TAT apologises to Brit cyclists' families

[buksida]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) chief has apologised to the families of the British couple who were killed by a car in Chachoengsao province while on a cycling trip around the world.

TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni told FM 100.5 on Monday that the agency would find ways to help the families of Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both 34, who died when a pickup truck ran over them on a road in Phanom Sarakham district about 2.30pm on Friday.

The pickup driver, identified by the district police as Worapong Sangkawat, a native of Ubon Ratchathani's Sri Muang Mai district, told police that his vehicle hit the British cyclists while he was reaching down to pick up a cap on the floor.

He was reportedly released on 300,000 baht bail, and will face police charges.

The Guernsey couple's bodies are being kept at Phanom Sarakham Hospital pending further arrangements by their respective families.

The couple had started cycling around the world two years ago, and had travelled through Europe, the Middle East, China and 23 other countries without incident before coming to Thailand.

The pair, who met 14 years ago as art students, updated their adventure regularly on http://www.twoonfourwheels.com.

Source: Bangkok Post

Thought: A sad tale to come all the way across the planet through some of the most dangerous countries out there only to be killed by some twat in a pickup on Thailand's roads.

[margaretcarnes]

Thought: A sad tale to come all the way across the planet through some of the most dangerous countries out there only to be killed by some twat in a pickup on Thailand's roads.[/quote]

Well summed up Buksi - I think you speak for all of us. And after such a tragedy it must be an insult to the families that the 'twat' has been released on bail.

[PeteC]

There's more on this in The Nation this morning at below link....some lame excuses and rationalizations. I can't post the entire story as over my free limit with The Nation for the month. Pete

"Warn tourists about Thai driving habits, expert says......

It is time for all foreign tourists to be informed frankly about how to travel safely in Thailand, an expert on accident analysis urged yesterday.
"They should know that travelling in Thailand is often different from their countries," Assistant Prof Thaweesak Taekratok from the Crash Scene Investigation Project at Naresuan University said.

"A handbook should be distributed to guide each... "

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 00301.html

[Jimbob]

continuing on from the Nation
He said his team found many foreigners injured in traffic accidents thought all Thai motorists must stop at a red light, but when they did that they had a collision. English communication problems by medical officials and rescue workers also led to misunderstanding among tourists. "So, they need to be informed in regard to accidents," he said.

I'm a little gobsmacked by this statement implying stopping a red lights is optional.
Sadly this sort of incident happens a lot elsewhere e.g. in New South Wales, resulting in death.

[Big Boy]

I agree, but it reads only optional for Thai motorists.

[Ginjaninja]

I'm a little gobsmacked by this statement implying stopping a red lights is optional.
Sadly this sort of incident happens a lot elsewhere e.g. in New South Wales, resulting in death.

I frequency cross Petchkasem road at the new traffic lights opposite the Bangkok hospital and on most occasions I witness the traffic crossing whilst the lights are red. The rule appears to be; if there are no pedestrians crossing when the light is red then it's free to continue. However I often see vehicles continuing despite the red light AND pedestrians waiting to cross.
Last week I was walking up to the traffic lights and there was a falang family stuck on the central reservation. It was slightly comical and they were laughing at themselves because there was no button in the middle to activate the traffic lights. They probably got stuck there because they couldn't cross the road in adequate time due to cars driving onwards well into the red light.
When the button was pressed from my side of the road the family were grateful of course but my heart lept when I thought I saw the leading male step onto the road as yet another car buzzed passed the red. Fortunately he was paying attention....
My point is... out of habit, where some of us come from it is taken for granted that the cars WILL stop on the red. Other foreigners may forget where they are (especially kids) and run across the road as soon as the green light is displayed.
It's sad to write this but I think it's a matter of time before there is a casualty at these lights. Every day I hear screeching tyres at these lights because a driver has only noticed the red or pedestrians at the last minute.

Condolences to the cyclists family and friends.
Sad sad story.
GN.

[Big Boy]

I agree with that Ginjaninja. I am often left at the red light with traffic passing either side of me until the green light shows. As always, motor cyclists (Thai and Farang) are the worst offenders.

[Frank Hovis]

I'm a little gobsmacked by this statement implying stopping a red lights is optional.

'Turn left on red' is legal and the default and is usually only prevented by a sign telling you that you cannot turn left on red but I have noticed a lot more signs that say 'free left turn' in Hua Hin so perhaps they are working towards 'left on red' is prohibited unless signed otherwise.
So yes, stopping at red lights until they change to green is optional here, for left hand turns. You are supposed to stop fully and then go left after checking everything is clear and safe but not everyone will.

[Nereus]

So yes, stopping at red lights until they change to green is optional here, for left hand turns.

What gets me going is not restricting it to just left turns, which in most situations is not a problem. In most "T" junction intersections where the primary, or major road, has a secondary road joining on the right hand side, the left lane of the main road ignores any red light. This is mostly where there are 3 lanes. Stop there, and THEN you will hear some horn blowing.

I guess this needs its own thread, as it is not much consolation to the poor innocent people that lost their lives.

