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[Rionoir]

It was a rental car with a driver, not a taxi... what exactly are you implying in your post?  I don't think I even want to know...

Anyway, why is everyone focusing only on penalties for killing someone here... if this country actual had/enforced any road rules, maybe they could prevent these types of things from happening so frequently.  Has anyone ever seen someone get pulled over for passing unsafely?  Speeding?  Jesus it's as if every lane of highway is treated as 2 lanes of highway automatically - semi truck coming?  No problem, there's actually 3 lanes here, just ignore the lines, they're wrong.  And it's the busses and "professional" drivers that are the worst offenders.  I stopped taking the minivan to the border - the driver was ridiculously careless... I wouldn't be surprised if he and 13 other people are dead by now.  Good lord, I was behind a CEMENT TRUCK going through the hills in Koh Samui once and was scared for the lives of the people driving the rental car in front of him... he was driving as if he was on a motorcycle.  He must've been 2 feet off of their tail, and his brakes sounded as if they would fail at any moment.  If police would actually see these things and write out some tickets for some serious cash (and I don't mean fine them 100 baht under the table and look the other way *puke*), maybe, just maybe, some of these people would think twice before risking everyone else's lives so they can maybe get in one extra trip in the day.

When will people in this country realize what a joke it is and start to take action, instead of defending it and fooling themselves into thinking that this is how it is "everywhere"?

[mortenaa]

meatboy, on 2012-02-02 10:29:50, said:

just about to buy a car after 28years but what i am reading every day scares the sh-t out of me,untill drivers and the co's that employ them when the driver doe's a runner are given life sentences nothing will change.and yes it could have happened in any country but do the drivers flee the scene.for all us expats what our families must think back home why we are living here is behond me.r.i.p.

There are several thousand traffic deaths in every country every year (except less dense countries like Norway, Sweden etc). I have been driving here for 5 years now, without a scratch. But it does challenge you as a driver more than back home. That means eyes on the road all the time!

RIP..

[Estrada]

JasonBrettHerrin, on 2012-02-02 09:57:06, said:

From the pics it look like the truck was on driving on the wrong side... very sad...

Try looking at the photo correctly. Thailand drives on the left. The photo clearly shows that the truck was driving on the correct side of the road when it skidded during the collision. It looks more like the Swede's car was overtaking in the opposite direction and the fish lorry driver had to take evasive action to avoid a full on collision.

Edited by Estrada, 2012-02-02 10:52:00.

[ratcatcher]

softgeorge, on 2012-02-02 10:29:59, said:

"The driver of the fish transport truck fled the scene after the accident"

Seems to be the standard practice in Thailand if you are involved in a serious motor vehicle collision.  Hit the frog and toad as fast as possible and let the injured and dying fend for themselves.  lay low for a couple of days until things cool down, get a couple of baht for the victims families to pay them off and all is forgotten.

Personally these type of people make me sick.

My condolences to the families.

Tragically, the driver who fled the scene did not run over three old ladies selling som tam and gai yang at the side of the road.
He wiped out five lives and four of them were young Swedish citizens. I expect there to be lawsuits, but how far they get even with the embassy's assistance is anybody's guess.
Certainly the seafood shipper who owned the truck must bear some responsibility for the employees actions. Maybe they even had insurance, now there's a possibility.

[translatorium]

Sad story. Some Thai roads are dangerous third world country places, mainly because of drivers and vehicles. Remote heavy transport routes can be very dangerous. Try driving safely within city limits with limited traffic or never assume the guy will get out of the road, drive in a good vehicle and don't assume people will stay anywhere within speed limits and choose the correct lane at any or no expense, have a fully working car/truck etc. It's not a place to bargain with security, even though it can seem cheap. But as money comes into Thailand, they can afford to weed out all the old usafe trucks that drive too fast with safer ones. It used to be worse, and it will get better.

