Train accident kills 3 in Hua Hin district

[Spitfire]

3 killed when train crashes into their pick-up truck in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Prachuap Khiri Khan - A mother, daughter and her aunt were killed when their pick-up truck was hit by a train at train crossing here Thursday morning.

Police said the accident happened at 7:40 am on a road in Khao Takiab village in Tambon Nongkae of Hua Hin district.

The mother, Pichuda Yaemkesorn, 40, was driving her pick-up to send her daughter, Suwimol Sunthornnan, 14, to school, when the accident occurred. Pichuda's sister, Pattama Yaemkesorn, 41, was travelling with them.

The Nation

Very sad to see another accident involving a train. Not much other info around yet, maybe some of you who are closer can provide anything extra.

[hhfarang]

That's the same place two of our best friends were killed a couple of years ago. When, oh when will they put up gates or warning signals???!!!!

[ste860]

That's the same place two of our best friends were killed a couple of years ago. When, oh when will they put up gates or warning signals???!!!!

that crossing is indeed a dangerous one,had a near miss myself last year
the train just came from no where

[Nereus]

Very sad, sickening in fact.

Does anybody know who is the authority for installing railway crossing barriers? Is it the SRT, the local Tambon, the Land Transport Dept?
I guess the usual buck passing and ducking for cover will prevail regardless of which Department is responsible. I can understand there perhaps not being barriers on some remote road, but not in a place like that, or the other bad one on Soi 102.

[VincentD]

While indeed sad, there is also the attitude of the road users not respecting the fact that the train has right-of-way.

I remember a horrible accident where four people I knew well lost their lives on an uncontrolled crossing near Baan Mi. This crossing is now controlled. (Controlled meaning it has barriers that can either be rolled across or lowered before a train passes. Uncontrolled = no barriers.)

I have also noted road user's behaviour when they see a barrier descending - the first is to speed up and try to beat the gap.

If it's a half barrier - one that covers only the driving side of the road - the motorcyclists will still go around the first, across the rail along the rail path, and then round the second. Doesn't matter if the train's coming, they think they can beat it.

I remember once seeing the main barrier in Lopburi town with a big dent in the middle - according to the food shop owner there a car just didn't bother, expecting the thing to stop in mid travel, so his car got bonked. Or the other way around.
Mind you, the booms are also fitted with brakes; I've observed the boom lowering in fits and starts as the operator doesn't really want to hit anyone with the boom on it's way down.

This is probably why all the level crossings are manually controlled; nobody respects a boom coming down and an automatic boom will create more casualties than the trains.

My two pennies worth. Maybe Terry can add to that?

[stgrhe]

That's the same place two of our best friends were killed a couple of years ago. When, oh when will they put up gates or warning signals???!!!!

I pass trough there every day and that crossing does indeed have both signals and half barriers. The problem is that the red light comes on long before the train arrives and most Thai will simply drive cross despite the warning signal.

As I live nearby I heard the crash and saw the rescue squad arriving.

[margaretcarnes]

Very sad, sickening in fact.

Does anybody know who is the authority for installing railway crossing barriers? Is it the SRT, the local Tambon, the Land Transport Dept?
I guess the usual buck passing and ducking for cover will prevail regardless of which Department is responsible. I can understand there perhaps not being barriers on some remote road, but not in a place like that, or the other bad one on Soi 102.

There was discussion on the forum some time ago about the local residents clubbing together to install lights at the Soi 102 crossing. I think the idea came to nothing unfortunately due to apathy on the part of some householders down there.
Another tragic accident. They shouldn't happen of course, but I don't think it's entirely down to Thai mentality. I see people here in the UK every week taking unecessary risks crossing a busy road. Sometimes even pushing their kids' buggies out onto the road first. Or crossing on mobility scooters as the lights are about to change. Youngsters playing 'chicken' Makes me cringe.

[PeteC]

.... Youngsters playing 'chicken' Makes me cringe.

Yes, I think I saw the aftermath of something similar this week. Sukhumvit in Rayong, early morning. West bound lane an outline of a body on the road and a pair of youngsters school shoes laying right beside. Wife ID'd them as school shoes and suspected a teenage student late for school was rushing on a motorbike, changing lanes and got run over by a car coming from behind in the passing lane.

Why the police didn't remove the shoes is unknown, maybe a warning to others, maybe a memorial, no clue. They were still there late afternoon with drivers deliberately driving around the spot instead of over it. Pete

[charlesh]

You are partially correct Margaret re' risk taking behavior however the risk averse aspect is indeed low here. That you can put down to culture and eductaion!
I have also seen thais in pick ups/cars and on motor scooters drive across controlled crossings when you can see the train approaching! I'm surprised that the speed at which Thai trains travel they actually hit something. No wonder there is a shortage of drivers with the near misses and hits they must have.

[margaretcarnes]

You're right Charlesh - avoiding risk isn't high on the Thai agenda. Buddha will have his way regardless! In the West kids deliberately take risks to impress, and prove themselves to their mates. I feel for the drivers of the buses or trains who hit them and have to live with it.