T.I.G.R. wrote:I do care about feeling some real sympathy for a fourteen year old girl who deserves a little bit more respect from you. Not an arguable point please.
end.
T.I.G.R.
Since I've already expressed concern for the victim, I do not care for your misrepresentation, nor would I be so callous to describe the victim as a 'daft bitch'.
This topic is not just for expressions of concern, or outrage and nobody on here has any connection to the victim. Nor are any members of the girl's family likely to read these posts. if they were, then ALL speculation is inappropriate. Not just the speculation you care for. You do not know the girl or the family so please spare me the guilt trip. If you wish to talk facts, it is a reality that in a few days, no-one will be checking this thread, including you.
You mention 'belief' twice in your reply. Belief is not fact. The girl is 17, not 14, and the fact that you were INSIDE a Porsche is not evidence of the speed she might have been struck, on the OUTSIDE. I would expect the car to be in a far worse state had it been travelling at a higher speed. But that, too, is just speculation.
It is reported that while the car owner was in Hong Kong, the son decided to take the car for a spin with a friend. The girl (he claims) crossed the road from behind a bus, probably looking the wrong way, (since they drive on the other side of the road in Laos) and she was struck. Witnesses should be able to corroborate this. The car owner is now back in the country making sure the victim's family is recompensed.
The perpetrator has reported to the Police and has been bailed. According to the NATION the police have charged him with 'manslaughter and hit and run', which is clearly a felony charge (so be happy
). 'He was taken to police by his father and a relative, Jaran Thatsiriworrawat, who said the family was sorry for what happened and was ready to be held responsible.'
Thai 'due process', such as it is, will decide his guilt. Under our law you are 'innocent until proven guilty'. I don't know if this is the case in Thailand. As far as I can see, some members have abandoned this standard in this particular incident.
The fact is because the guy was driving a Porsche, it has becomes a rich versus poor debate, in a country where
many road traffic accidents occur. On weekends I read there are 20 to 30 deaths from accidents in Bangkok alone. You KNOW what is coming during Songkran. There is no such sympathy or outrage expressed by members, for all these other avoidable deaths, where the vehicle is a Honda Jazz.
Clinging vainly to what you see as more civilised, westernised, first world mores and venting on an internet forum will not change this country and will just create more frustration. Nor does it help to hear members complaining about corruption, who offer up 200 thb to every Policeman who asks for it.
Until such time as the law gives them more protection, the onus is on
pedestrians to treat roads with caution. Just as much as it is on the driver to assess and slow down for every possible situation where there is risk. But how many people actually do that? Do you?
If it turns out he was doing 160 kph and she never stood a chance, then I agree, he
should be punished but we don't know that yet.
The sad reality is that with dogs, animals, motorbikes shooting out, minivans, badly lit roadworks and lighting, this could happen to any of us, at any time.
Irrespective of this particular incident, here is the litmus test for all you 'outraged' out there...
If you hit and
killed someone here in Thailand and were given the option of a few years in jail or a
totally, mutually acceptable cash disbursement to the family (and a cut to the police), what would you honestly do?