[katabeachbum]

Rionoir, on 2012-02-02 10:48:47, said:

It was a rental car with a driver, not a taxi... what exactly are you implying in your post?  I don't think I even want to know...

according to the place they stayed at in Patong they where offered a minivan at 6.000 baht, but chose this private car at 5.000 baht. Driver has been ID based on his ID card, not his DL.

a rentalcar would have a rentalagreement, and would cost 1500 baht

Not implying anything, trying to gather some facts to find how to avoid accidents as these

[katabeachbum]

Estrada, on 2012-02-02 10:51:28, said:

JasonBrettHerrin, on 2012-02-02 09:57:06, said:

From the pics it look like the truck was on driving on the wrong side... very sad...

Try looking at the photo correctly. Thailand drives on the left. The photo clearly shows that the truck was driving on the correct side of the road when it skidded during the collision. It looks more like the Swede's car was overtaking in the opposite direction and the fish lorry driver had to take evasive action to avoid a full on collision.

Its a dual lane road, each direction separated by a lawn

[stevenl]

Rionoir, on 2012-02-02 10:48:47, said:

It was a rental car with a driver, not a taxi...

Thanks for the definition of a taxi, a rented car with a driver.

[softgeorge]

looking at the pics it appears that the front end suspension and steering has come away from the truck.  Not a very common occurance in these types of accidents unless there was a combination of speed and an unroadworthy vehicle.  No before people jump on me I am not a mechanic or claim to be, but I have attended and investigated my share of vehicle collisions.  I am sure that the BIB will have thier specialist mechanics conduct a full and thorough mechanical inspection of both vehicles and thier major collision experts will determine what speed each vehicle was doing at the time prior to and on impact.

Attached Files

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[bprinceuk]

such another tragic loss of another five young lifes, R.I.P and condolences to the 5 families and friends

[Gers1873]

prakhonchai nick, on 2012-02-02 09:45:17, said:

Condolences to family and friends.

It really is high time that ALL drivers fleeing the scene following ANY accident, regardless of death, damage or injury should be sought and a prison sentence automatically imposed along with any other penalties they may incur as a result of the accident.

Time for Thai law to allow the owners of these vehicles to be held accountable.  I am in now way condoning the actions of the driver but these guys on meagre salaries are under undue pressure to meet unrealistic time-lines.  If goods are not delivered on time they don't get paid.  To meet these deadlines the exceed speed-limits, drive carelessly often consuming red bull or drugs to keep themselves awake.  A recipe for disaster.

Can the Swedish families pursue a 'civil case' in Thai courts????

[QualityTouristNumberOne]

Rip to the senselessly dead young people and condolences to their families,
when I read the headline(and before I opened the story) I said to my Fiancee "hit by a truck,driver fled the scene and in a van/minibus" I was only wrong about the minibus,
I agree with the other TV'ers that fleeing the scene should carry massive sanctions in the LoS.

Edited by QualityTouristNumberOne, 2012-02-02 11:14:33.

[katabeachbum]

softgeorge, on 2012-02-02 11:03:45, said:

looking at the pics it appears that the front end suspension and steering has come away from the truck.  Not a very common occurance in these types of accidents unless there was a combination of speed and an unroadworthy vehicle.  No before people jump on me I am not a mechanic or claim to be, but I have attended and investigated my share of vehicle collisions.  I am sure that the BIB will have thier specialist mechanics conduct a full and thorough mechanical inspection of both vehicles and thier major collision experts will determine what speed each vehicle was doing at the time prior to and on impact.

there are reports stating the south going truck jumped the lawn dividing south and north going traffic, and almost drove over the north going black taxi with the swedes

still no indication what caused truck to to this, a flat front tyre, failing steering, anything mechanical, or drivers error

[connda]

stevehaigh, on 2012-02-02 09:32:49, said:

'Takua Thung District Police are now hunting the driver, who fled the scene.'

what a shock, that never happens

I'm sure that is in the Thai Driver Manual:
...
Section 1.2.5 In the event of an fatal accident involving large commercial truck vs small private vehicle

a. After the accident the driver should immediately fled the scene

b. Driver should hide for at least 24 to 48 hours in order to detox

c. Driver should turn themselves in with humble remorse and many high wais

d. Driver should never admit guilt, but should somehow deflect the blame to the driver of the private vehicle

...
<sarc>
Condolances to the family.

