Deaths So Far During Songkran Holiday.

[nookiebear]

One of those 271 must be the Thai Guy who lives nearly opposite me,,,,,,He rode this old m/c selling ice cream ,it never had a light front or back.They are just fetching his body from Buriram Hospital

[isanbirder]

Sad, Nookie.  The one who lives nearby always makes you feel worse than a hundred in Bangkok.

[nookiebear]

Sad, Nookie.  The one who lives nearby always makes you feel worse than a hundred in Bangkok.

Very True IB..........I've lost count of the times I had seen him riding along the 24 in the pitch black

[den Buut]

Damn, but why didn't you warn him, Thais don't see the danger most of the time, if I see a (Thai) friend with broken lights I always inform them and hope they do something with the information.

[nookiebear]

Damn, but why didn't you warn him, Thais don't see the danger most of the time, if I see a (Thai) friend with broken lights I always inform them and hope they do something with the information.

DB,I told him so many times you wouldn't believe it..........I told my lass also,,,her reply ,'you not understand Thailand ,Up to him!!!'.......

[Jamaw]

There is really no excuse for this. Thailand is negligent and has no policy for road safety. Vietnam is spending millions of dollars bringing in experts! I have given lectures all over the word in roads safety yet Thailand doers not respond.

It costs the country millions in hidden costs so it is in Thailands interest to sort this problem. This is of course applying logic but Thailand does not have proper politicians with the long term interest of the country at heart!

It all goes back to corruption; if no money can be made for it, instantly then forget it. And, what's in it for me attitude!

[Jamaw]

It's not as good news as you'd think! Thailand is well known for manipulating RTA statistics. The WHO and UN have clearly laid out templates for collecting such DATA but Thailand doesn't use this. As an example, anyone who dies within 30 days of an RTA is recognised as an RTA. However, Thailand doesn't adhere to this. Add to that many RTA's go unrecorded with illegal drivers and vehicles they are unlikely to call the authorities after an accident!

The UN/WHO believe Thailand (as well as others) massage the figures by about 30%. Is is a co-incidence that Thailand has just published a 30% improvement? Which means nothing has changed!

If Thailand allowed internationally trained Road Safety Specialists (like me) to take part in the process then the real figures would come out!

[manupete]

So what your saying Jamie is the figures could be wrong every year then  , and then be used by the Government in power to show they are doing a good job when if fact it's the same or even worst than before.

[Jamaw]

There is the truth for public consumption and the real truth! Quite common. I worked in an Arabic country for 5 years and they refused to adhere to UN/WHO conditions for the same reasons.

It is not all done with malice but it's about control. It is very difficult for the Thai Government to gain proper realistic statistics. However, Thailand will not allow international observers, such as me. I have contacted them and offered help but I've not had the dignity or decency of a reply. So I provide this service to other countries in Asia! Like most things in Thai society, nothing scares them more than the truth!

[isanbirder]

I don't believe the statistics either, nor do I think anybody believes Thai statistics.  What I think may well be true, however, is that the statistics every year are biassed in much the same way, so the year-to-year comparison is a reasonable one.  But I wouldn't put any money on it!

[Prakhonchai Nick]

Damn, but why didn't you warn him, Thais don't see the danger most of the time, if I see a (Thai) friend with broken lights I always inform them and hope they do something with the information.

DB,I told him so many times you wouldn't believe it..........I told my lass also,,,her reply ,'you not understand Thailand ,Up to him!!!'.......

Absolutely true. You are wasting your time giving any advice to a Thai. They know better than anyone. 

[nookiebear]

Have been watching M/c's come & go tonight,so many with no rear lights!!

[den Buut]

Damn, but why didn't you warn him, Thais don't see the danger most of the time, if I see a (Thai) friend with broken lights I always inform them and hope they do something with the information.

DB,I told him so many times you wouldn't believe it..........I told my lass also,,,her reply ,'you not understand Thailand ,Up to him!!!'.......

Is your wife's englisch that bad Nookie?

[nookiebear]

My wifes English appears to be better than your own!!

[nookiebear]

My ears are hurting ,,,,,I hope they burn this guy soon