Comments on: Thailand in the News Week Ending 01/02/10

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:14:17 +0000

Talen, I haven’t googled very far… but here is a start – http://www.grsproadsafety.org/page-thailand-28.html

According to official statistics (police), 12,858 people were killed in road crashes in 2005. However the real number might even be higher.

According to documentation from the health sector, the real death toll could be 20,000 or more if victims who die after being removed from the crash scene are included.
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..My New Year’s Resolution: The 30 Day Trial =-.

By: Talen

Talen — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:07:32 +0000

Cat, not something I’ve heard of before, if true that would very very bad because the numbers could be as much as four times whats reported.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:17:54 +0000

Talen, I read somewhere (might even be on your site) that the road deaths in Thailand are only counted if the person dies at the accident. Those who die later of their injuries are not counted. If this is true, then the death toll is obviously higher than reported. .-= Catherine´s last blog ..My New Year’s Resolution: The 30 Day Trial =-.

By: Talen

Talen — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:08:58 +0000

Mike, You’re right the numbers are worse now.

Another problem are the checkpoints themselves. During last Songkran I was driving to That Phanom from Mukdahan with Pookie and little brother …little brother was doing the driving and when he saw the checkpoint he took a side road. When asked why Pookie said he lost his license the week before for DWI.

Pookie or I drove from then on. Even when we did hit a checkpoint on the last night of Songkran they didn’t even care that Pookie didn’t have her license on her ( she had to renew it ) they just wanted us to take an old drunk home that was annoying them.

I have no doubt your right about the road transport minister….that or he will say they targeted the program in the wrong areas.

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:33:42 +0000

Talen I think the figures are even worse now.

What I would love to know is what exactly will happen to all the folks stopped for not having a licence(albeit on them) because the chances are they don’t have one at home either. Of course I already know the answer.

Given the huge publicity about cutting accidents this New Year I fancy the Road Transport Department will be keeping a low profile or the Minister might well be joining the guys from the Health Department (mis-appropriation of funds). Because the few million Baht spent on the Don’t Drive Drunk Campaign would appear to be water down the drain.

Last night I had a very pleasant meal with some Thai friends, the husband works for the police. he and I shared a bottle of Thai brandy along with some excellent food. When we left MTF(doesn’t drink) drove my truck. He drove his family home. For me it sort of says it all really.
.-= Mike´s last blog ..Thai Style Barbecue New Year 2010 =-.

By: Talen

Talen — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 20:30:44 +0000

Cat, I wouldn’t want to drive in Bangkok on an average day much less a holiday.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:47:40 +0000

Talen, I drove about an hour and a half out of BKK on New Year’s day. Heading out, traffic was stopped by a ten car pileup (and those were only the cars that had not been towed away). Coming back, traffic was halted by a two car accident that went across the dividers (coming and going). Both cars were flipped and totaled. I won’t be driving anywhere next New Year’s holiday.

On the subject of rice… The Americans can have Jazzman (Jasmine). My first preference is the lovely Japanese variety (porcelain white). My second is the Thai gourmet rice found at Paragon.
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..Thai Typing Tutor Game =-.