[antipodesant]

ajarnmarc, on 2012-02-02 09:39:00, said:

Sounds like a typical over pass overtake, where the thai just assumed the other car would get out of the way.
Happens all the time in Koh Samui, and it's a daily scare if you don't keep your eye on the road,
and move out of the way quickly. Since thai's hate to face responsibilty for their mistakes, it's not to surprising that the driver fled. All the passanger were young and had a whole life ahead of them, it really is a shame for their families, and if this was a local thai accident, all hell would break loose for their loss.
Very sad indeed for the tourist.

"and if this was a local thai accident" Sorry but I must have missread the OP. Where did it happen?  In Yemen or where?

"Very sad indeed for the tourist'   so it was OK for the Thai?

[transam]

RIP.

For those of us who have driven here for many years one would expect to see these accidents every day cos of the total lack of driving common sense and road curtassy.

Anyone thinking of coming here for a holiday should rent and drive their own car to deal with the daily road situations that beggar belief..

[LivinginKata]

What a tragedy, 5 lives lost. Just the other night I was warning some of my guests how dangerous the roads are during Phuket high season.

[Phukettony]

Very sad news and my condolances to the families of those involved. I happen to live in a neighboring village, the stretch of road of road behind the Thung Po school is a 2 lane dual carriage which is seperated by a central reservation (a channel in places where its wider, barriered in narrower places). Jut my opinion but that makes it unlikely to be an overtaking manouver if one vehicle has crossed this into the oncoming path of another, more likely a faulty vehicle, too much speed or a driver unfit to drive for whatever reason, perhaps a combination of all. I drive this road regularly and you'd be right to say all roads present threats wherever you drive, this is actually one of the better stretch of roads here by comparison to others, just goes to show nothing can ever be taken for granted. Hopefully a full investigation is carried out if and when the culprit is apprehended, doubtful the results of any such investigation would see anything change here in Thailand. Again, my heart goes out to those for their sad loss at such tender ages.

[bushman1666]

dsprtliving, on 2012-02-02 09:57:04, said:

vahack, on 2012-02-02 09:49:17, said:

Thailand roads are not safe.

I repeat for the white people looking to visit here - Thailand roads are not safe.

Every single road in the Kingdom is crazy dangerous. I risk my life driving my car 15 minutes to Macro. At least 10 speeding pickup trucks, buses, or 10-wheelers fly past me on every trip (at 130-150km+).

Thailand roads are not safe.

Agreed!  I spent the last 2 years behind the wheel while living outside of Bangkok and I eventually lost count of the near death experiences I narrowly escaped.  Most of the time it was the commercial vehicles (buses, trucks, and vans) I had to watch out for as the majority of the drivers operate their vehicles like they were in Formula One.  

Yes, driving in Thailand is a very dangerous business. I've been driving here for 5 years on a motor bike, cycle and car. Even the shortest drive to town or where ever, I usually encounter at least one near death experience.  The only thing I wonder at is that there are not more fatal accidents.  The mentality here is that they must get in front of you at ANY cost! Then they normally slam on the breaks and turn off the road!

This is yet another tragic incident where 5 young live have been cut short by some f&@kwit not having the brains to read the road ahead.  My sincere condolences to all the families of the victims.  All of them in their 20's with their whole live ahead of them.  RIP

[connda]

Actually, looking at the skid marks and the front suspension in the road, it begs one to wonder if the driver loss control due to mechanical failure prior to the crash?

[zakk9]

stevenl, on 2012-02-02 10:29:35, said:

thaiIand, on 2012-02-02 10:14:39, said:

kbb thats not true, most are hidden.