[PeteC]

More from The Nation this morning that I can't access. Pete

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 00368.html

[Mod Edit]
A representative appointed by the British embassy yesterday picked up the bodies of a couple killed in a road crash in Chachoengsao. The duo was on a round-the-world bicycling journey.
Peter Root and Mary Thompson, both 34-year-old British citizens, died at 1pm last Wednesday when a pickup hit them on Kabin Buri-Phanom Sarakham Road.

The pickup driver, Worapong Sangkawat, is now facing charges of reckless driving causing deaths. If convicted, he will face up to 10 years in jail and/or a maximum fine of Bt20,000.

"Their bodies will be returned to Britain," Nopparat Khonyuen, the representative, said. He spoke to reporters while contacting the Phanom Sarakham Police Station to pick up the bodies and the couple's belongings. He said the belongings would also be handed over their relatives in Britain. Among them were 13 bags, a watch, a camera, a cell phone, two computer notebooks, some foreign currency and three rings. "We are following the procedure as requested by their relatives," Nopparat said.

Police said the victims' relatives could seek compensation from the insurance company the driver had bought a policy with.

[Big Boy]

If convicted, he will face up to 10 years in jail and/or a maximum fine of Bt20,000.

Or Bt20,000. That's about £200 per life, for reckless driving!! Life in Thailand really is cheap.

[margaretcarnes]

I'm a little gobsmacked by this statement implying stopping a red lights is optional.

'Turn left on red' is legal and the default and is usually only prevented by a sign telling you that you cannot turn left on red but I have noticed a lot more signs that say 'free left turn' in Hua Hin so perhaps they are working towards 'left on red' is prohibited unless signed otherwise.
So yes, stopping at red lights until they change to green is optional here, for left hand turns. You are supposed to stop fully and then go left after checking everything is clear and safe but not everyone will.

That's right, but Thailand isn't the only country where turning on red is perfectly legal. That, and the fact that many visitors are from countries where they drive on the right, IMO contributes to many accidents and near misses.
The Petkasem junction is especially bad, and as Rider says it is very easy to get stranded in the middle of the road there, but I thought they had put 'no left turn on red' kind of signs up? Not that it makes much difference of course.
It would make sense to have a proper central reservation on that stretch of Petkasem, but I would guess they need the removable barriers for occassions like Loy Kraton parades etc. And at first, as I recall, they did make some effort to get people to use the crossings. Then spaces appeared in the barriers.....
Certainly tourists do need to be made aware of potential dangers. Maybe a good start would be large notices in arrivals at Swampy just explaining that they drive on the left, and can turn left on red, would help. Or leaflets on road safety handed out at Passport Control.

[MrPlum]

The fact is, travelling anywhere is inherently risky and the more you travel the greater the odds of an accident.

If a beauty in a miniskirt walked across the street, the risks would shoot up. Mobile phones; drinking and eating while driving; dogs or children, or vehicles, shooting into the road without looking; drink-drivers; those on medications or drugs; youngsters turning streets into race tracks; the elderly with poor eyesight, poor reflexes or health; macho drivers in their macho cars, bossing the road; van or bus drivers watching TV or listening to football.

The only surprise is there isn't more carnage.

Hands up anyone who has never allowed themselves to be distracted when they drive? I'm intensely alert when I drive because, after 3 wipe-outs on fast motorbikes and being run into from behind and suffering from whiplash for nearly 20 years, I'm painfully aware of the risks. Having said that there are still occasions when I note the mind going off on a journey, or I slip into auto-pilot and have to snap back to attention. The driver certainly didn't intend to kill anyone.

In a culture of crime and punishment, we are only too ready to switch on the electric chair but not every culture feels the same way. Is an error of judgement a crime? Or maybe the man could be interviewed on TV in front of the nation advising others to drive with due care and attention and warning of the consequences?

What is appropriate?

[usual suspect]

Some good points made here from you all..
The issue with the new pedestrian crossing at BKK hospital makes me think of the times I've seen bewildered tourists wondering HOW to cross Petkasem Rd to/from the night-market when there is clearly road markings to show a 'pedestrian crossing'..& yet once the main traffic lights have allowed another batch of speeding motorists to race towards the next set of lights (same for Southbound & Northbound drivers)..these folk stranded in the middle clearly should be allowed to step out & cross..(in their own European countries they have the right to do so)..but the Thai motorist (as usual) simply toots his horn, flashes his main beam & keeps barreling on!
Many evenings, mostly weekends when the Thai Hi-So's are in town..men are posted to stop traffic & allow folk to cross, but again..maybe the tourist needs to know that they cannot cross at will..even on a designated crossing.

[margaretcarnes]

You're right US, and it has always impressed me that it's the police who are posted at the Night Market crossing to help people. You wouldn't find that happening in the UK now for sure. But that's only at the main tourist intersection and at busy times.
Tourists do need to know where and how to cross safely. How that is achieved is the problem. Singapore has it sussed, but do we really want to see Thailand go the same way - even if it could?
Doing simple things to make visitors aware would at least be a start. Unfortunately old habits die hard, and people who are used to looking a certain way when crossing the road will sometimes forget they are in Thailand. Conversely I still can't cross a one way street in the UK without looking both ways - you will know exactly what I mean!