said 2,238 accidents happened from Friday to Sunday, in which 2,514 people were injured.
Jaral said drunk driving was still the main cause of the accidents and 84.18 accidents involved motorcycles.
-- The Nation 2008-04-14
I feel sorry for the parents of the young folk that arrive full of party spirit only to end up involved in accidents or to be mixing with undesirables, as well as making the roads safer, perhaps tourism would be further encouraged if they deal with the drunk drivers more severly.
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Posted 2008-04-15 05:45:56
A great thing about Thailand is the freedom. Some people from the west think that a policed state makes us "safer". But by restricting and controlling everything, you lose your freedom. You might "feel" safer, but you are only giving up your freedom to choose.
If you really have a problem with a holiday in a country that you are visiting, stay indoors, or go home. Why do people always want to control everything?
Thailand a free country ????
There are so many rules that it is impossible to move without doing something wrong!
And all the accidents is your own fault , that has nothing to do with police. I saw once a thai with an immense motorcycle. He put a baby not older than 6 months before him and drove away . I couldn't believe my eyes !
And really Thailand is a police state!
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