This week ive seen 4 dead/severly injured motorbike vs car accident

none reported in thai newspaper/english newspaper

in fact 2 days ago was just in front of my house next to a massive speedbump. guy for sure lost a leg if not worse

Not reported does not mean hidden, they will show up in the statistics.

Not necessarily. The official number of traffic deaths in Thailand is somewhere around 14,000 per year or nearly 40 per day. But anything from 50-100% more traffic deaths are reported as "cause of death unknown". The latter is particularly true for rural areas where the victim is often sent directly to the local hospital or to the temple without involvement from the police. Even the official figure places Thailand firmly on top in the region. When the real number is taken into consideration, there's hardly any competition anywhere, not even in Africa.

[newermonkey]

meatboy, on 2012-02-02 10:37:49, said:

soi41, on 2012-02-02 10:16:11, said:

Sad indeed. But also sad to see all the barstool-judges around here. You don't know what happened, but you are all ready to put the blame on the truckdriver. What about an unexperienced Swedish driver, new driverslicence, rental car and driving (for a Swede) on the wrong side of the road ??  OR
a Thai driver in the Swedes car, trying to impress the young ladies ??

you need to read the report,thai driver and a rented car.

The driver of both vehicles were Thai.

[scorecard]

transam, on 2012-02-02 11:18:12, said:

RIP.

For those of us who have driven here for many years one would expect to see these accidents every day cos of the total lack of driving common sense and road curtassy.

Anyone thinking of coming here for a holiday should rent and drive their own car to deal with the daily road situations that beggar belief..

True, but how do you get some changes in the driving attitudes and behaviors of the people who drive like this (and it's not all Thais, and there are plenty of farang drivers here in Thailand who left the brain cell and common sense back home).

In my extended Thai family there is one husband and wife who drive very recklessly.  All other (extended) family members refuse to get into their pick up truck.

They have had several serious accidents (they were at fault) and people in other vehicles, including a small child killed. And they have both been seriously hurt themselves, and their kids also hurt. They have never been charged with reckless driving etc., mostly because there is also a senior policeman in the extended picture.

The accidents have changed nothing, they still drive very recklessly. The other Thai members of the family have tried many times to talk to them, suggesting they drive more slowly, suggesting they leave a bigger gap between cars etc., but it's a total waste of time, they simply refuse to listen. They just laugh and say 'you don't understand anything!'

[glegolo]

dsprtliving, on 2012-02-02 09:51:57, said:

TomTao, on 2012-02-02 09:40:35, said:

Why are we seeing so many reports of fatal accidents around Phuket recently? Shame there is not a more in depth report into the cause of the accdent. Too young to have their lives ended in such a tragic way.

I wonder what the statistics are for road accident fatalities are in Thailand or how many we don't hear about from the Thai news. Very sad story and a very senseless loss of life.  The truck driver should be brought up on charges of manslaughter, if he is even caught.

According to statistics there dying 3 thai´s every hours round the clock year round. amounting to heavy 27.000 dead thai´s killed on the Thailand roads. This is a massive 12 times the numbers that i.e. Sweden have who with their 9 miljon people kill 300 per year.

This is the ultimate price Thailand pays for their way of dealing with education and performance and their policy of more or less "giving" out driving-licensies. And not to talk about how easy it is for a huge number of thai that just BUy their driver-license here in Thailand.

Why you fled the scene, I guess it has to do with their stupid opinion of loosing their dam_n face in all scenes of life. Imagine that you have caused an accident.... and than are being asked to take you responsibility as a man... like we like to think about a man. That is NOT the fact in thai culture, sorry, but no way....

So RIP to all the 5 families... it really saddens me that thaitraffic once again has killed 5 people......I just wonder when Thailand will ends up in the 2000 century........

[metisdead]

A nonsense post has been removed.  Let's not forget that family members of the deceased may find this topic in the search of information about the passing of their loved ones and would find inappropriate posts less than comforting.